Stephen Booth‘s series of crime novels give a sense of place in both rural and town settings around the Pennines (in central England). They have a rich texture and are vitalised by the central characters of DC Ben Cooper and DS Diane Fry. Ben is the industrious boy from the country; Diane is the truculent towny. Attention to their upbringing and ambitions, and indeed the detailed background of families and many others are lovingly portrayed. Crimes in Booth’s world have a cultural context and as British crime fiction has got darker it is notable that these books appeal both to those who like whodunnits and something a little more suspenseful and eerie.

As with Mr. Booth’s previous books, Black Dog, and Dancing with the Virgins, Blood on the Tongue is a book that you will want to read slowly, because you want to savour each and every word. It is a book you will not want to rush through – Booth gives his readers plenty to enjoy and peruse in thinking about the characters and where they reside. It was a delight for the late great Reginald Hill (creator of the Dalziel and Pascoe series) to write a fabulous appreciation for this volume. Stephen Booth is probably the closest follower of Hill in spirit that is writing today. Few copies left.