The latest in the series about the police pairing Dalziel and Pascoe. The book opens with an explosion resulting in the hospitalisation of Dalziel. Indeed he spends much of the book teetering at the brink of death (whether or not he slips over I will leave you to find out - his fate is not revealed until the last chapter or so). So much of the book centres on Pascoe (whose life is saved at the explosion by the vast bulk of his senior colleague), and his dealings with CAT (Counter Terrorist) and a shady group of fanatics seeking to sort out the 'threat' of Islamic Fundamentalists. Now Reginald Hill is on a bit of a theme here, returning to his hobbyhorse of the effects of the Iraq War. I must say this book wasn't as enjoyable as some of his earlier volumes, it is overtly political, and although I might agree with some of his sentiments he is begining to lay it on with a trowel. Therefore, all his Muslim characters are sweetness and light, the right wingers are stuck up and insane, racist and bigoted. Life just isn't that clear cut. The government security forces are riddled with rogue elements with links to vigilantiism. I think I was spoiled by reading the Simon Brett book just before this one - the violent and strong language jarred, the police procedure details didn't impress and there weren't enough surprises or elements of suspense. Rating - a solid 6/10
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