Ten Dalziel and Pascoe Mystery novels

Reginald Hill

A Clubbable Woman (1970)
The very conventional, rather dull first one of the series, a little too clubbish and lacking in drive, interest and excitement, though these are not in fact the high points of this writer. Instead, humor, perception, interesting and literary writing are what this series is all about. The rugby club setting is not very interesting.

An Advancement of Learning (1971)
An advancement on the Clubbable Woman, but still a little too conventional, in a girls college (with boys), intrigue, abuse and murder English style sense. But the school people are just not interesting. So, a little too focused on the upper classes, though the student demonstrations are interesting. Peter Pascoe meets up with an old friend Ellie.

A Ruling Passion (1973)
Third in the series of Yorkshire detective novels, starring Andrew Dalziel and Peter Pascoe (the latter to the fore in this one). English country murder (three!) with a twist. Very nicely written, smart and interesting. Peter and Ellie are dating (a lot of people don't like her, but I think she is realistic and adds a lot of interest)

An April Shroud (1975)
Fourth in the series of Dalziel and Pascoe. The fat detective Dalziel in charge and alone, marooned at an English countryside house, typical spoiled family. Very Iris Murdoch, but without the number of strange and shocking scenes. A watery landscape adds to the atmosphere. To my mmind, the best of the early ones.

A Pinch of Snuff (1978)
Many people's favorite and the one which brought Hill to everyone's notice. Porno palaces, Eastern Europeans, poor old ladies and much to say about class. Seems like Venice somehow.

A Killing Kindness (1980)
Literary phone calls (Hamlet cues), Gypsies, séances. The setting is effectively presented as are the side characters, but this still is a little too confusing and dull.

Deadheads (1983)
Who could resist the rose lore that surrounds this one, complete with epigraphs for each chapter describing roses that are symbols for the happenings of the chapter. The Indian police cadet is particularly attractive, and particularly to Sergeant Wield.

Bones and Silence (1990)
One of the most interesting of the series, with a complex series of murders, a sub plot about suicide and responsibility and Pascoe and Dalziel at real odds (more so than usual).
Class differences are especially pointed. Epigraphs from Old English Mystery Plays, are curiously modern and largely effective.

Arms and the Women (1998)
Very elegantly written and designed, an epic of sorts. Most of the characters women and strong ones. Pascoe's wife Ellie takes the lead here. Interspersed is her version of the Aenid. Great Book. Controversially disliked by many. A fat one, but without the fat one.

On Beulah Height (1999)
A large lumbering novel, a town inundated to make a reservoir, and the deaths of three (and later a fourth) young girls. The place is very well done, as are some of the characters. Doesn't work as well as Arms and the Women.