BLACK DOG
A SCRIBNER CRIME NOVEL
Hardcover edition ISBN:
068487301X
What the reviewers are saying:
"Stephen Booth is a brilliant writer who gets everything -
atmosphere, character, plot - just right. This book took my breath away."
-
Bonnie Claeson, Black Orchid Bookshop, New York
"Such authors as Minette Walters,
-
Otto Penzler, Mysterious Bookshop, New York
"In addition to a nicely complex plot and excellent characterization, Booth excels at creating a sense of place.... he has achieved a tour de
force in this his first outing. In fact, if I were to assign a star to each of the main writing elements of plot, characterization, pace, dialog and
setting, Booth would get five stars, hands down. Highly recommended."
- Maddy Van Hertbruggen, About.com Mystery Books
"I recommend Black Dog highly. The last time I felt such a strong sense of place
while reading a novel was in Charles Frazier's 'Cold Mountain'. Stephen Booth is
definitely an author to watch."
-
Carol Segina, MysinDepth
"The cryptic activities of eccentric, unco-operative murder suspect
Harry Dickinson add depth to this intriguing first-time offering, a
psychological suspense story from a British journalist. Dickinson is one of a
triad of macabre old men who haunt the woods and countryside near Edendale in
northern England's Peak District.... Booth's intention here, in which he
succeeds admirably, is to unveil secret lives against the seemingly placid
background of a country village."
- Publishers Weekly
"... in a welcome change from most crime fiction, the
woman cop is not at all a sympathetic character.... Implications ripple out from
the discovery of the girl's body, ultimately tearing off the facades that many
of the villagers have constructed. Booth's "something is very wrong
here" tone is satisfyingly similar to Ruth Rendell's. Chilling and
thought-provoking."
- Connie Fletcher, Booklist
"A neat little psychological thriller in the
Barbara Vine tradition .... a smart, spare suspense story... a
well-written, carefully paced, and deeply atmospheric novel. A strong first
showing from a writer worth watching, with a protagonist who'd be good company
in a return engagement."
- Jane Adams, Amazon.com
"Booth melds canny psychological
insights, faultless procedural details and a rural crossroads setting that add
up to a powerful and impressive debut that shows few traces of the novice.
Beautifully written and executed with wonderful flair... the struggle to uncover
the complicated roots of a violent crime has seldom been better rendered.
Booth's first effort deserves every consideration when awards are considered and
ought to be one of the favorites."
- Bob Hahn, BookBrowser
"There has been a resurgence in the
quality and perspective of British suspense in the past few years, and 'Black
Dog' is a prime example.... Booth has produced an engaging, smart crime story
that will keep you guessing throughout."
- Peter Mergendahl, Denver Rocky Mountain News
"You can add me to the list of fans. I
thought this was a superb first novel. Great characters, great plot, oodles of
atmosphere, and a beautifully rendered setting. This is exactly the type of
British police procedural that I love sinking my teeth into. I'll be very much
looking forward to the second in the series."
- Dean James, Murder by the Book, Houston, Texas
"Stephen Booth skillfully renders the small-village atmosphere of England's Peak District
while weaving a good puzzle into local custom... his sense of smell and sound is already
a gift. This is a fine debut, and you can quote me on that."
- Robin Winks, Boston Globe
"This is easily one of the best, if not
simply the best,
"Steeped in atmosphere, dark but not hardboiled, worked on a colorful canvas."
- Barbara Peters,
The Poisoned Pen bookshop,
Arizona
And readers say:
"Black Dog is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I can't use the expression lyrical because it is not. It is much too grounded in describing real life in real places to be called lyrical. I will have to go with the expressions used on the back cover........evocative and gorgeously written....... The easiest thing to compare this book to is one of the Dutch Old Masters that really let you see a moment in the day of real people. I know these people and this town...... read the book, you will want to know them too. By the way, the plot and the characterizations are also great."
"It's just brilliant, it reminds me of the best English authors, Reg Hill, Colin Dexter, Frances Fyfield, Elizabeth Corley. There are never enough books by these authors and I am always left waiting for a new title to come out. Happily I can now add you to the list and have many happy hours filled with beautiful writing, great plots, intelligent cops and robbers."
"I just finished reading Black Dog last evening and I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. In many ways it did remind me of Reginald Hill. The sense of place was very strong, as were the characters. Thank you and I hope this is a best seller, it deserves to be!"
"This is a wonderful book. I couldn't stop reading, yet I didn't want to finish and say goodbye to the characters. Your writing has such a fine literary quality, which is rare among mystery/crime writers."
"A top-notch British police procedural; by far my best mystery read of the month, maybe even the year. I loved this book!!!"
"Wonderful. Dark, full of secrets. Pulled me out of my cozy little cocoon and gave me the shivers."
"The atmosphere is terrific. I feel like I am right there in the Peak District!"
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