Rating: 
Summary: Hill is Out of Focus with "Pictures of Perfection"
Review: "It is the Day of Reckoning." Thus begins what is perhaps one of the most effective narrative hooks around. Reginald Hill then precedes in his opening chapter of "Pictures of Perfection" to capture completely the reader's undivided attention in this yet another Dalziel and Pascoe British mystery. However, while irony may be a useful, sometimes even necessary, literary tool, Hill incorporates another device and carries it a step further--he approaches the "theatre of the absurd." While using this mesmerizing first chapter to rivet the reader's attention solidly, longtime--and quite successful--writer Hill cheapens his shots by ultimately relying on another literary device, the red herring! And this red herring is also a very smelly dead horse, to carry the metaphor even further! By the concluding chapter, the reader, at least one hoping for more than just a "high rush" (or catharsis) of satisfaction of discovering that "all's well that ends well," is the victim of a low blow. It seems that Hill simply becomes too involved-- in apparently something else besides the book-- to afford a sensible, and usual, Hill ending. Thus, this reader is left with a feeling of disbelief in one of his favorite authors! In fact, it is almost an embarrassing conclusion! Not that endings can't be simple, of course, but Hill doesn't seem to want to present another of his provocative endings, one that stays with you. This time, he perhaps thinks "simple is best." Granted, the reliable Dalziel and Pascoe are up to form. Who cannot like this duo, and the reliable Sergeant Wield is once again featured, for better or for worse! Hill has no difficulty in keeping the readers' interests as his writing style generally holds true to form. The remaining characters step up to carry the plot and his humor is still intact. And, once again, he cleverly weaves in the most interesting literary allusions which make his books always a great challenge to try to stay up with him. The best line in the book is offered: "He wore...a shot-silk scarf just long enough when he drove at speed to give him something of Isadora Duncan's panache without risking sharing her fate." Hill's best books are "Bones and Silence" (perhaps I treasure it because it was the first one I read), "Recalled to Life," "Child's Play," "Dead Heads," and "Exit Lines." No foolishness in these, that's for certain. And Hill's style is razor-sharp, perhaps to use a Hill expression! And his books--with a bit of poetic license--have made an excellent British TV mini- series starring Warren Clarke as Dalziel and Colin Buchanan as Pascoe. However, his style begins to get a bit weary as he develops his "Pictures." He writes, "Beneath this dark escutcheon ran the equally obscure words 'Fuctata non perfecta.'" This motto is set to apply to the gentried Guillemard family, but easily symbolizes the novel! Hill's prose continues as he describes Wield: "Others often took it as a sign that the interrupted lycanthropic process suggested by his face was about to be resumed." And then, "Slowly, he began a circumambulation of the motorcycle." Not to be outdone, he writes, "The rejected convoy was moving off in an accelerando of engines and a brume of fume" and continues with "Only one word in this mulitfarious menu really registsered on the biker's brain" and "he placed the coins carefully on a ziggurat of copper and silver." But what's in a name, someone once asked, and Hill continues to bombard us with "but was inhibited by his own dishabille" and scores the coup de grace with "It was a coup de foudre, a surge of longing so intense, he felt as if every ounce of his flesh was on fire." And, finally, "Here was the still center of the Scudamore household, its domestic and commercial strength and its tutelary spirit." Please, Reginald! `
Rating: 
Summary: Delightful!
Review: "Pictures of Perfection" is a delightful fairy tale of a mystery complete with happily-ever-after ending. It becomes apparent early on that the author is playing some sort of enormous joke on his readers, but I doubt you'll guess what the punch line is! At least I didn't. If you enjoy a literate, intelligent traditional (but quirky) British whodunit, this should be just your cup of tea. It's filled with Reginald Hill's trademark humor (even more than usual), and Dalziel, Pascoe and Wield are all in top form.
Rating:
Summary: Delightful!
Review: "Pictures of Perfection" is a delightful fairy tale of a mystery complete with happily-ever-after ending. It becomes apparent early on that the author is playing some sort of enormous joke on his readers, but I doubt you'll guess what the punch line is! At least I didn't. If you enjoy a literate, intelligent traditional (but quirky) British whodunit, this should be just your cup of tea. It's filled with Reginald Hill's trademark humor (even more than usual), and Dalziel, Pascoe and Wield are all in top form.
Rating:
Summary: Great:***wickedly Funny Twisted plot,and Happy SGT Wield!
Review: *****
This is a Dalziel/Pascoe mystery, with the usual careful plotting and great dialogue. However, this book is above and beyond even Reginald Hill's great usual: there's a bizarre shock in store for the reader. (Who will enjoy it later, very much) It has wickedly funny plotting, some of the most unusual characters, and to my delight an unexpected chance at happiness for poor sweet Sergeant Wield. Wield has suffered through plenty of Dalziel's bossiness and the dismay of "coming out" to his fellow detectives. In this story he meets a man he initially finds very annoying, but as the story develops, we can see the promise of love on the horizon.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
I thought this mystery was wonderful as a kind of "fun" romp with the characters. Hill is showing us he cares very much about them all.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, Fun, Fun
Review: Filled with humor, irony, and exquisite dialog! One of the best of Hill's series.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, Fun, Fun
Review: Filled with humor, irony, and exquisite dialog! One of the best of Hill's series.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece of wit and illusion.
Review: For those of you who prefer the cozy British mystery, like myself, you will be promptly dismayed, perhaps even repulsed, by the first gruesome chapter. Persevere. Like the magician who saws the lovely lady in half its not about gore but smoke, mirrors and not one, but several, well drawn characters finding their heart's repose. Giving you a synopsis of the plot simply isn't possible, because what you think it is, it simply isn't. But this can be said: The book is full of satirical humour, fascinating characters and an actual mystery. Add to this that the author does wonderful things with the English language and the book is a winner all the way around.
Rating: 
Summary: A nifty departure from the "Dalziel and Pascoe" norm
Review: Hill wittily parodies both Jane Austen's *Pride and Prejudice* and the English village mystery in this engaging romp. A nice break from the usually grim tone of the series as a whole, the novel features all the usual suspects (theft? murder? fraud?), then turns them on their heads. But at least several characters find true love where they (and we!) least expect it. Hill does delight in the odd word--"hispid," for example, stumped an entire room of English professors (including this one when she first encountered it!). Bibliophiles will enjoy the references to obscure Victorian novels--not to mention Enscombe's irresistibly acidic antiquarian bookseller, Edwin Digweed, who comes complete with a bookshop to drool over.
Rating:
Summary: another great mystery with twists a-plenty!
Review: I am a bona fide Reginald Hill fan and have read about a fourth of all he's so far written. Pictures of Perfection is, without a doubt, one of the best ones I've read and it shows the full range and breadth of Mr. Hill's talents. While ostensibly a mystery, there is ample mirth, satire, parody, and guffaws throughout the book. Mr. Hill also has the ability, rare in the field of mystery writers for some reason, to turn a phrase just right and then place it in the mouth of the best character to say that one phrase; as a result, I found myself laughing outright in unexpected moments! Character development is finely tuned here and, for once, the book allows a fuller sense of Sergeant Wield and for me fills in the piece of how Wield met his partner who is included in later books. In fact, I feel Hill writes as if picturing all this on stage or on the screen. Yes, that's how well timed and placed characters, dialogue, and plot are. (Mr Hill: If you are reading, please release your books to the larger screen! I can't wait to see who's cast as Andy Dalziel!) Whether this be your first Hill novel or not, you will not be disappointed by this page-turner!
Rating:
Summary: another great mystery with twists a-plenty!
Review: I am a bona fide Reginald Hill fan and have read about a fourth of all he's so far written. Pictures of Perfection is, without a doubt, one of the best ones I've read and it shows the full range and breadth of Mr. Hill's talents. While ostensibly a mystery, there is ample mirth, satire, parody, and guffaws throughout the book. Mr. Hill also has the ability, rare in the field of mystery writers for some reason, to turn a phrase just right and then place it in the mouth of the best character to say that one phrase; as a result, I found myself laughing outright in unexpected moments! Character development is finely tuned here and, for once, the book allows a fuller sense of Sergeant Wield and for me fills in the piece of how Wield met his partner who is included in later books. In fact, I feel Hill writes as if picturing all this on stage or on the screen. Yes, that's how well timed and placed characters, dialogue, and plot are. (Mr Hill: If you are reading, please release your books to the larger screen! I can't wait to see who's cast as Andy Dalziel!) Whether this be your first Hill novel or not, you will not be disappointed by this page-turner!
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