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Charlie Resnick #2
Rough Treatment
A series of house break-ins that are too neat to be anything but inside jobs; a missing kilo of coke; a thief with some very nasty habits and another with too tender a heart . . . all add up to John Harvey's second complex and fast-paced police procedural featuring Charlie Resnick.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
58 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
John Harvey
276 books203 followersaka Jon Barton, William S. Brady (with Angus Wells), L.J. Coburn (with Laurence James), J.B. Dancer (with Angus Wells), John B. Harvey, William M. James (with Terry Harknett and Laurence James), Terry Lennox, John J. McLaglen (with Laurence James), James Mann, Thom Ryder, J.D. Sandon (with Angus Wells), Jon Hart
John Harvey (born 21 December 1938 in London) is a British author of crime fiction most famous for his series of jazz-influenced Charlie Resnick novels, based in the City of Nottingham. Harvey has also published over 90 books under various names, and has worked on scripts for TV and radio. He also ran Slow Dancer Press from 1977 to 1999 publishing poetry. The first Resnick novel, Lonely Hearts, was published in 1989, and was named by The Times as one of the 100 Greatest Crime Novels of the Century. Harvey brought the series to an end in 1998 with Last Rites, though Resnick has since made peripheral appearances in Harvey's new Frank Elder series. The protagonist Elder is a retired detective who now lives, as Harvey briefly did, in Cornwall. The first novel in this series, Flesh and Blood, won Harvey the Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger in 2004, an accolade many crime fiction critics thought long overdue. In 2007 he was awarded the Diamond Dagger for a Lifetime's Contribution to the genre. On 14th July 2009 he received an honorary degree (Doctor of Letters) from the University of Nottingham in recognition of his literary eminence and his associations with both the University and Nottingham (particularly in the Charlie Resnick novels). He is also a big Notts County fan.
John Harvey (born 21 December 1938 in London) is a British author of crime fiction most famous for his series of jazz-influenced Charlie Resnick novels, based in the City of Nottingham. Harvey has also published over 90 books under various names, and has worked on scripts for TV and radio. He also ran Slow Dancer Press from 1977 to 1999 publishing poetry. The first Resnick novel, Lonely Hearts, was published in 1989, and was named by The Times as one of the 100 Greatest Crime Novels of the Century. Harvey brought the series to an end in 1998 with Last Rites, though Resnick has since made peripheral appearances in Harvey's new Frank Elder series. The protagonist Elder is a retired detective who now lives, as Harvey briefly did, in Cornwall. The first novel in this series, Flesh and Blood, won Harvey the Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger in 2004, an accolade many crime fiction critics thought long overdue. In 2007 he was awarded the Diamond Dagger for a Lifetime's Contribution to the genre. On 14th July 2009 he received an honorary degree (Doctor of Letters) from the University of Nottingham in recognition of his literary eminence and his associations with both the University and Nottingham (particularly in the Charlie Resnick novels). He is also a big Notts County fan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 4, 2019
The Charlie Resnick series is categorized as police procedurals. While they are that, they are also character studies of the main characters on both sides of the law.
While some readers have found John Harvey's method of plotting to be confusing and overly-long, I've found my way through those concerns and seem to have gone into sync with his methods. Neither crime nor police work -- or life in general -- is strictly linear.
I'm enjoying the Resnick series and look forward to reading the next one in line.
While some readers have found John Harvey's method of plotting to be confusing and overly-long, I've found my way through those concerns and seem to have gone into sync with his methods. Neither crime nor police work -- or life in general -- is strictly linear.
I'm enjoying the Resnick series and look forward to reading the next one in line.
October 17, 2017
A solid 3.5 stars. I really like John Harvey's Charlie Resnick books. The story is not so much about crime(s) but people and how they ... well ... are. Some good; some not so good; some just awful. And in the background is quiet Charlie Resnick taking it all in and thinking ... what? That is the question. Does anybody (but John Harvey) know what Charlie thinks? Probably not what they think he's thinking.
On to the next one ...
DD@Phila
On to the next one ...
DD@Phila
March 10, 2019
No sophomore slump for John Harvey in this second installment of the Charlie Resnick series, set in Nottingham in the 80s.
In this romp, the story centers on two professional house breakers, strictly high-end thieves, who have successfully moved around the UK from region to region for years, filching jewelry, cash, bonds and other valuables.
Grice is all business. Grabianski is more of a romantic, and came up with the idea that they should dress like gentleman cat burglars for all their jobs. In the opening scene, they've invaded a home without realizing that the woman of the house, Maria, is present. They don't hurt her, but use her to find everything that's worth taking, including, at the very back of the safe, a package of cocaine that her husband, a mediocre TV producer, is supposed to be taking care of for a vicious drug dealing middleman.
And thus the wheels start turning for Resnick and his crew. Will they find the burglars? How did the thieves gain inside information to so many unprotected affluent homes? And in the midst of this, what will happen to the commander's daughter once she runs afoul of the police woman on the squad?
With his great gift for dialogue and creating sharply drawn characters, and a heart-thumping final scene, Harvey has created a real gem in this novel. On to No. 3.
In this romp, the story centers on two professional house breakers, strictly high-end thieves, who have successfully moved around the UK from region to region for years, filching jewelry, cash, bonds and other valuables.
Grice is all business. Grabianski is more of a romantic, and came up with the idea that they should dress like gentleman cat burglars for all their jobs. In the opening scene, they've invaded a home without realizing that the woman of the house, Maria, is present. They don't hurt her, but use her to find everything that's worth taking, including, at the very back of the safe, a package of cocaine that her husband, a mediocre TV producer, is supposed to be taking care of for a vicious drug dealing middleman.
And thus the wheels start turning for Resnick and his crew. Will they find the burglars? How did the thieves gain inside information to so many unprotected affluent homes? And in the midst of this, what will happen to the commander's daughter once she runs afoul of the police woman on the squad?
With his great gift for dialogue and creating sharply drawn characters, and a heart-thumping final scene, Harvey has created a real gem in this novel. On to No. 3.
February 17, 2018
Lire une enquête de l'inspecteur Charlie Resnick, c'est comme écouter du jazz : un jazz lent, rempli de grisaille où les notes sont jouées de manière nonchalante, avec quelques pointes d'ironie qui saillent dans cette mélodie qui ne manque jamais de consistance.
Autrement dit, si vous voulez un roman qui swingue et qui twiste, passez votre chemin et changez de disquaire !
Notre inspecteur officie dans la ville de Nottingham, et, tel le Shérif de Robin des Bois, il se retrouve face à des cambriolages dont ses collègues policiers n'arrivent pas à trouver les auteurs.
Dans les romans de Harvey, on prend le temps de planter le décor, de faire opérer les cambrioleurs pendant que l'inspecteur polonais (Resnick) cherche à vendre sa maison.
On étoffe aussi un peu les personnages qui gravitent dans les pages, que ce soient les cambrioleurs, les cambriolés, les policiers, les chefs, les collègues… Personne n'est laissé pour compte, même les seconds rôles, et donc, vous comprendrez que si l'on donne une place importante aux personnages, aux décors et à leurs tranches de vie, on est incapable de proposer un rythme trépidant.
Mais lorsqu'on se plonge dans une enquête de l'inspecteur Resnick, l'amateur de sandwich, de café, de jazz, de chats et au côté bourru, c'est parce que l'on recherche l'adrénaline ailleurs que dans les courses poursuites ou les rebondissements à chaque fin de chapitres !
Nous sommes dans l'Angleterre des années 80/90, celle de la Dame de Fer, celle des inégalités sociales qui furent creusées par le Thatcherisme galopant et sa politique de libéralisme à gogo. Vous voyez, le décor et l'ambiance ont toute leur importance et sont des personnages à eux tout seul.
Ici, pas de flics brillants, pas de super héros, pas de méchants machiavélique, juste des petits trafiquants de drogue, des petits voleurs à la semaine, des magouilleurs du dimanche, bref, que du réaliste.
Ce que j'apprécie chez cet auteur, en plus de ses ambiances bien senties de l'Angleterre qui se réveille avec la gueule de bois à cause du chômage qui gonfle comme un ballon de baudruche (ou ce que vous aimez voir se gonfler, bande de coquins), c'est sa prose émaillée de petites piques, de jolies réparties, de belles saillies, bien expédiées, bien envoyées, bien utilisées.
Le flegme britannique mâtiné de bons mots qui font sourire.
Et puis, avec lui, on a toujours le plaisir d'être surpris par l'arbre qui cache bien souvent une forêt d'autres choses.
Un plaisir de fin gourmet que je ne conseillerai qu'aux amateurs de romans noirs qui cherchent les ambiances tamisées et aux notes de jazz langoureuses.
Autrement dit, si vous voulez un roman qui swingue et qui twiste, passez votre chemin et changez de disquaire !
Notre inspecteur officie dans la ville de Nottingham, et, tel le Shérif de Robin des Bois, il se retrouve face à des cambriolages dont ses collègues policiers n'arrivent pas à trouver les auteurs.
Dans les romans de Harvey, on prend le temps de planter le décor, de faire opérer les cambrioleurs pendant que l'inspecteur polonais (Resnick) cherche à vendre sa maison.
On étoffe aussi un peu les personnages qui gravitent dans les pages, que ce soient les cambrioleurs, les cambriolés, les policiers, les chefs, les collègues… Personne n'est laissé pour compte, même les seconds rôles, et donc, vous comprendrez que si l'on donne une place importante aux personnages, aux décors et à leurs tranches de vie, on est incapable de proposer un rythme trépidant.
Mais lorsqu'on se plonge dans une enquête de l'inspecteur Resnick, l'amateur de sandwich, de café, de jazz, de chats et au côté bourru, c'est parce que l'on recherche l'adrénaline ailleurs que dans les courses poursuites ou les rebondissements à chaque fin de chapitres !
Nous sommes dans l'Angleterre des années 80/90, celle de la Dame de Fer, celle des inégalités sociales qui furent creusées par le Thatcherisme galopant et sa politique de libéralisme à gogo. Vous voyez, le décor et l'ambiance ont toute leur importance et sont des personnages à eux tout seul.
Ici, pas de flics brillants, pas de super héros, pas de méchants machiavélique, juste des petits trafiquants de drogue, des petits voleurs à la semaine, des magouilleurs du dimanche, bref, que du réaliste.
Ce que j'apprécie chez cet auteur, en plus de ses ambiances bien senties de l'Angleterre qui se réveille avec la gueule de bois à cause du chômage qui gonfle comme un ballon de baudruche (ou ce que vous aimez voir se gonfler, bande de coquins), c'est sa prose émaillée de petites piques, de jolies réparties, de belles saillies, bien expédiées, bien envoyées, bien utilisées.
Le flegme britannique mâtiné de bons mots qui font sourire.
Et puis, avec lui, on a toujours le plaisir d'être surpris par l'arbre qui cache bien souvent une forêt d'autres choses.
Un plaisir de fin gourmet que je ne conseillerai qu'aux amateurs de romans noirs qui cherchent les ambiances tamisées et aux notes de jazz langoureuses.
July 20, 2015
well, in my opinion, the story was quite simple and could have been deliciously told - instead, what we have is a roundabout way of telling one underlying story, that is at the same time overlapping with multiple other threads, most of which don't add to the main plot. Sure, this could be character-building, and guess the depiction is suitable - just not my cup.
At the end of the day, you're supposed to empathize or identify with the characters - if not with the "real" you, then at least some part of the "wishful" you, but I found the characters too jarry and forced loners. Even Resnick himself was difficult to understand. What does he really want, what drives him, why is he doing all he does, who is he to himself... questions I'm sure some other readers can deduce answers to from this book or the series this book is a part of. I couldn't figure out much. There's no whodunit here, no mystery here, no police procedural tale, no character-study except for confused people most of whom are too taken up with what they are doing at a particular point in time to make any consistent image eventually.
I realize the characters depicted here are not good conversationalists, but this is not a television show script where they need to behave like they are. This is the story in book form where the reader can be told a little more than just what people speak, where surely a little more explanation and background could have been built around them.
Just not to my taste.
At the end of the day, you're supposed to empathize or identify with the characters - if not with the "real" you, then at least some part of the "wishful" you, but I found the characters too jarry and forced loners. Even Resnick himself was difficult to understand. What does he really want, what drives him, why is he doing all he does, who is he to himself... questions I'm sure some other readers can deduce answers to from this book or the series this book is a part of. I couldn't figure out much. There's no whodunit here, no mystery here, no police procedural tale, no character-study except for confused people most of whom are too taken up with what they are doing at a particular point in time to make any consistent image eventually.
I realize the characters depicted here are not good conversationalists, but this is not a television show script where they need to behave like they are. This is the story in book form where the reader can be told a little more than just what people speak, where surely a little more explanation and background could have been built around them.
Just not to my taste.
February 5, 2011
The other book I read was the second in John Harvey’s Charlie Resnick series. Charlie is a police detective on the Nottingham police force investigating a series of burglaries that are very similar to ones he saw ten years previous. Of course this leads to a deeper conspiracy which must be uncovered. The whole thing is interlaced with sad story of his personal life.
John Harvey is a prolific writer who has only gotten better over time. I started with another series he wrote, the Frank Elder books, just recently and came to love his style. I say this because the Resnick books were among his first and while these early ones are okay, I am only sticking with them because I know the writer he will become. So start with the newer series or his recent stand alones to meet the author, and then hit the early Resnick books to really enjoy his development as a writer over time (there are 11 books in the series)
John Harvey is a prolific writer who has only gotten better over time. I started with another series he wrote, the Frank Elder books, just recently and came to love his style. I say this because the Resnick books were among his first and while these early ones are okay, I am only sticking with them because I know the writer he will become. So start with the newer series or his recent stand alones to meet the author, and then hit the early Resnick books to really enjoy his development as a writer over time (there are 11 books in the series)
December 30, 2017
Charlie Resnick is on the trail of some burglars and it takes him out of his jurisdiction.
We are introduced to the burglars early on and know a lot more than Resnick. I like Grabianski but couldn't understand his attraction to Maria Roy. I disliked Harold Roy and enjoyed his general problems through out the book.
This book is not a crime book really. It is about people and their relationships. How they treat others and how generally good people will be okay in the end, even if the good guys aren't quite who you expected them to be.
We are introduced to the burglars early on and know a lot more than Resnick. I like Grabianski but couldn't understand his attraction to Maria Roy. I disliked Harold Roy and enjoyed his general problems through out the book.
This book is not a crime book really. It is about people and their relationships. How they treat others and how generally good people will be okay in the end, even if the good guys aren't quite who you expected them to be.
March 9, 2009
ROUGH TREATMENT (PI-Charlie Resnick-England-Cont) - Ex
Harvey, John - 2nd Charlie Resnick
From Fantastic Fiction: A kilo of cocaine. A burglary. The wife of a TV director who makes a deal with one of the crooks, with whom she has fallen in love. Detective-Inspector Resnick has a hunch that there's more to this story than meets the eye.
Excellent police procedural - good characters, great dialogue
Harvey, John - 2nd Charlie Resnick
From Fantastic Fiction: A kilo of cocaine. A burglary. The wife of a TV director who makes a deal with one of the crooks, with whom she has fallen in love. Detective-Inspector Resnick has a hunch that there's more to this story than meets the eye.
Excellent police procedural - good characters, great dialogue
April 16, 2020
I enjoyed reading this series back in the 1990s so was pleased to read this book for a third time. Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick is an appealing policeman and this is a decent read in which the author develops some of the supporting characters.
March 24, 2009
I have a theory that a nation's character can be expressed through its detective stories. American thriller usually have lots of blood; Swedish procedurals revolve around bizarre sex and British police dramas often feature unhappy, middle-aged detectives operating in gray, drab cities. That's certainly the case with this book, second in a series. I didn't catch the first and having read this one had no particular desire to continue with the series.
Inspector Resnik is middle-aged, depressed at having been deserted by his wife, poorly dressed but also very bright and observant and scrupulously honorable. I can anticipate the way this series will develop. In this book, Resnik has the opportunity to sleep with a gorgeous young realtor who throws herself at him for some unknown reason. Of course, he's unwilling to respond. I guess each volume of the series will feature another mystery solved while Resnik himself grows ever more lonely and tormented.
One problem with this book is that nothing very major seems to be at stake. There's some drug smuggling and some burglary but so what? No murders, no blood, no crazed fanatics trying to destroy the world .. so why bother? We see a bunch of honest, British coppers plodding their way through the drab streets of a Midlands city solving a bunch of burglaries? If you don't fall in love with the characters, and I didn't, seems like too much effort to be worth it.
Inspector Resnik is middle-aged, depressed at having been deserted by his wife, poorly dressed but also very bright and observant and scrupulously honorable. I can anticipate the way this series will develop. In this book, Resnik has the opportunity to sleep with a gorgeous young realtor who throws herself at him for some unknown reason. Of course, he's unwilling to respond. I guess each volume of the series will feature another mystery solved while Resnik himself grows ever more lonely and tormented.
One problem with this book is that nothing very major seems to be at stake. There's some drug smuggling and some burglary but so what? No murders, no blood, no crazed fanatics trying to destroy the world .. so why bother? We see a bunch of honest, British coppers plodding their way through the drab streets of a Midlands city solving a bunch of burglaries? If you don't fall in love with the characters, and I didn't, seems like too much effort to be worth it.
June 23, 2018
I may have a new British detective to keep me up late at night. This is the second in a series of mysteries in the Inspector Resnik novels. Obviously I missed a lot by missing number one in the series, but I did not feel at sea in terms of understanding, and will not likely go back to to read the missed book — mostly due to personal preference for forward motion. Resnik has sustained enough personal damage to make him interesting to the reader — and to the women in the book. He’s one of those people who goes about his job with with integrity and quiet determination, and still manages to raise the ire of many of his co-workers. The case in this book is a series of burglaries, with the added bonus of drug bust and bent cop sub-plots — so no blood on the floor — and no mystery about whodunnit as the opening chapter shows the most recent burglary with the culprits front and centre. What makes this book is the characterization — of Resnik and several other police officers, and of one of the burglars, Grabianski, who becomes quite a sympathetic character. I’m already on the look out for "Cutting Edge", #3 in the series
June 19, 2017
I have to say, I could not get to the end of this book. It was clunky and heavy and I felt like I was wading through mud. I don't know why, but I find the author's style of writing confusing and the characters were blah with no sense of who they were or what they were about. I was bored and this is unusual for me and I had to leave it down on several occasions and start another book. Could not get to grips with it. Sorry.
December 13, 2018
Very good police procedural in Nottingham - worth a look
This detective story revolves around a couple of astute professional burglars and the mess that they get involved in as DI Resnick investigates. The book includes many developed characters from CID and their foibles and problems. These do not intrude but complement the plot which swings along at a good pace. It is well-written and engaging and I'd recommend it to lovers of good straight-forward police procedural stories
This detective story revolves around a couple of astute professional burglars and the mess that they get involved in as DI Resnick investigates. The book includes many developed characters from CID and their foibles and problems. These do not intrude but complement the plot which swings along at a good pace. It is well-written and engaging and I'd recommend it to lovers of good straight-forward police procedural stories
April 8, 2017
This book stretches the boundaries of the police procedural genre, much to the dismay of many readers who would prefer more consistent characters and a straightforward plot. But I love these books for the complex personalities and the many subplots. I read them many years ago, and I enjoying them even more the second time around.
February 27, 2018
I’m fairly new to the Charlie Resnick series having picked up a mid series one secondhand. I’m now going back and trying to read them in order. This #2 in the series is a good read with some unusual slants on crimes and an interesting non police character. And of course I love Charlie’s cats !
July 22, 2022
I would have given this book 4 stars if it were not for the way the story bounces from scene to scene randomly. It is a frustrating book to read. This is the 2nd Charlie Resnick book. Charlie is a Detective Inspector in the Midlands. He is in charge of a strange group of DC's. His sergeant is desiring promotion. One is a racist sexist who I can't believe remains employed. One is a timid, mild mannered Indian who needs more confidence. One is a competent woman DC. Another is exhausted by an unexpected and I guess basically unwanted baby. Charlie himself is a divorced man who longed for a baby and now lives alone with the unused nursery as a reminder of what he lost. He is disheveled and unaware of himself. He lives with 4 cats and because he is untidy in his personal grooming, I imagine a stinky, shabby house. In this book a string of home burglaries have police in several towns stymied. The pair of burglars seem well informed about houses that have alarm systems that are either not functioning or were never set up in the first place. So, probably some kind of inside information is coming the duo's way. One of the burglars is a romantic, basically good man. He doesn't mind stealing, but he is not callous towards others. In fact, when the pair rob a home and the wife is home, Jerry sees instantly that she is desperately lonely, and he begins an affair with her. She gives up the usual jewelry and money, but the robbers find more than that - in the back of home safe they find a kilo or cocaine. The unsuccessful TV director husband has been storing the kilo for his dealer. He goes ape when he finds the drugs stolen. So, we have desperation in the husband and cheating with the wife. Charlie and his team hunt down the links with alarm companies and drug dealers. There is suspicion of a fellow cop who may be turning a blind eye. The story jumps from Charlie to the wife to the husband to the robbers so frequently with no warning. I find following the writing cumbersome. But, it is a good story that is entertaining.
September 3, 2023
頭一回因為譯者才借的書。
譯者是李登輝前總統的重要文稿撰述人，一個年輕人揣寫出「民之所欲，常在我心」這等磅薄名言，怎不令人佩服呢？當看到在訪問中這位名譯者她提及因為喜歡John Harvey的作品，為了拿到版權還開了家出版社，並親自翻譯12本Charlie Resnick探案。這等堅貞不移的喜愛，絕對值得好好跟風至少讀上一本。
過氣電視導演的新屋被兩名以為屋裡空無一人的竊賊闖入，在發現女主人喝得有點茫地在家閒晃後，經由女主人的主動協助，將隱密的保險箱搜刮一空，除了帶走現金、珠寶外，還有袋重達一公斤的古柯鹼——男主人熟識的藥頭「寄放」避風頭的。
警探查理·芮尼克在工作上憑著直覺和緊追不捨的毅力，總是能夠破獲其他人所不能解決的案子，但生活上，就是個被離婚，帶著四隻小貓住在稍嫌過大房子裡孤寂的中年大叔。偵查過程沒有太高潮迭起的劇情，但一如你我般煩惱生活的人物穿梭其間：領帶無法繫好、衣服老是皺巴巴的警探；因為育兒睡眠不足會在餐廳一角睏倒在食物上的小警員；臥底女警討厭喬裝抓賣場扒手；警界高官有個叛逆女兒；波蘭裔大盜不但愛賞鳥還是個無法見死不救的熱血公民……會突然覺得好像看著印象派大畫，這些隨意橫勾筆捺的人物速寫，稍稍往後退了幾步，定睛在看，才看出原來是巧妙穿梭人生百態的巨作。
「…不，是葛拉賓斯基那貌似可信的能言善道讓芮尼克腦袋瓜裡的某條神經噠噠響。這是個習慣如履薄冰的人，他早就不再往下看，不去看下方的薄冰底下的水有多黑，有多冷，有多接近。」(P. 227)
有意思吧？我也覺得。還有其他11本可以看。
譯者是李登輝前總統的重要文稿撰述人，一個年輕人揣寫出「民之所欲，常在我心」這等磅薄名言，怎不令人佩服呢？當看到在訪問中這位名譯者她提及因為喜歡John Harvey的作品，為了拿到版權還開了家出版社，並親自翻譯12本Charlie Resnick探案。這等堅貞不移的喜愛，絕對值得好好跟風至少讀上一本。
過氣電視導演的新屋被兩名以為屋裡空無一人的竊賊闖入，在發現女主人喝得有點茫地在家閒晃後，經由女主人的主動協助，將隱密的保險箱搜刮一空，除了帶走現金、珠寶外，還有袋重達一公斤的古柯鹼——男主人熟識的藥頭「寄放」避風頭的。
警探查理·芮尼克在工作上憑著直覺和緊追不捨的毅力，總是能夠破獲其他人所不能解決的案子，但生活上，就是個被離婚，帶著四隻小貓住在稍嫌過大房子裡孤寂的中年大叔。偵查過程沒有太高潮迭起的劇情，但一如你我般煩惱生活的人物穿梭其間：領帶無法繫好、衣服老是皺巴巴的警探；因為育兒睡眠不足會在餐廳一角睏倒在食物上的小警員；臥底女警討厭喬裝抓賣場扒手；警界高官有個叛逆女兒；波蘭裔大盜不但愛賞鳥還是個無法見死不救的熱血公民……會突然覺得好像看著印象派大畫，這些隨意橫勾筆捺的人物速寫，稍稍往後退了幾步，定睛在看，才看出原來是巧妙穿梭人生百態的巨作。
「…不，是葛拉賓斯基那貌似可信的能言善道讓芮尼克腦袋瓜裡的某條神經噠噠響。這是個習慣如履薄冰的人，他早就不再往下看，不去看下方的薄冰底下的水有多黑，有多冷，有多接近。」(P. 227)
有意思吧？我也覺得。還有其他11本可以看。
September 9, 2025
I was disappointed to find that this, the second in the series, doesn't immediately answer the questions I was left without the end of Lonely Hearts. Still, the individual police characters are more fully fleshed out, and Charlie is appealing enough in his own right to keep me reading. And then there is Jerzy Grabianski, the criminal with a heart of gold who adds to the suspense. I'll keep reading.
May 18, 2020
John Harvey’s Rough Treatment, the second book in the Charlie Resnick series, is a solid, character driven police procedural. Not as compelling as the first, Lonely Hearts, it’s still an entertaining read, but probably not for those in need of adrenaline pounding crime. This read is more like listening to jazz, Charlie’s love, late at night, with beautiful flourishes of writing and keen observations of human behavior. I gave it a solid 4.
March 16, 2022
👍 👍 👍 👍 👍
Definitely a more comedic turn than the first book, and no murders. I like how it all played out, but I’m not sure what was going on with Naylor and his wife. Anyway, this is good, the writing solid, and some of the metaphors had me blinking with how brilliant they were. Big thumbs up.
Definitely a more comedic turn than the first book, and no murders. I like how it all played out, but I’m not sure what was going on with Naylor and his wife. Anyway, this is good, the writing solid, and some of the metaphors had me blinking with how brilliant they were. Big thumbs up.
May 17, 2022
This one is a miss
Resnick is a well drawn character and very likable. However, the plot is difficult to follow because it seems to jump from one scene to another without a warning. Hard to keep up with who is who and whether they are police or criminals. Im going to try one more to see if they improve.
Resnick is a well drawn character and very likable. However, the plot is difficult to follow because it seems to jump from one scene to another without a warning. Hard to keep up with who is who and whether they are police or criminals. Im going to try one more to see if they improve.
December 1, 2023
John Harvey is good, very good in fact. He just gets the whole crime story just right. An individual Inspector who has plenty of interesting foibles working within a police force of senior and junior officers who might be minor characters but are really well drawn. Interesting story lines with plenty of surprises. Most enjoyable and well worth 5*
May 12, 2020
Enjoyable again but not quite the sophisticated and progressive politics - especially the sexual politics - I remember. I didn't remember how attractive Resnick is to women or how Harvey has to keep letting us know!!!
August 13, 2020
覺得這大叔有點迷人（呃）
延續《寂寞芳心》之後，芮尼克原本習慣的人生起了變化，他試著賣掉造成心理陰影的房子，想要改變自己的環境，但事情總是很難真的照他的希望，而他甚至不能真的確定這是不是真的是他的希望。
在這一次的故事裡，案件的輪廓看似比較清晰，但其實是因為這個案件其實非常單純，動機和犯人是很單純的利益關係，在這種前提下，做為讀者更注意的是那些人，與影響這些人的道德準繩。
充滿奇特魅力的竊賊甚至開展了一個有點令人哭笑不得的愛情故事，這個部份也讓人覺得很可愛。
延續《寂寞芳心》之後，芮尼克原本習慣的人生起了變化，他試著賣掉造成心理陰影的房子，想要改變自己的環境，但事情總是很難真的照他的希望，而他甚至不能真的確定這是不是真的是他的希望。
在這一次的故事裡，案件的輪廓看似比較清晰，但其實是因為這個案件其實非常單純，動機和犯人是很單純的利益關係，在這種前提下，做為讀者更注意的是那些人，與影響這些人的道德準繩。
充滿奇特魅力的竊賊甚至開展了一個有點令人哭笑不得的愛情故事，這個部份也讓人覺得很可愛。
October 12, 2020
Mystery series - interesting characters arc throughout this well paced police procedural. I would like to see Divine get smacked. Resnick still has four cats and a passion for jazz artists I have barely heard of.
No Canadian or pharmacy references.
No Canadian or pharmacy references.
September 21, 2021
Still a good story with DI Charlie Resnick’s personal life making it so readable. However, feels a bit dated. High class burglaries on his patch, carried out by two men in suits, one of whom is Polish and a burglar with a heart.
May 11, 2022
I struggled to finish the first one in this series and I just couldn’t get into this one. I don’t care for the author’s writing style, I find it a little dark and gross in spots. Won’t be reading anymore.
June 11, 2025
When Two Polish Guys Meet Up
I love John Harvey's books but for some reason this one wasn't A favorite. As usual Charlie is as quick at drawing conclusions as ever. But a good read
I love John Harvey's books but for some reason this one wasn't A favorite. As usual Charlie is as quick at drawing conclusions as ever. But a good read
October 23, 2019
Poor writing, confusing number of characters, too many plots and sub-plots.
October 30, 2020
Good book.. The personality and character of all characters well brought out..Enjoyable reading.
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