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Charlie Resnick #10
Last Rites: (Resnick 10)
The tenth DI Charlie Resnick novel, from the master of British crime writing.
Lorraine Preston's brother, Michael, was sent down for life for the murder of their father - and now he's being allowed out for their mother's funeral. A hardened criminal, Michael Preston is the last person Resnick wants back on his patch, even is it's only for a matter of hours.
Heartsore and world-weary, Resnick is struggling to contain an explosive situation on the streets, where the spread of guns has led to a frightening escalation in drug-related crime. The local force, meanwhile, is riven by internal rivalries and rumours of corruption.
With his previously stable relationship with Hannah Campbell wavering, Resnick is forced back on his self-belief, his understanding of people. Why - himself included - they do the things they do.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1998
34 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
John Harvey
291 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 15, 2023
Honestly, i just find its bland. Not enjoying it in the least.
May 29, 2018
Another in the very good Charlie Resnick series. Charlie is torn in love but how will it end? This as he is faced with assaults among drug dealers who appear to be able to avoid prosecution. Then a convicted murderer escapes from custody after attending his mothers funeral but what was his relationship with his sister. Charlie struggles to retain involvement as the newly formed Major Crimes Team seek to move in. This all ends with him pondering his future both with his team and his love life.
A good read. Bordering on four stars.
A good read. Bordering on four stars.
May 20, 2019
I have never watched Game of Thrones, but I can relate a bit to the obsession with how the series is ending as I get ready to read the last book in the Charlie Resnick series that is still not checked off my list.
Besides his brilliant writing skills, Harvey is also a master at continuing characters from one police procedural to another, especially among the working class criminals of Nottingham, as well as the police officers themselves.
This 10th entry in the series is set in the late 90s, and in keeping with that time, it is more violent than many of the predecessors, because it corresponds with the rise of drug gangs in the city and an increasing prevalence of weapons, which was a much bigger deal in the UK than America. Intermixed with one of these feuds (and some dirty cops to boot) is a more personal story. Michael Preston, who had been serving life for the killing of his father many years before, is let out of jail to attend his mother's funeral. On the way back from the ceremony, he manages to escape, and this sets in motion a whole set of crimes that will intersect with the drug wars and will dredge up the painful history Preston shares with his sister Lorraine.
But for fans of this series, the big news isn't the whodunits of the plot. It's the fact that finally, finally, as we've waited for all this time, Resnick starts the relationship he was always meant to have with former detective Lynn Kellogg (and even that takes until near the end of the book).
This novel also introduces one other major change in the cast of police officers, but you'll have to read it to find that one out.
Another fine entry. Now on to no. 11, and since I actually started with Resnick by reading the final book in the series, this next one will "do me," as Charlie might say.
Besides his brilliant writing skills, Harvey is also a master at continuing characters from one police procedural to another, especially among the working class criminals of Nottingham, as well as the police officers themselves.
This 10th entry in the series is set in the late 90s, and in keeping with that time, it is more violent than many of the predecessors, because it corresponds with the rise of drug gangs in the city and an increasing prevalence of weapons, which was a much bigger deal in the UK than America. Intermixed with one of these feuds (and some dirty cops to boot) is a more personal story. Michael Preston, who had been serving life for the killing of his father many years before, is let out of jail to attend his mother's funeral. On the way back from the ceremony, he manages to escape, and this sets in motion a whole set of crimes that will intersect with the drug wars and will dredge up the painful history Preston shares with his sister Lorraine.
But for fans of this series, the big news isn't the whodunits of the plot. It's the fact that finally, finally, as we've waited for all this time, Resnick starts the relationship he was always meant to have with former detective Lynn Kellogg (and even that takes until near the end of the book).
This novel also introduces one other major change in the cast of police officers, but you'll have to read it to find that one out.
Another fine entry. Now on to no. 11, and since I actually started with Resnick by reading the final book in the series, this next one will "do me," as Charlie might say.
April 26, 2012
I had no idea what was going on for about three quarters of the book. Should I be focusing on the escaped killer, the drug war, the shootings, the detective's love problems or the incest going on between said criminal and his sister? Honestly, I had no idea. So you can imagine how confused and frustrated I was with the book. I'm not saying it isn't good, because for someone with an attention span that, unlike mine, can remain focused for more than a few seconds when confronted with these types of stories it might be an interesting book, but unfortunately, I found it boring and not at all enjoyable.
June 16, 2013
Good suspense. Turns out this is the last in a series of 10 books, so I plan to go back and read them all in order now.
December 13, 2023
這本小說據說就是John Harvey在1998年時，宣稱是Charlie Resnick系列的最後一本。然而2006年到2013年，他又陸續寫了四本。對忠實的讀者來說，是很歡迎這樣的言而無信的。就像動畫大師宮崎駿說這是最後一部動畫，然而事實上，「最後」是當時不虛假的心情，但拉長時敘就可知道，對創作者而言，真正的「最後」可要預演好多次後才能真正罷手。
黑幫小子在森林裡的車子裡被人迎面開槍，性命垂危，但找不到行兇槍枝；被懷疑是動手的販毒老大腿上插刀送醫，矢口否認與案件的關係。同一時期，弒父兇手在獄警的戒護下，出獄參加母親喪禮，之後卻趁隙傷人逃走。幾天後，販毒黑幫的餐廳被兩名蒙面搶匪持槍搶劫；接著深夜，另一販毒老大的家也闖入逼問保險箱密碼的蒙面歹徒，在逃離現場時發生車禍，一人喪命車內，一人在逃…
販毒黑幫火拚、逃獄罪犯竄逃，加上緝毒警察收賄羅織成層層關係的犯罪網。核心的問題是一開始就登場，但遲遲未來解答的：逃獄嫌犯從未明言弒父原因？這些疑點到了最後的最後做了交代—亂倫的情愛。於是讀者沉浸在恍然大悟之中，迎來迅速又順理成章的結局。
就像瑞典夫妻檔Maj Sjowall & PerWahloo創作的的Martin Beck，已過世的瑞典作家Henning Mankell的Kurt Wallander，挪威Jo Nesbø 的Harry Hole ，美國人Lawrence Block的Matthew Scudder，John Harvey 的Charlie Resnick也是個會突然壞脾氣，煩惱肥胖卻又難忍美食，難拒好酒，性慾充沛的中年「平凡人」。這些讓人一本接著一本繼續看下去的警探系列，總是在犯罪事實被層層打開後，赫然發現赤裸裸的「人性」就藏在各式各樣的巧妙花邊底層裡。
然而閱讀Charlie Resnick系列時最困擾的不是人名很多，而是在情節進行中，出現人物有時用姓氏，有時是名字。跟這些角色沒有熟到過目不忘全名，總要看上兩段以上，才會搞清楚現在到底是誰跟誰在一起，誰跟誰跟誰正在對話。
上次看Resnick系列的第一本《寂寞芳心》（Lonely Hearts），已經是兩年前的事情了，中間還有其他八本的中譯本，就留作明年的功課吧！
黑幫小子在森林裡的車子裡被人迎面開槍，性命垂危，但找不到行兇槍枝；被懷疑是動手的販毒老大腿上插刀送醫，矢口否認與案件的關係。同一時期，弒父兇手在獄警的戒護下，出獄參加母親喪禮，之後卻趁隙傷人逃走。幾天後，販毒黑幫的餐廳被兩名蒙面搶匪持槍搶劫；接著深夜，另一販毒老大的家也闖入逼問保險箱密碼的蒙面歹徒，在逃離現場時發生車禍，一人喪命車內，一人在逃…
販毒黑幫火拚、逃獄罪犯竄逃，加上緝毒警察收賄羅織成層層關係的犯罪網。核心的問題是一開始就登場，但遲遲未來解答的：逃獄嫌犯從未明言弒父原因？這些疑點到了最後的最後做了交代—亂倫的情愛。於是讀者沉浸在恍然大悟之中，迎來迅速又順理成章的結局。
就像瑞典夫妻檔Maj Sjowall & PerWahloo創作的的Martin Beck，已過世的瑞典作家Henning Mankell的Kurt Wallander，挪威Jo Nesbø 的Harry Hole ，美國人Lawrence Block的Matthew Scudder，John Harvey 的Charlie Resnick也是個會突然壞脾氣，煩惱肥胖卻又難忍美食，難拒好酒，性慾充沛的中年「平凡人」。這些讓人一本接著一本繼續看下去的警探系列，總是在犯罪事實被層層打開後，赫然發現赤裸裸的「人性」就藏在各式各樣的巧妙花邊底層裡。
然而閱讀Charlie Resnick系列時最困擾的不是人名很多，而是在情節進行中，出現人物有時用姓氏，有時是名字。跟這些角色沒有熟到過目不忘全名，總要看上兩段以上，才會搞清楚現在到底是誰跟誰在一起，誰跟誰跟誰正在對話。
上次看Resnick系列的第一本《寂寞芳心》（Lonely Hearts），已經是兩年前的事情了，中間還有其他八本的中譯本，就留作明年的功課吧！
February 16, 2019
An escaped prisoner, competing drug gangs and corrupt police, all figure in Resnick's caseload. Plus his personal life continues in flux with his attempts to sustain a relationship with Hannah. Then his relationship with Lynn takes a turn. The Resnick series can occasionally be brutal but it always feels comfortable to spend time with this jazz-loving, food enthusiast detective. This was to be the series conclusion but Harvey picked it up again ten years later with two more books.
December 2, 2020
Mystery Series - a prisoner escapes from custody. He was arrested by Resnick several years before. Lots of interacting parts here. Hannah and Resnick are trying to work it out while Lynn Kellogg creeps into the picture. Divine is gone. Resnick's musical tastes continue to baffle me.
Canadian references - Blue Rodeo mentioned.
Pharmacy reference - character coming back from a pharmacist dinner/dance. Surprised that pharmacists were dancing (especially English ones)
Canadian references - Blue Rodeo mentioned.
Pharmacy reference - character coming back from a pharmacist dinner/dance. Surprised that pharmacists were dancing (especially English ones)
April 4, 2021
I found that although the theme of the novel was good, it felt a little disjointed and I didn't get a good handle on the dialogue and colloquialisms. Fair read, but not picking up any others in this series any time soon.
February 23, 2020
3.5 stars. This book has a more obvious conclusion than the two previous books.
February 1, 2023
excellent crime novel. London policeman Charlie Resnick, kind of like an Elmore Leonard character. Charlie is a jazz buff.
November 5, 2023
Another John Harvey success ! Couldn't put it down ! Without going into details about the plot I can safely say it was exciting, realistic and with a twist or two to make it a very entertaining read.
May 9, 2024
I gave all the Charlie Resnick novels 5 stars because I just fell in love with DI and his sandwiches.
August 16, 2016
This series is definitely a British police procedural, and as such, it has a slight look and feel of something from the 87th precinct here in the states.
Inspector Charlie Resnick’s work world is increasingly chaotic. It looks as though London’s gang wars are about to erupt in a major way. He’s busy tracking guns and drugs, and within a few pages, he’s busy tracking murderers who used some of those phantom guns to do their evil work.
To add to the problem, Resnick must preside over a situation in which members of his prison transportation division allowed a convicted murderer to escape. Michael Preston had been granted the privilege of attending his mother’s funeral for humanitarian reasons. The officers who had transported him from the prison where he was doing a life sentence felt particularly expansive, agreeing that Preston could visit the home of his sister and her family after the funeral, since others would gather there to partake of refreshment and presumably remember his late mother.
But somehow Preston gets a razor blade presumably from his sister’s bathroom, and while they’re all on their way back to prison, he slits the throat of the driver and nearly kills the other officer. Soon he has escaped, and Resnick and others on the force are quietly convinced he’s laughing at them over something tall and cool in Aruba or some such place. In reality, Preston remains in London, and like the gang and drug lords Resnick must try to control, Preston is committing murder to make his situation easier.
There’s a particularly sickening scene here that I won’t write much about, since it probably would guide you into the realm of spoiler, but I wanted to delete the book unfinished so upsetting was this for me. I think others will be less affected, so you should go ahead and read this. That said, if F-bombs and other profanity are a concern, this may not be your book after all.
On balance, I found the book rather slow and plodding, much in the same way you would find an actual police process to be. I presume even in our technology-rich time, there’s lots of legwork that doesn’t always reveal much the first time around. Finally, there’s an interesting subplot here that involves Resnick, a school teacher who once was his lover, and a cop who becomes his new love interest following the death of her father.
Inspector Charlie Resnick’s work world is increasingly chaotic. It looks as though London’s gang wars are about to erupt in a major way. He’s busy tracking guns and drugs, and within a few pages, he’s busy tracking murderers who used some of those phantom guns to do their evil work.
To add to the problem, Resnick must preside over a situation in which members of his prison transportation division allowed a convicted murderer to escape. Michael Preston had been granted the privilege of attending his mother’s funeral for humanitarian reasons. The officers who had transported him from the prison where he was doing a life sentence felt particularly expansive, agreeing that Preston could visit the home of his sister and her family after the funeral, since others would gather there to partake of refreshment and presumably remember his late mother.
But somehow Preston gets a razor blade presumably from his sister’s bathroom, and while they’re all on their way back to prison, he slits the throat of the driver and nearly kills the other officer. Soon he has escaped, and Resnick and others on the force are quietly convinced he’s laughing at them over something tall and cool in Aruba or some such place. In reality, Preston remains in London, and like the gang and drug lords Resnick must try to control, Preston is committing murder to make his situation easier.
There’s a particularly sickening scene here that I won’t write much about, since it probably would guide you into the realm of spoiler, but I wanted to delete the book unfinished so upsetting was this for me. I think others will be less affected, so you should go ahead and read this. That said, if F-bombs and other profanity are a concern, this may not be your book after all.
On balance, I found the book rather slow and plodding, much in the same way you would find an actual police process to be. I presume even in our technology-rich time, there’s lots of legwork that doesn’t always reveal much the first time around. Finally, there’s an interesting subplot here that involves Resnick, a school teacher who once was his lover, and a cop who becomes his new love interest following the death of her father.
July 19, 2012
Charlie Resnick's last case, Last Rites is another story about modern-day cops and killers. The underlying theme, however, is about love and Charlie finally finds it with his partner Lynn Kellog. The setting is Nottingham, England that is being torn apart by violent gang warfare, corruption in the police department, spread of guns and drugs. A man sentenced to prison for killing his father is taken by armed guard to attend his mother's funeral and overwhelms the guards and escapes. Charlie is also tracking a killer who is dealing drugs. Charlie loves food and much time is spent describing his sandwiches dripping with mayonaise and olive oil. He also cooks impromtu dishes : fried cooked potato with garlic and onion, added cannellini beans, frozen peas, sliced pork sausage, eggs, Tabasco. His love for Jazz continues as he approaches his time for redundancy(retirement).
December 14, 2014
Apparently, only two novels with Charlie Resnick as the main character are left after this one. As mentioned in a previous review, Harvey improves these stories with each progressive novel.
He mostly sticks with his formula of taking threads that seem unrelated and then weaving them into a broad, interrelated tale.
I also like how he brings back characters from previous books that one feels as if he simply forgot about them.
I don't want to bring up other aspects of the story out of fear of spoiling parts of it, so if a person has enjoyed, this series, then keep on reading the novels and he or she won't be disappointed.
He mostly sticks with his formula of taking threads that seem unrelated and then weaving them into a broad, interrelated tale.
I also like how he brings back characters from previous books that one feels as if he simply forgot about them.
I don't want to bring up other aspects of the story out of fear of spoiling parts of it, so if a person has enjoyed, this series, then keep on reading the novels and he or she won't be disappointed.
January 23, 2015
There is an escaped murderer, a drug war, and a bent cop all calling for Resnick's attention.
As usual in these books, the character development is the star. Resnick's relationship with Hannah is dissolving. There is the sad, strange life of the Preston siblings that results in the son Michael killing the father, then escaping prison and wanting his sister Lorrain to flee with him. The last of the Snape children from Easy Meat is now a full fledged junior gangster. Lynn Kellog's father dies from his cancer and she turns to Resnick for comfort while he tries to sort out his feelings.
This was supposed to be the last book in the series, but I am so glad it is not.
As usual in these books, the character development is the star. Resnick's relationship with Hannah is dissolving. There is the sad, strange life of the Preston siblings that results in the son Michael killing the father, then escaping prison and wanting his sister Lorrain to flee with him. The last of the Snape children from Easy Meat is now a full fledged junior gangster. Lynn Kellog's father dies from his cancer and she turns to Resnick for comfort while he tries to sort out his feelings.
This was supposed to be the last book in the series, but I am so glad it is not.
January 31, 2009
It would be a great way to end the Resnick series. Another interesting crime. A new beginning possible for Charlie. But I understand Harvey wrote another installment ten years later. I've yet to read it, but I'm curious to know why he came back to the series. Perhaps it was money. But if I were him, I'd miss Charlie too.
I like the way he came back to the Raymond Cooke character, the one who killed DC Patel early on in the series. It does have the feeling of cleaning up loose ends.
I like the way he came back to the Raymond Cooke character, the one who killed DC Patel early on in the series. It does have the feeling of cleaning up loose ends.
September 10, 2007
LAST RITES – G+
Harvey, John – 10th in series
John writes and excellent series of British police procedurals. In this, Charlie Resnick and his team investigate the escape of a prisoner and a drug ring. While this book does drag a bit in spots, there is a element in the story which definitely catches you up. It’s an excellent series overall.
Harvey, John – 10th in series
John writes and excellent series of British police procedurals. In this, Charlie Resnick and his team investigate the escape of a prisoner and a drug ring. While this book does drag a bit in spots, there is a element in the story which definitely catches you up. It’s an excellent series overall.
December 27, 2016
Another good addition to the Charlie Resnick series. The main plot is well handled, with some interesting characters and motivations. And Charlie's personal life takes a couple of steps forward as well.
May 23, 2009
a stunning crime novel. I really enjoyed t.
September 30, 2011
A good solid, enjoyable read.
Read
June 23, 2012I don't remember this one well enough to give it an accurate star rating or review. My vague memory is that I didn't really like it.
April 3, 2015
Not his best but still worth reading. The music, the sandwiches and the topography of Nottingham are as good as ever; the baddies are not his best creations.
March 27, 2016
Disappointing. The US version...
May 9, 2016
Reznik weary and John harvey a bit the same and almost rushes to get it over with. Still a masterly piece of local crime fiction
September 27, 2016
Interesting enough that I would like to read more. Started with 10th book because couldn't fine earlier ones.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews