Still Water

Charlie Resnick #9

by John Harvey

The ninth DI Charlie Resnick novel, from the master of British crime writing.

The naked body of a young woman is found floating in the still waters of an inner city canal. Not the first, nor the last. Resnick's girlfriend Hannah knew the victim well - and the fact that her husband's controlling passion for his wife could, and frequently did, result in violence.

Is this an isolated incident then, or part of a wider series of murders? And what else has been simmering beneath this couple's apparently normal middle-class life?

As Resnick explores deeper he finds disturbing parallels between his own relationship with Hannah and that of the couple he is investigating.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, British Literature, Procedural, Police, Detective

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

aka 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.

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read several of the Charlie Resnick books and they tend to get better as the series progresses. This story was written fairly early in the series and it seems to lack cohesion. There are several murders, the last one of a woman who Charlie knows casually. Add to that, an art forgery ring and yes, Charlie knows one of those who appear to be involved. These two issues do not mesh and make the plot rather a mish-mash Throw in some nuns which could have been deleted without any effect on the story and there you have it.

Muddled and confusing to say the least. Certainly not one of the best of the series but there is one unexpected twist which came as a surprise and added a star to my rating. I recommend that you read the later entries which are good rainy day reads.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this entry in the series, DCI Charlie Resnick is confronted with three major developments: 1) A new serious crimes unit has been set up near his shop, headed by hard-driving, heavy-drinking Helen Siddons, who once had a dalliance with Charlie's boss, and he finds that he regrets not applying for the position more than he would have imagined. 2) A young woman's body is found in the river, naked and badly gashed. It won't be the last such body, and provides one of the major themes of the book; 3) Charlie's old criminal acquaintance and onetime compatriot Jerry Grabianski is back, this time trying to offload two originals by a minor British painter that he has lifted.

As these plot lines play out, they become especially personal, because Charlie's new girlfriend, Hannah, is an acquaintance of a fellow teacher, Jane Peterson, who is the spouse of an emotionally and physically abusive dentist Alex. When Jane disappears, Charlie will head the probe into her case.

In the meantime, his longtime female detective, Lynn Kellogg, has finally decided to make a break from her years long, unrequited love for Charlie by joining the Major Crimes squad -- and yet, the Peterson disappearance means they will have one more significant case to work together.

As always, the power of Harvey's novels is not so much the whodunnit or even the sudden twists, but the careful, layer-by-layer building up of relationships, sense of place and deeper backstories of victims and suspects, which together create a whole, compelling world.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muted and rather dated (published 1997) police procedural set in Middle England, featuring DI Charlie Resnick, who likes jazz and food, but has no apparent personality. This is the 9th in the series, but the first I've read, although I do remember reading one from his other series and feeling similarly underwhelmed.

Women are being found in a city canal, naked with blows to the head. One of them is the friend of Resnick's girlfriend, Hannah, and her abusive husband is the obvious suspect. Meanwhile, an art thief is trying to offload two paintings and redeem himself in the eyes of a nun. These plots are completely unrelated and the crimes are only partly solved.

I don't like reading series out of order precisely because you don't know who everyone is, who matters, and what a lot of it means. I think it unlikely that I will bother with any more of this one.

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick and easy read flowing at a good pace, much better than previous Resnick stories, and that makes you continue to the end. This is a number of plots merged into the main story which involves Resnick's latest flame Hannah and he friend Jane. Abusive relationships and murder. On the side is a network of art thieves and forgers. Throughout the story Charlie Resnick has the shadow of the new Serious Crime Squad who are about to impact on his career especially when he learns who is to lead the new section. Times are changing Charlie!

Gave this 4 stars as the story did engage me into reading it in two sessions.

[Thejelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only continue reading the Resnick series of novels because I remember them so fondly (albeit from the early 90s) from TV which starred the excellent Tom Wilkinson in the eponymous role). Alas, the novels don’t quite do it for me. Harvey’s self-righteous, politically correct tone is irksome, the constant musical references are seemingly an attempt to demonstrate some credibility (fine if you’re a jazz obsessive, I suppose) and the constant over-emphasis on detail (particularly on clothes and food) does begin to grate after a while. I want to like it but, despite a well-constructed plot, it just lacks the necessary subtlety for me to be able to do so. Tedious.

[Barbara Chambers · Rating 3 out of 5]

It isn't the best Resnick story I have read, it was very disjointed with the murder on the one hand seemingly straightforward and good to follow as the plot proceeds, but with the art plot running along I got bored with it...

[Cathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

1/2 star. Tedious. Dry. Disjointed. Boring. I wish I could recall from where I received this reading suggestion, because I would certainly think twice before taking any others too seriously.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably should have waited to read this book after just having read two Ian Rankin Rebus novels and a Stuart MacBride novel. ..All about police detectives in Scotland.

I haven't read any Resnick novels before but had heard good things. The only thing that initially confused me was why wasn't this detective novel set in Scotland. ...see this is why you should take a break if reading the same genre!

I was pleasantly surprised by this story. Lots of lovely well developed characters and subplots which makes me want to read these stories in order to understand what caused the relationship's to develop as they have.

I have to say it was well written and the best bit the massive PLOT TWIST that I didn't see coming right at the end...I always thought that the killer was her abusive husband, especially the references to dental records and him being a dentist!

[BaiLing · Rating 3 out of 5]

河水中出現臉被打爛的女屍，前後一共五起。但在這個故事中討論的不是包含一名澳洲女遊客的可能連續殺人案，而是也被丟在河中的女老師之死。主題是男女關係中「親密」和「控制」的分野，「夫妻一體」與「獨自空間」的界線。家暴除了肉體的傷害外，精神上的恐懼，是除了被害者外，旁人怎樣都很難了解。外人總是輕易地說：妳為何不離開他？

離開他？離開他？離開他？

辦不到。

故事的兇手最後並不是那個操控狂的牙醫先生，而是故事後半冒出來的初戀情人。分手多年後突然重拾聯絡，同樣不如意的兩人以為只要攜手遠走高飛，現實的難題便可以迎刃而解。然而兩個負分人生，一加一後並不會轉成光明無窮的正分的。當其中一方後悔停步，幻滅的另一方親手了結造成無法「圓夢」的對方。

至於殺死其他水中女屍的兇手呢？故事並沒有繼續交代。或許這才比較符合真實的狀況—人生當中並不是所有的疑問都能獲得解答的。

閱讀時總覺得人名蹦蹦蹦地出現，還沒搞清楚這誰是誰，馬上就讀到她/他心裡想著什麼。隱隱然的覺得，似乎有義務早該認識他們的啊！可是，真的沒那麼熟耶！是因為沒照順序讀Charlie Resnick為主角的12本書？還是天性中「慢熟」的因子，也在閱讀中發酵出來呢？

這系列連這本書也不過看了四本，沒看過的至少還有八本（或者更多）。接下來要再多讀幾本，看看即使不會像譯者喜愛到乾脆開間出版社、拿版權、親自翻譯，但應該也不會像現在，好像隨時把書放下也不覺特別遺憾的地步。

[Alan Korolenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harvey's 9th Charlie Resnick book concerns two bodies found in the canal. Both women and both brutalized. One is a friend of Resnick's girlfriend Hannah. She has been abused emotionally and possibly physically by her husband who becomes a prime suspect. Hannah says it best, "There's so much violence...Not up front but the threat of it, always there in the background." Unfortunately very relevant today. As usual Resnick's basic decency shines. A subplot concerning an art thief with a soft spot for a nun is less compelling.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven't read the previous series books so that might have helped me but I found it disjointed and hard to follow. Characters must have been all from previous books because in this one there were randomly new people constantly, with little to no explanation. I'm not a fan of sex scenes or rape stuff and though brief blips in the book they are disturbing for my fragile imagination. I think he was spot on describing verbal abuse between the victim and her husband. Good plot if you don't mind sorting out who is who.

[Mark Edlund · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mystery series - Women are found in canals in the area. Is it a serial murderer or are they all related? Divine continues to struggle with his demons; Lynn Kellogg moves to another unit and Resnick is sharing his cats and space with Hannah.
Pharmacy references - detective stops at a chemist.
Canadian references - Blue Rodeo and k d lang are mentioned.

[Merrilie Rowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Harvey knows his craft ! A good crime writer just knows how to engage you with a combination of a good storyline with an excellent cast of characters, police and criminals. A bit of romantic interest and DI Resnick, cat and jazz lover, and afficianardo of good Polish sandwiches. (Great combo) It has been a few years since I read any John Harvey but they are as enjoyable as ever.

[Ally Yang · Rating 4 out of 5]

[2024.03.13_26]

雖然這本書人物過多，感覺上是有繁瑣的毛病，但已經比上一本好很多了。除拼命抽菸喝酒之外，英國味稍淡了點，還是能讓人(我)產生偏好，有機會會再繼續看下去。然後我不喜歡這篇譯後記，不喜歡到連同譯者的兩本著作，都不想讀了。

------書摘------

誰為什麼要忍受什麼？因為我們懶得有所改變？是因為我們太害怕了。〈40〉

那些直率的人其實不像你以為的那麼有偏見。〈45〉

【國資圖】

[David Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story, but what each character is wearing each time we meet up with them in the tale, is a little more information than I like. If described once, I can imagine them on subsequent appearances.

[Gary Van Cott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Jan Yarnot · Rating 5 out of 5]

He mentions Burwell! And Heffers in Cambridge! I’ve been there! And now I’m wanting to go back and properly see Nottingham. Again, I’m interested in how all the characters are doing.

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t really enjoy this book. It was very slow at the start & did not pick up

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

[Kate West · Rating 1 out of 5]

what a bad read.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so excited! I loved this book; it reminded me so much of Colin Dexter's crime stories. There are eight I get to read before his next one comes out. Charlie Resnick is listening to Milton "Bags" Jackson at the Centre's Film and Jazz Festival when he gets a phone call to inform him of a body found trapped beneath the lock gates of the Beeston canal, just where it flows into the Trent. Thus begins a mystery for Charlie who works in the newly-formed Serious Crime Squad to help solve. We next see him with Hannah, a woman he has been dating for over six months. He shares time with her at her apartment and time at his own with his four cats. Almost equal time is devided between his professional and private lives. Later, three more bodies are found and a friend of Hannah's, a schoolteacher who had been to Hannah's for dinner with her husband. A subplot involes a thief of impressioninism paintings trying to set up deals to sell them and a nun he befriends. The pace starts out slowly and crescendos into the denouement with Charlie as the hero. Can't wait to visit the library and check out the first eight books in this seeries.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Harvey's books featuring Charlie Resnick and his crew continue to get better and better.

I find it interesting through nine novels featuring these characters how Harvey leaves some threads unfinished and sometimes strangely not mentioned as often as one would think. One favorable aspect of this, though, is to suggest in his novels, as in real life, that some offenses simply are never solved.

Harvey also has an excellent practice of weaving his novels of characters that while touching each other, are not always integral to the main story. I assume it is a way to bring further life to his stories.

And like Jo Nesbo, his characters also continue to carry their scars and experiences throughout, unlike other novelists who create characters that can never be touched or damaged by their fictional exploits.

Lastly, it's going to be interesting to see how he wraps all these characters up with his final book supposedly dealing with Charlie Resnick.

It has been very interesting following one of his characters and the development of this character - but no further will be mentioned to avoid spoilers.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two sets of crimes - art theft, art fraud and murder. Resnick is directly involved in the art crime cases, and pulled in on the murder because the dead woman was a friend of his of his lover Hannah. The husband is domineering, a bully, psychologically and occasionally physically, so he becomes the obvious suspect.

The art plot involves a charming scoundrel named Grabianski, and his nun friend who convinces him to do the right thing in the end. The murder end of things is a study in the many aspects domestic violence, and brings a new level of discomfort to Resnick's relationship with Hannah.

There are some terrific musical interludes and police team continues to evolve. Sharon Garnett and Carl Vincent, the black officers, are a great addition, Lynn is applying for a transfer and Divine is still struggling with the aftermath of his horrific assault.

[Meg Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story and character development still good, but he needed a better editor. For example, in Chapter 2, he says, "Still Resnick had prevaricated." In the context that follows, I think he meant "procrastinate." Also, in Chapter 4 he refers to the habits that nuns wear as "liturgical habits" -- only priests would wear what could be called liturgical habits, since only priests can conduct liturgical practices, e.g., saying Mass, giving Communion, etc. A better term for what nuns wear (or used to wear) would be "religious" habits.

[Gary Cupitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good solid read from a good solid author. Okay, it might have drifted once or twice too often with sub plots and Charlie's libido, but overall very good with some humourous exchanges.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still Waters - G+
Harvey, John - 9th in series
The naked body of a young woman is found floating in the still waters of an inner-city canal. Not the first nor the last. As Charlie Resnick explores deeper, he finds disturbing parallels between the case and his personal life.

Not as good as his earlier books.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the moment this series still holds the attention.

[Jed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this one. It didn't hold my attention and every time I went back to it, I'd forgotten what had happened and who the characters were.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt it was a little too slow and nothing happened til after half the book.

[Wilma Van putten]

I liked it, already read one book of this series not sure if I read them all though.