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Benjamin Jurnet #7
A Beautiful Death
An emotionally charged story that will shock and spellbind both Haymon's longtime fans and new readers. A bomb meant for Police Inspector Ben Jurnet kills his beloved Miriam instead, and he embarks on a quest into his past, working to discover what person harbors him enough ill will to resort to murder.
219 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
S.T. Haymon
22 books1 follower"One of the purest lyric voices in the mystery field" New York Times Book Review
Sylvia Theresa Haymon was born in Norwich, and is best known for her eight crime fiction novels featuring the character Inspector Ben Jurnet. Haymon also wrote two non-fiction books for children, as well as two memoirs of her childhood in East Anglia.
The Ben Jurnet series enjoyed success in both the UK and the US during Haymon’s lifetime: Ritual Murder (1982) won the prestigious CWA Silver Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association. Stately Homicide (1984), a skilful variation on the country house mystery, was praised by the New York Times as a 'brilliantly crafted novel of detection...stylish serious fiction', and favourably compared to the work of Dorothy L. Sayers.
Sylvia Theresa Haymon was born in Norwich, and is best known for her eight crime fiction novels featuring the character Inspector Ben Jurnet. Haymon also wrote two non-fiction books for children, as well as two memoirs of her childhood in East Anglia.
The Ben Jurnet series enjoyed success in both the UK and the US during Haymon’s lifetime: Ritual Murder (1982) won the prestigious CWA Silver Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association. Stately Homicide (1984), a skilful variation on the country house mystery, was praised by the New York Times as a 'brilliantly crafted novel of detection...stylish serious fiction', and favourably compared to the work of Dorothy L. Sayers.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 31, 2019
Written in nearly the same vein as P. D. James, it is the seventh in a series, that again, I did not know about. I'll have to seek out the first four, and maybe the rest, if there's any.
One reason I like to read police procedurals is to witness the camaraderie (or lack of) between the men and women who patrol and investigate their community, as well as their relationship to the community. It makes for compelling reading if done correctly. Since this book focused on the protagonist's grief, it was not in evidence here. But, it just gives me a reason to do what I stated above.
One reason I like to read police procedurals is to witness the camaraderie (or lack of) between the men and women who patrol and investigate their community, as well as their relationship to the community. It makes for compelling reading if done correctly. Since this book focused on the protagonist's grief, it was not in evidence here. But, it just gives me a reason to do what I stated above.
September 20, 2020
British "copper." Car rigged with bomb that kills his girlfriend. The story takes place in "Angleby," a city north of London. Lots of IRA intrigue. He visits Donegal. Another bombing. And then another back in Angleby. Liked storyline because of our visit to Belfast and it's environs. 9/2020
December 12, 2012
There is an explosion outside the block of flats where Detective Inspector Ben Jurnet lives which renders him homeless and kills his girlfriend Miriam. Plunged into devastating grief Ben finds many suspects from his past cases who are not exactly sorry that he has suffered a tragedy.
Could the bomb have been meant for him or was Miriam its real target? Was the attack to do with terrorism or was it personal? There is plenty of evidence to support any of the possible theories but Ben is not in a fit state to investigate them and he feels responsible for one of Miriam’s protégées – Pnina.
I found this a very moving book. The day to day effect of grief on an individual was very well done and I found myself getting angry and upset with Ben. I thought the way local criminals appear out of the woodwork was extremely good and there was an element of poetic justice in some of the events related to the sub plots. I liked the way Ben’s relationship with the Superintendent was treated to and the love/hate aspects were believable and understated.
If you want a straightforward crime novel then this probably isn’t for you as the crime is secondary to the effect it has on Ben. It is well written and believable and I thought the section of the book set in Ireland was well done. This is probably one of the best novels I’ve read about the effect of a violent crime on the people left behind.
Could the bomb have been meant for him or was Miriam its real target? Was the attack to do with terrorism or was it personal? There is plenty of evidence to support any of the possible theories but Ben is not in a fit state to investigate them and he feels responsible for one of Miriam’s protégées – Pnina.
I found this a very moving book. The day to day effect of grief on an individual was very well done and I found myself getting angry and upset with Ben. I thought the way local criminals appear out of the woodwork was extremely good and there was an element of poetic justice in some of the events related to the sub plots. I liked the way Ben’s relationship with the Superintendent was treated to and the love/hate aspects were believable and understated.
If you want a straightforward crime novel then this probably isn’t for you as the crime is secondary to the effect it has on Ben. It is well written and believable and I thought the section of the book set in Ireland was well done. This is probably one of the best novels I’ve read about the effect of a violent crime on the people left behind.
March 24, 2013
I couldn't get into it. It seemed to drag on. Very boring. Definately wouldn't read it again.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews