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Tom Thorne #11
The Dying Hours
A cluster of suicides among the elderly. Such things are not unknown to the police and the deaths are quickly dismissed by the police as routine. Only one man is convinced that something more sinister is taking place.
However, no one listens to Tom Thorne anymore. Having stepped out of line once too often, he's back in uniform and he hates it. Patronised and abused by his new colleagues, Thorne's suspicions about the suicides are dismissed by the Murder Squad he was once part of and he is forced to investigate alone.
Unable to trust anyone, Thorne must risk losing those closest to him.He must gamble with the lives of those targeted by a killer unlike any he has hunted before. A man with nothing to lose and a growing list of victims. A man with the power to make people take their own lives.
Tom Thorne returns in Billingham's most compelling thriller to date. The Dying Hours is a haunting portrait of London's dark heart, and the darker heart of a twisted killer bringing terror to its streets.
However, no one listens to Tom Thorne anymore. Having stepped out of line once too often, he's back in uniform and he hates it. Patronised and abused by his new colleagues, Thorne's suspicions about the suicides are dismissed by the Murder Squad he was once part of and he is forced to investigate alone.
Unable to trust anyone, Thorne must risk losing those closest to him.He must gamble with the lives of those targeted by a killer unlike any he has hunted before. A man with nothing to lose and a growing list of victims. A man with the power to make people take their own lives.
Tom Thorne returns in Billingham's most compelling thriller to date. The Dying Hours is a haunting portrait of London's dark heart, and the darker heart of a twisted killer bringing terror to its streets.
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
283 people are currently reading
2194 people want to read
About the author
Mark Billingham
104 books2,167 followersAlso writes as Will Peterson with Peter Cocks.
Mark Billingham was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor and more recently as a TV writer and stand-up comedian his first crime novel was published in 2001. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.
Mark Billingham was born and brought up in Birmingham. Having worked for some years as an actor and more recently as a TV writer and stand-up comedian his first crime novel was published in 2001. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews
June 27, 2025
Tom Thorne book No. 11: He's fatter, balder, more isolated, and back in uniform! Can life get any worse for Tom Thorne, how about a string of suicides that nobody believes are murders, bar Tom! Tom Thorne out of the loop, and a bit loopy! Love how some of these UK detective serials don't shy away from ageing, decay and disillusionment with their leads as time passes A good read Three Star, 7 out of 12.
2025 read
2025 read
June 22, 2018
Good start, unusual plot, but faded a bit towards the end. Still one of the better books in the series.
December 9, 2013
Welcome back Tom Thorne! I am really fond of this character in the Mark Billingham series. However, this is not Billingham's best effort - perhaps it is the worst. However, his worst is better than many writers' best! The characters are always well- developed and there are always twists and turns to keep your mind in the game. Still true here. However, I found myself as frustrated with most of the characters as Thorne is at being back in uniform. Complaining, bad-tempered lot. I spent time wanting both Thorne and Helen to stop trying to analyze each other! I wanted Tom to stop running all over the place in his obsessive and self- obsessed way. Helen was no better. The only character I enjoyed was Thorne's best friend, the tattooed & pierced pathologist. He never changes. But, just so you know, I read every word and wait with anticipation for the next one!
March 8, 2013
Love love love Tom Thorne. I was once asked by another author why I loved this character so much and I really couldn't say, but I do and every scrape he gets into, every romance that goes off the rails, I love him more.
You guessed it Tom Thorne is back. You kind of have to have read these from the beginning to appreciate the background on the main characters, and even the stand alones have titbits of info in them regarding Tom. This book isn't out yet so I cannot give the plot away. But read it!!
You guessed it Tom Thorne is back. You kind of have to have read these from the beginning to appreciate the background on the main characters, and even the stand alones have titbits of info in them regarding Tom. This book isn't out yet so I cannot give the plot away. But read it!!
June 6, 2016
Oké deze moest ik effe doorploeteren maar het verhaal en het hoofdpersonage hebben me door dit boek geholpen!
October 2, 2015
I always give these books 4 or 5 stars. This one was nearly a 3 because I get fed up with a steady diet of maverick rogue policemen. No matter if I do, the plot was so engaging and supporting characters so strong that it gets a boost and redemption. Looking forward to the next book....I sneaked a look at #12 since this one ended with a bit of a cliffhanger regarding Tom's career.
July 27, 2020
Pretty standard Thorne novel. Hwving been busted back to uniform he investigates sever suicides that he suspects are murders - thereby roping in old colleagues and making them compromise thier oen careers. Now living with another copper he also does his best to ruin that with incessant lying. Sadly weak ending but series will always be saved by the sheer bloody mindedness of the protagonist. A series worth investing in.
October 20, 2023
Nothing really happens in this book. I kept waiting but still nothing which made it pretty hard to read in the end. I’m sure Oliver Attwood would also find this book hard to read. Not because it’s bad, but due to his illiteracy and dependence upon his big lugholes to consume information.
July 24, 2023
I liked the murderer more than I liked the detective.
February 23, 2022
Meh. I don’t know if this being the first in the Tom Thorne series I’ve read influenced my lack of engagement, but I almost didn’t finish. The character’s drive stomped on almost everybody. Also, the emotional aspects felt brushed over and shallow. It was like watching something with cotton in your ears: you know what’s happening but not hearing it clearly (if that makes any sense). The only relationships/interactions that I felt engaged in was Hendricks’ meeting with Helen and Kitson with Holland. Plus, I don’t enjoy reading the villain’s POV in books anymore. I skim them.
All that said, I want to check out the next book to find out what the good news and bad news was for Thorne in the fallout of his actions.🤷🏼♀️
All that said, I want to check out the next book to find out what the good news and bad news was for Thorne in the fallout of his actions.🤷🏼♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2015
I must say I do love Mark Billinghams thorne thrillers .I find the storyline is well written and I am never disappointed with any of them. As I like to read from the first book I am finding it is like seeing an old friend when I start reading the latest book. To end I would like to say if you enjoy a good thriller you must read the read these
January 23, 2025
I found this generally a bit “meh”. Having read the previous books a number of years ago I finally got around to reading this one.
The book started well but I found myself disliking Thorne more and more as the book went on. The constant lying to his partner, using his “friends” for his own gain started to irritate me.
As a result, I struggled to get through it and nearly didn’t finish. I found the end rather abrupt and somewhat disappointing. I’m not sure I’m going to bother reading any more Tom Thorne, but I may give some of Billingham’s other books a try.
The book started well but I found myself disliking Thorne more and more as the book went on. The constant lying to his partner, using his “friends” for his own gain started to irritate me.
As a result, I struggled to get through it and nearly didn’t finish. I found the end rather abrupt and somewhat disappointing. I’m not sure I’m going to bother reading any more Tom Thorne, but I may give some of Billingham’s other books a try.
May 13, 2025
I have to rate this low because it is rather implausible how Thorn somehow really feels very sure that clearish suicides are actually murders and the book really doesn’t make clear the thoughts in his questioning mind.
You could just argue that it is supposed detective’s intuition, and, if that is realistic, the book should not be spoiled by not sharing these details with the reader and leaving us more irritated and confused as to how the detective’s thought processes were really working. Plus, tford in general is a bit irritating. Sometimes these books are good, sometimes quite average.
You could just argue that it is supposed detective’s intuition, and, if that is realistic, the book should not be spoiled by not sharing these details with the reader and leaving us more irritated and confused as to how the detective’s thought processes were really working. Plus, tford in general is a bit irritating. Sometimes these books are good, sometimes quite average.
August 20, 2022
heeel goed boek!!!!
September 16, 2023
Superb book with fantastic writing that kept me going right till the end. Can’t wait for the next one in the series
June 2, 2019
Been a while since I read a Tom Thorne thriller and I’m pleased to say that I was straight back into the story line.
With Thorne back in uniform it shows just how many times he's stepped out of line. His frustration continues when his suspicions about suicides are dismissed.
The story captures you from the start. Mark Billingham delivers as always.
With Thorne back in uniform it shows just how many times he's stepped out of line. His frustration continues when his suspicions about suicides are dismissed.
The story captures you from the start. Mark Billingham delivers as always.
January 24, 2014
Yorumun tamamı ve yazar hakkında bilgi almak için >>> Ölüme 5 Kala - Mark Billingham / Kitap Yorumu
Yaşlı bir çift görünüşe göre artık daha fazla yaşamak istemediklerine karar vermiş ve birlikte intihar etmişler. Sanki olağan bir gündeymiş gibi yatmak için hazırlıklar yapılmış, pijamalar giyilmiş, takma dişler çıkarılmış ve yatağa birbirlerinin kollarında girmişler. Ama Thorne işin aslının böyle olmadığına emin. Her hangi bir delili yok ama içine sinmeyen bir şeyler var. Ona göre yaşlı çift cinayete kurban gitmiş. Kimse ölüme giderken takma dişlerini çıkarmakla uğraşmaz diyor Thorne ve reçetesiz insülini nereden bulacaklar?
Thorne bir kaç ay önce yaşadığı bir durumdan dolayı rütbesi düşürülmüş bir polis memuru. Bazılarına göre de beceriksiz bir polis memuru. Kimsenin Thorne'u kale aldığı yok. Hatta sırf bunalımda olduğu için bu kadar bariz bir şekilde belli olan intiharı bile cinayet olduğunu düşünecek kadar işe yaramaz bir hale geldiğini düşünüyorlar. Ama Thorne işin peşini bırakmamaya karar veriyor...
Öte yandan katilimiz ise belli. Ara ara onun bakış açısından soğuk kanlı bir şekilde işlediği cinayetleri de okuyoruz. 30 yıldır içinde tuttuğu öfkesinin intikamını alıyor teker teker. Arkasında hiç bir delil bırakmadan. Tüm kurbanları, en sonunda kendilerini isteyerek öldürüyor çünkü.
Kitap insanın merak duygusuna hitap ediyor. Katil zaten belli merak edecek ne var ki? diyenler için söylüyorum. Kitapta istenilen son ana kadar katilin bilinmemesi değil ki zaten ilk 150 sayfa içinde Thorne katili buluyor. Benim ilgimi çeken yönü, katilin "O" olduğunu nasıl ispatlayacağı. Tekrardan dedeklif olabilecek mi? Ve Thorne delilleri, ölümler arasında ki bağlantıları, katili, cinayete kurban giden kişilerin yakınlarıyla görüşmeleri vs.. bunları hep gayri resmi yollardan yapıyor. Buda polislikte kabul gören bir durum değil...Ve kurbanlar nasıl oluyor da kendilerini hiç savunamıyorlar? Katil nasıl başarıyor bunu? İntihar süsü vermek değil de resmen intihar etmelerini sağlıyor...
Yaşlı bir çift görünüşe göre artık daha fazla yaşamak istemediklerine karar vermiş ve birlikte intihar etmişler. Sanki olağan bir gündeymiş gibi yatmak için hazırlıklar yapılmış, pijamalar giyilmiş, takma dişler çıkarılmış ve yatağa birbirlerinin kollarında girmişler. Ama Thorne işin aslının böyle olmadığına emin. Her hangi bir delili yok ama içine sinmeyen bir şeyler var. Ona göre yaşlı çift cinayete kurban gitmiş. Kimse ölüme giderken takma dişlerini çıkarmakla uğraşmaz diyor Thorne ve reçetesiz insülini nereden bulacaklar?
Thorne bir kaç ay önce yaşadığı bir durumdan dolayı rütbesi düşürülmüş bir polis memuru. Bazılarına göre de beceriksiz bir polis memuru. Kimsenin Thorne'u kale aldığı yok. Hatta sırf bunalımda olduğu için bu kadar bariz bir şekilde belli olan intiharı bile cinayet olduğunu düşünecek kadar işe yaramaz bir hale geldiğini düşünüyorlar. Ama Thorne işin peşini bırakmamaya karar veriyor...
Öte yandan katilimiz ise belli. Ara ara onun bakış açısından soğuk kanlı bir şekilde işlediği cinayetleri de okuyoruz. 30 yıldır içinde tuttuğu öfkesinin intikamını alıyor teker teker. Arkasında hiç bir delil bırakmadan. Tüm kurbanları, en sonunda kendilerini isteyerek öldürüyor çünkü.
Kitap insanın merak duygusuna hitap ediyor. Katil zaten belli merak edecek ne var ki? diyenler için söylüyorum. Kitapta istenilen son ana kadar katilin bilinmemesi değil ki zaten ilk 150 sayfa içinde Thorne katili buluyor. Benim ilgimi çeken yönü, katilin "O" olduğunu nasıl ispatlayacağı. Tekrardan dedeklif olabilecek mi? Ve Thorne delilleri, ölümler arasında ki bağlantıları, katili, cinayete kurban giden kişilerin yakınlarıyla görüşmeleri vs.. bunları hep gayri resmi yollardan yapıyor. Buda polislikte kabul gören bir durum değil...Ve kurbanlar nasıl oluyor da kendilerini hiç savunamıyorlar? Katil nasıl başarıyor bunu? İntihar süsü vermek değil de resmen intihar etmelerini sağlıyor...
September 11, 2014
Billingham never disappoints with DCI Tom Thorne being one of the most interesting Detectives ever, apart from now he has been knocked back down to a Sergeant on the beat through his unwillingness to play by the rules and risk not catching his man, endangering lives.
The Dying Hours sees Tom not being able to let go of something he feels, no, he knows, to be a murder case not suicide. He is on the beat not in the murder squad who are not exactly in love with Tom’s manner of working, and refuse to listen to him, humiliating him in the process.
So does Tom give up, what do you think? This though is where Tom’s character becomes more open to us and more interesting. This compulsion, obsession: addiction to get deeper involved and solve the crime gives us an insight into how the job has changed him.
Reading the Tom Thorne series is not just like reading brilliant crime novels where you get to know the characters and can’t wait to hear the next crime they solve. The series has grown and matured with age along with the characters. Fresh young faces have become the weary faces of Detectives under a heavy workload hopelessly struggling to solve all of the crimes.
We see Tom refusing to let go of his certainty that several ‘suicides’ are murders and watch as he presses a destruction button inside himself to solve it, drawing in help and risking the careers of his ex colleagues in the murder squad Holland, and Kitson. For the first time we question what he is doing, why is he so drawn to keeping it quiet when we know that he could pass on all that he knows higher.
Personally instead of wondering about his relationships he is honest about it to himself, we see him acknowledge that his lack of visible emotions have destroyed what he had and could of had. Now living with Helen and her young son, Tom shows us a paternal side and the effort he makes to be emotionally honest.
This book is different, the killer is old in his 70’s and is hidden amongst the general public openly - who takes notice of an elderly man coming and going?
We are invited to think about crime and how there is a public perception of younger people committing it with all their anger and violence being unchained perhaps in a single moment. Billingham asks us to look at how anger and violence changes with age, how it can remain but be without passion, how life is both precious and meaningless at the same time. We see how Tom Thorne is somehow caught up in emotional changes as we get older. We like to think we have the same values, that they are honourable and not for self gratification, but Billingham shows us that we can all get lost at times.
I really enjoyed this book and loved how Billingham has given Tom Thorne a new maturity with age.
The Dying Hours sees Tom not being able to let go of something he feels, no, he knows, to be a murder case not suicide. He is on the beat not in the murder squad who are not exactly in love with Tom’s manner of working, and refuse to listen to him, humiliating him in the process.
So does Tom give up, what do you think? This though is where Tom’s character becomes more open to us and more interesting. This compulsion, obsession: addiction to get deeper involved and solve the crime gives us an insight into how the job has changed him.
Reading the Tom Thorne series is not just like reading brilliant crime novels where you get to know the characters and can’t wait to hear the next crime they solve. The series has grown and matured with age along with the characters. Fresh young faces have become the weary faces of Detectives under a heavy workload hopelessly struggling to solve all of the crimes.
We see Tom refusing to let go of his certainty that several ‘suicides’ are murders and watch as he presses a destruction button inside himself to solve it, drawing in help and risking the careers of his ex colleagues in the murder squad Holland, and Kitson. For the first time we question what he is doing, why is he so drawn to keeping it quiet when we know that he could pass on all that he knows higher.
Personally instead of wondering about his relationships he is honest about it to himself, we see him acknowledge that his lack of visible emotions have destroyed what he had and could of had. Now living with Helen and her young son, Tom shows us a paternal side and the effort he makes to be emotionally honest.
This book is different, the killer is old in his 70’s and is hidden amongst the general public openly - who takes notice of an elderly man coming and going?
We are invited to think about crime and how there is a public perception of younger people committing it with all their anger and violence being unchained perhaps in a single moment. Billingham asks us to look at how anger and violence changes with age, how it can remain but be without passion, how life is both precious and meaningless at the same time. We see how Tom Thorne is somehow caught up in emotional changes as we get older. We like to think we have the same values, that they are honourable and not for self gratification, but Billingham shows us that we can all get lost at times.
I really enjoyed this book and loved how Billingham has given Tom Thorne a new maturity with age.
December 24, 2014
The Dying hours is Mark Billingham’s 11th novel featuring Tom Thorne.
I have read all of them and so new novel is like a reunion with an old friend but if this is your first Mark Billingham novel then do not be put off.
The story stands the test of being as good a stand alone as part of a series but be warned, I am sure that if you read this book then you will be keen to read the others to become more acquainted with Mr. Thorne.
The beauty of Mark Billingham’s character is that with every novel he develops and grows and we become more acquainted with his personality.
So many current crime fiction authors churn out great stories but don’t develop the character but with Billingham’s writing we not only see how his main character’s life has its ups (and downs) but also how other members of the supporting cast have faired throughout the series. This makes them seem all the more real and 3 dimensional. I really care about these people and worry for them when things go wrong or they step out of line. I suspect the author feels the same way.
Thorne is now back in uniform as an inspector following his upsetting of the applecart in the last book which has resulted in him being moved from the plain clothes job on the M.I.T. that he loved.
After being called to attend a routine suicide his suspicions are raised but no-one wants to listen and think that his suspicions are simply his over reacting to his new position.
I don’t think I am giving too much away if I say that as the story progresses we come to realise that of course he was right all the time.
Like all of Billinghams books this is a riveting read that, if you are a bedtime reader will keep you up late wanting to read “just one more page” before you turn the light out.
In short this is multifaceted crime writing at its best carried out by an author who really knows their craft.
I have read all of them and so new novel is like a reunion with an old friend but if this is your first Mark Billingham novel then do not be put off.
The story stands the test of being as good a stand alone as part of a series but be warned, I am sure that if you read this book then you will be keen to read the others to become more acquainted with Mr. Thorne.
The beauty of Mark Billingham’s character is that with every novel he develops and grows and we become more acquainted with his personality.
So many current crime fiction authors churn out great stories but don’t develop the character but with Billingham’s writing we not only see how his main character’s life has its ups (and downs) but also how other members of the supporting cast have faired throughout the series. This makes them seem all the more real and 3 dimensional. I really care about these people and worry for them when things go wrong or they step out of line. I suspect the author feels the same way.
Thorne is now back in uniform as an inspector following his upsetting of the applecart in the last book which has resulted in him being moved from the plain clothes job on the M.I.T. that he loved.
After being called to attend a routine suicide his suspicions are raised but no-one wants to listen and think that his suspicions are simply his over reacting to his new position.
I don’t think I am giving too much away if I say that as the story progresses we come to realise that of course he was right all the time.
Like all of Billinghams books this is a riveting read that, if you are a bedtime reader will keep you up late wanting to read “just one more page” before you turn the light out.
In short this is multifaceted crime writing at its best carried out by an author who really knows their craft.
April 6, 2014
Mark Billingham has done it again. By ‘it’ I mean this is a crime novel populated by characters I recognised a plot that is different but not so unbelievable that it made me go ‘That would never happen!’ and enough twists in the story to keep me on my toes.
I have to confess I have quite a soft spot for Inspector Tom Thorne. This lover of country music is a complex but not ‘off the wall’ character and at this stage in his story is no longer part of murder investigations, instead he is effectively demoted to dealing with local policing issues as diverse as breaking up fights and moving on those who frequent the local dogging sites.
When our Tom Thorne first suspects that some suicides were anything but he was laughed out of the Murder Investigation Team so he does some digging himself. Clearly the spot of bother he got himself into has not taught him a great deal! Juggling this covert operation he is also juggling his relationship with Helen and her young son Alfie. Billingham manages to weave the home life versus the professional life of Tom extremely well and with that touch of humour that makes me want his latest book each time one is published.
As much as I love this series I can’t say this is one of my favourites but it was still a great read. It is like visiting an old friend and not only finding out how their life is but the lives of their friends who you know vaguely. This reader is already eagerly awaiting the next instalment.
I have to confess I have quite a soft spot for Inspector Tom Thorne. This lover of country music is a complex but not ‘off the wall’ character and at this stage in his story is no longer part of murder investigations, instead he is effectively demoted to dealing with local policing issues as diverse as breaking up fights and moving on those who frequent the local dogging sites.
When our Tom Thorne first suspects that some suicides were anything but he was laughed out of the Murder Investigation Team so he does some digging himself. Clearly the spot of bother he got himself into has not taught him a great deal! Juggling this covert operation he is also juggling his relationship with Helen and her young son Alfie. Billingham manages to weave the home life versus the professional life of Tom extremely well and with that touch of humour that makes me want his latest book each time one is published.
As much as I love this series I can’t say this is one of my favourites but it was still a great read. It is like visiting an old friend and not only finding out how their life is but the lives of their friends who you know vaguely. This reader is already eagerly awaiting the next instalment.
March 7, 2020
It's like a comfy blanket getting back into the Tom Thorne series but this wasn't a great one for me. The reason for the suicides was blindingly obvious from the get go but the author's choice of a pensioner killer was an interesting one. Are the elderly invisible? If an OAP went on a murder spree would they be able to disappear into a crowd without being noticed and be perceived as not being a threat. All worthy questions and finally Thorne looks like something may be happening in the love life stakes.
Looking forward to the next one
Looking forward to the next one
August 12, 2013
I received this book free in exchange for a review from Net Galley.
Happy senior citizens are committing suicide. The MIT of London doesn't see anything fishy about the deaths and chalks them up to suicide. A recently demoted detective, (due to a stupid mistake on his part) Tom Thorne, is thinking something isn't right. He feels that there is something wrong in the latest crime scene where a couple takes their own lives. He tries to get his old superiors to listen to him, but they discount anything he has to say.
When the suicide rate jumps to higher than the murder rate, Tom knows he is on the right track. Working behind the backs of MIT and utilizing reluctant friends, he faces losing his position, his girlfriend and his life.
The plot twists and good character development make this a very good read. However, as an American, I did have some trouble with the English colloquialisms.
Happy senior citizens are committing suicide. The MIT of London doesn't see anything fishy about the deaths and chalks them up to suicide. A recently demoted detective, (due to a stupid mistake on his part) Tom Thorne, is thinking something isn't right. He feels that there is something wrong in the latest crime scene where a couple takes their own lives. He tries to get his old superiors to listen to him, but they discount anything he has to say.
When the suicide rate jumps to higher than the murder rate, Tom knows he is on the right track. Working behind the backs of MIT and utilizing reluctant friends, he faces losing his position, his girlfriend and his life.
The plot twists and good character development make this a very good read. However, as an American, I did have some trouble with the English colloquialisms.
April 8, 2014
Thorne is back. Demoted to uniform and thoroughly naffed off. Billingham is at his best when writing lines for a hacked off Thorne and he excels here. Thorne is at his spikey best, determined to prove that what seem like routine suicides are anything but.
It's like 12 Angry Men every time someone disagrees with him. For the Thorne one-liners alone this is worth a four star rating. Add in the fast pace, plot twists and a thumper of a conclusion and it elevates it to five stars. Mark Billingham may just be the most authentic British crime writer out there right now.
A massive recommend from me.
It's like 12 Angry Men every time someone disagrees with him. For the Thorne one-liners alone this is worth a four star rating. Add in the fast pace, plot twists and a thumper of a conclusion and it elevates it to five stars. Mark Billingham may just be the most authentic British crime writer out there right now.
A massive recommend from me.
June 6, 2023
A fairly run of the mill modern London-based crime novel, in which the hero, Inspector Tom Thorne, is back in uniform after a case went wrong, having been a detective inspector for many years. He is convinced that a death regarded as a suicide by the murder team is in fact murder, and he begins to investigate this on the sly as the body count rises.
Apparently the 11th outing for Thorne, there is interest in his relationships as well as in the crime plot.
I did not appreciate the gruesome chapters interspersed, in which the murderer caused the deaths of successive victims. Unnecessarily voyeuristic.
Apparently the 11th outing for Thorne, there is interest in his relationships as well as in the crime plot.
I did not appreciate the gruesome chapters interspersed, in which the murderer caused the deaths of successive victims. Unnecessarily voyeuristic.
April 7, 2014
Probably not the best mark Billingham book. Its the "once top notch copper has a blip, demoted, bit of a maverick, gets up everyone's nose and in the end solves the crime and saves the day" storyline. This usually comes along after the author has written a number of previous successful books and then runs out of ideas. That said this was good enough (although highly improbable) to make me want to read the earlier ones as I suspect they may well be better. Like the writing style and the characters
August 29, 2015
Perhaps it would have helped if I had read the previous 10 Tom Thorne books. There were so many names - a lot of people! Since it took me quite a while to finish this, I just could not keep everyone straight in my head.
The story was not that interesting, either. I put the book aside twice, thinking I would not bother to finish. The usual problems that police have in their personal lives - the politics in the workplace - the way the main character is the only one who understands that there is a bad man on the move - so many times seen.
The story was not that interesting, either. I put the book aside twice, thinking I would not bother to finish. The usual problems that police have in their personal lives - the politics in the workplace - the way the main character is the only one who understands that there is a bad man on the move - so many times seen.
December 27, 2014
I have read all of mark Billingham's novels and his detective Thorne is one of my favourite English detectives. It's a good read, with familiar characters and a decent plot, although as it is revealed quite early it is not as exciting as most of his previous novels. However, it is probably more of a 3.5 rater than a three as it also introduces quite a view new characters (which are introduced very well and are interesting) and this book seems a bit of an in-between book.
May 29, 2013
Mark Billingham does it again. The new Tom Thorne novel sees Thorne back in uniform and living and working across the river from his old stomping ground. He hates being in uniform, misses his old job. As ever trouble seeks him out. A thoroughly enjoyable read that will have you hanging on the edge of your seat.
December 23, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed my first book from Mark Billingham. There is something special about British writers and this one was no exception. Other reviews saying that this book was good but not great, or perhaps one of Billingham's worst books has me intrigued to read more of his works. The Dying Hours kept my attention throughout, and I thought that the plot was super creative.
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