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DS Aector McAvoy #4
Taking Pity
The New York Times hails David Mark’s police thrillers as “in the honorable tradition of Joseph Wambaugh and Ed McBain.” In Taking Pity, Detective Sergeant Aector McAvoy returns for another darkly enthralling installment of this internationally acclaimed series.
It’s been three months since a devastating tragedy ripped Detective Sergeant McAvoy’s life apart. Living alone with his young son in a temporary flat down the road from the charred remains of his family home, McAvoy has been on leave from work, just concentrating on making it through each day. The whole Humberside Police force has also been quietly coping with the loss of a few good officers—but crime in Hull is as relentless as the thunderous skies, and two warring criminal factions have been violently jockeying for position. While Trish Pharaoh and her Serious and Organized Crime Unit clean up bodies and search for answers, McAvoy reemerges to investigate police wrongdoing in a crime that was supposedly solved decades before. It’s meant to be an easy assignment to ease him back into the swing of things, but he is nothing if not thorough—and slowly but surely, evidence that has remained buried for half a century begins to implicate some of the most notorious criminals in Northern England. Frightening and fast-paced, Taking Pity is the latest page-turning installment in the thrilling Detective McAvoy series and by far the most personal one yet.
It’s been three months since a devastating tragedy ripped Detective Sergeant McAvoy’s life apart. Living alone with his young son in a temporary flat down the road from the charred remains of his family home, McAvoy has been on leave from work, just concentrating on making it through each day. The whole Humberside Police force has also been quietly coping with the loss of a few good officers—but crime in Hull is as relentless as the thunderous skies, and two warring criminal factions have been violently jockeying for position. While Trish Pharaoh and her Serious and Organized Crime Unit clean up bodies and search for answers, McAvoy reemerges to investigate police wrongdoing in a crime that was supposedly solved decades before. It’s meant to be an easy assignment to ease him back into the swing of things, but he is nothing if not thorough—and slowly but surely, evidence that has remained buried for half a century begins to implicate some of the most notorious criminals in Northern England. Frightening and fast-paced, Taking Pity is the latest page-turning installment in the thrilling Detective McAvoy series and by far the most personal one yet.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published July 2, 2015
37 people are currently reading
667 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
February 17, 2017
This is book 4 in the DS Aector McAvoy police procedural series, set in Hull, England. DS McAvoy is on indefinite sick leave, recovering from an attack by organized criminals that nearly killed him and his family(subject of book 3, "Sorrow Bound"). This an intricately plotted mystery with many players-- rival criminal gangs and the police, including some corrupt cops feeding info to the criminals.
There are horrific descriptions of torture--pressing, (a medieval torture) and nail guns among others. This book is not for the squeamish, but if you like a mystery with long kept secrets going back 50 years and some determined, honest cops carefully unraveling the truth, then this book is for you.
I do recommend that you read them in order, starting with "Dark Winter."
McAvoy is asked to investigate a murder that took place in 1966 by his boss Trish Pharaoh. She was contacted by the Home Office who specifically asked for McAvoy, known to be incorruptible and determined. Another player is suspended DCI Colin Ray, with his own ax to grind. He was suspended for beating a suspect to death and wants to get reinstated with a splashy arrest.
The characters are complex and the plot moves along briskly.
Two quotes:
weather--"Black clouds hang heavy over a city the rain never seems to wash clean."
a bar--"Six customers, and perhaps twenty-three teeth."
I rate this library book 4 out 5 stars.
There are horrific descriptions of torture--pressing, (a medieval torture) and nail guns among others. This book is not for the squeamish, but if you like a mystery with long kept secrets going back 50 years and some determined, honest cops carefully unraveling the truth, then this book is for you.
I do recommend that you read them in order, starting with "Dark Winter."
McAvoy is asked to investigate a murder that took place in 1966 by his boss Trish Pharaoh. She was contacted by the Home Office who specifically asked for McAvoy, known to be incorruptible and determined. Another player is suspended DCI Colin Ray, with his own ax to grind. He was suspended for beating a suspect to death and wants to get reinstated with a splashy arrest.
The characters are complex and the plot moves along briskly.
Two quotes:
weather--"Black clouds hang heavy over a city the rain never seems to wash clean."
a bar--"Six customers, and perhaps twenty-three teeth."
I rate this library book 4 out 5 stars.
December 9, 2017
This was another satisfying book featuring Aector McAvoy. I like the author's writing style, but surely the setting of Hull with its miserable weather can’t be that depressing or realistic.
The plot in this book is one that requires concentration to follow, and unfortunately my poor brain had other things it wanted to think about. It might have helped if I’d had longer chunks of time to lose myself in the story. I considered going back to make notes about the relationships between characters, but I couldn't muster the energy. I forged ahead and give much credit to the author for developing his characters and his story so strongly that I was fine.
I highly recommend reading the previous books in the series before reading this book. There are threads that carry from one book to the next that are starting to come to a head in this book.
The plot in this book is one that requires concentration to follow, and unfortunately my poor brain had other things it wanted to think about. It might have helped if I’d had longer chunks of time to lose myself in the story. I considered going back to make notes about the relationships between characters, but I couldn't muster the energy. I forged ahead and give much credit to the author for developing his characters and his story so strongly that I was fine.
I highly recommend reading the previous books in the series before reading this book. There are threads that carry from one book to the next that are starting to come to a head in this book.
April 24, 2023
Be warned to better follow this story (Aector McAvoy, #3) Sorrow Bound should be read first. And even at the conclusion of this story all is not solved. The Big Bad Wolf is still on the loose. Hopefully all will end on this plotline of the Headhunters in #5.
FYI
For all of us ignorant Americans when reading in the Prologue He’d planned another pint, then home to Enid and the boy. She’d promised toad-in-the-hole with onion gravy for his evening meal.
After scratching my head and wondering WHAT THE HECK IS THAT? Well toad in the hole or sausage toad is a traditional English dish consisting of sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter, usually served with onion gravy. Sort of a version of our pigs in a blanket, I guess.
FYI
For all of us ignorant Americans when reading in the Prologue He’d planned another pint, then home to Enid and the boy. She’d promised toad-in-the-hole with onion gravy for his evening meal.
After scratching my head and wondering WHAT THE HECK IS THAT? Well toad in the hole or sausage toad is a traditional English dish consisting of sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter, usually served with onion gravy. Sort of a version of our pigs in a blanket, I guess.
June 22, 2015
Taking Pity by David Mark is a 2015 Blue Rider Press publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first book by this author, which means I read, and am now reviewing the fourth book in a series, even though I have not read the first three books in the series.
Usually, that is no big deal for me, since I can normally piece together the inner workings of the recurring characters or figure out their past, by hints dropped along the way by the author. However, in this case there was a back story involving McAvoy and his family, that although I was clued in to some degree by being given the bare bones of the situation, I could never shake off the feeling I was missing out on some vital peace of information that would make the picture complete.
McAvoy is not working, his wife and daughter are out of his life due to circumstances beyond his control, and he is for all intents and purposes a single parent to his son, who is the only thing keeping McAvoy from tottering off the deep end. When Trish comes to him with a cold case involving a murdered family and man who has sat institutionalized for many years, this gives McAvoy the opportunity to get back to work. It may not seem like much, but it gives McAvoy something productive to work on.
In the meantime, the mob syndicate is going through a huge shakeup and a power struggle as ensued, with investigators being tempted to cooperate and many lives being effected, including the family of Aector McAvoy.
I love British crime dramas, especially those with a dark gritty atmosphere. My interest was really piqued by the cold case McAvoy was assigned, and the organized crime elements were very well written, giving the reader an up close and personal look at evil personified. The politics of organized crime is always compelling and strangely fascinating. Add the very heavy emotions of a man who has lost nearly everything near and dear to him, who is lost and floating in space, hurting intensely, needing answers to questions that remain elusive to the end, and the crime and investigations take on a more personal tone.
All of these elements added together is potent combination and I was very invested, but as a I mentioned earlier, I couldn't help but feel as though I was missing something everyone else was in on. The only thing to do now, is go back and locate the first three books in the series and see if that doesn't help clear things up. Of course with my review schedule, that probably won't take place for a long while. So, although it is ideal to read a series in order, that is not always feasible, however, I did understand what happened to McAvoy's wife and daughter, to some extent, that Trish made arrangements for them and until the situation with the organized crime unit is under control, McAvoy will continue to live in a nightmarish limbo, What I didn't get was what led up to all this, and since there were a few questions about McAvoy's wife's character, I had no way of knowing if they had merit or not. So, maybe a more in depth recap is in order, even if seems redundant, to remind people of what has transpired previously.
I got the distinct impression that up until now McAvoy has been a the star of the show, but, I don't have a feel for what he is like in normal circumstances, but it's clear that he's not working on all cylinders in this one, but he is apparently, quite a thorough detective and basically blows the lid off a case some people wanted to stay buried. But, his personal situation leaves the door open for other characters to evolve and I do believe Trish steps up to the plate in this one. Again, she is an enigma to me and I often wondered about her decisions and why she was involved in some delicate situations that involved McAvoy's family. Apparently, McAvoy will have to wait for all the answers to his burning questions. However, at the moment he is afforded a time of vast relief and will, at least for now have a modicum of peace. However, I get the feeling this story is far from over.
So, in conclusion, this is a very well written crime thriller with well drawn and defined characters, and although the book can technically be read as a stand alone, I don't advise it. Start with the first book and work your way up to this one. I think if you do that you will pick up on important nuances and have a much better understanding about what is going on with these characters. I recommend this book and series to those who enjoy British crime, dark crime dramas and police procedurals.
Over all, this one gets 4 stars
This is my first book by this author, which means I read, and am now reviewing the fourth book in a series, even though I have not read the first three books in the series.
Usually, that is no big deal for me, since I can normally piece together the inner workings of the recurring characters or figure out their past, by hints dropped along the way by the author. However, in this case there was a back story involving McAvoy and his family, that although I was clued in to some degree by being given the bare bones of the situation, I could never shake off the feeling I was missing out on some vital peace of information that would make the picture complete.
McAvoy is not working, his wife and daughter are out of his life due to circumstances beyond his control, and he is for all intents and purposes a single parent to his son, who is the only thing keeping McAvoy from tottering off the deep end. When Trish comes to him with a cold case involving a murdered family and man who has sat institutionalized for many years, this gives McAvoy the opportunity to get back to work. It may not seem like much, but it gives McAvoy something productive to work on.
In the meantime, the mob syndicate is going through a huge shakeup and a power struggle as ensued, with investigators being tempted to cooperate and many lives being effected, including the family of Aector McAvoy.
I love British crime dramas, especially those with a dark gritty atmosphere. My interest was really piqued by the cold case McAvoy was assigned, and the organized crime elements were very well written, giving the reader an up close and personal look at evil personified. The politics of organized crime is always compelling and strangely fascinating. Add the very heavy emotions of a man who has lost nearly everything near and dear to him, who is lost and floating in space, hurting intensely, needing answers to questions that remain elusive to the end, and the crime and investigations take on a more personal tone.
All of these elements added together is potent combination and I was very invested, but as a I mentioned earlier, I couldn't help but feel as though I was missing something everyone else was in on. The only thing to do now, is go back and locate the first three books in the series and see if that doesn't help clear things up. Of course with my review schedule, that probably won't take place for a long while. So, although it is ideal to read a series in order, that is not always feasible, however, I did understand what happened to McAvoy's wife and daughter, to some extent, that Trish made arrangements for them and until the situation with the organized crime unit is under control, McAvoy will continue to live in a nightmarish limbo, What I didn't get was what led up to all this, and since there were a few questions about McAvoy's wife's character, I had no way of knowing if they had merit or not. So, maybe a more in depth recap is in order, even if seems redundant, to remind people of what has transpired previously.
I got the distinct impression that up until now McAvoy has been a the star of the show, but, I don't have a feel for what he is like in normal circumstances, but it's clear that he's not working on all cylinders in this one, but he is apparently, quite a thorough detective and basically blows the lid off a case some people wanted to stay buried. But, his personal situation leaves the door open for other characters to evolve and I do believe Trish steps up to the plate in this one. Again, she is an enigma to me and I often wondered about her decisions and why she was involved in some delicate situations that involved McAvoy's family. Apparently, McAvoy will have to wait for all the answers to his burning questions. However, at the moment he is afforded a time of vast relief and will, at least for now have a modicum of peace. However, I get the feeling this story is far from over.
So, in conclusion, this is a very well written crime thriller with well drawn and defined characters, and although the book can technically be read as a stand alone, I don't advise it. Start with the first book and work your way up to this one. I think if you do that you will pick up on important nuances and have a much better understanding about what is going on with these characters. I recommend this book and series to those who enjoy British crime, dark crime dramas and police procedurals.
Over all, this one gets 4 stars
May 6, 2018
This is the 4th in the series with DS Aector McAvoy and his boss, Det. Supt. Trish Pharaoh.
The best of the series so far, in my opinion. As David Mark develops his characters, the plots
become more convoluted and fascinating. I personally like Mark's style. In many cases, short
meaningful sentences. They hit hard. I can picture the sky, clouds, sea the way he describes them. Best to read in order. There are some short stories too, but I have been unable to locate online.
One thing further, his villains are top notch. 5 stars for me. No giving away the story here, just great crime reading.
The best of the series so far, in my opinion. As David Mark develops his characters, the plots
become more convoluted and fascinating. I personally like Mark's style. In many cases, short
meaningful sentences. They hit hard. I can picture the sky, clouds, sea the way he describes them. Best to read in order. There are some short stories too, but I have been unable to locate online.
One thing further, his villains are top notch. 5 stars for me. No giving away the story here, just great crime reading.
June 24, 2015
There is something friendly-sounding about a man with two first names. It is deceptive in one way at least: this police procedural is the fourth the Aector McAvoy series, a U.K. Yorkshire-based crime series, and it curates ways in which one man can hurt another. The skein of characters is tangled by this point in the series, but Mark invites us in with detailed descriptions of Detective Superintendent Trish Pharaoh and her suspended, injured, retired, or otherwise sidelined crew of detectives and irregulars who help her orchestrate a career-enhancing drug bust and solve a fifty-year-old cold case.
Mark created a literary, character-driven novel firmly based in the Yorkshire area. Gangs have their hands in every kind of wrongdoing, but only within their own little kingdom. East Yorkshire, West Yorkshire have their own fiefdoms and woe to him that tries to muscle in on taken territory. The feeling of containment is so sharp I am not even sure when one thug complains about "them from the South" if he is talking about the southern district of Yorkshire or further south, London.
New to this series as I am, every character had equal weight in my mind until their story starts pulling things in one direction. For that reason, the previously (before this book) wounded "Call me Hector" McAvoy did not feel like center stage in this novel. He had a lot to do with one of the threads, but Detective Superintendent Pharaoh seems central to this installment. She orchestrates the different cases and becomes the target of last resort for our lead thug, Mahon. McAvoy is still too physically and mentally damaged to take the kind of abuse handed out in this novel.
This can be a strong crime series. David Mark certainly has the writing chops to bring us in, tie us down, and scare us silly. I adore stories about Yorkshire rough and watched the Red Riding TV series with relish. There is something particularly sinister and criminal about living high on the hog in a low rent district.
If at first I felt a lack of urgency about the story, gradually the action sped up to meet the demands of a crime novel. I think Mark may have to sacrifice a bit of his descriptive tendencies to the impetus of the storyline. That balance is particularly hard when one is very good at writing detail, and that means details of torture as well. This is where theatre experience might come in handy. We don’t actually need to see (or read) gruesome details of torture. It slows our eye and the story. Our imaginations are quite thorough and frightening enough: just a whiff or suggestion of some kind of harm dilates our pupils and sends our heart rate skyrocketing. I don’t particularly like to linger in this space. I take refuge in the story.
There was one creation that stood out in the lineup of characters in this book: Colin Ray. Blunt and crass and bloody-minded, he could have sprung from the head of Julian Barnes, writing as Dan Kavanagh in the Duffy chronicles or anything (Rebus or Fox) done by Ian Rankin. Ray is funny and furious and embodies a kind of chivalrous cop code that makes us like him even when we recognize his faults. Congratulations to Mark for creating a character that lives in the imagination long and well.
Mark created a literary, character-driven novel firmly based in the Yorkshire area. Gangs have their hands in every kind of wrongdoing, but only within their own little kingdom. East Yorkshire, West Yorkshire have their own fiefdoms and woe to him that tries to muscle in on taken territory. The feeling of containment is so sharp I am not even sure when one thug complains about "them from the South" if he is talking about the southern district of Yorkshire or further south, London.
New to this series as I am, every character had equal weight in my mind until their story starts pulling things in one direction. For that reason, the previously (before this book) wounded "Call me Hector" McAvoy did not feel like center stage in this novel. He had a lot to do with one of the threads, but Detective Superintendent Pharaoh seems central to this installment. She orchestrates the different cases and becomes the target of last resort for our lead thug, Mahon. McAvoy is still too physically and mentally damaged to take the kind of abuse handed out in this novel.
This can be a strong crime series. David Mark certainly has the writing chops to bring us in, tie us down, and scare us silly. I adore stories about Yorkshire rough and watched the Red Riding TV series with relish. There is something particularly sinister and criminal about living high on the hog in a low rent district.
If at first I felt a lack of urgency about the story, gradually the action sped up to meet the demands of a crime novel. I think Mark may have to sacrifice a bit of his descriptive tendencies to the impetus of the storyline. That balance is particularly hard when one is very good at writing detail, and that means details of torture as well. This is where theatre experience might come in handy. We don’t actually need to see (or read) gruesome details of torture. It slows our eye and the story. Our imaginations are quite thorough and frightening enough: just a whiff or suggestion of some kind of harm dilates our pupils and sends our heart rate skyrocketing. I don’t particularly like to linger in this space. I take refuge in the story.
There was one creation that stood out in the lineup of characters in this book: Colin Ray. Blunt and crass and bloody-minded, he could have sprung from the head of Julian Barnes, writing as Dan Kavanagh in the Duffy chronicles or anything (Rebus or Fox) done by Ian Rankin. Ray is funny and furious and embodies a kind of chivalrous cop code that makes us like him even when we recognize his faults. Congratulations to Mark for creating a character that lives in the imagination long and well.
June 24, 2019
Taking Pity is book 4 in the Aector McAvoy series set in Hull. This follows Sorrow Bound, in which things end in a pretty dark place for Aector and his family, who mean everything to him. In Taking Pity Aector’s boss is taking every measure she can to keep Aector’s wife and daughter safe even if it means he can’t see them or know where they are. On orders, she distracts Aector by having him look into an old case that never went to trial, the perpetrator has been held for 50 years under the Mental Health Act instead. The events and characters from Sorrow Bound with some new additions continue to roll forward in a menacing death march through this book as Pharoah works to hold onto her job and her ethics while keeping people she cares about alive.
This was really well written, with mounting tension throughout the book. I think it is one of the best in the series so far. I do think you need to read the series in order to appreciate it.
This was really well written, with mounting tension throughout the book. I think it is one of the best in the series so far. I do think you need to read the series in order to appreciate it.
June 21, 2020
Aector McAvoy is a force on his own. Only not now... he is recovering from the horrible things that happened in book 3 and he is missing his wife and daughter dearly. He desperately tries to recover, take care of his son and find some work. But when he gets this 'simple' task from the Home Office, the old Aector is back soon and he goes off like he used to.
A complicated story, a complicated main character... an impressive read!
A complicated story, a complicated main character... an impressive read!
May 23, 2015
Gripping & so damn smart Book #4 begins with a chilling flashback to 1966. A small town cop stumbles over 4 bodies in a graveyard while Peter Coles, a local "slow" boy, stands nearby with a shotgun. Peter will go on to spend the next 50 years in various asylums.
In present day, DI Aector McAvoy is still on leave following events from the previous book. HIs home is a bombed out shell, his wife & daughter are gone & he's living in a motel with 5 year old son Fin. The physical wounds are minor compared to his emotional state.
When asked to review a 50 year old case, he jumps at the chance to distract himself from reality. A man named Peter Coles has been declared sane & can finally be tried for the murder of a family in 1966. It's a political hot potato & Aector is tasked with going over the file to make sure everything is in order.
DS Trish Pharaoh misses the big Scotsman & could use his help. Dealing with criminal gangs is part of the job. But there's a new crew in town & they play by different rules. Called the Headhunters (HH), they're structured like a corporate business & no one knows the identity of the CEO. He's just a voice on the phone, directing minions on where to go & who to teach a lesson (don't forget your nail gun).
One by one the smaller gangs are absorbed, literally by hostile takeover. But one crime boss resists. Francis Nock is a hard man in his 70's who's had a firm hand on the area for decades. His bodyguard/care giver Raymond Mahon has been with him for 50 years & can scare people to death with just his appearance. When the HH make their move, they not only fail but lose one of their men. It goes without saying Mahon will have "persuaded" him to talk before he & Nock disappeared.
In short order we discover the key to the HH's success is a network of well paid dirty cops. So it's no surprise when the CEO gets in touch with Trish with an offer....the location of Nock & Mahon in return for the continued safety of Aector's family.
Meanwhile 2 cops in Trish's unit begin a quiet investigation of heir own. Colin Ray is on suspension & needs a focus for his bitterness. Helen Tremberg was injured when Aector's house exploded & on medical leave. They've both had run-ins with the HH & have different reasons for revenge.
The plot of this book is like a gordian knot, reaching out to snare characters from various story lines before doubling back to weave them all together. It's incredibly layered & not immediately clear how they're related. But that's what makes this such a compelling read. As agendas & secret alliances are gradually revealed, the bigger picture slowly emerges with one stunning surprise after another. The author doesn't let up, reserving the biggest jaw dropper for the final pages. Suddenly it all makes sense as each piece fits snuggly into place. In fact, it's so obvious I had to give myself a mental smack for not figuring it out. The clues were all there, hiding in plain sight among all the distractions. So smart.
Characters run the gamut & are fully fleshed out. It's not easy to separate the good guys from the bad when some of the criminals have more honour than those out to arrest them. Each plays a part in reeling you into the story, making this a hard book to put down.
By the end Aector's situation has improved but the last chapter makes it clear this is temporary at best. Unlike him, the reader knows who poses the greatest threat. It's a payoff for faithful fans of this series & ensures we'll be waiting impatiently to snatch up book #5.
In present day, DI Aector McAvoy is still on leave following events from the previous book. HIs home is a bombed out shell, his wife & daughter are gone & he's living in a motel with 5 year old son Fin. The physical wounds are minor compared to his emotional state.
When asked to review a 50 year old case, he jumps at the chance to distract himself from reality. A man named Peter Coles has been declared sane & can finally be tried for the murder of a family in 1966. It's a political hot potato & Aector is tasked with going over the file to make sure everything is in order.
DS Trish Pharaoh misses the big Scotsman & could use his help. Dealing with criminal gangs is part of the job. But there's a new crew in town & they play by different rules. Called the Headhunters (HH), they're structured like a corporate business & no one knows the identity of the CEO. He's just a voice on the phone, directing minions on where to go & who to teach a lesson (don't forget your nail gun).
One by one the smaller gangs are absorbed, literally by hostile takeover. But one crime boss resists. Francis Nock is a hard man in his 70's who's had a firm hand on the area for decades. His bodyguard/care giver Raymond Mahon has been with him for 50 years & can scare people to death with just his appearance. When the HH make their move, they not only fail but lose one of their men. It goes without saying Mahon will have "persuaded" him to talk before he & Nock disappeared.
In short order we discover the key to the HH's success is a network of well paid dirty cops. So it's no surprise when the CEO gets in touch with Trish with an offer....the location of Nock & Mahon in return for the continued safety of Aector's family.
Meanwhile 2 cops in Trish's unit begin a quiet investigation of heir own. Colin Ray is on suspension & needs a focus for his bitterness. Helen Tremberg was injured when Aector's house exploded & on medical leave. They've both had run-ins with the HH & have different reasons for revenge.
The plot of this book is like a gordian knot, reaching out to snare characters from various story lines before doubling back to weave them all together. It's incredibly layered & not immediately clear how they're related. But that's what makes this such a compelling read. As agendas & secret alliances are gradually revealed, the bigger picture slowly emerges with one stunning surprise after another. The author doesn't let up, reserving the biggest jaw dropper for the final pages. Suddenly it all makes sense as each piece fits snuggly into place. In fact, it's so obvious I had to give myself a mental smack for not figuring it out. The clues were all there, hiding in plain sight among all the distractions. So smart.
Characters run the gamut & are fully fleshed out. It's not easy to separate the good guys from the bad when some of the criminals have more honour than those out to arrest them. Each plays a part in reeling you into the story, making this a hard book to put down.
By the end Aector's situation has improved but the last chapter makes it clear this is temporary at best. Unlike him, the reader knows who poses the greatest threat. It's a payoff for faithful fans of this series & ensures we'll be waiting impatiently to snatch up book #5.
July 30, 2015
DS Aector McAvoy is one of my absolute favorite British coppers. His great hulking appearance can be very intimidating to those who don’t know him, but that masks a sensitive, kind, honest man who is utterly devoted to his family. As his father says about him, “Too much heart, that one. He doesn’t know what to do with it.”
In the fourth book in the series, the focus shifts more to Detective Superintendent Trish Pharaoh and her team’s investigation into an extremely brutal criminal gang. Meanwhile McAvoy is attempting to recover physically and emotionally from the horrific events in book three, but his recovery is difficult. His wife and young daughter are in protective custody and he is almost totally broken without them. McAvoy spends his days taking care of his young son Finn and is relieved when Pharoah provides him with the distraction of investigating a very old case. A lot of seemingly unrelated characters are introduced in this novel and it’s fascinating to see how they are actually intertwined.
While this can be read as a stand-alone, reading the 3 previous books in the series provides additional insight into the main characters and their history, and they’re great books!
Thank you to Penguin Group/ Blue Rider Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
In the fourth book in the series, the focus shifts more to Detective Superintendent Trish Pharaoh and her team’s investigation into an extremely brutal criminal gang. Meanwhile McAvoy is attempting to recover physically and emotionally from the horrific events in book three, but his recovery is difficult. His wife and young daughter are in protective custody and he is almost totally broken without them. McAvoy spends his days taking care of his young son Finn and is relieved when Pharoah provides him with the distraction of investigating a very old case. A lot of seemingly unrelated characters are introduced in this novel and it’s fascinating to see how they are actually intertwined.
While this can be read as a stand-alone, reading the 3 previous books in the series provides additional insight into the main characters and their history, and they’re great books!
Thank you to Penguin Group/ Blue Rider Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
March 20, 2016
This was a really interesting book and I liked the writing style. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is because I didn't fall head over heels in love with in like with some books but did really like it. I have picked up another David Mark book today.
April 8, 2016
Excellent, BUT you either need to binge-read this series, or have an amazing memory for what happened in previous "episodes". They really read like one long book - a "previously on Aector McAvoy" paragraph at the start of each would be really helpful.
May 13, 2015
After reading "Original Skin", the second book in this series featuring Detective Sargeant Aector McAvoy of the Hull police, I didn't really expect to read any more of the series. I found McAvoy to be a dull, colorless, placid, family man. His wife is a Traveler who seemed reckless and a poor match for a police officer. With most of his family now gone, this automatically gives McAvoy a darker side but he is still trusting and upright to a ridiculous degree and is the least interesting character in the book. He is the Dudley Do Right of the Hull police. He is now out on sick leave recovering from his grief and from injuries suffered while apprehending a serial killer. He's living in a motel with his five year old son Fin. The Home Office wants him to investigate a fifty year old case in which a young man may have been wrongfully charged with murder and institutionalized. This crime is linked, in a very complicated fashion, with a lot more crimes and criminals. McAvoy's boss, Detective Superintendent Trisha Pharaoh, is investigating these other crimes and she is much more intriguing than McAvoy and so are some of the criminals.
I'm glad I gave the author another chance, because overall I was entertained by this book and liked it a lot more than I liked book 2. The plot was convoluted, involving a lot of violence and corruption, but for the most part all of the threads had come together by the ending (which sets you up for the next book).
Judging by the 2 books I've read, the author does have a few tendencies that get on my nerves. He writes in the present tense which grates on me. He is overly fascinated by ghastly, ghoulish, sadistic crimes and links sex and violence too often. Finally, McAvoy keeps taking his children with him when he investigates crime scenes. Really, five year old Fin has more sense than his father.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
I'm glad I gave the author another chance, because overall I was entertained by this book and liked it a lot more than I liked book 2. The plot was convoluted, involving a lot of violence and corruption, but for the most part all of the threads had come together by the ending (which sets you up for the next book).
Judging by the 2 books I've read, the author does have a few tendencies that get on my nerves. He writes in the present tense which grates on me. He is overly fascinated by ghastly, ghoulish, sadistic crimes and links sex and violence too often. Finally, McAvoy keeps taking his children with him when he investigates crime scenes. Really, five year old Fin has more sense than his father.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
July 8, 2016
They have taken DS Aector McAvoy's family.
They have taken DCI Colin Ray's foundation.
They have taken DS Trish Pharaoh's fight.
Now the ruthless criminal network that has tightened its stranglehold on Hull intends to take everything that remains from those who dare to stand in its way.
A solid piece of crime writing. Exceptional plot with plenty of twists and turns - a page-turning book with plenty of Yorkshire grit! David Mark has a way of drawing you in with his wonderful writing style. Realistic characters and true to life dialogue.
Good stuff 4* - Recommended!
They have taken DCI Colin Ray's foundation.
They have taken DS Trish Pharaoh's fight.
Now the ruthless criminal network that has tightened its stranglehold on Hull intends to take everything that remains from those who dare to stand in its way.
A solid piece of crime writing. Exceptional plot with plenty of twists and turns - a page-turning book with plenty of Yorkshire grit! David Mark has a way of drawing you in with his wonderful writing style. Realistic characters and true to life dialogue.
Good stuff 4* - Recommended!
January 11, 2017
Yet another cracker! Couldn't continue reading in bed last night as it was so tense. And, despite a final resolution, new hints of fresh and exciting developments in book 5. Can't wait!
February 18, 2022
I am just not sure what to say about this book, or for that matter, any of the books in the series. I am a sucker for a detective series, and usually once started will see it through to the bitter end. This one, featuring Aector McAvoy is perplexing at best. I think most of these series writers wind up writing so many books to keep the publishers happy, and their bankers happy, that they lose sight of the main story they are trying to tell. They find themselves involving too many "other crimes" in with the main crime, it is distracting, often because they don't want us to figure "who dun it."
I am weary of this plot trick, I am talking to you John Sanford, but as reported in other reviews, I soldier on. Two Stars is all I can give this series.
I am weary of this plot trick, I am talking to you John Sanford, but as reported in other reviews, I soldier on. Two Stars is all I can give this series.
May 20, 2024
Maybe this is a me problem, but I found this book SO confusing. The plot was all over the place, the characters were referred to by multiple different names (and there were a TON of characters), and things just felt unresolved. I loved some of the writing, I just couldn’t keep up with the plot line or character building.
January 28, 2016
A better than average murder mystery thriller. Tight plot and well written. The novel opens on March 29, 1966 when a local police officer, John Glass, arriving on a crime scene at a church where a young man, Peter Coles, is holding a gun and a family of four, Clarence, Evelyn and twins Stephen and Anastasia Winn, are dead. One Winn child, Vaughn, has survived as he was allegedly not at home nor the crime scene. Peter has been committed to a mental ward for the past fifty years without a trial under the Mental Health Act.
The deaths are being re-examined by detective Aector (Hector) McEvoy as the Mental Health Act is expiring and a decision needs to be made whether Peter will go on trial. McEvoy's life has been shattered. Someone blew up his house in an attempt to kill his family. His wife, Roisin, and daughter, Lilah, are under police protection in a secure location. McEvoy and his son, Fin, are living in a motel. There is much corruption in the police force. Patricia (Trish) Parahaoh is the head of the Crime Unit. Shaz Archer is a woman trying to rise in the department. Colin Ray is out on leave. Tom Spink is a former cop turned reporter.
There are WWII bunkers in the countryside established under Churchill in the event of an invasion by the Nazis. The bunker near the church crime scene holds secrets from the past.
A turf war is underway between Francis Nock, an eighty year old mastermind criminal and his thug, Raymond Mahon. A younger generation, the Headhunters, are trying to move in and strip Nock of his reign. Mark Oliver, a rising Headhunter, is up to no good with Shaz. Piers Fordham, a lawyer known as "The Mouthpiece" for the Headhunters is causing trouble. A new rising star, Doug Roper, is patiently waiting to let dominos fall.
The deaths are being re-examined by detective Aector (Hector) McEvoy as the Mental Health Act is expiring and a decision needs to be made whether Peter will go on trial. McEvoy's life has been shattered. Someone blew up his house in an attempt to kill his family. His wife, Roisin, and daughter, Lilah, are under police protection in a secure location. McEvoy and his son, Fin, are living in a motel. There is much corruption in the police force. Patricia (Trish) Parahaoh is the head of the Crime Unit. Shaz Archer is a woman trying to rise in the department. Colin Ray is out on leave. Tom Spink is a former cop turned reporter.
There are WWII bunkers in the countryside established under Churchill in the event of an invasion by the Nazis. The bunker near the church crime scene holds secrets from the past.
A turf war is underway between Francis Nock, an eighty year old mastermind criminal and his thug, Raymond Mahon. A younger generation, the Headhunters, are trying to move in and strip Nock of his reign. Mark Oliver, a rising Headhunter, is up to no good with Shaz. Piers Fordham, a lawyer known as "The Mouthpiece" for the Headhunters is causing trouble. A new rising star, Doug Roper, is patiently waiting to let dominos fall.
July 2, 2015
While I enjoyed Taking Pity, it is my least favorite of the Detective Sergeant McAvoy novels simply because McAvoy isn't in it enough!
Taking Pity follows the familiar path of these books, in that there are two seemingly unrelated crimes being investigated that somehow become entwined. Aector has been pulled from his medical leave to investigate a multiple murder that occurred in the 1960s. The perpetrator admitted the crime and has been in a mental institution ever since. He's never been tried and the authorities want to know if they should have a trial.
Pharaoh is investigating a group of vigilante criminals who have gone rogue. Apparently they can't even control their own people and are murdering not only bad guys, but each other.
There are a lot of characters and the scenes switch rather quickly. Aector is struggling with the devastation caused at the end of the previous book, Sorrow Bound. Although his wife and baby are safe, they are in protective custody and Aector feels guilty and misses them terribly.
The story is somewhat gruesome and compelling. These men aren't just murderers, they insist that their victims suffer before their deaths. If you are interested, you should begin with the first book in the series, The Dark Winter (still my favorite). The best thing about the series is that the characters have unique personalities, and the sleuthing is always surprising.
Taking Pity follows the familiar path of these books, in that there are two seemingly unrelated crimes being investigated that somehow become entwined. Aector has been pulled from his medical leave to investigate a multiple murder that occurred in the 1960s. The perpetrator admitted the crime and has been in a mental institution ever since. He's never been tried and the authorities want to know if they should have a trial.
Pharaoh is investigating a group of vigilante criminals who have gone rogue. Apparently they can't even control their own people and are murdering not only bad guys, but each other.
There are a lot of characters and the scenes switch rather quickly. Aector is struggling with the devastation caused at the end of the previous book, Sorrow Bound. Although his wife and baby are safe, they are in protective custody and Aector feels guilty and misses them terribly.
The story is somewhat gruesome and compelling. These men aren't just murderers, they insist that their victims suffer before their deaths. If you are interested, you should begin with the first book in the series, The Dark Winter (still my favorite). The best thing about the series is that the characters have unique personalities, and the sleuthing is always surprising.
June 29, 2015
REVIEW: TAKING PITY by David Mark [Aector McEvoy #4]
TAKING PITY is the latest in the unforgettable series that combines Noir, British police procedural, and a literary grasp of unexpected poetic imagery. Once again, crime in Hull is a growth industry. A grieving Detective Sergeant Aector McEvoy returns from leave to.discover himself in the midst of a case supposedly solved decades before--a case in which justice may have been only imperfectly served--if served at all.
TAKING PITY is the latest in the unforgettable series that combines Noir, British police procedural, and a literary grasp of unexpected poetic imagery. Once again, crime in Hull is a growth industry. A grieving Detective Sergeant Aector McEvoy returns from leave to.discover himself in the midst of a case supposedly solved decades before--a case in which justice may have been only imperfectly served--if served at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2016
Blugh, so desperate to read this after the ending of no.3 but this is by far the weakest in the series.
Rampant writing style that is at times impossible to follow plot wise. So much unnesscesarry violence and grimness in this book, all previous ones it had just been moments (which has more impact). Too little character focus and it was all so OTT and melodramatic.
Very disappointed, will be a while before I give no.5 a go!
Rampant writing style that is at times impossible to follow plot wise. So much unnesscesarry violence and grimness in this book, all previous ones it had just been moments (which has more impact). Too little character focus and it was all so OTT and melodramatic.
Very disappointed, will be a while before I give no.5 a go!
July 17, 2015
3.5 stars. It has been six months since I read the previous book in this series. Unfortunately, that was too long for me to retain anything more than a superficial understanding of the events in the previous books. The author describes some of what happened previously but not why. I also thought the climax was excessively melodramatic.
August 24, 2015
the continuing series based in east riding and hull and feel this was the darkest one yet where a crime from the past comes back to haunt some of the characters today where dark secrets still lurk behind the scenes. as the dust settles from losing his house and on sick tries to rebuild his life not realising what will happen when told by home office to look into an old crime from 1966.
October 14, 2015
I can see why this got good reviews, but unlike the New York Times critic, I have a very low tolerance for the vicious tortures used by mob enforcers in England since the influx of Eastern European crime lords. I've got enough worries keeping me up at night as it is.
July 9, 2016
Disappointing compared to previous in the series. Too much to keep track of, characters not established enough, confusing plot line and McAvoy lost, floundering and playing a weak part in the story. Couldn't finish it in the end. Just didn't care enough about the story or the characters.
July 15, 2015
Another good book in a good series--not light reading though.
August 9, 2015
Could not get interested in this book.
October 8, 2015
Violence. More violence. Bad times in Britain among the police. Hard to follow at times.
November 3, 2015
I enjoyed the characters. Almost too much violence. The conclusion was convoluted.
February 5, 2016
Always a good read, but brutal. Because Mark's characters have enough human faults and frailties to make them likeable, I keep reading this series!
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