Frost at Midnight

Detective Jack Frost Prequel #4

by James Henry

The fourth prequel to R. D. Wingfield's A TOUCH OF FROST, perfect for fans of David Jason's Jack Frost and readers who love Stuart MacBride and Peter James.

August, 1983. Denton is preparing for a wedding. Detective Sergeant Waters should be on top of the world with less than a week to go until he marries Kim Myles. But the Sunday before the big day, instead of a run-through with his best man, the church is sealed off. The body of a young woman has been found in the churchyard, and their idyllic wedding venue has become a crime scene.

Detective Sergeant Jack Frost has been homeless for the past three months, ever since his wife’s family sold the matrimonial house. He’s been staying with Detective Constable Sue Clarke but with a baby to take care of and the imminent arrival of her mother, she’s given him his marching orders.

But as best man to Waters, he’s got a responsibility to solve the mystery of the dead girl in the churchyard. Can he put his own troubles aside and be the detective they need him to be? All in all, August looks set to be a wicked month in Denton…

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller

425 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 18, 2017

About the author

James Henry is the pen name for James Gurbutt. James is a publisher at Constable & Robinson, R.D. Wingfield’s original publisher back in the 1980s. Philip Wingfield, son of the late R. D. Wingfield approves; he remarked, 'The author has captured my father's style superbly. Fans and newcomers alike will not be disappointed.' That’s a good sign but how did they go about it? And just like Talking Heads, we set them up and here is the result.

Note: There are multiple authors with this name. This author has one space.
James^Henry

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the latest prequel in the DI Frost series that is being continued now by James Henry. It is August 1983, Jack Frost is homeless after the death of his wife results in the upcoming sale of the matrimonial home. He has been thrown out by DC Sue Clarke and scrambling around to find somewhere else he can lay his head. A wedding rehearsal for DS Waters and Kim Myles with Frost as best man is delayed when a body of a young woman is found posed on a grave at the church by the lay verger, Ben Weaver. It turns out to be the notorious Rachel Curtis, a woman involved in a previous high profile Denton police case. Jack and DS Waters investigate her murder with the eye of the media firmly following developments.

Another investigation is opened when a young boy, Richard Hammond, reports his mother, Jane, a local prostitute, missing. Frost has a bad feeling about this, is convinced she is dead, and organises a search for the body which turns up eventually. The ineffectual Superintendent Mullett is desperate to be elected the Golf Club Chairman. Hudson, the banker, is making his vote for him contingent on Harry Baskin firing a pole dancer, Karen Thomas, from the Coconut Grove Club. An under pressure Mullett tasks Frost with the job. Mullett and Frost are locked in battles that Frost invariably wins in the end. This means that DC Sue Clarke returns to work after maternity leave. New resident, Dominic Holland, reports that cash left in a cement mixer for a local builder has been stolen, after a party where the police were called. Denton's traffic problems rocket when 200 gallons of yellow paint is stolen from the council. Frost and his team are pushed to the limit to solve their cases in attempts to ensure that DS Waters nuptials go to plan.

This Frost prequel successfully capture the Frost and Denton of 1983, with the period details, culture and the prevalent attitudes and prejudices of the time such as the casual sexism and racism. Frost is in fine fettle, utterly dishevelled, hygienically challenged, yet somehow successful with women. He doesn't have a clue about computers, but he cares about the people on his team. His dogged determination to investigate despite obstacles and life getting in his way endears him to the reader. A great addition to the Frost series. Thanks to Random House Transworld for an ARC.

[Cleopatra Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who loved R.D. Wingfield’s original crime series featuring DI Frost, James Henry has recreated this dishevelled detective in earlier times; Frost at Midnight is the fourth prequel in the series.

It’s 1983 and Denton CID are confronted with a dead body on top of a tomb in the local graveyard, the case is instantly a PR nightmare as the body is Rachel Curtis, a domestic violence victim who acting under coercion was jailed for murder but had now been released early. Added to the now increased workload there are more immediate problems as Detective Sergeant Waters is getting married and he’s unable to attend the rehearsal with his best man Detective Inspector Jack Frost.

With the police station in a state of flux a the officers get to grips with the new-fangled computers and pagers everything is taking longer than it used to – Jack isn’t the only one who is sceptical of the use of these new additions to crime fighting. Superintendent Mullett, as ever, has his priorities at total odds with Frost and it is only thanks to the habitual nifty footwork in ignoring his orders that the team have any chance of solving the crime.
Meanwhile DC Sue Clarke has finally reached the end of her tether; looking after a baby and having Frost sleeping on her sofa following the death of his wife is not compatible with a good life. Sue wants to return to work but Mullett aka Hornrim Harry is reluctant. And then a prostitute goes missing leaving a young boy to fend for himself and CID need all the help that they can get.

I’ve enjoyed all the prequels that James Henry has written and found that the language and the characters have been kept faithful to the original books. The sense of time with all the accompanying misogyny and racism along with the emerging new technologies are present and correct and a huge amount of my enjoyment is on a nostalgic level. The plotting is well thought out with the sense of urgency mounting as the team try to wrap multiple strands of the investigation up before the wedding takes place. It isn’t just dead bodies and missing women, there is also the mystery of the missing money left by a newcomer to Denton in a cement mixer along with the ever-present worry of where Frost’s next meal is coming from! On that note the Frost in this book is more chaotic, even shabbier and perhaps a little less sharp although he has time to woo a couple of ladies (I’m really not sure of the appeal here) as he deals with his changed personal circumstances. In a modern crime book there would be trips to the force doctor and supportive colleagues discussing grief but this is 1983 and there is no doubt Frost is struggling without a single nod to mental health.

Frost at Midnight is another excellent prequel, one that kept me thoroughly entertained as Denton once more comes to life with all its myriad of characters and Frost’s caring and clever mind fighting to the fore.

[Miglė · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frostas paskirtas pabroliu savo kolegos vestuvėse... UH-OH!

Šiaip James Henry tikrai puikiai perėmė Wingfieldo stilių, personažus ir pasakojimo stilių. Patinka, kad, kaip įprasta romanuose apie Frostą, iš karto vyksta daug bylų, vienos išsprendžiamos iškart, kitos vėliau ir susisieja netikėtais būdais.

Pabaigoj Frostas nusiperka motociklą ir maždaug su juo išvažiuoja į saulėlydį su gražia dama. Hm.

[Sally Robinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have been a TV fan of Frost for years and then had the delight of finding the books and was totally charmed by them. You can not help but associate David Jason as the wonderful rumpled Jack Frost. To start reading him as so dirty and vile as this totally put me off and just could not put the two characters together. Totally missed the mark for me and could not get past the first couple of chapters. If you are going to carry on with a beloved character like this, please do not take it upon your self to change them.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many characters and possible culprits, it's quite easy to get a bit lost when listening to the audio version of this novel. But it certainly is a fun read, so unlike the gritty and gory police procedurals that seem to be very popular today. Homeless, grimy and unkempt, DI Frost enjoys winding up Superintendent Mullet, who is such a pretentious buffoon! I hope Mr Henry writes more of these prequels.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, let down by the ending, which seemed to have just been thrown together by the author. Quite disappointed overall.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frost at midnight by James Henry.
DI Jack Frost Prequel.
August, 1983. Denton is preparing for a wedding, with less than a week to go until Detective Sergeant Waters marries Kim Myles. But the Sunday before the big day, the body of a young woman is found in the churchyard. Their idyllic wedding venue has become a crime scene.As best man to Waters, Detective Inspector Jack Frost has a responsibility to solve the mystery before the wedding. But with nowhere to live since his wife's family sold his matrimonial home, Frost's got other things on his mind.
Can he put his own troubles aside and step up to be the detective they need him to be?
Brilliant read. Love this series. 5*.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was probably the one I liked the most in this series. A perfect portrait of the era with its casual misogyny, racism and sexism.

I liked how the mix between the cases, Mullet's agenda and the incorporation of new technology in the workspace work together to make this a better story each adding to the tale and having a part in it.

I think this is the last book in the series and I can say that I've enjoyed them all :D

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

With only days to go until his wedding to fellow police officer Kim Myles, Detective Sergeant Waters finds his preparations thrown into disarray when the body of a woman is found on a gravestone at the church where the ceremony is due to take place. Coupled with the fact that his best man is the dishevelled Jack Frost, this marriage looks doomed from the start! When another local woman goes missing, Frost knows that time is of the essence if he is to find her alive.

Frost at Midnight is the fourth of the prequels to R. D. Wingfield's Touch of Frost, the book that was the inspiration behind the incredibly popular TV series starring David Jason. I can remember reading, and enjoying, Wingfield's books but feeling as though the character of Frost, compared to the portrayal of him on TV, was completely different - a problem with watching the series before reading the books. In Frost at Midnight, however, I found that I was imagining David Jason delivering the lines, making this book a must-read for all fans of the ITV show.

By setting the prequels in the 1980s, we get the opportunity to experience the opinions of the time such as the attitudes some people had towards black officers. There are also some great cultural references, firmly placing the book in 1983. Watching Frost attempting to come to terms with the new computers and his much-hated pager was very reminiscent of the TV show where his filing system, or lack of it, left a lot to be desired!

The crimes within the book are well thought out and entertaining. One of the cases is particularly gruesome and I had much sympathy for the poor officer who chanced upon the body! Like all Frost books, though, there is an element of humour running throughout, making this a gripping and enjoyable read. There is definitely more scope for further prequels!

With thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for a review copy of Frost At Midnight, the fourth prequel to R. D. Wingfield's original Frost series.

It is summer 1983 and Frost is gearing up for his role as DS Waters' best man but first they have to solve the murder of a young woman found dead on a gravestone in the church they were about to rehearse the wedding in. The victim is Rachel Curtis jailed the previous year for shooting a security guard but recently released on mental health grounds, not a popular decision in Denton. At the same time 10 year Richard Hammond reports his mother, Jane a local prostitute, missing.

I thoroughly enjoyed Frost At Midnight. It never drags and is full of sly humour from the dialogue to the way Frost runs rings round Superintendent Mullett, aka Hornrim Harry. I particularly liked the running gag about the stolen line marking paint and its very neat solution. The plotting should appeal to most readers as Rachel's killer is unknown to the reader and provides a good old fashioned hunt the killer mystery while the reader knows what happened to Jane so it's a watch the police catch up scenario.

It is hard to review a novel about Jack Frost without recalling David Jason's television role which I understand R. D. Wingfield hated but it's equally hard to remember the original creation as it must be at least 20 years since I read them. I like this incarnation. His personal life and hygiene might be in absolute chaos and outwardly his work life appears the same but he has a mind like a steel trap, well able to best Superintendent Mullett and solve his crimes. He is also a good judge of character and a kind man to his very loyal team when the situation requires it.

Frost At Midnight is a very good addition to the series which I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend the Frost series of books to any body that wanted a good police story. the characters are well written, likeable and, I think really add a great dimensions to the stories. I would suggest starting with the original series, written by RD Wingfield, and then move on to the sequels, partly because the original stories written by RD Wingfield are brilliant and give such a back story to Frost’s character, each and every one is a great story. when the first prequel was released I was apprehensive as I felt another author would not be able to mimic the friendly but immersive story writing that the originals had, and I have to say that I have been pleasantly surprised. The story is easy to follow but keeps you interested and the relationships occurring throughout the book are lovely to see evolve. Since I actually saw the programme, a Touch of Frost, before I read any of the books, (I remember finding the first one I read in the local library in a large print book, and excitedly showing it to my dad, I may of been 10/11 years old, and the librarian checking with him that I was ok to borrow it, due to it’s “adult themes”. Since then we have both been fans of the books and have eagerly awaiting the new releases.) So whenever I read the books I cannot help but imagine David Jason as Jack Frost, and I did the exact same thing with this book.
To sum up I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I have all the other Frost series and I would recommend everybody read them.

[Sam “My Cosy Book Nook” · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was in my teens and already well into crime fiction when the first TV episode of A Touch of Frost, starring David Jason was aired. I became a huge fan almost instantly. I loved the scruffy, insubordinate and yet compassionate detective. The self-obsessed Superintendent Mullett, who is the sort of boss we all love to hate was portrayed to perfection by Bruce Alexander and the typically working-class setting of the storylines was a welcome change for me from the Oxford University elite settings of most Inspector Morse plots, or the upper-class manor houses or holiday homes seemingly frequented by Agatha Christie's Poirot.

In the late 1990s, I discovered the RD Wingfield novels and devoured those too. Darker and more manic than the TV series, the character of Frost is slovenly, foul-mouthed, politically incorrect and inefficient, yet his powers of detection are extraordinary. I think many of us probably wish that we could get away with behaving like he does at work, but know that we would never dare. The cases keep piling up, there are never enough staff, the plots are intricate and yet the solutions are somehow always made clear and always believable.

So when I heard that James Henry had written a prequel to the RD Wingfield series, called First Frost, I was almost childishly excited. I read it and liked that too. Maybe the pace wasn't quite as quick, or the plot quite as intricate, but the image of the understaffed police force, led by the maverick and yet dedicated Frost was still wonderfully conveyed.

Which makes it such a huge disappointment that Frost at Midnight has got everything so horribly wrong. Frost, previously portrayed as being married only to his job, is suddenly about to be a best man at a wedding whilst in a sort of relationship with a female colleague. Previously known for wearing scruffy suits and greasy shirts and ties, he's suddenly dressing as a 1970s playboy. The number of cases he has to deal with is far less than in previous novels and as a result, the pace is slow and clumsy.

I almost gave up on this book several times and may have missed something, because when the solution was finally revealed I didn't understand it. But worse than this was that I couldn't be bothered to go back over it and see what I'd missed. The book just hadn't kept me interested enough.

This is something that would be a disappointment in any crime novel. But for the latest instalment in a series that I had absolutely loved, it's nothing short of catastrophic.

[David Proffitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the fourth part of the prequel series, Detective Frost, a character we can all relate to with his mix of personal issues, dead bodies, and his usual clashes with Superintendant Mullet, is back. The familiar cast of characters, including Frost with his unique fumbling style of policework and aversion to paperwork, remains unchanged, inviting you to delve deeper into their lives.

In Frost at Midnight, it is 1983, and the discovery of a woman's body in a local churchyard leads Frost and his team to revisit the characters and events of a previous case. Then, there is the mysterious death of a new resident in the town's more affluent areas that gets Mullet worked up.

With Frost preparing for his best friend's wedding, Detective Sergeant Waters, two murders are the last thing he needs, particularly as Frost is technically homeless after his house was sold following the death of his wife.

Managing multiple cases while his life falls apart around him is a trademark of all the Frost books. RD Wingfield's original books introduced this most human of literary heroes. In this new series, James Henry explores the bumbling detective's earlier life. Frost is one of my favourite characters, and I am really enjoying his new lease on life.

This book is a must for all Frost fans.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The prequel Frosts have grown on me.
Yes there's still some things that feel 'wrong' about another author's interpretations, and some events inexplicably clash with occurrences explained elsewhere (Frost's first name, the timeline of his wife dying) and his fashion and transport choices seem incongruous, but the spirit is there. It probably helps that there is far more continuity with the supporting characters that in Wingfield's originals, so we see Clarke, Waters and Simms (the younger) develop, alongside the few original cast members that have featured throughout. the spirit of the times is also fairly well done, being set in the early 80s.

Given all that, this was a pretty enjoyable read, with a gripping enough storyline, and just enough humour to overcome the exasperation with Frost's behaviour to keep the reader entertained.

The next one in order has a different author again I gather, so will be interesting to see how that goes...

[Plum-crazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fourth Frost prequel & feel Henry does a sterling job of maintaining the personalities of the major characters.

As with other books & the TV series (incidentally I find it almost impossible to read without seeing the faces & hearing the voices of David Jason &Bruce Alexander) there's a few mysteries to be solved, in this case the death of a young woman, the disappearance of a second & the theft of a large sum of money. Once again the reader is aware of one of the culprits but the other two you have to figure out along with Frost. The crime side somehow seemed to be a bit lacking in definition, leading to a ending which felt rushed. However, Frost's likeability & the banter between him & Mullet is always amusing to follow.

[Rog Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all the Frost books written by the original author RD Wingfield so thought I would give this a go. This is set in 1983 so the story pre-dates the original Frost books. Frost is a bit different but to be fair RD Wingfield was pretty inconsistent with his characterisation. The crimes here are not as gruesome as Wingfield's nor are the villains as nasty and this is an enjoyable read which I read in one sitting. There are some plot errors and the solution to one of the crimes did not work for me. I also thought that some things did not fit with the year of 1983. Having said that, I liked it more than a lot of other recent crime fiction and would certainly read more of the author's books.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good attempt at recreating Jack Frost which sadly failed for me. Jack is a likeable, haphazard, disorganised but successful policeman. Here he is described more as slovenly and rather distasteful which does the character a great disservice. The format of the story is good and sticks to the tried and tested formula.

[John Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed re-reading this book. I didn't remember any of it! I just love Frost! I've re-read various Frost books and will never tire of the brilliant but unconvential detective! His spats with Mullet ad the humour is right up my street! I of course highly recommend Frost! Takes a particular sense of humour though I would say! Some may not find it as funny as I do!

[MARTIN FLANAGAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this

A very good tale and well set in the 80's so with that we need to remember what the era had at that time. So please be aware there are certain things that occur
and are mentioned that may cause offence. But thankfully they don't exist now.
I still think the story should be read as it's really good.,






The story is good

[Silverymoonlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great catch up with familiar friends.

As always I enjoyed reading Frost and characters of Denton. My only disappointment was Frost at the age of only 40 was made to sound like a dirty bugger who doesn't wash!

[Jean Jacobs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

I fell 'in love' with R. D. Wingfield's portrayal of Jack Frost years ago.
I really struggled to find anything pleasant about D. I. Frost in James Henry's novel. The first and the last I'll ever read.

[SherleyB · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable well written storyline, you feel that you are reading David Jason acting as DI Jack Frost, such a loveable character,
entertaining story throughout.
aka SherleyB

[Leez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't keep my interest.

[cheryl horne · Rating 5 out of 5]

pre wingfields Frost but very good

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

another wonderful book in the series.
Alas, I have now read them all. Unfortunately, when I begin a Jack Frost story, I cannot put it down until I have devoured it.

[Gavin Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book by Henry, filling in more of Detective Inspector Jack Frost life

[Georgina Dunne]

Not as good as Wingfield...page 113 she ground out her cigarette with her toe, 2 mins later on page 114 she crushed it underfoot....silly mistakes but noticeable

[Racquel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cannot hold a candle to the real McCoy

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book and interweaving storyline. The characters really come alive and lovely nods to how it used to be in those days and the introduction of technology!

[Gustambro · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual a fun read from the Jack Frost series. Recommend reading in sequence but you could also read it on its own