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Bill Slider #10
Dear Departed
An outstanding series' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW
A Bill Slider Mystery
It looks as though Inspector Bill Slider has a serial killer on his 'the Park Killer', as the media so innovatively label him, attacks his victims in London's public parks, and when Chattie Cornfield is murdered while out jogging, the pattern fits.
But as Slider and Atherton investigate, it is Chattie's life rather than the killer's that poses questions. There's a startling anomaly between her ritzy lifestyle and her modest income. There are friends who loved her, a sister who hated her, men who thought they knew her, and a mysterious package that poses more questions than it answers.
Who was the real Chattie? Where was she on the last day of her life? And was it love, hate or avarice that drove the hooded figure to kill her?
Praise for the Bill Slider
'Slider and his creator are real discoveries'
Daily Mail
'Sharp, witty and well-plotted'
Times
'Harrod-Eagles and her detective hero form a class act. The style is fast, funny and furious - the plotting crisply devious'
Irish Times
A Bill Slider Mystery
It looks as though Inspector Bill Slider has a serial killer on his 'the Park Killer', as the media so innovatively label him, attacks his victims in London's public parks, and when Chattie Cornfield is murdered while out jogging, the pattern fits.
But as Slider and Atherton investigate, it is Chattie's life rather than the killer's that poses questions. There's a startling anomaly between her ritzy lifestyle and her modest income. There are friends who loved her, a sister who hated her, men who thought they knew her, and a mysterious package that poses more questions than it answers.
Who was the real Chattie? Where was she on the last day of her life? And was it love, hate or avarice that drove the hooded figure to kill her?
Praise for the Bill Slider
'Slider and his creator are real discoveries'
Daily Mail
'Sharp, witty and well-plotted'
Times
'Harrod-Eagles and her detective hero form a class act. The style is fast, funny and furious - the plotting crisply devious'
Irish Times
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
35 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
168 books492 followersCynthia Harrod-Eagles (aka Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennett)
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
March 6, 2014
Dear Departed [2004], 10 hours 18 mins
Blurb: Chattie Cornfeld was murdered while jogging in the park. She ran her own small marketing company and lived comfortably, perhaps too comfortably for her income. At first it looked as though she was the latest victim of the 'Park Killer', but it doesn't take Inspector Bill Slider and his colleague Atherton long to establish that someone was trying to pass the killing off as part of a pattern: only the pattern doesn't fit, this one was personal. Chattie was popular with all who crossed her path, and it was difficult to imagine she had gained any enemies. Turning to the two most popular motives for murder - money and passion - Slider and his team's investigation turn up some puzzling anomalies in her life, not least the number of men who counted themselves as her lover and the tangled relationships of her family. But none of the suspects can be made to fit what evidence they have, unless of course they've been mis-reading the evidence ...
Fraudio> rosado> narrated by Terry Wale
summer 2013> tbr busting 2013
series> police procedure
brit> eng> london
under 100 ratings
It's not the crimes in this series, it is the characters, who I love. Atherton's love life is so much fun, the the mixed metaphors have me rolling in the aisles, or rather, roaming in the isles.
3* Orchestrated Death (1991)
3* Death Watch (1992)
3* Death to Go (1993)
3* Dead End (1994)
3* Blood Lines (1996)
3* Killing Time (1996)
3* Shallow Grave
3* Blood Sinister
2* Gone Tomorrow (2001)
3* Dear Departed (2004)
April 26, 2012
I love the word play - I know I've said that over and over, but Harrod-Eagles really makes me laugh out loud or at least snort regularly.
I also liked this one because the deceased really was a decent person. Finding her murderer makes Slider and company on the definite side of the good guys. I liked that - no psychological or other reasons like "Well, she deserved to be murdered". Straightforward, simple, and funny.
I also liked this one because the deceased really was a decent person. Finding her murderer makes Slider and company on the definite side of the good guys. I liked that - no psychological or other reasons like "Well, she deserved to be murdered". Straightforward, simple, and funny.
September 6, 2007
DEAR DEPARTED (Police Procedural) – VG
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles – 10th in series
Chattie Cornfeld was murdered while jogging in the park. At first it looked as though she was the latest victim of the 'Park Killer', but it doesn't take Slider and Atherton long to establish that someone was trying to pass the killing off as part of a pattern: only the pattern doesn't fit, this one was personal.
***This is a much-underrated series and yet one I very much enjoy. Bill Slider and his fellow officers reminds me a bit of McBain in that they are diverse, human and seem real. The dialogue is excellent and the procedure interesting. There is humor in the writing and yet thoroughness. This is an excellent series and one I highly recommend.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles – 10th in series
Chattie Cornfeld was murdered while jogging in the park. At first it looked as though she was the latest victim of the 'Park Killer', but it doesn't take Slider and Atherton long to establish that someone was trying to pass the killing off as part of a pattern: only the pattern doesn't fit, this one was personal.
***This is a much-underrated series and yet one I very much enjoy. Bill Slider and his fellow officers reminds me a bit of McBain in that they are diverse, human and seem real. The dialogue is excellent and the procedure interesting. There is humor in the writing and yet thoroughness. This is an excellent series and one I highly recommend.
October 9, 2017
I read "Orchestrated Death" years ago, and occasionally pick up another book in the Bill Slider series to see how everyone's doing. :)
I really enjoy the characters in these mysteries, and the author tells a well paced story, without overwhelming you with details. In this outing, Bill and Co. are searching for the murderer of a well liked, well connected young woman, with a web of family issues. No clear motive, but plenty of suspects.
I really enjoy the characters in these mysteries, and the author tells a well paced story, without overwhelming you with details. In this outing, Bill and Co. are searching for the murderer of a well liked, well connected young woman, with a web of family issues. No clear motive, but plenty of suspects.
February 24, 2021
An engaging who done it from “across the pond”. DI Slider is assigned to investigate the murder of a young woman who appears to have been stabbed while out for a morning jog. Could this be the work of serial killer, the Park Killer, or is this a sloppy imitation? The inspectors must first determine cause of death and identity of the victim before moving ahead to who and why. The author carefully and artfully describes the physicality as well as the psyche of the police and the suspects. Why would someone take the life of well loved and respected Chattie? The investigation takes the reader on a string of interviews of potential suspects and into the homes and workplaces of multiple parties. With painstaking attention to details, suspects are gradually eliminated for one reason or another until a few more pieces of the puzzle emerge and lead the inspector to the killer.
August 31, 2019
I wasn't too keen on the way this case was framed by scenes concerning the villain of the previous book. The opening scenario seemed extremely unlikely to me.
On the other hand, the main story (other than the surely preposterous idea that some one could invest 20,000 GBP in shares and turn this into 750,000 GBP a few years later) was very good. The characters were interesting and the mystery well-clued.
On the other hand, the main story (other than the surely preposterous idea that some one could invest 20,000 GBP in shares and turn this into 750,000 GBP a few years later) was very good. The characters were interesting and the mystery well-clued.
October 1, 2017
Harrod-Eagles is always welcome in my lap. This one is typically twisty, and the characters are typically well played. They're developing logically from one book to the next, and I like the way Harrod-Eagles plays out the mystery. There are always a few bright-red herrings, just as in this one. The sister and her boyfriend seem like such obvious choices, but life isn't quite that easy. Far more rewarding is the unearthing of histories and unresolved anger.
I was a bit annoyed with the last page, when a previous novel is evoked. I don't like that obvious draw to the next book, although it did work. I still feel unfairly dealt with. That said, these books are a delight. And H-E is so very funny. Love Porson's dialog, in particular.
I was a bit annoyed with the last page, when a previous novel is evoked. I don't like that obvious draw to the next book, although it did work. I still feel unfairly dealt with. That said, these books are a delight. And H-E is so very funny. Love Porson's dialog, in particular.
May 27, 2022
bruh, i love murder mysteries, and i picked this one up thinking it would satisfy me while i waited for my allen eskens books to arrive. maybe i'm too picky, but this just wasn't it for me. this is the only book i've read in the slider series, so maybe i'm wrong here, but slider has literally no personality at all. atherton has a little more, but still really really bland. plus he's kind of a weirdo for me. hart probably had the most character, but she was annoying. i dragged through the book just to finish it and know the ending, but it really wasn't worth it. there was no action whatsoever, except in first chapter, which i'm guessing is a continuation of the last book. most of it was literally just slider interviewing, reporting, blah blah blah, we suspect someone, new clue, and yay, we found the bad guy. the whole relationship between slider and his fiancé was unnecessary. i don't feel like it added anything to a side-plot, and wasn't interesting at all. literally, its just slider telling her x, y, and z, then wow they have sex. the descriptions were nice, but they dragged on waaayyy too long. the i'll give it this, though: the whole story of the chattie's murder and the truth behind it was a good concept. i really wish it was executed better.
January 9, 2020
The police procedural aspect of the book worked for me this time. (I'd criticized its pace in Slider #9)
It was that cliche of a pebble dropped in a pond sending ripples--in this case it worked for me. The team had to go through all kinds of bumps before they finally found the solution.
I do wish Harrod-Eagles would let Slider have a real day off with Joanna. The moment when Atherton had to face another knife was beautifully written. And, hooray, Hart is back.
It was that cliche of a pebble dropped in a pond sending ripples--in this case it worked for me. The team had to go through all kinds of bumps before they finally found the solution.
I do wish Harrod-Eagles would let Slider have a real day off with Joanna. The moment when Atherton had to face another knife was beautifully written. And, hooray, Hart is back.
June 4, 2015
The murder of a well liked young woman at first appears to be the work of a serial killer. Early on Slider's team discovers it is not. Then what? Harrod-Eagles provides lots of red herrings and a satisfying ending. Often I race through mysteries, but I read this one at a slow pace, enjoying the unraveling without feeling I really must find out who did it.
October 14, 2017
Felt this was just OK for me. British slang was not that familiar to me, so didn't hold my interest always. It was a so-so mystery and at times dragged on.
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September 23, 2022I enjoy this series. I’d like to punch Slider sometimes, but that mostly stems from the weakness of his character.
Someone murdered Chattie Cornfeld. Worse still, they tried to make it look like a serial murder done in a local park. But Slider and his sidekick, Atherton, see through that quickly. This killing didn’t look like the serial killer’s work. That person killed young women in the park, and there was a pattern to the cuts made on the bodies. Someone stabbed and sliced up Chattie’s body, but not in the same patterns.
The more the cops dig into her life, the more they recognize that Chattie Was an unusual young woman. She had no enemies. And she was more-than generous with her love. It required some work for the cops to figure out all the men with whom she had sex. As it turns out, any one of them could have killed her. She wasn't big on commitment, but she was big on all the activities and characteristics associated with freely sharing her body.
Chattie ran Her own marketing and communications company. She was by no means poor, but her business was small, and it was a one-person operation. That meant she didn't have a great deal of money. You would not have been able to tell that by looking at her house. She lived well; indeed, the cops figured she lived well beyond her means.
So, if her death wasn't about a serial killer, and if her death wasn't about her sexual proclivities, what else might have been the cause? That's the issue you, Slider, and his associates get to deal with throughout the book. if figuring out who could kill a delightful person like Chattie doesn’t hold your interest, there is a great subplot here that will.
Someone murdered Chattie Cornfeld. Worse still, they tried to make it look like a serial murder done in a local park. But Slider and his sidekick, Atherton, see through that quickly. This killing didn’t look like the serial killer’s work. That person killed young women in the park, and there was a pattern to the cuts made on the bodies. Someone stabbed and sliced up Chattie’s body, but not in the same patterns.
The more the cops dig into her life, the more they recognize that Chattie Was an unusual young woman. She had no enemies. And she was more-than generous with her love. It required some work for the cops to figure out all the men with whom she had sex. As it turns out, any one of them could have killed her. She wasn't big on commitment, but she was big on all the activities and characteristics associated with freely sharing her body.
Chattie ran Her own marketing and communications company. She was by no means poor, but her business was small, and it was a one-person operation. That meant she didn't have a great deal of money. You would not have been able to tell that by looking at her house. She lived well; indeed, the cops figured she lived well beyond her means.
So, if her death wasn't about a serial killer, and if her death wasn't about her sexual proclivities, what else might have been the cause? That's the issue you, Slider, and his associates get to deal with throughout the book. if figuring out who could kill a delightful person like Chattie doesn’t hold your interest, there is a great subplot here that will.
May 4, 2021
A well-thought out, nicely plotted police procedural. It begins with a young woman’s being stabbed while out for her morning run. Her body is found off the running path hidden in a grove. At first, it is thought a serial killer struck randomly; and in an effort to glean as much information as possible, a bicyclist noticed by onlookers, is sought by the police—nicknamed Bicycle Man—and another man running out of the Park—nicknamed Running Man—is also sought. It is hoped these men could offer aid or information. Various people closely acquainted with the young woman are sought, interrogated and let go. Eventually, it is the grey cells that come through to put the “solved” stamp on this case. (I enjoyed the book, but I am not fond of cliff hangers.)
September 5, 2025
Deserves 4.25 stars.
Excellent combination of a puzzling murder to be solved by the police, witty dialog and commentary, tender moments between Bill Slider and Joanna (who is pregnant) and relationships among the police.
A young woman is found dead in the bushes of a park. The initial thought is that she was another victim of the serial killer dubbed the "Park Killer." The investigation soon reveals that this was inconsistent with the serial killing and was made to look like it.
Excellent combination of a puzzling murder to be solved by the police, witty dialog and commentary, tender moments between Bill Slider and Joanna (who is pregnant) and relationships among the police.
A young woman is found dead in the bushes of a park. The initial thought is that she was another victim of the serial killer dubbed the "Park Killer." The investigation soon reveals that this was inconsistent with the serial killing and was made to look like it.
December 21, 2017
If this were by any other writer I'd probably give it four stars, but here my expectations were very high. Not as funny as others in the series. Not as much progress made in the lives of the continuing characters. An ok mystery, but it broke one of the (my) rules for a really good mystery, which I can't reveal without a spoiler. But I'm certainly looking forward to the next one.
August 17, 2025
This book did NOT hold my attention well. It was so drawn out with really nothing new added. Could have been a 2 page book (one for the murder and one for “who dun it”). I pushed through to see who it was but, honestly wasn’t worth it.
May 26, 2018
Terrific continuation of Gone Tomorrow. Well done Bill Slider! All the chat I like so much and a fine mystery.
June 5, 2019
This was a great English mystery and I loved the author's characters. I want to find more books by her and delve deeper into her style and storytelling.
May 3, 2020
Great series
August 10, 2020
Run of the mill mystery. Interesting enough but not a standout.
January 16, 2023
Good read. Well written plot with some good police procedural.
July 12, 2024
Not one of the best in the series but still enjoy the characters
June 17, 2014
This is the tenth adventure of Bill Slider, who is a police inspector in London's Shepherd Bush. The Slider books are solid police procedurals/mysteries, with our hero and his side-kick, ladies' man Jim Atherton, usually tackling and solving murder cases. There's a strong supporting cast, plenty of British flavor - locale, food and slang - and the books are puzzles rather than adrenaline inducing thrillers, more Agatha Christie than Patricia Cornwell, i.e. old-fashioned detective work rather than science and forensics.
A few more observations on the series. Slider is no multi-tasker; seemingly incapable of juggling his personal life with work, which poses a "problem" in each of the books. He also takes the murder cases he's assigned very personally; a sensitive copper that at times gets a tad melodramatic, particularly considering his profession. Slider's boss makes the yester-year comedian Norm Crosby seem articulate, and whose numerous malapropisms fly fast and furiously - at times too much so. And lastly this author likes to add a little soap opera romance to her stories. It took nine books to somewhat resolve Slider's love-life; oddly the past turmoil - which took up much reading space in the past entries - all but forgotten here. Now Slider's major-domo, Atherton, is front and center in the romance department. These literary idiosyncrasies can both titillate and frustrate the reader.
Dear Departed opens with the murder of a young woman on a jogging trail. Initially believed to be the victim of the serial "Park Killer", it soon becomes apparent that this was not a random killing. For as Slider & Co. dig into the victim's past, a tangled web is uncovered concerning her finances, and particularly her parentage. This latter bit of detective work, which inexplicably takes a little time and reading, sends up an immediate flare to the reader, but unfortunately not so much for our hero and his team; who with their heads down continue to plod along. This book is at its best with the interviewing and "getting to know" the suspects and secondary characters, but because of the aforementioned flare the reader must wait for Slider to catch up, which does become frustrating. A neat little story, that comes up a little short in the "mystery department".
(I don't appear to be alone in noting this flare/catch in the mystery. Several other reviewers have made mention of ascertaining the culprit's identity early on.)
A few more observations on the series. Slider is no multi-tasker; seemingly incapable of juggling his personal life with work, which poses a "problem" in each of the books. He also takes the murder cases he's assigned very personally; a sensitive copper that at times gets a tad melodramatic, particularly considering his profession. Slider's boss makes the yester-year comedian Norm Crosby seem articulate, and whose numerous malapropisms fly fast and furiously - at times too much so. And lastly this author likes to add a little soap opera romance to her stories. It took nine books to somewhat resolve Slider's love-life; oddly the past turmoil - which took up much reading space in the past entries - all but forgotten here. Now Slider's major-domo, Atherton, is front and center in the romance department. These literary idiosyncrasies can both titillate and frustrate the reader.
Dear Departed opens with the murder of a young woman on a jogging trail. Initially believed to be the victim of the serial "Park Killer", it soon becomes apparent that this was not a random killing. For as Slider & Co. dig into the victim's past, a tangled web is uncovered concerning her finances, and particularly her parentage. This latter bit of detective work, which inexplicably takes a little time and reading, sends up an immediate flare to the reader, but unfortunately not so much for our hero and his team; who with their heads down continue to plod along. This book is at its best with the interviewing and "getting to know" the suspects and secondary characters, but because of the aforementioned flare the reader must wait for Slider to catch up, which does become frustrating. A neat little story, that comes up a little short in the "mystery department".
(I don't appear to be alone in noting this flare/catch in the mystery. Several other reviewers have made mention of ascertaining the culprit's identity early on.)
January 18, 2018
Why would anyone want to murder a young woman who is universally liked? Bill Slider and Jim Atherton have their work cut out to identify anyone who could possibly have a motive to murder Chattie Cornfeld unless she is just another victim of the park killer – a potential serial killer who seems to be targeting joggers in the nearby park.
There are plenty of family tensions in the background once they start digging but almost everyone agrees that Chattie was a really nice person and would help anyone in trouble. Most people seem to be genuinely upset at her death. Gradually Slider manages to uncover some sinister goings on which could have led to murder. I particularly liked the characters in this well written crime novel and as ever there is this author’s signature word play in the chapter titles and in the dialogue.
The personal lives of the main police characters is well to the fore but it doesn’t swamp the main plot in my opinion. If you like your crime novels without too much on the page violence or bad language then this series is one for you. Each novel can be read as a standalone story but it you want to follow the development of the series characters then they are best read in order of publication.
There are plenty of family tensions in the background once they start digging but almost everyone agrees that Chattie was a really nice person and would help anyone in trouble. Most people seem to be genuinely upset at her death. Gradually Slider manages to uncover some sinister goings on which could have led to murder. I particularly liked the characters in this well written crime novel and as ever there is this author’s signature word play in the chapter titles and in the dialogue.
The personal lives of the main police characters is well to the fore but it doesn’t swamp the main plot in my opinion. If you like your crime novels without too much on the page violence or bad language then this series is one for you. Each novel can be read as a standalone story but it you want to follow the development of the series characters then they are best read in order of publication.
March 18, 2024
I always enjoy a Bill Slider mystery not only because the plots are solid and the reveals are good but because the writing is witty and clever, requiring readers to pay attention even to the chapter titles. This time, Chattie Cornfeld has been killed, apparently the victim of the “Park Ripper”, who has been attacking joggers and walkers in London’s parks. But as Slider, Atherton, et al, investigate, things get cloudy. Chattie was beloved by everyone, even the street people knew her and said she was always generous and friendly so who would want to kill her? It takes the whole book to find out the identity of the killer (although I’d figured how if not whodunnit well before). I really hope Harrod Eagles continues her Slider series because they are a real treat.
May 22, 2020
This is the second time I have read this book but I did not remember it at all and it was a surprise to find I had shown on Goodreads that I first read it over eleven years ago. I am dissatisfied with much of modern crime fiction so I am making an effort to track down books by authors whose books I have enjoyed.
This is a good police procedural with lots of blind alleys before the murderer is finally discovered. The author writes with some wit and humour though this is a serious book. I like Detective Inspector Bill Slider and I quite like some of his team. I hope to read most of the books in this series.
This is a good police procedural with lots of blind alleys before the murderer is finally discovered. The author writes with some wit and humour though this is a serious book. I like Detective Inspector Bill Slider and I quite like some of his team. I hope to read most of the books in this series.
December 2, 2008
I'm loving this series! It is very similar in form to
"The Closer." (Which series Tim Goodman of the SF Chronicle thinks is 'mind candy.') The easy banter and camaraderie between the team at "the Firm," the interesting "under" plot of Bill Slider and Joanna, (and Jim Atherton and Sue) as well as very complex murder myster plots with lots of red herrings make this procedural a delight.
"The Closer." (Which series Tim Goodman of the SF Chronicle thinks is 'mind candy.') The easy banter and camaraderie between the team at "the Firm," the interesting "under" plot of Bill Slider and Joanna, (and Jim Atherton and Sue) as well as very complex murder myster plots with lots of red herrings make this procedural a delight.
August 11, 2024
I love this series, no doubt about it. However chilling the crime, Slider and his crew are basically decent sorts who banter with wit and style that are probably unlike anything that would happen in a real police station. No one is that literate any more! I've read this one before and enjoyed it even more on the second go-round. Lucky for me that the author is so prolific.
December 8, 2008
I hadn't read Cynthia Harrod-Eagles in ages and found that I still enjoy her mysteries and characters. What I didn't enjoy were her "cutsie" chapter headings. Reading those reminded me of those awful descriptions in the Coldwater Creek catalog!
November 4, 2014
Very very good best new author since the classics. Nuanced lots of twists and turns great characters--and those are just the policemen. Really satisfying. Funny with a very light hand. Great English atmosphere.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews