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Reginald Hill
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Pictures of Perfection (Dalziel and Pascoe) Mass Market Paperback – September 1, 1995

by Reginald Hill (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 490 ratings
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Reginald Hill's ironic humor, polished prose, and keen insight have placed him squarely alongside such great mystery writers as P. D. James and Ruth Rendell. In his latest novel his much-appreciated team of detectives, the incomparable Dalziel and Pascoe, find themselves in the pretty village of Enscombe, which is steadfastly trying -- though somewhat in vain -- to repel the advances of both tourists and developers. When a policeman is discovered missing, Pascoe is immediately worried, but Dalziel thinks he's overreacting... until the normally phlegmatic Sergeant Wield also shows signs of changing his first impressions of picture-perfect village life. Over two eventful days a new pattern emerges: one of lust and lying, family feuds and ancient injuries, frustrated desires and unbalanced minds. Finally, inevitably, everything comes to a bloody climax at the Squire's Reckoning, where the villagers gather each Lady Day to feast and pay old debts. Not even the three lawmen's presence can change the course of history... though one of them is to find the course of his own personal history changed forever.
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Previous page
  1. Book 14 of 22
    The Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries
  2. Print length
    352 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Dell
  5. Publication date
    September 1, 1995
  6. Dimensions
    4.3 x 0.77 x 6.9 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0440218004
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0440218005
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Outstanding procedual series."
-- The New York Times

From the Publisher

Reginald Hill's ironic humor, polished prose, and keen insight have placed him squarely alongside such great mystery writers as P. D. James and Ruth Rendell. In his latest novel his much-appreciated team of detectives, the incomparable Dalziel and Pascoe, find themselves in the pretty village of Enscombe, which is steadfastly trying -- though somewhat in vain -- to repel the advances of both tourists and developers. When a policeman is discovered missing, Pascoe is immediately worried, but Dalziel thinks he's overreacting... until the normally phlegmatic Sergeant Wield also shows signs of changing his first impressions of picture-perfect village life. Over two eventful days a new pattern emerges: one of lust and lying, family feuds and ancient injuries, frustrated desires and unbalanced minds. Finally, inevitably, everything comes to a bloody climax at the Squire's Reckoning, where the villagers gather each Lady Day to feast and pay old debts. Not even the three lawmen's presence can change the course of history... though one of them is to find the course of his own personal history changed forever. "Outstanding procedual series." -- The New York Times

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dell (September 1, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0440218004
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0440218005
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.3 x 0.77 x 6.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 490 ratings

About the author

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Reginald Hill

Reginald Hill

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Reginald Hill has been widely published both in England and the United States. He received Britain's most coveted mystery writers award, the Cartier Diamond Dagger Award, as well as the Golden Dagger for his Dalziel/Pascoe series.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
490 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

John D. Muir
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect as a picture
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2011
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This book is one of those in the Dalziel and Pascoe series. Those who have read it seem to be divided between enjoying it the most of any D/P book and disliking it the most. I belong to the former camp.

It would be impossible to summarize the plot without giving away what readers need to find out for themselves. It starts with a real bang and from there the story rolls along until an ending which makes sense of all that has gone before. Whether you like it or not is up to you.

For me, I loved the humor of the book (it's the funniest of the series) and the freedom Reginald Hill gave himself to play games with the characters and the reader. The dialogue is witty, the plot and settings well-drawn and, to my great pleasure, Sgt. Wield is at last given the prominence he deserves. I'd love to see him as the principal character in a novel- how about it, Mr. Hill?

Read it for yourself and join the debate.
2 people found this helpful
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deesy
4.0 out of 5 stars Light, Easy Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2017
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This is not a typical police procedural novel, but it is a fascinating read anyway. Dalziel does not play as central a role in this story as Sergeant Wield and Detective Chief Inspector Pascoe, but all three detectives play important parts. The story takes place in a small village called Enscombe, where the village constable has gone missing. Expecting the worst, Wield and Pascoe investigate the disappearance, but then find other minor crimes being committed in the village. The ending is somewhat of a surprise, but everything is tied up at the end with no loose ends left dangling. As usual with this author's novels, the dialog is realistic, and the characters are believable. The story is light and easy to read. I enjoyed it.
4 people found this helpful
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Lilly Hi Way
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Original Mystery
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2020
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This mystery is centered on a century old English village and it's unique inhabitants. I can't say more without revealing the ending. Suffice it to say it was unusual and quite entertaining.
One person found this helpful
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Mork
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read - Couldn't Put it Down
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2015
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Hill's Dalziel and Pascoe series is one of the best around. Written with an often wicked sense of humor, the author's mysteries are well-plotted always and very engrossing (I've been close to requiring toothpicks to keep my eyes open the next day after beginning one). This book was particularly appealing because of its combination of an Austen-esque backdrop, a quirky town's population and attention to a character of Hill's who usually plays a relatively minor role in the series.
One person found this helpful
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Pop Bop
4.0 out of 5 stars Our Favorite Series
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2020
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Hill's "Dalziel and Pascoe" is hands down, by far, our favorite detective series; it has remained consistently entertaining and engaging.

The problem has been that few of the books were available for Kindle. Just one every now and then. And the older paperbacks were hard to find, and often quite pricey.

Well, someone has decided to open the floodgates. As of this writing there are five "Dalziel and Pascoe" books on free offer through KindleUnlimited Lending Library. Of more immediate value, there are fifteen books now available on Kindle. Some start at $.99, and many are around $2.99. We just stocked up our library in case the books go off the market again.

The books are not only good, they are fine for rereading, (after a suitable period of lying fallow). So, this is a fine time to get into the series and to stock up. I'm not a shill; I'm just delighted to see these on offer.
12 people found this helpful
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zorba
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars, but Only for the Writing Style
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2010
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I didn't like this Dalziel/Pasco thriller because it was simply too involved. Too many names to remember. Too many rich, imperious heirs. Too many cops. A plot not very compelling. What I DID like is Hill's wonderful writing. His irony and artful use of the language were delightful. If only he had turned a plot as well as he turned a sentence.
3 people found this helpful
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The Skeptic
5.0 out of 5 stars Great British Mystery
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2015
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I am a big fan of Reginald Hill's Daziel/Pascoe mysteries. He he created interesting and complex characters. I enjoy the diversity of the characters and the perfect plotting. Like all of the Daziel/Pascoe novels, the internal and external dialogue is full of jargon--not police jargon, but Yorkshire jargon. When I read Hill's books, I keep my Kindle nearby so I can look up words. If you're a fan of British murder mysteries, this is a book for you. And if this is your first, be prepared to want to read another of his books as soon as you finish this one.
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Marie
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2021
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The story is full of insights to the various characters. There’s some mystery and some romance and plenty of humor that all blend into a great tale.
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Top reviews from other countries

Hector
5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars
Reviewed in France on August 1, 2018
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The absolutely exhilarating quest for a missing country bobby. The perfect read while you bake under the sun on some southern beach.

"À la recherche du gendarme perdu", un échantillon parfait de l'humour britannique. Si vous aimez ça, une lecture de plage obligatoire.
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Mr. I. J. Weston
5.0 out of 5 stars The enjoyment of this read for me is not so much ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 10, 2015
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I have read all of Hill's Dalziel and Pascoe up to this book, number 13. The enjoyment of this read for me is not so much the storyline, but the prose. Hill is a fantastic writer and his humour, human observation and characters are brilliant. No author can touch him. I also enjoyed having Wield play centre stage in this book. Dalziel comes across at his most repugnant too; which is a joy.
2 people found this helpful
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Shero 68 Dub
5.0 out of 5 stars A tour de force by an excellent writer
Reviewed in Germany on July 14, 2004
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How does Reginald Hill do this? All of his books are excellent, but every now and again there is one which is absolutely brilliant, and this is one. If you want to find out how Wield met Digweed, if you are a fan of Jane Austen and crime novels, then this is an absolute must. Hill is at a peak here, his usual fluid and intelligent style has to be read closely and carefully, if you can manage you stop rushing to solve the many mysteries! Dalziel and Pascoe play fairly minor roles, Sergeant Wield is the hero of this cleverly constructed play with literary conceits, it is as good a parody as Austen's Northanger Abbey. Defintely one to be read again and again.
One person found this helpful
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woodpecker
4.0 out of 5 stars it had a good plot and as usual it was very well
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2016
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an interesting book to read, it had a good plot and as usual it was very well written
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Judy Lomas
5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent if slightly odd tale
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
Really enjoyed it as I do all of these books - excellent characters, gripping tales and always a satisfying outcome - ideal for these 'lockdown days'!
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