Death Comes for the Fat Man

From bestselling and award-winning crime writer Reginald Hill, a "chilling, frightening, page-turning tale" featuring Yorkshire coppers Andy Dalziel and Peter Pascoe, "that won't let you go, even when you finally put it down." (Providence Journal). 

Caught in the blast of a huge
explosion, Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel lies on a hospital bed, with
only a life support system and his indomitable will between him and the Great
Beyond. Meanwhile, his colleague, Chief Inspector Peter Pascoe, is determined
to find those responsible.

Ignoring his own injuries, the
advice of his friends, and the pleas of his wife, Pascoe follows a winding
trail to the Templars, a mysterious group that believes the only way to fight
terrorism is through terror. Where the arm of the law cannot reach, their work
begins. Soon Pascoe comes to suspect that they may have support and sympathy in
high places, from men ready to accept the death of a policeman or of any other
innocent bystander as regrettable but unavoidable collateral damage.

From the streets of Manchester to
the Yorkshire countryside, Pascoe searches for the truth. And above it all,
like a huge zeppelin threatening to break from its moorings, hovers the
disembodied spirit of Andy Dalziel.

Not for a second did Pascoe admit the possibility of death. Dalziel was indestructible. Dalziel is, and was, and forever shall be, world without end, amen . . .

Chief constables might come and chief constables might go, but Fat Andy went on forever.

Barreling his way into an investigation of possible terrorist activities, Superintendent Andy Dalziel is caught in the blast of a huge explosion at a video shop—and only "Fat Andy's" considerable bulk prevents his colleague, Chief Inspector Peter Pascoe, from suffering a similar fate. Now Dalziel lies on a hospital bed barely clinging to life, while Pascoe remains determined to find those responsible.

But the truth is not always cut-and-dried, and sometimes those who are sworn to terror's destruction are even more dangerous than the foe they wish to annihilate.

“A work as richly satisfying as steak-and-kidney pudding.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Should please longtime fans of the series....Dalziel and Pascoe remain among the most popular coppers in the genre.” - Booklist

“Hill delivers his usual bundle of literary treats, from a single fragrant reference to Voltaire to the voluptuous visions of earthly delights Dalziel clings to as he hovers near death....Death Comes for the Fat Man is far more politically pointed than Hill’s usual witty intellectual puzzles.” - New York Times Book Review

“A densely plotted detective story.” - New York Times Book Review (Editor’s Choice)

“A must for Hill’s many fans.” - Rocky Mountain News

“When it comes to challenging the mind, a Hill novel is better than Sudoku.” - Orlando Sentinel

“Dry-witted quips are plentiful and the dialogue is crisp. Hill’s solid characters, energetic pace, and intriguing plot are typical of this excellent series.” - Mystery Scene

“Superb. . . . This is the twenty-second novel of the series, and it may be the best.” - Tampa Tribune

“Smart and immensely enjoyable.” - Washington Post

“Hill displays his usual intricate plotting and love of language.” - New Orleans Times-Picayune

“Smart, disturbing, labyrinthine mystery. . . . A chilling, frightening, page-turning tale that won’t let you go . . . even when you finally put it down.” - Providence Journal