Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick is nearing retirement, and considering how he might spend his time once his thirty year's service are in. Meanwhile, his partner Lynn - herself a DI - is finding life anything but quiet, as she finds herself caught up in a gang-related incident that threatens to have lasting repercussions.
Teen Gang Shooting
On her way home for a Valentine's tryst with Charlie, Lynn stops to intervene in a fight between two teenage girls. When one of the girls produces a knife, Lynn has no choice but to intercept her as she lunges for the other girl; it is at this very moment that one of the fight's onlookers fires the fatal shot that kills Kelly Brent, the girl with the knife, leaving Lynn splattered with her blood.
The case goes from bad to worse when the dead girl's father announces his intention to make Lynn's life a misery, blaming her for his daughter's death and accusing her of using Kelly as a human shield. Despite his personal connection to Lynn, Resnick is pulled from office duties and sent on to the front line to help in any way he can.
Murder in the Massage Parlour
Lynn also has her hands full with another murder case. A young woman has been found with her throat slit in a massage parlour, and the case is about to come to court. Lynn is determined that the accused, Viktor Zoucas, will be brought to justice, but when one of the key witnesses disappears, the case is deferred and Lynn must work overtime to ensure the safety of the other.
Add into the mix another ongoing murder investigation, and the presence of a deliciously slimy new colleague for Lynn in the form of Stuart Daines, and you have all the ingredients for another classic John Harvey novel.
What Next for Charlie Resnick?
Despite the cleverly interlinked plotlines, the real focus, as ever, is the characterisation. Resnick at home alone with his cats, his whisky and his beloved music; Lynn going above and beyond the call of duty to protect vulnerable witness Andreea; the grieving father of Kelly Brent alternating between anger and despair.
Whilst Resnick fans will rejoice at the appearance of another novel featuring the gruff DI, this is no ordinary outing. The novel features an event that will shock the reader and ensure that life will never be the same again for Charlie Resnick; it will be interesting to see where Harvey takes the character from here.
Cold in Hand by John Harvey is published in paperback in the UK by Arrow (2008), ISBN 978-0-0995-0564-8.
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