Play Dead (A Harpur & Iles Mystery)
*Starred Review* The unique and skillful way in which James uses words and his clever, diabolical plots are what make his Harpur and Iles cop series such a success. Words in James’ talented hands poke cruel fun, wound, lull, provoke, evade, or create laugh-aloud black humor, even in the midst of horrific violence. In this outing, Harpur and his irascible, quixotic boss, Iles, are sent by the British Home Office back to the scene of one of their rare failures: the investigation into a corrupt police force that ended in the shooting death of an undercover cop. The potential corruption was quickly swept under the carpet once the cop killer was sent to prison. The Home Office isn’t happy and wants Harpur and Iles to reopen the case and find the source of the corruption once and for all. This is no easy task, especially when Iles’ simmering resentment about Harpur’s long-ago affair with Iles’ wife causes open warfare between the pair. But when a local journalist is killed just for poking his nose into the case, Harpur and Iles realize they must bury their differences and work together to close the case. Another outstanding entry in this popular, highly original series. --Emily Melton