Rules, Regs and Rotten Eggs

Harriet Martens #7

by H.R.F. Keating

Detective Superintendent Harriet Martens resolves to resign after the new Assistant Chief Constable at the head of the CID makes her feel inferior in her job. However, her thoughts of resignation are abruptly interrupted when the pro-hunting politician Robert Roughouse suspiciously collapses during one of his vehement speeches at an antihunting demonstration. Sensing that someone has deliberately attempted to murder Roughouse, and seeing an opportunity to prove her worth to the ACC, Detective Martens determinately takes charge of the investigation.   Immersed in thoughts about what could possibly lie behind the attempt at assassination, Detective Martens decides to interview Roughouse in the hospital. However, rather than aiding in her enquiry, her visit serves only to confuse things Roughouse has been moved during the night to the privately owned Masterton Clinic, and is not accepting visitors. What could lie behind the strange series of events surrounding the Roughouse case?    The talented H. R. F. Keating is at the top of his game in this latest stunning British police procedural.

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 16, 2007

About the author

Henry Reymond Fitzwalter Keating was an English writer of crime fiction most notable for his series of novels featuring Inspector Ghote of the Bombay CID.

H. R. F. KEATING was well versed in the worlds of crime, fiction and nonfiction. He was the crime books reviewer for The Times for fifteen years, as well as serving as the chairman of the Crime Writers Association and the Society of Authors. He won the CWA Gold Dagger Award twice, and in 1996 was awarded the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for outstanding service to crime fiction.

Series:
. Inspector Ghote
. Harriet Martens

Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Perfectly Criminal

Reviews

[Les Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't enjoy the Harriet Martens books as much as the Inspector Ghote ones, but I enjoyed this one most of all.

[John Frankham · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a disappointment. This is as bad as Keating's Inspector Ghote's books are good. A narrator for a first person story with much tedious, self-agonising, interior dialogue by (female) Superintendent Martins. Unconvincing cast of characters, with solution of murder just based on an untruthful alibi.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the last story in the box set I have and it was a good read.

I didn't much like Harriet at the beginning of the series but she was the sort of character that needed understanding, yes, she was complex and likeable.

The writing style was a mix of third and first person and it was a good way of understanding her personality. The rest of the characters suited the plot.

Overall, an engaging British police story.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very poor unfortunately, gave up after 37%.

[columbialion · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciated Keating's interweaving Det. Marten's internal thoughts alongside her dialogue. The main themes and plot are out of the ordinary; such as police procedurals go, but holds together nicely as the book flows. If the reader can get by some (I believe) condescending racial overtones, it is a good read. I've read many procedurals, and the British version of the genre is vastly different then the American; McBain for instance. Oddly too, if Keating is accurately describing the machinations of British jurisprudence in granting a suspect be arrested, then that system is certainly at odds with its predetermination of guilt in a criminal trial.
I would certainly recommend that fans of PP's include Keating in their selections.

[Daniela Kraml · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was no terrible read, but sadly it also was no excellent or even good read. If I hadn't known H.R.F. Keating was a veteran author, I would have thought this book was written by someone with not very much experience. Especially the internal dialogue was terrible. The plot too was not very convincing. I also found the description of a black woman as beeing "boot-polish-black" (more then once) rather disturbing.
Got an ARC via netgaley.com.

[Simone Perren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed to lack something which manifests simply as an ending. The author manages to set up for an ending but then completely refuses to use it. Altogether it was a completely lackluster and disappointing story.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this book but was very disappointed. Unconvincing characters and a poorly written plot left me feeling that the book was slightly lacking in anything resembling a police procedural. Thank you Net Galley for my copy.

[Susan Doss]

This book has been "released" via Bookcrossing. :)