The Soft Detective

by H.R.F. Keating

When Detective chief Inspector Phil Benholme investigates the the baffling murder of Nobel Prize-winning Professor Unwala, he is disturbed to discover that his own teenage son could be the prime suspect in the crime.

Genres: Mystery

268 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1998

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

[Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psychology and grilling suspects and oneself and family, too...

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title refers to the wimp protagonist of this excruciatingly long-winded mystery. Keating writes well but there is not a single likable character in this tale and oft-times I felt myself rooting for the Detective's detractors; he needed a swift kick in the arse.