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A Death in Spring: 1968
Birmingham, Spring 1968. A young homosexual meets a grisly death - killer unknown - one of several such deaths in recent months. Collins, now promoted to Detective Sergeant, and his mentor, the smallest policeman in Birmingham, Detective Constable Clark, are convinced these deaths are linked, and set out to bring the serial killer to justice.
At the same time, the sands are shifting in the politics of Birmingham's gangland. As Collins and Clark, assisted by Agnes Winter, Collins' landlady and lover, seek to unravel this mystery, they find themselves up against some of the most vicious and dangerous killers they have yet encountered.
And if that isn't enough, both Collins and Clark find themselves having to cope with some radical changes in their personal lives.
The third in Jim McGrath's series of Collins & Clark stories, featuring an unlikely pair of police officers working in the Black Country. A right bostin adventure.
At the same time, the sands are shifting in the politics of Birmingham's gangland. As Collins and Clark, assisted by Agnes Winter, Collins' landlady and lover, seek to unravel this mystery, they find themselves up against some of the most vicious and dangerous killers they have yet encountered.
And if that isn't enough, both Collins and Clark find themselves having to cope with some radical changes in their personal lives.
The third in Jim McGrath's series of Collins & Clark stories, featuring an unlikely pair of police officers working in the Black Country. A right bostin adventure.
338 pages, Paperback
Published July 10, 2018
About the author
Jim McGrath
40 books35 followersJim was born in Dublin and moved to Handsworth, Birmingham when he was five. From an early age he knew that one day he would write about his adopted home. After writing eight non-fiction books he wrote his first novel A Death in Winter: 1963 in 2015. He has written three further books in the Collins and Clark Series; A Death in Summer: 1965, Death in Spring: 1968 and A Death in Autumn: 1968.
Jim has plans for a further five Collins and Clark novels and a stand alone book featuring Agnes Winter set in 1941 during the Birmingham Blitz.
A lifelong supporter of West Bromwich Albion, Jim and his friends coined the Albion's unofficial motto 'They'll always let you down.' - AND THEY DO REGULARLY!
Jim is married with two grown up children, two grandchildren and far too many books to read before he dies. But at least his house is well insulated.
(Photo by Sara@saralejon.com).
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 26, 2017
Having read A Death in Winter: 1963 with great pleasure, I’m happy to say that A Death in Spring: 1968 is equally good. Michael Collins is still in a happy relationship with Agnes and working together with Clark as an unstoppable team. Clark is about to become a father and he is very much looking forward tot hat. They will need each other even more in this second book in the series, because not only is there a real serial killer on the loose, half of the underworld of Birmingham is out to get Collins and Clark because they are likely to shut down most of the criminal dealings the criminals worked so hard for to establish ;-)
What I liked about the book is that there are multiple storylines, that during the book come together nicely. I hope I don’t spoil anything as I say that I also liked that not all twists and turns in the plot are in the last part of the book. This makes a nicely balanced story, not only with interesting characters but also with a good insight in how society worked by the end of the sixties. When four young homosexuals are murdered, it takes Collins and Clark a lot of trouble to convince their own boss that something needs to be done. Just one short generation ago homosexuality was totally unacceptable – and it is a pity it still sometimes is.
Jim McGrath knows how to make his characters interesting and alive, not only Collins and Clark but Agnes, Ruth and all colleagues at CID. Even the poor prostitutes get their own voice.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to download this book.
What I liked about the book is that there are multiple storylines, that during the book come together nicely. I hope I don’t spoil anything as I say that I also liked that not all twists and turns in the plot are in the last part of the book. This makes a nicely balanced story, not only with interesting characters but also with a good insight in how society worked by the end of the sixties. When four young homosexuals are murdered, it takes Collins and Clark a lot of trouble to convince their own boss that something needs to be done. Just one short generation ago homosexuality was totally unacceptable – and it is a pity it still sometimes is.
Jim McGrath knows how to make his characters interesting and alive, not only Collins and Clark but Agnes, Ruth and all colleagues at CID. Even the poor prostitutes get their own voice.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to download this book.
February 19, 2017
5 stars
A young gay man is brutally murdered by someone who is not new to the game. His partner reports it to the police; there having been four similar murders now, but the police are basically ignoring the report. They say the four murders are not connected.
It’s 1968 and the law banning discrimination against homosexuality has been in force in Britain for a year now, but attitudes take much longer to change. It appears as though the police don’t care because of the sexuality of the victims.
Collins and Clark are a remarkable duo. Good police officers and just nice guys doing their best to clean up their city.
This book is extremely well written and plotted. It reads seamlessly. The book is both exciting and suspenseful. The characters are likeable and work well as a team. I can hardly wait until the next in the series comes out.
I want to send a big thank you to Netgalley and Troubador Publishing Limited/Matador for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely wonderful book to read.
A young gay man is brutally murdered by someone who is not new to the game. His partner reports it to the police; there having been four similar murders now, but the police are basically ignoring the report. They say the four murders are not connected.
It’s 1968 and the law banning discrimination against homosexuality has been in force in Britain for a year now, but attitudes take much longer to change. It appears as though the police don’t care because of the sexuality of the victims.
Collins and Clark are a remarkable duo. Good police officers and just nice guys doing their best to clean up their city.
This book is extremely well written and plotted. It reads seamlessly. The book is both exciting and suspenseful. The characters are likeable and work well as a team. I can hardly wait until the next in the series comes out.
I want to send a big thank you to Netgalley and Troubador Publishing Limited/Matador for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely wonderful book to read.
October 6, 2023
Good character development and a fast moving pace to the story
February 12, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Matador for a review copy of Death In Spring: 1968, second novel in the Handsworth quartet to feature Constables Collins and Clark.
It is 1968, 5 years after the first novel Death In Winter: 1963, and our 2 heroes are living the good life with Clark about to become a father and Collins, now a detective, living blissfully with Agnes. Their professional life is just as satisfying, but decidedly more dangerous as a series of small incidents lead to them tangling with organised crime while, at the same time, hunting down a serial killer.
What a joy this novel is to read. There is non stop action and intrigue to keep you turning the pages and two very likeable protagonists with some good repartee to keep you warm and amused.
The plot held my attention throughout. Mr McGrath never loses sight of of his main plot lines but also keeps it real with the duo investigating or dealing with other cases along the way, some of which turn out to be either relevant or on the periphery of their main investigations, other have no bearing at all but have to be dealt with as part of their job. It is cleverly done.
Clark and Collins are wonderful creations. They are a real team who continue their friendship in their home life. Clark is a lethal ex-commando who can and will take on all comers if and when required but he is also smart, funny, compassionate, caring and a rampant West Bromwich Albion fan. Collins is the quieter one but no less ruthless when he has to be. He is often Clark's straightman but can give as good as he can get. Again he is smart, caring and compassionate but not a Baggies fan. Their humour is very down to earth, realistic and had me chortling.
The setting is excellent with lots of authentic detail, like 2/11 for a pair of newfangled tights. It seems to me that Mr McGrath does an excellent job with the attitudes of the time. Homosexuality has been recently legalised but homophobia is still the norm and domestic violence is still regarded as a personal rather than a police issue. He pulls no punches on these issues and while it may make for uncomfortable reading to modern sensibilities I think he does an amazing job.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Death In Winter: 1968 and have no hesitation in recommending it as an excellent read. Hurry up with the next one Jim!
It is 1968, 5 years after the first novel Death In Winter: 1963, and our 2 heroes are living the good life with Clark about to become a father and Collins, now a detective, living blissfully with Agnes. Their professional life is just as satisfying, but decidedly more dangerous as a series of small incidents lead to them tangling with organised crime while, at the same time, hunting down a serial killer.
What a joy this novel is to read. There is non stop action and intrigue to keep you turning the pages and two very likeable protagonists with some good repartee to keep you warm and amused.
The plot held my attention throughout. Mr McGrath never loses sight of of his main plot lines but also keeps it real with the duo investigating or dealing with other cases along the way, some of which turn out to be either relevant or on the periphery of their main investigations, other have no bearing at all but have to be dealt with as part of their job. It is cleverly done.
Clark and Collins are wonderful creations. They are a real team who continue their friendship in their home life. Clark is a lethal ex-commando who can and will take on all comers if and when required but he is also smart, funny, compassionate, caring and a rampant West Bromwich Albion fan. Collins is the quieter one but no less ruthless when he has to be. He is often Clark's straightman but can give as good as he can get. Again he is smart, caring and compassionate but not a Baggies fan. Their humour is very down to earth, realistic and had me chortling.
The setting is excellent with lots of authentic detail, like 2/11 for a pair of newfangled tights. It seems to me that Mr McGrath does an excellent job with the attitudes of the time. Homosexuality has been recently legalised but homophobia is still the norm and domestic violence is still regarded as a personal rather than a police issue. He pulls no punches on these issues and while it may make for uncomfortable reading to modern sensibilities I think he does an amazing job.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Death In Winter: 1968 and have no hesitation in recommending it as an excellent read. Hurry up with the next one Jim!
February 14, 2017
The 2nd installment in the Handsworth Quartet is terrific. Collins and Clark are investigating the murders of homosexual men. The murders seem to be linked, possibly by the same perpetrator. In 1968 homosexuality had been decriminalized in the UK a year previously, but the stigma had not, and the powers that be aren't that interested in solving the case, let alone link the murders. Collins and Clark are determined to find the killer(s) and practically work around the clock to find justice for the victims. At the same time a London gang is trying to add Birmingham as a city to run, another case that keeps Collins and Clark busy, as well as in great danger.
Besides it being a cracking great story, the fact that Collins and Clark are not the brooding, gloomy police men we read so much of these days (they have happy, stable private lives and make for a superb duo in their work environment) makes this book such a pleasure to read. They solve their cases with hard work, smarts and a few excellent fight scenes. Plus, they're witty, tough, as well as softhearted, and all this without cellphones and all the other modern paraphernalia.
I love those guys and can't wait for the next book which is set in 1970. Do yourselves a favor and get these books!
My thanks to Netgalley, Matador and Jim McGrath for the eARC.
Besides it being a cracking great story, the fact that Collins and Clark are not the brooding, gloomy police men we read so much of these days (they have happy, stable private lives and make for a superb duo in their work environment) makes this book such a pleasure to read. They solve their cases with hard work, smarts and a few excellent fight scenes. Plus, they're witty, tough, as well as softhearted, and all this without cellphones and all the other modern paraphernalia.
I love those guys and can't wait for the next book which is set in 1970. Do yourselves a favor and get these books!
My thanks to Netgalley, Matador and Jim McGrath for the eARC.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews