Simon Hall (1)

As an introduction to a series, I think The TV Detective laid some good foundations for what is to follow. It took me a little while to get into the book but, once I did, the story whizzed along at a fairly good pace and had a very satisfying conclusion. Although it didn't quite have the 'wow-factor' for me, I found it very entertaining and something a bit different from a run-of-the-mill police investigation.

I really liked the character of journalist Dan; his best friend is his dog, Rutherford, and he's completely clueless where women are concerned. Dan is partnered with DCI Adam Breen who wants the reporter tagging along like he wants a hole in the head. I love prickly characters like Breen; he's a proper old-school detective with a spiky outer shell and a slightly soft middle if you burrow deep enough to find it.

Dan has quite the skill for getting people to talk, which makes him very useful to the investigation; people are more willing to speak to Dan than the police which makes Breen's feelings towards Dan start to thaw. It's a very complex case as it's really hard to find the murderer when so many people wanted the victim, Edward Bray, dead. With so many people under scrutiny, I was just waiting for the first person to crack...but there was still more to uncover about the events surrounding the murder of Edward Bray.

I'd definitely read more in the series as I think, with a bit more polishing, The TV Detective could become a highly entertaining series in the crime fiction genre.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.… (mere)