A Darker Shade of Blue: A Collection of Short Stories

From the master of British crime fiction, a collection of noir and detective stories from the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger winner. John Harvey has been described as the master of British crime fiction: From the mean streets of London to the jazz clubs and clip joints of Soho, this is a world of broken families, revenge killings, and prostitution; drugs, guns, and corruption; a world of overstretched police forces and underpaid detectives; men and women who strive nonetheless for a kind of justice; a world in which everything, even friendship, has a price. Featuring characters like Frank Elder, who tried to turn his back on police work and failed; Jack Kiley, ex-cop and now a London-based PI; and the renowned jazz-loving and much-loved Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick, John HarveyвЂTMs finely crafted vignettes perfectly encapsulate life in the badlands of contemporary Britain. Review “Starred review. [ A Darker Shade of Blue ]...will come as a particular treat for the author's many devoted fans...this collection of first-rate writing by a crime-fiction master in both long and short forms is treasure enough for anyone.” ( Booklist ) “Thrilling and atmospheric.” ( The Guardian ) “Reveals modern England in all its most depressing messiness while engaging the reader with characters whose warmth and humanity give real pleasure.” ( Times Literary Supplement ) “The architecture of HarveyвЂTMs storytelling begs to be admired, with its multiple narratives, shifting time lines, and elaborate plot details. HarveyвЂTMs touch is so subtle, his style so seductive.” ( Marilyn Stasio - *New York Times Book Review * ) About the Author John Harvey В is the author of the richly praised Charlie Resnick novels, the first of which,В Lonely Hearts , was named byВ the LondonВ TimesВ as one of the "100 Best Crime Novels of the Century." John's first novel featuring Detective Inspector Frank Elder,В Flesh and Blood , won the CWA Silver Dagger in 2004. In 2007 he receivedВ the Crime WritersвЂTM Association Cartier Diamond Dagger for Sustained Excellence in Crime Writing. John lives in London. John Harvey has been described as the master of British crime and inA Darker Shade of Bluehe has collected together some of his very best writing. From the killing fields of the East Midlands to the mean streets of London, from the jazz clubs and clip joints of Soho to the barren fenlands of East Anglia, this is a world of broken families and run-down estates, revenge killings and prostitution, drugs, guns and corruption; a world of overstretched police forces and underpaid detectives, men and women who strive nonetheless for a kind of justice; a world in which everything, even friendship, has a price. Featuring characters like Frank Elder, who tried to turn his back on police work and failed; Jack Kiley, ex-copper and one-time professional footballer, now a London-based PI; and the renowned jazz loving and much-loved Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick, John Harvey's finely-crafted vignettes perfectly encapsulate life in the badlands of modern Britain. Presents a world of broken families and run-down estates, revenge killings and prostitution, drugs, guns and corruption; a world of overstretched police forces and underpaid detectives, men and women who strive nonetheless for a kind of justice; and, a world in which everything, even friendship, has a price.