H.R.F. Keating, The Dreaming Detective

The Dreaming Detective

H.R.F. Keating

Dunne, Dec 2004, $23.95, 256 pp.

ISBN: 0312322143

Not explaining his motives, the new Chief Constable of Greater Birchester Police, Newcomen, assigns Detective Superintendent Harriet "The 'Hard Detective" Martens with solving a cold case homicide. Taken slightly aback by the hostility in her superior's voice, Harriet has no idea who Mr. Newcomen was referring to when he asked her "Who Killed the Preacher". He expects her to solve the vicious 1967 strangling murder of "The Boy Preacher" Krishna Kumaramangalam before the Imperial Hotel, site of the killing, is demolished. Harriet concludes her new boss wants her to fail so he can claim she is not worthy of her rank and can live up to his nickname Mr. Newbroom by sweeping her away.

Newcomen claims that advances in sleuthing in the past three plus decades will prove fruitful if Harriet is capable of doing her job. While waiting for the results of DNA testing, Harriet reads a true crime book, "Who Killed the Preacher". Next she interviews the seven prime suspects who were the only people with access to the crime scene as the Hard Detective is not going to gently allow Mr. Newbroom to sweep her away.

Once the audience overcomes the regression of talent by placing a highly ranked and paid detective on a cold case for personal vendetta reasons, fans will enjoy this fine British police procedural. The storyline moves at a fast pace as Harriet refuses to go down without a fight. Though Newcomen comes across as an officious media hound and his assignment ridiculous, fans will appreciate Harriet's efforts as her inquiries are top rate. Strong investigation, but the rationale for wasting time and money by using the top gun seems unreal.

Harriet Klausner