Product Description

Bones where there should be none and a chilling warning of an imminent killing challenge Detectives Ben Cooper and Diane Fry in their sixth novel. "This death will be a model of perfection. The details will be precise, the conception immaculate, the execution flawless!" When a caller taunts the police with talk of a 'dead place' and the threat of an imminent killing, most think it's a sick hoax. But Detective Diane Fry is sure there's a murderer at work. And when the voice calmly invites them to meet the 'flesh eater', Fry fears it may be too late. Meanwhile, her colleague DC Ben Cooper is investigating Derbyshire's first case of body snatching, entering the macabre world of those whose lives revolve around the deceased and their disposal. But does an obsession with death make for a killer? And what horrors will greet them when they finally find the dead place?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43386 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 608 pages

Review
Praise for 'The Dead Place': 'A dark Derbyshire mystery!not for the squeamish' Daily Mail 'A thoroughly enjoyable book from one of Britain's best crime writers' Sunday Telegraph Praise for Stephen Booth: 'A leading light of British crime writing' Guardian 'Endows the traditional crime story with a literary strength that lifts it above the general ruck! He gives a satisfying read rather than a quick fix' Independent 'Stephen Booth is an author to keep an eye on' Evening Standard 'In this atmospheric debut, Stephen Booth makes high summer in Derbyshire as dark and terrifying as midwinter' Val McDermid 'Black Dog sinks its teeth into you and doesn't let go ! A dark star may be born!' Reginald Hill 'Best traditional crime novel of the year' Independent, Books of the Year 'Endows the traditional crime story with a literary strength that lifts it above the general ruck! He gives a satisfying read rather than a quick fix' Independent 'Stephen Booth creates a fine sense of place and atmosphere!the unguessable solution to the crime comes as a real surprise' Sunday Telegraph 'The complex relationship between [Cooper and Fry] is excellently drawn, and is combined with an intriguing plot and a real sense of place: Stephen Booth is an author to keep an eye on' Evening Standar

Maxim Jakubowski, Guardian
'A leading light of British crime writing'

Sunday Telegraph
"Another thoroughly enjoyable book from one of Britain's best crime writers."

Customer Reviews

Peak thrillers keep getting better
Another Fry and Cooper mystery set in and amongst the world of undertakers. Very morbid but still fascinating. The chemistry between the two leads in there for all to see, except the leads! The descriptions of the Peaks are evocative and imaginative, they feel claustrophobic and engulf everything and anything - excellent. Cant wait for the sixth volume in the summer

Darkness and Intrigue!
I know full well, that the title of my review sounds like an ad for a brand of choc ice, but please rest assured dear readers that this novel is nothing even remotely similar to anything nice and tasty! But it is infact, very dark and full of intrigue. It is one of a series of the Peak murder mystery series featuring detectives Diane Fry and Ben Cooper. It is the first of the series that I have read. Although the first novel (Black Dog) currently sits upon my bookshelf unread I was immediately attracted to this one. The story is based upon a series of murders within the Derbyshire Peak District and a quite complicated investigation carried out by the aforementioned detctives and their team. If you really do like a bit of morbidity and you are not afraid to delve into the daily workings and the 'goings on' in the funeral parlour and crematorioum industry then this novel will be right up your street! To give you an idea of the subject matter, by chapter two alone we are already onboard with two undertakers as they proceed to perform a 'removal' (collection of a recently deceased person). All the gory details are provided even to the extent of the procedures which are undertaken within the 'cremation suite'.
I did find the investigation side of things a bit on the heavy side but then thats me, not the book. Those of you who like a good puzzle will appreciate that. I also enjoyed the characters involved not only the Detectives but also the characters that we happen upon as the investigations proceed.
Whilst primarily very dark throughout there are also one or two rays of sunshine where Mr.Booth does demonstrate that he can easily and skilfully inject some humour. Not to forget of course the wonderfull descriptions of the wild but beautiful peak district. Oh and by the way, the book does include some very grizzly websites including something called the Deathclock which following the input of some of your personal details will predict how long you'll live. What more could you ask for?! Enjoy the book!

Quality Crime Writing
Bought on a whim for the sake of having something (anything) to read. I was immediately hooked. The writing is excellent, characters well developed pacey enough to keeop you turning the pages without having to resort to ridiculous and contrived plotlines. Well worth a look.