I have never read any of the Inspector Carlyle series by this author, but I picked up this novella a few years ago due to its setting in summer 1984 during the miners' strike, a seminal political experience during my young adult life as it was for many others of my generation. Carlyle is at this early point in his career a young constable sent up to Yorkshire, the heart of the dispute, with many others, to face the flying pickets and allow strikebreakers to get to work. This was a highly politicised time and this strike was very controversial and bitter, much more so than any recent industrial disputes have been. The plot revolves around the murder of Beatrice Slater, a politically active 78 year old lady, in a very clear echo of the real life Hilda Murrell case. No spoilers here, but the plot involves a lot of casual violence and simmering conflict and ends up with a tragic case of injustice. This said, I was only starting to warm slightly to Carlyle by the end, and didn't care for the other characters, so I don't feel particularly tempted to try any of the others. ( )

couldn't get into it. got confused with characters ( )

This novella represents a prequel to the John Carlyle series and details an episode during the Miners' Strike, very early in Carlyle's police career.
Fans of the series will be particularly interested by the portrayal of Carlyle's friend Dominic Silver who was already subsiding into a life of crime by 1984 when he was principal recreational pharmacist for the Met officers despatched to help police the picket lines.
This story is rather predictable but no less enjoyable for that, and forms a valuable addition to the oeuvre. ( )