View source for To Die Alone by John Dean

{{infobox1
|title=To Die Alone
|author=John Dean
|reviewer=Sue Magee
|genre=Crime
|summary=A C I Jack Harris mystery which takes a long, hard look at animal cruelty.  Cautiously recommended.
|rating=3.5
|buy=Maybe
|borrow=Yes
|pages=224
|publisher=Robert Hale Ltd
|date=September 2010
|isbn=978-0709091141
|cover=0709091141
|aznuk=0709091141
|aznus=0709091141
}}

The bodies of a man and his dog are found in an isolated part of the northern hills.  The injuries, particularly to the dog are horrific and although it initially looks though the man might have died from accidental injuries it soon becomes obvious that he's been stabbed.  The victim – Trevor Meredith – has been acting strangely lately and it looks as though he might have been aware that he was in danger.  And where has his girl friend disappeared to?  More to the point, who, ''exactly'', is Trevor Meredith.  Chief Inspector Jack Harris and his team have their work cut out.

The thought that there might be a vicious dog on the loose brings panic.  Levton Bridge might be something of a backwater – well that's how some of the police team working there see it – but a second murderous assault rocks the hill-top community.  And why, ''exactly'' have some of the locals taken to fighting in the street over matters which they don't care to discuss with the constabulary.  The local vet isn't improving matters either.  On the face of it he looks quite respectable, but he seems to know, and be in thrall to, some strange people.  Beneath the quiet surface of the town there are quite a few guilty secrets.

It's a good story with a strong bias towards the problems of animal cruelty.  There's nothing gratuitously gory and unfortunately it does happen and there's an enlightening look at the underworld of dog fights, organised crime and trafficking in rare animals.  There's a real feeling of place about the book – it's set in that bit of the northern Pennines which could be Lancashire, Durham or Yorkshire, with equal pulls from Newcastle and Manchester.  You'll feel the wind and the rain – and smell the fresh air.

I liked Jack Harris although I never really got a feel for his private life.  There's a dog, a cottage and a difficult attitude about authority, although his boss is rather a caricature of a stuffed shirt.  Most appealing though is Detective Constable Alison Butterfield – she's got a real personality and I'd love to read more about her.  The plot was good, but a little convoluted in places and I certainly didn't expect the way that things turned out.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

If this book appeals then you might also enjoy [[A Fall from Grace by Robert Barnard]].

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