Cover copy calls this a work of intricacy, precision and psychological complexity. I cannot agree more emphatically. Yes, it's another in what one hopes is an endless line of Dalziel and Pascoe mysteries. And yes, it contains powerful, evocative writing."Here four men labored with shovels, their faces wrapped with scarves, not for disguise but as barrier against the stench of the decaying bat droppings they disturbed, while high above them a sea of leathery bodies rippled and whispered uneasily as the sound of digging and the glow of bull-lamps drifted up to the natural vault." Peter Pascoe's wife, Ellie, is hard at work on her book. Yes, she's hoping to be a published author one day. And then, abruptly, inexplicably, there is an abduction attempt on her. Though the attempt is thwarted by Ellie's nimble-mindedness, the act sets in motion a vast, complex investigation and a plot that ranges over wide spaces of the English coastal area and pits D&P against some very nasty characters. Adding to the complications are difficulties over jurisdictional questions affecting the National Interest.This is a complex story with a large cast of interesting characters and a strong sub-plot. It is an excellent novel by an excellent writer. Hill handles his characters, his plot and his setting with consummate skill. .More than ten years old now, its well worth seeking out.
This one was annoying to me. I have enjoyed the Dalziel and Pascoe books I've read but this one was just annoying. I skipped a lot of pages. The plot was too much, with lots of obscure scene setting. A lot of characters and confusing to keep some of them separate, especially as Hill was obviously at pains to keep things confusing. Ellie, Pascoe's wife, is writing a novel, trying to get published -- and surprising does get the book accepted. This book contains multiple -- and lengthy -- excerpts from Ellie's novel, and they were boring and not really well-written on top of that. Added nothing to Hill's book for me -- although I could just be cranky and unable to see the literary merit of using the novel's excerpts. The main plot was another interesting one; Hill does have imagination and a good writing style (except for deliberate obfuscation in unraveling the plot until the end when he ties things together, sometimes better than others). I would have preferred a more straightforward approach, keeping things interesting without finding myself scratching my head in confusion or feeling I needed to keep notes. I read these kinds of novels for fun. Hill is a good writer, uses language well and creates interesting and involving plots, but this one fell very short for me.
What do You think about Arms And The Women (2001)?
I was pleased to find a Dalziel and Pascoe book I had not previously read...especially as this one has Pascoe's wife Elly plays a central role...hence the witty title. Ellie is being threatened and the detectives must find a safe location for her and their daughter while tracking the the criminals who may be connected to an organisation similar to Amnesty International to which Ellie belongs. Franny Roote...Pascoe's creepy Nemesis plays a role....as does MI5. Written in Hill's inimitable style, this is an great read.
—Dot
I have read most of this series at least twice but although I read this book when it first came out I had not seen it in the library again. So I was very pleased to see this in a friend's flat and took the opportunity to borrow it to read it for a second time. I think my two favourite books in this series are "Pictures of perfection" and "On Beaulah Height" and sadly the author could not write anything as powerful again. However this is a great read and certainly much much better than the following two books in the series which whilst cleverly written were pretty disappointing. Ellie Pascoe is the central character in this book which also features some of Ellie's own fictional writing. "Arms and the women" is an exciting story with a satisfying happy ending and while some grim things happen there are some passages which are so funny I just had to put the book down and roar with laughter.
—Rog Harrison
Dalziel and Pascoe just get better and better! But what made this one even more enjoyable was the light shone on Mrs. Peter Pascoe - Ellie. The book had a wonderfully intricate plot as well as snippets of a book Ellie is writing that plays with the characters of the Odyssey and the Aeneid. (It was kinda funny since I watched the opera Les Troyens while reading this book and it was based on The Aeneid!)In this book Ellie is threatened and Dalziel & Pascoe have to figure out what is going on.
—Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated"
