I'll say from the get-go that at no point did I think this title was appropriate at all. The phrase "lazy bones" was mentioned once I think and it had nothing to do with anything. It's entirely possible I missed the point, but I thought this was poorly titled.Luckily, this book was excellent in every other way. I've not read the two books that proceed this one (Scaredy Cat and Sleepyhead) so I wasn't familiar with the character of Detective Inspector Tom Thorne. Luckily, unlike the worst mystery novel I've ever read (Ammunition) this book didn't rely extensively on previous ones to fill in the gaps for you. I got a clear picture of who Thorne was from just this book and made me want to read past ones (again, unlike Ammunition).The supporting cast is well fleshed out, almost to a point of distraction sometimes. While I enjoyed learning more about Holland or Hendricks or Brigstocke, etc. sometimes it did feel as if the story was ramping them up either for a twist or a spin-off. But again, luckily all the extra scenes focusing on them were still entertaining so it wasn't a waste.The pacing is excellent, the moments of revelation and breakthroughs that occur in the cases feel earned (in that once Thorne noticed something, I understood both why he noticed it at that moment and why he hadn't earlier; it's nice to not go, "Oh, well obviously" or "well, I feel dumb" when clues are pieced together), and the book doesn't shy away from the reality that murder cases can take a while to solve.I also really enjoyed the italicized parts at the beginning of every chapter for about half the book. It was disorienting at first, but naturally, it all comes together as you realize you're learning about the killer's backstory and then seeing things from his perspective. I found myself going back and re-reading a few once more pieces were falling into place, seeing if I could see where it was going first.In the end, I was about half right on the identity of the killer (no spoilers). The killer's explanation speech did feel a bit "and here's how I did it!" but it was necessary. The only real downside is that the novel ends a chapter after this speech. There's no real time spent on the fallout of this case (and believe me, there should be fallout for those involved). I felt kind of robbed especially after how invested Thorne was in the whole situation.There were one or two mentions to his previous cases (in Scaredy Cat and Sleepyhead) so hopefully the next novel (I have yet to look up what it is) will deal with this some more. I don't need it to dwell on it forever, but I'll be disappointed if the force is "back to the status quo" after this case.I debated about whether to give this 4 or 5 stars because again, the ending was kind of abrupt. But then I remembered how fast I was skimming parts near the end, once I'd more or less deduced the killer's identity and was desperate to see how those involved would find out. You can tell that Billingham is stringing us along, jumping between two different perspectives as one characters gets close to the truth in a way that you know he'll recognize the killer. So in a sense, I felt that was wasted space since I was skimming it, but if I was so invested that I was essentially hitting the fast-forward button to see what happens next? Well, that's a 5-star mystery novel for me.I believe this is currently my highest ranked mystery novel and Billingham deserves all the praise he can get.
The third in the Thorne series concerns vigilantism and a horrific cold case with repercussions for the present.Lazybones disturbs and entertains in equal measure. We also learn more about Billingham’s main character, Thorne. He is not the macho archetype of the first couple of novels, but rather a multi-layered and more complex individual. Here he is much more sensitive and vulnerable – has he found someone at last to share a solid relationship with?Holland and Hendricks are both on fine form again and bounce off Thorne very well. They are all very different people but share a camaraderie through experience and shared knowledge. I am pleased that Billingham devotes time on these supporting characters and does not just focus on Thorne. Because of this they are more believable and not mere foils. Holland is dealing not just with the stresses of his job, but also with impending fatherhood; whereas Hendricks is coping with his on-off relationships.Thorne of course is still into his country and western music, strong lager and Spurs – but he is also having to deal with his beloved father’s increasing ill-health and dementia.This is not just about the case then, which makes this a cut above your standard crime fare. I like and care about these people, which is hugely important to the direction and development of the story.I was equally intrigued and repelled by the plot – there is plenty of mystery and action. The only thing that lets this down slightly is that I had managed to work out what was going on before the final pay off – yet this was still an exhilarating read.On this evidence, I am certain that Billingham will continue to provide us with engaging and hard-hitting contemporary British crime thrillers.
What do You think about Lazybones (2015)?
LAZYBONES (Police Proc-Tom Thorne-England-Cont) – VGBillingham, Mark – 3rd in seriesLittle, Brown, 2003, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 0316724939First Sentence: 13 March Dearest Dougie, I’m sorry about this being another typed letter, but as I explained before, it’s difficult for me to write to you from home, so I do it at work when the boss isn’t looking, or in my lunch hour (like today!) or whatever.*** When the brutally murdered body of an ex-con, just released for rape, is found, DI Tom Thorne and his fellow officers need to investigate the present, and the past, to find the killer. The stakes get higher with a second murder and a third. Trying to start a new relationship and worrying about his father’s health, Thorne doesn’t expect this to be a care that may cost him his life.*** This book started off a bit slow and I wasn’t certain quite what was going on or how it fit together. It didn’t take long, however, before I was completely absorbed in the story. Billingham creates visual pictures. While Thorne is the protagonist and you do get to know more about him in this book, the supporting characters are fully dimensional to where it almost reads as an ensemble cast. The plot is built like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces coming into place one-by-one until the last tragic and frightening piece creating the whole picture. This series has grown on me, but this is the best I’ve read so far and I’m looking forward to the next.
—LJ
Maybe you need to be in the right mood to tolerate the volume of verbal violence and the never-ending angst -- I mean seriously, people, stop whinging and be a man -- of the characters, but I found it a little tedious. Maybe it helps too if your life is tickety-boo and not full of your own angst! So trying to set that aside, I still liked the book. The characters emerged from the book as fully-formed alive individuals, and the plot was suitably convoluted with wonderful huge, honking clues that could or could not lead you down the right path. I figured out fairly quickly where to look for the who in whodunnit. But I was pleasantly surprised at the final reveal. I say pleasantly because a good mystery is one where the writer stays ahead of the reader or enough ahead that at least you don't solve it in chapter one.Even though I had not read the previous books in this series, it didn't make a difference other than I knew I was missing the continuing story of some of the regular characters. But they're drawn so well that you could follow along well enough.
—Shireen
Finished reading: Lazy Bones / Mark Billingham .... 22 August 2015ISBN: 9780751548761This is the third in the DI Thorne series. I only guessed at bits of it – although that is more than usual! It was an OK read and I'll read the next two in the series because I already own them but after that .... I'd be happy to watch them on TV and leave it at that. On what I've read so far, picking up any one title in the series would be a pretty good one-off read, but that might be enough.The side issues / story lines aren't carrying through the series so remain inconclusive distractions. And the formula is established: go around in circles until the killer/s target Thorne, Thorne is rescued at the last minute, the baddies are caught.Sorry I'm not more enthusiastic about this because I was really enthused after reading the first Thorne book.
—MargCal
