This is number four of the Charlie Resnick series. This series grows on a reader and for those that enjoy books with stories with a large amount of back story and development, then this series is for that type of reader. Also, readers that enjoy this author and Charlie Resnick would most likely enjoy books by Ian Rankin (Rebus series) and Henning Mankell (Wallender series). I am kind of surprised how often these three authors are not mentioned in the same breath. Off Minor deals with the subject matter of a child murder investigation. Harvey has a practice of developing characters, both the vile ones and decent ones, in a way that does not turn them into simple, plot based characters created to simply drive a plot forward. This is not to say he makes villains likeable, but he does develop them to breathe life into them. One thing odd about Harvey's writing to this reader is how his books appear to sometimes abruptly end, but that may be to show that this is really about a string of related tales involving people over a period of time instead of tying each book up in a neat, tiny bow. Another thing I like about authors like Harvey is how when be brings up a part in a book from one of his previous books, he offers just enough information to remind the reader in case the reader has forgotten the exact details of the previous book.
Spoiler alert!In many ways this book is a five-star, but there was less in this book about Resnick's personal life, and since I have a crush on him, I can give it only a four star.You do learn a lot about other characters in the book, which is great. Harvey sometimes will break up a chapter by including two or three paragraph vignettes abuot what a character is doing or thinking at a particular moment. These vignettes, sometimes written back-to-back give you great insight into the characters and
What do You think about Off Minor (1996)?
One little girl is murdered. Another has gone missing. Resnick's squad searches for the killer, unsure whether the cases are related or coincidental. It's another solid entry in the series. The mix of policing and personal stories continues to be well balanced and each illuminates the other. There is one memorably creepy minor character - Raymond the butcher's boy. The narrative shifts between police, victim families and possible villains keep the story engaging. The ending is a surprise. The music and the sandwiches a bonus.
—Monica
