Synopsis/blurb....
Nominated for England's Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger Award in 1986, You'd Better Believe It introduced Detective Chief Superintendent Colin Harpur to reader in England and the United States. Harpur's domain is a small seaport city south of London. It's not unusual for the big-town criminals to consider such a spot as easy prey. At such times a policeman must rely keenly upon his colleagues, to be sure, and also upon his retinue of narks (tipsters). This time it's a Lloyd's Bank branch that's the target. When the heist is postponed, a policeman is killed. One nark, then another, is murdered. As Harpur becomes driven to his limit, he must bypass regulations and settle things once and for all with a vicious crook named Holly. But not necessarily on his own terms.
The first in the author's thirty-plus long Harpur and Iles series and a re-read after first enjoying this one back in January, 2007. I'm guessing that the series comprises straightforward police procedurals with recurring characters as it goes on, but here in the opener we have a maverick cop trying to get to the bottom of a potential big robbery on his turf - a robbery which he views as a personal affront. So who knows what the rest of the series will bring.
A big heist, an outsider firm, planning, secrecy, informers, a false alarm, pressure from the higher-ups, a missing cop, an attractive wife, a dead body or two including a cop, a big cheese gangster, an off the cards meeting, a disagreement, breaking and entering, favour for favour, the robbery and the aftermath.
Great 80s time frame, a quirky writing style which demands you pay attention, off-beat humour, a roguish main character and a gripping story which maintained my interest throughout, before a decent conclusion. I'm interested in reading the second in the series sometime soon. (I'm definitely not leaving a 13 year gap before inevitably having to read this for a third time.)
4 from 5
Read - October, 2020
Published - 1985
Page count - 164
Source - owned copy
Format - hardback
I think this might be one of those books that appeal to both of us, Col. I like a good police procedural, and it sounds as though this one's got a sympathetic main character (some mavericks are really not appealing to me). The plot sounds solid and well-paced, too.
ReplyDeleteMargot, I'm curious myself to see how the series develops. It 's obviously one which has lasted and held some appeal for readers, which thirty plus books!
DeleteI've read a few of this series in my time. It all sounds so English, doesn't it, with the Lloyds Bank...
ReplyDeleteMoira, yes. How many years since Lloyds disappeared. Probably the same time I stopped shopping at C&A!
DeleteThe 1980s feel like a couple of lifetimes ago. Maybe I’ll give this one a try, Col.
ReplyDeleteElgin, I'll be curious for your take on it if you do.
DeleteI am just finishing TOP BANANA, which is No. 13 in the series, and it is the craziest police procedural I have ever read. Harpur's boss, Desmond Iles, is constantly taunting both him and their chief, Mark Lane, with hilariously filthy sarcastic remarks. Lane comes across as well meaning but incompetent. Harpur has to maneuver around both of them to reach a conclusion. Meanwhile we get several monologues by a local drug lord, Shell Mansel, who despite his profession says he's standing up for traditional values! The plot did NOT go the way I expected at all. That's a plus.
ReplyDeleteSorry, only just found your comment awaiting moderation. Thanks for reminding me its a series I ought to get back to. TOP BANANA sounds like a lot of fun!
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