Talking to the Dead: A Novel (edition 2012)

Almost a four but slow in places. ( )

I wasn't sure what to expect from Talking to the Dead, but I was blown away. D.C. Fiona Griffiths will be compared to Carol O'Connell's Mallory, but she's her own person with her own set of issues and weaknesses and many strengths. It's obvious from the beginning that something is off with her, but Mr. Bingham doesn't slam you over the head with her difference and this makes the mystery more compelling - the mystery of her and the mystery she's working to solve.

Fiona is a Cambridge graduate with a brilliant analytical mind. She finds her initial work on the police force stultifying - how interesting can forensic accounting really be when you aren't a forensic accountant? When a child and her mother are found dead in a squat, Fiona is captivated and begins to insert herself into the investigation finding unexpected links and causing lots and lots of mayhem.

Fiona isn't one note. Her character is well-developed and seeing the events of the book through her eyes is pretty amazing. Her intellect and attention to detail and essential vulnerability make you want to cheer her on and to protect her from herself and the rest of the world. With the beginnings of some great secondary characters, Mr. Bingham's got himself a great series going if he wants to continue the story. If he doesn't the work stands on its own. Much enjoyment to be had in reading this one! ( )

new fiction M Bingham

D.C Fiona Griffiths is a very interesting cop. She seems disconnected from her feelings and throughout the book we learn that she was institutionalized as a teen and though she appears fragile, she goes above and beyond to try and catch the killer or killers of a young mother who was trying to get clean and provide a decent life for her little girl. They are murdered in a horrendous fashion. Her supervisor knows Fiona has a habit of going off book and tries to reign her in but he knows she gets results.
For the most part this was quite enjoyable. Though I found Fiona a bit disconcerting with her intensity. But it began to make sense as the novel progressed and i think and hope it was providing background for a new series. I would definitely read another book with this character. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of first year Detective Constable Fiona Griffith of the South Wales Police Force. At barely over five feet tall she is not an imposing figure, but more than makes up for it in determination. She is not one to take readily to orders and often thinks outside the box. She does however want to keep her newly won position, so she is burying her head in financial figures trying to uncover the embezzlement trail of an ex-police officer. She finds some relief from this drudgery, when a double homicide is called in to the office. A prostitute and her young daughter have been brutally murdered. Fiona is assigned only a small part of the investigation. She finds herself drawn to the young girl whose skull has been crushed in and the mystery surrounding her death. Fiona is hiding her own mysteries. As a teenager she had a complete breakdown. For a long period of time she felt that she was dead. She was out of touch with reality and spent a lot of time under psychiatric care. Even now she has times when she is more comfortable around the dead than the living. Fiona must face her past as well as the dangerous threats of the present if she is going to find the murderer. This book provided for review by Delacorte Press. ( )