what a romp. seems like Hill just keeps getting more innovative with this series. can he really be forty years in? and it's kinda infectious when he's so clearly having fun. so here: have you heard, the bird is the word, no wait, the word is the bird... the whole thing's a word game from start to finish. paronomania: word-play + MANIA - and as it turns out, the writer can even sell the dictionary. so naturally there are two completely different solutions to the mystery offered up too in the end(s), which seems a fine offering in the spirit of/meaning of dialogue. in which case, who dies, eh? eh?*g* ( )

This is the most exuberant and complicated of the D&P novels so far — it probably goes a bit too far for many readers in its riot of wordplay and literary allusions, but if you like this sort of thing (and I do) then this is certainly the sort of thing you will like. As others have said, it perhaps wouldn't do to look too closely at the detail of the various crimes here: this isn't intended as a realistic police procedural. For me, the only real weakness was the introduction of DC "Hat" Bowler as the main viewpoint character. He doesn't make a convincing policeman, and isn't interesting enough as a character to carry a whole novel. Dalziel, Wield and the Pascoes, who are, get pushed into the background too much as a result. ( )

Even the best detectives get it wrong sometimes and in this play with words, Dalziel and Pascoe are out thought from the beginning.
Like the imaginary word game, Paronomania, this book abounds with clues (literally from the title page on). If you read it and pick up upon them, you'll know the solution before the last few pages but, I confess that Reg Hill weaves such a web of obfuscation that I was left repeating,"Oh,yes!" as the final paragraphs explained the obvious, but unattained solution.
In some ways, this is the most conventional whodunnit in the impressive series and yet, it too is a word gsme to rival the infamous times crossword puzzle.
I suspect that, if one looks too closely, there may be plot faults. A second reading may leave one questioning how the perpetrator could have committed some of the crimes but, I have not checked because a Reg Hill book is greater than the sum of its parts: this is a wonderful read and stretches ones intellect so, if they exist, a few plot flaws are as nothing. ( )

A novel where Reg Hill overdoes it by trying to be too clever by half with his literary references. ( )

great plot, usual good characterisation, many subtle literary jests ( )