A Death in Spring: 1968

I would like to thank Netgalley and Matador for a review copy of Death In Spring: 1968, second novel in the Handsworth quartet to feature Constables Collins and Clark.

It is 1968, 5 years after the first novel Death In Winter: 1963, and our 2 heroes are living the good life with Clark about to become a father and Collins, now a detective, living blissfully with Agnes. Their professional life is just as satisfying, but decidedly more dangerous as a series of small incidents lead to them tangling with organised crime while, at the same time, hunting down a serial killer.

What a joy this novel is to read. There is non stop action and intrigue to keep you turning the pages and two very likeable protagonists with some good repartee to keep you warm and amused.

The plot held my attention throughout. Mr McGrath never loses sight of of his main plot lines but also keeps it real with the duo investigating or dealing with other cases along the way, some of which turn out to be either relevant or on the periphery of their main investigations, other have no bearing at all but have to be dealt with as part of their job. It is cleverly done.

Clark and Collins are wonderful creations. They are a real team who continue their friendship in their home life. Clark is a lethal ex-commando who can and will take on all comers if and when required but he is also smart, funny, compassionate, caring and a rampant West Bromwich Albion fan. Collins is the quieter one but no less ruthless when he has to be. He is often Clark's straightman but can give as good as he can get. Again he is smart, caring and compassionate but not a Baggies fan. Their humour is very down to earth, realistic and had me chortling.

The setting is excellent with lots of authentic detail, like 2/11 for a pair of newfangled tights. It seems to me that Mr McGrath does an excellent job with the attitudes of the time. Homosexuality has been recently legalised but homophobia is still the norm and domestic violence is still regarded as a personal rather than a police issue. He pulls no punches on these issues and while it may make for uncomfortable reading to modern sensibilities I think he does an amazing job.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Death In Winter: 1968 and have no hesitation in recommending it as an excellent read. Hurry up with the next one Jim!

The 2nd installment in the Handsworth Quartet is even better than the 1st one.
Collins and Clark are investigating the multiple murders of homosexual men and even though homosexuality was decriminalized in 1967, the stigma is still pronounced and the powers that be aren't particularly interested in solving the murders, let alone linking them together. Collins and Clark are working around the clock to bring the perpetrator (s) to justice, when they also get embroiled in another situation, one that may well get them killed. A London mob boss is working on adding Birmingham to his network and will obliterate anyone who stands in his way.
The atmospheric feel of place and time is so enjoyable and Collins and Clark make for such a pleasant change from the gloom and doom policemen who people most books, that I cannot wait for the 3rd boo, which comes out this year and will be set in 1970. The two men have happy, stable private lives, an excellent work ethics and are ferocious in a scrap. Add to that their banter, their deep friendship, the lack of cellphones and other modern paraphernalia and you have a must-read series.
Thank you, Netgalley, Matador and Jim McGrath for the eARC.

Having read A Death in Winter: 1963 with great pleasure, I’m happy to say that A Death in Spring: 1968 is equally good. Michael Collins is still in a happy relationship with Agnes and working together with Clark as an unstoppable team. Clark is about to become a father and he is very much looking forward tot hat. They will need each other even more in this second book in the series, because not only is there a real serial killer on the loose, half of the underworld of Birmingham is out to get Collins and Clark because they are likely to shut down most of the criminal dealings the criminals worked so hard for to establish ;-)
What I liked about the book is that there are multiple storylines, that during the book come together nicely. I hope I don’t spoil anything as I say that I also liked that not all twists and turns in the plot are in the last part of the book. This makes a nicely balanced story, not only with interesting characters but also with a good insight in how society worked by the end of the sixties. When four young homosexuals are murdered, it takes Collins and Clark a lot of trouble to convince their own boss that something needs to be done. Just one short generation ago homosexuality was totally unacceptable – and it is a pity it still sometimes is.
Jim McGrath knows how to make his characters interesting and alive, not only Collins and Clark but Agnes, Ruth and all colleagues at CID. Even the poor prostitutes get their own voice.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to download this book.