In Review

04 December 2008 03:13 BST

Death Message by Mark Billingham

Published by Little Brown Book Group, out August 30th, hardback, 374 pages, £14.99.

In a nutshell…

London, gangs, crime, mobile murders

What's it all about?

London based Detective Inspector Tom Thorne receives a text out the blue from an unrecognised number. The text includes a poor quality picture but it is clear that the image shows a dead body. It isn't long before Thorne receives a second message including a photo of another body. The source of the messages soon becomes clear and a disturbing link to Thorne's past is unveiled.

Who's it by?

Mark Billingham has published six other books in the Thorne series. He has won the Sherlock award, the Theakston's crime novel of the year and been nominated for five CWA Daggers. He has also worked as a stand-up comedian and was the first human being ever to be seen on Spitting Image.

As an example…

"He went back to the picture and stared, feeling the pulse quicken at the side of his neck. Feeling that familiar, dreadful tickle, the buzz, building further round, at the nape. When it came to a lot of things, there were times when Thorne couldn't see what was staring him in the face; but this, for better or worse, was his area of expertise. Accountants were good with numbers, and Tom Thorne knew a dead man when he saw one," page 14.

Likelihood of becoming a Hollywood blockbuster

There has actually been a TV series commissioned based on the Thorne character, so considerable success awaits Billingham and his creation. The chances of this particular book however being made into an episode are low as its weak storyline would never stand to any kind of proper scrutiny.

What the others say

"Gripping stuff…the most interesting cop in British crime fiction at present" – the Times on DI Thorne.

So is it any good?

The seventh instalment of the Thorne series is an average attempt at a British crime novel. Its storyline is weak and the lead characters lack depth and are wholly disappointing. It appears that the influence of the TV commission has had an effect on author Billingham and the book's premise and dialogue reads like that of a bad film script rather than a gripping novel. The idea of an awful murderer texting pictures of his victims to our hero is laughable before you even begin to read the book. It smacks of running out of ideas in what appears to be already an overly stretched series. The portal of London is interesting at times but that is about it. There are far too many characters constantly added and you find yourself flicking back through the book to try and remember who everyone is.

Death Message is in conclusion a disappointing read. Billingham desperately tries to add layers to the story as the book progresses in the hope of improving a weak storyline and adding some much needed depth. However it all inevitably concludes in a disappointing fashion and the reservations you have before you start remain until the end. The book is unfortunately a very weak crime thriller. Billingham could and should have done better with this attempt.

4/10

Richard James