Touched by the Dead - Hardcover

Barnard, Robert

3.52

166 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0002326841 ISBN 13: 9780002326841

Publisher: Collins Crime, 1999

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The latest subtle and absorbing mystery from Robert Barnard, a leading British crime writer who ‘has the habit of delighting his readers’ – Donna Leon, Sunday Times

Those two days in May seem to be a highpoint in Colin Pinnock’s life: a stunning election victory, a new govenment, and junior office for himself. But among the many congratulations he receives is one hostile message, a grubby card asking ‘Who do you think you are?’ Is this merely someone putting him back in his place, or do the words have a more profound meaning? Who, indeed, is he? And who were his real parents?
As Colin investigates these questions he is led back in time to an old political scandal: a murder case which led to a politician’s downfall and disappearance. Events in the present, however, start tangling with those of the past, and he finds himself the object of a series of incidents that at first seem designed to bring down his career with ridicule, but later actually threaten his life.
A beautifully written, intriguing mystery in which past crimes come back to haunt today’s innocents.

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Review:

‘Barnard’s graceful prose and keen wit add greatly to the joy to be had from the book, and, as always, he manages to pull off at least one shocker’
Sunday Times (of The Corpse at the Haworth Tandoori)

‘Robert Barnard is always original, never repeats himself and has a delectable wit’
Jessica Mann, Daily Telegraph

‘He plots a mystery as well as any writer alive’
Time Magazine

‘Barnard never disappoints. The psychological suspense is chilling’
The Times

From the Back Cover:

Those two days in May seem to be a highpoint in Colin Pinnock’s life: a stunning election victory, a new government, and junior office for himself. But among the many congratulations he receives is one hostile message, a grubby card asking, “ Who do you think you are?” Is this merely someone putting him back in his place, or do the words have a more profound meaning. And who, indeed, is he? Who were his real parents?

As Colin investigates these questions he is led back in time to an old political scandal: a ,urder case which led to a politician’s downfall and disappearance. Events in the present, however, start tangling with those of the past, and he finds himself the object of a series of incidents that at first seem designed to bring down his career with ridicule, but later actually threaten his life.

A beautifully written and intriguing mystery from one of our foremost crime writers.

PRAISE FOR ROBERT BARNARD

“He plots a mystery as well as any other writer alive”
TIME MAGAZINE

NO PLACE OF SAFETY

“Very appealing ...sensitively written”
T.J. BINYON, 'Evening Standard'

“Nicely drawn characters”
MICHAEL PAINTER, 'Irish Times'

THE BAD SAMARITAN

“Robert Barnard’s talent is fascinatingly on show in 'The Bad Samaritan'”
JOHN COLEMAN, 'Sunday Times'

“Barnard is a dab hand with his peppermint and prayer-book bitchery “
PHILIP OAKES, 'Literary Review'

THE MASTERS OF THE HOUSE

“Barnard never disappoints. The psychological suspense is chilling”
MARCEL BERLINS,'The Times'

“Barnard at the very top of his form in an inner-city version of Babes in the Wood”
GERALD KAUFMAN, 'Scotsman'