This short story collection provided one of my best reading experiences of 2022. You won’t find it on my best of 2022 list because I only list novels on that list, but it is near the top of my personal best list. Reginald Hill is my second favorite crime writer (after Michael Connelly) so it should come as no surprise to you that I would think very highly of this recently published work. Even though it is only published in England, it is readily available in the U.S. from amazon.com ($21.62) and I would recommend it for your Christmas gift-giving list.

Here is my review:

DALZIEL and PASCOE Hunt the CHRISTMAS KILLER & Other Stories
by Reginald Hill
HarperCollins, £16.99, October
Rating: A
This is a volume of 11 short stories written by the masterful hand of Reginald Hill and finally collected in one anthology ten years after his death. Val McDermid writes a beautiful Foreward paying fitting tribute to one of crime fiction’s greats. She states, “I feel lucky to have called him a friend and I still miss him, still mourn the unwritten works.” She continues with this conclusion, “I hope you come away from them feeling as I do, that the chance to revisit Reginald Hill’s short stories is the best Christmas present any reader could ask for.” Amen.
I read these short stories over a period of about 2 weeks. I’d get up and before I got started on the day’s busy work, I’d sit down and read one of the stories. It proved to be a great way to start the day. It was such a pleasure to read Reg Hill’s beautiful prose and highly skilled use of language. Then there is the clever plotting and distinctive characters found in each gem of a story. Fans of his best series characters, Dalziel and Pascoe, will be delighted by the three stories that feature this duo of opposites. I’d be hard-pressed to pick a favorite story – they are all so good. Not just good, but delicious!

Merry Christmas!