A mesmerizing and thrilling novel—perfect for fans of Tana French and Stieg Larsson—that introduces a modern, unforgettable rookie cop whose past is as fascinating and as deadly as the crimes she investigates. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Boston Globe • The Seattle Times SHE KNOWS WHAT IT’S LIKE. . . . At first, the murder scene appears sad, but not unusual: a young woman undone by drugs and prostitution, her six-year-old daughter dead alongside her. But then detectives find a strange piece of evidence in the squalid house: the platinum credit card of a very wealthy—and long dead—steel tycoon. What is a heroin-addicted hooker doing with the credit card of a well-known and powerful man who died months ago? This is the question that the most junior member of the investigative team, Detective Constable Fiona Griffiths, is assigned to answer. But D.C. Griffiths is no ordinary cop. She’s earned a reputation at police headquarters in Cardiff, Wales, for being odd, for not picking up on social cues, for being a little overintense. And there’s that gap in her past, the two-year hiatus that everyone assumes was a breakdown. But Fiona is a crack investigator, quick and intuitive. She is immediately drawn to the crime scene, and to the tragic face of the six-year-old girl, who she is certain has something to tell her . . . something that will break the case wide open. Ignoring orders and protocol, Fiona begins to explore far beyond the rich man’s credit card and into the secrets of her seaside city. And when she uncovers another dead prostitute, Fiona knows that she’s only begun to scratch the surface of a dark world of crime and murder. But the deeper she digs, the more danger she risks—not just from criminals and killers but from her own past . . . and the abyss that threatens to pull her back at any time. Praise for Talking to the Dead “Gritty, compelling . . . a procedural unlike any other you are likely to read this year.”—USA Today “With Detective Constable Fiona ‘Fi’ Griffiths, Harry Bingham . . . finds a sweet spot in crime fiction . . . think Stieg Larsson’s Lisbeth Salander . . . Denise Mina’s ‘Paddy’ Meehan [or] Lee Child’s Jack Reacher. . . . The writing is terrific.”—The Boston Globe “The mystery-thriller genre is already so staffed with masterminds that it’s hard to make room for another. But along comes a book like Talking to the Dead, and suddenly an unadvertised opening is filled. . . . [This] has the feel of something fresh and compelling.”—New York Daily News “A stunner with precision plotting, an unusual setting, and a deeply complex protagonist . . . We have the welcome promise of more books to come about Griffiths.”—The Seattle Times “Recommended highly . . . [a] riveting procedural thriller.”—Library Journal (starred review)
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"Once in a while I stumble across a writer I haven't heard of and am impressed with the quality of their writing. Bingham has written several books, but this police procedural is one which draws the reader in and doesn't let go. I remember when a child I would stay up most of the night because I couldn't put a book down. This is one of those. Not too happy with mystery writers' need to lean toward the absurd and create superhuman characters--a la Dragon Tattoo. But this is only a 3 on that scale."
— Errol (4 out of 5 stars)
" A lot better than I thought it would be. Didn't rock my world or anything but it was a quick, interesting read. "
— Nevermore, 2/15/2014" It took me a while to get into this book. I found it confusing at first, but some where along the way I feel in love with Fiona and her "I'll just go ahead and do it because it needs done and nobody is listening to me" attitude and now I can't stop thinking about her. "
— Theresa, 1/26/2014" Imagine Lizbeth Salander had been brought up in a nice family. Still off, still doesn't play by the rules but not as violent and angry. "
— Sarah, 1/25/2014" Could not get into would give it a 2.5 at the most. "
— Denise, 1/24/2014" Complex, amusing, enjoyable murder mystery that catches your interest early on. Also a plus when I learn something new from what I've read. "
— Rose, 1/16/2014" Compelling like Tana French. The ending of the case was a little "big" for me - too much like TV or a movie, but the writing was excellent, and the narrator's voice kept me turning the pages. "
— Pattie, 12/9/2013" You can read my thoughts here. (3.5/5) "
— Joy, 10/5/2013" Odd book. Odd heroine. Slow to get into. Set in Wales with weird difficult to pronounce(even to yourself, reading without moving your lips!) names and places. But still, I could not quite put it down. I would actually give it 3.5 stars. Probably won't read the next one "
— Jeri, 9/24/2013" Yet another fictional character I wish were real. "
— Mike, 9/24/2013" just didn't love it. The main character was kind of annoying. "
— Kathy, 8/28/2013" Interesting character....interested in knowing more about her. I seem to be hooked on British police mysteries...not sure how I got here! "
— Julie, 8/14/2013" This was just okay. I didn't care enough about the main character. "
— Sue, 3/9/2013" I love the main character Fiona Griffiths and the book was a real page turner. I can't wait for the next one. This is now one of my favorite books ever. "
— William, 1/29/2013Harry Bingham is an author and literary consultant who runs the UK’s largest literary consultancy firm, The Writers’ Workshop. He has been longlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and shortlisted for the WH Smith Thumping Good Read Award. He currently resides in Oxfordshire.
Siriol Jenkins is an actress voice-over artist who has worked in television, animation, and film. Her acting credits include the feature film A Way of Life and the television shows Stella and Testament: The Bible in Animation.