An interesting trend I’ve noticed with many crime fiction readers is how much we like to start a series 
with the first book that was written. I can understand why this is the case: with long series especially, characters develop over time and you can only properly appreciate this if you start at the beginning. That said, I’m never able to read a series in order. Time and work pressures mean I tend to grab whatever book is going and I’m lucky if I have read a complete series. This is the case with David Mark’s novels set in Hull. I read the first book, The Dark Winter, which rightly had plaudits heaped upon it. I missed reading its sequel but can happily say that it made no difference to my enjoyment of the latest installment, Sorrow Bound.
Hull based policeman DS Aector McAvoy is investigating the murder of a woman found eviscerated on a patch of land. While suspicion initially falls on her former partner, another murder in a similar vein suggests there is a serial killer on the loose. But the team are also investigating the work of a local drugs boss under whose command violence is escalating in the local community. When a member of the police team is filmed in a compromising sexual encounter, not only is the investigation under threat but the lives of Aector’s family and friends.
What elevates David Mark’s books above other police procedurals is the strength of characterisation. This is most notable in Roisin, the wife of Aector, who comes from a traveller background and was the victim of a violent attack within that community. Rescued by Aector, she never comes across as a victim and we see the strength of her personality, not only through her actions but from the love of her husband and the respect she garners from his colleagues and her friends. The police team members are also well drawn: Detective Superintendent Trish Pharaoh in particular, with her complicated family life and brash personality, stands out.
The complexity of Mark’s writing is also apparent in how the setting is used. The city of Hull is not just stereotypical sink estates and run down factories, although we do get plenty of these. We also see other aspects of the region: a hamlet in East Yorkshire with its mullion windowed manor house and the bridle paths surrounding the city.
There’s a strong sense of friendship and community that holds this book together. To write anymore about this would be to give too much of the plot away but the book has a big heart and the dominant theme is one of love and solidarity in desperate circumstances.
For those who haven’t read any of Mark’s books, I’d recommend them wholeheartedly. And yes, you can start with this one.
Thanks to Quercus for my review copy. Sorrow Bound is published on the 3rd April.
Great review I have this on my TBR 🙂
I’ll look out for your review Cleopatra!
Interesting Sarah – I read the first one and absolutely loved it, it was one of my crime books of the year. But the second one not so much – I found the sex & violence wearisome, I’d more than had enough by the end, and thought I wouldn’t hurry to read the next one. So maybe I should have done as you did and skipped it and gone on to this one… which does sound good. I’ll be interested to read others’ comments on the series.
Thanks Moira and I’ll be interested to read your review if you do read it. I think the sense of place is strongest in this book.
Thanks for the recommendation Sarah
🙂
As always, it’s the narrative voice that I notice first in any new series and that was what drew me to Mark’s work. I agree that the second wasn’t as strong as the first but am very much looking forward to this one which is getting strong reviews all round.
It’s a good book with excellent characters. I didn’t read book 2 do can’t comment on that…
I love David Marks writing and I’m glad to hear this comes with such a glowing review.
Thanks Rebecca. It’s a lovely book and very well written.
Like you, I’ve read the first and missed out on the second, so it’s good to know that you can read them out of order. I’ve read most of my favourite series (Rebus, Zen, Morse) that way.
Me too. I think the only series I’ve read in order is Camilleri’s.
Sarah – That’s such a tricky thing to accomplish – to write a series in which the characters grow and evolve, but where you still can read the series out of chronological order. I’m glad you were able to do that here and that you enjoyed this novel.
Thanks Margot.
Well, I had planned to read them all in order (I did read the first one0, but maybe I will skip the second one. Hope to read this one in the next few months.
Great, Tracy. I’ll keep an eye out for the review too.
I’ve only read the second and won’t read any more. I found it one of the most unpleasant reads for a long time – constant graphic sex and violence, not to mention the foullest language I’ve come across in a novel. It seems from the comments that I picked the worst one, but I’m afraid it’s put me off Mark for good.
Oh dear 😦
Sarah, with a strong recommendation from you, I’ll definitely look up David Mark’s novels. I usually don’t read many series books.
Thanks for the new author (to me), Sarah. I’ve a soft spot for Hull – a much maligned place in my opinion – and your review is so intriguing I’ve just downloaded two of his books (I’m giving the second one a miss at the moment following the comments here!)
I have to confess I’ve never been to Hull, Alison. Although if I don’t make it by 2017, I’ll go when it’s the City of Culture. Hope you like the books x
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My review coming very soon over on my blog but I’d say a couple of things:
1) I actually thought Original Skin was better than Dark Winter – the opening sequence is grim but worth persevering past
2) I do think these need to be read in order. The characters are growing as we read about them and if you enjoyed the first one, I’d read Original Skin before this one. And you’ll have to read the next one, whenever it comes out…
Thanks! I’ll look out for your review.
It’s interesting to read the comments to your review. As you’ll know from my blog, I generally stay away from “dark” material but I find David’s work mesmerising. He does have a habit of putting the most gruesome crime right at the beginning of the book, which might put people off – or lure them in, depending on their tastes, I suppose.
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