Frank Elder has to investigate when his daughter turns up on his doorstep. She has long been troubled and has started to harm herself. She has broken up with her artist boyfriend who is found dead and suspicion falls on her. Elder tries to uncover the truth but terrors from the past threaten them both

The first frank elder book that I’ve read. Took me a while to get into the writing style but had a good storyline. Thanks for the opportunity to read

It took me quite some time to get into this story, and i found the ending very surprising. without giving anything away the book has a very sad ending but i did find it an enjoyable read.

First Sentence: The house was at the edge of the village, the last in a row of stubby stone-built cottages backing onto fields which led down to the sea.

Retired policeman Frank Elder hasn't seen his daughter for a while, so is surprised when she shows up with bandages on her wrist. Unwilling to talk about it, Katherine stays two days, and is gone, with events of Katy's past still being a major wedge between them. Frank wants to help, which leads him into the world of painters and life modeling. Yet once a cop means you never know what danger may lie in wait.

The recounting of what happened to Katherine when younger is succinct and very painful to read. Harvey also provides a good accounting of Frank's history, including his periodic work with DI Trevor Cordon, and his current relationship with jazz singer Vicki Parsons. It is Harvey's definition which makes one put Frank's life in perspective—"Loneliness is just solitude taken a step too far."

This is the first book by Mr Harvey I've read, and I didn't realize this book was part of a series featuring retired detective Frank Elder. Regardless of this, it was a very entertaining read, I enjoyed each and every page, can't wait to get my hands on the next Frank adventure!

John Harvey is an author I have heard a lot about but never had the chance to read. So I was very excited to read this book. I have obviously missed out on the previous books in this series so I need to go back and read them. This book does work fine as a standalone novel.

Not a bad read but to be honest the formatting let it down changing the styling all the time and double spacing appearing out of nowhere. Such a shame, it would have been a solid 4.5 stars otherwise.

I have to say it took me quite a while to work this one out, I kept changing my mind as I was reading. Still surprised me a bit towards the end. I felt so sorry for dad as it didn’t matter what he did it never seemed enough. I don’t want to give away any secrets but was very sad at the end. Enjoyable book.

Fantastic, chilling, melancholy, everything you could possible want from a John Harvey novel, What a brilliant read!

Whilst reading this Frank Elder mystery, I made a mental note to seek out any sequels or any subsequent novels by this talented author. Seems I’m a bit late to the party: not only was it Frank Elder’s last case, it seems it is also the author’s last novel (he’s eighty years young). Ah well, I’ll just have to go backwards!

This was a totally addictive crime thriller, entwining two crimes: a present-day one and one from the past. Whilst the crimes themselves aren’t connected, ex-Detective Frank Elder’s estranged daughter is linked to both. Katherine is a troubled soul…not without good reason…but the murder of an artist with whom she had an affair topples her fragility. Elder saved her once and now has two tasks: to protect her from the past and prove she had nothing to do with the murder of her ex-lover.

The book moved at just the right pace and I never felt disadvantaged by not having read any Frank Elder prequels. There’s exactly the right dose of back story. There’s a perfect balance of plot and character story: police members have lives too. The many aspects of the story have been well researched and the result is a brilliant, convincing crime thriller.

What a way to exit a forty-year career of crime writing. I’m off to make up for John Harvey lost time!

I really enjoyed BODY & SOUL by John Harvey. The plot was brilliant and kept me on my toes right up to the end. An end with an emotional twist. It’s sad to say this is the final novel by John Harvey as he has finally decided to retire from a writing career blessed with bestseller after bestseller.

Thank you for the tremendous skill you have woven into each and every one of your stories.

Thank you also to Cornerstone, Penguin Random House, and #NetGalley for the chance to review #BodyAndSoul.

★★★★★ 5 STARS!

Body and soul by John Harvey.
When his estranged daughter Katherine appears on his doorstep, ex-Detective Frank Elder knows that something is wrong.
Katherine has long been troubled, and Elder has always felt powerless to help her.
But now Katherine has begun to self-destruct.
The breakdown of her affair with a controversial artist has sent her into a tailspin which culminates in murder. And as Elder struggles to protect his daughter and prove her innocence, the terrors of the past threaten them both once more ...
A good read with likeable characters.  Little slow in places but I managed to finish it.  I liked how Frank protected his daughter.  4* .

Fabulous. An excellent storyline, enthralling great plot, characters, everything. Brilliant. Would recommend this book.

Body and Soul is the final book in the Frank Elder crime series set in Nottingham and the West Country. John Harvey is the master of the crime procedural novel, blending the personal with well researched police policies. An exciting story that is both intriguing and emotional and will keep the reader guessing. I am sorry it took me so long to discover this brilliant author.

I found this book a bit hard going and slow to begin with,but I have always tried not to give up on a book even if I am not particularly enjoying it.I am glad that I did continue because in the end I was sorry that the book had come to its conclusion.
I have to say that I was surprised with the outcome,I certainly didn't expect it.
There's several main characters in this mystery thriller which is something that I did enjoy from the beginning as often these books have fewer main characters and it's relatively easy to predict the ending after not reading very much of the book.Despite my initial misgivings I would recommend this book to family and friends.

Excellent story line which was gripping from start to finish. Great characters. I would highly recommend this book.

Well paced and easy read thriller that keeps the reader engaged throughout.
Characters were relatable and there are even moments of humour in there.
I enjoyed it. Many thanks.

Very late to this party and so sorry to have missed what would I am sure is an awesome series
Unfortunately this book- though a great read on its own- tells you everything that has happened
Good standalone, loved the characters and settings

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
I had read some of the John Elder series before but then it slipped down my radar, I was sorry on reading this the last of the John Elder series.
The reason,; it was a masterclass of storytelling.
Sometimes when you read a book, you realise you have spent the day reading the book,. Why because the author tells a story that you, the reader, want to read.
Highly recommended

I was lucky to receive this book from Net galley for review. I have read John Harvey's books before and enjoy his books very much. Body and Soul is Harvey's last book and is a Frank Elder novel. In this storyline Frank is drawn in to an investigation involving his own estranged daughter Kate. Harvey resurrects a previous storyline involving Kate, however, his skilful writing means that readers who haven't read the previous book do not feel like they are missing a vital part of the story. Frank is a jazz loving somewhat melancholic character whom is working to re-build his relationship with his daughter in this book. Kate still very much affected by her experiences and struggling becomes a suspect in a murder. from this point Harvey seamlessly brings 2 storylines together to create a tense and thrilling journey to the final page. Harvey's writing flows effortlessly, his storylines are realistic, have plenty of drama and twists. Sadly I found the ending a little disappointing. Will certainly miss Harvey's novels.