Frank has moved to Cornwall a retired police officer who still dips into supporting the local police force. He wanted to escape previous family life that was very traumatic especially for his daughter Katherine who is still struggling with the past. She turns up in Cornwall and stays with Frank but she has bandages around her wrists but won’t explain to to her father why. He eventually finds out that her recent ex boyfriend Anthony has been murdered and police are questioning Katherine Frank travels to London to try and protect her. I couldn’t stop reading this book desperate to find out what happened next. I haven’t read any of John Harvey books before but really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend this to anyone to read.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for an advance copy of Body and Soul, the fourth novel to feature retired DI Frank Elder.

Frank is still enjoying his retirement in Cornwall when his semi-estranged daughter, Kathryn, makes a flying visit. With bandages on her arms and vague comments about a relationship going wrong Frank is worried but she refuses to discuss it. When her former boyfriend, painter Anthony Winter, is murdered Kathryn becomes a suspect and Frank returns to London to protect her.

I thoroughly enjoyed Body and Soul which has a style of writing that encourages the reader to keep turning the pages. It is a long time since I spent time with Frank Elder (10+ years) so it has been like starting a new series. The novel is slow to start with a lot of scene setting and background, ideal for the new reader or oldies like me who need a refresher but it soon ramps up. I really liked the investigative parts of the novel where the police are trying to get traction and pick on the vulnerable Kathryn as their first port of call. The solutions to Winter's murder and another subplot that reverberates for both Frank and Kathryn are unexpected and a bolt from the blue. I'm unsure if I should accuse the author of withholding information or applaud it as being extremely realistic.

I know that I have read the previous novels in the series but I have no memory of Frank Elder as a character so it's like meeting him for the first time. I can't say I warmed to him as he is a detached person and, I think, quite selfish. As already mentioned Kathryn is a vulnerable young woman due to events from her teenage years yet Frank doesn't know where she lives or what she's doing with herself. He's happy to bury himself in Cornwall and live his life there. His idea of protecting Kathryn is aggression in various forms, which is probably the last thing she needs. Kathryn as a victim is well drawn although it doesn't make her likeable either. My heart went out to her as she is obviously unable to cope with life.

Body and Soul is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Although I rarely give five star reviews, preferring to keep those in reserve for truly outstanding works, this book should have been a solid four star, even possibly four and a half. It was marred only by the fact that it took fifteen and a half chapters -27% of the book to set the background before getting to the beginning of the actual story.

Once begun the tale was well told, it was never rushed; the investigation progressed and stumbled authentically. There was sufficient background information to humanise the detectives but they were never the focus of the story. Even the murder victim was only a part of the framework on which the story settled. This story delved more into human experiences of fear and tragedy and the characters' instinctive reactions to them. It also allows that the police often have other crimes to deal with at the same time as a murder investigation and even takes it a step further as it expands across the country.

I loved the depth of the two main characters, there was more than enough detail to understand what made them the people they were and to explain the choices they had made in life. Their background, history and relationship is really the driving force of the story.

Although the first chapters almost made me give up, I am very glad that I persevered as the rest of the book was well worth the effort. I started to read at breakfast and am still sat here surrounded by the detritus of breakfast, not having wanted to move until the end. Other readers may appreciate those opening chapters more than I did, but even if you don't, stick with it, it will reward you in the end.

I think I was perhaps 'a little late to the party' for this to be successful as a read for me, since I'd not read any of the otehr books. However, superficial writing and unrealistic character interactions meants that it didn't hold my attention at all - sorry.

A great return to the series after many years. Fantastic book.

I read the first 3 books in this series years ago and was a bit worried I wouldn't remember any of the back stories. I don't reread books because life's too short. I needn't have worried. Within the first few pages I felt like I was with old friends and raced through the book in a matter of hours. Great book, would definitely recommend!

Body and Soul


Not written with the sensationalism of many of the American Detective thrillers but ‘Body and Soul’ keeps you reading – at first wanting to find out what exactly happened to Elder’s daughter and whether she will be alright. Moreover, will they find the killer, thereby proving her innocence or otherwise?

Just as you’re congratulating yourself upon correctly guessing the ending there’s a slightly surprising outcome.