Customer Reviews

Frost at Christmas

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love the mysteries of Colin Dexter and Reginald Hill, so when a friend mentioned that the Frost series had a lot in common with them, I had to buy one. I was definitely not disappointed. Jack Frost is the most hilarious character I've ever come across. He usually says whatever pops into his head whether it's appropriate or not.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes British police procedurals. You won't be disppointed!

Terrific writing, interesting characters, witty dialogue. The ultimate plot solution is little strained, but I'd much rather compromise on the crime's "destination" than on the journey there. I vehemently disagree with the earlier reviewer who found Frost self-centered and disgusting. Self-deprecating would be much closer to the truth--a very sympathetic character.

I found this book gripping, exciting and humorous. Detective Jack Frost has his own inapt way of solving crime and will do anything to avoid paperwork and confrontations with the Divisional Commander. Some folk are not convinced Frost to be a suitable detective, but think again as he's not as foolish as some might believe. ! I just can't wait to begin the next novel by Wingfield which I am told are as good if not better than this one. - I recommend this to anyone, even if murder mystery is not your 'cup of tea'. ! 5 Stars.

If you are a conformist, don't read this book. If you are a bureauocrat, a corporate toady, or a member of the politically correct movement, don't read this book. If you are fashion-challenged and don't measure up on the looks scale; if you work for a total idiot who doesn't appreciate the work you do; if you're an underdog who needs a character to identify with, this book is for you. Jack Frost is Britain's answer to Columbo, only Frost is a real, 3D, flesh and blood character. If you like procedurals with bite, you'll love this book.

If you came to this book from the television series derived from Wingfield's books, brace yourself for a shock. The plot is messy, the characters rather sketchy at times, and Frost himself, far from being the amiable, sharp-tounged fellow embodied by David Jason, is a dirty-minded, insensitive, self-centered pig, the sort of fellow who puts the move on a missing child's mother when he discovers she is a part-time prostitute.

There are also conincidences in the book, particularly a minor character that links both of the mysteries unfolding in the story, that stretch plausibility close to the breaking point. But there were obviously possibilities in both the story and the characters, possibilities that were realized much more fully when this novel reached television in the first TOF series in an episode entitled "Care and Protection."