The calling of the grave by Simon Beckett

Simon Beckett’s latest novel “The calling of the grave”, the fourth in the Dr David Hunter series, evokes memories of Belinda Bauer’s award winning Blacklands. Both books are set in Devon; Blacklands in Exmoor and Beckett’s “The calling of the grave” in Dartmoor – both have vivid scenes of the encapsulating and unpredictable weather patterns, debilitating mist and fog making safety a real concern (and yet a benefit of the criminal mastermind) – without the added pressure of a serial killer on the run!

Eight years ago the grisly discovery of a body in an isolated region of Dartmoor National Park led police to believe the female body was a victim of the psychotic rapist Jerome Monk. Despite their best efforts and the belief that two further bodies attributed to Monk were close by, the search team, that included Cambridge Don Leonard Wainwright and Forensic anthropologist David Hunter, failed to locate the missing teenagers and with Monk safely behind bars the trail went cold.

“Nothing Stays Hidden Forever…”

Fast forward to the present and a lot of water has passed under the bridge, relationships have gone by the wayside and the one big piece of news monopolising the airwaves – Jerome Monk has escaped from prison and is on the run. It appears that Monk is targeting anyone connected with the original operation on the moor eight years earlier. Hunter is tempted to return to Dartmoor following a plea for help from a female officer. His return to the desolate region ignites a chain of events that will leave many reeling.

“The calling of the grave” is available at Amazon & Book Depository

The narrative is sharp and fluid and with an atmospheric backdrop of the moors utilised, Beckett does a grand job of igniting a voyeuristic feel to the second half of the novel. On more than one occasion I felt as if I was living the journey, I too was walking the moor, shivering at the cold and wet misty fog that made OS maps redundant and a good sense of direction crucial.

Characterisation is also strong. David Hunter, the main lead, is a strong and resourceful character who doesn’t suffer fools gladly. The story for the greater part is told through his experiences and how he recovers from various setbacks and career changes, and although not a detective his attempts to discover the truth are realistic and believable.

Jerome Monk is a giant of a man – a monster, a freak, a rapist – in excess of six foot he is built like a veritable outhouse. His introduction brought about a natural fear not only to the police chasing him but to this reader who shared his elusive journey! He’s not a character you’d like to meet in the corner store let alone in a remote part of a national park!

With an abundance of twists and turns “The calling of the grave” will take you one way and then the next – You never quite know what or who to believe. The first 100 pages brought about two unexpected events and almost left me speechless – I love moments like that.

So there we have it. “The calling of the grave” is a wonderfully taut, intelligent and fascinating thriller that will at times have you checking and re-checking the locks on your windows and doors. A fluid novel, Hunter at times reminded me of Dr Temperence “Bones” Brennan although Beckett’s character is a little more grounded than the American! A crime thriller to savour, I can’t wait to read Hunter’s next adventure in anthropological discoveries.

Published by Transworld “The calling of the grave” is available at Amazon & Book Depository