Play With Fire does a first-rate job of evoking its period, a time when generations seemed at war with one another ... we admire the detective’s clinging to his own moral principles.
Teenager’s violent, evasive killer and Cathal and Helen’s evolving, unsettled relationship create a new level of suspense for this must-read series of detail-saturated procedurals.
British author Shaw’s solid fourth mystery ... The serious injury or death or three more people raises the tension. Fans of Deborah Crombie will be pleased, but those expecting a substantial look at the Jones case will be disappointed.
The contrast between the predictable stuffiness of 'proper' London and the vivid, if irresponsible, liveliness of the new generation is generally well handled and rewarding ... Breen and his partner, Helen Tozer, are deftly presented and believable, but the many mysteries never quite cohere, and the resolution is somewhat unsatisfying ... A fun visit to a bygone era, though not without flaws.
