PENGUIN BOOKS
THE COLDEST BLOOD
‘Kelly is fast gaining a reputation for his literate,
atmospheric novels’
‘A significant new talent’
‘A rare combination of poetic writing and a gripping plot’
‘The sense of place is terrific: the fens really brood.
Dryden, the central character, is satisfyingly complicated…
a good, atmospheric read’
‘A masterful stylist, Kelly crafts sharp, crisp sentences so
pure, so true, they qualify as modern poetry’
‘A sparkling star newly risen in the crime fiction
firmament’ Colin Dexter
‘Superb… Kelly has produced another story rich in plot
and character, with a bit of history as well’
‘Kelly is clearly a name to watch… a compelling read’
‘Beautifully written… The climax is chilling. Sometimes a
book takes up residence inside my head and just won’t
leave.
‘An atmospheric, intriguing mystery with a tense
denouement’ Susanna Yager,
‘Excellent no-frills thriller with a real bite. 4 stars’
‘A story that continuously quickens the pulse… makes
every nerve tingle. The suspense here is tight and controlled
and each character is made to count in a story that engulfs
you while it unravels’
‘Kelly’s evocation of the bleak and watery landscapes,
provide a powerful backdrop to a wonderful cast of
characters’
‘A thriller debut of genuine distinction. Kelly is a name to
watch and this is a compelling read’
‘
recommended’
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jim Kelly is a journalist. He lives in Ely with the biographer Midge Gillies and their young daughter.
He has been shortlisted for a number of awards, including the CWA John Creasey Dagger for
To find out more about Jim Kelly and other Penguin crime writers, go to www.penguinmostwanted.co.uk
The Coldest Blood
JIM KELLY
PENGUIN BOOKS
PENGUIN BOOKS
Published by the Penguin Group
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Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
www.penguin.com
First published by Michael Joseph 2006
Published in Penguin Books 2007
1
Copyright © Jim Kelly, 2006
All rights reserved
The moral right of the author has been asserted
EISBN: 978–0–141–01864–5
For Peggy and Brian, who are together
Acknowledgements
This is a work of fiction but several experts have been generous with their time to ensure that technical details are as accurate as possible. I am particularly indebted to Dr Alan Whitmore, of the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London and Moorfields Eye Hospital; Neil O’May, head of the criminal law department of Bindman & Partners; and the Forensic Science Service, for guidance on issues pertaining to blood. Thanks also to members of the Fen Skating Committee, who were welcoming and gave freely of their memories. Let’s hope that, despite climate change, their sport thrives for at least one more generation. All information on the national electricity grid and the network of pylons which are its backbone came from the internet – beginning with the indispensable Pylon of the Month website. Would-be pyloneers should start here. The National Farmers Union in East Anglia was helpful in explaining the use of commercial kites to replace more traditional bird-scaring devices.
