This is hands down one of the best trilogies in modern crime fiction. The first establishes a group of the most interesting characters, the second explores what has made them what they are, and the third completes the story in a thoroughly satisfying fashion and wraps things up. This last novel has not only brilliant characters and the high-suspense action of a top thriller but also compassion, humour, and insight into both the realities of politics and current world events (such as the crisis in the declining newspaper industry – anyone concerned with this issue should definitely read his take on it in this novel). Final verdict: A great book by a really top-notch writer. The mystery field (or any other genre for that matter) just doesn’t get any finer than this. (BH)