Original Skin: The 2nd DS McAvoy Novel

You know how sometimes when you absolutely LOVE a debut novel, you approach the second in the series with some trepidation? That was me heading into "Original Skin" having pretty much adored "Dark Winter" and wondering if the terrifically entertaining David Mark could do it again. Well the title for this review should tell you.. as in "Oh Goody its FANTASTIC!" Aector Mcavoy is back and he's better than ever. This gentle giant of a man, with his inate sense of justice and quiet love for his family is just the guy you would want helping you out if you were in trouble. In this, his second outing, he is investigating the murder that never was - that of a young man, Simon, who apparently killed himself some time before. After finding a phone, the information on it leads Aector to believe that this was not, after all, the case. His boss, the wonderfully funny Trish Pharoah, supports him in his quest whilst gently berating him for adding to the crime statistics. "Do you know why we don't carry guns in this country Hector?" she asks him. "Because if we did, I'd shoot you". Yes indeed Ms Pharoah - right there with you! Ongoing over the course of the story is the continuing "Drug Trade" issues and the eclectic cast of supporting characters take on this problem with flair and grace...well, kind of. Its all highly entertaining, dark in places and humerous in others. I especially liked the involvement of the travelling community - giving us a chance to learn a bit more about the background of Roisin, wife of Aector - another lovely character who stands by her man, often in ways he'd rather she didnt. Still, that is a wife's job after all. All in all a terrific read. Now I need to moan at Mr Mark for a while until we can have a third. Enjoy!

Having read and enjoyed 'Dark Winter', and knowing it to be David Mark's first book, I hoped that his second, 'Original Skin', would be even better. It is. All of the things that impressed me in the first book, as well as all of the minor irritations, are here in his second outing. The poetic and lyrical turn of phrase, the annoying habit of omitting the first word of many sentences, the syntax that leaves you wondering which character is saying that, is all there. This book is more evenly paced than the first and does have a bit more action and, again, the characters, especially the main heroes, are hugely engaging. For me, the surprise is that, although this book uses, almost as a character in its own right, a background of illicit sex parties, sado-masochism, and a promiscuous victim, the story line has a real hook to it beyond prurience. There is slightly 'dirty' feel to the book but that, in some strange way, is what makes this such a good read. And it is, for me at least, such an unusual plot background that I was mesmerised from the outset; it was like peeping through your fingers at a horror film, knowing that you just can't avert your gaze. I understand that the clipped writing style is intended to add to the gritty feeling of 'real streets', but I still found it just a shade jarring and it's the reason I've withheld a fifth star. Having said that, it certainly won't deter me from buying another of Mr Mark's novels as, after all, the two so far are definitely in the 'superior read' category.

Original Skin is fast paced,well researched (particularly the Vietnamese gardeners) with characters who are believable because of their flaws. The main protagonists and returning players have depth and there are themes of love and honour throughout. This is not a tale for the faint hearted, this world which, for many of us is only met in fiction, is not an easy place to be and there is much about it that is violent and degrading but the author allows us to see how it's inhabitants got to be where they are and who they are . This is a really good read with a detective of intellect, instinct and animal physicality. Do you need to read The Dark Winter The Dark Winter: A Detective Sergeant McAvoy Novel to enjoy this? No. Should you read it ? Yes - because already in two books characters and relationships are developing and deepening and if you enjoy crime fiction you will want to be there for the whole ride.

Having finished the second book of the series, I find myself still not warming to the protagonist enough to really care about the outcome. I feel the main plot is a bit confused and unconvincing but it is an okay read. I have bought the next two in the series but only because they were cheaply priced.

I love McAvoy what a complex character the story line is filled with twists and turns I can not wait to read book three. I have recommend the book to friends and they are reading it too.

An entertaining well written story with the wonderful character of DS McAvoy. Wish all his novels were as good as this one.

Awesome read by David Mark. Well crafted story and beautifully constructed carachters. Nice integration of the city and region to the plot.

Detective Aector McAvoy returns in a thrilling new case set in Yorkshire. Simon Appleyard is found strung-up and naked in his Hull apartment, the authorities are only too happy to chalk up his death to a suicide. Although Detective Sergeant Aector McAvoy would be perfectly content to stay at home with his beloved wife and newborn baby, he begins to suspect that murder is just the tip of the iceberg. This complex, multi layered novel delivers all the action you would expect from the work of a top rank thriller writer, David Mark .

Aector is supposed to be investigating who has taken over the Vietnamese drug gangs and torturing who ever gets in their way. But most of his attention is taken up with a suicide that he just can't accept. It's not even officially a case, but when he finds the young man's phone and begins to investigate the world of anonymous sex and swinger's parties and the seeming connection with local council members, he just can't let it go.