I imagine it feels like a bit of a risk for an established author to start on a new series with a new central character. Of course, while readers often like to spend more time with “familiar faces”, sometimes a series can feel like it is running out of steam or that its internal logic doesn’t allow for certain ideas and approaches the writer would like to explore. For example, I’ve grown a tired of Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole. The poor man has suffered so much, I can hardly bear to see what he gets subjected to next and I think I’m done with following that set of stories.

Mark Billingham is primarily know for his Tom Thorne novels. I’ve read a few and enjoyed the writing but I don’t find myself urgently seeking out every book. However, a relatively new series by Billingham recently caught my eye at the library. I greatly enjoyed The Last Dance and I am now a good way through The Wrong Hands, both published in 2024.

In this set of stories, the protagonist is Declan Miller, an oddball character who is both amusing and trying to cope with the recent murder of his wife (a fellow police officer). Overall, the books keep at the lighter and more humorous end of police dramas, although there are plenty of nasty criminals and nasty crimes creating a darker undercurrent. Perhaps I will grow bored of Miller after a while too but, for now, I’m looking forward to further titles to get to know the character more. A good call on a new direction for Mr Billingham.