If you are a fan of Greater Manchester, and love reading a good thriller, may I suggest that you reward yourself by reading the DI Spicer book series. An intense succession of crime thrillers, set in the backdrop of the city.
The author Chris Simms wasn’t born in Manchester - he relocated there in 1994, but it is clear that he has done his research. He has explored the nooks and crannies, observed the people and some of his writing has taught me (a Manchester girl) history of Manchester that I wasn’t aware of. The accuracy of the stories locales brings them to life and even if some of the horrific crimes he proposes feel a little far-fetched, his main character Detective Inspector Jon Spicer is totally believable.
Who is #D.I.Spicer
If Manchester were a person, it would be DI Spicer. A Mancunian with a commonplace history.
His family came to Manchester from Ireland and employed their learned art of bare-knuckle fighting to make a living.
DI Spicer has swapped the ring for rugby, but he cannot totally erase the toughness that his background instilled, nor obliterate the darker side to his personality it encouraged. These traits continue to simmer below the surface of his persona, often rendering his policing techniques to border on the unacceptable and get him into trouble with superiors.
DI Spicer is the type of police officer that we know should no longer exist but secretly root for when acceptable methods can’t get to the answers. We find ourselves applauding his results but fearing his unpredictable methods.
Such a strong personality can’t help but be obsessive and there is no switching off for DI Spicer. His passion for justice is relentless and although we all want the bad guy to be caught, DI Spicer's single mindedness is sometimes uncomfortable as he puts himself and those he loves in danger. But agree with his actions or not, you find yourself turning the pages eager to find out what his next move is going to be.
There are Eight #Books in the Series
You don’t have to read the books in order, but it helps, as Spicer’s personal life, that many readers will relate to, runs parallel to his crime solving.
His character goes through recognised stages of maturity and associated complicated emotions.
In comparison, the other personalities that Simms introduces into Spicer’s personal life are straightforward, highlighting the concentration of the detective’s personality and putting his temperament into perspective.
The normality within Spicer’s home contrasts with the horrors of his professional life and you feel his battle to keep them separate. The cases, he is assigned to solve, are gruesome and beyond the expected.
These books don’t just tackle ordinary crimes, they push the boundaries of imagination and force you to consider the improbable.
Chris Simms's stories are fast and interesting, there is little predictability in their endings, yet always a logic. But it is his depiction of Manchester and the surrounding area that enhances the whole reading experience.
Simms cleverly uses events such as the 2002 Commonwealth Games to drop us firmly into the books' calendars. He boosts our atmospheric reading space by scattering Manchester’s history throughout the pages. Descriptions of abandoned mills and warehouses bring it to life. And he helps us to interpret the Greater Manchester lifestyle with word sketches of the terraced housing, waterways, and moorland.
In summary:
The recognition of locality, the complexity of Spicer and the repugnance of the crimes make for a fascinating read, albeit a little intense at times.
Some critics have declared the plots hard to follow but any confusion created has only served to pique my interest.
Have you read any of the DI Spicer series? I'd love to hear your views in the comments.
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