Low Pastures

The execution-style killing of a well-dressed stranger in the docklands of an unnamed English city fuels anxiety among cops and crooks alike in James’s uneven 36th police procedural featuring Det. Chief Supt. Colin Harpur and his eccentric superior, Assistant Chief Constable Desmond Iles (after 2019’s Hitmen I Have Known). The detectives fear the murder may be the first step in an effort by big city mobs to move in on the local drug trade, which will disrupt the careful détente that Iles has negotiated with local gangs to keep open warfare off the streets. The crooks in turn are worried that outsiders will bring with them more violent ways of doing business and upset the cozy existing apple cart. To complicate matters, rumors are circulating that Iles, the glue holding the peace between police and crooks together, will be leaving to accept a promotion elsewhere. It’s a promising setup and series regulars such as Panicky Ralph Ember are as amusing as ever, but except for a shoot-out that conveniently resolves things at the end, surprisingly little happens. Witty prose helps redeem a weak plot. Hopefully, James will return to form next time. Agent: Euan Thorneycroft, A.M. Heath (U.K.). (Apr.)