Beyond the Bone — Reginald Hill

Here is the first U.S. publication of a 1975 novel that originally appeared in Britain as Urn Burial under Hill's pseudonym Patrick Ruell. Set in a small town in Cumbria, it's the story of an archaeological dig that uncovers a small-town conspiracy and a dark family secret. Typically for Hill, though, it's the characters, not the plot, that keep us turning pages. The captivating cast includes an obnoxious student of archaeology, a fraudulent town official, a vaguely clairvoyant eccentric, a couple of mysterious brothers, and various other folks who aren't quite what they seem to be. This is a relatively quiet crime novel--action-adventure fans should look for car chases elsewhere--but those who treasure quirky characters, lively dialogue, and ingenious plots will be delighted. Hill fans, especially, will be thrilled to discover a largely unknown early work as well as an excellent example of the versatility of an author best known for the Dalziel and Pascoe series.