It is well warranted that this is one of the most famous detective series ever penned. Horned and prickly criminals sprout from the brilliant mind of Reginald Hill. The Death of Dalziel is packed with innovative twists and amusement-park-worthy turns. These are animated characters and the dark plot is expertly shaded with touches of slapdash lightheartedness.

Hill produced some particularity zippy books that are intricate whodunits. They read with effortless breeze.

This entry is later in the series but it matters little. If you are even a moderate fan of the genre and stumble across a used Dalziel and Pascoe paperback, pick it up. There's not a dud in the series.