Many tales have been told by Reginald Hill about his renowned mid-Yorkshire detectives, Dalziel and Pascoe. But until now the long-anticipated story of the duo's first reluctant encounter has been withheld. Finally, here for the first time, "The Last National Service Man" recounts the alarming circumstances that brought them face-to-face (closer, actually) and nearly cost young Peter Pascoe his life. But this is only the first novella in a gathering of four of their most unusual adventures. A crusty and forthright sergeant once gave the detectives a bit of valuable advice: "Leave ghosts to them that understands them. You stick to crime." Yet in "Pascoe's Ghost," Pascoe boldly investigates the fate of a woman whom no one has seen for a year - except her brother, who claims her ghost is haunting him. And "Dalziel's Ghost" finds the portly inspector surprisingly willing to keep nightly vigil at isolated Sandstone Rigg farmhouse, tracking a ghost reportedly unearthed by recent renovations. Perhaps it is fitting that a volume opening with Dalziel and Pascoe's first case should end with "One Small Step," which could be their last. The year is now 2012. Pascoe is Commissioner of Eurofed Justice, while Dalziel is deep into retirement and reluctant to emerge. Both, however, are called upon to deal with a case quite unique in two particulars. First, it concerns the first man to be murdered on the moon. What's more, there are precisely two hundred twenty-seven million witnesses to the crime.

A vicar nailed to a tree in Yorkshire.The theft of a priceless artefact during a fire.A detective forced to tell the truth for 24 hours. A body hidden in a basement. From the restless streets of London to the wilds of the Lake District, displaying all his trademark humour, playfulness and clever plotting, this landmark collection brings together the very best of Reginald Hill's short stories for the first time, complete with a foreword from Val McDermid. 'One of Britain's most consistently excellent crime novelists'The Times 'A real treat. The characters are deftly drawn, the plot constantly delivers, surprises and the assured narrative demonstrates again what a terrific writer he is'Observer 'Reginald Hill's novels are really dances to the music of time, his heroes and villains interconnecting, their stories intertwining'Ian Rankin 'The finest male English contemporary crime writer'Val McDermid

Not for a second did Pascoe admit the possibility of death. Dalziel was indestructible. Dalziel is, and was, and forever shall be, world without end, amen . . .Chief constables might come and chief constables might go, but Fat Andy went on forever.Barreling his way into an investigation of possible terrorist activities, Superintendent Andy Dalziel is caught in the blast of a huge explosion at a video shop--and only "Fat Andy's" considerable bulk prevents his colleague, Chief Inspector Peter Pascoe, from suffering a similar fate. Now Dalziel lies on a hospital bed barely clinging to life, while Pascoe remains determined to find those responsible.But the truth is not always cut-and-dried, and sometimes those who are sworn to terror's destruction are even more dangerous than the foe they wish to annihilate.

'Luminously written, thrilling, unexpectedly erudite, and beautifully structured' Geoffrey Wansell, Daily Mail When Ellie Pascoe finds herself under threat, her husband DCI Peter Pascoe and Superintendent Andy Dalziel assume it's because she's married to a cop. While they hunt down the source of the danger, Ellie heads out of town in search of a haven... only to get tangled up in a conspiracy involving Irish arms, Colombian drugs and men who will stop at nothing to achieve their ends. Dalziel eventually concludes the security services are involved, but by then it is too late. Ellie's on her own – and must dig deep down into her reserves to survive...

'Few writers in the genre today have Hill's gifts: formidable intelligence, quick humour, compassion and a prose style that blends elegance and grace' Sunday Times Joe Sixsmith is going west, though only as far the Llanffugiol Choral Festival in Wales. But his plans are interrupted when they happen upon a burning house with a mysterious woman trapped inside. Joe risks life and limb to rescue the woman, only to be roped in to the investigation by the police officer in charge. Suddenly surrounded by a bevy of suspicious characters, he soon realizes that this case is much more than just arson. Aided by little more than his acute instinct for truth, Joe moves forward over the space of a single weekend to uncover crimes which have been buried for years.

'One of Britain's most consistently excellent crime novelists' Marcel Berlins, The Times A friendship renewed; a marriage going sour; Harry Bentick heads for the Lake District not knowing if he's going in search of something or running away. Then two girls are found murdered in the high fells, and suddenly there's no doubt about it. He's running. Set in his native Cumberland, this was Reginald Hill's very first novel, a unique blend of detective story, psychological thriller and Buchanesque adventure that was to lay the groundwork for many books to come, taking him into the top ranks of British crime fiction.