It may come as something of a surprise to telly viewers that the dishevelled detective has been around in print
for 25 years.

A Killing Frost is the sixth and final Jack Frost novel, completed by R D Wingfield in 2007, just before his death.

The author was never convinced by David Jason's portrayal of his creation – and as a first-time reader of Frost, it's easy to see why. On the page, Jack is a much darker character, a chain-smoking, extremely unconventional officer who won't hesitate in bending
the rules if it gets him a rightful conviction.

A Killing Frost boasts a plot jam-packed with twists and turns. There are so many crimes going on at once that Jack really has his work cut out to solve them all. And the reader needs to be on full alert to keep up with the novel's cracking pace.

An added complication is the arrival of a new DCI who is hell-bent on ousting the renegade Frost from Denton and sending him to another division. As the crime rate soars, along with Jack's alcohol consumption, Jack is under pressure to come up with the goods once more. Is the scheming DCI Skinner about to get his way, and consign our hero to the wilderness? One thing's for certain, Jack Frost won't be leaving without a fight.

This is a fitting farewell to the writing talents of R D Wingfield, and a superb swansong for a much loved character. A most enjoyable read.


R. D Wingfield
Bantam Press, £14.99