The fourth and final Frank Elder novel, Body & Soul, was published in hardcover by Wm. Heinemann in April. The Arrow paperback will follow in January, 2019. The majority of reviews have been positive, crowned, perhaps, by Marcel Berlins choosing it as his Book of the Month in The Times. This is part of what he had to say …
“The whodunnit plot is searingly effective in describing a bruised father-daughter relationship. The depth and conviction of emotion is also a hallmark of Harvey’s 12 novels featuring DI Charlie Resnick, a jazz-loving detective in Nottingham with a difficult love life. Elder and Resnick are both greats of British crime fiction.”
Laura Wilson: The Guardian
“Written in an economical style, this is an expertly plotted and moving final act for an old-school investigator of the best sort, from a true master of the genre.”
Mark Sanderson : Evening Standard
“Body & Soul is a clever thriller … that will leave you stunned and staring at the last page in disbelief. … It makes a brutal end to a brilliant career.”
John Cleal : Crime Review
“Harvey’s strength, apart from the superb reportage combined with a trademark sparse, but measured, lyricism and poignancy which make him a true master of his craft, is that his stories highlight the seediness of crime through superb characterisation and a complete lack of glamour.”
Geoffrey Wansell : Daily Mail
“This is wonderfully atmospheric crime writing – a tribute to Harvey’s exceptional talent.”
David Prestidge : Fully Booked
“Body & Soul takes an unflinching look at how love in itself is sometimes not enough – or possibly too much”
Michael Carlson : Irresistible Targets
“Harvey is very good at the small nuances of people’s everyday behaviour; alonside the tension of suspense comes the equally telling tension of their lives.”
Woody Haut ’s Blog
“Harvey’s characters are believable, his locales evocative, and his humanity crystal clear”
Aruna : The Literary Shed
“Harvey’s beautifully pared back writing, tight plot and careful characterisation raise Body and Soul above the bar of what’s merely good crime fiction … His prose seems effortless, the prevailing feeling of the book one of perfectly pitched melancholy, accented by a soundtrack of eclectic, carefully referenced music. Cornwall and London, the main settings for the book, feature prominently; the author’s evocation of rural and urban landscapes both detailed and true.”
Some Days You Do ... 
mr. Harvey,
thank you for the very fine stories we I had the pleasure discovering 20 years ago in Vaison La Romaine, the beginning of a exciting trip in time /places/people/music as told by you.
Good luck to you !
I’ve had Body and Soul sitting on my bookshelves for the past couple of weeks whilst I go back to the beginning of Frank Elder’s journey in Flesh and Blood. I must confess I’d forgotten how much I’d enjoyed reading this when originally published back in 2004 – John’s writing style in all his books has always been deceptively simple to read whilst addressing important issues encountered by his characters. I was sad to read that Body and Soul is expected to be the last book that John writes and if this does in fact prove to be the case then I’d just like to take this opportunity of offering my personal thanks for countless pleasurable hours spent in the company of Charlie Resnick Frank Elder and the other characters in the stand alone novels down the years.
Michael : Last book indeed! Jump before pushed! But sincere thanks for all the kind and positive words. Very welcome.