Book Review: A Ring O’Bells Killing (Zig Batten 6, A Killing Tree Series) by Paul Toolan
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Overview
Paul Toolan’s A Ring O’Bells Killing is the sixth and final installment in the A Killing Tree crime series featuring Detective Inspector Zig Batten. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of rural England, the novel weaves a tightly plotted mystery with rich character development, culminating in a satisfying conclusion to the series. Toolan’s signature blend of procedural detail, dark humor, and regional authenticity shines through, making this a standout entry for fans of British crime fiction.
Strengths
Compelling Protagonist: Zig Batten remains a refreshingly flawed yet empathetic lead. His dry wit, moral complexity, and unorthodox methods anchor the narrative, and his personal arc—hinted at in earlier books—reaches a poignant resolution here. Toolan avoids clichés, presenting Batten as a detective shaped by his failures as much as his successes.
Atmospheric Setting: The titular Ring O’Bells pub and its surrounding village are rendered with vivid detail, evoking a sense of place that borders on gothic. Toolan excels in using the rural landscape to amplify tension, where idyllic surfaces mask secrets and simmering grudges.
Intricate Plotting: The mystery unfolds with precision, balancing red herrings and genuine clues. A seemingly straightforward murder investigation spirals into a web of local corruption, familial betrayal, and long-buried crimes. Toolan’s pacing ensures suspense without sacrificing logical coherence.
Thematic Depth: Beyond the whodunit, the novel explores themes of justice, redemption, and the cyclical nature of violence. The resolution grapples with the ambiguity of closure—both for Batten and the community—elevating it above conventional genre fare.
Limitations
Series Dependency: While Toolan provides enough context for new readers, the emotional weight of Batten’s journey relies heavily on prior installments. Key relationships (e.g., with his estranged family or colleagues) may feel underdeveloped to those unfamiliar with the series.
Villain Nuance: The antagonist’s motivations, though plausible, lean toward familiar tropes of small-town malice. A deeper psychological exploration could have added layers to the central conflict.
Procedural Repetition: Some investigative sequences (e.g., interview rounds, evidence reviews) follow predictable rhythms, occasionally slowing momentum.
Theoretical and Practical Contributions
Crime Fiction Tropes Revisited: Toolan subverts expectations by focusing on community complicity rather than lone culprits, aligning with contemporary critiques of systemic corruption in rural noir.
Character-Driven Procedural: The novel exemplifies how genre conventions can serve character study, offering a model for writers balancing plot and personality.
Cultural Commentary: Subtle critiques of class divides and institutional neglect resonate with real-world discussions on policing and rural marginalization.
Conclusion
A Ring O’Bells Killing is a worthy finale to the A Killing Tree series, delivering both intellectual satisfaction and emotional payoff. Though it stumbles in minor pacing and originality, Toolan’s strengths—sharp dialogue, immersive settings, and a protagonist who lingers in the mind—solidify his place in the tradition of British crime writing.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to NetGalley and Paul Toolan for providing an advance review copy. This access allowed for a thorough engagement with a series that masterfully blends grit, heart, and regional charm.
Final Verdict
A must-read for series devotees and a compelling standalone for lovers of village noir—proof that the best mysteries are those where the detective’s journey matters as much as the case.
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There are 6 books in this series.
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2025Format: Kindle
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- Jo NeagleReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2025
No disappointment
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