A story that seems to be designed for the big screen, Too Young To Die, by David Snowdon, is a classic detective story written with a great care of details. Chapters are divided in scenes; in fact that is the main fascination of the novel: the author draws images that - similarly to real pictures - can be figured out while reading, exactly as in a film.

The tale is told in first person by the protagonist, Mike Heaton, a private investigator called to find a solution for an unsolved case about a young girl stabbed to death.

Heaton is tough, made harsher by life, he just says what is strictly necessary, always being able to look charming.

Starting from London, going to Jamaica and then Miami, to close again in London, the story moves fast, full of many interesting characters. Every place described as if the author has lived there for such a long time to being able to give a perfect image of it.

Everything looks as “deeply lived” and essential, thus keeping the reader willing to go ahead and to know what will happen next.