Luther: The Calling
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Neil Cross |
| Products | Tie-in novel |
Luther: The Calling is a tie-in novel authored by Neil Cross, inspired by the BBC crime drama series Luther. Although two additional novels related to Luther were expected, they have yet to be published.
Summary
Serving as a prequel to the television show, the book introduces readers to Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) John Luther. The narrative focuses on a harrowing investigation involving the child murderer Henry Madsen and further explores significant plot points from the series, such as the dissolution of the Luthers' marriage and the corrupt activities of DCI Ian Reed. The story’s finale mirrors incidents depicted at the beginning of Series 1, which aired approximately 15 months prior to the novel’s release.
Reception
Sue Turnbull, writing for The Age, characterizes the novel as "intelligent but unsettling," highlighting its darker and more intense tone compared to the television adaptation. John O'Connell of The Guardian described the central murders in the book as both disturbing and engaging, expressing relief upon completing it. Rob Farquhar from the Cairns Post commended Neil Cross for crafting DCI John Luther as a figure combining brilliance with restrained intensity, recommending the novel to enthusiasts of the TV series.
In 2012, Luther: The Calling received the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel.