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Val McDermid – A Darker Domain

One of the best modern authors again we have to introduce Val McDermid as the author of 22 bestselling novels, translated into 30 languages, selling over 10 million copies, and won many awards internationally. She was inducted into the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards Hall of Fame in 2009 and has for many of those novels thrilled many of her fans.

BUT anyone can drop one. First the blurb from the book and then my say. —

1984. The National miners’ strike is dividing the country, and in a struggling coal-mining town, the miners and their families are living at the edge of their resources. They have no money, and there is no food or heating. On the 14th of December, five miners break ranks to travel to Nottingham and work. For those who stay behind, this is an unforgivable betrayal, and the men are branded as scabs. 23 years later, a young woman is asking the police to trace her missing father: miner Mick Prentice vanished, never to be seen again, although money has been sent to his family; he was widely considered to be one of the scabs. Soon, D I Karen Pirie and DS Phil Parharta find themselves investigating a forgotten disappearance.

This is the provocative premise of Val McDermid’s latest novel, A Darker Domain, and this utterly compelling book is further proof that McDermid is determined to stretch the parameters of what crime fiction is supposedly capable of. McDermid has always been prepared to freight serious issues into her work, and this novel — which, in many ways, is an examination of the conditions that produced the Britain we live in today — demonstrates the continuing high level of her ambition.

In fact, Karen Pirie, when taking on this new assignment, is already involved in a case of kidnapping that took place 22 years earlier (in which a woman was killed during a bungled handover of money). Journalist Bel Richmond makes a startling discovery concerning the MacLennan kidnapping while on holiday in Tuscany, and as the three protagonists dig deeper into ever-more labyrinthine mysteries, they are to make some remarkable discoveries — discoveries which throw light not just on the crimes involved, but on the whole of British society……

Yes OK Thats true as far as it goes, remember the BUT. in truth the plot is fairly simple and the reader can soon work out a likely ending. Whilst the plot is well laid out and the characters well drawn the ending falls far below the standards we have come to expect. In Val McDermid – A Darker Domain the ending, denouement or whatever is over in about two pages. First it seems the investigation is going nowhere and then BANG its all over goodbye ’till next time. I don’t know. Rarely does such an author make such a cockup.

Still it is well worth buying the paperback as its an interesting and provocative tail. Its only the ending that gets my goat!

Summer is on the way and it will make a good gentle read whilst sunbathing in a hammock or drinking a G and T by the pool.

Philip
P.S. Val McDermid – A Darker Domain is available here

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In the pipeline —–

Andy McNab – Remote Control

Hard Girls – Martina Cole

Val McDermid – A Darker Domain

Tim Severin – Corsair

and

Tim Severin – Buccaneer

Philip

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First it has to be said that Val McDermid is the author of 22 bestselling novels, translated into 30 languages, selling over 10 million copies, and won many awards internationally. She was inducted into the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards Hall of Fame in 2009 and has for many of those novels thrilled many of her fans.

The Fever of the Bone is the latest and to my mind one of her best. I read it in one sitting or should I say sitting and laying as I read late into the night completely enthralled.

The Reviews – ‘So gripping that it puts your life on hold’ The Times ‘She is the real mistress of psychological gripping thrillers; no-one can plot or tell a story like she can. The hairs on my neck literally stood up’ Jenni Murray, Daily Express ‘McDermid’ remains unrivalled at yoking chilling scenarios to a pulsing narrative; and Hill’s torment is palpable in this scary, dark thriller. Brilliant’ Observer ‘Everything a great detective novel should be: pacy, gripping, clever and stylish and, most of all, a fantastic read’ Sunday Express ‘Another cracker in the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series from the most imaginative creator of serial killers we have’ Daily Mail ‘Gripping, well-written, nail-biting stuff’ Waterstone’s Books Quarterly ‘One of our finest crime writers’ The Times ‘A moving novel, not just a gripping one’ Financial Times ‘As good a psychological thriller as it is possible to get’ Sunday Express ‘McDermid’s’ mastery of this genre is evident, particularly in her dialogue, in which there is rarely a false note’ TLS ‘McDermid’s’ books are getting better and better…an absorbing novel of character’ Literary Review ‘…reminds us just how finely plotted and intelligently written McDermid’s novels are. More please – and soon’ Irish Times – - Do not begin to tell half of the story.

The Cases being investigated by DCI Carol Jordan and her elite investigation unit in The Fever of the Bone
- despite the obstacles put in her way by a replacement Chief Constable who wants to remove Tony Hill from the Bradfield police force. Soon however their talents are called upon in the case of a serial killer case who after much preparation and grooming of young teenagers on an Internet site, has just started to gather his victims and murder them, his motives as always with McDermid a complete mystery. With Tony Hill having to concentrate on his tortured personal life Carol Jordan and her team of fanatical specialists are even more more creative than ever.

McDermid’s writing makes this compelling reading. Added to all that, you have the lives of the officers, specialists and profilers. This wide cast of characters and what turns out to be a different serial killer angle are all brought together by McDermid with apparent effortless ease. The investigators may be frustratingly slower than the reader to make the connections and work out the identity of the killer, but that only adds to the tension in a terrific crime novel.

Val McDermid – The Fever of the Bone

Philip
P.S. Don’t think about it. Its BRILLIANT. BUY The Fever of the Bone NOW
P.P.S
For Tony and Carol Fans…… Wait for the very last page …… It may be what you have been waiting for… Or it may not??

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