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Original poster

Val McDermid - anyone read any of her books?

26 replies

saltire · 18/08/2008 15:00

I was in Waterstones today trying to treat myself, but gave up after 10 minutes with the DSes, so just grabbed any book to go with the other 2 I had (£for2 offer!)
I got her book, The Distant Echo. I've never read her books before, but quite like thriller,policetype novels.

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Original poster
saltire · 26/08/2008 10:47

Well I have started The Distant Echo, 4 chapters in already!

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CantSleepWontSleep · 21/08/2008 20:31

I'm with slayerette about reading that series in order too. VM is one of my absolute favourite authors.

I would recommend 'A Place of Execution' if you want one of hers that's a one off.

StealthPolarBear · 21/08/2008 20:28

i like them

elkiedee · 21/08/2008 20:23

Yes, I agree with slayerette but I'm also a bit weird about series order.

slayerette · 20/08/2008 11:36

I would disagree - if you want to read the Tony Hill books, you need to read them in order if you are interested in character/plot development. She does develop the characters' story arcs over the series as a whole, so will refer to something in a previous novel and how it is affecting the character in this one, iyswim. The first Tony Hill book is The Mermaids Singing.

ScottishMummy · 20/08/2008 10:42

OMG arent you a sweetie.how kind i need to read all my existing books first though.trying to declutter
oh so kind

IShaggedInVictorianSqualor · 20/08/2008 10:38

Pretty much stand alone.
I have The grave tattoo and The wire in the blood that I can send you ffp if you want them?

ScottishMummy · 20/08/2008 10:28

can you recommend me one?do you need to read in sequence to get the jist or are they stand alone

IShaggedInVictorianSqualor · 20/08/2008 10:27

I've read loads of Val McDermid's books.
I like them.

ScottishMummy · 20/08/2008 10:21

LOL yes Oxford Bar i know auld reekie VWell. love rebus.am bit of an anorak and have read thenm all

Original poster
saltire · 20/08/2008 10:16

I love the Rebus books, I have them all. I took DH into the Oxford Bar when in Edinburgh once. I recognise a lot of the places as well.

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ScottishMummy · 20/08/2008 10:13

rebus name checks fife a lot too cowdenbeath

Original poster
saltire · 20/08/2008 10:02

Well I picked it up quickly, but also
because she mentioned Fife on the back cover and we lived in Fife for 5 years, and know the area quie well.
I haven't started it yet, I started one of the other books I got, may keep her for our holiday

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TwoIfBySea · 19/08/2008 23:00

I've read the Distant Echo, it is quite a good read. Not really my style but involving none-the-less! If you know St Andrews you can picture the areas described which I don't know if that is a good thing or not.

Mummyfor3 · 19/08/2008 21:55

I like her books a lot, although a bit disturbing how well she gets into a psychopaths mind ... Just read Ian Rankin's last Rebus "Exit Music", brill, highly recommended.
Also Chrisopher Brookmyre, v dark, v funny, a lot very over the top, but so true!
(Sorry, could not stop myself gushing - reading when BF and BF quite a lot ).

ScottishMummy · 19/08/2008 21:51

thanks for clarification X

blueshoes · 19/08/2008 21:34

Yes, scottishmummy, she is crime of the serial killer variety. I have only read a few of her books including The Mermaids Singing but cannot quite bring myself to read more. In fact, I have completely gone off this genre. Val McDermid and Mo Hayder are the 2 reasons.

elkiedee · 19/08/2008 21:06

The Distant Echo is less gory than her Tony Hill/Carol Jordan series. I've been reading her books since her first series - the Lindsay Gordon series about a Scottish lesbian journalist - originally from the library. I was put off by the first standalones and the Hill/Jordan books initially though.

ScottishMummy · 19/08/2008 21:02

never read she is she crime like rebus?is she blood in the wire author

blueshoes · 19/08/2008 20:53

They are graphic alright

slayerette · 19/08/2008 19:10

I've read all the Tony Hill (Wire in the Blood) series and really get engrossed in them. Be warned though, they're not for the squeamish - quite graphic in their portrayal of the crimes committed. I didn't watch the tv series; tbh I don't think it really followed the books at all apart from having characters with the same names and jobs in it.

jenpet · 19/08/2008 19:10

I've read pretty much all her stuff. I find some of it a bit gruesome, but very well written. I think she gets better - some of the "Lucy Jordan" stuff was a bit..erm..flaky!

fryalot · 19/08/2008 19:07

I've just finished "beneath the bleeding" and it was good.

I've read a few of hers and didn't actually realise that it is her books that are the inspiration for "the wire in the blood" on the telly (of course I may have realised if I'd ever watched it, which I haven't)

The Mancunian PI ones (they all have the word "Blue" in the title iirc but can't remember any actual titles) I read years ago and always enjoyed them.

I like her and don't read her enough

cocolepew · 19/08/2008 19:04

I've read her before and enjoyed her. She used to write about a female PI which were a bit light hearted compared to her police ones.

BecauseImWorthIt · 19/08/2008 19:03

I think she's fab - always look out for her latest offering!