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kcfromaustcrime's review
4.0
Relationships (personal, business, familial, friendship) are complicated things, as the 6th Tony Hill and Carol Jordan book FEVER IN THE BONE explores.
The central investigation centres around the brutal deaths of a number of apparently unconnected teenage victims. Starting out with a look at the victims themselves, and therefore into their family relationships, McDermid simultaneously weaves in a closer look at the families of her main characters. Tony's hitherto unknown father, and his non-relationship with his mother; the strange little "family" that is Hill and Carol Jordan's friendship; even the family that is the Carol's specialist investigation squad. Tellingly, McDermid also explores the relationships that people form in the world of social networking (going so far, it seems, as to create the social networking environment referred to in the book - which has now closed down I believe).
One of the most important things I noticed in reading FEVER OF THE BONE is that even though I'm all over the place with this series, there was no point when I felt I was missing out on something from an earlier book. I think a reader could jump into the series just about anywhere and find themselves engaged from the start. Sure there's some relationship development - particularly between Tony and Carol - that's going on, but it's carefully paced and it's not hard to work out what the backstory is. Mind you, it probably does help to realise that part of McDermid's great skill as a writer is evident in Tony. He's undoubtedly one of the most engaging annoying characters you're ever going to encounter in crime fiction. Possibly not surprising when you consider that his profiling style is to somehow or other think himself into the head of a killer, but it's definitely not a recipe for being an all sunshine and happy smiling times sort of a bloke.
There is some backstory to Tony, from his childhood through to the recent discovery of the identity of the father that he never knew. There are a lot of reasons for Tony to be complicated and they are explored in FEVER OF THE BONE. There are undoubtedly reasons for Carol to be complicated also. And that's another relationship that gets an airing in FEVER OF THE BONE - Carol has a new boss - James Blake. She has gone from having the support of her superiors, including their understanding that Tony's consultancy role on major investigations is a given, to a new boss who isn't supportive, is borderline dismissive and extremely suspicious of the combination of personal and professional between Tony and Carol. When he stops Carol from using Tony as a consultant to this investigation, he cuts off a lifeline that she's relied upon. Not just because of his skill as a profiler, but because Carol feels safe when Tony is around. Eventually Tony is able to hand Carol a way of ensuring his involvement, but with that comes an offer of major change in both their lives. As the investigation is resolved, the future becomes the next mystery - for them and for the reader.
With every book I read in this series, I find something new to admire. The way that McDermid works with her characters, exposing flaws, highlighting strengths, making them human whilst not overtly looking for sympathy. Obviously this is strongest in the main characters, but there is also evolution in the supporting character set. The way she humanises the victims - again flaws, strengths and all. There's good, solid, old-fashioned police investigating going on, supported admirably by clever technology, but the emphasis is the right way around - the hi-tech supports the slog, enhances the hunches, and tightens up the timeframes within the investigation. And finally, there's a clever, tight and quite chilling plot, with some unexpected but perfectly believable twists and turns that lead to a final resolution that will make the reader think long and hard about assumptions and prejudices.
The central investigation centres around the brutal deaths of a number of apparently unconnected teenage victims. Starting out with a look at the victims themselves, and therefore into their family relationships, McDermid simultaneously weaves in a closer look at the families of her main characters. Tony's hitherto unknown father, and his non-relationship with his mother; the strange little "family" that is Hill and Carol Jordan's friendship; even the family that is the Carol's specialist investigation squad. Tellingly, McDermid also explores the relationships that people form in the world of social networking (going so far, it seems, as to create the social networking environment referred to in the book - which has now closed down I believe).
One of the most important things I noticed in reading FEVER OF THE BONE is that even though I'm all over the place with this series, there was no point when I felt I was missing out on something from an earlier book. I think a reader could jump into the series just about anywhere and find themselves engaged from the start. Sure there's some relationship development - particularly between Tony and Carol - that's going on, but it's carefully paced and it's not hard to work out what the backstory is. Mind you, it probably does help to realise that part of McDermid's great skill as a writer is evident in Tony. He's undoubtedly one of the most engaging annoying characters you're ever going to encounter in crime fiction. Possibly not surprising when you consider that his profiling style is to somehow or other think himself into the head of a killer, but it's definitely not a recipe for being an all sunshine and happy smiling times sort of a bloke.
There is some backstory to Tony, from his childhood through to the recent discovery of the identity of the father that he never knew. There are a lot of reasons for Tony to be complicated and they are explored in FEVER OF THE BONE. There are undoubtedly reasons for Carol to be complicated also. And that's another relationship that gets an airing in FEVER OF THE BONE - Carol has a new boss - James Blake. She has gone from having the support of her superiors, including their understanding that Tony's consultancy role on major investigations is a given, to a new boss who isn't supportive, is borderline dismissive and extremely suspicious of the combination of personal and professional between Tony and Carol. When he stops Carol from using Tony as a consultant to this investigation, he cuts off a lifeline that she's relied upon. Not just because of his skill as a profiler, but because Carol feels safe when Tony is around. Eventually Tony is able to hand Carol a way of ensuring his involvement, but with that comes an offer of major change in both their lives. As the investigation is resolved, the future becomes the next mystery - for them and for the reader.
With every book I read in this series, I find something new to admire. The way that McDermid works with her characters, exposing flaws, highlighting strengths, making them human whilst not overtly looking for sympathy. Obviously this is strongest in the main characters, but there is also evolution in the supporting character set. The way she humanises the victims - again flaws, strengths and all. There's good, solid, old-fashioned police investigating going on, supported admirably by clever technology, but the emphasis is the right way around - the hi-tech supports the slog, enhances the hunches, and tightens up the timeframes within the investigation. And finally, there's a clever, tight and quite chilling plot, with some unexpected but perfectly believable twists and turns that lead to a final resolution that will make the reader think long and hard about assumptions and prejudices.
carolpk's review against another edition
3.0
supplied by the publisher in e-galley format
Reading this seventh in the Police Profiler Tony Hill/DCI Carol Jordan series without reading the rest may not be as satisfying as reading them all in order, but I honestly think it can be done. I've only read 3 and didn't feel cheated in the least. I got enough back story to know where I stood and as for the future of the characters, if I get to read the next, so be it, but I won't mind if I don't. Perhaps this is because I am a more of a stand-alone kind of gal. I'd rather not be committed to read the whole of a series as there is so much out there to read.
All this being said, I enjoyed Retribution. McDermid has a great way with her characters and her stories are entertaining. There's enough blood and guts for any thriller reader and I found the plot believable and well constructed.
I haven't seen Wire in the Blood, the tv program based on the books. I think I might like these. In reading reviews from other fans, some said they didn't like the ending. I really liked where the author left the story. Seemed logical to me. In fact, other than the great interplay in the relationship between Hill and Jordan, the ending might have been my favorite part of the book.
One frivolous complaint. I truly dislike the name of the villain. Jacko...yuk!
Reading this seventh in the Police Profiler Tony Hill/DCI Carol Jordan series without reading the rest may not be as satisfying as reading them all in order, but I honestly think it can be done. I've only read 3 and didn't feel cheated in the least. I got enough back story to know where I stood and as for the future of the characters, if I get to read the next, so be it, but I won't mind if I don't. Perhaps this is because I am a more of a stand-alone kind of gal. I'd rather not be committed to read the whole of a series as there is so much out there to read.
All this being said, I enjoyed Retribution. McDermid has a great way with her characters and her stories are entertaining. There's enough blood and guts for any thriller reader and I found the plot believable and well constructed.
I haven't seen Wire in the Blood, the tv program based on the books. I think I might like these. In reading reviews from other fans, some said they didn't like the ending. I really liked where the author left the story. Seemed logical to me. In fact, other than the great interplay in the relationship between Hill and Jordan, the ending might have been my favorite part of the book.
One frivolous complaint. I truly dislike the name of the villain. Jacko...yuk!
rhiannonneill's review against another edition
5.0
Val McDermid has done it again with the 6th installment of the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series! McDermid yet again keeps the pace of the story in line with the previous books in the series while also creating depth to the story by including plenty of believable details. McDermid has a brilliant way of including police procedural jargon in her novels but done in such a way that someone with no knowledge can follow what is going on, which also contributes to the detail of the storyline
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I love the way McDermid writes the actual setting of Bradfield as even though it is a fictional place, she describes it with so much detail it could be a real place. She has expanded the story further than Bradfield in this installment but hasn't dropped any of the details in these new places
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I'm loving rejoining Tony, Carol and the rest of the team as with each novel we learn a little bit more about them all while still feeling like you are saying hello to old friends. I'm especially liking how a particular relationship seemes to be developing and changing, but I wont say more than that to avoid spoilers!
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Normally I'm not a fan of open endings in books, but in this case I think the ending of this book was done perfectly as it makes me want to pick up the next one in the series straight away to see where the story is headed. The next one in the series is definitely on my radar for the next couple of months!
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I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is a series I wholeheartedly recommend 5⃣⭐
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I love the way McDermid writes the actual setting of Bradfield as even though it is a fictional place, she describes it with so much detail it could be a real place. She has expanded the story further than Bradfield in this installment but hasn't dropped any of the details in these new places
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I'm loving rejoining Tony, Carol and the rest of the team as with each novel we learn a little bit more about them all while still feeling like you are saying hello to old friends. I'm especially liking how a particular relationship seemes to be developing and changing, but I wont say more than that to avoid spoilers!
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Normally I'm not a fan of open endings in books, but in this case I think the ending of this book was done perfectly as it makes me want to pick up the next one in the series straight away to see where the story is headed. The next one in the series is definitely on my radar for the next couple of months!
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I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is a series I wholeheartedly recommend 5⃣⭐
susannavs's review against another edition
4.0
I can't help but wonder how that ending is going to come back to haunt Tony.
kristinisreading's review against another edition
3.0
My only background for this book was seeing the television series, which I liked - despite being a bit gruesome. I liked the book for what it was, a police chase, psychological thriller. I didn't mind the ending, but it did seem to have broken off midstream and then ended.
dogearedandfurry's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Each book just gets better - I was actively skipping other social time activities to plough through the last 1/3 of the book, and hoping I could steam through the last 66 pages on my commute, before I had to get off the bus. Very, very good. Liked learning more about Tony’s father, and the backstory there.
pjgal22's review against another edition
2.0
I was really disappointed with this book. Definitely my least favorite McDermid novel (and I've read the entire Tony Hill/Carol Jordan series and all of her standalone thrillers). As another reviewer noted, it almost seems like she wrote this book merely to punish all the readers who had become invested in Tony and Carol's relationship, which had always had an air of uncertainty about it but which, by Fever of the Bone, felt like it was finally starting to move in a positive direction. She quickly undoes that progress with this book. The events that take place not only make it seem impossible that Tony and Carol will be able to find their way back to each other, they also make it seem highly unlikely that either one will know peace or happiness ever again. And all this just to revisit an old villain, who in this book came across as rather one-dimensional and not especially interesting.
Much of the book seemed to drag until about two-thirds of the way through, when suddenly it started barreling forward like a freight train, wrapping up plot lines so quickly and with so little detail that it was quite a letdown. The secondary serial killer case in particular felt rushed and under-developed.
I've been a big fan of the Hill/Jordan series, but I almost wish she had just ended it with Fever of the Bone. I'm not sure I'll read any more if she continues the series. I don't think I want to spend any more time with the irreparably damaged people these two have become.
Much of the book seemed to drag until about two-thirds of the way through, when suddenly it started barreling forward like a freight train, wrapping up plot lines so quickly and with so little detail that it was quite a letdown. The secondary serial killer case in particular felt rushed and under-developed.
I've been a big fan of the Hill/Jordan series, but I almost wish she had just ended it with Fever of the Bone. I'm not sure I'll read any more if she continues the series. I don't think I want to spend any more time with the irreparably damaged people these two have become.
pjgal22's review against another edition
4.0
Another engrossing police procedural from Val McDermid that adds a few more pieces to the puzzle that is Tony Hill. Looking forward to seeing how this book's revelations about Tony's parents influence his future behavior and his relationship with Carol Jordan. Hard to put a McDermid novel down once you've started reading.
marshaskrypuch's review against another edition
4.0
A good crime novel with nuanced characters. This is the first of Val McDermid's that I've read. Now I will go back and read them from the beginning. Love finding authors with lots of good books.
alixv's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75