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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Interesting story and solid procedural. Good character development. Some wholes in the case.
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This one's not quite as good as some of the others, but it was fine. The research seams show too much, and I wasn't as invested in the case.
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Good on procedure and forensic science. But a truck (or lorry) could drive through the hole in the domestic violence subplot with room to spare. Did anyone else pick up on that? Also, two female psychopaths who are well-groomed and attractive -- three if you count the ACC -- was just a bit much. Still, I liked the writing and main characters enough to try the next book in the series.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5 stars.
Broken Ground by Val McDermid is a very clever mystery that features two cold cases which are getting a second look by investigators in the Historic Case Unit. This fifth installment in the Inspector Karen Pirie series can easily be read as a standalone.
Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie, her trusted underling, Detective Jason Murray and newcomer to the unit, Detective Sergeant Gerry McCartney are investigating a series of rapes that occurred thirty years earlier. A new development with one of the victims is the impetus for reopening the case and thanks to Murray's research, they now have possible suspects to question. However, the discovery of a murdered man in a peat bog means Pirie has another case to investigate since evidence proves the victim's death occurred in the distant past. Along with the two new enquiries, Karen is suspicious of DS McCartney's assignment to the unit by Assistant Chief Constable Ann Markie. Juggling two cases and interference from Markie, will Karen and the rest of the team unmask the perpetrators of the long unsolved crimes?
Karen is still mourning the loss of her significant other but she works hard to keep her personal life from interfering in her professional duties. She is dedicated to providing answers to the families who have been left to wonder what happened to their loved ones. Tenacious and hardworking, Karen is a veteran detective with a sharp intellect and keen instincts.
Karen and Jason mainly focus on solving the case of the person found in the peat bog. The circumstances of the discovery are also quite intriguing. Although they quickly identify the victim, the biggest question that needs to be answered is why this person was at the scene of the crime. Karen and Jason meticulously research each lead they find and follow where the evidence leads. Jason is gaining confidence and he proves to quite adept at uncovering obscure information. Once they exhaust the leads about the victim, Karen turns her attention to their suspect in hopes of building an airtight case.
With her attention on the more recent murder, Karen puts McCartney tracking down the possible suspects in their cold case. As his resentment towards Karen grows, she becomes certain that Markie has an ulterior motive for assigning him the HCU. How far will McCartney go to harm Karen's career? And will Markie's personal feelings for Pirie interfere with the ongoing investigations?
Broken Ground is an engrossing police procedural with a captivating setting and interesting characters. The main storyline is engrossing with flashbacks that provide compelling information about the investigation in the present. The secondary story arcs are equally appealing and while the cold cases are solved, Val McDermid leaves a few dangling threads that will leaving readers anxiously awaiting the next novel in the Inspector Karen Pirie series. I truly enjoyed and highly recommend this outstanding police procedural to fans of the genre.
Broken Ground by Val McDermid is a very clever mystery that features two cold cases which are getting a second look by investigators in the Historic Case Unit. This fifth installment in the Inspector Karen Pirie series can easily be read as a standalone.
Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie, her trusted underling, Detective Jason Murray and newcomer to the unit, Detective Sergeant Gerry McCartney are investigating a series of rapes that occurred thirty years earlier. A new development with one of the victims is the impetus for reopening the case and thanks to Murray's research, they now have possible suspects to question. However, the discovery of a murdered man in a peat bog means Pirie has another case to investigate since evidence proves the victim's death occurred in the distant past. Along with the two new enquiries, Karen is suspicious of DS McCartney's assignment to the unit by Assistant Chief Constable Ann Markie. Juggling two cases and interference from Markie, will Karen and the rest of the team unmask the perpetrators of the long unsolved crimes?
Karen is still mourning the loss of her significant other but she works hard to keep her personal life from interfering in her professional duties. She is dedicated to providing answers to the families who have been left to wonder what happened to their loved ones. Tenacious and hardworking, Karen is a veteran detective with a sharp intellect and keen instincts.
Karen and Jason mainly focus on solving the case of the person found in the peat bog. The circumstances of the discovery are also quite intriguing. Although they quickly identify the victim, the biggest question that needs to be answered is why this person was at the scene of the crime. Karen and Jason meticulously research each lead they find and follow where the evidence leads. Jason is gaining confidence and he proves to quite adept at uncovering obscure information. Once they exhaust the leads about the victim, Karen turns her attention to their suspect in hopes of building an airtight case.
With her attention on the more recent murder, Karen puts McCartney tracking down the possible suspects in their cold case. As his resentment towards Karen grows, she becomes certain that Markie has an ulterior motive for assigning him the HCU. How far will McCartney go to harm Karen's career? And will Markie's personal feelings for Pirie interfere with the ongoing investigations?
Broken Ground is an engrossing police procedural with a captivating setting and interesting characters. The main storyline is engrossing with flashbacks that provide compelling information about the investigation in the present. The secondary story arcs are equally appealing and while the cold cases are solved, Val McDermid leaves a few dangling threads that will leaving readers anxiously awaiting the next novel in the Inspector Karen Pirie series. I truly enjoyed and highly recommend this outstanding police procedural to fans of the genre.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A treasure hunt turns up more than treasure. A body is found buried in a Highland bog and it's of an age that means Karen Pirie and her team are on the case. It's just one of the cases on the books but Karen has a new sergeant, why, she has no idea, so she gives him the other lesser job. Things are not happy in her team especially as her new boss seems to be trying to push her out. Is the new sergeant a plant? Life is never easy for her.
It's may not be easy but she is always determined to give a voice to the dead and to bring closure for the living. It's what drives her, why she gets out of bed of a morning. She has a determined personality which means she never gives up.
This a really enjoyable book to read and another great read. Val McDermid doesn't disappoint with this addition to the collection.
It's may not be easy but she is always determined to give a voice to the dead and to bring closure for the living. It's what drives her, why she gets out of bed of a morning. She has a determined personality which means she never gives up.
This a really enjoyable book to read and another great read. Val McDermid doesn't disappoint with this addition to the collection.
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated