Reviews

Tony and Carol are back, but in a complete different setting than usual.
They both start to tread on different paths, and it is an improvement on the last installment where storylines were getting a bit chaotic. I really liked this new approach and the pace and style were spot on.
The storyline about the nuns ended rather abruptly, but I guess that would also be the case in real life. Also the second main story ended abruptly and there were some loose ends: what happened to Tony? an why weren't the readers involved in the final interrogation?
But my main point of criticism is the extra storyline involving Tony's mother Samantha, which wasn't credible and superfluous. All in all, if this part was left out, and a little bit more attention was given to the end of the main part, it would have benefited.
Therefore: 4 stars instead of 5.

tskel123's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

kelbi's review

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3.0

It ties up the threads and maybe gives a new direction to Carol and TONY. Not one of her best but nevertheless a good read

annieb123's review against another edition

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5.0

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

How the Dead Speak is the 11th book in the Tony Hill & Carol Jordan series of psychological murder mystery/procedurals by Val McDermid. Due out 3rd Dec 2019 from Grove Atlantic, it's 416 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats.

I was unsure what would be in store for Tony & Carol after the cataclysmic denouement of the earlier book. This book begins with Tony serving a custodial sentence for manslaughter after being stripped of his professional qualifications and Carol suffering from debilitating PTSD which she was self-medicating with alcohol. I was concerned that the book would devolve into relentless misery and unhappiness, but I was (happily) wrong.

The author is one of the most technically adept writers I've ever encountered. Her writing is surgically precise, controlled, and masterful. This book contains several apparently disparate subplot threads which McDermid weaves together into an incredibly twisty and satisfying denouement. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series after seriously contemplating dropping the series after finishing the previous book.

Previous fans of the series will find more of the taut psychological twisty plotting characteristic of the earlier works. The author is adept at providing necessary backstory without resorting to info-dumping, so new readers will have no trouble following the story. I highly recommend this series to fans of the genre though, so going back and reading the previous books in order will prove enjoyable.

Four and a half stars. Another winner from a master writer at the top of her form.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.