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canada_matt's review against another edition
4.0
Just when the reader's seen all the twists that McDermid could posit in her novels, a new take on an oft-told storyline makes for another must-read novel. Through a series of cost-saving measures, the MIT is about to be dismantled and its team assigned to other forces. Until then, DCI Jordan embarks on a case to discover who is behind a number of prostitute slayings in and around Bradfield. Each woman is slain in a unique way, leaving the team to wonder if there is a connection. With a similar 'MINE' tattoo left on each woman, the connection appears strong, but motive and suspects come up dry. While Jordan and the team seek to use this swan song case to show their worth, news comes that convicted killer, Jacko Vance, has escaped. Having been behind bars for over a decade, Vance is set to settle scores (seeking his own form of 'retribution', as the book's title suggests) with those responsible for his time in jail, namely DCI Jordan and Dr. Hill. While Vance keeps a low profile, plotting his revenge, Hill and Jordan are on high alert, trying to guess his next move. Vance's plot begin to play out, striking at the core of those who played a great role in his incarceration. While the horrors heighten, Jordan and Hill commence a strain on their relationship (however it might be defined), with reconciliation far from certain. With the MIT on shaky ground, two serial killers on the loose, and the Hill-Jordan bond in shambles, McDermid recounts a powerful story where racing against the clock may not fix all issues at hand. A thrilling resurrection of McDermid's most cunning killer in this page-turner, in which series fans get a much needed thrill and dose of horror all at once.
McDermid's seventh novel does not lessen its thriller impact, even with the revisited characters and somewhat predicted storyline, as insinuated in the title. An avid series reader might have hoped for something along these lines, as it forces both Hill and Jordan to revisit their early time together and what began the effective 'specialist team' angle that has worked so well for the novels, as well as for both its main characters. With a blatant discussion of Jordan's stress coping mechanism, the infallibility scorecard is finally evened. While numerous authors have brought back old nemeses to to battle with their protagonists, few have the ability to tackle so nefarious a villain in as graphic a way as McDermid has done. All while balancing an alternative story line that keeps the reader guessing from the outset.
Kudos, Madam McDermid for your ongoing novels that educate, entertain, and scare the bejesus out of readers.
McDermid's seventh novel does not lessen its thriller impact, even with the revisited characters and somewhat predicted storyline, as insinuated in the title. An avid series reader might have hoped for something along these lines, as it forces both Hill and Jordan to revisit their early time together and what began the effective 'specialist team' angle that has worked so well for the novels, as well as for both its main characters. With a blatant discussion of Jordan's stress coping mechanism, the infallibility scorecard is finally evened. While numerous authors have brought back old nemeses to to battle with their protagonists, few have the ability to tackle so nefarious a villain in as graphic a way as McDermid has done. All while balancing an alternative story line that keeps the reader guessing from the outset.
Kudos, Madam McDermid for your ongoing novels that educate, entertain, and scare the bejesus out of readers.
frickative's review against another edition
3.0
Carol's brother murdered, Tony's beloved house razed to the ground, Chris blinded and horrifically scarred for life... Often I can't put McDermid's book down. This one I had to put aside in favour of watching a few hours of How I Met Your Mother, because it was just too flipping grim. Not to mention the Tony/Carol element. After a few books of total stagnation in their relationship, the last instalment gave me some hope for forward momentum. And instead, here we take a step back so enormous, it's hard to see how the lost ground can ever be recovered.
On the whole, it's hard to say I enjoyed this book, because it was just so distressing. The pacing in the second half was tense, edge of seat stuff, but the first few hundred pages were dismayingly slow - particularly when we spent a chapter with Vance escaping, a chapter with Tony learning Vance had escaped, then a chapter with Tony telling Carol Vance had escaped... Eesh. The secondary plot started out with promise, but fizzled out by the end.
I know for a fact I'll be back for the next Tony and Carol book, but after this, I'm really not looking forward to it.
janp's review against another edition
4.0
#7 in Hill/Jordan series and sequel to Hill/Jordan #2, "The Wire in the Blood" featuring Jacko Vance.
As usual, great read by Val McDermid.
As usual, great read by Val McDermid.
kbc's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I could figure out how to indicate on Good Reads that I've only read this book ONCE.
waynewaynus's review against another edition
4.0
Love this theory, however I cannot believ I missed the last three books in the series.
lnatal's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book as a digital ARC from the publisher through Net Galley in return for an honest review.
Even after watching several episodes of this TV series, this is the first book I read by Val McDermid.
The plot is based on the escape of Jacko Vance which aim is to revenge his imprisonment due to a previous work of investigation performed by the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan.
Entwined with Jacko's story, Tony and Carol started to investigate a serial killer who murdered street prostitutes and signed his victims post-mortem by making a tattoo on the inside of their wrist.
However the reader is driven to focus the attention into Vance’s final goal. Even Tony, an experienced psychologist, made a clear prognostic of Jacko’s mind classifying him as a true psychopath, he wasn’t able to foresee the full dimension of his fury against him and Carol.
The author managed to keep reader’s full attention into this chilling and gripping story.
therewithal's review against another edition
3.0
Wow, Tony and Carol can't catch a break. At the end of the last book they were planning to move in together and on track to possibly being happy, and then McDermid goes and literally burns it all down with this one. I hope there's going to be another book, because the ending of this one would be the worst ending for the series.
jillheather's review against another edition
2.0
Book 7 in a series of author throws up roadblocks to keep the Designated Couple from moving ahead.
Jacko Vance is back and fairly boring. Tony and Carol are really close to getting together, then don't. Old characters make cameos. All ends about as well as it ever ends in serial killer novels. Some of the books in this series are great, but not this one. It feels final, but leaves room for what I hope to be a better ending (not happier, just more interesting).
Mostly, though, I want to know what happens to the cat.
Jacko Vance is back and fairly boring. Tony and Carol are really close to getting together, then don't. Old characters make cameos. All ends about as well as it ever ends in serial killer novels. Some of the books in this series are great, but not this one. It feels final, but leaves room for what I hope to be a better ending (not happier, just more interesting).
Mostly, though, I want to know what happens to the cat.
stackwoodlibrary's review against another edition
3.0
McDermid keeps this series fresh (considering the number of sociopath serial killers Tony & Carol deal with) - this book brings back one of the worst of the lot.
If you've not read any of the series, it'll work alone, but I recommend starting with "The Mermaids Singing".
Or try some of the stand-alones like "The Vanishing Point".
If you've not read any of the series, it'll work alone, but I recommend starting with "The Mermaids Singing".
Or try some of the stand-alones like "The Vanishing Point".
negotiumperambulans's review against another edition
5.0
Everything readers wants in a good detective story and even more. The only problem is that it's so damn hard to put this book down once you've started reading.