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lisa_mc's review against another edition
4.0
This one starts off just a bit slow but builds into a real page-turner — I blasted through the last third in about a day. Great procedural mystery that does not end up where you think it will. You know from the very first pages that the flashback story is not all there is to it, but there are plenty of twists right up to the end. Her writing is taut, her plotting is clever and her characters are people you care about.
This was my first McDermid book but won’t be the last.
This was my first McDermid book but won’t be the last.
dja777's review against another edition
4.0
Chilling -- I'll have a hard time getting the ending out of my head. I'll definitely be looking for more books by this author.
kimstefanie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Child abuse
Moderate: Rape
kirkw1972's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this but it was just a bit too long and had especially at the beginning a lot of repetition. Plus the constant mention of smoking. I know people smoked in the 60s I didn’t need it on what felt like every other page.
It’s a book of 2 halves past and present. I enjoyed the present a little more. It seemed to flow better and read quicker. I’m still hit and miss on this author but this one gives me the impetus to try another
It’s a book of 2 halves past and present. I enjoyed the present a little more. It seemed to flow better and read quicker. I’m still hit and miss on this author but this one gives me the impetus to try another
belsnewt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
spencesational's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely fantastic read.
Actually, I heard this rather than read it.
A young girl goes missing in the Derbyshire Dales and is presumed dead. A man is arrested for her rape and murder (despite no body ever being found), is convicted and is hanged. But was he the killer?
Originally released in 1999 it has since been aired on UK television (2008) where it was nominated for the TV Dagger at the Crime Thriller Awards and in the US under the title of Masterpiece: Contemporary in 2009.
The beginning is really slow for the first 150 to 200 pages and I was tempted to give up at this stage. Thankfully I didn't and it just got better and better from thereon in.
The fact that it is based on a true story and that I live not too far at all added to the fascination for me and it is not a surprise that this is (as of 28th August 2020) No.1 on Amazon's book charts.
This is the first Val McDermid book I have read/listened to and if the rest are even half as good as this was I am quickly going to be a Val McDermid fan.
It is no wonder that this book has won numerous awards and since its re-release I can see more on the way. Every. Single. One. Deserved.
Actually, I heard this rather than read it.
A young girl goes missing in the Derbyshire Dales and is presumed dead. A man is arrested for her rape and murder (despite no body ever being found), is convicted and is hanged. But was he the killer?
Originally released in 1999 it has since been aired on UK television (2008) where it was nominated for the TV Dagger at the Crime Thriller Awards and in the US under the title of Masterpiece: Contemporary in 2009.
The beginning is really slow for the first 150 to 200 pages and I was tempted to give up at this stage. Thankfully I didn't and it just got better and better from thereon in.
The fact that it is based on a true story and that I live not too far at all added to the fascination for me and it is not a surprise that this is (as of 28th August 2020) No.1 on Amazon's book charts.
This is the first Val McDermid book I have read/listened to and if the rest are even half as good as this was I am quickly going to be a Val McDermid fan.
It is no wonder that this book has won numerous awards and since its re-release I can see more on the way. Every. Single. One. Deserved.
burrowsi1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
alienhard's review against another edition
4.0
I'd actually give this 4.5 stars if I could. Fabulous book! Admittedly, the first half was great, but not I-can't-put-it-down great. Once I got to the second part, however, I read every spare second I could find in my day. I'd definitely recommend it.
janie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0