Reviews

The most frustrating aspect of being a relatively slow reader (my mind wanders terribly) is being slowly teased to the conclusion of a mystery for 100 pages or so. On the other hand, it's an indication
that I've been tormented by a master.

Val McDermid knocked me over with The Mermaids Singing. A Place of Execution doesn't quite match the intensity but the nature of this one doesn't call for it. Instead, it simmers to a slow boil as revelations are brought to light following the disappearance of a 13 year-old girl from a tiny isolated English village.

I have to admit that some of the revelations didn't entirely surprise me, but I really didn't mind. Val McDermid can sure spin a yarn, and this novel is well worth anyone's time.

rlwaite's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a good read, even though I pretty much knew what the outcomes were going to be long before they were revealed in the book. My biggest complaint is that the author relied too much on coincidence (a highly unlikely one at that) as part of the plot.

vera222's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition

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4.0

A girl disappears, step-father is accused of her murder, surprising twist at end. except not that surprising to me as I had read Four Corners of Night by Craig Holden.

The book is wordy but when the plot twist is revealed, all the wordiness makes sense.

angelafr's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

winniefoster's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book is very uneven in pacing and tone. The first section drags and there is an obvious twist that most readers will spot hundreds of pages before the narrator or the detectives.
However, if this novel had been more tightly edited, it would have deserved five stars for the plot and evocative landscapes.

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