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A review by kris_mccracken
The Retribution by Val McDermid
4.0
Val McDermid's "The Retribution" offers a gripping return to the twisted world of Tony Hill and Carol Jordan, delivering a tense and engaging narrative to fans of the series. McDermid's seasoned hand at crafting crime fiction shines through, and the plot unfolds with a brisk pace and well-constructed tension. The story draws heavily on past storylines, with familiar threats resurfacing rather than presenting fresh cases for our protagonists to investigate.
The return of Jacko Vance, a villain with a personal vendetta against Hill and Jordan, brings a chilling tension to the narrative. McDermid doesn't shy away from the grotesque; the violence is at times graphic, and readers with a predilection for darker, more visceral crime fiction will find this element satisfying, though it may not suit the faint of heart.
The novel continues the shifting dynamic between Tony and Carol, whose relationship is at the heart of the series. McDermid clearly cherishes these characters but is fearless in continuing to subject them to the worst of ordeals. Hill and Jordan face profound personal and professional hardships, and it's this willingness to push her protagonists to the brink that keeps the series emotionally resonant.
McDermid also excels at fleshing out even minor characters, imbuing them with enough backstory and depth to elicit genuine emotional investment. When calamities befall them - and believe me, there are many - the reader feels the full weight of the tragedy. This creates a visceral connection.
While the plot's predictability may be a minor flaw for those craving more inventive twists, McDermid manages to neatly tie up the novel's primary threads. The ending is satisfying, but crucially, it leaves the characters' personal lives and careers hanging in unresolved tension.
In sum, this is a solid addition to the series, with enough suspense and emotional depth to keep readers invested, even if it does recycle familiar territory. McDermid's writing is as sharp as ever, and the authenticity she imbues into her characters ensures that readers will continue to care deeply about their fates, no matter how dark the journey becomes.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/2
The return of Jacko Vance, a villain with a personal vendetta against Hill and Jordan, brings a chilling tension to the narrative. McDermid doesn't shy away from the grotesque; the violence is at times graphic, and readers with a predilection for darker, more visceral crime fiction will find this element satisfying, though it may not suit the faint of heart.
The novel continues the shifting dynamic between Tony and Carol, whose relationship is at the heart of the series. McDermid clearly cherishes these characters but is fearless in continuing to subject them to the worst of ordeals. Hill and Jordan face profound personal and professional hardships, and it's this willingness to push her protagonists to the brink that keeps the series emotionally resonant.
McDermid also excels at fleshing out even minor characters, imbuing them with enough backstory and depth to elicit genuine emotional investment. When calamities befall them - and believe me, there are many - the reader feels the full weight of the tragedy. This creates a visceral connection.
While the plot's predictability may be a minor flaw for those craving more inventive twists, McDermid manages to neatly tie up the novel's primary threads. The ending is satisfying, but crucially, it leaves the characters' personal lives and careers hanging in unresolved tension.
In sum, this is a solid addition to the series, with enough suspense and emotional depth to keep readers invested, even if it does recycle familiar territory. McDermid's writing is as sharp as ever, and the authenticity she imbues into her characters ensures that readers will continue to care deeply about their fates, no matter how dark the journey becomes.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/2