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A review by pjgal22
Une victime idéale by Val McDermid
4.0
I was so angry after reading the end of The Retribution that I decided I was finished with the Tony Hill/Carol Jordan series. Recently, though, I realized how much I missed these characters (and McDermid’s unrivaled prose and plotting, which puts most other crime fiction to shame), and I relented and picked up this next book in the series. Much like Tony and Carol’s, it wasn’t a perfect reunion, but (for now anyway) I’m willing to continue with them on their journey as it appears there may be hope yet for these two.
As far as the crime end of the narrative, McDermid, as usual, pulls no punches. Her books are definitely not for the squeamish as very bad things can and do happen to people that you have come to care about. While she doesn’t describe each and every detail of the heinous acts committed by this particularly sadistic serial killer, there’s enough to make you squirm and even feel sick to your stomach at times.
As a side note, I thought the addition of Flash to Carol’s life was a master stroke - who better but a dog to help heal her psychic wounds? - but I admit that I was a bit nervous as to whether or not she would survive beyond this installment. It was thus a real treat to see her not only survive but save the day.
As far as the crime end of the narrative, McDermid, as usual, pulls no punches. Her books are definitely not for the squeamish as very bad things can and do happen to people that you have come to care about. While she doesn’t describe each and every detail of the heinous acts committed by this particularly sadistic serial killer, there’s enough to make you squirm and even feel sick to your stomach at times.
As a side note, I thought the addition of Flash to Carol’s life was a master stroke - who better but a dog to help heal her psychic wounds? - but I admit that I was a bit nervous as to whether or not she would survive beyond this installment. It was thus a real treat to see her not only survive but save the day.