A review by richard_morrow
1989 by Val McDermid

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Great to be back in the world of Allie Burns who is now a much more experienced and confident reporter who still wants to investigate and bring justice to the press. Allie is initially investigating the HIV crisis but her investigation reveals something else that connects to her boss. A story which starts in Manchester ends up taking Allie to Berlin and beyond, McDermid’s description paints a perfect picture of what Europe was like in the final months of the Cold War. There are historical events which are presented within this novel and through McDermid’s skill, I felt a true wave of emotion due to how vividly the devastation was narrated- she is a virtuosos of prose. A thrilling murder which demonstrates McDermid’s love for the characters.