Val McDermid grew up in a Scottish mining community then read English at Oxford. She was a journalist for sixteen years, spending the last three as Northern Bureau Chief of a national Sunday tabloid. She divides her time between Northumberland and Cheshire.
In this novel, McDermid pits detective chief inspector Carol Jordan and Dr. Tony Hill against an apparent copycat serial killer. As a clinical psychologist and criminal profiler, Tony says that this type of copycat crime is impossible, but this would mean the Bradfield police have locked up the wrong man. The award-winning author continues to keep this series (e.g., The Mermaids Singing) interesting through developing the relationships among the characters and providing nonstop action and edge-of-the-seat suspense. Gerard Doyle's narration is superb. McDermid proves that British authors are familiar with the violent world of serial crimes and can certainly write gripping and entertaining psychological thrillers. Highly recommended for all public libraries.-Theresa Connors, Arkansas Tech Univ., Russellville Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
'One of McDermid's finest, which is saying a lot' The Times
'An especially taut and inventive thriller. This is McDermid on top form' Daily Mail
'Serial killers are thankfully rare. It is a tribute to the power of Val McDermid's imagination that she made this one seem so believable' Daily Telegraph
'Complex, combative and nuanced' Express
'No one compares to McDermid' Guardian
'Val McDermid is an intelligent, supremely talented novelist and with this latest tale, she is writing at the height of her power. Utterly compelling' Glasgow Herald
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