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The Mermaids Singing Dr Tony Hill Carol Jordan Mysteries Val McDermid Books

Download As PDF : The Mermaids Singing Dr Tony Hill Carol Jordan Mysteries Val McDermid Books

The Mermaids Singing Dr Tony Hill Carol Jordan Mysteries Val McDermid Books

In the mood for a grittier crime/mystery than I'd been reading of late, I stumbled upon a review of the 10th book in this series. I liked the premise of a detective and profiler partnership, so started the first book in the series, The Mermaids Singing. I admit, it was grifter than I bargained for. The level of sadistic violence in this book is not for the faint of heart, or, like me, those readers who have great difficulty getting imagery out of their head. As a result, I skimmed some of the torture scenes. Having visited a museum of torture in Edinburgh, I unfortunately have seen some of the devices described in the book. *shudder

The characters in the book are well-written. I did find some of Carol Jordan's personal reactions to some situations annoying. I suppose it could be chalked up to investigative fatigue on her part. I look forward to seeing how she manages in the next book. My complaints of this book are small: The title has no connection, that I can see, to the story. Perhaps I'm being dense. The two weasel coppers in the story don't really get their comeuppance. Maybe they will be addressed in the next book. Although, I think I'll read a lighter, less-gritty book before I dive back in to Tony and Carol's crime fighting. Kate Morton comes to mind....


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The Mermaids Singing Dr Tony Hill Carol Jordan Mysteries Val McDermid Books Reviews

I really enjoy reading books with strong, intelligent characters and Tony and Carol are definitely that. The plot gives us a glimpse of a tortured mind and the use of the perfect tools of torture. It also reminds us to be aware of those around us whose motives are not always innocent.
If torture and sadism are your cup of tea, this is the book for you. Though I love a good thriller and mystery, this story took me to a place that was too dark for my liking. On the plus side, McDermid is a master of this genre, and an excellent writer. There were unique and interesting subplots that held my interest, but I did skip over a lot of the torture scenes.
The depth to which the author explicitly describes each detail of the story enhances the plot to which you are an intimate observer. You are front and center to all criminal gore as well as to the police frantically attempting to discover the tortuous killer. An excellent read.
Excellent genre book with a focus a bit more on the detectives and victims rather than the psycho bad guy. It lacks the dry humor of the Dexter series by Lindsay and the overall epic feel of a Harris novel, but it lands a happy medium. However, for you romance fanatics who will invest in that aspect of the story, just do not do it, not this series for that aspect. You will only walk away bitter. This author takes the tired old will they/won't they cliche, masticates it, lets it rot, marinates it in sewage, and then leaves the stinking carcass to molder in the room until it manages to rot this whole franchise house. The latter books in the series are manageable only if you have no investment in that dynamic of the story at all.
My first Val McDermid novel knocked the proverbial socks off this Yank and has me wanting more. The detail, the story-layering, the psychological insight, and the cohesive plot told from multiple viewpoints had my head spinning! (But not as in The Exorcist, I hasten to add.)

I am well and truly hooked on McDermid's Tony and Carol partnership. I want more. Bring it on!
After reading and liking one of McDermid's non-series books I decided to begin this series. I stopped reading almost immediately due to the grisly violence, but what prompted me to literally throw this paperback in the trash was the horrible torturing of an animal. I'm an avid reader and love well-written mysteries, police procedurals, and many other genres. Ordinarily I donate my books after reading or pass along to friends, and throwing a a book away is foreign to me. Why someone who can write as well as Mcdermid would resort to this horrible gratuitous violence I have no idea.
This was a slog. All in all it was a decent book with a decent story. However, it reads a *lot* like Ian Rankin. Every time I was supposed to picture Tony Hill I involuntarily conjured up my image of John Rebus. And, I often find Rankin tedious at times. I've a high tolerance for gore and twisted violence but the author crossed a line early on that had me nearly quit reading -- if out of principle. The last 20-15% of the book went quickly but the rest was slow. It was really hard to get into and I almost gave up but I'd heard good things. Not sure if I'll read another.
In the mood for a grittier crime/mystery than I'd been reading of late, I stumbled upon a review of the 10th book in this series. I liked the premise of a detective and profiler partnership, so started the first book in the series, The Mermaids Singing. I admit, it was grifter than I bargained for. The level of sadistic violence in this book is not for the faint of heart, or, like me, those readers who have great difficulty getting imagery out of their head. As a result, I skimmed some of the torture scenes. Having visited a museum of torture in Edinburgh, I unfortunately have seen some of the devices described in the book. *shudder

The characters in the book are well-written. I did find some of Carol Jordan's personal reactions to some situations annoying. I suppose it could be chalked up to investigative fatigue on her part. I look forward to seeing how she manages in the next book. My complaints of this book are small The title has no connection, that I can see, to the story. Perhaps I'm being dense. The two weasel coppers in the story don't really get their comeuppance. Maybe they will be addressed in the next book. Although, I think I'll read a lighter, less-gritty book before I dive back in to Tony and Carol's crime fighting. Kate Morton comes to mind....