Search - The Wire in the Blood (A Dr. Tony Hill Carol Jordan Mystery)

As I've noted in other reviews, I think Val McDermid is a talented writer, her books surpassing much that is currently being produced in the crime/horror/procedural genre. The Wire in the Blood is also well written, with a compelling plot, credible characterization, and a smarmy, creepy narcissist for a villain. I enjoyed the book and read it quickly to reach the dramatic conclusion. There are descriptions of sadistic violence, but for the fairly squeamish reader that I am, they were bearable. The one problem I see, and this is just my opinion, is that the protagonist, Tony Hill, is just a bit too cool and too clever, in some ways just as plasticky smooth as the killer. Not a hero who's easy to warm up to, despite his post-traumatic sexual problems. Fortunately, Carol Jordan's persona is competent but still fallible, easier for the reader to relate with.
Wire in the Blood is a good, gripping psychological thriller and while Tony Hill could be more likeable, this doesn't detract from the value of the story.

Although this is a dark story with some gore-it is one of the best reads around.

I'll have to second Linda on this one.

This is the second in the series of Tony Hill/Carol Jordan mysteries. And Tony Hill is not your usual best foot forward darling of mystery solvers. He is complicated characters with issues all his own. I enjoy the interplay between Carol and Tony, but it's Tony i'm interested in. I suppose I like messy people trying to claw their way through life and Tony Hill is definitely doing that.

A great second mystery. I could barely put it down. I kept drifting away from the family to read it. Good stuff!

interesting book, very good if you like profiling/mystery books, be warned, some of it is pretty graphic