First time l have read anything from this author

I enjoyed this story, with the pedigree of the author l expected something deeper but as this is the first in the line perhaps depth comes in stages. This for me was a light read, but enjoyable, nice pace and not boring. The narration was very good - its a holiday read and yep good enough to buy the next in the series. The main character is a Private investigator and the storyline on what is uncovered (which is more than one thing) comes across as highly credible. Good stuff

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Always a good read

Val McDermid always writes great characters who engage you in a tale of suspense and intrigue.

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Not up to her normal exceptional standard.

An easy read. Very light but lacking some character depth and story depth. If this was the first Val McDermid is picked up is probably not read any more of hers which is a shame as she’s a brilliant author. I’m hoping that this series develops. I’ll give one more a try and if it doesn’t then just leave it. I didn’t like her series with the journalist either but from memory that was a better written book than this.

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A Mancunian blend of Poirot, Holmes, Marple

Thank you Val and Chloe for opening up a new world for me. I am already hooked on Karen's PI universe and into book 2.

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Great plot and characters

Really enjoyed this. The characters were relatable and I've just bought second in the series. Still relevant even though it was written thirty years ago.

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Not as good as Mcdermid's other books

I love Val mecdermid as an author and have read many of her other works in other series. this was my first of this series and it just didn't have the realism and gripping storyline that she has achieved in other works.
the basic story of a private detective tracking down a long lost creative song writer for a slightly fading popstar lacked any tension. The characters seemed quite uninteresting and the world of the book seemed dulled and lacking in any sense of vibrant character intrigue. the inevitable murder took too long to occur and wasn't compelling to solve

overall it felt like this was a book written to fulfil a publishing schedule.
val Mcdermid is so much better than this and I am still a huge fan, but I would give any more books in this particular series a miss

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Early Val Mcdermid does not exactly sparkle.

Truly boring story read in a dull deap-pan voice. I only lasted 12 chapters before skipping to the end just so I could write this review and warn people off. Save your money.

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