Mark Robson

Advantages: Compelling page turner, good story
Disadvantages: Basic language, younger audience

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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: It's another Val McDermid
Disadvantages: Plodding, pedestrian, long winded

...it does burst into life on page 423 it is oh so predictable. You know well in advance how Tony is going to be injured, almost to death, and Carol is going to be grossly abused and degraded – because that is what is expected as part of their non-life together. This book was so highly anticipated and has proved to be such a disappointment. I cannot rate it more than 2*. I've marked it recommended because I guess you will need to read it if you read the other two. If you haven't then it may not make much sense to you anyway. Oh yes – and if you have been watching the recent television series, I have to tell you that they are very poor interpretations of the books. Robson Green is not my idea of Tony Hill. The transsexual from the first book was killed and is not languishing in prison having cosy chats. Jacko Vance was an ex-Olympic javelin... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: You can't put it down
Disadvantages: You can't put it down

...I thoroughly enjoyed ITV's production of the Wire in the Blood, not realizing that the series came from books by Val McDermid. I had never even heard of the author until I came across a used copy of The Wire in the Blood on a book stall at our local market. I bought it immediately, and all throughout the book I could picture Robson Green as Dr. Tony Hill, but the book provides so much more rich detail than the programme did. The 'relationship' between Tony and Carol is more clear, and while the television programme hinted at Tony's sexual problems, the book explains why he has them. The violence in the story is integral to the plot, and I didn't have a problem with this. I would recommend this book to any one (over the age of 18), and because of The Wire in the Blood, I went on to read Killing and Shadows and have just ordered... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful