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Home > Books > Fiction > Thriller Books > T Thriller Books > The Mermaids Singing - Val McDermid

User Reviews

for The Mermaids Singing - Val McDermid

Rating Summary based on 12 reviews

  • 5 Stars
    		9
  • 4 Stars
    		2
  • 3 Stars
    		1
  • 2 Stars
    		0
  • 1 Star
    		0

Detailed rating

  • Characters
  • How does it compare to other works by the same author?
  • How does it compare to similar books?
  • Readability
  • Story
  		• 4.9
  		• 3.5
  		• 4.3
  		• 4.7
  		• 4.7

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Previous page Next page Page 1 of 2 | 1 to 10 out of 12 Review(s)
  • 54 of 54 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of fantasybeliever

    fantasybeliever

    3 Stars THE SOUL OF TORTURE IS MALE Review with images 25/11/2004
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Compelling, gripping read; strong characterisation

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Weak plot in parts; lacklustre and slightly predictable finish

    ~~~INTRODUCTION~~~ Back in July of this year, I had my first experience of Val McDermid when I read the book “A Distant Echo” – see previous review “Past Times Absolved”. I had been initially attracted by the fact that she is a fellow Scot and that she wrote in my favourite genre – that of the psychological thriller. Deciding that it was perhaps time for a break from Martina Cole, and time for something a little new and refreshing, I came across a copy of “The Mermaid Singing” in a charity shop whilst on holiday in September. I bought the book (in mint condition) for the princely sum of 75p ... more
  • 67 of 67 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of kirstymack80

    kirstymack80

    4 Stars Repetitive Knife Syndrome Review with images 16/06/2004
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages gripping, clever

    Disadvantages Disadvantages gruesome, cruel

    ‘You always remember the first time. Isn’t that what they say about sex? How much more true it is of murder’. So from the first chapter, we are thrown into the mind of the serial killer that Dr Tony Hill of the Home Office and Detective Inspector Carol Jordan are investigating. Set in Bradfield, four men have been found tortured and murdered, their bodies mutilated. Dr Hill is brought in as the clinical psychologist to compile a profile of the killer - but it’s clear from the start that he has sexual problems himself. Mysterious phone calls with a husky voiced woman ‘talking dirty’ anger and ... more
  • 24 of 24 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of Kary1987

    Kary1987

    5 Stars The Mermaids Singing - A great gruesome tale 03/12/2011
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Fantastic Read

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Will not be a book for everyone

    Val McDermid – The Mermaids Singing: I had heard of Val McDermid a long time ago and I am sure I can remember reading one of her books a while back, A Distant Echo was, I think the name of the book. I was sure I could remember it being a really enjoyable read but at the time I was engrossed with some of my other favourite authors like Michael Connelly and Jeffery Deaver. However a few years passed and my backlog of books disappeared and I felt it was time to revisit Val McDermid and after doing some research I discovered that this was the first book in a series. This book, entitled, “The ... more
  • 30 of 30 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of brokenangelkisses

    Level 6 brokenangelkisses

    Member since 24/11/2003

    Reviews written: 175

    5 Stars investigating crimes of sex, torture and obsession 10/01/2009
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages compelling characters; interesting ideas

    Disadvantages Disadvantages descriptions slightly gory

    From the beginning it's clear that this is a gritty, fast paced novel which will involve fully drawn and vulnerable characters, graphic descriptions of torture and a focus on the psychological elements of police procedure involved in solving the crime. The initial chapter is narrated by a murderer who explains their fascination with torture devices and describes murder as a 'strange and exotic drama'. The detachment of the narrator is chilling as they claim that they were compelled to commit murder the first time, but soon afterwards began thinking about how they could do it better next time ... more
  • 13 of 13 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of scdaniels

    scdaniels

    5 Stars The mermaids singing 07/04/2003
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Very well written, intreguing and well researched.

    Disadvantages Disadvantages It may be a bit disturbing for some

    This is the first Val McDermid book that I read, and has motivated me to read more. Out of the four that I have now read I believe this is the best. The only critisism I could possibly make is that it is not a book which jumps straight into the thick of it, but one that leads you in and gives you the background first. This could mean that you give up too soon if you don't have much patience. It is written in a style which I find quite unique. It is written from different views, with one of them being the view of the killer. You find yourself wanting the next snippet from the killer, and so ... more
  • 19 of 19 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of capt_janeway

    capt_janeway

    5 Stars A true crime classic 04/01/2002
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Strong characters, strong story, amazing twist at the end!

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Too short!!

    I discovered Val McDermid purely by accident, having been sent this book as part of a book club set. Being short of reading material I decided to give it a go and suddenly became emeshed in one of the most mesmorising books I have ever read. As a fan of Minnette Walters, Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs I am a big fan of 'intelligent' fiction, where you use your brain as you read. The Mermaids Singing and indeed all of Val's books I have read, certainly come into the brain using mould. The book tantalises you right from the start, using excerpts from the killer's own log and introducing to ... more
  • 22 of 22 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of Sarahb1976

    Sarahb1976

    5 Stars Serial Killer with a difference 14/06/2002
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Gripping, unputdownable

    Disadvantages Disadvantages none

    Although this is one of the first books written by Val McDermid and won the Golden Dagger I have only just read this book (having already read the Kate Brannigan series and Lyndsey Gordon series). The usual books I read are American Crime Thrillers including such authors as Patricia Cornwell, Sue Grafton and Karen Kijewski. The first book I read by Val McDermid was a Kate Brannigan Book (private investigator) that I had free with a magazine. I have nevery really bothered with books based in Britain before as I thought they might be dull and uninteresting but I was proved wrong. Unfortunately ... more
  • 5 of 5 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of Pobs

    Pobs

    5 Stars Homegrown serial killer 04/02/2001
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Creepy & realistic

    Disadvantages Disadvantages None

    This is case our hero, Tony Hill, wants no part of, but will find that he needs all his professional skill, his wits and his nerve if he's not going to be the next victim. This was the first book I ever read of Val McDermid's, and although not a huge fan of crimes novels (at the time), I gave it a go cos my brother recommended it - thankfully I actually listened to him, which makes a change! This is the kind of book that draws you in almost immediately, and then keeps you totally fascinated until the end. I used to sit up late just to keep reading it, and the storyline is so good, I found ... more
  • 5 of 5 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of welshpunkchick

    welshpunkchick

    4 Stars The Mermaids Singing - A Proper Thriller 20/08/2009
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Strong story, Plenty of twists, Good Characters, Fast Paced

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Very complex

    I bought this book in a little bookshop in Tenby. I was looking for something to read whilst on my holidays. I was drawn to the interesting cover, read the back and was hooked. I really enjoy thrillers and this looked like a strong contender for the genre. The main character of this book, set in Bradfield, is Tony Hill who is a criminal profiler. In the beginning of the story, he only deals with criminals who are securely locked behind bars. Then it becomes apparent that four men have been discovered tortured with their bodies dumped in areas renowned for homosexual activity. Tony Hill is ... more
  • 4 of 7 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of bren

    bren

    5 Stars A Horribly Great Read 05/07/2000
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages A rollercoaster of a read

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Stops you getting your beauty sleep - or doing the washing up

    This is one of those books that grips you from start to finish - not only does it have characters you can empathise with (and some of you may even identify with strangely enough) but it has a plot which will draw you on even when you know you should be in bed asleep you just have to read the next page ...and on and on. It has truly shocking and disturbing sequences and enough psychological goings on to keep the most sceptical reader on the edge of their seat. The end, when it comes delivers an unforseen villain - but does the hero outwit the villain in the end - read it for yourself and see ... more
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