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Review: Out of Bounds (Inspector Karen Pirie #4) by Val McDermid



Blurb from Goodreads:
Internationally bestselling author Val McDermid is one of our finest crime writers, whose gripping, impeccably plotted novels have garnered millions of readers worldwide. In her latest, Out of Bounds, she delivers a riveting cold case novel featuring detective Karen Pirie.

When a teenage joyrider crashes a stolen car and ends up in a coma, a routine DNA test reveals a connection to an unsolved murder from twenty-two years before. Finding the answer to the cold case should be straightforward. But it’s as twisted as the DNA helix itself.

Meanwhile, Karen finds herself irresistibly drawn to another mystery that she has no business investigating, a mystery that has its roots in a terrorist bombing two decades ago. And again, she finds that nothing is as it seems.

An enthralling, twisty read, Out of Bounds reaffirms Val McDermid’s place as one of the most dependable professionals in the mystery and thriller business.
My Review:
 
This is a good police procedural series specializing in cold cases and, actually, this was my first in this series. I have liked other books by this author (particularly, The Grave Tattoo) but based on where this books starts, I don't think I will read the prior books in the series although I will read future books. I just like where this picking up and I suppose you could say you are spoiled for overarching plots points in the first three books by starting with book 4. This doesn't and didn't bother me but it may bother you enough to want to start at the beginning. However, this book could also be read as a standalone. The Scotland setting was well done and I really liked the MC, Karen Pririe.  She is very straightforward, blunt and, in this book, hurting.  I won't tell you why but I liked the depth of her character and her interactions with others, particularly her not hidden obstinance to her superior. Still, the mystery was interesting as well as how she went about solving these old and cold crimes.

Out of Bounds comes out next week on December 6, 2016 and you can purchase HERE. I definitely recommend this one if you like police procedurals.
He remembered once seeing a machine that tumbled dull rocks till they became polished gemstones. The inside of his head felt like that tonight. Lot of jumbled thoughts banging into each other, confused and indistinguishable one from the other. He knew from past experience that the walk wouldn't turn those thoughts into sense. But perhaps sleep might help. Sometimes it did. 

Comments

  1. I like the idea of this. I love cold cases and Scotland is such a great setting. Glad you enjoyed this!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you didn't feel too behind just jumping in. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the Scotland setting and the fact that you were able to step into the fourth book of an ongoing series with no issue. Great to hear that this is worth keeping up with the future books!

    ReplyDelete

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