The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion
Favorite Authors/Books/Series
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Val McDermid: Does anyone else read her? Or is it just me?
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I've read a few of Val McDermid's books and have enjoyed some very much. The Wire in the Blood series is excellent, at least so far.
I agree about the "Wire" series. They do grab you right away.I finished reading "The Grave Tattoo" a couple of weeks ago. It was alright, but much slower paced than the "Wire" books. I guess I was expecting it to pick up some, but it never really did. Oh well, I guess even she needed a break from her darker writings.
Don't let 'the grave tatto' put you off val McDermid. I am an avid fan of hers and have been to see her speak several times- great books, fab speaker and I remain an ardent fan BUT I put the grave tattoo down mid book! For me, it was her first poor show.
The Grave Tattoo hasn't put me off reading Val's books. I did finish it and it had a great twist at the end that I didn't see coming. It was just not what I was expecting from her is all.
Love Val McDermid books. Am reading The Last Temptation. Described as "white knuckle suspense" by Book List
i'm looking forward to re-reading A place of execution, i remember i loved it the 1st time also killing the shadows was fab
I recently went back to reading place of execution. But then one of the PBS channels showed it so I will probably have to put ut down for a while - so that I can forget what happened in the show.
I've read a couple of her books - the Tony Hill series I found truly exciting, a Kate Brannigan book not so.
Does anyone have an absolute favorite of Val McDermid ?
I really don't have a favorite....of what I've read so far. But man, the woman sure knows how to get under your skin! (She kinda scares me!) HAHA! :D
A Place of Execution was one of McDermid's stories I didn't particularly like, at least not as much as the others I've read. Oddly enough, I didn't mind the BBC show based on it at all.
Oh man, I'd love to see that show Bill! I LOVE all the British crime shows. Wish the ones here were half as good. (Watching the series "Broadchurch" on BBC America right now)To me, the violence in books is always worse because I visualize the acts so vividly that what I see in my head could never be put on film...WAY too graphic!!
And the violence in a book stays with me longer than if I'd seen it in a movie, tv series, etc. I suppose it's for the same reason I said above. My imagination is on overdrive. (Does anyone else feel like this or am I just weirder than I thought I was?)
Carmen wrote: "Oh man, I'd love to see that show Bill! I LOVE all the British crime shows. Wish the ones here were half as good. (Watching the series "Broadchurch" on BBC America right now)To me, the violenc..."
It was recently on one of the PBS stations in Chicago, not the main channel.
Thanks for mentioning this author's name here. I realized that I had added Trick of the Dark to my to-read shelf and now, I will check and see what other books from this author to read in the future. Thanks! :-)
Absolutely love Val's books. Love the relationship between Tony and Carol, and the cases keep you on your toes.
Carmen wrote: "Oh man, I'd love to see that show Bill! I LOVE all the British crime shows. Wish the ones here were half as good. (Watching the series "Broadchurch" on BBC America right now)To me, the violenc..."
We've enjoyed Broadchurch as well. And, like you, we love pretty well all of the British crime shows. Just finished watching the most recent season of Luther and we're starting Season 5 of George Gently..
Val's my favourite British crime/thriller writer. Love the grittiness, the UK settings, the violence but most of all, the relationship between Tony and Carol, which, I think, is also depicted quite well in the TV series 'Wire in the Blood'.
I read the wire in the blood for my bookclub. My first Val MxDermid but it certainly won't be my last!
I came to Val McDermid through the BBC show Wire in the Blood, which if you haven't seen it is one of the best psychological series of shows to ever be on the TV anywhere. Partly because Robson Green is just an incredibly good actor, and mostly because Val McDermid has written a great series of books that the show was based on.A Place of Execution is one of the best novels I've ever read and sits high above even the Tony Hill/Carol Jordan series, which is one of the best series of psychological Thrillers out there.
I tried the Kate Brannigan series but the tones and textures were nowhere near her other series of books.
And Broadchurch was a great series on BBC, but I enjoyed the latest series of Luther even more.
Hey Rick! I wish they'd show Wire in the Blood here on BBC America or PBS. I'd really love to see it.
My first Val novel was The Mermaids Singing (I actually started out a new author's series with the first book!). I just happened to pick it up for my husband, because he likes books that are "the gorier, the better" And it sounded like it would fit that bill. He read it, liked it, so I thought I'd try it. I am in LOVE!!
Haven't had much time to read her lately and it's hard to find her books used (which is how I like them). I did read The Grave Tattoo though. It was ok. more history than suspense and it's just not as good as the Tony Hill series. I'll have to be on the lookout for her other series as well. I really have to get back into her books. She's a good one to read this time of year, that's for sure! :D
The Wire in the Blood Series is available on NetFlix, I've watched it there a few times.And if you like Val McDermid then you should check out Chelsea Cain and Karin Slaughter. Cain's books start with Heartsick and are right in line with Mermaids Singing with a dash of Silence of the Lamds and a little bit of a sense of humor. Slaughter starts with Blindsighted and are just vicious from beginning to end.
The Grave Tattoo was just not good, but A Place of Execution is awesome and if you haven't read it you should.
Love Val McDermid. "A Place of Execution"may be up at the top and of course Wire in the blood with Tony!!
Thanks for the info on those other writers Rick. I've seen both of their books, but just haven't picked one up for some reason. Will definitely have to do that now.The Grave Tattoo wasn't a bad book, it was just really tame compared to her other work and I guess that kinda caught me off guard. I did like all the historic background in it though, as I didn't know a whole lot about any of the multiple subjects she covered in it.
Even though her books can get quite graphic as far the violence is concerned, her writing is spot on. I haven't read all her books yet, but I'm looking forward to reading what I've missed.