Her style is clean, except where the criminal details are involved. In fact, that how the book feels as well. McDermid describes the investigation as a roller coaster more than once. That made guessing the truth seem simple to me. She just produced a plot line built around a specific time and its prejudices. In this case, I don’t think McDermid failed me. After enough mystery books, it just comes too easily. Too much begins to disturb my sleep.Īnother reason to make a switch is how quickly I solved the murders. In fact, I may lay off thrillers for a bit after this. The killings are particularly brutal, including some “inventive” and historically-based torture.

That’s somewhat different from today’s books and shows. They have to fight extra hard to get the brass to take them seriously. He has plenty of insights on our killer, as does the perceptive DI Jordan. Tony Hill is a psychologist who works with killers committed to mental institutions. Given that it was published in 1996, the prevailing attitudes are less accepting and more prejudiced that what today’s authors would write.Īnother part of the story that shows its age is the skepticism around criminal profiling. The team is investigating killings of young gay men, who are killed elsewhere and dumped in the part of town with primarily gay bars. Tony Hill and Detective Inspector (DI) Carol Jordan.

Then we have that of the investigative team, especially profiler Dr. The Mermaids Singing is told from two points of view. I liked her detailed writing style, and was glad to see it here also. After listening to her nonfiction book, Forensics, reading Val McDermid’s psychological thriller series was an easy choice.

The Mermaids Singing by Val McDermid