Trick of the Dark by Val McDermid

This is a Book Week book review for Wednesday’s Holiday Reading theme.

This is a standalone thriller and mystery by Val McDermid, who created Tony Hill, depicted by Robson Green in Wire in the Blood (brilliant books and a brilliant TV adaptation, in my opinion).

Charlie Flint is a psychiatrist who is on suspension for her part in letting a serial killer run free to kill four people and on the brink of betraying Maria, her partner of seven years, with the alluring Lisa. Charlie’s old tutor at Oxford pulls her into a mysterious investigation, which takes her mind off her troubles.

It’s a tightly plotted novel, which keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat throughout. while you may work out some of the mystery seemingly early on, the truth (at least to me) will still be a surprise.

At the centre of the mystery is Jay, a highly successful businesswoman, who is now in a relationship with Magda, widow, oncologist and daughter of Charlie’s old tutor. Jay herself is a fascinating character, glimpses of whom we are shown through snippets of her memoirs.

An excellent book, albeit perhaps a tad let down by an ending which seemed a little lazy (or merely unremarkable) in it’s tying up of loose ends.