Cross and Burn

My first Val McDermid mystery thriller, and I was not disappointed. Coming in at at book #8 was not the easiest especially this one as the story was a continuation of the previous book. We join our leads in the aftermath of their last investigation, which was disastrous, to say the least. Carol Jordan has quit and taken off on her own and the others are rudderless. Most of the story is through the eyes of Paula McIntyre, who has joined a new team.The dead body of a woman is found, one of Paula's friends goes missing, and everything spirals out of control. From the beginning you also get chapters from the murderer's point of view, which feeds us just enough information to keep the pace up, and reel you in. The problem for me is that I do not particularly like that form of narrative, where we see things through the eyes of the killer and get his worldview. I prefer not knowing, until the big reveal at the end. Also, the evidence against Tony Hill is not very convincingly explained away so I can understand why the lead investigator set her sights on him. And it remains that way at the end... Why didn't Nadia dry clean her jacket for an entire year? Or if she did, how did the blood stain remain so long???On the positive side - I loved the fact that almost all the leads were strong, female characters, with their flaws, obviously. And the males supported that without being dimwits or macho. I also loved the commentary on modern policing vs TV cop shows, where the writer hits you with the reality of budgets and spending policies! Also, the reality of the dangers women face in the world, even while taking a stroll in your own neighbourhood, was driven home hard and true. This story is not for those who want the kidnapped ones saved at the end, and all the strings ties up with a pretty bow.But at the end, for me, Kathy Reichs will always be my favourite modern crime writer! I own ALL her books in paperback, but I think I will make a trip to the Public Library to borrow more of this series.

Carol and Tony, left devastated and alone at the end of the last book, once again by villain Jacko Vance. It seems like they've lost everything, even each other. CArol has resigned as DCI.The case presented in this book and the crime investigation work is spectacular. You're never sure how things are going to unravel until they do.The ending doesn't exactly wrap things up for future sequels, but there is that one little word that clings in my mind, "hope". That's all any of us have in life and is true for fictional characters as well, especially true-to-life people with their attributes and especially their flaws.Val McDermid is the master of the detective crime genre.

I found Val McDermid through the BBC series Wire in the Blood, which is based on this series of books that highlight the exploits of psychologist Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan. I've enjoyed every book in this series, especially the last one Retribution, which played out like Wire in The Blood Part 2. I was having some trouble getting into this book, until it took "The Turn", and then I started reading at a fevered pace. At the outset all the players are still reeling from the devastation of the last book. They're separated, scattered, and lost in their own problems, but events unfold that force them back together, and when that "Turn" happens it's like a bright light goes off and you remember why Val McDermid is one of the best Thriller writers out there.I need to note that this is a series and to properly enjoy the nuances in character relationships you really need to have read the books that come before, but if you have this is a great addition to the series and a stellar follow up to the devastatingly good Retribution. Wire In The Blood is one of my all time favorite TV series, some of that is great acting on the part of Robson Green and the fact that BBC makes great TV, but most of it is the fact that Val McDermid is writing awesome books.I need to also say that these are not books for the light hearted. Val McDermid writes about some incredibly demented individuals who commit some of the most atrocious crimes you'll ever read about. So if you don't want to read about things like that, don't read these books. But if you can handle the horrible details, these are some of the best books I've ever read.

A number of McDermid's books deal with the results of frustrated male privilege and entitlement... to the point where I wonder if someone could create Real Dolls that cook, whether that would take these trolls out of actual women's lives...!I can literally not comprehend how anyone (purportedly) human can have the attitudes of various men in this series- but I know that actual men DO. It's scary.This series, though, is not a simple women-in-peril gimmick. The people who STOP these criminals are largely women, and I love their interactions and complex relationships.

The earlier books in the series were about asserting the usefulness of profiling in catching a killer, the ways in which Carol and Tony worked together and how their personal relationship developed and, importantly, a plot resolution in which each of those elements still played a part. This usually took the form of an interview room confrontation where the killer was provoked into overplaying a hand that confirmed their guilt. A cliché perhaps but, in my view, an important component in confirming the importance of Tony's input and Carol's intuition and resolving a case which, after all, is the reason for the book's existence. It's the case that brings the characters together. It's their work. For me - and it is exemplified here - as the series has evolved the case has become more of a device for bringing Tony and Carol together again, which is fine, but you can do that and still treat the case on its merits - i.e. have Paula interview the killer at the end of this one and draw out why he did what he did. In the absence of that it is all about Tony and Carol which, to me, is a feature of the series - and certainly its most important one - but is now in danger of becoming its only raison d'être. The cases themselves should not become incidental.

Cross and Burn reveals Tony Halls personal demons and Jordan's uncertainties but so far this is my favourite book in the series. Having said that I'm not sure whether I will be reading more in the series but that is more of my preference than anything else, I know fans of Hall and Jordan will not agree with me. I've read and enjoyed Val McDermid books before and enjoyed them but cannot say the same about Hall and Jordan series perhaps I expect too much or perhaps the tv series coloured my expectations.

Having caught up with all the books in the delicious Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series I am reading them through again enjoying my extra closeness to the main characters and Val McDermid’s masterly plotting. ‘Cross and Burn’ is the eighth book in the series of nine. It can be read as a standalone as the plot arc starts with the two lead characters in dark places because of what happened in book seven, something that is deftly revealed without holding up the pace as the book progresses, and ends with a resolution of sorts and a new direction for the future. While Tony Hill and Carol Jordan are sorting out their downfalls a parallel plot with a serial murder unfolds with flashes of scary insights into the mind of the murderer as Paula aided by the few who remain from Carol’s old team try to save the lives of his victims. Like all Val McDermids books the victims are portrayed as real people whose lives you care about, making the whole thing much more suspenseful.

Four stars for this because I missed the interaction of the MIT. Unavoidable, due to the path that this tale takes us down. That said, once more a great read. A serial killer is at work again, and this time Paula is on her own with a new boss who can't see beyond what is in front of her, no 'thinking out of the box, no empathy' no team support from her recently disbanded MIT colleagues., or Carol Jordan and Tony Hill. We pick these last two up with their personal problems on going, still to be resolved; will they? This killer is twisted and heartless and hates women. It needs the skills of Tony Hill and Carol Jordan and the MIT working together to resolve these murders, but these things are not possible. How will Paula McIntyre make it so? A great read, showing at times the frustrations of having to work within budgets when lives are at stake, also the difficulties women police officers have with some of their own male colleagues' attitudes to them, which runs through the series of books.

Val McDermid can do no wrong when it comes to writing a novel.But the Tony and Carol(Wire In The Blood)series are the ones her fans look forward to the most and I'm no exception.They are,in my opinion,THE best duo to grace crime fiction.The honest and naturally written relationship between them,the ups and downs,the emotional punches we've endured, the tender moments we've shared with them,over the years has become just as important and gripping as the fiendishly dark plots they've been embroiled in.When you finish one of Val's books you actually feel a little like you're saying goodbye to couple of friends.Until next time.Which can never come quick enough.

The last novel in this series was probably the weakest. There was one plot line in particular that just fizzled out & didn't go anywhere, but Cross & Burn sees Val McDermid back to her very best. It's not just the plot that keeps you going, but the excellent characterisations and her writing style which keep you hooked. Tony Hill faces probably the biggest challenge of his career in this novel and the story centres on his fight to rebuild his personal and professional life. If you liked the previous Tony Hill novels, but were (like me) disappointed with the last one, then rest assured this one is a welcome return to form.

Great read. Yet another brilliant book by Val McDermid,such a talented writer. I can't wait to start on the next book in this series. Read them,they're so good,you may become addicted to them like me!

As always good plotting and our familiar characters Hill and Jordan play a large part in this follow up to the end of MIT. I enjoyed the way the characters come together again and although it was pretty obvious that they would, McDermid did it skilfully. There have to be crazed individuals committing horrendous crimes or what else would our protagonists do? We would be pretty bored if the books were written about traffic crime or domestic burglary cases.I do though wonder how McDermid will end this series.

Without any comments on the plot etc I will just say I read this in 2 days I just couldn't put it down. For fans of Tony Hill & gang you will just soak it all up, as it feels like forever since we have been in their company! McDermid writes up a storm yet again - I can't get enough of this series. Top class all the way. For anyone out there who has not read this series, please start at the beginning with Wire in the Blood and enjoy every moment.

I don't normally like the Tony Hill/Carol Jordan books as I find them very grisly. Even though there are terrifying descriptions in "Cross and Burn", it's a terrific mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Generally, I prefer the Lindsay Gordon and Kate Brannigan books, but this Tony Hill book is a superb read. Both Tony and Carol are now out of the jobs they loved and striving to find new reasons for living after personal and professional losses. The psychological material about regrets and human progress is as compelling as the murder mystery plot. Please, Val McDermid, you have to follow this one up very quickly as I am desperate to find out what happens next.

I am very loyal to my favourite authors and m/s Mcdermid sits on my bookshelf alongside Stephen Leather, Mark Billingham and Ian Rankin. All write in a gripping style which is taylor made for my liking of thriller novels. This offering by Val is as enthralling as all of the others in the Tony Hill series. Definitely helps if you've read the preceding book as the multiple references to Carol Jordan's brother and the infamous Jacko Vance.This really is top drawer reading, I read it in 2 days - just couldn't put it down.

Having not read any McDermid novels for a couple of years it was reassuring to find that she is still writing page turners (or sliders) that I can not put down. Read over two sessions I was never bored or tempted to skip forward and was surprised to find myself 90% of the way through with no obvious signpostings or forced build up just a gentle incline towards the truth. McDermid's straightforward narrative is in sublime contrast to the complexity of characters she develops and makes the shocking acts even more shocking without the need for over the top shock value descriptions. Well worth a read!

Readable but easy to forget and for hardened Val McDermid fans, a disappointment. The story didn't deliver what it seemed to promise. I stuck with it but by the end I was left disappointed, the plot was pretty basic. Maybe it is time to give Hill and Jordan a rest as both are beginning to bore this particular reader and I am sure I am not alone.

As an avid reader of crime fiction and quite used to graphic scenes of violence (of which this book doesn't actually have many) I have never before encountered a work that was so compellingly 'real' that I actually could not sleep at night for a whole week! Even now I feel I am more 'aware' about my own personal safety and this is a book that will stay with me for a very long time!McDermid's style is compelling and engrossing and I doubt she will ever better this book (in my opinion) although I will continue to read her novels to see if she does.

I'm a fan of McDermid and the characters of Tony and Carol. This novel wasn't the best example of Val' s work but still a good read. But is it just me or do I get the hint that McDermid did not like the character of Alex Fielding who was created first for the TV adaptation? The character of Fielding in the book was not at all flattering and ends up with her career down the pan yet in the TV series Fielding and Tony become good friends and she is a more than able replacement for Carol. I suspect McDermid was not consulted on the introduction of Fielding on screen and took her revenge out on the character in this book. Not a criticism I just found it intriguing and quite amusing. What is a criticism is that once again the plot revolves round a serial killer brutally torturing and murdering women. I'm not targeting McDermid alone in this, I'm just growing a bit tired of it as a plot and particularly the gruesome and vivid description of the women's treatment. The genre including the Tony/Carol series needs shaking up and refreshing. That said I will look forward to the next visit to Bradfield just hopefully with a revitalised plotline.