The Wire in the Blood

by Val McDermid
The Wire in the Blood cover
Good Books rating 4.08
Thriller/Suspense
Buy online
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 6769
  • Added: 2025-12-01
  • Updated: 2025-12-01
  • ISBN: 9780006499831
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 1998-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

Val McDermid's bestselling crime series introduces psychological profiler Dr. Tony Hill and his colleague Carol Jordan in a chilling tale of suspense. Young girls are vanishing across the country, with no apparent connections between the cases. Dr. Hill's team is tasked with finding links, but only one officer's theory is initially dismissed—until a brutal murder forces them to reconsider. /n/n As the killer's twisted mind becomes clearer, Dr. Hill and Carol Jordan embark on a dangerous game of cat and mouse, blurring the lines between hunter and prey. This thrilling novel combines psychological depth with relentless pacing, making it a standout in the crime genre.

Reviews
Mum of Three World · 2024-07-05
chilling 4.50

The book is a chilling read that draws parallels to real-life cases, creating an atmosphere of dread. It's a gripping story that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

This reviewer found The Wire in the Blood to be a pretty scary read, with definite shades of the Jimmy Saville case, although it was written long before his crimes came to light. The book's ability to tap into real-life horrors makes it a chilling and gripping story. They appreciated the way the author weaves a tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat, making it a compelling and unsettling read. The reviewer also noted that the book's themes and characters are well-developed, adding to the overall impact of the story.

Quick quotes

    The Wire in the Blood is a pretty scary read, with definite shades of the Jimmy Saville case

    It's a gripping story that keeps you on the edge of your seat

    The book's ability to tap into real-life horrors makes it a chilling and compelling read

King Conan Review · 2017-09-02
mixed 3.00

Despite some issues, the book is enjoyable if you can get past the long, tiring first half. The idea is good, but the writing is variable.

This reviewer had a mixed experience with The Wire in the Blood. They found the book enjoyable overall, but noted that the first half was long and tiring, which made it a bit of a struggle to get through. The reviewer appreciated the good idea behind the story and the compelling concept, but felt that the writing was variable, which affected their overall enjoyment. They suggested that readers might need to push through the slower parts to fully appreciate the book's strengths.

Quick quotes

    Despite the several issues I have against this book, I did enjoy The Wire in the Blood

    If you can pass the long, tiring first half of the book

    The idea is good, but the writing is variable

Vulpes Libris · 2014-10-01
exemplary 4.75

The book is an exemplary piece of crime fiction, full of interweaving plots and pure suspense. The characters are well-realised and the pace is perfect.

This reviewer praised The Wire in the Blood as an exemplary piece of crime fiction, highlighting its interweaving plots and pure suspense. They found the characters to be well-realised and the pace to be perfect, with never a dull moment. The reviewer appreciated the complexity of the story and the way the author keeps the reader engaged throughout. They also noted the effectiveness of the investigators hitting brick walls, adding to the overall tension and intrigue of the narrative.

Quick quotes

    An exemplary piece of crime fiction, full of interweaving plots and pure suspense

    The protagonists were all so well realised and believable

    The pace was perfect there was never a dull moment

Appears in Lists