The Distant Echo

by Val McDermid
The Distant Echo cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Mystery
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  • ID: 6771
  • Added: 2025-12-01
  • Updated: 2025-12-01
  • ISBN: 9780007142842
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2004-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

In the chilling thriller 'The Distant Echo,' Val McDermid weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue. On a freezing morning in Fife, four drunken students stumble upon the body of a woman in a Pictish cemetery, setting in motion a chain of events that will haunt them for years to come. The victim, Rosie, has been brutally raped and murdered, and the four young men become the prime suspects. /n/n Twenty-five years later, the unsolved murder resurfaces as a cold case, and the four friends find themselves once again entangled in the mystery. As two of them die under suspicious circumstances, the remaining two must race against time to uncover the truth about Rosie's murder before they become the next victims. With its gripping narrative and masterful storytelling, 'The Distant Echo' keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Reviews
The Bookbag · Sue Magee · 2025-12-01
fantastic 5.00

The book is a top-class example of crime writing that hooks readers from the very beginning. The author's mastery of the genre is evident in the way she crafts a suspenseful and engaging story.

Sue Magee was thoroughly impressed with The Distant Echo, calling it top-class crime writing that hooks readers from the very beginning. She praised the author's mastery of the genre, noting the way she crafts a suspenseful and engaging story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Magee also appreciated the complex and nuanced characters, as well as the intricate plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. She noted that the book is a great example of how crime fiction can be both entertaining and thought-provoking, with a compelling exploration of themes such as justice, morality, and the nature of evil. Magee also praised the author's writing style, which she found to be crisp and concise, with a great sense of pacing and tension.

Quick quotes

    Top class crime writing that has you hooked from the first.

    The author is a master of the genre.

    A suspenseful and engaging story.

Rebecca McCormick's Book Blog · Rebecca McCormick · 2024-07-28
good 4.00

The first half of the book set in 1978 felt very modern, although there were a few anachronisms that were noticeable. Despite this, the story was engaging and enjoyable.

Rebecca really enjoyed the book, particularly the first half set in 1978. She felt that the setting was very modern and relatable, which added to the overall appeal of the story. While there were a few anachronisms that she noticed, she was able to overlook them and appreciate the engaging narrative. The characters were well-developed, and the plot kept her hooked throughout. She also appreciated the way the author wove together the past and present, creating a compelling mystery that was both thought-provoking and entertaining.

Quick quotes

    I really liked the book.

    The first half in 1978 felt very modern.

    I could mostly forgive the anachronisms.

Mum of Three World · 2024-07-19
excellent 4.50

The book is a great choice for fans of police procedurals and detective novels, offering a gripping and suspenseful read. It is not a cosy crime story, but rather a thrilling and intense exploration of a complex mystery.

The reviewer loved The Distant Echo and highly recommends it to fans of police procedurals and detective novels. They found the story to be gripping and suspenseful, with well-developed characters and a complex mystery that kept them engaged throughout. The reviewer also appreciated the way the author handled the themes of justice and morality, adding depth to the story. They noted that this is not a cosy crime story, but rather a thrilling and intense exploration of a dark and disturbing case. The reviewer also praised the author's writing style, which they found to be crisp and concise, with a great sense of pacing and tension.

Quick quotes

    I loved The Distant Echo.

    If you enjoy a police procedural/detective type novel, I would definitely recommend it.

    But this is no cosy crime.

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