Fever of the Bone by Val McDermid

In 'Fever Of The Bone,' Tony Hill, a profiler with a troubled past, is drawn into a case that tests his skills and resolve like never before. The brutal murder of teenager Jennifer Maidment is just the beginning of a series of killings that seem unconnected but are part of a sinister plan. As Tony struggles with personal demons and the ghosts of his past, he races against time to uncover the identity of a killer who shows no mercy, targeting victims with a perverse desire for control. The investigation becomes a battle for Tony's professional and personal satisfaction, pushing him to his limits in this nail-biting thriller. /n/n Val McDermid's masterful storytelling and intricate plotting keep readers on the edge of their seats, with praise from critics highlighting her ability to create suspense that puts lives on hold. The sixth book in the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series, 'Fever Of The Bone' delivers a shocking and gripping narrative that cements McDermid's reputation as a top-tier crime writer.

Reviews

Chris Wolak's Blog · Chris Wolak · 2011-11-08

brilliant 4.25

The novel is a gripping serial killer story that keeps the reader engaged from the start. The plot is tight and chilling, with unexpected twists.

Chris Wolak finds 'Fever of the Bone' to be a truly brilliant read that grips the reader from the start. The novel is a serial killer story that opens with the discovery of a body, and the tension builds from there. Wolak appreciates the tight and chilling plot, which includes unexpected but perfectly believable twists. The character development is strong, and the narrative is compelling, making it a standout in the crime fiction genre. Wolak also notes that the novel leaves plenty of issues to ponder after the last page is turned, adding depth to the reading experience.

Quick quotes

A truly brilliant read that grips the reader from the start

There is a lot of plot in Fever of the Bone, but the main narrative focuses on the deaths of seemingly unconnected teenagers

The tale covers a series of horrendous murder/mutilations of young, seemingly unconnected victims

The Independent · 2009-09-25

chilling 4.50

The book is a dark and compelling thriller that explores social networking and teenage angst. The narrative is tight and the twists are unexpected but believable.

The reviewer from The Independent praises 'Fever of the Bone' as a dark and compelling thriller that effectively explores social networking and teenage angst. The narrative is tight, with a clever plot that includes unexpected but perfectly believable twists. The reviewer notes that McDermid's handling of the technical and tonal aspects of the story is particularly impressive. The characters are well-developed, and the story is both chilling and engaging, making it a standout in the crime fiction genre. The reviewer also appreciates the way McDermid balances the dark central theme with compelling storytelling, creating a thrilling read.

Quick quotes

In a book that takes in social networking and teenage angst, it would be easy for the average author to slip up on technicality or tone, but McDermid handles it deftly

And finally, there's a clever, tight and quite chilling plot, with some unexpected but perfectly believable twists and turns that lead to a satisfying conclusion

This is very much a story about parents and children, and both Hill's own family crises and his 'will they, won't they' relationship with Jordan

The Guardian · Laura Wilson · 2009-09-19

excellent 4.00

The narrative is gripping and the scenarios are chilling, with a palpable sense of torment. The exploration of social networking and teenage angst is well-handled.

Laura Wilson highlights how McDermid masterfully combines chilling scenarios with a pulsing narrative, making the story both terrifying and engaging. The character of Tony Hill is particularly well-developed, with his torment being palpable throughout the novel. Wilson also appreciates the way McDermid delves into social networking and teenage angst, noting that it could have easily gone wrong in less skilled hands. The balance between the dark central theme and the compelling storytelling makes this a standout thriller.

Quick quotes

McDermid remains unrivalled at yoking chilling scenarios to a pulsing narrative

Hill's torment is palpable in this scary, dark thriller

In a book that takes in social networking and teenage angst, it would be easy for the average author to slip up on technicality or tone, but McDermid handles it deftly

Appears in Lists

The Best Val McDermid Books