Much of this novel, right down to the 'gather everyone together' scene at then end, is so derivative that it becomes exasperating quite early on and only become progressively more annoying.
Oh, the cliches! Kates lover calls her Brannigan like she's in some 80s TV police drama the straight women are all parasitic bitches the lesbians are bitter and unhappy the men sleazy or devious. The protagonist Kate seems only to gain/retain her status in a male dominated profession by being as masculine as the men: kick-boxing, bullying, the lack of interest in marriage - suggesting the only way to gain equality is to homogenise your personality to the dominant gender. Firstly, the attempts to challenge gender stereotyping is clunky, her characters just as contrived. I've realised that's not going to happen this time.
My aim was not completely altruistic I do love to find a prolific writer with engaging work so that I can stack my virtual shelves with their stuff. I could have stopped and returned it, granted, but as McDermid is such a popular writer I really wanted to give her a chance to redeem herself.
I therefore have no hesitation in stating that getting to the end of this book was a trial. But, I doubt my unfavourable opinion of this novel will trouble Val McDermid's bank account. Bad reviews seem anathema to other readers and this site, especially if they deviate from the conventional 'great read' response.
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