Still Life – Another McDermid Masterclass

Still Life is another Val McDermid masterclass of crime writing. Currently there is no better crime fiction writer than McDermid, and she never rests on her laurels, always looking to improve. There are those literary snobs that look down on Val McDermid, they are only jealous because the pap they put out is overrated trash and does not connect with the reader.

DCI Karen Pirie has been sent to a cold case out in Fife which does not seem to hard to solve at first look, a skeleton in the back of a VW campervan. Little does she realise that in the process of solving this crime her able assistant Jason will be injured in Stockport of all places in pursuit of the truth.

When the Assistant Chief Constable summons Karen to headquarters and tells her, she is to take over a live murder case that is linked to a cold case, little does she realise where this will take her. One thing she does know that ACC ‘dog biscuit’ will love it if she fails to close the case.

Karen uncovers a case about murder, missing people, stolen art, and plenty of the case has taken place outside of Police Scotland’s jurisdiction. Investigating this crime leads Karen and her team to Paris and Caen, with stop offs in Glasgow and London, before heading to the Republic of Ireland. Before calling on the Police Service of Northern Ireland, who are generous with their help.

Once again before putting words on paper, Val McDermid does the research, as well as a bit of literary licence, to create believable plots and a story that grips you. I like reading Val McDermid thrillers as they draw you in, and before you realise you need to eat and drink you are well into the book and it feels like a crime to put it down.

Val McDermid has delivered a masterclass of crime writing proving why she is an award winner.

I am relatively new to Val McDermid novels and am happy to join the five star reviewers for Still Life. Beginning with the mysterious body found in the back of a camper, McDermid had me hooked. I enjoyed the Scottish setting and enjoyed watching the author reveal her plot. The characters were interesting as well, beginning with the star, Karen Pirie. The backup cast of police also make the story interesting. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

DCI Karen Pirie handles historic crimes (AKA cold cases) in Scotland. She's been notified that there's a camper in someone's garage with a skeleton in it. Her unit is investigating the identity of the deceased. Meanwhile, there is the case of a man who has been found dead; his documents say he is French, but apparently he s a Scot who vanished years ago after the disappearance of his brother. What could this jazz musician have to do with some mysterious art forgeries? I enjoyed the Scottish setting and strong female characters in this well plotted mystery. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

Thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Val McDermid at her imperious best. We all know Val best for her ‘Wire in the Blood’ series, but her lesser known characters, like DCI Karen Pirie, who features in this book, are beginning to overtake her more famous creations, Carol Jordan and Tony Hill. Whilst many of us have been disappointed by the latest books in the Wire in the Blood series, ‘Still Life’ provides a more than adequate showcase for Val’s inimitable talent. Compelling characters, faultless research and pitch-perfect plotting are all features of her latest, twisty mystery. It is also an addictive, literal page-turner that you just want to keep reading and reading... Well, you get the picture. We have two intertwined mysteries in this book. One is the death of the brother of a senior Scottish Civil Servant who disappeared some years before. The second involves the desiccated corpse found in a camper van on the property of a recently deceased tax advisor. Both mysteries are handled with the usual aplomb by McDermid, and the pay-off is immense. Expertly ratcheting up the tension in this compelling mystery, teasing the reader with red-herrings and plot twists, are all hallmarks of vintage McDermid. Simply sublime. The master of crime does it again.

A new DCI Karen Pirie crime thriller.
The story opens with a body found by fishermen and moves on to include a skeleton in a garage, disappearance of a senior civil servant , art forgery and the french foreign legion - somehow Val McDermid weaves all these strands into an engaging and enjoyable read.
I particularly love her descriptions of the characters in the story and how she brings them to life.
I read this book in one sitting.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this ahead of publication in return for a fair review.
Another great Val McDermid book.
4.5 Stars.

I have read most of the Tony Hill / Carol Jordan novels and loved them so I already knew that Val McDermid could write an amazing crime novel! However, Still Life is the first of the Karen Pirie books that I have read so I was really interested to learn about the new characters and how they differ from the other stories. ⠀

DCI Karen Pirie works in the Historic Cases Unit. With these types of cases, the crime has already been committed (possibly quite a long time before) so all of the focus is on the detectives and their investigative skills, working backwards to solve the murder. This was a really interesting spin on a typical police procedural.

I thought Karen was a fantastic character, extremely professional, hard-working and meticulous. She expects everyone else to give the same amount of effort to a case and I definitely wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of her.

When I first realised that there were two cases being investigated in the book, I thought that there would be some kind of link between them. In the end I think that the whole purpose of the two cases was to bring Karen, Jason and Daisy together and set the scene for the trio moving forward.

I think this is a great choice as Daisy and Jason would be a great partnership in any potential future books. They are both eager to please and don’t want to do anything that will let Karen down. I get the impression this would make the two of them competitive which would be an interesting storyline.
⠀
The writing felt very contemporary with references to the current political climate, Brexit and even Covid-19. Towards the end of the book the lockdown measures were beginning to be put into place which sets the scene for a very unique follow up to Still Life. I think it would be fascinating to read the next instalment and see the challenges faced by the police during a pandemic and especially how this affects Karen, Jason and Daisy in the Historical Cases Unit! ⠀

Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I have loved previous McDermid books but for some reason just couldn’t get into this one. I tried 3 different times, I’m not sure if it was the style of writing which seemed different, or the annoying way the characters would say “ping me” - but I was unable to finish the book, which was a shame because I had been looking forward to it.

Val McDermid demonstrates in Still Life why she holds a place as one of the top mystery writers on both sides of the Atlantic. In this sixth Karen Pirie book McDermid gives us another brilliant set of intertwined cases. The book kept me on the edge of my seat and up all-too-late while engrossed in the book. Despite a little too much focus on food - and usually food that's not very good for you -- this is a wonderful book that highlights the complexities involved in solving crimes, be they fresh or 'cold' and the knowledge, talent, and hard work it takes of many professionals to sort it all out. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Val McDermid, Grove Atlantic & NetGalley for giving me an Advanced Reader Copy to read. I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are my own.

Release Date: 6th October 2020.

This is the 6th book in the DCI Karen Pirie but can easily be read as a stand-alone. That said, I’ve previously read all of the preceding books in this series and this book has familiar characters and threads of previous storylines woven throughout it. I also think it enhances the story when you understand their back story, character evolution and depth of relationships from previous books.

The story begins with a dead body and the introduction of a new character DS Daisy Mortimer on the case. We are then taken to another case where the Historical Cases Unit are called in, when a skeleton is found. DCI Karen Pirie, head of the Historical Cases Unit is joined by her loyal and trustworthy team member DC Jason “The Mint” Murray. Due to previously working on another cold case that had connections to the active murder that we first encountered, Karen’s Boss decides to make her SIO of both investigations. So Daisy then becomes Karen’s new sidekick in the active murder investigation, whilst Jason continues to work on the skeleton in the van case.

For anyone familiar with this Author, her stories are always extremely tightly woven. Like a true master story teller, she weaves a tale that is so full of characters, landscapes and storylines, that at times you wonder where this is all going. Believe me, have patience, enjoy the journey you are being taken on, stick with it, because there are snippets of clues along the way. All of those threads will culminate into the “aha” moment of the “whodunit”. Though if you’re playing close observation, I’m sure you’ll have a theory well before the final reveal.

The Author is a gifted writer and all of her books are solid reads. There have been times that I have enjoyed some books more than others in this series. In this instance, In Still Life, is in my opinion, one of the best of the series so far. I enjoyed revisiting with familiar characters, we see Karen come more into her own and move forward, resolving some of her past issues. To me, Jason comes more into his own in this story and despite sharing the side kick status, we come to become more fond of him as he develops in this story. Daisy is a worthy addition to the story, though I wonder whether it will take a few stories in the series to truly warm to her in the same way as Jason. There are enough other new characters to hold interest and carry the story.

All in all, for those who are fans of police procedurals, especially female British leads and well spun “whodunnits”, then I highly recommend this story.

4.75 stars!
Special thanks to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic and Val McDermid for an advance copy of this ebook for an honest review.
This is the 6th book in the Karen Pirie series and the storytelling is as sharp and compelling as ever.
A body is fished out of the water and is eventually revealed to be that of a man with 2 identities, one of which is the prime suspect in his own brother's death. DS Daisy Mortimer is put in charge of finding out who this man is and what lead to his death.
Lucky for us, this investigation leads Daisy to DCI Karen Pirie who has her hands full trying to find out the identity of the skeletal remains found in the back of a van. These two make a great pairing and with any luck will team up together in future series.

“The passage of time turns straightforward murders into convoluted journeys.”

Still Life is a straightforward and satisfying mystery/police procedural that focuses on two missing person cases that lead Karen Pirie and team to the black market of the art world.

This is book 6 in the Karen Pirie series, but can easily be read as a standalone.

This book delves into two mysteries. Clues and witnesses have Karen traveling to Paris and Ireland. One case involves a dead body found in a van in a woman’s garage. The other is the murder of a man whose brother went missing 10 years ago. The cases are not connected, but both are easy to follow and are equally interesting.

I love this series and Val McDermid’s writing. There are no crazy plot twists or convoluted events. McDermid writes well-developed characters and plots that are always interesting. There are still some surprises, but none are outlandish. The mysteries are solved and all questions are answered and resolved. Everything makes sense, and I never shake my head or roll my eyes while reading a Karen Pirie book!

I find it fascinating that Karen Pirie has a reputation for being crazy. She is strong, intelligent, and determined, and far from crazy. She has gone through some horrible traumas, but despite them, she is even more grounded. She has little drama in her life, and even her romantic life is straightforward.

In addition to Karen's character, there is also Jason, “The Mint,” whom I love. This installment also introduces some new characters, including Daisy, a young sergeant who has a lot of promise and meshes well with Karen.

This is the first book I have read that mentions COVID. By the end of the book, Scotland is about to go on lockdown with Karen preparing to work from home. Due to the impending virus, the ending is dark, but the idea of Karen’s determination to survive left me feeling hopeful. I can’t wait to see how she will solve cases during the Pandemic.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

"Val McDermid is the award-winning, international bestselling author of more than thirty novels and has been hailed as Britain’s Queen of Crime. In Still Life, McDermid returns to her propulsive series featuring DCI Karen Pirie, who finds herself investigating the shadowy world of forgery, where things are never what they seem.

When a lobster fisherman discovers a dead body in Scotland’s Firth of Forth, Karen is called into investigate. She quickly discovers that the case will require untangling a complicated web - including a historic disappearance, art forgery, and secret identities - that seems to orbit around a painting copyist who can mimic anyone from Holbein to Hockney. Meanwhile, a traffic crash leads to the discovery of a skeleton in a suburban garage. Needless to say, Karen has her plate full. Meanwhile, the man responsible for the death of the love of her life is being released from prison, reopening old wounds just as she was getting back on her feet.

Tightly plotted and intensely gripping, Still Life is Val McDermid at her best, and new and longtime readers alike will delight in the latest addition to this superior series."

I love Val McDermid, I just think for a Queen of Crime they could have gotten a better book title than the same one Louise Penny used to start off her famous series...

The queen of crime is back with the latest Karen Pirie novel. I am a huge fan of Val McDermid and this latest was absolutely brilliant. Totally gripping from beginning to end. You are engaged from the first page to the last and the attention to detail in Val McDermid's books is second to none.
Excellent plot and characters that you can engage with. Fantastic - 5 stars all the way.

The engaging characters lead the reader through the intricate plots of the historical and present day crimes that form these new cases for DCI Pirie.
The narrative is gripping as the clues are explored meticulously by the detectives.
McDermid's research and her attention to detail shine through making for an authentic procedural.
Altogether an absorbing, gripping and thoroughly enjoyable read.
Thank you to the author, Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the opportunity to read Still Life.

I've been looking forward to reading the next instalment in Val McDermid's excellent D.C.I Karen Pirie series, so picked up my ARC of Still Life with high expectations. I'm pleased to report that the high standard readers have come to expect from McDermid is maintained with this latest release.
Edinburgh-based D.C.I. Karen Pirie and her off-sider D.C. Jason "The Mint" Murray form the small but effective Police Scotland Historic Cases Unit, focussed on investigating and reviewing "cold cases". The HCU is called in when skeletonised remains are discovered in an unregistered VW Van parked in the garage of a Perth woman killed in a car accident. The ongoing investigation takes Murray across the border into northern England, in pursuit of a clever and furtive suspect.
Meanwhile, D.C.I. Charlie Todd's Fife-based crime squad is investigating the discovery of a body in the Firth of Forth by a lobster boat out of St. Monans. When putative identification of the corpse indicates a link to the high-profile disappearance a decade ago of a senior civil servant in the Scottish government, the case is reassigned to the HCU by autocratic ACC (Crime), Ann "The Dog Biscuit" Markie. Todd's young but smart D.S., Daisy Mortimer, is also temporarily reassigned to assist D.C.I. Pirie. Their investigations take them to Paris, London, Eire and Northern Island, following the trail of altered identities, complicated relationships and missing artworks.
The two separate storylines are skilfully plotted and cleverly intertwined by McDermid, maintaining the interest of the reader in both investigations as they progress. While one outcome is substantially more surprising than the other, both are satisfying, while perhaps pushing at the limits of belief. As always, McDermid's characterisations, of both continuing, new and supporting characters are complex and convincing. D.S. Daisy Mortimer is a breath of fresh air and an excellent foil for the often prickly D.C.I. Pirie. D.C. Jason Murray remains as steadfastly loyal as ever, although the opportunity to use his own initiative as Pirie's attention is spread over both cases does lead him into some difficulty.
The author's extensive knowledge and understanding of forensic science and digital technology, together with her evident depth of research, translate into the inclusion of various technical details throughout the course of the criminal investigations. She presents this material in a format that is stimulating and accessible to readers and yet doesn't bog down the story in protracted explanations.
Another high-quality and engrossing instalment in a great series, although would also read well as a standalone for those not yet familiar with McDermid's substantial body of work. Very highly recommended.
My thanks to the author, Grove Atlantic and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this title.

Lots going on in this book but the author made it pretty easy to follow. The detectives solving the two crimes were realistic . They were dedicated to their jobs but had flaws and every day problems as well. The planning involved with carry out the two crimes in this book even though done by amateurs was well executed as was the police work to solve. A fast paced , intriguing book.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Netgalley and Grove Atlantic.

Let me start by saying I love Val McDermid's books - both the DCI Pirie books and the Hill & Jordan books, so I was excited to get my hands on this one. And, of course, I was not disappointed. McDermid is a master!

The Historic Cases Unit is pulled into two simultaneous cases - skeletal remains in a camper van and a freshly dead victim with ties to a disappearance ten years ago. She and DC Murray (The Mint) work the skeleton case, with the Mint getting a little more autonomy, while she works the murder/disappearance with DS Daisy Mortimer, a newly added character. Daisy is a great addition, and I hope she stays in the series.

Another great addition to the DCI Pirie series, though it could be read as a standalone.

My reading mojo returned in spades for the first time since March 2020 with this superb read from a virtuoso of crime fiction. Val McDermid effortlessly weaves twin stories together with fantastic characters and plot lines. Coupled the with the usual team members including the Mint and the welcome addition of Daisy Mortimer. So clever to include reference to the current pandemic too. I hope there are more adventures in the offing for Karen Pirie (and Tony Hill/Carol Jordan).

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Val McDermid, and Grove Atlantic for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Happy to return to Scotland for another DCI Karen Pirie procedural, I look to Val McDermid, whose storytelling is second to none. In a jam-packed story with more twists that even I could have predicted, McDermid spins a tale that will keep readers guessing throughout. When a body is fished out of the water, a call to the local police brings DS Daisy Mortimer to the scene. After checking for identification, DS Mortimer learns that the victim appears to be a French citizen and begins her inquiries. The plot thickens when she learns that the man was not Paul Allard, as previously thought, but James Auld. Things take an even more interesting turn when Auld is known to be the prime suspect in his brother’s death, a high-ranking bureaucrat at the Scottish Office in London. All this sounds like a case for the Historic Cases Unit and DCI Karen Pirie. As she tries to sort out her complicated personal life, DCI Pirie is called to consult on another case, one where skeletal remains were found in the back of a camper van of a woman who died in an accident a few years before. While she seeks to put all the pieces together there, DCI Pirie is handed the Allard/Auld case and agrees to work alongside DS Mortimer. The case sees them head to Paris to get a little background on the victim, where they learn that Auld had been living off the radar after tiring of all the accusations back home. After discovering some photographs that do not make sense, Pirie and Mortimer return to Scotland and work the case from that angle, touching base with the victim’s former sister-in-law. While this is taking place, the bones in the other investigation are seemingly identified and the case takes a turn towards a commune where the victim and her girlfriend spent some time, though they are said to have left while they were both alive and well. Rumours swirl around that there could have been a case of presumed identity, but the facts are still too circumstantial at this point. While Pirie and Mortimer work the Auld case, DC Jason Murray handles the skeleton case and chases down a lead on his own. With both cases gaining momentum, a twist or two will leave all those involved wondering what they might have missed and how two killers could get away with murder. A formidable addition to the series that kept me wanting more with each chapter. Recommended to those who are fans of Val McDermid and this series, as well as those who love a good police procedural.

When it comes to reading novels by Val McDermid, the reader must make a pledge to stick it out until the end. This is not only because her books are long, but there is so much going on that it is not until the last chapter that all finally comes together. DCI Karen Pirie returns for her sixth case and she has not lost any of her lustre since the series started. Still trying to find the balance between work and personal life, Pirie struggles to make the pieces come together. Her personal life is strained throughout the book, which is revealed in moments when the action is less intense. However, she doesn’t let this deter her from cracking on and getting to the heart of the cases before her. Pirie may be work focussed, but she is not one to miss the small things, which help solve crimes and keep the Historic Cases Unit on the map. The addition of DS Daisy Mortimer was key to this novel’s success. A great cop in her own right, Mortimer is learning from the best when she is paired with Pirie. The reader sees a great deal of her work ethic in the novel, with glimpses of personal backstory. One can only wonder if Mortimer will make her way over to Historic Cases, as she seems keen to be where the ‘real action’ tends to find itself. The handful of other characters add a wonderful depth to the story and kept me reading, if only to see how some of them would develop throughout the tale. McDermid mixes the Scottish flavouring of this novel with a few other locales and creates the perfect mix, with characters to match. The story itself was captivating and held my attention throughout. McDermid is able to write in such a way that both cases receive much attention and neither pushes the other out of the way. With a number of key twists, the story moves in directions one might not have first presumed, which only adds to the mystery and wonderment as the reader delves deeper. A sprinkling of politics, the art world, and even some international travel all keep the story full of action until the final reveal. I can only hope there is more DCI Pirie to come, as this was surely one of the best police procedurals I have read in a long while.

Kudos, Madam McDermid, for a stellar piece of writing. I am happy to see you still have it and keep your fans buzzing with excitement.

For those who are not familiar with Val McDermid, I doubt this will be your last time. An international author whose work has been translated into more than 30 languages and the winner of many prizes, her work captivated me long ago. The master of secrets she exhibits deft assured writing of parallel stories that are full of dark secrets. Who wouldn't be intrigued with a story that begins with a dead man fished out of the water, but whose death appears to be homicide. Switch gears and Inspector Karen Pirie has to figure out the circumstances of a skeleton that is inside a camper in a garage whose owner is dead and her partner missing. While all this is occurring , she is surveilling the man who just was released from prison after shooting her partner. Interwoven are answers affiliated with the disappearance 10 years ago of an experienced Scotland civil service agent.Current history gives reference to the issues of Brexit and its manifestations while the ending interweaves a Covid lockdown integrating today's issues with a smooth touch. My only issue is although the story kept me interested I got lost in the number of characters. Give this one a try for one piece of chocolate that leads to a full dessert.