A Darker Domain

December 22, 2008
When Michelle Gibson reports her father, Mick Prentice, missing at the start of McDermid's intricate but underwhelming stand-alone psychological thriller, Det. Insp. Karen Pirie, head of the Fife police Cold Case Review Team, isn't interested until Michelle reveals that Mick disappeared during the 1984 miners' strike. At the time, everyone believed Mick went “scabbing” in Nottingham. Later, Karen is summoned to the home of wealthy Sir Broderick Maclennan Grant, whose daughter, Catriona, and baby grandson, Adam, were abducted in 1985. A botched ransom hand-off left Catriona dead and Adam nowhere to be found. New evidence linked to the kidnapping has surfaced, and now Karen has two missing people to locate. McDermid tries to pack too much story into one book, and the connection she draws between the cases feels forced. Fans of the Scottish author may be better off waiting for the next outing of McDermid's series to feature psychologist Tony Hill (The Mermaid Singing
, etc.). Author tour.

December 1, 2008
McDermids latest is a stand-alone set in Fife, Scotland. Detective Inspector Karen Pirie, newly appointed head of the Cold Case squad, has a hard time with desk work, so when a woman reports her father missing and last seen in 1984, Pirie cant resist. But her boss, a paper pusher known as the Macaroon, wants Karen in the office, at least until Bel, an investigative journalist, turns up new evidence in a 20-year-old heiress kidnap case. As Karen and Bel investigate, friends and family members memories of the missing people are delivered as flashbacks, resulting in short chapters, multiple viewpoints, and a moderately quick pace. As Karens two cases seem to converge, the complex and layered plotlines come together, and McDermid does an excellent job creating tension around a cold case. Sure to be a hit with McDermids large fan base, it should also appeal to those who read other Scottish police mysteries, such as Stuart MacBrides (Flesh House, 2008). Those who enjoyed the cold-case aspect may also enjoy Johan Theorins Echoes from the Dead (2008).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

February 15, 2009
A serial killer arrives at the Cannes Film Festival, in New Age guru Coelho's listless thriller (Brida, 2008, etc.).

Igor, the protagonist and villain, is a veteran of the Afghan wars, a post-Soviet mobile-phone mogul and a self-confessed workaholic. He has come to Cannes intent on winning back his ex-wife, Ewa, who's now married to superstar designer Hamid Hussein. Ewa left Igor (he rationalizes) because as a power couple—she's a successful fashionista—they had no private life. Knowing his ex and Hamid will attend Cannes with the other glitterati, Igor plans to convince Ewa of his ardor by"destroying universes," aka killing people. The body count begins with Olivia, a beachside jewelry vendor, followed by Javits, a kingpin film distributor, then Maureen, an independent film director hoping to pitch Javits. As Igor dispatches his capriciously chosen targets throughout the day, he texts cryptic notes to Ewa. The de rigueur novelty murder methods are employed: martial arts, curare, an anatomically aimed stiletto, cyanide gas. Potential victims include Jasmine, a young model about to be discovered by Hamid, and Gabriela, an aspiring actress who's plucked from wannabe ranks to costar in a new film venture bankrolled by Hamid. These vapid young lovelies, awed and humbled by their impending induction into the"Superclass," never miss a chance to pontificate about the ultimate pointlessness of champagne-soaked soirees. Dead Olivia becomes a benevolent spirit guide for Igor, transforming his zeal to reclaim his ex into sanctimonious recriminations over having killed for Ewa, which then, through a leap of illogic, turn into self-righteous resistance to the"temptation" to stop killing for her. (Confusing? No, Coelho.) A promising antagonist, Morris, a retired Scotland Yard detective consulted by panicky Cannes gendarmes, is close to profiling the killer but then, inexplicably, gives up.

The inconclusive ending validates our worst fears: There could be a sequel.

(COPYRIGHT (2009) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

Starred review from February 1, 2009
Set in Fife, Scotland, McDermid's ("The Grave Tattoo") 25th psychological thriller features Detective Inspector Karen Pirie, who must handle two cold cases almost simultaneously. On behalf of a mother desperate to save her dying son through a bone-marrow transplant, Pirie seeks the woman's father, who disappeared 23 years ago during a miners' strike. In the other case, a journalist vacationing in Italy has uncovered new evidence regarding the kidnapping of the daughter of Sir Broderick Maclennan Grant, the richest man in Scotland. However, Sir Grant has the reporter, Bel Richmond, investigating the new evidence, and vital information is not always shared with the police. Pirie's superior officer pressures her to solve the Grant case to everyone's satisfaction, but Pirie's own interest is held by the missing grandfather case. The plot weaves between the past and the present, the two cold cases, and the two women investigating them until it reaches a startling conclusion. This is McDermid's storytelling at its best, and DI Pirie, with her blend of humor and tenaciousness, is both likable and believable. A great read; highly recommended for fans of the genre.Lisa Hanson O'Hara, Univ. of Manitoba Libs., Winnipeg

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2009
Russian telecommunications tycoon Igor will do anything to get his ex-wife, Eva, backeven committing serial murder. Eva's new husband, a fashion couturier interested in branching into film production, has brought her to the Cannes Film Festival, where the killings begin to gain her attention. In his 12th novel, internationally best-selling author Coelho (The Alchemist) offers a timely critique of the degeneration of the world's societal mores. Through his complex characters, Coelho illustrates the absurdity of the false dreams we are fed through the strong influences of the fashion and moviemaking industries. He also touches on the intricate connections of major global crises like the Rwandan genocide and money laundering by drug cartels to show how greed can manipulate and destroy. Recommended for popular fiction collections.Joy St. John, Henderson Dist. P.L., NV

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.