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Hostage to Murder
 
 
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Hostage to Murder (Paperback)

by Val McDermid (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Harper (3 Nov 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0007173490
  • ISBN-13: 978-0007173495
  • Product Dimensions: 17.3 x 11.2 x 2.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 189,462 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #36 in  Books > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery > Authors, A-Z > M > McDermid, Val

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Product Description

Review

'Tough, exciting, moody and unpredictable' The Times 'Neatly constructed and splendidly sarcastic' Daily Telegraph 'The writing is tough and colourful, the scene setting excellent' Times Literary Supplement 'There are wisecracks galore and the whole ends on a high note. This is terrific fun' Independent 'McDermid not only keeps you guessing but keeps you interested' Sunday Telegraph 'Compulsive reading' Herald 'Has the reader gripped from the first page, both moody and hilarious and thoroughly unpredictable' Tribune 'Fun at all levels' Evening Standard 'You don't have to be a feminist to enjoy this well-crafted caper' Publisher's Weekly


Product Description

Hostage to Murder, the long-awaited sixth Lindsay Gordon mystery, is a lightning-paced story spliced with crackling action and an intense emotional dimension. Spraining an ankle is rarely a stroke of luck, but for Lindsay Gordon, jobless in Glasgow, the injury is her introduction to young freelance journalist Rory McLaren and the opening of a new chapter in her life. Rory's invitation to work alongside her in her booth at the Cafe Virginia is irresistible. From there it is just a short step to political corruption and other juicy stories -- all welcome distractions from Lindsay's problems at home, where her long-term lover Sophie has decided to heed the ticking of her biological clock and get pregnant. But when a local car-dealer's stepson is kidnapped, Lindsay and Rory are invited to trade journalism for detection. The trail leads them to St Petersburg and a dangerous snatch-back operation. It's a journey that brings a whole new dimension of risk into Lindsay's life. Back in Glasgow, it becomes clear that Lindsay and Rory have stumbled into a bigger, more violent piece of business than either of them could have guessed -- and one which will test Lindsay to her absolute limits.
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Hostage to Murder
47% buy the item featured on this page:
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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (2)
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Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars great to have Lindsay back again, 29 Dec 2003
By RachelWalker "RachelW" (England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   
Although from the ending i get the distinct feeling that McDermid has written this as an end-of-the-line book for Lindsay Gordon, this one is as strong as the rest in the series, and anyone who likes the Lindsay Gordon books would be well advised to pick Hostage to Murder up. (If you're not an established fan already, though, you may do well to start at the beginning, with Report for Murder, otherwise this may well not quite be for you...)

It's not a typical murder-mystery book this time, more of a thriller. After returning from her life in America, shortly after getting a job as a freelancer Lindsay finds herself in the middle of a kidnapping - of a child by his estranged father. This leads to all sorts of shennanigins, including a dangerous snatch-back operation which will take Lindsay and her partner all the way to the frozen north, St Petersburg, which McDermid renders admirably.

This is a well-written, enjoyable book. It's not as "major" as her other works, such as A Place of Execution, Killing the Shadows, or her Tony Hill series, but it is still very very enjoyable. Lindsay is good company, and there are some great developments in her personal life with this book - if this is indeed the end, I shall be sad to see her go. (p.s. I am sure that the "insemination scene", as i cal it, will go down in history!)

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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Really Good Read, 31 Jan 2004
By Douglas Nelson (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Val McDermid's Hostage to Murder is a really good read. The whole series has a life and vitality to it that is not easy to find. Each book is fresh and non-repetitive unlike many of the 'series' books that seem to be churned out robotically rather than by an author like Val McDermid who not only cares about her characters but also cares about her readers.
Lindsay Gordon is a great lead character and for me at least one of her most endearing characteristics is to act first and perhaps think about the consequences later + she doesn't always get it right. Hostage to Murder is fast paced to begin with and picks up speed page by page. The inclusion of a family member in a pivotal role is brilliant and adds to the realism that this excellent book gives to the reader. As a paperback original Hostage to Murder is a bargain. Actually with the amount you save versus a hardback you could buy at least another 2 of the series !! It would be money well spent.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome return for Lindsay Gordon, 14 Dec 2003
By A Customer
It's been several years since Val McDermid last wrote about the feisty Scottish journalist Lindsay Gordon, but it's been worth the wait. In the intervening years, McDermid has become a much more sophisticated story-teller, and it shows here. This isn't the traditional mystery style of the previous books -- it feels much more like a thriller, with real emotional dilemmas and a lot at stake. Lindsay is tested as never before, and the varied settings of the book -- Glasgow and St Petersburg -- are a fascinating backdrop. It's a lot lighter than her Tony Hill series, no gruesome torture or anything, but it's still a great read. Smart plotting, great writing and a lot of tension.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly disappointing McDermid book
[NB this review contains a mild spoiler!]

I have just finished reading this book and throughout reading it I was disappointed by the one-dimensional characterisation,... Read more
Published 14 months ago by T. E. Viitanen

5.0 out of 5 stars last outing for Lindsay? i hope not
This is the latest in the Lindsay Gordon series. Although Ms Mcdermid is mainly known for her Tony Hill series this one is actually the first she ever published... Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2006 by RD

4.0 out of 5 stars I Loved It.....
I enjoyed the other books by Val with the Lindsay Gordon character and i was excited to to finally be able to get another book with this character after a long wait. Read more
Published on 20 Dec 2003 by traytj

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
This is the first book from Val McDermid I read after the Kate Brannigan series. The book is disappointing. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2003

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