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Past Lying

Karen Pirie, book 7

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Past Lying

By: Val McDermid
Narrated by: Lauren Lyle
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THE HEART-POUNDING NEW NOVEL IN THE KAREN PIRIE SERIES, NOW A MAJOR ITV SERIES STARRING LAUREN LYLE

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Edinburgh, haunted by the ghosts of its many writers, is also the cold case beat of DCI Karen Pirie. So she shouldn't be surprised when an author's manuscript appears to be a blueprint for an actual crime.

Karen can't ignore the plot's chilling similarities to the unsolved case of an Edinburgh University student who vanished from her own doorstep. The manuscript seems to be the key to unlocking what happened to Lara Hardie, but there's a problem: the author died before he finished it.

As Karen digs deeper, she uncovers a spiralling game of betrayal and revenge, where lies are indistinguishable from the truth and with more than one unexpected twist . . .

The Queen of Crime Val McDermid is at the top of her game in her most gripping and fiendishly clever case yet.©2023 Val McDermid (P)2023 W. F. Howes Ltd Crime Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction International Mystery & Crime Mystery Police Procedurals Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Cold Case Haunted Heartfelt Suspense
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Silent Bones By: Val McDermid
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The narration of the last book in this series spoilt it for me. It was stilted with very little difference between characters.

As usual the storyline was extremely well written.

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A enjoyable novel with its genre. All the way through it was evident we were in the hands of an expert and experienced writer.

Lock down need not be boring!

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I very, very much like Val McDermid’s books, so was disappointed by the narrator chosen for this, her latest Karen Pirie book. Lauren Lyle did not narrate distinctly often gulping the last part of her sentences. The publisher should have stuck with Cathleen McCarron who was brilliant in her narration of the earlier novels. I solved that by buying the e-book! Really great plot. Took me back to the severe (but in my opinion necessary) lockdowns where I lived in Australia. Love Val’s books and love Scotland.

Great story set in lockdown Scotland

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So glad Val has returned her attention to Karen Pirie. This is a great one.
i always love it when crime writers write about crime writers -- they seem to have so much fun with it, especially Val who knows a lot about writing.
i wasn't sure how a lock down story would play out (not being keen to relive that time!) but it was terrific, with lots of good sub plots (eg. the one about Jason's family which is both moving and funny).
This isn't so much a whodunnit as the ending becomes apparent a while before -- but it's a wonderful complex plot and a delight to listen to, despite Lauren Lyle being a hopeless reader. At least her accent is okay but not a patch on Cathleen.

Great book about crime writers, despite reader

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I enjoyed this read. It was intricate and complex which I like because you get value for money. I have listened to all of the Karen Pirie books so feel a connection to the character. Love her wit, strength, insight, compassion, empathy, intelligence and independence. A great read, full of unexpected twists.

Intriguing and Compelling

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