Still Life - (Karen Pirie Novels) by Val McDermid (Paperback)

About the Book

From internationally bestselling author Val McDermid comes a propulsive new Karen Pirie thriller that delves into a historic missing persons case, fake identities, and art forgery.

Book Synopsis

A Scottish police inspector deals with forgeries and false identities in a new murder mystery in the "superior series" (The New York Times).

When a lobster fisherman discovers a dead body in Scotland's Firth of Forth, DCI Karen Pirie is called into investigate. She quickly discovers that the case will require untangling a complicated web--involving a long-ago disappearance, art forgery, and secret identities--that seems to surround a painter who can mimic anyone from Holbein to Hockney. Meanwhile, a traffic accident leads to the discovery of a skeleton in a suburban garage. Karen has a full plate, and it only gets more stressful as the man responsible for the death of the love of her life is scheduled for release from prison, reopening old wounds just as she was getting back on her feet.

From a Diamond Dagger Award winner and multiple Edgar Award finalist, Still Life is a tightly plotted mystery featuring an investigator "whose unwavering confidence is tempered by a strong dose of kindness and sense of justice" (Booklist).

"There are few other crime writers in the same league."--Maureen Corrigan, The Washington Post

Review Quotes

PRAISE FOR STILL LIFE

"[A] cunningly crafted fifth novel featuring Det. Chief Insp. Karen Pirie . . . McDermid expertly balances the book's multiple mysteries, giving none short shrift. Vividly sketched characters, a colorful narrative, and myriad twists keep the pages turning . . . McDermid continues her reign as queen of the police procedural."--Publishers Weekly

"We read crime fiction for enjoyment, comfort and reassurance. McDermid provides all this . . . Still Life shows that she is still at the height of her powers; it is deeply enjoyable, one of her best."--Scotsman

PRAISE FOR VAL MCDERMID

"McDermid remains unrivalled . . . brilliant."--Observer (UK) on How the Dead Speak

"Further evidence that her 'Queen of Crime' status will not be challenged."--Scotsman on How the Dead Speak

"There are few other crime writers in the same league as Val McDermid. Her stories are ingeniously plotted, moody . . . Absorbing . . . It's Karen's character that's the enduring draw of this series . . . Out of Bounds is another terrific and intricate suspense novel by a writer who has given us 30 of them. As I said, there are few other crime writers in the same league as Val McDermid."--Maureen Corrigan, Washington Post on Out of Bounds

"Chock-full of crime . . . fans and newcomers to the series will enjoy the twists and turns."--Library Journal on How the Dead Speak

"McDermid's books are relentlessly excellent, with sympathetically flawed characters, well-crafted storylines, a clever twist or two, and crisp dialogue. It's no wonder she's considered the queen of Scottish crime fiction."--BookPage on Broken Ground

About the Author

Val McDermid's bestselling novels have won the Los Angeles Times Book of the Year Award, and the Crime Writers' Association's Gold Dagger and Cartier Diamond Award for outstanding achievement. The Karen Pirie novels have been adapted into an Edgar Award-nominated ITV/BritBox show. She is also a five-time finalist for the Edgar Award, including Fact Crime nominee Forensics and most recently the Sue Grafton Memorial Award nominee Past Lying. She lives in Scotland.