Out of Bounds
‘There were lots of things that ran in families but murder wasn’t one of them…’
‘[an] engaging new novel…McDermid’s 30th novel offers fascinating insights into the ethical dilemmas thrown up by advances in forensic science’ The Sunday Times
‘McDermid’s expertly juggled plotlines and masterful handling of pace and tension tick all the best boxes, but what makes this book a real cracker is Pirie herself – grieving, insubordinate and dogged in her pursuit of the various culprits.’ The Guardian
‘Out Of Bounds is a classic page-turner that would translate easily and well to the small or big screen.’ The Express
‘[an] incredibly suspenseful thriller, elegantly plotted with smartly drawn characters and fascinating detail’ The Sunday Mirror
‘It’s a treat to watch DCI Pirie once again as she pursues a tantalising forensic trail through a brilliantly realised Scottish setting.’ The Scotsman
‘… pacy, intelligent page-turner.’ The Scotsman
‘… this – her 30th (!) novel – is no exception. Another twisted treat.’ 5 stars Heat magazine
‘The queen of psychological thrillers returns…’ Grazia magazine
‘As intelligent and chillingly good as ever.’ Good Housekeeping.
‘Punchy page turner…’ The Sun
‘This wayward and entertaining mystery has the grace of a heroine on the verge of coming into her own as a character whom readers will want to spend time with.’ Kirkus Review
‘The fourth Karen Pirie novel (after The Skeleton Road, 2014) boasts satisfying investigative detail, swift pacing, and realistic mysteries steeped in the intricacies of Scottish law; a sure fit for fans of Tana French and of Denise Mina’s Alex Morrow series.’ – Booklist US
‘Quite simply nobody does crime writing better.’ Peterborough Telegraph
‘Told with McDermid’s legendary verve and eye for detail. It grabs the reader by the throat and never lets go.’ The Daily Mail
‘Val McDermid is a celebrated crime author with an attention to detail which makes her stories both gripping and totally authentic.’ – Western Daily Press
‘Packed with intrigue, warmly drawn characters and dollops of tension, McDermid’s 30th novel leaves the reader looking forward to the 31st.’ – Irish Independent.
‘Out of Bounds is a fine, tense and multi-layered addition to the canon of the Queen of Scottish crime fiction.’ The Sunday Business Post
‘An accomplished and absorbing novel… I would like to see a great deal more of DCI Pirie.’ The Irish Times
‘It’s McDermid’s 30th novel and it’s yet another cracker.’ The Sunday Post
‘Karen Pirie is a brilliant and memorable lead character… One mesmerising thriller by the Queen of Tartan Noir down – just 29 to go!’ Sunday Independent
‘Crime author Val McDermid once again delivers the goods.’ Sunday Business Post
‘A thrilling, convoluted plot twister that shows McDermid is dubbed ‘Queen of Crime’ for good reason.’ Woman & Home
‘In Out of Bounds, multi-award winner McDermid is at the height of her game.’ Eastern Daily Press
‘A showcase for McDermid’s deft plotting and psychological canniness.’ The Guardian Crimes and Thrillers of the Year 2016
‘Engaging.’ – Publishers’ Weekly US
‘“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.’ – The Washington Post
‘In McDermid’s fiction, plot is always front and center, and this plot is a good one. But it’s the brawny characters and their beefy dialect that really keep us coming back to this superior series.’ – The New York Times
‘McDermid gives us the female heroine that doesn’t fit the mould, and in the best way.’ – The National Post
‘This latest book, featuring cold case Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie, is as slickly plotted and polished as her earliest works, and that’s saying a lot because McDermid’s work always slashes like a knife.’ – The Globe and Mail
McDermid balances the intense character studies in “Out of Bounds” with an inside view of the Scottish legal system and again shows her acuity in producing intelligent thrillers. — Salt Lake Tribune