A woman digs up a buried treasure–and a buried body–in the Scottish Highlands: “There are few other crime writers in the same league.”–Maureen Corrigan, The Washington Post Six feet under in a Highland peat bog lies Alice Somerville’s inheritance, buried by her grandfather at the end of World War II. But when Alice finally uncovers it, she finds an unwanted surprise–a body with a bullet … surprise–a body with a bullet hole between the eyes. Meanwhile, DCI Karen Pirie is dealing not only with this cold case but with a domestic violence case, and as as she gets closer to the truth, it becomes clear that not everyone shares her desire for justice. Or even the idea of what justice is.
An engrossing, twisty thriller, Broken Ground is an outstanding entry in this Diamond Dagger-winning author’s “superior series” (The New York Times Book Review).
“As always, McDermid’s story lines are as richly layered as her protagonist.”–Publishers Weekly
“One of the best things about this series is the details of Karen’s working life, the obstacles as well as the satisfactions, and the small pleasures of her off hours.”–Kirkus Reviews
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I love a unique setting for a book (just as I enjoy writing one, my stories are set in Hawaii!) and Val McDermid atmospheric police procedural set in the wilds of Scotland does not disappoint.
This story moves at the pace of a realistic police investigation, with a gradual but skillfully tension-filled uncovering of a perfectly preserved body from one era, buried in a peat bog–along with a couple of stolen WWII motorbikes from another era. Populated with colorful and well drawn characters, including no-nonsense investigator Karen Pirie, Broken Ground sucked me into the Highland fog and didn’t let me go.
I am new to McDermid’s writing, and now I’ll be looking for more by this talented international crime writer.
An intriguing cold case police procedural. Alice travels north to recover her inheritance, two motorbikes buried by her grandfather at the end of WW2. Digging in the peat she discovers she wasn’t the first to attempt to recover the bikes and her predecessor is still there, complete with two bullet holes. DCI Pirie is already in the area so picks up the case. She discovers this cold case is far more political than she envisaged. With other cases on the go, she is provided with another pair of hands. But is he more of a trojan horse?
Loved the story-line. The read lacked the tension and suspense of other McDermid books I’ve read in favour of more of concentration on station politics and character development. Still a great book, just not my favourite.
Loved the latest Karen Pirie novel from Val McDermid. Karen deals with a new boss (in some ways worse than the last one) and her feelings about a potential suspect she finds a little too attractive. She also unravels a complex case with roots in World War II but lots of present-day mystery. And we get to see River, one of my favorite characters.
“Broken Ground” by Val McDermid is part of a series, but it is easy for any reader to follow along; any needed background information about the characters is seamlessly included within the story. Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie is the head of the ‘Historical Crimes Unit’ in Edinburgh, Scotland. When a well-preserved body with a pair of bullet holes in unearthed in a peat bog, her team is called in to investigate.
The focus of the plot is the “cold case” so the investigation progresses in a slow, deliberate manner. The case requires a lot of detailed searching with several false starts before the final, quick end. The story is told from multiple points of view with flashbacks to past events relating to the crime, but each is clear and easy to follow. The characters are well developed. Pirie and her regular supporting characters are given more definition and personality, while new characters are detailed and realistic. A second storyline concerning spousal abuse is simultaneously intertwined to add complexity to the narrative. As always in a McDermid novel, there is a vivid sense of place throughout the book. Culture and social interaction Local landmarks and restaurants put readers right into Edinburgh along with the story’s participants.
Val McDermid has written yet another superb police procedure novel that expertly mixes local dialogue and culture with the pure science of crime investigation. Her mastery of word use and dialogue is outstanding. I was given a copy of “Broken Ground” by Val McDermid, Atlantic Monthly Press, Ingram Publisher Services, and Edelweiss. “Broken Ground” is yet another stunning book will not disappoint readers.
Another excellent book in the Karen Pirie series by Val McDermid, with Inspector Pirie of Police Scotland delving into a cold case that has its roots in 1944 in the Scottish Highlands.
Another excellent book in the Karen Pirie series by Val McDermid, with Inspector Pirie of Police Scotland delving into a cold case that has its roots in 1944 in the Scottish Highlands.
I really enjoy the Karen Pirie novels by Val McDermid.
DCI Pirie runs her tiny but effective Historic Cases Unit for Police Scotland and the cases she explores are intriguing.
BROKEN GROUND deals with a body perfectly preserved in a peat bog since 1995.
Karen is a strong, clever woman of integrity.
Her Detective Constable Jason ‘The Mint’ Murray is a good character too.
I like Karen as a detective but I like her even more as a terrific feisty woman and she’s the reason I read these excellent novels.
This was another exceptional book by Val McDermid. Detective Karen Pirie begins work on another cold case, this one discovered completely by accident. The Somervilles are looking for a long buried “inheritance” from Alice’s grandfather in the Highlands. When the inheritance, two Indian motorcycles from WWII, are finally found and dug up, there is also a dead body in the hole. At this point Detective Pirie and her staff begin their investigation into the decades old murder of a man who had no real link to the motorcycles or the Somervilles. Meanwhile, Karen, still mourning her dead lover, finds herself getting a bit interested in a new man she meets during the course of the investigation. A great read, very strongly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a review copy. This is my honest opinion.
I had read books by Val McDermott quite a few years ago and enjoyed them but hadn’t read any in a while. This new release caught my attention and I enjoyed the setting a lot. The tone seems a little lighter than older novels. I plan to go back a read the novels I have missed by this wonderful author.
Broken Ground is the fifth book in Inspector Karen Pirie series and it does not disappoint. Val McDermid has woven another great story that keeps you turning the pages all whilst feeling that you are right there in Scotland with Karen .
I am always sad to finish a book by Val McDermid because I know I will have to wait for her next book.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I found it to be an intriguing story with enough twists and turns to keep me interested (although maybe a little slow in some places). Not having read any other books in this series left me behind in the dynamics of the main character and her colleagues but I was still able to follow along with them.
I haven’t decided yet if I want to read other books in this series (or by this author) but we’ll see.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.
Cold Case Detective Karen Pirie is back in another page turner involving multiple cases she and her team are investigating.
Detective Pirie is facing one difficult challenge after another. Good news … she’s been given an extra ‘body’ to help with her investigations. Bad news … The new help is a spy given the post in order to report to the supervisor who wants Pirie gone.
Pirie and her team are looking into a sex crime committed many years ago. Just now receiving some additional information, they are on a search for a car the night the crime took place. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Something a bit more interesting for them is the finding of a body buried in a peat bog along with two brand new motorcycles that were buried at the end of World War II. The men who did the burying are long dead and when one’s grand-daughter uncovers this, they are more than surprised to find a buried body along the the motorcycles. Only this man did not die in the 40’s … he’s wearing Nike shoes and a bullet between the eyes.
As if this isn’t enough for her three-person squad, she becomes involved in a double murder.
It’s non-stop action from beginning to end … lots of travel, lots of door-knocking .. lots of suspects … and lots of resistance from her fellow police.
Many thanks to the author / Atlantic Monthly Press / Netgalley / Edelweiss for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.