3.5
The Grave Tattoo
ByPublisher Description
In
, suspense master Val McDermid spins a psychological thriller in which a present-day murder has its roots in the eighteenth century and the mutiny on the H.M.S. Bounty.
After torrential summer rains uncover a bizarrely tattooed body on a Lake District hillside, long discarded old wives' tales takes on a chilling new plausibility. For centuries, Lakelanders have whispered that Fletcher Christian staged the massacre on Pitcairn so that he could return home. And there, he told his story to an old friend and schoolmate, William Wordsworth, who turned it into a long narrative poem—a poem that remained hidden lest it expose Wordsworth to the gallows for harboring a fugitive.
Wordsworth specialist Jane Gresham, herself a native of the Lake District, feels compelled to discover once and for all whether the manuscript ever existed—and whether it still exists today. But as she pursues each new lead, death follows hard on her heels. Suddenly Jane is at the heart of a 200-year-old mystery that still has the power to put lives on the line.
Against the dramatic backdrop of England's Lake District, a drama of life and death plays out, its ultimate prize a bounty worth millions.
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesThe Grave Tattoo Reviews
3.5
Dylan
Created 19 days agoShare
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Moon Rose
Created 4 months agoShare
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“"The Grave Tattoo" by Val McDermid is a thrilling journey that masterfully intertwines history, mystery, and suspense. However, while the overall plot is appealing, it falls short of being truly shocking, primarily due to the lack of potential suspects.
Jane Gresham, a scholar and native Lakelander, finds herself drawn into the mystery. However, her character development felt lacking, appearing desperate in her pursuit of the manuscript. The potential for character development, especially with Jane's brother, was unfortunately overlooked.
The element of thrill is undoubtedly the standout feature of this book. Tenile, despite her occasional lapses into frustrating decisions, is a character that I found particularly intriguing. There were moments when her actions were so nerve-wracking that I had to put the book down to breathe deeply.
The ending of the book left me dissatisfied, with several unanswered questions lingering. While I'm unsure if a sequel is in the works, it would certainly be appropriate, given the loose ends.
"The Grave Tattoo" is a captivating read that keeps you on the edge of your seat, despite its shortcomings. McDermid's skillful weaving of historical fact and fiction is commendable, making this novel a standout in its genre.”
AshMCR
Created 5 months agoShare
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About Val McDermid
was a journalist for sixteen years and is now a full-time writer living in South Manchester. In 1995, she won the Gold Dagger Award for Best Crime Novel of the Year for
. Her novel
won a
Book Prize, was nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel, and named a
Notable Book of the Year.
Other books by Val McDermid
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