Title: The Retribution
Author: Val McDermid
First published September 1, 2011
416 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781408703199 (ISBN10: 140870319X)
Rating: 4.06
Overview
Police profiler Tony Hill has dedicated his life to tracking down one serial killer who has haunted him like no other: Jacko Vance. Vance’s evil is incomparable, and his presence alone is enough to send shivers down Tony’s spine.
But now, Vance has returned to Tony’s life, even more twisted and cunning than before. As Tony races against time to stop Vance’s deadly spree, he must confront the demons of his past and risk everything to bring this monster to justice.
The Retribution is a chilling and suspenseful novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Nominated for Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2012.
About the Author
Val McDermid is an incredibly successful author, with over eleven million copies of her novels sold worldwide. Her books have been translated into more than thirty languages, and she has earned numerous prestigious awards for her work.
Among these are the CWA Gold Dagger and the LA Times Book of the Year Award. She has also been honored with induction into the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards Hall of Fame and the receipt of the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger.
In addition, she was the recipient of the Lambda Literary Foundation Pioneer Award in 2011. Val McDermid dedicates herself to writing full time and splits her time between Cheshire and Edinburgh.
Editoral Review
The Retribution by Val McDermid is a chilling crime thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. McDermid is a British crime writer who has won numerous awards for her novels, and The Retribution is no exception.
The Retribution revolves around the character of Tony Hill, a psychologist and criminal profiler who is called in to investigate a series of gruesome murders. The killer, Jacko Vance, is a notorious serial killer who Tony Hill helped put behind bars years before.
But now Vance has escaped from prison and is seeking revenge against those who put him there. The novel is set in Scotland, and McDermids writing perfectly captures the dark and moody atmosphere of the country.
She weaves together multiple narratives, including the killers own twisted perspective, to create a riveting and complex story. The characters in The Retribution are all well-drawn and fully realized.
Tony Hill, in particular, is a fascinating and multi-dimensional character who is struggling with his own demons as he tries to stop Vance. Vance, meanwhile, is a truly terrifying villain who will stay with you long after youve finished the book.
McDermids writing is crisp and engaging, and she excels at creating tension and suspense. The pacing of the novel is spot-on, with the action ramping up as the story progresses.
The plot structure is also excellent, with plenty of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. One of the strengths of The Retribution is the way it explores themes of power and control.
McDermid delves into the psychology of both the killer and the profiler, exploring the ways in which their roles are intertwined. She also examines the way in which society reacts to violent crime, and the ways in which this can exacerbate the problem.
At times, however, the novel can be a bit too gruesome and violent for some readers. McDermid does not shy away from depicting the horrific acts committed by the killer, which may be a turn-off for some readers.
Overall, The Retribution is an excellent crime thriller that will satisfy fans of the genre. McDermids writing is top-notch, and the story is tense, complex, and thought-provoking.
If youre looking for a gripping read that will keep you up at night, this is definitely a book worth checking out. Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.