tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post7994066594620193504..comments2024-03-28T08:40:52.180-07:00Comments on Bitter Tea and Mystery: The Distant Echo: Val McDermidTracyKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-86113890195003479222021-01-28T11:43:59.288-08:002021-01-28T11:43:59.288-08:00I enjoyed this book, but I haven't gotten arou...I enjoyed this book, but I haven't gotten around to reading more of these. I will have to do that soonish.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-10477599778223301232021-01-27T20:26:52.272-08:002021-01-27T20:26:52.272-08:001st cop on scene did it, right?
I gave up trying ...1st cop on scene did it, right?<br /><br />I gave up trying to finish.<br />Twice as long as it should be. No gift for language<br />Tedious, tedious prose.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-30957735483323581212017-08-03T12:25:15.914-07:002017-08-03T12:25:15.914-07:00Definitely, Ryan, this is a good place to start re...Definitely, Ryan, this is a good place to start reading Val McDermid. I have not tried any of her earlier novels, but her most well-known series is just too, too graphically violent and tense for me.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-36462730443634314992017-08-01T22:09:36.953-07:002017-08-01T22:09:36.953-07:00Never read her books, but this sounds like it may ...Never read her books, but this sounds like it may be a good place to start.Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17786139533776263328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-71495476818391684692017-08-01T12:04:27.103-07:002017-08-01T12:04:27.103-07:00I am glad you enjoyed it, Susan. Now I want to fin...I am glad you enjoyed it, Susan. Now I want to find and read the 2nd one, and I have too many books already.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-53905595803444830872017-08-01T07:03:21.100-07:002017-08-01T07:03:21.100-07:00Thanks for pointing this out to me. I got it right...Thanks for pointing this out to me. I got it right away from the library and enjoyed it. I find Val can be hit or miss with me, and this one's a definite hit. Even though I clicked on the killer fairly early on, it was interesting to watch him play everyone.Susan Dhttp://dalyght.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-42724923334804200452017-07-20T12:40:36.729-07:002017-07-20T12:40:36.729-07:00From what I have read, Moira, the other books in t...From what I have read, Moira, the other books in the Karen Pirie series are different, although still about cold cases. At least they feature that character more. I did like this one a lot, although I agree it was obvious in many ways. I did not even mind the length or the slowness, and liked it better days after than when I first finished it.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-70590378306842440712017-07-20T12:37:27.021-07:002017-07-20T12:37:27.021-07:00Ali, that book by Lewis sounds interesting. I do l...Ali, that book by Lewis sounds interesting. I do like crossover books that mix mystery and other genres.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-68726440472774367342017-07-20T12:35:15.578-07:002017-07-20T12:35:15.578-07:00There are some authors I avoid because of the perc...There are some authors I avoid because of the perceived creepiness factor, although until I try them I won't know. But this book did not bother me that way. I do stay away from the Tony Hill series though, in the books and the TV series too.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-59260067685953027062017-07-20T10:23:04.266-07:002017-07-20T10:23:04.266-07:00Val McDermid seems like a lovely person, she works...Val McDermid seems like a lovely person, she works hard for crime fiction in all its forms, and is very funny and knowledgeable when she is interviewed - she seems marvellous all-round. That said, I wish I liked her books more. this one I really didn't enjoy: I thought it was slow-moving and obvious and dull. Oh dear, perhaps I need to try another one.. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-67578022085269391002017-07-19T15:04:33.195-07:002017-07-19T15:04:33.195-07:00I read this before, but I want to revisit it as I ...I read this before, but I want to revisit it as I would see it differently I am sure. I like the dark of it. I am currently reading Fire In The Mind by Arjay Lewis at the moment, it's got the paranormal and the mystery so it covers all my genres in one book and it's fantastic!Ali Suttonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-25070816472759201252017-07-18T19:15:46.715-07:002017-07-18T19:15:46.715-07:00Oh no, I can't read this sort of stuff at all....Oh no, I can't read this sort of stuff at all. McDermid is one of the worst. Sorry, but she creeps me out big time.dfordoomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02306293859869179118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-6732661085709438692017-07-18T15:08:33.444-07:002017-07-18T15:08:33.444-07:00This one does start a bit slow, Keishon, but I lik...This one does start a bit slow, Keishon, but I liked the story going back and forth between the four boys and the police. I haven't read much by McDermid and I liked one and could not take the other one.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-26972661486196465102017-07-18T15:06:29.229-07:002017-07-18T15:06:29.229-07:00With so many books in the collection, it is easy t...With so many books in the collection, it is easy to do that, Col. Lucky for me, I picked this one at the right time.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-44498674219717275572017-07-18T14:59:15.580-07:002017-07-18T14:59:15.580-07:00I remember trying to read this one but never finis...I remember trying to read this one but never finished. I enjoyed a previous title from her and been meaning to read more of her work. Thanks for the review, Tracy. --K.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-9400531214876345102017-07-18T00:10:35.739-07:002017-07-18T00:10:35.739-07:00Not sure if I have this one or not, from the date ...Not sure if I have this one or not, from the date of publication I'd guess yes. She's an author with a sizeable presence in the collection, but someone I've ignored for a few years now. There always seems to be something else to read that appeals just a little bit more. Glad you enjoyed it.col2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/06422138069939709043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-50495937889623619412017-07-17T18:38:11.395-07:002017-07-17T18:38:11.395-07:00I don't think I have read many of her articles...I don't think I have read many of her articles, Kathy, I will have to look online more for some of them. I will be trying more of her books too.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-13970621246844196402017-07-17T18:32:43.795-07:002017-07-17T18:32:43.795-07:00This one is definitely not gory, Katrina, and I th...This one is definitely not gory, Katrina, and I think the rest of this series is not that way either. The Tony Hill series was too much for me, but those are well written also. There are two earlier series but I have not tried those books yet. And I have not tried any of the standalone books.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-68445503451004143522017-07-17T14:57:28.070-07:002017-07-17T14:57:28.070-07:00I agree about too much violence in the Tony Hill s...I agree about too much violence in the Tony Hill series and that's why I avoid those books.<br /><br />However, I like the Karen Pirie series and some stand-alones. I also read some other books by Val McDermid.<br /><br />But I enjoy every talk I've seen her give which is posted online and her articles. And I think she is a real force in British crime fiction and a terrific woman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-16225922390484461132017-07-17T13:19:48.885-07:002017-07-17T13:19:48.885-07:00Despite the fact that she is a local author for me...Despite the fact that she is a local author for me I've only ever read her recent rewrite of Northanger Abbey. Someone told me her books are very gory and I think that put me off, but maybe I should give this one a go.Katrinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18138715309807238198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-71782652312597025642017-07-17T12:22:56.953-07:002017-07-17T12:22:56.953-07:00That definitely did not ruin the story, Margot, an...That definitely did not ruin the story, Margot, and Istill wanted to know why and how, etc. The story had a good pace too.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-12605485487276070492017-07-17T12:19:30.233-07:002017-07-17T12:19:30.233-07:00I could not read the Tony Hill series after the fi...I could not read the Tony Hill series after the first one, Joan. The scenes of torture were too graphic for me. But I enjoyed her writing in that book so I am glad I tried this series.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-49087762289814143162017-07-17T12:17:20.413-07:002017-07-17T12:17:20.413-07:00You are right, Prashant, that is the beauty of the...You are right, Prashant, that is the beauty of the book, that you have two stories that blend and are equally interesting.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-38616472667864108832017-07-17T08:46:29.363-07:002017-07-17T08:46:29.363-07:00Very glad you enjoyed this one, Tracy. I think Val...Very glad you enjoyed this one, Tracy. I think Val McDermid is a very talented writer, and I'm not surprised you found yourself drawn into the story, even though you had a sense of what was coming.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-81437670992005620202017-07-17T05:13:40.772-07:002017-07-17T05:13:40.772-07:00I've read quite a few of Val McDermid's bo...I've read quite a few of Val McDermid's books and enjoyed them all. The only thing is that sometimes her descriptions of crimes, especially sex crimes, are too graphic for me. But the stories and settings are great.joan.kylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17015342608992682333noreply@blogger.com