Who Would Like This Book:
McDermid serves up a compulsively readable mystery with a twisty, fast-paced plot and complex characters. You'll especially enjoy "Trick of the Dark" if you like mysteries that focus on the psychology and motivations of characters rather than just procedural details. The Oxford college setting and themes of loyalty, love, and the cost of secrets add to the appeal. It's also refreshing for readers looking for nuanced LGBTQ+ representation where sexuality is integral to the story - not just a background detail.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers find the characters hard to empathize with, and the focus on their relationships - especially the recurring theme of infidelity - can be a turn-off if you prefer crime novels with more action or likable leads. If you're not keen on stories with an emphasis on sexuality or internal drama (rather than straightforward policework), you might struggle with this one. There's also a sense among critics that the ending is a bit predictable or unsatisfying, and that the dialog occasionally feels too polished or stilted.
About:
'Trick of the Dark' by Val McDermid is a murder mystery centered around a psychiatrist, Charlie Flint, who is asked to investigate a woman named Jay Stewart, who has been linked to multiple mysterious deaths. The story delves into themes of prejudice, coming out, and navigating relationships, all set against the backdrop of Oxford. McDermid's writing style combines forward progression with flashbacks, using a written memoir as a storytelling device, although some readers found it a bit contrived after multiple uses.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include depictions of infidelity, mental health issues, and potential trauma associated with violence and murder.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance in the story, primarily through the complex relationships involving the main characters.
From The Publisher:
When clinical psychiatrist Charlie Flint is sent a mysterious package of press cuttings about a brutal murder, it instantly grabs her attention. The murder occurred on the grounds of her old Oxford college—a groom battered to death just hours after his wedding.
As Charlie delves back into the closeted, mysterious world that is academic life at Oxford, every step she takes toward the truth is a step closer to danger.
What can you read after
Trick of the Dark?
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