A Place of Execution

'One of the all-time greats - special in every way' Lee Child 'This book changed everything I thought I knew about crime fiction' Belinda Bauer, bestselling author of Snap 'Every now and then, a writer transforms the landscape of the literary canon: Val McDermid is one such writer...It both moves and shocks, and yet compels us to read on. A Place of Execution reveals her as a master of her craft' Fiona Cummins, bestselling author of Rattle 'Just mesmerizing' Joseph Knox, bestselling author of Sirens 'A brilliant book. Val McDermid develops each character and location exquisitely, while the story blazes to an astonishing ending' Holly Watt, award winning author of To the Lions 'From the first pages, we know we're in the hands of a master this book will earn its author a place in that rare pantheon - the truly literary suspense novel' Jeffrey Deaver 'Beautifully written ... It may be that McDermid will write better novels than this in the future, but I do not see how' Daily Telegraph 'One of the best detective stories I've read' Ruth Rendell 'A substantial book and an impressive one, possibly the best McDermid has written and it takes this most accomplished writer into higher territory' Sunday Telegraph 'A Place of Execution is a wake-up call to crime writers everywhere. A terrific and original novel, brilliantly executed' Mirror

Val McDermid grew up in a Scottish mining community then read English at Oxford. She was a journalist for sixteen years, spending the last three years as Northern Bureau Chief of a national Sunday tabloid. Now a full-time writer, she divides her time between Cheshire and Northumberland. Her novels have won international acclaim and a number of prestigious awards, including the Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year, the Anthony Award for best novel, and the Los Angeles Times Book of the Year Award. Her thriller series featuring criminal profiler Tony Hill has been adapted into the much-loved TV series Wire in the Blood.