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A Place of Execution

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( 18,578 ratings, 1,294 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Place of Execution by Val McDermid is a gripping crime novel set in a remote English village in the early 1960s. The story revolves around the disappearance of a young girl, which unveils a web of hidden secrets and tense village dynamics. Decades later, when a journalist seeks to revisit the case, long-buried truths threaten to resurface, challenging perceptions and uncovering unexpected revelations.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to gripping crime mysteries with intricate plots and expertly woven character studies. It offers a chilling exploration of a small-town crime that is suspenseful and filled with unexpected twists, making it a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers.

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A riveting psychological thriller from the Number One bestselling Queen of crime fiction – Val McDermid.

The riveting psychological thriller from the author of Sunday Times crime fiction bestsellers

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A riveting psychological thriller from the Number One bestselling Queen of crime fiction – Val McDermid.

In the Peak District village of Scardale, thirteen-year-old girls didn't just run away. So when Alison Carter vanished in the winter of '63, everyone knew it was a murder.

Catherine Heathcote remembers the case well. A child herself when Alison vanished, decades on she still recalls the sense of fear as parents kept their children close, terrified of strangers.

Now a journalist, she persuades DI George Bennett to speak of the hunt for Alison, the tantalising leads, and harrowing dead ends. But when a fresh lead emerges, Bennett tries to stop the story – plunging Catherine into a world of buried secrets and revelations.

A Place of Execution has received high praise:

β€˜One of the all-time greats – special in every way' – Lee Child

β€˜This book changed everything I thought I knew about crime fiction' – Belinda Bauer, bestselling author of Snap

β€˜Every now and then, a writer transforms the landscape of the literary canon: Val McDermid is one such writer' – Fiona Cummins, bestselling author of Rattle

β€˜Just mesmerizing' – Joseph Knox, bestselling author of Sirens

β€˜A brilliant book' – Holly Watt, award-winning author of To the Lions

'From the first pages, we know we're in the hands of a master' – Jeffrey Deaver

β€˜Beautifully written' – Daily Telegraph

'One of the best detective stories I've read' – Ruth Rendell

β€˜Possibly the best McDermid has written' – Sunday Telegraph

Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Elly Griffiths, and Lynda La Plante.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The novel is highly praised for its profound impact on the crime fiction genre, with accolades highlighting its transformative nature and masterful storytelling. Val McDermid is commended for exceptional character development and a gripping narrative that leads to a shocking conclusion. Critics consider it one of her best works, describing it as mesmerizing, beautifully written, and a compelling literary suspense novel.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008373160

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 11 June 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Hemlock Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 39.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 430g

Pages: 624

About the Author

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 as Northern Bureau Chief of a national Sunday tabloid. She divides her time between Northumberland and Cheshire.

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