Out of Bounds (McDermid novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founder | Val McDermid |
| Products | Crime drama novel |
Out of Bounds is a crime drama novel released in 2016 by Scottish author Val McDermid. The narrative, set in the same year, centers on Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie of the Historic Case Unit (HCU) as she delves into offenses that occurred in 1994 and 1996.
Synopsis
Following the loss of her partner and colleague Phil Parhatka in the preceding book (The Skeleton Road), Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie experiences difficulty sleeping. During a nighttime patrol in Leith, she encounters displaced Syrian refugees who have recently arrived in Scotland and are seeking a sense of community.
A 2016 incident involving a joyrider results in DNA evidence that connects the suspect to an unresolved 1996 case involving the rape and murder of Tina McDonald, a hairdresser from Partick. Tina vanished during an evening out in Glasgow and was discovered deceased the following morning.
At the same time, Karen reexamines a cold case from 1994 concerning a plane crash that claimed four lives, including those of an MP and Gabriel's mother. Although initially deemed the result of an IRA incendiary device, Karen's inquiry points to alternative explanations.
While managing these investigations, Karen also copes with Phil’s passing, provides guidance to a novice colleague prone to mistakes, contends with resistance from her superior, Assistant Chief Constable Lees, and commits efforts to support the refugee community.
Critical reception
Roddy Brooks of the Press and Journal commended the protagonist’s resolve and characterized McDermid as an author at her peak. David Knights, writing for the Keighley News, regarded the novel as an engaging police procedural but observed it lacked the suspense found in the Tony Hill series and did not achieve the same impact as A Place of Execution. Janette Wolf, reviewing for The Independent, awarded the book 3 out of 5 stars, noting DCI Pirie’s extensive contacts and information access, and described the story as both engaging and well-crafted.