A Darker Domain - Books (Val McDermid, Hardcover)

1984. The National miners' strike is dividing the country, and in a struggling coal-mining town, the miners and their families are living at the edge of their resources. They have no money, and there is no food or heating. On the 14th of December, five miners break ranks to travel to Nottingham and work. For those who stay behind, this is an unforgivable betrayal, and the men are branded as scabs. 23 years later, a young woman is asking the police to trace her missing father: miner Mick Prentice vanished, never to be seen again, although money has been sent to his family; he was widely considered to be one of the scabs. Soon, D I Karen Pirie and DS Phil Parharta find themselves investigating a forgotten disappearance.

This is the provocative premise of Val McDermid's latest novel, A Darker Domain, and this utterly compelling book is further proof that McDermid is determined to stretch the parameters of what crime fiction is supposedly capable of. McDermid has always been prepared to freight serious issues into her work, and this novel -- which, in many ways, is an examination of the conditions that produced the Britain we live in today -- demonstrates the continuing high level of her ambition.

In fact, Karen Pirie, when taking on this new assignment, is already involved in a case of kidnapping that took place 22 years earlier (in which a woman was killed during a bungled handover of money). Journalist Bel Richmond makes a startling discovery concerning the MacLennan kidnapping while on holiday in Tuscany, and as the three protagonists dig deeper into ever-more labyrinthine mysteries, they are to make some remarkable discoveries -- discoveries which throw light not just on the crimes involved, but on the whole of British society.

As all of this might suggest, the stakes here are as high as one is likely to find in a crime novel, and Val McDermid demonstrates that she is as capable as ever of integrating the demands of the page-turning crime narrative with a discussion of the things that make society tick. McDermid fans who may be lamenting the fact that this is not another novel featuring Dr Tony Hill will quickly change their minds as A Darker Domain exerts its cobra-like grip. --Barry Forshaw

Customer Reviews of A Darker Domain

RD

2nd January 2009

A darker domain
An engrossing book from beginning to end. Typical in so many ways and yet atypical in so many others. McDermid does well to merge the past with the present seamlessly through the chapters. The only problem with books like this is you always know that there's a link between cases/time periods somehow. Therefore, it makes trying to work out the conclusion that little bit easier. Which isn't to say I had it all worked out but came close enough.
That said, I was so absorbed that the temptation to read the end just to end the mad desire to know was great. I'm glad I didn't though as it was worth the wait.
The characters are absolutely brilliant and I had no trouble at all picturing them. The protagonists are easy to like and form a bond with. As far as I'm concerned there's great potential for Dr Wilde and DI Pirie to make an appearance again.

Not in Ms McDermids usual remit but not a bad read.

RONNIE MARKUS
ISRAEL
7th December 2008

Superb
What i find amazing about this author is that she always comes up with the goods ! One would think that after so many good books eventually there would be a down curve in her writing, but no. A Darker Domain is a fantastic read and i had to pace myself not to read this book in two days. So my advice is take it real slow. So being the season of merry making, go out there and just buy the book. you will not be disapppointed !

Mo Cree
Isle of Arran.
14th October 2008

A Dumbing Down
I've always thought that Val McDermid's has a journalist's grasp of the chapter as a literary form but until now she has always compensated with good storylines and interesting characters.
As well as being lacking in literary style, this book contains all the psychological agonies of the Brannigan novels plus the snappy humour of the Tony Hill novels, which together with a weak plot make it one of her poorest novels to date.
I think Ms McDermid has been watching far too much TV.
I got 'A Darker Domain' from the library and wouldn't bother buying it for my McDermid collection until it arrives in paperback at the nearly-new shop.
Maybe it will improve on a second reading.

Avid Book Devourer
UK
29th September 2008

Another great McDermid read
It's great to see McDermid back to form after the terrible Grave Tattoo. A gripping read which neatly merges two cases. A bit of a rushed conclusion and the tying up of ends stretches credibility somewhat, but a good way to spend a rainy evening nonetheless.

Polly Potter
Cheshire, UK
25th September 2008

Brilliant - Buy It!
Satisfying, intriguing and beautifully crafted thriller. One of those books you want to gobble up in one sitting, because you want to know what happens next, but at the same time, want to go on for ever. A wonderful sense of place, whether she's writing about the bleak NE coast, or the sun hazed Tuscan hills and olive groves. I can't recommend this highly enough, superlatives fail me!