The Grave Tattoo

Present-day murder has its roots in the eighteenth century and the mutiny on the Bounty in this highly acclaimed new psychological thriller. A 200 year-old-secret is now a matter of life and death. And it could be worth a fortune. It’s summer in the Lake District and torrential rain has uncovered a bizarrely tattooed body on a hillside. Could it be linked to centuries-old rumours that surround Fletcher Christian, mutinous First Mate on the ill-fated Bounty, a legendary massacre on the strange island of Pitcairn, and Christian’s possible return to England? Jane Gresham wants to know. An expert on Wordsworth, she has a theory that the Lakeland poet, a childhood friend of Christian’s, had harboured the fugitive and turned his tale into an epic poem — which has since stayed hidden. But as she follows each lead, death is hard on her heels. The 200-year-old mystery is putting lives at risk. And it isn’t just the truth that is waiting to be discovered, but a bounty worth millions of pounds!

Reviews of The Grave Tattoo

Praise for 'The Grave Tattoo': 'Absorbing modern mystery!McDermid's mix of historical and literary clues with modern detection is handled with panache.' The Times 'One of the world's leading mystery writers!Thomas Harris crossed with Agatha Christie, if you will! a great read. England's heritage history has never been so chilling.' Observer 'A cleverly plotted thriller. It should gain her a crowd of new fans.' Guardian 'One of her best.' Literary Review 'One of our most accomplished crime writers!compelling.' Glasgow Herald Praise for 'The Torment of Others': 'One of McDermid's finest, which is saying a lot' The Times 'Val McDermid is an intelligent, supremely talented novelist and with this latest tale, she is writing at the height of her power. Utterly compelling' Glasgow Herald 'Serial killers, though meat and drink, to crime writers, are thankfully rare. It is a tribute to the power of Val McDermid's imagination that she made this one seem so believable' Daily Telegraph 'Complex, combative and nuanced' Express 'Val McDermid, as ever, is adept at engendering irresistible suspense, as the fearsome attractiveness of the ever more benighted and bloody predicament works its effect on readers' Times Literary Supplement 'There are some terrific twists. McDermid gives a new jerk to the storyline and the chase is on again' Scotland on Sunday 'No one compares to McDermid' Guardian 'This is McDermid on top form — pass the valium' Daily Mail