{"product_id":"past-lying-9781408729090","title":"Past Lying","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKAREN PIRIE RETURNS. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eA MASTERFUL THRILLER BY THE NO.1 \u003ci\u003eSUNDAY TIMES \u003c\/i\u003eBESTSELLER VAL MCDERMID\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e__________\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEdinburgh, haunted by the ghosts of its many writers, is also the cold case beat of DCI Karen Pirie. So she shouldn''t be surprised when an author''s manuscript appears to be a blueprint for an actual crime.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKaren can''t ignore the plot''s chilling similarities to the unsolved case of an Edinburgh University student who vanished from her own doorstep. The manuscript seems to be the key to unlocking what happened to Lara Hardie, but there''s a problem: the author died before he finished it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs Karen digs deeper, she uncovers a spiralling game of betrayal and revenge, where lies are indistinguishable from the truth and with more than one unexpected twist . . .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Queen of Crime Val McDermid is at the top of her game in her most gripping and fiendishly clever case yet.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for Val McDermid\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e''\u003c\/i\u003eMcDe\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePirie is her \u003cb\u003emost sympathetic protagonist \u003c\/b\u003eand\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003ePast Lying \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eone of her most devious and delightful cases\u003c\/b\u003e * The Times *\u003cbr\u003eThe Queen of Crime shows no sign of abdicating. \u003ci\u003ePast Lying\u003c\/i\u003e is \u003cb\u003eas complex, as satisfying and as readable as anything she's written - which makes it another jewel in Val McDermid's crown\u003c\/b\u003e -- Mick Herron\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAtmospheric \u003c\/b\u003e. . . The novel-within-a-novel is not a new device, but \u003cb\u003eMcDermid uses it to memorable effect\u003c\/b\u003e in a piece of fiction that \u003cb\u003evividly recreates the anxious early months of the Covid pandemic \u003c\/b\u003e -- Crime Pick of the Month * Sunday Times *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA chilling, twisting triumph.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003ePast Lying\u003c\/i\u003e is a classic mystery, \u003cb\u003ebrilliant, heart-stopping and seamless\u003c\/b\u003e. No one does it better than Val McDermid -- Chris Whitaker\u003cbr\u003eVal McDermid's latest offering proves once again why \u003cb\u003eshe reigns supreme in the world of crime fiction\u003c\/b\u003e . . . The \u003cb\u003eintricate and clever\u003c\/b\u003e plot balances fact and fiction while the heroine Karen Pirie is \u003cb\u003eas captivating as ever\u003c\/b\u003e. For fans of the series,\u003cb\u003e it's like a reunion with old friends\u003c\/b\u003e, and for newcomers, it's \u003cb\u003ean invitation to dive into a world of suspense and intrigue where McDermid's storytelling prowess shines \u003c\/b\u003ethrough as she skilfully explores themes of betrayal and revenge, leaving readers guessing with every unexpected twist. Simply \u003cb\u003ea must-read for anyone who appreciates top-notch crime fiction\u003c\/b\u003e * Yours *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal, ingenious, and oh so twisty! \u003c\/b\u003eIt left me breathless -- Belinda Bauer\u003cbr\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eingenious \u003c\/b\u003eplot \u003cb\u003ekept me guessing all the way through. \u003c\/b\u003eIt delivers on every level -- Marian Keyes\u003cbr\u003eWith an \u003cb\u003eintricate plot, authentic dialogue, rich details, and masterly McDermid twists and turns\u003c\/b\u003e, [\u003ci\u003ePast Lying\u003c\/i\u003e] will delight Pirie fans, existing and new -- Starred review * Library Journal *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRiveting \u003c\/b\u003e. . . McDermid keeps the twists coming hard and fast, and she bolsters them with sharp observations about the toll of Covid on the public psyche. \u003cb\u003eThis page-turner grips from the outset and doesn't let go\u003c\/b\u003e -- Starred review * Publishers Weekly *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eIngenious, humane, and all too telling \u003c\/b\u003eas a reminder of the costs of the pandemic even on its survivors * Kirkus *\u003cbr\u003e[McDermid] \u003cb\u003eingeniously flips over the rug and examines the pattern in reverse\u003c\/b\u003e. Karen and her supporting cast are \u003cb\u003eabsorbing\u003c\/b\u003e, providing insight into the restrictions on police work during the pandemic and plenty of Scottish flavour * Booklist *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e[Pirie] is an appealing character \u003c\/b\u003e. . . McDermid [has] fun describing the inner workings of the crime-fiction profession, including the creation of stories and the politics, favouritism, resentment, jealousy and score-settling found behind the scenes * Literary Review *\u003cbr\u003eA spiralling game of betrayal and revenge.\u003cb\u003e A real tour-de-force\u003c\/b\u003e * Irish Independent *\u003cbr\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eeerie \u003c\/b\u003elandscape of Scotland's capital provides the backdrop to a new thriller from McDermid signalling the return of her \u003cb\u003emuch-loved detective Karen Pirie\u003c\/b\u003e * Scotsman *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA cracking read \u003c\/b\u003e * Daily Express *\u003cbr\u003eA \u003cb\u003edeadly \u003c\/b\u003egame of revenge.\u003cb\u003e Another twisty thriller\u003c\/b\u003e * Heat *\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePast Lying \u003c\/i\u003esees McDermid simultaneously at her \u003cb\u003edarkest and most playful\u003c\/b\u003e. The central plot is a \u003cb\u003ewonderfully tricksy \u003c\/b\u003estory within a story within a story * Mail on Sunday *\u003cbr\u003eMcDermid plots her novels in \u003cb\u003emasterly\u003c\/b\u003e style. She holds the reader's attention and provokes our curiosity . . . \u003cb\u003eHer ingenuity commands respect \u003c\/b\u003e. . . McDermid is deservedly popular and now acclaimed as the Queen of Crime. She is \u003cb\u003ea fine carpenter, her books always well-constructed\u003c\/b\u003e. She has the confidence to take her time in the telling of her story . . . She is at her ingenious best here * Scotsman *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA complex plot of jealous writers, straying spouses and effective twists\u003c\/b\u003e. This novel within-a-novel conceit, used to lead the detectives to more concrete evidence, sharply delivers a \u003cb\u003esuitably unsettled\u003c\/b\u003e atmosphere . . . \u003cb\u003eAffecting\u003c\/b\u003e * Irish Times *\u003cbr\u003eThis is \u003cb\u003esuch a brilliantly conceived plot line\u003c\/b\u003e that I was squirming with glee as I turned each page. \u003cb\u003eMcDermid is in rare form here\u003c\/b\u003e, and the book never fails to entertain and surprise . . . \u003ci\u003ePast Lying\u003c\/i\u003e is \u003cb\u003ea wonder to behold\u003c\/b\u003e. I place it directly next to McDermid's finest works, like \u003ci\u003e A Place of Execution\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Wire in the Blood\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cb\u003eHer use of the pandemic is one of the most clever I have seen to date, and the story within a story\u003c\/b\u003e that constantly references such greats as Agatha Christie and the aforementioned Highsmith \u003cb\u003emakes this a novel that cannot be missed\u003c\/b\u003e * Bookreporter *\u003cbr\u003eThe narrative takes on the characteristics of nested dolls . . . \u003cb\u003eHead and shoulders above many crime novels\u003c\/b\u003e * Crime Fiction Lover *\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little, Brown Book Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48739047539031,"sku":"9781408729090","price":9.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781408729090.jpg?v=1720051001","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/past-lying-9781408729090","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}