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Report for Murder

Val McDermid (author)

Paperback Published on: 09/04/2026

£10.99

10 reviews

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Synopsis

The debut novel from no.1 bestseller Val McDermid, now with a new cover design and introduction from the author: Introducing lesbian journalist Lindsay Gordon who finds herself solving a murder after a musician is killed at a concert

Moments before she was due to appear on stage at school fundraising gala, star cellist Lorna Smith is found dead, garrotted with her own cello string.

Freelance journalist Lindsay Gordon was only covering the gala to make some quick cash, but when a friend is arrested for Lorna’s murder, Lindsay is determined to prove her innocence.

With her friend’s freedom at stake, Lindsay dives into Lorna’s life, uncovering a world of secrets, lies and betrayal.

Praise for Val McDermid

‘McDermid remains unrivalled … Brilliant’ Observer

‘Val McDermid is a born storyteller… absorbing reading’ Sunday Telegraph

‘A classic … McDermid pulls out all the stops. Impeccable’ Guardian

Publisher information

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780008757953
Number of pages: 368
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 30 mm
Weight: 260g
Languages: English

Customer Reviews

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A fascinating view into the start of a stellar writing career

Val McDermid is a wonderful writer and her plots, characters and settings have developed hugely over the decades in which she has been writing. This reissu... READ MORE

Kaye Fraser

This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.

an interesting read

An interesting introduction to the Lindsay Gordon series, getting to know the main character, with her quirks and habits, smart, daring, class-conscious, a... READ MORE

Sarah C

This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.

Rerun of past novel

I thought this was a new series but it was a rerun of an old one which I had previously read . She. Has obviously developed her writing over the ensuing y... READ MORE

Jean Easdon

Interesting to read McDermid’s early work

An updated version of Val McDermid's debut novel which features the popular Lindsay Gordon, a lesbian Scottish journalist. Lindsay is visiting an old frie... READ MORE

Maria's Book Musings

This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.

Fantastic Debut!

Val McDermid’s 1987 debut, "Report For Murder" offers a fascinating glimpse into the origins of a crime-writing legend. When freelance journalist Lindsay... READ MORE

Diane Elizabeth Taylor

This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.

Reissue of McDermid’s debut

I’ll admit to not reading the blurb for this closely when i requested it and assumed it was a new book from McDermid rather than a new publication, with in... READ MORE

Ciaran Sundstrem

This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.

Debut of a great crime fiction writer

Report for Murder is Val McDermid's debut novel - a murder mystery set in a girl's boarding school. At times it felt a bit 'Malory Towers'. The book, publi... READ MORE

Shirley Sinha

This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.

Period piece

Lindsay has taken a job reporting on a fundraising initiative for a private girls' school that her friend Paddy works at. The highlight is to be a concert... READ MORE

Jo-anne Atkinson

Different to McDermid's style now but worth a read

An updated version of Val McDermid's debut novel which features the popular Lindsay Gordon, a lesbian Scottish journalist. Lindsay is visiting an old frie... READ MORE

Maria's Book Musings

This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.

Promise of greatness to come

Report for Murder is the Queen of Crime's first novel originally published in 1987. Her sleuth is a freelance Scottish journalist called Lindsay Gordon wh... READ MORE

Verity Halliday

This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.

Report for Murder

Synopsis

Publisher information

Customer Reviews

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