Difficult to put down and will order more from this author

Set in Scotland, Inspector Karen Pirie is in charge of the Historic Case Unit and is called to a case where a body has been found buried in a peat bog, but all is not what it seems. The story flashes between 1944 and the present day and the plot is well structured and interesting. As with all Ms McDermid's books, descriptions are vivid and attention to detail is impeccable. This novel lives up to Val McDermid's usual high standard and I would recommend this book.

This lady is known as the Queen of Crime for no other reason than her books and writing are outstanding. Broken Ground is meticulously researched, a brilliant crime story presented in a very readable form, and concluding in a most satisfactory manner. Karen is head of the Historic Crimes Unit (HCU) and is researching the rape and murder of some working girls from 1984. As always she is assisted by Jason “Mint” Murray where respect has to be earned and Jason needs to prove his importance to the team. There is some wonderful interplay between Karen and Jason, praise given but just as soon taken…”He was, she thought, a decent if limited man”. Running alongside this historic case a body is unearthed in the remote depths of the highlands preserved by the rich peat in which it had lain for many years. Both cases will test the resolve of our intrepid two and call into question Karen’s professional judgment. Her new manager ACC Ann Markie is also intent on destroying the career of DCI Pirie, a personal vendetta is brewing and a final confrontation will take us to the very heart of the Scottish parliament and in particular the 1st minister. Karen Pirie is a wonderful believable police officer, we feel her pain, a woman committed to uncovering the truth whatever the personal cost. An intricate plot, a killer hidden in plain sight for many years and a possible love interest makes Broken Ground one of the best crime stories I have ever read. Highly, highly recommended.

Well, this was my first Val McDermid book and it certainly won't be my last! I was a mite concerned coming in at book five of the Karen Pirie series, but I shouldn't have worried. While there are a few nods to events of the previous books, it didn't affect my enjoyment of this one. Broken Ground is a fast paced, immaculately written, beautifully structured crime novel that kept me hooked right until the end. It tells the story of the murder of Joey Sutherland and DCI Karen Pirie's investigation to bring his murderer to justice. Karen investigates cold cases for the HCU, and when a colleague calls her about a body in a peat bog in Wester Ross, she's on the case. Set between 1944 and the present day, the flashbacks slowly reveal the reason for the murder of Joey Sutherland, and Karen follows its trail to the present, culminating in a finale involving the First Minister!. Alongside this, Karen finds herself embroiled in a current murder and attempted murder case, and has to deal with the interference of the "Dog Biscuit", the new ACC of her unit, who for some reason, wants her out. The plot was great, the structure was brilliant, the prose was elegant, and it reads as unashamedly Scottish which is a big plus for me! Loved the nods to our current First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon! 5 Stars! Thank to NetGalley and the publishers for the e-arc of this. #BrokenGround #NetGalley

I have read all of Val McDermid's books and I have to admit I found it a little hard to get into this particular title at first. I have read the others in this series and felt engaged with Karen Pirie so was surprised. It did not take long for me to engage again, enjoying the surroundings in which much of the novel is set, the complications the Historic Cases Unit experience from within the force, DS McCartney's attempts to thwart the cases and Karen's attempts to move on after the loss of her partner. Many thanks to Netgalley for an advanced digital copy of this title. All views expressed are my own.