Out of Bounds

A Karen Pirie Novel

By: Val McDermid

Narrated by: Kathleen McCarron

A stunning new cold case novel from internationally best-selling crime writer Val McDermid about a car crash that opens up an unsolved murder from decades before.

Internationally best-selling author Val McDermid is one of our finest crime writers, whose gripping, impeccably plotted novels have garnered millions of listeners worldwide. In her latest, Out of Bounds, she delivers a riveting cold case novel featuring detective Karen Pirie.

When a teenage joyrider crashes a stolen car and ends up in a coma, a routine DNA test reveals a connection to an unsolved murder from 22 years before. Finding the answer to the cold case should be straightforward. But it's as twisted as the DNA helix itself.

Meanwhile, Karen finds herself irresistibly drawn to another mystery that she has no business investigating - a mystery that has its roots in a terrorist bombing two decades ago. And again, she finds that nothing is as it seems.

An enthralling, twisty listen, Out of Bounds reaffirms Val McDermid's place as one of the most dependable professionals in the mystery and thriller business.

©2016 Val McDermid (P)2016 W. F. Howes

Good story with overdose of liberal propaganda

What did you love best about Out of Bounds?

The development (albeit slow) of Jason, the doggedness of Karen. Really like that she has a network of helpful professionals (not coincidentally all female.)

Would you recommend Out of Bounds to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes - and no. The consistent theme of male/conservative = bad/stupid/lazy, female/liberal causes = smart/noble is tiresome. If you can slog past that there's an intriguing story at heart.

Have you listened to any of Kathleen McCarron’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Never heard her before. The accent is sometimes a bit too thick for non-Scots. She does a great job differentiating characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Just don't do it. In my opinion this makes a better book than movie. Can only see it as a Lifetime melodrama.

Any additional comments?

As I mentioned above, this book is heavily slanted toward ultra-liberal and feminist viewpoints. Syrian refugee heroes (saw that coming from their introduction), a few slams against Trump, snide comments about anyone that doesn't agree with these viewpoints, ineffective men - all are the typical representatives of the staple from this author. More than usual for her, and that's saying something. A more balanced world view would be more palatable. Most of us are in the middle, and well aware there is good and bad in people from both sides. Wish this talented author, and in fairness many others, would leave politics out and just give us a good who-done-it free of propaganda.

A very good, nicely narrated listen

I'd almost give this 5 stars, but the ending was a little unsatisfying, very good, but not quite 5 stars. Otherwise it was a really good story, superbly written and read. I suppose, if I didn't have such a high expectation of Val McDermid I would rate it 5 stars and I'm not sure it's fair that she suffers by being compared to her own exceptional standard.

Fantastic narration

Great Val McDermid writing and some of the best narration I’ve heard, with unique voicing for every character. Highly recommend.

Lovely new narrator

I always love McDermid's novels, but I often don't love the narrators. This time she got a top of the line narrator. I hope she sticks with her.

Great plot, awesome reader. I have listened to many of Val's McDermids books. books

Love the story, the person reading the story was super. I really enjoy your books. Good plot and cannot stop listening. I'm a big fan 💕