The Distant Echo

By: Val McDermid

Narrated by: Tom Cotcher

This "cunningly plotted" (New York Times) thriller is now on Britbox as Karen Pirie!

Bestselling, award-winning author Val McDermid delivers her most stunning story yet in The Distant Echo--an intricate, thought-provoking tale of murder and revenge.

Four in the morning, mid-December, and snow blankets St. Andrews School. Student Alex Gilbery and his three best friends are staggering home from a party when they stumble upon the body of a young woman. Rosie Duff has been raped, stabbed and left for dead in the ancient Pictish cemetery. The only suspects are the four young students stained with her blood.

Twenty-five years later, police mount a cold case review. Among the unsolved murders they're examining is that of Rosie Duff. But someone else has his own idea of justice. One of the original quartet dies in a suspicious house fire and soon after, a second is killed. Alex fears the worst. Someone is taking revenge for Rosie Duff. And it might just save his life if he can uncover who really killed Rosie all those years ago.

©2003 Val McDermid (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Cunningly plotted...McDermid administers the venom drop by drop...Individually the characters are sensitively drawn. Collectively, they present the inscrutable face of closed-off communities so terrified of change they would kill for peace.”—New York Times Book Review

“This absorbing psychological novel of revenge shows British author McDermid at the top of her form...outstanding pacing, character and plot development, plus evocative place descriptions, make this another winner.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“If you still haven't absorbed the fact that Val McDermid is writing at the top of anyone's game, here's another chance to join the celebration...her clean, crisp writing, especially about crime science, might just remind you of the early books of P.D. James.”—Chicago Tribune

Good story, but too long

The narrator did a great job with the Scottish characters. However, his attempts at American accidents were embarrassing. They should have gotten someone else to do the American voices or the narrator should have just done them with a Scottish accent. The first part of the story was engaging, but the second half just dragged; it should have been edited by the author. Good plot, but too convoluted at the end.

Accent too esoteric for me.

If the listener can handle Scottish brogue, then this be for them a good listen.

Personally, I find the dialect too difficult an adjustment, so I can’t recommend what I don’t understand.

A bit of brogue is fine, but this is a bit too much for me.

The Distant Echo

I really like Val Mcdermid books & this was one of her best. Brilliant writing!

Quality writing undermined by plot contrivance

The absurd and cartoonish single-mindedness of the police's pursuit of the college students to the exclusion of any other suspects seemed ridiculous. It undermined the quality of her writing, the intriguing mystery, and the good characters too. It did not pass the logic test. Even I could think of other avenues the police should have at least pursued.

Karen Pirie is a minor character in this twisty tale

Fascinating story of how friends change, friendships evolve, and trauma impacts everyone. But not too psychologically convoluted: a gripping good tale!