The Grave Tattoo

A Novel

By: Val McDermid

Narrated by: Kate Reading

In The Grave Tattoo, suspense master Val McDermid spins a psychological thriller in which a present-day murder has its roots in the eighteenth century and the mutiny on the H.M.S. Bounty.

After torrential summer rains uncover a bizarrely tattooed body on a Lake District hillside, a long-disregarded old wives' tale takes on a chilling new plausibility. For centuries, Lakelanders have whispered that Fletcher Christian, made infamous by Mutiny on the Bounty, staged the massacre on Pitcairn so that he could return home. And once there, what if he could tell his story to an old friend and schoolmate, William Wordsworth, who turned it into a long narrative poem—a poem that remained hidden lest it expose Wordsworth to the gallows for harboring a fugitive?

Wordsworth specialist Jane Gresham, herself a native of the Lake District, feels compelled to discover once and for all whether the manuscript ever existed—and whether it still exists today. But as she pursues each new lead, death follows hard on her heels. Suddenly Jane is at the heart of a 200-year-old mystery that still has the power to put lives on the line.

Critic reviews

“A world-class crime novelist at the top of her game.” —George Pelecanos, author of Hard Revolution

“Val McDermid at her very best.” —Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of Company Man

“It is difficult to find words to capture the masterful achievement that is Val McDermid's The Grave Tattoo.” —Laura Lippman

“If you haven't discovered her genius yet, you are in for a rare treat.” —Harlan Coben, New York Times bestselling author of The Innocent

“Absorbing modern mystery...McDermid's mix of historical and literary clues with modern detection is handled with panache.” —The Times (London)

“One of our most accomplished crime writers...compelling.” —Glasgow Herald

“An irresistible combination of contemporary psychological thriller and historical mystery filled with the moody atmosphere of the Lake District.” —Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of Harvest

“I've been a Val McDermid fan forever...like all her work, The Grave Tattoo is an experience...a visceral entertainment that leaves you panting right up to the shattering climax .” —Ridley Pearson, New York Times bestselling author of The Kingdom Keepers

One needs to “stayed tuned”

Intertwining the story of”Mutiny on the Bounty” with a current murder mystery! Not easy - but well done!

Ehhh so-so

Val McDermid writes some great books that I love; this isn't one of them. I give her credit for an imaginative idea...Fletcher Christian in a British village mystery. But it's just boring. I didn't care a whit about the characters and some situations were out of character as well. I really didn't care who the killer was and the ending was ... "oh how convenient."

I don't really recommend it.

Nice homage to Wordsworth!

It’s a fun go back and forth of the two stories, past and present, enjoy!

Not my favorite McDermid,But still very good.

Loved the description of the Lake district. Interesting characters and plot. Drags some, and rather predictable. Good narration but oh, what these female readers do to the male voices., is awful. I'm sure they do as well as they can. Worth a listen and a credit. Even when McDermid isn't at her best ,she's still better than most

Entertaining

I enjoyed the book although not as much as some of McDermid’s others.

The narration was wonderful!