; 400x60

Festivale Book Section
go to contents of current issue contents.jpg - 1911 BytesGo to the BookroomSeries Series front pageindex of book reviewsBook-related linksVisit the online book stores in the online shopping mallGo to the online shopping mall for all the on-line storesContact usSee what's new in FestivaleSearch our site, or the web

Book Reviews

Spring 1997

Blue Genes
book cover, Blue Genes, Val McDermid
Val McDermid, HarperCollins, ISBN 0-00-232584-5
The female PI written by a female writer almost became a cliché for a while. There were some excellent characters, and some excellent writers got their professional start during the rush. And I think it also spurned a strange variant -- the romance crime mystery. BUT this isn't one of them.

Brannigan, McDermid's British PI is a realistic human with actual professional cases who demonstrates an awareness of real human life, hard business facts and the seedy side of the tracks.

Amazon.com logo
Search for:
Based in Manchester, Brannigan in this case must protect her best friend from losing her child. Now, the best friend is a lesbian, so you may guess that this book covers some new technology.

The pace is good, the characters and environment clearly drawn, the motivation works, the PI behaves in a logical way, thinks things through, relies on luck, research and contacts, and, frankly, what we have here is a satisfying read.

An excellent series to get your teeth into, and this book is well worth your time. As is McDermid's non-fiction A Suitable Job for a Woman.

by Ali Kayn

See also: The Wire in the Blood
A Suitable Job for a Woman

Val McDermid books page
Series Series page

In Association with Amazon.co.uk
Search For:


Check out the Sisters in Crime feature, Death on the Internet

Share this
Like us on facebook
For the latest news and reviews.
index of book reviewsgo to contents of current issueGo to the current bookroom sectiongo to index pageGo to the current bookroom section

Festivale Online Magazine
Celebrate everything!
ISSN 1328-8008
Published in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
disclaimers | contact the editor | Festivale revision history

: Published in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia : copyright © Festivale 1999 - 2016 All rights reserved
Filed: 7-Oct-1997 : Last updated: : Last tested: 1-May-2001 : Last Compiled: 17-Dec-2015
Entire site refreshed: Dec 2008-Feb 2009 | Site URL transferred: Jan 2005 (previously www.festivale.webcentral.com.au)

Report a bug