Out of Bounds is a 2016 crime drama novel by Scottish crime writer Val McDermid. The novel is set during 2016 but because the main detective is in the Historic Case Unit (HCU) the crimes being investigated were actually committed in 1994 and 1996.

This is a complex story with a multitude of threads all running at the same time. Val McDermid has not simply created another novel, she has spent time, as she always does, making sure that all of her facts are correct, researching the issues that could arise with DNA discovery and really thinking about how, as surely must be the case on occasion, one terrible crime uncovers another that on first sight appears completely unrelated. Would We Recommend Out of Bounds? I am aware that Val McDermid has had a long and distinguished career as an author of mysteries and thrillers, but I must admit that this is the first of hers that I have read. This is an extremely good police procedural that builds suspense gradually and kept me wondering who the antagonist(s) might be. I grew to admire the MC, Chief Inspector Karen Pirie, a strong-willed, dedicated, cold-case detective who has experienced her share of personal tragedies. I found her situation and circumstances, as well as the behavior of the other characters, believable, so much so that I wouldn't have been surprised to learn that this novel was based on a true story. Where McDermid's books shine are in the plotting. Complex and not easily sussed out. I enjoy following the police work needed to unravel the answers, discovering the connections along with the characters. McDermid adds a nice (and timely) piece of social commentary with Karen befriending some Syrian refugees.Without a doubt, this is a book all crime fans will love. It starts in a bizarre way and if you haven’t read any of the other novels in this series, it could be confusing but keep with it. This is a book that can be read in silo of the others because other than the story-line of how her boyfriend dies, nothing else is carried forward from what I can see, so don’t be afraid to read Out of Bounds as a standalone novel.

The latest case belonged to Inspector Detective Noble. An apparent suicide of one of the sons whose mother was killed on board that ill fated plane. Karen's idea of a professional detective did not include Noble. Although officially this wasn't Karen's case she decided to do her own bit of investigation. This may not sit well with Chief Constable Simon Lees but that never stopped Karen when she had her mind set on finding answers that others had overlooked. Inspector Karen Pirie is a well written character that gives lots of scope to the author to develop further. A very strong fiery intelligent woman who I would hate to be on the wrong side of and her boss knows exactly what I mean. This was a fantastic story,one that I was completely bewitched by. The writing was so endearingly crafted that,by story's end,I felt that I knew and would recognise Karen and Jason if I met them on the street! The Second Murder at the Vicarage in Marple, Twelve New Mysteries (2022) p.33-52, ( HarperCollins, New York, ISBN 978-0-06-313605-2)

McDermid considers her work to be part of the " Tartan Noir" Scottish crime fiction genre. [10] In addition to writing novels, McDermid contributes to several British newspapers and often broadcasts on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland. [11] Her novels, in particular the Tony Hill series, are known for their graphic depictions of violence and torture. In 1876, professor Edward Cope takes a group of students to the unforgiving American West to hunt for dinosaur fossils, and they make a tremendous discovery. Coupled with this case,is the recent death of one Gabriel Abbott. A young man, whose life was derailed by the very sudden death of his mother,Caroline,and her dearest friend,Ellie, Gabriel's body is found on a park bench with a gun in his hand. This had it all - great characters - sympathetic, realistically flawed - I adore the relationship between Karen and her loyal offsider Jason, as well as cameos from some of her other protagonists like River. I lived in Edinburgh for ten years so loved the nostalgia trip of being able to picture all the streets, buildings and monuments. There’s a subplot about Syrian refugees that beautifully showcases Karen’s humanity and resolute practicality, and plenty of interesting scientific/forensic details. Here the whodunnit is less important than that “how will she catch them” and no less satisfying. McDermid is an experienced and confident enough writer to not feel the need to link all the cases together by infuriating coincidence, and neither do we have to endure the perpetrator’s POV. There’s no gratuitous violence but this is certainly no cosy mystery. An easy five stars from me.