Description
Fever of the Bone by Val McDermid is a gripping crime thriller and the sixth book in the Tony Hill & Carol Jordan series, following the acclaimed criminal profiler and Detective Chief Inspector duo as they confront a chilling new threat. The investigation begins when the body of teenager Jennifer Maidment is discovered, brutally murdered and mutilated, signalling the emergence of a predator who is both calculated and merciless. As Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan dig deeper, they uncover a methodical killer targeting seemingly unrelated young people, using online chats to manipulate and lure victims. Complicating the investigation, Tony is sidelined by budget-driven management decisions and replaced by an inexperienced profiler, forcing him to navigate both professional frustration and the resurgence of his own haunting memories. Set in contemporary Britain, the novel explores themes of psychological manipulation, the dark potential of the internet, and the human capacity for cruelty, while maintaining McDermid’s signature tense, page-turning pace. With a focus on character psychology and the dynamics between Hill and Jordan, Fever of the Bone combines forensic insight with relentless suspense, appealing to readers of sophisticated thrillers who value both intellectual intrigue and emotionally charged storytelling.
The novel also serves as an accessible entry point for newcomers to the series, including fans of the ITV adaptation Wire in the Blood.
