The Mermaids Singing cover art

The Mermaids Singing

Tony Hill and Carol Jordan Series, Book 1

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About this listen

The first stunning thriller in the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series, from best-selling author Val McDermid.

Up until now, the only serial killers Tony Hill had encountered were safely behind bars. This one’s different – this one’s on the loose.

Four men have been found mutilated and tortured. As fear grips the city, the police turn to clinical psychologist Tony Hill for a profile of the killer. But soon Tony becomes the unsuspecting target in a battle of wits and wills where he has to use every ounce of his professional nerve to survive.

A tense, beautifully written psychological thriller, The Mermaids Singing explores the tormented mind of a serial killer unlike any the world of fiction has ever seen.

©1995 Val McDermid (P)2015 W F Howes Ltd Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Crime Exciting Scary Murder

Critic reviews

"Gripping, intelligent stuff." (The Times)

"A superb psychological thriller." (Cosmopolitan)
All stars
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I always love it when a book exceeds my expectations. The Mermaids Singing audiobook did. I’d had several reservations about listening to The Mermaids Singing audiobook. My reticence was not because I have any doubts about Val McDermid’s expertise as I’ve read and enjoyed several of her books, but the subject matter deals partly with extreme torture, a horror I know I’m squeamish being confronted with, having been traumatised by one scene in Braveheart. The Mermaids Singing was such an enthralling, fast-moving story that I survived, relatively unscathed, although the grisly descriptions of the fates of the serial killer’s victims took me to the edge several times. I was also worried the audiobook might be a struggle to listen to as it’s 13 hours long. I was wrong. I couldn’t believe how swiftly the time had flown by and have nothing but praise for the voicing skills of the narrator, Saul Reichlin. I mainly listen to audiobooks while sunbathing in my Oldham garden, so I now have a deep tan thanks to the recent unusually sunny weather and the swift passage of time, thanks to Val McDermid’s well-honed skill at telling dark tales. I felt breathless at times as there are several twists, turns, and a praiseworthy surprise climax. I hope to read or listen to the rest of the books in the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series, partly because I’m nosy and want to discover whether Carol Jordan can help criminal psychologist with his ‘little problem’. I’d love to tell you more about the exciting, unusual storyline, but I don’t believe in dishing out spoilers. All I can do is recommend you either read or listen to The Mermaids Singing.

Simply Brilliant.

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Would you consider the audio edition of Mermaids Singing to be better than the print version?

Probably.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Carol - because she, not Tony, was the most complex.

Have you listened to any of Saul Reichlin’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to any other Saul performances, but he was great. I felt he grew into the book like the reader.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

My first Val McDermid book - but it wont be my last.

Outstanding, spine-chilling psychological thriller

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Mermaids Singing is a good book but the narrator’s performance is sublime. He brings the characters to life.

Best narrator ever

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I have always enjoyed reading and listening to Val McDermod stories. This ibook is the first meeting of Carol and Tony, and was narrated by Saul Reichlin extremely well.

Great listen to

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Geordies will be turning in their graves at the Geordie accent in this audio book

Dodgy narrator

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