This author uses atrocities committed by a group in the 20th century that I generally have tired of reading, as they have become the crutch for any form of evil. It is a tribute to this lady's talent that she has found a more obscure practice of the Germany of the Nazi's to play a very valid role in this novel. She also represents the evil of this group through the effects they have had on generations that were not even alive when they practiced their atrocities. Their twisted science echoes through the victims to their descendents, and this adds an entirely new dimension to the resonance of evil.

The only aspect of the story I found troubling was the placement of the two main characters so close together while they were working on different operations. It makes the story work, but from the moment the situation is set, you know this is the Achilles heal that will bring the protagonists to the edge, or possibly over, to their detriment.

I don't read many books in this type of genre, but Val McDermid seems as though her work should have a much greater following than it does. If this type of work appeals to you, pick this lady's work up; you will be happy you did.


Excellent book, but not what i wanted   August 22, 2002
 5 out of 7 found this review helpful

I did not enjoy this book half as much as i have enjoyed her previous books. However, that does not mean it is a bad book. It is actually a very good book, one that i expect will appeal to many people. But it is not what i was expecting, nor what i was looking forward to, and hence i am disappointed.

The basic plot goes thus: Carol Jordan is sent to Berlin on an undercover covert operation to trap an evil traffiker in both drugs and humans. Her bosses think she will be able to handle it. During the job she will be almost completely cut off from everybody, and will feel very alone. Her peril's are increased when the actions of her superiours put her in mortal danger.

Alongside that, psychologists are being murdered on the contient. Murdered horribly, with no apparent motive. It is when an ex colleage of profiler Tony Hill's is found slain that he takes it upon himself to investigate the killings.

The emotionally tangled pair must both tackle their own monsters with little help from anyone else and both of them, Carol in particular, will face great personal danger.

It is a very well written book, that is undeniable. However, i cannot say that it is as atmospheric as "A Place of Execution" or as scary and original as "Killing the Shadows", but it is thrilling in a hard-edged way. But...

...McDermid concentrates far too much on Carol Jordan's side of the book, and not nearly enough on the serial killer aspect of the plot, which is what she is known for, and what she does best. As such, the serial killer nit about the psychologists getting killed seems underdeveloped and at times just incidental. Instead of the tense serial killer novel we expect, we are given a novel mainly about the criminal underworld and undercover policing. Many people will greatly enjoy this aspect of the book. And if so, i cannot reccomend it highly enough to you. But, if you are expecting a nice meaty serial killer novel, reasses your beliefs quickly, because it is not what you're going to get.

Actually a very good novel, just not what i was expecting. I would have preferred more emphasis on Tony Hill's aspect of the book, but we don't always get what we want, and this book certainly displays Carol Jordan's full abilites.


A nail-biter that will have you reading into the night.   October 6, 2002
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Val McDermid's latest novel, "The Last Temptation," is an ambitious undertaking. The author crosses geographical boundaries; her plot lines involve police forces in England, Holland and Germany. This novel also has numerous characters and several storylines that at first seem unrelated, but which eventually intersect.

Carol Jordan is an ambitious Detective Chief Inspector who is well trained in criminal intelligence. Jordan has helped bring two serial killers to justice and she has paid her dues as a police officer. Now, she is aiming for a high-level job in British intelligence and analysis, and she is expecting a promotion to come through very soon. Much to her surprise, Jordan is not granted her promotion. Instead she is sent into deep undercover to bring down a notorious criminal named Tadeusz Radecki and his right hand man Darko Krasic, who are based in Germany.

A second protagonist in "The Last Temptation" is Dr. Tony Hill, a psychologist who has been deeply scarred by his job of profiling serial killers. He is now on the trail of a criminal who targets psychologists and murders them in a particularly gruesome manner. Hill and Jordan have collaborated professionally in the past. As they work these difficult cases, Jordan and Hill provide one another with much needed advice and emotional support.

McDermid handles her large cast of characters and a complex plot adroitly. Her dialogue is crisp and her descriptive writing is vivid yet understated. The author ratchets up the tension as the novel reaches its exciting denouement. Unfortunately, McDermid resorts to a pat ending, which strains believability. However, this quibble aside, I recommend "The Last Temptation." McDermid's skill as a writer of fast-paced and well-crafted thrillers makes this new novel a "must-read" for fans of this genre.


McDermid's latest suspense novel is a sure fire winner!   November 17, 2002
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

The sophistication and talent that a writer needs to maintain two plot lines and ferry seven characters through a full-length novel, may be a challenge to author Val McDermid, but she does it with style, believability and panache in THE LAST TEMPTATION.

A serial killer is targeting psychologists in Germany and Holland. When an old friend is murdered, former British profiler Tony Hill reluctantly gets back into the game. His job is to outsmart the killer and prevent any more brutal "mutilation" deaths.

At the same time, Carol Jordan, a very ambitious DCI and the love of Hill's life, is offered any position she wants if she does her superiors a "favor" --- seduce Tadeusz Radecki into a sting that will expose his drug, arms and people smuggling businesses. This seems to be an offer she can't refuse. But, by the time she finds out that she's been set up, it's too late to back out. She feels betrayed and used when she discovers that she is the "twin" image of Katerina Basler, Tadisck's lover who was killed in a mysterious hit and run accident.

Hill's murder investigation eventually brings him to Berlin. And, although he must travel to several European cities, he takes a small apartment in the same building as Jordan. Both of them work with local cops, Jordan with Petra Becker in Germany, and Hill with Brigadier Marijke van Hasselt from Holland.

THE LAST TEMPTATION is an aggregate of pristine prose, complicated plot twists, roller coaster pacing, intelligent characters, and very interesting subject matter. McDermid writes with finesse and her extraordinary storytelling prowess sets her new book apart from the ordinary. Wow! This book is a sure fire winner.

--- Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum


Smashing success   January 20, 2003
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Smashing success. Carol Jordan entices Tony Hill to join with Dutch and German Detectives to try and capture a serial killer that drowns his victims then scalps their pubic hair for his collection. Not one to avoid the grisly, McDermid provides plenty in this fast paced thriller-mystery that follows two stories, Jordan's attempt to con a notorious drug and human smuggling crime boss in Germany and the serial killer who moves between Holland And Germany with ease to dispatch his victims.

Jordan and Hill seem to have overcome their personal problems that kept them apart in previous mysteries but a vicious twist at the end portends a troubled future for them.

Excellent plotting and character development. A joy to read.