The Torment of Others

The Torment of Others is a

Plot summary

Several years after Derek Tyler was incarcerated for slaughtering several

prostitutes, another lady of the night is found dead under similar modus operandi

being vaginally penetrated using a dildo covered in razor blades. While Dr. Tony Hill tries to convince Derek Tyler to explain who the Voice is DCI Carol Jordan sets up a sting operation using Paula McIntyre. However the sting goes wrong and Paula is captured by the copycat killer Carl Mackenzie.

Carl rapes Paula, Carol and her team hunt for Paula, and Tony suspects that a police officer is controlling Derek and Carl as only someone involved with this sting could have sabotaged it. Tony confronts Sergeant Jan Shields, who has been using

mind manipulation to make others kill because she's a control freak

.

While this is happening Don Merrick goes to Scotland to capture the paedophilic child killer Nick Sanders but is killed by him. Nick is later arrested.

Reception

The novel received generally positive reviews from literary critics.

While this may not be the best starting point for those new to McDermid, enthusiasts will find all the key elements are firmly and satisfyingly in place. -

Amazon.com

It is a tribute to the power of Val McDermid's imagination that she made this one seem so believable. -

Daily Telegraph

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