My first 'Wire In The Blood' book… this is the third book in the series… and it's a bit of a scorcher. Both Tony Hill and Ms Jordan find themselves in mainland Europe but on completely different cases. A solid page turning book as the main characters get caught way out of the depth as Carol Jordan goes undercover against an Eastern European organised crime boss, when Tony, tracking a serial killer, crosses her path. Really want to read more of this series. 7 out of 12, Three star read.

2011 read

I really like the characters of Tony Hill and Carol Jordan. That being said I was very disappointed in the author's decision to once again inflict mass amount of damage to the main characters.

First of all, if you read the description of the book you know that Carol goes undercover. Everything she does is immaculate in preparation for this new venture. Then one night she makes the stupidest mistake and of course that is when she gets caught. Well, maybe two mistakes 1. Having Tony anywhere near her op and 2. Trying to bring their feelings into fruition during the op. Yes, it is the first time she has ever done undercover but she is a smart cookie, she knows she's being watched, and she runs to Tony with his curtains open? Please.

Then the rape. It is unnecessary to constantly inflict emotional and physical damage to your main characters. But to have Carol Raped was beyond terrible! It was utterly pointless. The last two books something has happened to them or someone they know. Then it just seems like she felt "What else can I do that will really screw with them?" Rape that's it! I am very upset over the writer's choice.

Often, I have found that author's rely on abusing their characters to help in their development. For some reason the horrors that surround the story are not enough so they have to make sure that the characters really suffer. I'm not saying it should be roses and rainbows; but it gets to the point where you wonder if the author just ran out of ideas.

Then there is the attraction element to the series. I'm fine with the fact that she is setting her main characters to be together. However, if your plan is to have this budding romance why do you do everything in your power to prevent them from being together? I mean so far the series has spanned over 3 1/2 years! Either let it go or get on with it.

I'm going to read the next book in hopes that the author pulls herself out of the need to damage her characters.

I would actually have to write, unread. I got as far as page 50 and stopped. It probably is a good story, but just didn't care about the characters, didn't connect with any of them. Sorry. Can happen.

I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as the other two in the series I’ve read so far. Much slower start and seemed harder to delve in to the start straight away. However, it definitely picked up at the end and I was completely hooked for the last quarter!

It has been 9 years since I have read a Tony Hill & Carol Jordan book by Val McDermid. I read and reviewed Beneath the Bleeding, the 5th book in the series and my friend John commented “I can recommend "The Last Temptation" by V McDermid. I read this book back in 2003 whilst on a government paid excursion in the sun and was enthralled plus a little shocked by the graphic detail of the sexual mutilation of the bodies. “

So here I am in 2018 reading and reviewing a book written in 2002. What did it have to offer me?

The Last Temptation explores the relationship and workplace dynamics between Tony and Carol. This time it is an international quest and they both travel to Germany. It is a steady mix of people, psychiatry and police work. Tony is his usual self and is profiling a serial killer. Carol has gone undercover to catch a criminal mastermind involved in human trafficking. It does not matter if you have not read the previous 2 Tony and Carol books, as this can be read as a standalone.

I found The Last Temptation an okay read. The serial killer’s method of murder was unusual and their signature was very obscure. There was lots going on in this novel with lots of characters to follow. The characterization of all the characters was good, including the serial killer. There were plenty of bits to spice up this novel, for example having lesbian police officers and the need to debrief Carol as she was working undercover, by holding their meetings naked in a sauna.

I followed these 2 lines of enquiry by the police with the help of Tony and Carol. But as the novel went on, my enthusiasm waned. All the details were laid out and the story then became a regular joining up the dots. The entertainment value of this novel then began to drop. My empathy for the characters dwindled and the only shock I got was when Carol got caught up in a tight spot. My normal reaction would have been of abhorrence at the situation Carol was thrown into but because of my dwindling interest in the story, coupled with my reducing empathy for her, made me feel glad she had this rough experience. For me to feel happy about Carol’s experience made me feel rather uncomfortable, yes this is only fiction but I can’t condone the actions of another character towards Carol. I felt Carol got what she deserved working undercover but feel ashamed because I do.

Overall I found The Last Temptation to be an okay, 3 star read. I would not recommend it to anyone but it is a bread and butter read. This is NOT one of Val McDermid’s better books, I enjoyed both Beneath the Bleeding and The Distant Echo far, far more.

The Last Temptation was written in 2002 and is available as an Amazon Kindle eBook.

The story flowed lethargically, but Gerard Doyle's narration made it entertaining. By the time the climax came, well, it was anti-climatic. I did enjoy being reminded of my time on West German rivers in the sixties.

Description: Coming to terms over her breakup with criminal profiler Dr. Tony Hill, Chief Inspector Carol Jordan plunges into a risky undercover sting: track down a European drug trafficker and gain his confidence. But she's being tracked as well-by a serial killer whose psychosexual madness is born out of the darkest corners of history. In quiet isolation, Tony Hill is laying to rest the scars of his past-until he's recruited back into business on a case he can't ignore. An evil is striking uncomfortably close to home, and casting a killer shadow over the life of his long-time colleague and sometimes lover. As the danger closes in, and as Tony and Carol cross paths to navigate the terrain of a shattered human mind, they have no one left to trust but themselves-and fear that there's no place left to run as a killer promises to fulfill his most twisted dreams.

Opening: CASE NOTES
NAME: Walter Neumann
SESSION #: 1
COMMENTS: The patient has clearly been troubled for some time with an overweening sense of his own infallibility. He presents with a disturbing level of overconfidence in his own abilities. He has a grandiose self-image and is reluctant to concede the possibilty that he might be subject to valid criticism.

4* A Place of Execution
2* Village SOS
4* Dead Clever
2* Deadheading
3* Scott Free
2* The Vanishing Point

3* The Distant Echo (Inspector Karen Pirie, #1)
2* A Darker Domain (Inspector Karen Pirie, #2)

3* Clean Break (Kate Brannigan, #4)

3* Forensics: What Bugs, Burns, Prints, DNA and More Tell Us About Crime

3* The Mermaids Singing (Tony Hill & Carol Jordan, #1)
4* The Wire In The Blood (Tony Hill & Carol Jordan, #2)
CR The Last Temptation (Tony Hill & Carol Jordan, #3)
3* The Torment of Others (Tony Hill & Carol Jordan, #4)
3* Beneath The Bleeding (Tony Hill & Carol Jordan, #5

This is the first I have read of this series. I found the two protagonists colorless, but the writing was good and the details were gory. Well plotted story of the convergence of two crime investigations involving 4 police. One is a serial killer who targets experimental psychologists because his grandfather who horribly abused him was himself abused by Nazi psychologists. The other is a ruthless crime lord based in Berlin who imports both illegal immigrants and drugs. More plot than character-driven, which is a weakness.

Hard going but worth reading till end

The problem reading a series out of order is that sometimes the outcome of the plot and story line are already known. Despite this,I was engaged and surprised as the novel unfolded.

Chief Inspector Carol Jordan undertakes a covert assignment in exchange for a promotion in a new unit when the case reaches its end. The target is a drug dealing, people trafficking killer. Unbeknownst to her, she has been chosen for more than her detection skills but the leaders of this sting have deliberately chosen to keep her in the dark. This omission imperils the mission in more ways than one and Carol in particular.

The main theme of this usually police friendly series is the hubris displayed by both senior police officers and the criminal element. In both camps those at the top are willing to manipulate any situation into a win with no regard for collateral damage. As elements of the sting go awry, Carol's vulnerability increases.

This is a different, interesting, worthwhile addition to the series.

I really enjoyed this book, has a great plot with plenty twists to keep you on your toes. Whilst the central characters may not be as well defined as Rankin's Rebus, the tormented serial killer is brought to life with breath taking insights and historical background to make you think McDermid is more at home amongst them than our 'heroes'.
It is the best of the Hill/Jordan series I have read, though I have not yet read any of McDermids novels outside this series so I cannot compare in any real authority. all in all, a highly entertaining read.

Hmmm, I didn’t enjoy this nearly as much as the first two books in the series.
This is the first book I have listened to as an audio book so maybe that was a contributing factor.
Or maybe in the current political climate a book emphasising good links in Europe being to everyone’s advantage simply highlights how far from that we appear to be moving at the moment.
I will continue with this series but am hoping for better next time.