Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Teriffic!
Review: Val McDermid's Killing the Shadows is a rare treat -- a serial killer targeting crime writers and killing them using methods that the writers have used to kill the characters in their books. McDermid's characters are believable and likeable, the plot moves swiftly, and the puzzle is wonderfully difficult. I've read many, many a mystery and thriller, and this is definitely one of the best that I've read in a long time. She's definitely in Thomas Harris territory (and some of the crimes in "Shadows" give him a real run for the money). Buy It!
Rating: 
Summary: A psychological thriller that explores fantasy vs. reality.
Review: Val McDermid, in her new novel, "Killing the Shadows," uses some well-worn plot devices. A stalker targets writers of murder mysteries, killing them off using the same methodology as the writers use to "bump off" their own fictional victims. In a parallel story, a suspect is apprehended for raping and killing a young mother of twins. Politics and public opinion taint both investigations and greatly hamper the ability of the detectives to find the perpetrators.If "Killing the Shadows" is so derivative, then why does it work so well? The answer is that McDermid uses these formulas to their best possible advantage, creating memorable characters and putting them in intriguing situations. She also makes the most of the settings, from the historic streets of Toledo, Spain, to the Scottish Highlands. The main character is the fascinating Fiona Cameron, professor and academic psychologist. Fiona is an expert at using advanced computer methods to help identify and track serial offenders and she has enjoyed a good measure of success in the past. Fiona lives with Kit Martin, a writer of thrillers who may be on a killer's "hit list". Fiona's expertise is called upon in a series of cases, including one in Spain, but no case is more important to her than the one that involves the safety of her partner, Kit. McDermid explores the theme of murder as fiction vs. murder as reality. The public loves grisly murder mysteries and the authors of these books often make a great deal of money. Has our fascination with murder and mayhem hardened us to the horrible reality of violent death? This is a thought-provoking theme. Fiona's sister had been killed violently years before, and Fiona has been trying for a long time to "kill the shadows" that haunt her. She understands from personal experience how the murder of a loved one shatters those who are left behind. Unfortunately, "Killing the Shadows" falters at the end. McDermid reaches quite a bit to come up with a surprise ending and it just doesn't wash. The motivation and the behavior of the killer make no sense and the cat and mouse ending is more formulaic than fascinating. However, "Killing the Shadows" is just fine until the end and I recommend it overall for its rich atmosphere and engaging characters.
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