Final Edition [Large Print] [Paperback]

Val McDermid (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2002

Lindsay Gordon finds herself dragged into a sordid world of blackmail, prostitution, lies and murder when she investigates the case of a former colleague jailed for killing a notorious Glaswegian journalist. Third in the popular mystery series. When Alison Maxwell, a well-known Glaswegian journalist with an irresistible sexual attraction to both sexes, is found murdered the police look no further than the owner of the scarf used to strangle her. Lindsay Gordon, however, has other ideas. Maxwell was a serial seductress who kept a secret record of her encounters -- including one with Lindsay herself. Recalling the threats that followed the end of the relationship, Lindsay knows all too well the feelings of rage, fear and passion that Alison Maxwell could invoke. Soon Lindsay is embroiled in an investigation involving blackmail,stolen government documents and the vested interests of a group of people determined to keep her from finding the truth.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This intriguing second novel by the author of Report for Murder again casts lesbian Scottish journalist Lindsay Gordon. Lindsay is living temporarily in Italy when fellow writer Alison Maxwell is found strangled in Glasgow and the victim's ex-lover, journalist Jackie Mitchell, is convicted of the crime. On Lindsay's return to Scotland, Jackie's friends, including Lindsay's last lover, Cordelia Brown, and Cordelia's new mate, Claire Ogilvie, ask Lindsay to look into the murder. Lindsay agrees even though she hasn't recovered from her breakup with Cordelia, a recovery made harder when she reads Cordelia's new book and realizes how much excellent work her friend accomplished on the heels of her departure. She is even more daunted in her investigation when she discovers how Alison used and abused friendships. After Lindsay finds and decodes Alison's secret diary of sexual conquests--both male and female--she realizes that not only Jackie but many people probably wanted Alison dead. Only a thorough search through Alison's letters allow Lindsay and her new lover, Sophie, to solve the case. While the depiction of lesbian relationships may not appeal to some, this taut story exploring the limits of friendship is well worth reading.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Who killed blackmailing, bisexual Alison Maxwell? Her former lover Jackie Mitchell has been tried and convicted, but another former lover--reporter Lindsay Gordon, recently returned from Italy--is hired by another lesbian chum, Claire, to investigate. Lindsay quickly discovers that Alison played musical beds with most of the lesbian population of Glasgow--and, to a woman, they loathed her, as did the few husbands she also dallied with. The police, however, have failed to follow up on a clue: on a glass is half a thumbprint that is neither Alison's or Jackie's. When a friend and neighbor's apartment is ransacked (gone missing: state secrets, as well as a homosexual M.P.'s cache of naughty pictures), Lindsay soon finds herself with two cases to solve--but, fortuitously, the robbery produces an eyewitness to the murder, who's fingered in one of those dreadfully corny everyone-gathered-in-the-lounge scenes. Whiny, and teeming with one-dimensional love triangles. A flat follow-up to McDermid's more engaging Report for Murder. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Ulverscroft Large Print (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753165414
• ISBN-13: 978-0753165416
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,753,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing, detailed mystery!, May 16, 2004

By 

Kimberly Taylor "Mad Scientist" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Open and Shut (Hardcover)

I became a Val McDermid fan when I read "A Place of Execution", but it's taken me a while to read her earlier works, largely because they are difficult to find in the US. My perserverance was rewarded when I found "Open and Shut" in the library last week. McDermid's heroine, Lindsay Gordon, has returned to the UK after a self-imposed exile in Italy. A former journalist, she is asked to look into the conviction of a friend, Jackie Mitchell. Mitchell is accused of killing Alison Maxwell, a brilliant but amoral journalist who was once Linday's lover. Lindsay's investigations reveal that this case is far more complex than anyone could have imagined.

This novel is brilliantly detailed, with engrossing characters and gripping plot. The setting among professional lesbian women in Glasgow was at first daunting and a little bit foreign, but the story drew me in. These ladies are women like me and my friends, smart, funny and professionally dedicated. Read this book--if you can find it!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review, August 15, 2010

By 

SuzieQ - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Final Edition (Hardcover)

I received the book and was very pleased with it. Would definitely buy from again.