Verdict Unsafe [Hardcover]

Jill McGown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 24, 1997

Jill McGown's subtle and compelling mysteries depict men and women whose dance to the music of passion sometimes leads to murder. In Verdict Unsafe, McGown once again evokes the gritty East Midlands inhabited by Detective Inspector Judy Hill and her supervisor and lover, Detective Chief Inspector Lloyd. But this time, Judy's career, her relationship with Lloyd, and even her life are imperiled by the whims of an arrogant young predator.

Four young women. Four horrific rapes. Committed by a man who calls himself the "Stealth Bomber." Colin Arthur Drummond--a privileged young man from Malworth--now stands accused of these crimes. And watching his trial from the public gallery, Detective Inspector Judy Hill cannot forget his chilling description of a fifth unreported rape. Or his threat that she is to be his sixth victim.

In court Drummond denies all charges, his lawyer, "Hotshot" Harper claiming police corruption and brutality.  But the prosecution has an open-and-shut case: he had been caught in the act by two independent witnesses, and they have a DNA profile that proves he is the rapist. What could go wrong?

Something does. For sixteen months later, Colin Drummond is out on the streets, threatening Judy again. And as Judy sets out to prove his guilt for the second time--and save her own job--Detective Chief Inspector Lloyd is called to a horrifying scene. It appears Colin Drummond has picked his next victim. . . .

As always in a Jill McGown novel, nothing is simple. And no one is safe.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In an English Midlands town, Colin Drummond, known as "the stealth bomber," is in prison for rape. Forty-year-old Detective Inspector Judy Hill took his confession. Now, after three years in prison, Drummond has been released to be tried again. He harasses Hill with phone calls and threats, and she fears that he will add to his total of four rapes. Judy's lover, Detective Chief Inspector Lloyd (both characters appeared in McGown's A Shred of Evidence, LJ 6/1/96), is also involved in the case. Twists and turns and subplots put Drummond's guilt?and Hill's career (and romance)?in doubt. Reminiscent of PBS's Prime Suspect, this is a good work with some funny moments. Recommended for all mystery collections.?Barbara Maslekoff, Ohioana Lib., Columbus
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Fans of McGown's stories about Detective Inspector Judy Hill and Detective Chief Inspector Lloyd will thoroughly enjoy this eighth entry in the series, a convoluted story in which Judy must solve a series of rapes, unmask a murderer, and--not incidentally--save her own job. Unlike many writers of continuing series, McGown understands that each novel should read as though it were the first. This adventure is entirely self-contained without being repetitive, and readers unfamiliar with the characters will have no difficulties. Although the plot is clever (and very complicated), the novel, like many British mysteries, ultimately belongs to its characters--not only Hill and Lloyd but also a pompous new detective chief superintendent, a rather kindly pimp, a prostitute, a couple of rape victims, a distraught husband, a bitter ex-cop, and a convicted (though later freed) rapist who may not be what he seems to be. A delight from beginning to end. David Pitt

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 327 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett Columbine; 1st edition (June 24, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449910679
• ISBN-13: 978-0449910672
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,787,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant story - a must have, October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Verdict Unsafe (Mass Market Paperback)

At first I wasn't sure, whether I liked this book or not, because it started of in a way that is rather untypical for Jill McGown. Having a little knowledge of the English legal sector myself, I found the court scenes convincing but wanted McGown to go on, to get to the real story. Well, I can only say that this is clearly one of the best books by Jill McGown. You won't be able to guess who committed the crimes and McGwon is fantastic when it comes to portraying different characters. Chief Inspector Lloyd and Judy Hill have become close friends of mine. A must have.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best in the Series!, March 26, 2003

By 

S. Schwartz "romonko" (alberta canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Verdict Unsafe (Mass Market Paperback)

McGown keeps on getting better and better with each new installment in the Lloyd/Judy series. Her character development for her key characters is very good (along the lines of Elizabeth George). She does a really good job with the new characters in each story too. This book keeps you guessing until the very end, and like all good British procedurals, has two or three story strands that come together at the end. In this case there is a freed rapist that got out of jail on a technacality and we know it won't be long before he rapes again. There is a very likeable pimp that appears to be doing some double-dealings, a murder and there is a string of burglaries. We have more suspects for the rapes and burglaries than we know what to do with - and lo and behold - one of the suspects (for the murder) is Judy herself. Judy and Lloyd's relationship advances to another level in this book, and it's probably about time too. Also, they get a new boss who appears to be caught in a sexist timewarp. Very good stuff!

10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good English police procedural, May 13, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Verdict Unsafe (Hardcover)

In East Midlands, the Stealth Bomber has raped four women. Detective Inspector Judy Hill believes that the police have finally caught the culprit, Colin Arthur Drummond, who confesses to Judy that he committed the cr
imes. Beyond the confession, the case appears to still be open and shut. There is DNA evidence linking Colin to the victims and two witnesses have fingered Drummond as the rapist. So why is Drummond wandering the stree
ts a free man eighteen months later and Hill under police suspicion?
...... Colin starts to follow Judy as he hints that she will be his next victim. He also stalks some of his previous victims. Adding to Judy's concern is that the internal affairs folks have launched their own investigatio
n on the original mishandling of the Drummond case by the police with Hill being their intended target. Only her lover and superior, Inspector Lloyd believes Judy handled things above board in accordance with acceptable
police procedures. With an obvious rapist on the loose and on her back, and her own peers openly accusing her of error, what's a police officer to do? For Judy the answer is simple: stop Drummond from succeeding with h
is next rape whose target appears to be Judy Hill, a police officer under siege from all sides but still determined to see justice served.
...... VERDICT UNSAFE is a very good English police procedural that is the eighth Lloyd and Hill mystery novel. Judy is a superb professional, whose exploits are always fun to read. Readers need to bear with this book becau
se it starts a bit slow, but when it takes off, it rockets. Jill McGown provides her audience with a complex and interesting novel that is a great addition to a fantastic series.

......Harriet Klausner