A Murder Mystery with Bite: My Review of Val Penny

Tracey Holland
23 hours ago
2 min read

A woman’s body is found in a shallow grave on the edge of an exclusive Edinburgh golf course. The victim bears the signs of a brutal struggle: blows to the body, marks around her throat, knees scraped raw as she fought to escape.But there is no name. No phone. No one reported missing.Detective Hunter Wilson is summoned from his regular darts night to take the call. Two decades on the force, he’s seen plenty. But this one gets under his skin from the start.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Val Penny’s crime novels, form the bestselling series of DI Wilson Series set in Edinburgh.

She is an American author living in SW Scotland with her husband and their cat.

Review

The story opens with a burglary that quickly becomes something far more serious when young thief Jamie Thomson stumbles across a buried body. It is a clever opening because it begins with movement, tension, and a strong reason to keep reading.

One of the strongest parts of the novel is the characterisation. Jamie is memorable from the start. His decision to wear shoes that are too small so the police will look for the wrong footprint size shows his confidence, humour, and lack of real wisdom all at once.

Val Penny also uses humour well. Jamie’s thoughts during the burglary bring lightness to a tense scene without making the crime feel silly. It gives the book personality and helps the characters feel real.

The dialogue is another strength. Jamie, Sir Peter, and DI Hunter Wilson all have distinct voices. Hunter especially comes across as dry, practical, and believable, with just enough irritation to make him feel human.

The Edinburgh setting adds atmosphere without slowing the pace. Small details, such as the cold rain, expensive cigar smoke, and wealthy streets of Morningside, help place the reader firmly inside the scene.

Overall, Murder in Edinburgh is an entertaining, well-paced crime novel with strong characters, humour, tension, and a vivid Scottish setting. It is a strong opening to the DI Hunter Wilson series and ideal for readers who enjoy character-driven crime fiction with a solid investigative thread.

LINKS TO BUY

PAPER BACK-https://www.amazon.co.uk/EDINBURGH-absolutely-gripping-Detective-Mysteries/dp/1805736477

KINDLE -https://www.amazon.co.uk/EDINBURGH-absolutely-gripping-Detective-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0GX34K8HF