2nd Lindsay Gordon Mystery by Val McDermid

A protest group hits the headlines when unrest at a women’s peace camp explodes into murder. Already on the scene, journalist Lindsay Gordon desperately tries to strike a balance between personal and professional responsibilities. As she peels back the layers of deception surrounding the protest and its opponents, she finds that no one—ratepayer or reporter, policeman or peace woman—seems wholly above suspicion. Then Lindsay uncovers a truth that even she can scarcely believe.

Praise for Val McDermid

“Ace reporter Lindsay Gordon is once again in the thick of events when an alleged assault at a women’s peace encampment turns deadly. After a former lover of Gordon’s is accused of attacking, and then murdering, prominent citizen and anti-Brownlow Common activist Rupert Crabtree, Gordon finds herself embroiled in an investigation with far-reaching political implications. These extend far beyond the women’s peace movement, all the way up to the highest levels of government. Common Murder is a terrific tale of conflict and contradictions, of conscience, choices and loyalties.” —Midwest Book Review

“Val McDermid is an inspiration.” —Herald

“A well-pitched and topical mystery.” —Sunday Times

“McDermid‘s snappy, often comic, prose keeps the story humming.” —Publishers Weekly

“McDermid creates believable characters, full-bodied prose, and the usual love-life complications. A good read.” —Library Journal

“Gordon is a gutsy heroine committed to action, righting wrongs, and solving mysteries who sometimes takes large helpings of abuse and plays both sides of the allegiance fence in order to succeed. As she battles to solve the problems of a monogamous relationship against a background of institutionalized secrecy, lies, and brutality, the author gives readers a strong sense of contemporary England, too.”  —Whitney Scott, Booklist