In this collection of short fiction, Val McDermid demonstrates her mastery of the form.

“For her legions of fans around the globe, this collection will be a delightful reminder of the range of Val McDermid‘s gifts. For those who are coming to her for the first time, you’ll run to your nearest bookstore to catch up on what you’ve been missing.” —Sara Paretsky, from the Foreword of Stranded

The finely crafted short story is a unique blessing. It can provoke thought, it can constrict the heart, it can rattle the cage of our complacency. It can change the way we look at the world and at ourselves. And all in the time it takes to heat up a pizza or take the bus to work.

In this collection of short fiction, Val McDermid demonstrates her mastery of the form. Stranded reveals the scope of her imagination, the versatility of her prose style, and her virtuosity as a storyteller. From St. Petersburg to New York, from Brussels to Edinburgh, she rings the changes with her settings and gives voice to narrators who range from the sinister to the comic.

These stories probe the motivations of criminals and the nature of crime itself, pushing the genre to its very limits. McDermid also steps out of the constraints of genre to explore completely fresh territory. This is a remarkable collection which will resonate with everyone who reads it.

Val McDermid is the internationally bestselling author of award-winning mystery fiction. Her many prizes include the Gold Dagger for The Mermaids Singing, five awards including the Los Angeles Times Book Award for A Place of Execution, and the Grand Prix des Romans D’Aventure for Star Struck. Her books have been translated into over 35 languages. She lives in the North of England with her partner and son.