Crime fans who have never read one of Tony Hill books, I would of "Cross and Burn" advise. The fourth consecutive year is Brad Fields newest Psychopath not worth mentioning. That was a different way. In Volume 4 I took off the diseased brain of the murderer nor the shoes. I was disgusted and fascinated at the same time. Disgusted I was this time. Val writes usual brutal. Only it makes use of the offender profile the ausgelutschten misogynist cliché and thus simply provides too little. The background of the offender is indeed conclusive, but just plenty unoriginal. At least there is at "Cross and Burn" no unintentionally comical moments as "The Retribution", where the threat of Jacko Vance eventually fizzled out completely and gloriously absurd end found.
The plot has great weaknesses. So exactly one should not think about it, otherwise it collapses like a card house.
Where the characters were still adapted in the last book with a sledgehammer on the plot (which is basically a very stupid idea) and thereby completely atypical behaved, the plot was tailored here for the protagonists. What has ironically not really well ... the result is this time that is top notch, sensitively written character drama based on a yet very constructed, low-stress action. Constructed seemed even the plot of the last book, but as the reaction of Carol and Tony at the events was more the big, hair-raising problem.
When you consider in what a dump the author had written their characters by Carols completely exaggerated response to the murder of her brother (referring to Tony of course), I am very pleasantly surprised at how she managed, she freizuschaufeln again instead of being buried in a completely ridiculous melodrama. That would certainly have managed not everyone. Val shows in "Cross and Burn" she has left it, when it comes to emotional worlds.
Of course, you have to accept that Carol Tony wants to banish from their lives. This absurd idea per se could not simply be dropped as if "The Retribution" never happened. The reader has since now through, but contrary to my worst fears Val has put aside the crowbar and the conflict resolved in a manner that is much more comprehensible again. In my review to the previous band I wrote at the time that the only way the meltdown is to clean up is to explain Carols insane behavior by saying that she had to project their self-hatred to someone else in order to cope. And that's what did the author thankfully! This is Carol's coldness towards Tony not suddenly entirely plausible, but you can live with it. "Cross and Burn" is a quite very successful processing of the events of "The Retribution".
However, one should be aware that the relationship between Tony and Carol now turns only in a circle and the two are at the end of Book 8 at the exact point where they were at the end of book 4 ... namely back to square one. Tony and Carol are in a perpetual state of outstretched hand of good will ever get hold of without the other. Book 3 was the great exception. Basically, the entire book is a single imitation of Book 4, mixed with book 3. Other trauma, but similar result. We remember that Carol completely withdrew after being raped and had no contact with Tony. Then you did not make him responsible, but their relationship was just in pieces. Tony burst into guilt, just like now.
"Cross and Burn" raises the entirely superfluous question whether Tony and Carol can live separately from each other or want. The answer to that already existed in book 3! So we remember further back than Tony and Carol is a full two years (!) Had not seen. Tony was living with another woman and thought he would be satisfied. A call from Carol was enough to wake old feelings and when she looked, Tony had to admit that he had been fooling and there is only one woman in his life.
This realization has now Tony again ... it would be nice if it finally someday a consequence would follow. Its resolution to fight Carol, also follow this time no action and it is Carol, the end brings peace of admission.
As frustrating as it sounds just to "Cross and Burn" but not reads luckily. Val is well understood to keep the emotional drama of its two heroes interesting. And although the plot the two very complacent leads back to each other, the bill goes on yet.
I was initially very worried that Carol again victimized and everything will get worse before it gets better.
Which was thankfully not so. Instead Tony to make the savior in need, the author took a different path. And that was good!
Attention, followed SPOILER !!!
It's Carol that Tony must bail out. And it does so very reluctantly. However, the big twist to the half of the book is anything but surprising. That Tony is a suspect himself, me about 30 pages was already clear beforehand. Basically, it would have to be clear in the description of the first victim already, because the irony quite know how to please. However, this the entire second half of the book filled storyline is a little ridiculous. In but one can overlook well, because from then Tony and Carol finally entered the stage.
The first half of the book are the two that is - once again - only minor characters. The whole case is from the perspective of the reader tells of a very familiar minor character: Paula McIntyre.
Paula would be only in this book at the center, I would have no problem with that. She is a wonderful character. Only Tony and Carol were already the last three (!) Books more and more into the background, so that I was slowly but surely out of patience at the break. If Val has so much joy to Paula that she should devote her please its own book series. But I would like to just again that Tony and Carol hunt together serial killer!
Tony's arrest may have been a skillful means, Carol to lure from her exile, but since some were given away to potential. It is clear from the outset that Tony did not commit the murders. Of course it would be difficult for me because build tension, since the idea is so absurd, but you would have the reader can doubt for a moment quietly. After all, Tony was always aware that not much separates him from his patients. And the loss of Carol might have it anyway can spin. As Tony observes itself, there would be quite a superficial logic for it. Love love takes time to ugly forms, if they will be disappointed.
But not even for a brief moment, the reader may be concerned. The real murderer was clear already in his first appearance. In this respect "Cross and Burn" really has nothing to offer. Voltage is not actually on, since neither Tony is really in danger, nor Carol is kidnapped.
The book lives solely by the emotions of all the characters, including the victim. The plot only serves to illuminate this. On its own, seen the serial killer story is not much here. The resolution of the mystery around Tonys involvement is not very spectacular. There is even some simply ignored.
Conclusion: Those who expect an exciting, well-designed serial killer hunt, will be disappointed this time. This book is only for long-time fans of the characters and for those which emotions are more important than logic. What it has to offer "Cross and Burn", is a beautiful, sensitive narrative style that has always stood in stark contrast to the brutality of the cases. Val is still a champion of human relationships. However, they verrennt just in this book in known mongering of the male sex, which the book loses some credibility and quite annoying as can.
Things are looking up with the Tony Hill series, but only with difficulty.
Unfortunately I can not give more than 3 stars this time, as well as book has 8 still too large criticisms, although I'm more satisfied than at the two books before.
From the writing style and a fantastic character drama: 5/5
As a thriller again a disappointment: 2/5.
Total 3/5.
