The Skeleton Road by Val McDermid
I have read several books by Val McDermid over the years and I have enjoyed them. The Torment of Others and Fever of the Bone are reviewed on this site: https://bookreviewstoday.info/2013/05/16/torment-of-others-by-val-mcdermid/, https://bookreviewstoday.info/2015/03/03/fever-of-the-bone-by-val-mcdermid/. She is a noted Scottish crime writer, whose writing has won many awards. McDermid is best known for a series of suspense novels featuring Dr. Tony Hill. However, Tony Hill did not appear in The Skeleton Road. The chief protagonist is a police detective, Karen Pirie.
The story in The Skeleton Road begins in Edinburgh, a city I know well. A skeleton is discovered on the roof of a building. The investigators are surprised to find that this is not 
the result of a recent crime but a death occurred and remained hidden and unknown for many years.
The emphasis changes when unexpected connections to the Croatian military come to light. The Skeleton Road is intriguing and chilling. The depiction of the atrocities committed during the Balkan war by all parties are vivid. However, this is also a murder mystery and a love story.
When evil has no borders and the past refuses to stay in the past, everyone involved is placed into new and unforeseen danger. This narrative cleverly reveals that anyone is capable of brutality or revenge. This is a powerful, and at times, harrowing read. I recommend it to those of a strong disposition.
Valerie Penny
Val Penny's Book Reviews 
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