Val McDermid: The Grave Tattoo

Reviewed by Brian Lowen 30th October 2008
This book won the 'Portico' prize for fiction in 2006. Val McDermid is more well known for her 'Wire in the Blood' books which have been televised and stars Robson Green.
It's summer in the Lake District and heavy rain over the fells has uncovered a bizarrely tattoed body. Could it be linked to the old rumour that Fletcher Christian, mutinous first mate of the 'Bounty', has secretly returned to England? Scholar June Gresham, wants to find out. She believes that the Lakeland poet William Wordsworth, a friend of Christians, may have sheltered the fugitive and turned his tale into an epic poem - which has since disappeared .
But as she follows each lead death is hard on her heels. She soon realises that she is not the only one searching for this lost poem, which could be worth millions and others are more ruthless in their search.

I found this an unusual book, two stories in one, between each chapter a page of joined-up script (which was hard to read) telling the story of Fletcher Christian, the voyage on The Bounty, the mutiny, the search ot the South Seas for a suitable island home, landing on Pitcairn and how that eventually turned sour.
I thought it was an enjoyable read and wondered how much was fact and how much fiction. I never discovered whether the body found in the bog was Fletcher Christian. Do they find the missing poem? You will have to read the book to find out.
I enjoyed the book and it was the first of hers I have read but Linda read out some reviews from McDermid fans who did not like it as they didn't like the mix of history:
"Too many characters falling over themselves around the flimsiest of plots. Very little tension and utterly predictable. And I really didn't buy Tenille as a character at all" - "As someone who enjoys McDermid's well plotted and deftly executed thrillers, I found this to be well below her usual standards". .
They advise first time readers of McDermid to start with the wire in the blood series.