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DCI Mark Lapslie #3
Scream
In this chilling thriller from the creator of the hit BBC drama Silent Witness DCI Mark Lapslie is singled-out by a twisted killer. Perfect for fans of M.J. Arlidge and Angela Marsons. You will never have felt pain like it in your life. I want you to know ... there's nothing you can do to stop it - nothing you can tell me, nothing you can offer me...A woman screams in pain. Twenty-seven times, until she dies. The sound file was sent to DCI Mark Lapslie from an anonymous email address. Why is she screaming? Why would someone record that horrifying noise? And why send it to him? He soon learns that the file was sent from the hospital where he is being treated for synaesthesia - a neurological condition that cross-wires his senses so he tastes sound - and where his new girlfriend works. When a body is discovered, the most shocking murder scene Lapslie has ever encountered forces him to realise there is a violent killer out there, a killer whose method of choice is torture. Will Lapslie find the killer? Who will have to die before he does?Discover the other books in the DCI Mark Lapslie series: Core of Evil, Tooth and Claw, Thirteenth Coffin and Flesh and Blood.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2010
14 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Nigel McCrery
66 books54 followersNigel Colin McCrery was an English screenwriter, producer and writer. He was the creator of the long-running crime dramas Silent Witness (1996–present) and New Tricks (2003–2015).
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 1, 2019
I did enjoy this book. I haven’t read anything before by this author and was looking forward to giving it a go. I was pleasantly surprised, a very interesting and exciting story line which kept me hooked as to ‘whodunnit?’ . An easy read and I would recommend.
April 18, 2011
I doubt it's much of a coincidence being a big fan of the scripts and the acting in the TV Series NEW TRICKS, that I'm also a fan of the DCI Mark Lapslie series. After all, Nigel McCrery is a writer and creator of both. (Along with many other excellent TV series including Silent Witness and All the King's Men.)
SCREAM is the third in the DCI Mark Lapslie series, Lapslie being an unusual central protagonist who suffers from a particularly acute form of synaesthesia. In other words he experiences sounds as a variety of different flavours. Which makes receiving a very disturbing email; with a sound file attached which appears to be a recording of an unknown woman's death throes particularly confrontational for him. The situation isn't made any easier as Lapslie is in Pakistan at an international course on counter-terrorism, which means he has to fly back immediately to lead the investigation as it's obvious that the killer wants him involved.
In the meantime Lapslie's sergeant, Emma, is leading an investigation into the murder of a woman on Canvey Island. It seems that the victim was tortured before death, and whilst they do manage to identify the victim, it doesn't seem to move the investigation any further. Eventually it's trace evidence and the search to see if they have a serial killer that edges it slowly forward.
Lapslie and Emma have been developing a tentative working relationship in all three of these novels now, although in SCREAM things are complicated by Emma's ongoing relationship with local crook and police informer Dom McGinley. He's a most unlikely love interest for Emma, but there's something very pointed about Lapslie's objections, not that he's got any romantic feelings for Emma himself, his concerns are partly paternal, partly professional.
Obviously Lapslie's synaesthesia (which does contribute to his investigative ability) has been a major element in all the books thus far, although in SCREAM he is getting treatment, and the condition is not as overpowering, and therefore it's not as major a thread throughout the entire book. Which is actually a really good thing. Not only has the condition improved, his life in general is improving, he's even able to enjoy concerts or meals out with a new girlfriend. A considerable change, particularly from the first book, where he was effectively housebound. That sense of moving on helps make this a very engaging series, but I suspect, if you've not read either of the earlier books, you could be missing out on the importance of Lapslie's improved circumstances and outlook. It may make reading this book out of sequence a little less of an enjoyable experience.
But that won't make it an unpleasant experience. McCrery has a very deft manner in the way that he plots out a story, and draws a verbal picture of the forensic and crime scene details. Having said that, the books don't read as a film / TV script in the making - SCREAM is a great novel, with pace, humour, intrigue and tension.
SCREAM is the third in the DCI Mark Lapslie series, Lapslie being an unusual central protagonist who suffers from a particularly acute form of synaesthesia. In other words he experiences sounds as a variety of different flavours. Which makes receiving a very disturbing email; with a sound file attached which appears to be a recording of an unknown woman's death throes particularly confrontational for him. The situation isn't made any easier as Lapslie is in Pakistan at an international course on counter-terrorism, which means he has to fly back immediately to lead the investigation as it's obvious that the killer wants him involved.
In the meantime Lapslie's sergeant, Emma, is leading an investigation into the murder of a woman on Canvey Island. It seems that the victim was tortured before death, and whilst they do manage to identify the victim, it doesn't seem to move the investigation any further. Eventually it's trace evidence and the search to see if they have a serial killer that edges it slowly forward.
Lapslie and Emma have been developing a tentative working relationship in all three of these novels now, although in SCREAM things are complicated by Emma's ongoing relationship with local crook and police informer Dom McGinley. He's a most unlikely love interest for Emma, but there's something very pointed about Lapslie's objections, not that he's got any romantic feelings for Emma himself, his concerns are partly paternal, partly professional.
Obviously Lapslie's synaesthesia (which does contribute to his investigative ability) has been a major element in all the books thus far, although in SCREAM he is getting treatment, and the condition is not as overpowering, and therefore it's not as major a thread throughout the entire book. Which is actually a really good thing. Not only has the condition improved, his life in general is improving, he's even able to enjoy concerts or meals out with a new girlfriend. A considerable change, particularly from the first book, where he was effectively housebound. That sense of moving on helps make this a very engaging series, but I suspect, if you've not read either of the earlier books, you could be missing out on the importance of Lapslie's improved circumstances and outlook. It may make reading this book out of sequence a little less of an enjoyable experience.
But that won't make it an unpleasant experience. McCrery has a very deft manner in the way that he plots out a story, and draws a verbal picture of the forensic and crime scene details. Having said that, the books don't read as a film / TV script in the making - SCREAM is a great novel, with pace, humour, intrigue and tension.
November 19, 2012
This book was an interesting introduction to the condition synesthesia. However sadly I didn't enjoy the book at all. It was a bit too gruesone for my taste, but that wasn't the real problem with it. It contained far too many passges of "science" just stuck in (apparenttly to show off knowledge) which made no contribution to the overall story being told. The ending was too pat and glib. A shame because this could have been a good story, if told by someone else.
September 4, 2024
3,5/3,75
Nigel McCreryn Scream on hyvä ellei pelkästään tyydyttävä jatko Mark Lapslie sarjaan. Teos on monin piirtein taidokas ja edustaa McCreryn tyyliä hyvin, mutta loppu viimein ei pysy samalla tasolla kuin muut Lapslie sarjan osat, joista pidän.
Scream rikkoo edeltäjiensä tyyliä antaa yhden puolen tarinasta Lapslielle ja toisen murhaajalle. Tämä oli päätös, joka vaikutti omaan lukukokemukseeni, sillä odotin helppoa, mutta älykkäästi ja huikeasti kirjoitettua tarinaa, jossa olisi häiritseviä kuvauksia ja nerokkaasti murhaajan moraalimaailman kuvailua. Mutten kuitenkaan tätä saanut ja se oli jopa yllättävää.
Toinen asia mikä sai minut kyseenalaistamaan kirjaa oli lääke "Thorazitol" joka auttaa synestesian oireisiin. Päätös antaa Lapslielle rauhan ja kivuttomuus tuntui lämmittävältä, mutta se myös vei tärkeän piirteen pois Lapslien taitosetistä.
Lopulta kirja antoi minulle haluamiani "häiritseviä" kuvauksia, terävän päähenkilön ja julman murhaajan. Mutta siihen se jäi, julma, ei minkäänlaista kuvausta miten murhaaja päätyi tilanteeseensa eikä minkäänlaista avausta hänen moraaleistaan tai tavoitteista. kaikin muin piirtein McCrery sai kirjoitettua tyydyttävän jatkon Lapslielle ja hänen läheisilleen.
Nigel McCreryn Scream on hyvä ellei pelkästään tyydyttävä jatko Mark Lapslie sarjaan. Teos on monin piirtein taidokas ja edustaa McCreryn tyyliä hyvin, mutta loppu viimein ei pysy samalla tasolla kuin muut Lapslie sarjan osat, joista pidän.
Scream rikkoo edeltäjiensä tyyliä antaa yhden puolen tarinasta Lapslielle ja toisen murhaajalle. Tämä oli päätös, joka vaikutti omaan lukukokemukseeni, sillä odotin helppoa, mutta älykkäästi ja huikeasti kirjoitettua tarinaa, jossa olisi häiritseviä kuvauksia ja nerokkaasti murhaajan moraalimaailman kuvailua. Mutten kuitenkaan tätä saanut ja se oli jopa yllättävää.
Toinen asia mikä sai minut kyseenalaistamaan kirjaa oli lääke "Thorazitol" joka auttaa synestesian oireisiin. Päätös antaa Lapslielle rauhan ja kivuttomuus tuntui lämmittävältä, mutta se myös vei tärkeän piirteen pois Lapslien taitosetistä.
Lopulta kirja antoi minulle haluamiani "häiritseviä" kuvauksia, terävän päähenkilön ja julman murhaajan. Mutta siihen se jäi, julma, ei minkäänlaista kuvausta miten murhaaja päätyi tilanteeseensa eikä minkäänlaista avausta hänen moraaleistaan tai tavoitteista. kaikin muin piirtein McCrery sai kirjoitettua tyydyttävän jatkon Lapslielle ja hänen läheisilleen.
July 9, 2021
Never even heard of DCI Lapslie, yet I have heard of synaesthesia so why not read it, which I did.
Pedestrian crime novel in Britain. Considering I've read nearly all the CSI genre, horror masters, etc., this felt Thursday night, Columbo-ish.
Pleasant characters that introduced themselves (without reading the two previous books in the series) and performed satisfactorily.
Routine crime scene procedural, evidence, interviewing (not interrogation), even included the obligatory citizen complaint IA (or IPCC) against the main guy threatening his career, yawn.
The premise was explained systematically, as was the the clue gathering trail lain before the readers feet. Flimsy plot, predictable villain and ending. Sure there are gruesome bits, but nothing new or revelatory. The writer even points out far worse movie examples of this type in the storyline, a bit meta and a little lifting of material ;)
Mildly intriguing travelogue of Essex and surroundings.
Nothing here to follow Lapslie by any further. Perfunctory comes to mind.
Thanks for reading.
Pedestrian crime novel in Britain. Considering I've read nearly all the CSI genre, horror masters, etc., this felt Thursday night, Columbo-ish.
Pleasant characters that introduced themselves (without reading the two previous books in the series) and performed satisfactorily.
Routine crime scene procedural, evidence, interviewing (not interrogation), even included the obligatory citizen complaint IA (or IPCC) against the main guy threatening his career, yawn.
The premise was explained systematically, as was the the clue gathering trail lain before the readers feet. Flimsy plot, predictable villain and ending. Sure there are gruesome bits, but nothing new or revelatory. The writer even points out far worse movie examples of this type in the storyline, a bit meta and a little lifting of material ;)
Mildly intriguing travelogue of Essex and surroundings.
Nothing here to follow Lapslie by any further. Perfunctory comes to mind.
Thanks for reading.
January 16, 2022
The title just dares you to read it.
The prologue hits you for 6.
And then for the next 3/4 of the book it winds right back to just another pedestrian murder investigation where the dci has his own issues.
For good measure, I found it so annoying that once the “he and she“ investigators finally realised they were chasing the same thing, she says “where to now”, and just like that she assumes the passenger seat.
2.5 stars, I’ll round it up
The prologue hits you for 6.
And then for the next 3/4 of the book it winds right back to just another pedestrian murder investigation where the dci has his own issues.
For good measure, I found it so annoying that once the “he and she“ investigators finally realised they were chasing the same thing, she says “where to now”, and just like that she assumes the passenger seat.
2.5 stars, I’ll round it up
November 21, 2020
Audio version of this book 📚 - I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the others in the series, didn’t really get going until half way through ! It made a nice change that the storyline wasn’t all about his condition unlike the other books and that he’s started to be able to live a normal life , I just hope that this doesn’t change the main character too much in future books
October 26, 2023
First book by this author and its just made me want to find all the others he's done and read them all. Well written, interesting storyline and my brain didn't connect the dots with who it was all along.
January 3, 2023
Can't finish it. Terrible
March 16, 2024
4 1/2 stars
December 19, 2020
This is my first time reading/listening to a book by this author. I'm happy I gave it a try! I look forward to reading more in the series. Like the first two, which, weirdly, are not available on Audible.
I like slightly oddball or gimmicky motives/crimes, and this one definitely had that. It was weird and gruesome and kept me guessing (even if maybe I should have figured it out sooner). The characters weren't the most fleshed out, but I suspect that this is because backstory/character development happened in other books. It was ok, though, as I do prefer stories that are more plot focused than character driven. The main thing for me was that they weren't wholly unlikable. I always appreciate that.
As an aside, I loved Silent Witness, and I do get some vaguely Silent Witness vibes from this.
The writing was fairly solid, not overly flowery, and the narration was excellent. Like, top marks to the narrator, he nailed it.
I like slightly oddball or gimmicky motives/crimes, and this one definitely had that. It was weird and gruesome and kept me guessing (even if maybe I should have figured it out sooner). The characters weren't the most fleshed out, but I suspect that this is because backstory/character development happened in other books. It was ok, though, as I do prefer stories that are more plot focused than character driven. The main thing for me was that they weren't wholly unlikable. I always appreciate that.
As an aside, I loved Silent Witness, and I do get some vaguely Silent Witness vibes from this.
The writing was fairly solid, not overly flowery, and the narration was excellent. Like, top marks to the narrator, he nailed it.
July 18, 2011
I really love Detective Lapslie novels. I did miss the descriptions of the tastes related to sounds though. Maybe he can have a "partial" recovery to the synesthesia with the medication... kind of a subdued recovery... instead of no synesthesia at all.
The story starts with Detective Lapslie receiving a recorded voice mail where a woman screams 27 times, and then dies. Why did the person send the email recording to Lapslie? Who was screaming?
In this novel there is a serial murderer who is actively torturing people in different manners. He keeps them for a short time, torturing them and then kills them. There is no pattern to whom he abducts. Or is there ?
I won't spoil the story for you... but it is a very exciting novel... I couldn't put it down
The story starts with Detective Lapslie receiving a recorded voice mail where a woman screams 27 times, and then dies. Why did the person send the email recording to Lapslie? Who was screaming?
In this novel there is a serial murderer who is actively torturing people in different manners. He keeps them for a short time, torturing them and then kills them. There is no pattern to whom he abducts. Or is there ?
I won't spoil the story for you... but it is a very exciting novel... I couldn't put it down
February 10, 2017
Third in series, not essential to read in order. An excellent crime thriller, great charcters and story.
April 7, 2016
This is the second I've read in this series & while it was a good enough read, in someway it seemed a bit lacking. The characters were likeable enough & I'd like to learn more about the potential love triangle I anticipate developing for Emma but I just felt it should have gripped me more than it did. The initial torture scenes had me wincing...as did some of the later ones...but for all that it was a pretty easy read. While the lead character will be remembered due to his medical condition, the rest of the story will possibly be merged with many of a similar ilk.
I'll certainly read more in the series should I happen upon them but won't be actively hunting them down.
I'll certainly read more in the series should I happen upon them but won't be actively hunting them down.
March 25, 2014
Yesterday's dime novel is today's 99 cent Kindle special
This kindle 99 cent special e-book 'Scream' is ;
More satisfying than 2 Reese's peanut butter cups at the same price
More refreshing than a 44 once fountain Coke at the same price
More intense than a bottle of Tabasco at the same price
Great creepfest x 2. Good characters and development of a story that involves an unusual medical condition that is defined with accurate and understandable science.I would have paid more to read it but it's always nice to find a true bargain.
This kindle 99 cent special e-book 'Scream' is ;
More satisfying than 2 Reese's peanut butter cups at the same price
More refreshing than a 44 once fountain Coke at the same price
More intense than a bottle of Tabasco at the same price
Great creepfest x 2. Good characters and development of a story that involves an unusual medical condition that is defined with accurate and understandable science.I would have paid more to read it but it's always nice to find a true bargain.
July 6, 2012
Not of the same calibre as Chris Carter, Linwood Barclay or karen Rose but seeing as they are all American Crime and this is British I think it is to be expected. However, it was imaginative, gruesome and had the obligatory Detective angle and would be interested to read the others in the series. One of the best British Crime novels I have read so far with the exception of the loved Agatha Christie (although the types of crime writing are completely different).
November 29, 2020
Might be the worst book I've ever read. Definitely the worst book I've read so far this year.
The amount of totally unneeded, agonisingly long descriptions is insanity. There are, and this isn't an exaggeration, nearly four whole pages dedicated to the main character eating a bowl of chicken noodles. I'm not joking when I say that you can skip whole pages, even tens of pages, and not miss anything important.
The amount of totally unneeded, agonisingly long descriptions is insanity. There are, and this isn't an exaggeration, nearly four whole pages dedicated to the main character eating a bowl of chicken noodles. I'm not joking when I say that you can skip whole pages, even tens of pages, and not miss anything important.
July 8, 2012
I really like this series of books. I find the whole synaesthesia aspect fascinating and once again woven into the mystery. Not my favourite of the four, most of the action only happening at the last third of the story. But none-the-less an easy to read and interesting characters. Disappointed that right now this seems to be the last in the series.
March 19, 2012
Amazing book, loved the creative ways of torture and discription of colours/tastes. loved that its set local to my home too :) finished in 2 days, could not put it down. only bought it because I'd finished my previous book on the bus and wanted a new one to read on the way home, cheap in asda. deffo recommend x
June 26, 2012
I liked this book but at times I found that it was a bit lagging and the plot seemed to grind to a halt. Despite this the writing style was fluent and I enjoyed the development of characters and the interplay between different characters. Would definitely read more McCreery novels.
October 5, 2011
Didn't think this was as good as the previous books in the series, in fact i was getting bored towards the end.
December 8, 2012
Imaginative, chilling and starving. Love this series.
September 13, 2013
Interesting book. The slow torture of victims just reminded me of Saw.
February 23, 2014
This looks like being a good series.
June 18, 2024
This is such a good book, excellently written horrific in content, but I could not put it down, if you have a week stomach then this might not be for you.
Read
May 20, 2018Absolutely brilliant!!
Read
April 5, 2019I enjoy all of Nigel McCrery books and this one wS no exception brilliant from beginning to end
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews