The Grave Tattoo

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It's a time-honoured tradition that the best crime writers seek to stretch their literary muscles beyond the constraints of their genre. Val McDermid embraces this challenge in her ambitious narrative. A corpse adorned with bizarre tattoos is discovered in the Lake District, capturing the attention of Wordsworth expert Jane Gresham. As she investigates, she becomes entangled in a mystery linked to the Pitcairn Massacre and the mutiny on the Bounty. Could Fletcher Christian, the leader of the rebellion against Captain Bligh, have faked his death and returned to England? Jane connects the tattooed body to sailors from the South Seas, raising the possibility that it might be Christian's remains. Complicating matters, a young girl Jane has tried to help becomes a murder suspect, prompting Jane to track her down in the Lakes. Meanwhile, Jane pursues a Wordsworth manuscript that may contain Fletcher Christian's confession, all while being pursued by an ex-lover with similar intentions. McDermid's narrative is rich with incident, character, and color, enhanced by sections from the Fletcher Christian document, marking a significant departure from her earlier works. She skillfully weaves together multiple strands, showcasing her literary prowess.