• The Retribution

  • By: Val McDermid
  • Narrated by: Gerard Doyle
  • Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (321 ratings)

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The Retribution  By  cover art

The Retribution

By: Val McDermid
Narrated by: Gerard Doyle
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Publisher's summary

World-class crime writer Val McDermid has sold millions of copies of her books worldwide. In The Retribution, clinical psychologist Tony Hill and detective Carol Jordan face a terrifying reality: Serial killer Jacko Vance has escaped imprisonment - and appears hell-bent on revenge against those who put him behind bars.

©2012 Val McDermid (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Be very afraid as you meet a truly inventive serial killer. Val McDermid’s 25th novel is stunningly good.” ( Times(UK)

What listeners say about The Retribution

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Very disappointed

While I am a fan, particularly of the dr.hill/carol jordan series, I was dismayed with the rehashed plot line from a previous book (wire in the blood) and a completely uninteresting secondary plot that seemed as filler more than anything else. In the last few Tony Hill and Carol Jordan novels the author seemed to finally allow them to acheive some peace. They are wonderful characters. Here instead the characters act inconsistent with their growth. The novel turns on a "mistake" neither character would make. Thus, the premise of the book fails as soon as this "mistake" happens. Scenes are disjointed and the book ends quite suddenly with no surprises.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An Excellent Installment in the Series


The Retribution is the 7th book in the Tony Hill/Carol Jordan series, and to my mind is one of the best. Other reviewers have lamented the "rehashed plot," bringing back Jacko Vance, a truly diabolical killer from "Wire in the Blood," the second book in the series. If you have not yet read "Wire In the Blood," I suggest you do so before reading this book. It's not that you can't follow the plot or enjoy The Retribution without knowing Wire In the Blood. It's just that you will more fully experience the horror, tension and suspense if you have already read the first book with Jacko Vance as villain.

As can be expected, Jacko's revenge on the people "responsible" for ruining his life by putting him in jail or for other perceived wrongs is cruel and often indirect, inflicted on the people closest to the people at whom his revenge is aimed. As a result of that indirect revenge, and the means used to accomplish it, I found this book to be intense, full of suspense, often frightening, and very emotional.

The vengeance wreaked by Vance creates situations which damage the Hill/Jordan relationship even further than before, and other suffer needlessly. Some people have found the ending quite sad. However, given the fact that another book in this series is scheduled to come out this fall, I believe that the ending is not nearly as permanent as it seems.

I look forward to reading more of this series.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best yet, but so sad...

Jacko Vance is the most evil creature! As a serial torturer and killer of young women he went undetected for years. Once in prison, he enjoys planning his revenge for the people responsible for his capture and conviction. Murder, disfigurement, and emotional pain are all dished out to his targets. He is truly diabolical.

In another episode with complicated personal and professional relationships, a new serial killer, and the mayhem accompanying Jacko's escape from prison, Tony Hill and Carol Jordan juggle it all. I think this is the best so far in the series.

Having read some of the prior episodes would add depth to much of the emotional pain in The Retribution, but I think it can stand alone as a worthwhile read.

I can't say much more without creating a big spoiler, but I was really sad when the story ended.

Gerard Doyle, as always, does an excellent job of narrating.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Typically good Carol Jordan/Tony Hill book

The serial killer from book #2 in the series — “Wire in the Blood” — escapes from prison and exacts vengeance on the main characters. Kind of a gimmicky, TV-like ending — I would've preferred the showdown between the killer and his final victim to be told in real-time rather than in hindsight and in more detail — but overall it’s a typically good Carol Jordan/Tony Hill book. Bechdel test: pass.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Series

I like to follow series. This is probably the most consistent in quality story to story. Thus far not a dud in the lot. I gave this one a 4 but for me the ending was not the best. I highly recommend this series for extended reading.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

The end did seem rather sudden

What made the experience of listening to The Retribution the most enjoyable?

The narrator was excellent

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not really, I prefer to sip rather than quaff books, but that is a personal preference.

Any additional comments?

I liked the plot, enjoyed going back to revisit an earlier episode and found the majority of the book enjoyable. It is a measure of how engrossing the characters are when you start thinking that they need shaking and some strong advice next time you see them, until you remember this is fiction. I did, however find the ending somewhat truncated and unsatisfcatory. No point in revealing it but it was a bit predictable. Still very enjoyable on the whole though.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Just so wonderfully wicked....

Would you consider the audio edition of The Retribution to be better than the print version?

The audio is great because the narrator draws the listener in to the plot!

What other book might you compare The Retribution to and why?

There is no other writer that can compare to Val McDermid.

What about Gerard Doyle’s performance did you like?

He is gritty. Gerard Doyle is able to use many accents and inflections.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!!! I immediately wanted the next book.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Just a little bit unbelievable

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Sure, its a bit gory in places, fairly predictable and totally unbelievable - especially the "escape" from prison - which was totally ridiculous.

Would you ever listen to anything by Val McDermid again?

Yes

Have you listened to any of Gerard Doyle’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes , just as good

Did The Retribution inspire you to do anything?

No, thank goodness

Any additional comments?

A follow on thriller which really was a bit sensational and unbelievable.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of her best

Where does The Retribution rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I am a fan of Val McDermid, and especially the Tony Hill, Carol Jordan works. This is one of her best, continuing the story of Tony, Carol and her team in Bradford.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Tony makes one of the worst mistakes of his life!

What does Gerard Doyle bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Wonderful mastery of the characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Not your average serial killer, take a friend to see it with you.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Author rips apart my hero, Tony Hill.

The author reduces Tony to a pathetic whimpering castrated man. And Carol? If I had the slightest dislike for her in the past, it's nothing compared to the raging inferno of hate I have now for the character now. Then there's the ending...which appears to end rather quickly. Maybe if the book hadn't dragged along (in some areas) like a two-legged dog, perhaps the climax would have been more interesting or satisfying. If you're going to reinsert Jacko into the Tony Hill universe, then do the guy a bit more justice. Jacko has some great moments, don't get me wrong. I just feel deflated by the ending. The author let me down. This includes her turning Tony into a pansy. (And if anyone remembers the night the warehouse was set ablaze in Seaford, the night Carol decided to NOT join her team, but rather stay searching for Jacko (before he was caught for murdering teenage girls), then you'd find issue with her blaming Tony for what happens in this latest book....can't say for what exactly...no spoilers. But she literally holds Tony at fault for something horrendous that happens to her.) I'm going to rewatch the TV series because I need Tony to matter and be great again.

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2 people found this helpful