Karen Pirie and Silent Bones: A Thrilling Duo for Fans of Val McDermid
Detective Inspector Karen Pirie is back in action in the second season of Karen Pirie, this time diving into the events of Val McDermid’s novel A Darker Domain. The sharp-witted Scottish detective, played by Lauren Lyle, is leading her team through the investigation of an infamous cold case—though Karen insists on calling it a historic case. To her, the length of time from a case’s prime isn’t a setback but an opportunity: a chance to provide closure and justice with fresh eyes. With new evidence emerging and modern technological advances offering new avenues, Karen proves the past is never truly buried. As she puts it, “There is no such thing as a lack of evidence; you just haven’t spoken to the right person yet.”
That belief is put into action when a body is discovered in a quarry. There are indisputable links between the recent remains’ unearthing and the 1984 kidnapping of a young heiress, Catriona Grant, and her two-year-old son, Adam. After being abducted at gunpoint and the ransom notes following going awry, Catriona and Adam were never seen again.
Karen Pirie assembles her brilliant team to get to the bottom of the case, recruiting her sincere sidekick, DC Jason “Mint” Murray (Chris Jenks), and DS Phil Parhatka (Zach Wyatt). They feel the pressure from Catriona’s father, Sir Broderick Grant (James Cosmo), and relentlessly pursue every avenue to determine what happened that fateful day in 1984.
To say I was on the edge of my seat is an understatement. The pulse-pounding opening scene sets the tone for the whole season, with thrills and twists every episode. Seamlessly transitioning between the past and the present, Karen Pirie presents an atmospheric and riveting representation of Val McDermid’s acclaimed novel.
It’s important to note that there are some changes made in the adaptation from novel to screen. Writer Emer Kenny made the artistic decision to have the show take place in our present day, compared to the year 2007 that the novel was set in. This choice leaves an even bigger gap between the time of the murder and Karen’s investigation, which isn’t necessarily a negative thing. Karen is presented with the opportunity to further highlight her expert investigative skills by piecing together clues on a 50-year-old case.
One significant plot point from the novel is omitted in the show, which, while disappointing for some readers, is unfortunately common in screen adaptations. With limited episodes to work with, there’s only so much that can be included. Rather than risk overwhelming viewers, Kenny chose to skillfully focus on one major and meaty plot.
Despite these differences, and a few others not mentioned, the show is incredibly well-done, leaving viewers desperate for more. McDermid herself even commented on one of the changes. For any long-time fans of the Karen Pirie novels, it’s clear that Lauren Lyle is not an accurate physical representation of Karen Pirie; however, McDermid says, “[Lyle] embodies Karen. I have no difficulty whatsoever in suspending my disbelief when I look at the way she projects the character.” Her nature, mannerisms, and attitude are exactly who Karen is at her core.
If you (like me) binged all three episodes in one sitting and are craving more of Karen Pirie, don’t fret—there are eight books in the Karen Pirie series. Now is the perfect time to speed-read the first seven just in time for the release of Val McDermid’s latest installment in December, titled Silent Bones.
When describing Silent Bones in three words, McDermid calls it complex, dark, and corrupt, and after reading it, it’s clear why. When a landslide reveals a body that was buried under a motorway paved eleven years prior, Karen Pirie is called in to help solve the case. The man discovered was an investigative journalist, and also the prime suspect in the brutal murder of his girlfriend before he vanished. Karen and the team work to determine whether it was his personal or work life that brought his demise.
Meanwhile, another murder arises (which was first thought to be an accidental death), and it may have ties to another accident on a remote Highland road. Between juggling two cases, political corruption, and bureaucracy in the police department, it’s clear Karen Pirie has her hands full.
Silent Bones is everything you want in a crime novel: enthralling, propulsive, gritty, yet still maintaining humor. The twists and turns take you on an unexpected ride that is deeply satisfying. I can’t get enough of Karen and her crew.
With her blunt attitude, snarky humor, and killer investigative skills, Karen is a protagonist who is easy to love. Whether watching her on screen or on paper, Karen Pirie is a force to be reckoned with.
