Val McDermid stunned readers andcritics alike with the publication of her brilliant thriller A PLACE OFEXECUTION, which won the Anthony, McCavity, and the Los Angeles Timesawards. Now in THE MERMAIDS SINGING, she continues her trademarkingenuity for suspense, and introduces criminal profiler Tony Hill who has spentyears exploring the psyches of madmen. But now he's become one of the hunted...This was the summer he discovered what he wanted-at a gruesome museum ofcriminology far off the beaten track of more timid tourists. Visions of tortureinspired his fantasies like a muse. It would prove so terribly fulfilling.The bodies of four men have been discovered in the town of Bradfield.Enlisted to investigate is criminal psychologist Tony Hill. Even for a seasonedprofessional, the series of mutilation sex murders is unlike anything he'sencountered before. But profiling the psychopath is not beyond him. Hill's ownpast has made him the perfect man to comprehend the killer's motives. It's alsomade him the perfect victim.A game has begun for the hunter and the hunted. But as Hill confronts his ownhidden demons, he must also come face to face with an evil so profound he maynot have the courage-or the power-to stop it...