Val McDermid is a Scottish author renowned for her crime fiction. McDermid began her writing career as a journalist before transitioning to full-time fiction writing. She gained widespread acclaim for her series featuring psychological profiler Dr. Tony Hill and detective Carol Jordan, which was adapted into the successful television series "Wire in the Blood." McDermid's works are characterised by intricate plots, well-developed characters, and a keen understanding of forensic science. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to crime fiction and is considered one of the leading voices in the genre.