Detective Karen Pirie is the titular character of a popular British crime drama series, adapted from the best-selling "Inspector Karen Pirie" novels by acclaimed Scottish author Val McDermid. The series, which premiered its first season in September/October 2022, has recently launched its second season in July/August 2025, much to the anticipation of fans.

Karen Pirie, portrayed by actress Lauren Lyle, is a tenacious and intelligent detective. In the first series, she is a young Detective Sergeant tasked with re-examining a 25-year-old cold case – the unsolved murder of a barmaid, which gains renewed attention through an influential podcast. This initial challenge establishes Pirie's keen investigative skills and her determination to uncover the truth, even when facing long-dormant secrets.

Following her success in the first series, Karen Pirie has been promoted to Detective Inspector. The second season sees her assigned to another infamous unsolved case: the disappearance of a young heiress and her two-year-old son in 1984, following the discovery of a body in a quarry. This new investigation places Pirie under intense scrutiny from her superiors, the media, and potentially sinister forces that prefer the past remain buried. As she delves into the events of 1984, she unearths political grudges and painful secrets.

The "Karen Pirie" series of novels by Val McDermid includes titles such as The Distant Echo (2003), A Darker Domain (2008), The Skeleton Road (2014), Out of Bounds (2016), Broken Ground (2018), Still Life (2020), and Past Lying (2023). A new book, Silent Bones, is anticipated in October 2025. The television adaptation has been praised for its clever and intricate plotting, and for offering a refreshing take on the traditional crime procedural by featuring a sharp, young female lead.