Author: Stuart MacBride
Published: February 2009 by Harper Collins
Category: Scottish Crime Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Book Review
DS Logan McRae and the police in Aberdeen hunt a child killer who stalks the frozen streets. Winter in Aberdeen: murder, mayhem and terrible weather!
I’m very late to this particular party, the result of buying a book I didn’t realise was part of a series, so on a recommendation from Eva (Novel Deelights) I’m starting with book one. What’s another dozen books added to the reading pile 😅
After a vicious attack that left DS Logan McRae fighting for his life, resulting in twelve months recuperation, he’s back on the job with the Aberdeen police force, and immediately catches an appalling case. It seems children are being targeted, the victims of a serial killer, much to the horror of the investigating officers. Dealing with the reality of a new boss, not to mention the fact the chief pathologist is his ex girlfriend, Logan is struggling to get his self-confidence back.
The press are causing problems too, obviously privy to leaked information they are getting to the crime scenes almost before the police and reporting the details before the families can be informed. Logan bears the brunt from one explosive situation. It’s the middle of a freezing cold, miserable and relentless winter to matters even worse, the only bright light in Logan’s return to work is his new partner, WPC Jackie ‘Ball Breaker’ Watson.
’Something on your mind, Sergeant?’ Logan lied and said no.
‘Good. Given your little trip to A&E last night, I’m making WPC Watson your guardian angel. She’ll be coming back in at ten. Do not let me catch you without her. This is not negotiable.’
‘Yes, sir.’ Great, he was getting a baby sitter.
‘Now get going.’
Logan was almost out the door before Insch added: ‘And try not to piss Watson off. They don’t call her “Ball Breaker” for nothing.’
Oooh, yay! I’m thrilled you enjoyed it! I promise the series only gets better! 😅
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Just sent for books 2&3…😆
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Woohoo!!!!
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Great review! I haven’t got round to this series yet but it sounds good. 🙂
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Thank you 🙂 It’s a very promising start
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I haven’t read a Scottish crime novel set in Aberdeen, either, so that itself makes me curious. Usually they’re set in Edinburgh 🙂
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That’s true, they are usually further south.
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I might give it a try 🙂
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The subject matter does sound a bit gruesome, Cathy, but this is a good review and the book sound excellent.
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Thanks, Robbie. Gruesome with the territory, I guess 🙂
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Sounds good! So many great series that I want to read right now. Great review!
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Thanks, Dee. I know…too many 😉
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Great review! Love Stuart MacBride but I’ve fallen really behind with this series. Need to get back on it!
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Thanks, Beth 🙂 It’s hard to keep up with them all.
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I would like to begin this series as I’ve heard a lot of positive remarks about it.
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