Black December

DCI Brendan Moran #1

by Scott Hunter

A unusual crime needs an unusual detective . . . meet DCI Brendan Moran, The Irish Detective, in his first full-length novel, Black December

Black December is an atmospheric crime thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the stunning climax. This is the first in the DCI Brendan Moran crime series, one of the new breed of top British Detectives.

DCI Brendan Moran, world-weary veteran of 1970s Ireland, is recuperating from a near fatal car crash when a murder is reported at Charnford Abbey. The abbot and his monks are strangely uncooperative, but when a visitor from the Vatican arrives and an ancient relic goes missing the truth behind Charnford's pact of silence threatens to expose not only the abbey's haunted secrets but also the spirits of Moran's own troubled past . . .

Would you like to read DCI Brendan Moran short stories #1, 'A Crime for all Seasons' for FREE? Sign up for Scott Hunter's Top 20 Crime Fiction newsletter at scott-hunter.net and receive a FREE copy of A CRIME FOR ALL SEASONS!

REVIEWS

★★★★★ ‘… a well-planned, well-written novel. The writer has a fertile imagination and an attractive narrative style.’

★★★★★ ‘… one of the best reads I have had this year. Gripped by the grizzled Irish detective… plenty of twists and turns Bravo!’

★★★★★ ‘… I thoroughly enjoyed Black December - it’s a very good "who done it" - and so often!’

★★★★★ ‘… top drawer crime fiction…’

★★★★★ ‘… fabulous characters I’m looking forward to reading more about in the future…’

★★★★★ ‘…will leave you dying to read more…’

--Amazon

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Irish Literature, British Literature

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 2011

About the author

Scott Hunter was born in Romford, Essex. His writing career was kick-started after he won first prize in the Sunday Express Short Story Competition. He divides his time between writing and drumming. He has recorded with internationally renowned rock band 'Jethro Tull' and appeared in concert with 70's popsters 'Mungo Jerry'.

He is currently working on his thirteenth novel and has recently published 'The Cold Light of Death', number eight in the very popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series. 'Black December', the first DCI Brendan Moran novel, has also been released in audiobook format.

He was long listed for the Times/Chicken House Children's Novel Competition for 'The Ley Lines of Lushbury' and won the Sunday Express Short Story Competition a few years back for his historical entry set in the English Civil War. His second novel, 'The Trespass' is a top 20 Amazon Bestseller. He has recently been shortlisted for the 2016 Crime Writers Association (CWA) Margery Allingham short story competition.

Scott Hunter lives in Berkshire with his wife Katherine and his two youngest children

Reviews

[Elizabeth Barter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not a bad book ,but there were certain devices used in this novel, that needed more explanation.The hero has more lives than a cat,some of his experiences,made a reader wonder what this character did to his creator that made said writer dislike him so much?'The Irish Detective loses nearly everyone close to him except his dog, but for the most part , it wasn't a bad way to pass a Sunday afternoon.

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

The ending is a stretch but overall, really enjoyed it and will continue the series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm torn on this rating as this was an enjoyable read. I liked the Moran and Phelps characters, but
I had a couple of issues with the plot in that the Prologue is 40 years before the villain returns for revenge. Where has this character been all this time? All the people the villain wants revenge on have remained in the same place, so what took so long?
As far as the writing is concerned, several chapters opened in the middle of a passage of dialogue, so it took a minute to get on board with the switch in the flow of the action and to get acclimated to who was involved in the change of scene.
I had a problem with the fact that several children were missing from the school, and nobody seemed overly concerned. In the same vein, a police officer goes missing, and nobody is worried about that, either. Moran thinks to himself that the missing officer will "just have to take care of himself."
I thought several plot points needed further clarification at the end, as I am still not 100% sure my interpretation of events is correct. I have some questions about Holly and Janice, and I'd still like to know how the villain found the guy who was lost in the woods with the broken leg, buried in snow in a blizzard.
I was confused about the Romanians who had taken over Moran's house. This whole plot thread was written as if it were a foregone conclusion that of course people show up, move into your house, and there's nothing that can be done about it. Is this a problem the readers in England grasp with no further explanation, because as an American, I was confused.
Still, for all these issues, I've already started the second book!

[Leone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I quite enjoyed this book, but every now and then a stray fact would worry me. Such as an elderly Abbott carrying a fit young man who he’d nailed to a cross, up, out of a dungeon then across a lot of snow to the church and into the hallway. How? Moran has a stroke. Yet he miraculously recovers enough to run, yes run to try and save Holly. Go figure.
Too many terrible things happen to Moran, who must be the unluckiest man alive, or almost dead, really.

I won’t bother with another Moran tale, but as I said, the book was ok if you ignored the inconsistencies and impossibilities.

[Katrine Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very easy flowing, decent murder mystery. Somewhat predictable, but given this isn't my usual genre I didn't mind not having to think too hard. I enjoyed the setting in the UK, and in particular the details of the monastery as it progressed through the storytelling. This is August's book club selection and the author himself gave us discussion questions so I look forward to exploring them!

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay first book in a series...with the setup and introduction to Moran and supporting characters in the book. A good plot that a bit complex - I had to take a moment now and then to remember who was who and what was what. But overall a good start to what I hope is another addition to my endless list of crime/mystery series.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book #1, in the DCI Brendan Moran series

“Black December” is a crime thriller that brings DCI Brendan Moran to investigate a murder at Charnford Abbey where he will discover the abbot and monks to be most uncooperative…..

This mystery is written with a wild imagination and in a very particular narrative style. The slight difference in terminology is a bit of a challenge at first till you get used to it. The pacing is fast and furious while Brendan investigates what took place at the Abbey. As he did so the body count mounts and we are in one of those convoluted mystery….. What started with one crime soon developed into two investigations: one to solve the murders and the other to deal with the apparent theft of an ancient religious artifact. We have plenty of twists and turns to keep the suspense active till we reach the final point. This story is a real melting pot of police procedural crammed into a very complicated drama and acted out by multiple players and one cranky protagonist.

“Black December” leaves me with mixed feelings: at times I was deeply bored and other times totally captivated. What more can I say……

[Becky Loader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a library-o-phile. While my local public library is closed due to the coronavirus, I have been haunting the Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood. I even resorted to buying books, which I usually only do when I want to retain it in my permanent collection (that is librarianese).

After reading the Martin Beck series, the Brendan Moran series came up as a possible one I might like. He is an Irish detective working in Inspector Morse's old neighborhood of the Thames Valley Police.

The story starts with Moran in a devastatingly horrible car accident. He has a recuperation that leaves him pretty rocky when he returns to work. Then, a good puzzle to solve.

I like the supporting characters, though the monks are a little too "fantastical" for my taste. I really like Sergeant Phelps. Moran has definitely got a few issues health-wise to work through, but I want to read the next in the series to see what he works out.

The ending is a bit of a twist.

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character was in an accident and has various issues with his health. The problem is that it seems that he suffers a stroke and is immobile from it and yet not to much later he is moving all over the Abby. Narrator does a good job with the entire storyline.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another new author for me with another new series. This first one has the makings of a good series, very enjoyable.

[Tom S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. First book of a trilogy with Detective Moran. A murder in the Abbey. Who did it?!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first of three books that I bought as a set on kobo. Well written and a good read. I hope the others are as good.

[BookLoversLife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to comment about the narrator first because he was brilliant! He made this book so much better. He gave each character their own voice and it was easy to follow who was talking. Being Irish, I know a good Irish accent when I hear it and boy did Wayne Farrell do it perfectly. So well done to him and I will definitely be checking out more narrated by him.

Character wise, I loved DCI Brendan Moran. He had that typical weary Irish attitude. He is intent on finding out what happened at the Abbey, despite the closed ranks of the monks. He has been through the mill and wont be made a fool of. He was smart, cranky and an all round descent human.

The plot was fairly fast paced. There are many layers to the story, that unwind throughout. Some I saw coming but plenty I didn't. I loved that it was set in December too because nothing screams creepy like a snowstorm in an old Abbey!! Speaking of, I loved the Abbey setting. Priests have always been something that are unapproachable and secretive, so to have it set in an Abbey really ramped up the tension.

In all, this was a gripping and entertaining read. It had plenty of twists and kept my attention throughout. I really hope we see more from the cranky Irish detective!!

*I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

[J.R.]

Recuperating from auto accident injuries but back on duty, DCI Brendan Moran is summoned to investigate a murder at Charnford Abbey.

He soon discovers the murderer has uncovered remains from another crime some 40 years old and, in addition to what has now become two investigations, he must also deal with the apparent theft of an ancient religious relic.

If all this isn't enough for one ailing man not in his usual prime, Moran has other troubles, including an alcoholic brother and a gang of squatters who have taken over his house, which require him to call in favors from a former lover. And then there's the overbearing supervisor who puts Sgt. Phelps, Moran's favored junior officer, on desk duty and replaces him with an ambitious and irritating young detective.

DCI Moran is a complex, yet very human character. Phelps and the other characters are also well drawn. The plot moves at a good rate and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader in suspense until the powerful climax.

This is the first in the Moran series. If you like British crime stories, as I do, keep an eye out for more from Scott Hunter.

[Rev. M. M. Walters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps the biggest temptation for a first-time author is to try to say everything at once. In my opinion, that is what Scott Hunter does in Black December. The initial premise of the book is a murder and coverup forty years in the past which comes out with murderous consequences in the present. Solving that alone would be enough but Hunter throws in a connection to the Irish "Troubles" and the IRA bombing campaign, a detective who is recovering from a serious brain injury, and a figure who may, or may not be, a figment of his imagination. At the end of this book, it was unclear to me whether or not this character actually existed which left me somewhat disappointed.

The premise of a flawed detective who manages to overcome the odds against him is a good one that is used by a number of other authors. One can only hope that Scott Hunter will be able to use it to his advantage in subsequent novels and keep a tighter grip on the subject.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3,0 stars. I usually fly through police procedurals with interesting premises, but the execution of this story puzzled me. I had difficulties with the setting, especially how the church and its immediate rooms were set up, including sites of the various murders. Where were the police set up on the premises or property?

Then, there are too many questionable, missing or dropped plot points. First off: Why is a detective with a brain injury allowed back on full duty? I want—no, need—medical explanations, and without any, it’s not believable. Plus, he has narcolepsy, then a stroke, and an apparent hallucinatory episode.

Three children go missing from a school without even a small commotion. No reaction from their fellow students, no friends, no concerned teachers? Later a member of the police goes missing, and again no concern or outcry.
PS What about those Romanians?

2.5-3.0 stars

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

DCI Moran makes an interesting lead character. As with any decent protagonist, he has a selection of ghosts and skeletons in his past, and a couple in his present, that dog his footsteps. Fortunately, be also has a dedicated sergeant, Phelps, who keeps an eye out for him. The story is told from multiple points of view and in a rather fragmented way. Sometimes it's unclear what is real and what is part of Moran's damaged imagination. All in all, a very good mystery.

[Petra Willemse · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been fun discovering a new to me series to read.

[Ken · Rating 1 out of 5]

Silly. Silly to the power 78. If you like silly this should be near the top of your list.

And he misuses the reflexive pronoun.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un "believe" able

[Bruce Retallack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought the 3-book omnibus on Kobo, thinking Hunter sounded like someone I'd really enjoy. As it turns out, I found the book OK, but rather too Byzantine for my taste.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a review written by Susan and Leone - they hit most of the thoughts I had so am copying here for my own reminder of how this book went. I did enjoy it aside from a few plot details that were a little out there.

"I'm torn on this rating as this was an enjoyable read. I liked the Moran and Phelps characters, but
I had a couple of issues with the plot in that the Prologue is 40 years before the villain returns for revenge. Where has this character been all this time? All the people the villain wants revenge on have remained in the same place, so what took so long?
As far as the writing is concerned, several chapters opened in the middle of a passage of dialogue, so it took a minute to get on board with the switch in the flow of the action and to get acclimated to who was involved in the change of scene.

"I had a problem with the fact that several children were missing from the school, and nobody seemed overly concerned. In the same vein, a police officer goes missing, and nobody is worried about that, either. Moran thinks to himself that the missing officer will "just have to take care of himself."
I'd like to know how the villain found the guy who was lost in the woods with the broken leg, buried in snow in a blizzard.
I was confused about the Romanians who had taken over Moran's house. This whole plot thread was written as if it were a foregone conclusion that of course people show up, move into your house, and there's nothing that can be done about it. "

And then this review from Leone
"Overall I quite enjoyed this book, but every now and then a stray fact would worry me. Such as an elderly man carrying a fit young man who he’d nailed to a cross, up, out of a dungeon then across a lot of snow to the church and into the hallway. How? Moran has a stroke. Yet he miraculously recovers enough to run, yes run to try and save Holly.
Too many terrible things happen to Moran, who must be the unluckiest man alive, or almost dead, really."

[Matt Mansfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Whom the Bells Toll

Strange doings and discoveries just before the winter holiday recess at Charnford Abbey Boarding School for boys as part of a larger religious complex managed by the monks. Bodies, new and old, are showing up in an obscure chapel dedicated to a Christian relic. And the newest one, Father Horgan, is found holding a piece of bone and the relic aka the “Titulus” in both hands.

DCI Brendan Moran is called in to investigate even though he is fresh from a hospital recovery from a near-death experience resulting in a persistent case of narcolepsy. And his right-hand man, Sergeant Phelps, equivalent to numerous other fictional aides, is at the ready.

Ah yes! A cozy mystery set in the forbidding wintery Berkshire countryside outside London with impending storms, ambitious rivalries, hidden identities, star-crossed romances. And a fatigued detective trying to stay awake while working out what really is going on, as the bells toll for various services only the monks seem to adhere to.

Scott Hunter’s 2011 debut mystery, “Black December", has all the elements of a traditional English who-done-it in the style of Margery Allingham and others from the earlier school of British mysteries though relying on a police detective as compared to a private citizen sleuth. Lots of fun phrases and expressions that seem uniquely English slang for a change of pace.

There is plenty of action and hints, however, toward the end things get a little muddled as to how Detective Moran works out a solution (at least it did for me). The explanation fits the pieces but I am still unsure what the good detective deduced to arrive at his conclusion.

Still, I have a nagging feeling I’ll be back for another in this series.

[Michelle Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book is a great read in terms of the story line with many twists and an abundance of drama, they are not, in my humble opinion, what make it worthy of a great review. The author's use of words defines its unique trajectory. For example, " Moran was glad he'd been dead...because they'd broken four ribs while about it." So dead people really do think!
Then, " Wading through treacle,..." A slog if ever there was one.
And, "The guy had brains in spades, just couldn't get his head out of a bottle." ( his brother, Patrick also had 'drunken ears') We all know at least one with similar qualities.
There are many more examples of the authors impactful phrases and sentences and it is this, I think, that renders the author worthy of our attention. I'll look forward to getting a more of his books.
Jpowdrill

Good plot, well written. Enjoyed this book lots. Just wish this authors books were on kindle unlimited. I get why some authors are not self published but at a rate of reading for me of roughly 8 books a week, I’m not buying books when kindle unlimited keeps me well supplied. I would love to read the rest of the series, but alas, not to be unless they become available in one of my many library accounts. I read the first book in his other series too. The author and his characters very well done!

First of the Moran novels I have read. Vivid descriptions and clever plotting. Crisp dialogue. I was gripped through to the climactic conclusion. Well worth the read and I look forward to picking up the next BM novel. Congratulations to author Scott Hunter who clearly has talent.

[David Knapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually purchased this e-book after seeing an add for the series on Facebook. (I know, embarrassing, right?) Overall, I'm glad I did. It was an interesting first entry that I liked enough to purchase #2.

As you know, I don't go beyond jacket descriptions of plots in my reviews to avoid spoilers. So, here's this one:

"DCI Brendan Moran, world-weary veteran of 1970s Ireland, is recuperating from a near fatal car crash when a murder is reported at Charnford Abbey.

The abbot and his monks are strangely uncooperative, but when a visitor from the Vatican arrives and an ancient relic goes missing the truth behind Charnford's pact of silence threatens to expose not only the abbey's haunted secrets but also the spirits of Moran's own troubled past . . .

Black December is an atmospheric crime thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the stunning climax."

Hunter generally delivers on this intriguing premise. The only reason I didn't rate it higher than three stars is that the writing is uneven at times. Also, the plot requires a high level of suspended disbelief on the part of the reader (especially the climax). It wasn't quite at the eye-roll level, but it wasn't far from it.

Still, I liked the characters of DCI Brendan Moran and his faithful, built-like-a-bull sidekick SDI Robert Phelps. And I've found that the first entries in series usually aren't as good as later installments. So, I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I thought maybe this book seemed so confusing because I was listening to the audiobook (will switch my review to that edition when it's added), but evidently not, from other reviews. It has a sympathetic - if, as some have said, seemingly superhuman - main character and the mystery is interesting, but it just seemed to become increasingly convoluted. Plot twists accumulated and I wasn't even sure who the person whose funeral ended the book was, not to mention who Polly was supposed to be. Even her existence is questioned at the end, but she also just seems to magically appear as if we're supposed to be aware of her previous connection to Moran, unless I missed something. Somewhat disappointing, but I might consider giving the series another try at some point.

Minor point with the narration: I would pronounce the main character's name as "More-ANN," but the narrator said "MORR-un" (possibly the author's preferred pronunciation) and even so sometimes swallowed the "M" at the beginning so I kept finding myself wondering who "Oren" was.

[Alexander Gray · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not normally one to rate a book so poorly, let alone leave a review for a book I didn’t enjoy. But this story is a masterclass in tropes.
Typically I enjoy the British Detective Thriller genre. But Black December was just one trope stacked atop another until the very end. I kept waiting for it to turn a corner, but alas, I only found another trope.
It felt as though the author feared he might not write another novel and wanted make sure that every possible scenario was covered in this book.
Every single mechanism of writing a detective thriller is covered:
Tragic backstory? Check!
Ongoing conflict with family? Check!
Nemesis tied to current case? Check!
Younger detective trying to undermine the protagonist? Check!
Senior officer trying to undermine protagonist? Check!
Love triangle? Check!
Recent tragedy creating personal challenges? Check!
Sudden love interest met on current investigation? Check!
Physical injuries to overcome? Check!
And on and on.

[Denise Zendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

World-weary Irish DCI Brendan Moran is recuperating from a near fatal car crash when a murder is reported at Charnford Abbey. His bosses are leaning to putting him out to pasture because they think he’s unstable, so they take away his Sargeant, replacing him with someone wo doesn’t quite have Moran’s best interests at heart. The Abbot and his monks aren’t particularly helpful, nor is a mysterious Vatican visitor. Add a missing sacred relic to the mix, and Moran has his hands full.

Wow. I think this must be my first Scott Hunter, but it certainly won’t be the last. Well-written, tight plotting and pacing, snappy dialogue, well-developed, likeable characters, and a cracking good mystery. This just made the time at the gym fly by and I was sad when it ended because I like the characters so much. The policing politics felt real to me, and there was a lovely balance of homelife and worklife. Highly recommend this series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

DCI Brenden Moran reminds me of Inspector Ian Drake (Stephen Puleston’s detective series). His wife is murdered and he must cope. He has his dog, Archie, and his brother, Patrick, but the job is his main interest. The story opens with a car accident that puts Moran in the hospital. His boss thinks that it may be time for him to retire. Moran, of course, disagrees. The story is set in Charnsford, an abbey and boys school. It is quite a complex story but the book is short (207 pages). It is a good thing it is short because when you start you won’t want to stop until you finish the book. It is well written and fortunately there are already 9 books in the series. I’ll be getting Book 2.

[Regina Meehan-simunek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over all I thought the plot was good. But there were some quizzical moments for me.
The author seems to have a beef with the Catholic Church and portrays that though Moran as someone angered at the church but has a little respect having Moran genuflect etc. I would have preferred not to bring religion into a mystery especially if you plan on showing more disrespect than respect, the story didn’t need it. Moran himself seems to be a mix of television DCI’s, was this Barnby, or maybe a mix of Lewis and Hathaway, or Morse himself? I was looking for a new detective…..and then there is Holly, why? Was Holly suppose to endear Moran to the readers…..not sure if I will go for another DCI Moran books.