The Killing Mood

DCI Gilchrist #12

by T.F. Muir

Mid-winter, St. Andrews, When a university lecturer fails to turn up for class, he is found dead at home, with evidence of having committed suicide. A female student reports to the police that she was having an affair with him and knows he would never commit suicide. Toxicology results turn up Class A drugs in his system, and DCI Andy Gilchrist and his associate, DS Jessie Janes, are called in to investigate.  

The initial enquiry soon turns into a murder investigation, and when Gilchrist and Jessie dig deep into the man's background they uncover a criminal past, a history of romance scams, and several bank accounts containing hundreds of thousands of pounds. A forensic search of the man's computer hard-drives reveal a lengthy trail of heartbroken women tricked into parting with their savings in a futile search for love. 

Did one of those scorned women seek revenge and kill him? Or did his criminal past finally catch up with him? 

PRAISE FOR T.F.

'Rebus did it for Edinburgh. Laidlaw did it for Glasgow. Gilchrist might just be the bloke to put St Andrews on the crime fiction map.' Daily Record

'A truly gripping read, with all the makings of a classic series.' Mick Herron

'Gripping and grisly, with plenty of twists and turns that race along with black humour.' Craig Robertson

'DCI Gilchrist gets under your skin. Though, determined, and a bit vulnerable, this character will stay with you long after the last page.' Anna Smith

'Gripping!' Peterborough Telegraph

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

Published February 27, 2024

About the author

Aka Frank Muir and T. Frank Muir

Born in Glasgow, Frank was plagued from a young age with the urge to see more of the world than the rain sodden slopes of the Campsie Fells. By the time he graduated from University with a degree he hated, he’d already had more jobs than the River Clyde has bends. Short stints as a lumberjack in the Scottish Highlands and a moulder’s labourer in the local foundry convinced Frank that his degree was not such a bad idea after all. Twenty-five years of working overseas helped him appreciate the raw beauty of his home country. Now a dual US/UK citizen, Frank divides his time between Richmond, Virginia, and Glasgow, Scotland, carrying out research in the local pubs and restaurants. Frank is currently doing some serious book research in St Andrews' local pubs, and working on his next novel, another crime story suffused with dark alleyways and cobbled streets and some things gruesome.

Reviews

[Julie Footner-Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read any of the others so I missed a little of the characters back stories but this was a good easy read with an interesting storyline. I'll definitely look out for others.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

St. Andrews, kurz vor Weihnachten: als eine Studentin ihren Dozenten für einem Termin aufsucht, findet sie seine Leiche. Auf den ersten Blick deutet alles auf Selbstmord hin. Aber auf den zweiten Blick stellen DCI Andy Gilchrist und seine Kollegin Jessie Janes fest, dass eine Gewalttat vorliegt. Der zweite blick enthüllt noch mehr: der Tote hat sein Geld nicht nur mit seiner Stelle an der Universität verdient, sondern auch im Internet. Und dort hat er sich nicht nur einen Feind gemacht.
Je weiter Andy Gilchrist und sein Team ermitteln, desto mehr Abgründe tun sich auf: das Opfer war als Heiratsschwindler im Internet unterwegs. Eine von den Frauen, die er um ihr Geld gebracht hat, hat Selbstmord begangen. Das wäre ein Motiv, wenn es nicht nur mehr als einen Toten geben würde: der Täter hat europaweit zugeschlagen und mehr als einen Lovescammer aus dem Verkehr gezogen.Damit ist die Hauptverdächtige außen vor, denn es ist unmöglich, dass sie alle Taten begangen haben kann. Oder gibt es eine international agierende Gruppe von Personen, die die Lovescammer zur Rechenschaft zieht?

Der Krimi war schon wegen des Mordmotivs interessant. Auf einen Betrüger hereinzufallen, ist schlimm genug. Und wenn er so perfide agiert, wie es die Toten getan haben, ist die Scham noch größer. Je weiter die Ermittlungen gehen, desto mehr wird das Ausmaß des Betrugs bekannt und wie viele Personen direkt oder indirekt betroffen waren. Für Andy Gilchrist gibt es Parallelen zu seinem Privatleben, auch seine Tochter sucht das private Glück und ist dem falschen Mann aufgesessen.

Diese Mischung aus Privatem und Ermittlungen ist dem Autor meiner Meinung nach gut gelungen. Das Ende war mir ein wenig übertrieben, aber insgesamt hat mir der neue Fall für Andy Gilchrist gut gefallen.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Killing Mood by T F Muir is another book in the DCI Gilchrist police series, this time the setting is mid winter at St Andrews, when a university lecturer is found dead, an apparent suicide. Then when it is found he has a history of romance scams and several thousands of pounds in various bank accounts, the evidence points to murder.
Then there is a series of murders tracked by Gilchrist’s MIT squad and all of the deceased are scammers. An interesting look at victims who when alive were criminals deceiving women of many thousands of pounds.
Highly recommended

[John Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another, page turning, brilliant thriller by T F Muir. I was lucky to spot this book in my local library and identified it as the next DCI Gilchrist book on my wish list. A very interesting plot, with lots of twists and turns. This is my second DCI Gilchrist book this year and I’m also enjoying the character development of the other detectives, also the associated family members and friends.

[Rog Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the twelfth book in a police procedural series set in Scotland (thirteen books so far) with the main character, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Gilchrist, being based in St Andrews. I had read "The murder list" (the tenth book) a few years ago and found the descriptions of violence too graphic for my taste but when I saw this book in the library I thought I would give the author another chance.

It's a bit implausible with the plot being about the murder of men involved in internet romance scams but it is very readable. I am tempted to try some of the earlier books in this series.

[a d bromley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointed. I have enjoyed the earlier Gilchrist books, but this was hardly worth the bother of reading.
The feel was very much of an author who was Scottish by birthright, but very American by lifestyle, and the atmosphere of the Scottish setting was not Scotland as it is today. So, very unconvincing.
Gilchrist's character felt somewhat milk and water - not the Gilchrist of old. And I found his relationship with irene somewhat uncomfortable.
No, to me, Gilchrist belongs in the past.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid instalment from TF Muir. Andy Gilchrist continues to be my favourite Scottish detective and his character goes from strength to strength. Excellent storyline which is a bit different from your unusual murder plots and executed brilliantly as always. Lacks the usual level of cameradarie with Gilchrist and Janes but in saying that the characters are all on fine form. 4.5⭐️ read

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

St Andrew's

Again another well written book with interesting characters.
Enough description in book without going OTT.
Well rescheared as there are a number of places that have been described accurately.

[Dingo80 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't normally read detective stories but my wife suggested I read it when I ran out of books to read. Enjoyed it but not really my cup of tea as I prefer historical fiction hence the low mark. Would read one again if I ran out of books though it was interesting.

[Lora King · Rating 5 out of 5]

a bit of revenge murders in this entry to the series...Andy is on the case of a university lecturer found dead in his home at his desk...when more men start turning up in the same manner the crew will discover they are looking at something more than a serial killer. Who is behind these murders in England and beyond will take a lot of sleuthing...thank goodness for Jessie and his team.

[Bally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting . Couldn't put it down

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a lecturer from St Andrews university is found dead of a suspected suicide, DCI Andy Gilchrist and his team have a new case on their hands.

[Jan Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book!

Excellent read! Very interesting twists on catching who did it. Always lovely to read settings in St Andrews. Would recommend.

[Melanie Peak · Rating 3 out of 5]

first time reading this author, it was OK but to slow moving for me to be honest.

[Zoe Szabo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty slow to start but was good once it developed. I didn’t like that it ended happy ever after and the ending felt rushed. Also tough to read in some parts with unnecessary details.

[Cerys Chivers · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Charlie-Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Paula Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

listened via audible

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a man is found dead, supposedly by suicide, something doesn't sit well with DCI Gilchrist. When it is confirmed that he was murdered, they have the added problem of finding out that this isn't the only victim.
A good story with plenty of meat on it and one you can get your teeth into.