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Inspector McLean #2
The Book of Souls
At the turn of the Millennium, Detective Constable Anthony McLean’s fiancé was abducted, raped and murdered by antiquarian book dealer Donald Anderson, the notorious Christmas Killer. Every winter since has been a time of nightmares. So when in the space of a few short weeks Anderson is killed in prison, McLean’s tenement building is burned down, and a young woman’s body is found murdered using Anderson’s MO, it’s hardly surprising that McLean starts to go off the rails.
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For ten years, leading up to the turn of the millennium, the Christmas Killer worked his evil on the city of Edinburgh. Every year, in the run-up to the festivities, a young woman would go missing. Then, in the week between Christmas and Hogmanay, her body would be found, throat cut, stripped naked, washed clean and laid out in running water. Ten years, ten women. And the last of these was Kirsty Summers, fiancé to Detective Constable Anthony McLean.
No one is quite sure how he found Donald Anderson, least of all McLean himself. But something took him to the old man's antiquarian bookshop, and something else made the Christmas Killer let down his guard. In a cellar under the shop they found his torture chamber. Anderson went to prison and the murders - or at least those murders - finally stopped.
Twelve years on, Anderson is killed by a fellow inmate. Christmas is coming, and the body of a young woman is found, naked, washed, laid out in running water, her throat cut. She has been missing for a week.
Detective Inspector McLean had finally put his past behind him. Now it seems it wasn't ready to let him go.
------
For ten years, leading up to the turn of the millennium, the Christmas Killer worked his evil on the city of Edinburgh. Every year, in the run-up to the festivities, a young woman would go missing. Then, in the week between Christmas and Hogmanay, her body would be found, throat cut, stripped naked, washed clean and laid out in running water. Ten years, ten women. And the last of these was Kirsty Summers, fiancé to Detective Constable Anthony McLean.
No one is quite sure how he found Donald Anderson, least of all McLean himself. But something took him to the old man's antiquarian bookshop, and something else made the Christmas Killer let down his guard. In a cellar under the shop they found his torture chamber. Anderson went to prison and the murders - or at least those murders - finally stopped.
Twelve years on, Anderson is killed by a fellow inmate. Christmas is coming, and the body of a young woman is found, naked, washed, laid out in running water, her throat cut. She has been missing for a week.
Detective Inspector McLean had finally put his past behind him. Now it seems it wasn't ready to let him go.
440 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2012
430 people are currently reading
2120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 451 reviews
February 24, 2017
This is the second in the DI Tony McLean series, an enjoyable read for me. Kirsty Summers, Tony's fiancee, was the last victim of a serial killer who over a period of ten years killed a person every year at Christmas time. A determined Tony ensured the Christmas Killer was caught, convicted and sent to prison. Twelve years after, the Christmas Killer is fatally stabbed in the shower by another prisoner. In a constantly raining Edinburgh, it is Christmas and a young woman's body is discovered murdered with the same MO as the Christmas Killer...it appears that there is a copycat killer on the loose or is there?. Tony finds himself having to revisit a traumatic case to uncover what is going on. He struggles to cope as there are a series of warehouse fires, not to mention his home going up in smoke, and there is the established feature of the series, conflict with the police hierarchy. Thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.
February 11, 2017
This is the 2nd book in the Inspector McLean series by author James Oswald.
I read the first book in this series last week and was hooked. If you love good British Crime series with strong interesting characters then this is for you. After getting in to the first book I was very quickly thinking about the next one and the one after that. I have to be honest I am already reading and enjoying book 3 and have 4,5,6,7 waiting to read very soon. I would recommend reading this series in order because there is a lot of back stories that will make a lot more sense if read in order.
A serial killer named the Christmas killer has murdered one person each year for ten years, the final victim was Kirsty Summers the fiancee of Detective Constable Tony McLean. This was a big mistake for the killer because Tony Maclean made it his mission to catch the murderer and put him in prison. Twelve years later a fellow prisoner has killed the Christmas killer and all is well until with the arrival of the festive season comes a body. A young woman: naked, washed, her throat cut.
Is this the work of a copycat killer? Was the wrong man behind bars all this time? Or is there a more frightening explanation?
The plots are well planned and excellently paced but what I really enjoy is the interaction between the battling policemen. Lots of in fighting, difficult relationships and some really good sub plots that make this series a bit special. This series has all the good signs of Ian Rankin's Rebus, Stuart MacBrides Logan Macrae and Peter James Roy Grace, Another series for me to follow closely.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Penguin UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I read the first book in this series last week and was hooked. If you love good British Crime series with strong interesting characters then this is for you. After getting in to the first book I was very quickly thinking about the next one and the one after that. I have to be honest I am already reading and enjoying book 3 and have 4,5,6,7 waiting to read very soon. I would recommend reading this series in order because there is a lot of back stories that will make a lot more sense if read in order.
A serial killer named the Christmas killer has murdered one person each year for ten years, the final victim was Kirsty Summers the fiancee of Detective Constable Tony McLean. This was a big mistake for the killer because Tony Maclean made it his mission to catch the murderer and put him in prison. Twelve years later a fellow prisoner has killed the Christmas killer and all is well until with the arrival of the festive season comes a body. A young woman: naked, washed, her throat cut.
Is this the work of a copycat killer? Was the wrong man behind bars all this time? Or is there a more frightening explanation?
The plots are well planned and excellently paced but what I really enjoy is the interaction between the battling policemen. Lots of in fighting, difficult relationships and some really good sub plots that make this series a bit special. This series has all the good signs of Ian Rankin's Rebus, Stuart MacBrides Logan Macrae and Peter James Roy Grace, Another series for me to follow closely.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Penguin UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2020
This was a really good read and every bit as interesting as book one.
D.I. Inspector Tony McClean is such a really nice guy who seems to have very unfortunate things happening to him. There is already a dead fiancé and now we have a girl friend in a coma and a colleague in extended rehab with a broken back. Hopefully they are in the same hospital so he can visit them both easily in future books. He is beginning to suspect it is not a good idea to get close to him.
As usual we have an annoying ignorant boss, an extremely unlikeable psychologist and an irritating journalist, but this is set off by a senior boss who is thoughtful and likeable and a team who have McClean's back. The police work is done well and the story is very well paced and interesting.
I really enjoyed this one and am looking forward to book three.
D.I. Inspector Tony McClean is such a really nice guy who seems to have very unfortunate things happening to him. There is already a dead fiancé and now we have a girl friend in a coma and a colleague in extended rehab with a broken back. Hopefully they are in the same hospital so he can visit them both easily in future books. He is beginning to suspect it is not a good idea to get close to him.
As usual we have an annoying ignorant boss, an extremely unlikeable psychologist and an irritating journalist, but this is set off by a senior boss who is thoughtful and likeable and a team who have McClean's back. The police work is done well and the story is very well paced and interesting.
I really enjoyed this one and am looking forward to book three.
December 13, 2019
Harrowing, mysterious, and realistic!
What is it that stops him on the bridge? An impossible sound, perhaps. The echo of a scream uttered years ago. Or maybe it’s the sudden hush of the city holding its breath, counting down those last seconds to a new dawn. He can’t share their enthusiasm, can’t find it in himself to care. If he could stop time, turn it backwards, he would do things so differently. But this is just a moment, and it will be followed by another. Another after that. Onwards to infinity.
He leans on the cold stone parapet, looks down on the dark rushing water below. Something has brought him here, away from the world of celebrations and festive cheer.
A loud explosion marks the end of the old down on the dark rushing water below. Something has brought him here, away from the world of celebrations and festive cheer. A loud explosion marks the end of the old and the start of the new. Fireworks come in quick succession, rising over the tall buildings and lighting the sky. A million new stars fill the heavens, chasing away the shadows, reflecting in the black water, revealing its dread secret.
Flash, and the water sparkles with strange down on the dark rushing water below. Something has brought him here, away from the world of celebrations and festive cheer. A loud explosion marks the end of the old and the start of the new. Fireworks come in quick succession, rising over the tall buildings and lighting the sky. A million new stars fill the heavens, chasing away the shadows, reflecting in the black water, revealing its dread secret. Flash, and the water sparkles with strange shapes, fading away like afterglow on the back of the eye.
Flash, and startled fish dart from the floating fingers they have been nibbling away.
Flash, and long black hair tugs glossily in the flow, like seaweed on the tide.
Flash, and the pent-up force of a week’s rain pushes past the latest obstacle, moving it slowly down towards the sea, rolling it over and over as it goes.
Flash, and a ghostly white face stares up at him with pleading, dead eyes.
Flash . . .
********
The Book of Souls by James Oswald by is the second book in the DI Tony McLean series.
The events from book one have a direct effect on the characters that are carried over into this book so it's difficult to review this one without giving too much away so I won't go into much depth for this review. I will say that I'm really enjoying this series as the characters and storylines are well thought out, the pace is fast, and it was difficult to put book one and this one down for very long. I'm looking forward to reading the third book in this series!
DI Tony McLean is working two investigations at once, one following a series of fires that are gutting empty buildings throughout the city. It's a frustrating case as the fire investigator can't find evidence of arson and accidental causes have been ruled out. In each case, the buildings appear to be are spontaneously combusting.
At the same time, McLean must catch a killer who is targeting young women, holding them for days until ending their suffering by cutting their throats. The MO is eerily similar to a series of murders that happened in book one but that killer, known as the Christmas Killer, was caught and was recently murdered while incarcerated. So who is responsible for the current murders? The sense of urgency to catch the killer escalates with each woman's murder, bringing with it higher and higher levels of foreboding and trepidation for another missing woman's safety.
Without reveling too much about what happened in previous events from book one, I'll just say that things didn't exactly end as one would hope they would. Now, it could be happening again.....
What is it that stops him on the bridge? An impossible sound, perhaps. The echo of a scream uttered years ago. Or maybe it’s the sudden hush of the city holding its breath, counting down those last seconds to a new dawn. He can’t share their enthusiasm, can’t find it in himself to care. If he could stop time, turn it backwards, he would do things so differently. But this is just a moment, and it will be followed by another. Another after that. Onwards to infinity.
He leans on the cold stone parapet, looks down on the dark rushing water below. Something has brought him here, away from the world of celebrations and festive cheer.
A loud explosion marks the end of the old down on the dark rushing water below. Something has brought him here, away from the world of celebrations and festive cheer. A loud explosion marks the end of the old and the start of the new. Fireworks come in quick succession, rising over the tall buildings and lighting the sky. A million new stars fill the heavens, chasing away the shadows, reflecting in the black water, revealing its dread secret.
Flash, and the water sparkles with strange down on the dark rushing water below. Something has brought him here, away from the world of celebrations and festive cheer. A loud explosion marks the end of the old and the start of the new. Fireworks come in quick succession, rising over the tall buildings and lighting the sky. A million new stars fill the heavens, chasing away the shadows, reflecting in the black water, revealing its dread secret. Flash, and the water sparkles with strange shapes, fading away like afterglow on the back of the eye.
Flash, and startled fish dart from the floating fingers they have been nibbling away.
Flash, and long black hair tugs glossily in the flow, like seaweed on the tide.
Flash, and the pent-up force of a week’s rain pushes past the latest obstacle, moving it slowly down towards the sea, rolling it over and over as it goes.
Flash, and a ghostly white face stares up at him with pleading, dead eyes.
Flash . . .
********
The Book of Souls by James Oswald by is the second book in the DI Tony McLean series.
The events from book one have a direct effect on the characters that are carried over into this book so it's difficult to review this one without giving too much away so I won't go into much depth for this review. I will say that I'm really enjoying this series as the characters and storylines are well thought out, the pace is fast, and it was difficult to put book one and this one down for very long. I'm looking forward to reading the third book in this series!
DI Tony McLean is working two investigations at once, one following a series of fires that are gutting empty buildings throughout the city. It's a frustrating case as the fire investigator can't find evidence of arson and accidental causes have been ruled out. In each case, the buildings appear to be are spontaneously combusting.
At the same time, McLean must catch a killer who is targeting young women, holding them for days until ending their suffering by cutting their throats. The MO is eerily similar to a series of murders that happened in book one but that killer, known as the Christmas Killer, was caught and was recently murdered while incarcerated. So who is responsible for the current murders? The sense of urgency to catch the killer escalates with each woman's murder, bringing with it higher and higher levels of foreboding and trepidation for another missing woman's safety.
Without reveling too much about what happened in previous events from book one, I'll just say that things didn't exactly end as one would hope they would. Now, it could be happening again.....
February 26, 2017
4.5 STARS.
Great thanks to Luis for such great recommendation.
Yeah, I've taken time to read, because psychological thrillers have their own way to indulge one's perception and intellects into the mixing story.
I think, I've seen a movie about 6 months ago like this concept might be based on this book.
As name suggests, Book of soul have turned person into harsh insanity which had leaded into Serial killer.
Great piece of writing, Like "Go with the flow"
Highly Recommended for Thriller/Psychological thriller lover.
Great thanks to Luis for such great recommendation.
Yeah, I've taken time to read, because psychological thrillers have their own way to indulge one's perception and intellects into the mixing story.
I think, I've seen a movie about 6 months ago like this concept might be based on this book.
As name suggests, Book of soul have turned person into harsh insanity which had leaded into Serial killer.
Great piece of writing, Like "Go with the flow"
Highly Recommended for Thriller/Psychological thriller lover.
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December 3, 2025
3.5-Stars ^ 4-Stars ... I Liked The Book of Souls!
I liked this book and I'll reveal some of the reasons, etc, soon, but for the time being, this is another "review-to-come"! In the meantime, extracts from my "Listening Activity" are below.
James Oswald - DI Tony McLean #2
The Book of Souls 2012
Audiobook: 10:55 Hours - Narrator: Ian Hanmore
Commenced: 24 November 2025
Finished: 30 November 2025
Extracts from my "Listening Activity":
November 24, 2025 @ 14%: "An interesting start to #2 "The Book of Souls", with a delightful Scots narration from Ian Hanmore."
November 27, 2025 @ 37%: "Steaming along very nicely, thank you! I am enjoying #2 of this series😊."
November 28, 2025 @ 56%: "Ahh, we have just found out why this book's title is "The Book of Souls"🤩."
November 30, 2025 @99%: "Book #2 finished - and it was most interesting! I really enjoyed it, but... 😊 I am ambivalent about the quasi-supernatural aspects of this book, much as I was with the first one. R+R to come!"
I liked this book and I'll reveal some of the reasons, etc, soon, but for the time being, this is another "review-to-come"! In the meantime, extracts from my "Listening Activity" are below.
James Oswald - DI Tony McLean #2
The Book of Souls 2012
Audiobook: 10:55 Hours - Narrator: Ian Hanmore
Commenced: 24 November 2025
Finished: 30 November 2025
Extracts from my "Listening Activity":
November 24, 2025 @ 14%: "An interesting start to #2 "The Book of Souls", with a delightful Scots narration from Ian Hanmore."
November 27, 2025 @ 37%: "Steaming along very nicely, thank you! I am enjoying #2 of this series😊."
November 28, 2025 @ 56%: "Ahh, we have just found out why this book's title is "The Book of Souls"🤩."
November 30, 2025 @99%: "Book #2 finished - and it was most interesting! I really enjoyed it, but... 😊 I am ambivalent about the quasi-supernatural aspects of this book, much as I was with the first one. R+R to come!"
April 1, 2020
I really enjoy James Oswald's way of writing but this book was very predictable, you could spot the victim and the culprit a mile off.
June 26, 2019
I'm quite liking that this Detective is, well, a bit shit really. And he saved the cat so I think I might be starting to become a fan.
February 25, 2019
DI Tony McLean felt relief along with many other feelings when he learned that the killer he’d put away twelve years prior had been murdered in prison. Called the Christmas Killer, his last victim had been Tony’s fiancée – his grief was still raw, but he was working nonstop to ease it. The shock when a young woman was discovered, murdered in the same way of the Christmas Killer, was intense. There was obviously a copycat out there – wasn’t there?
Tony’s stress escalated along with his work load. His superiors – one concerned; one disdainful – realized they were short staffed, so when a young Detective from Aberdeen arrived, she worked with Tony. But worse was to come – much, much worse. Would Tony discover the answers before more women were killed?
The Book of Souls by James Oswald is the 2nd in the Inspector McLean series (set in Scotland) and it was excellent! Thrills, chills, fast paced action – all kept the pages turning. Once again Constable Stuart MacBride was one of Tony’s team members (with reference to the author made in the acknowledgements) and although I guessed the identity of the perpetrator well before the reveal, the discovery and lead up was well executed. I’ve had this book on my kindle since 2012, and having read and loved both #1 and #2 now, I’ll definitely be looking at #3. Highly recommended.
Tony’s stress escalated along with his work load. His superiors – one concerned; one disdainful – realized they were short staffed, so when a young Detective from Aberdeen arrived, she worked with Tony. But worse was to come – much, much worse. Would Tony discover the answers before more women were killed?
The Book of Souls by James Oswald is the 2nd in the Inspector McLean series (set in Scotland) and it was excellent! Thrills, chills, fast paced action – all kept the pages turning. Once again Constable Stuart MacBride was one of Tony’s team members (with reference to the author made in the acknowledgements) and although I guessed the identity of the perpetrator well before the reveal, the discovery and lead up was well executed. I’ve had this book on my kindle since 2012, and having read and loved both #1 and #2 now, I’ll definitely be looking at #3. Highly recommended.
June 26, 2017
The Book of Souls by James Oswald.
This book calls for a celebration. A celebration in the discovery of my newest Inspector series which I will be following and newest out of sight author. This fantastic story has all the ingredients of being a huge best seller. The characters are likable (a must in my opinion), realistic relationships, and a developing story/plot line that never gets boring.
I'm not wasting my time or yours rehashing the book like countless other reviewers have done. Just don't let this author or series pass you by.
This book calls for a celebration. A celebration in the discovery of my newest Inspector series which I will be following and newest out of sight author. This fantastic story has all the ingredients of being a huge best seller. The characters are likable (a must in my opinion), realistic relationships, and a developing story/plot line that never gets boring.
I'm not wasting my time or yours rehashing the book like countless other reviewers have done. Just don't let this author or series pass you by.
May 23, 2023
I find the extreme relationships that exist between DI McLean and senior police officers rather irritating. He is either intensely hated or totally mothered by them. HR must be in meltdown. Okayish story.
April 4, 2017
Although I have yet to read book 1 of this series, I really enjoyed book 2. It is definitely my kind of book! And how can you not fall in love with Inspector McLean? Fast paced and a great thriller! My first read by James Oswald. I will be looking for more books by him! If you like murder, mystery and mayhem this is for you!
November 5, 2019
‘Afternoon, Bob. What’s the situation up at Flotterstone?’
‘Bloody miserable is what.’ Bob dragged off his coat and shook it out on the grey-blue carpet tiles. ‘It’s been lashing it down since about five this morning, and now there’s a mist so thick you could use it to smother an old-age pensioner…’
Donald Anderson, known as the “Christmas Killer” is dead. The serial killer abducted, raped and cut the throat of his victims, one every year, until DI Tony McLean finally caught him - too late to save his fiancée, Kirsty. Now a copycat killer is at large, helped by the gory detail in a sensationalist book penned by an Edinburgh journalist. But there is antique tome involved, the one antiquarian Anderson told the court he was forced to follow, Liber animorum - The Book of Souls.
Second in the Inspector McLane series of police procedurals with a paranormal twist, the inspector relives his grief as the new killer escalates to taking a victim almost every week, adding to his nightmares. He is aided by Grumpy Bob (DS Laird), DC Stuart MacBride (named for his friend and fellow Scottish author), with newcomer DS Ritchie; and obstructed at every turn by DCI Duguid (known as “Dagwood”). SOC technician Emma Baird is McLane’s occasional squeeze, but he’s reluctant to get involved again.
Aside from the murders, mysterious fires are destroying old factories cited for redevelopment, there’s a drug problem, and McLean finds himself adopted by Mrs McCutcheon’s cat. Minor characters drop in and out, and the fickleness of the Scottish weather is almost a character in itself. Throw monks, masons and madness into the frame and you have a stylish thriller, a mild horror tale but not enough to keep a reader awake at night. Well recommended.
In the Penguin edition I read there is a short story “The Final Reel”, one of several short stories available at the author’s website, www.devildog.co.uk
‘Bloody miserable is what.’ Bob dragged off his coat and shook it out on the grey-blue carpet tiles. ‘It’s been lashing it down since about five this morning, and now there’s a mist so thick you could use it to smother an old-age pensioner…’
Donald Anderson, known as the “Christmas Killer” is dead. The serial killer abducted, raped and cut the throat of his victims, one every year, until DI Tony McLean finally caught him - too late to save his fiancée, Kirsty. Now a copycat killer is at large, helped by the gory detail in a sensationalist book penned by an Edinburgh journalist. But there is antique tome involved, the one antiquarian Anderson told the court he was forced to follow, Liber animorum - The Book of Souls.
Second in the Inspector McLane series of police procedurals with a paranormal twist, the inspector relives his grief as the new killer escalates to taking a victim almost every week, adding to his nightmares. He is aided by Grumpy Bob (DS Laird), DC Stuart MacBride (named for his friend and fellow Scottish author), with newcomer DS Ritchie; and obstructed at every turn by DCI Duguid (known as “Dagwood”). SOC technician Emma Baird is McLane’s occasional squeeze, but he’s reluctant to get involved again.
Aside from the murders, mysterious fires are destroying old factories cited for redevelopment, there’s a drug problem, and McLean finds himself adopted by Mrs McCutcheon’s cat. Minor characters drop in and out, and the fickleness of the Scottish weather is almost a character in itself. Throw monks, masons and madness into the frame and you have a stylish thriller, a mild horror tale but not enough to keep a reader awake at night. Well recommended.
In the Penguin edition I read there is a short story “The Final Reel”, one of several short stories available at the author’s website, www.devildog.co.uk
February 8, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin uk and James Oswald for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On Goodreads from today under Karen Whittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from today.
This is a really gripping book. That will have you on the edge of your seat and have you completely guessing who did it all the way through. i really enjoyed this book.
Every year at Christmas time a body has been found in Edinburgh, naked, body clean but throat slit.
This hit home harder then ever before when the last body that this happened to was Tony McLeans fiancé. But the killer made a mistake choosing this woman as Tony did everything in his ability to track the killer down and in the end managed to find out who he was. He ended up in prison and that is where he has stayed for the past twelve years. Until a fellow inmate killed him.
But with the Christmas season
Fast approaching another body is found.
Is this a case of a copycat killer? Or was the right man never arrested in the first place? Ot is there something even more sinister going on?
It is time for McLean to revisit the most upsetting and disturbing time of his life and find out what is going on before any more women are killed. But will he be able to do it in time?
Happy reading everyone
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On Goodreads from today under Karen Whittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from today.
This is a really gripping book. That will have you on the edge of your seat and have you completely guessing who did it all the way through. i really enjoyed this book.
Every year at Christmas time a body has been found in Edinburgh, naked, body clean but throat slit.
This hit home harder then ever before when the last body that this happened to was Tony McLeans fiancé. But the killer made a mistake choosing this woman as Tony did everything in his ability to track the killer down and in the end managed to find out who he was. He ended up in prison and that is where he has stayed for the past twelve years. Until a fellow inmate killed him.
But with the Christmas season
Fast approaching another body is found.
Is this a case of a copycat killer? Or was the right man never arrested in the first place? Ot is there something even more sinister going on?
It is time for McLean to revisit the most upsetting and disturbing time of his life and find out what is going on before any more women are killed. But will he be able to do it in time?
Happy reading everyone
February 11, 2021
Setting: Edinburgh, Scotland. This is the second book in the series featuring Detective Inspector Tony McLean and set in my favourite Scottish city, Edinburgh.
The Christmas Killer had abducted and murdered a young woman between Christmas and New Year every year for eight years until several years ago McLean caught him - but not before the killer had murdered McLean's fiancee. Now, McLean receives the news that Anderson (The Christmas Killer) has been stabbed to death in prison - but this is soon followed by the finding of a murdered young woman, exhibiting the same M.O. as Anderson...and then another....and then another. Did McLean and his team find the right man before or is this a copycat?
Another engrossing and gripping crime novel and I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series - 9/10.
The Christmas Killer had abducted and murdered a young woman between Christmas and New Year every year for eight years until several years ago McLean caught him - but not before the killer had murdered McLean's fiancee. Now, McLean receives the news that Anderson (The Christmas Killer) has been stabbed to death in prison - but this is soon followed by the finding of a murdered young woman, exhibiting the same M.O. as Anderson...and then another....and then another. Did McLean and his team find the right man before or is this a copycat?
Another engrossing and gripping crime novel and I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series - 9/10.
November 10, 2013
James Oswald has avoided the second-book-curse with The Book Of Souls. It is every bit as gripping, thrilling, and down-right excellent as the first Inspector McLean. With this book, James Oswald has further established himself as one to watch in the crime fiction genre.
The first chapter isn't as horrifying as the first chapter in Natural Causes, and thank goodness. But it is still every bit as powerful, dragging you into the story.
You learn more than ever about Detective Constable Tony McLean in this novel. You realise just how much he's been through. I guess it didn't strike me as much in the first as I felt so much more when reading this one.
This book starts with a twist. And then they keep coming, keep sending the story in another direction until you get to that thrilling, heart-stopping ending.
I read the entirety of the end of this book with my mouth open in shock. I couldn't stop reading, couldn't put it down, until I knew what had happened, how it would end. Riveting, addictive, shocking... I could never have predicted that.
Again, the author brings in a take-it-or-leave-it fantasy element. I love that it's left up to the reader to decide whether they believe it or not, just as it's left up to the characters. I also love how it brings internal conflict to Tony McLean, as he himself has to decide whether he believes in such powers.
With that ending, I am itching to get my hands on the next book.
The first chapter isn't as horrifying as the first chapter in Natural Causes, and thank goodness. But it is still every bit as powerful, dragging you into the story.
You learn more than ever about Detective Constable Tony McLean in this novel. You realise just how much he's been through. I guess it didn't strike me as much in the first as I felt so much more when reading this one.
This book starts with a twist. And then they keep coming, keep sending the story in another direction until you get to that thrilling, heart-stopping ending.
I read the entirety of the end of this book with my mouth open in shock. I couldn't stop reading, couldn't put it down, until I knew what had happened, how it would end. Riveting, addictive, shocking... I could never have predicted that.
Again, the author brings in a take-it-or-leave-it fantasy element. I love that it's left up to the reader to decide whether they believe it or not, just as it's left up to the characters. I also love how it brings internal conflict to Tony McLean, as he himself has to decide whether he believes in such powers.
With that ending, I am itching to get my hands on the next book.
August 14, 2022
Otrais darbs sērijā par izmeklētāju Maklīnu. Šķiet, ka mana kļūda bija tā, ka sāku lasīt uzreiz pēc pirmās daļas un laikam sasniedzu tādu kā izmeklēšanas notikumu pārsātinājumu.
Lai nu kā, trilleris vienalga lielisks! Ar savu stilu, ritmu un neizpaliekošo skotu humoru. Brīdinājums - tāpat kā pirmajā daļā stāstā ir “supernatural” elementi. Man netraucēja, bet ticu, ka kādam varētu nepatikt.
Lai nu kā, trilleris vienalga lielisks! Ar savu stilu, ritmu un neizpaliekošo skotu humoru. Brīdinājums - tāpat kā pirmajā daļā stāstā ir “supernatural” elementi. Man netraucēja, bet ticu, ka kādam varētu nepatikt.
April 1, 2017
Yet again a story by James Oswald that kept me on the edge of my seat and simply did not let me put it down despite the fact that I'm supposed to be doing other, school-related stuff. Everyone's entitled to a break once in a while, yes?! Even if the break is several hours long...
Anyways, about this book. I loved finding out more about Tony McLean's background and I must say that my heart kind of broke for him at times his past was brought up. Although Oswald never really describes McLean (ok, there may have been a sentence about his jaw being scruffy), I keep imagining that Tony McLean looks exactly like Oswald himself. Dark-haired and with a beard ... But as it would appear, Oswald himself never imagined him with a beard (see here: https://twitter.com/SirBenfro/status/...)...
The murder mystery part was really well-done as well and to be honest, I had no idea about the culprit till the big reveal and even then I was like "WHAT?! No way!" because I simply did not see it coming. But when I thought it about a bit, it started to make more sense to me and I understood why the bad guy was who he was. Other readers may have figured out the bad guy sooner than I did, but I still think that this part was really well done.
And then there's this small supernatural theme to the entire story that doesn't really overpower the story. It's kind of subtle, yet 100% visible at all times and really well infused with the rest of the story.
I really like reading about DI McLean and there's no doubt that I'm going to continue with the book series, I already borrowed the next two from the library as well. :)
The Book Challengers blog // The Book Challengers Instagram // The Book Challengers Twitter
Anyways, about this book. I loved finding out more about Tony McLean's background and I must say that my heart kind of broke for him at times his past was brought up. Although Oswald never really describes McLean (ok, there may have been a sentence about his jaw being scruffy), I keep imagining that Tony McLean looks exactly like Oswald himself. Dark-haired and with a beard ... But as it would appear, Oswald himself never imagined him with a beard (see here: https://twitter.com/SirBenfro/status/...)...
The murder mystery part was really well-done as well and to be honest, I had no idea about the culprit till the big reveal and even then I was like "WHAT?! No way!" because I simply did not see it coming. But when I thought it about a bit, it started to make more sense to me and I understood why the bad guy was who he was. Other readers may have figured out the bad guy sooner than I did, but I still think that this part was really well done.
And then there's this small supernatural theme to the entire story that doesn't really overpower the story. It's kind of subtle, yet 100% visible at all times and really well infused with the rest of the story.
I really like reading about DI McLean and there's no doubt that I'm going to continue with the book series, I already borrowed the next two from the library as well. :)
The Book Challengers blog // The Book Challengers Instagram // The Book Challengers Twitter
February 1, 2021
Much the same as when I read the first book in the Inspector McLean series, I found myself frustrated with McLean's tendency to act before he thinks things through. Probably even more frustrated than his Superintendent who counsels him on frequent occasions. There is no doubting McLean's sincerity or enthusiasm for getting to the bottom of an investigation; that is not in question. It's the way he goes about things that I hope to see a change in future titles in this series.
August 28, 2022
Ļoti labs detektīvs. Atkal ar mistikas elementiem, bet šoreiz man nekas nekaitināja :) Tiešām labi restartē smadzenes!
January 5, 2018
3.5 stars
Inspector McLean is growing on me - this is the second book I've read in the series and I'd like to read more.
It's a gritty police procedural/murder mystery/serial killer story set in Scotland and I enjoyed the characters and the plot.
It is set at Christmas but is NOT a cosy Christmas read! It's hard hitting but compelling reading.
Inspector McLean is growing on me - this is the second book I've read in the series and I'd like to read more.
It's a gritty police procedural/murder mystery/serial killer story set in Scotland and I enjoyed the characters and the plot.
It is set at Christmas but is NOT a cosy Christmas read! It's hard hitting but compelling reading.
August 19, 2014
This gets one star because the author can write, can even after a fashion tell a story. But he should find one of his own to tell. Angsty copper with authority issues? Sage but irritable pathologist with devoted female assistant? Smarmy psychologist who doubles up as a somewhat useless profiler? A DCI consumed with ambition called a twat to his face? A Glasgow gangster with a softer side and a bodyguard of pure muscle?
Yes, every cliché is here for your delectation, mixed with a hokey supernaturalism that, oddly, no-one in the book seems to notice or care about. Added to which, if you can't identify who did it at the point the character is introduced, you're not paying attention.
I confess I should have known better than to open a book emblazoned as "the new Ian Rankin". Rankin's books, especially the early ones, overflow with the urgency of a story that must be told, and treat their reader with intelligence. Oswald doesn't seem any more bothered about his story than I was, and he treats his readers as stupid people who will soak up any vague tourist-guidebook shtick as "atmosphere" and any well-worn procedural trope as "character". Maybe sometime he'll write a book worth reading, because he probably could if he wanted to. This, however, is not one.
Yes, every cliché is here for your delectation, mixed with a hokey supernaturalism that, oddly, no-one in the book seems to notice or care about. Added to which, if you can't identify who did it at the point the character is introduced, you're not paying attention.
I confess I should have known better than to open a book emblazoned as "the new Ian Rankin". Rankin's books, especially the early ones, overflow with the urgency of a story that must be told, and treat their reader with intelligence. Oswald doesn't seem any more bothered about his story than I was, and he treats his readers as stupid people who will soak up any vague tourist-guidebook shtick as "atmosphere" and any well-worn procedural trope as "character". Maybe sometime he'll write a book worth reading, because he probably could if he wanted to. This, however, is not one.
July 16, 2017
The Book of Souls by James Oswald
Detective Inspector McLean series Book #2
5★'s
What's It About?
Each year for ten years, a young woman’s body was found in Edinburgh at Christmastime: naked, throat slit, body washed clean. The final victim, Kirsty Summers, was Detective Constable Tony McLean's fiancée. But the Christmas Killer made a mistake, and McLean put an end to the brutal killing spree.
It’s now twelve years later. A fellow prisoner has just murdered the incarcerated Christmas Killer. But with the arrival of the festive season comes a body. A young woman: naked, washed, her throat cut. Is this a copycat killer? Was the wrong man behind bars all this time? Or is there a more frightening explanation? McLean must revisit the most disturbing case of his life and discover what he missed before the killer strikes again .
What Did I Think?
I love the supernatural overtones of this series. I do get rather frustrated with the bullying that is allowed by the higher ups in the police department. If this a true reenactment of all police headquarters in Edinburgh then there is a strong need for major counselling and anger control sessions.
What the book actually was and what it was capable of was not revealed until almost the very last and it let the reader form their own opinion of what it was and how it fit in with the story. I will say the ending was not a total surprise but it did leave a major string dangling. Perhaps it will be answered in the third book. Looking forward to it.
Detective Inspector McLean series Book #2
5★'s
What's It About?
Each year for ten years, a young woman’s body was found in Edinburgh at Christmastime: naked, throat slit, body washed clean. The final victim, Kirsty Summers, was Detective Constable Tony McLean's fiancée. But the Christmas Killer made a mistake, and McLean put an end to the brutal killing spree.
It’s now twelve years later. A fellow prisoner has just murdered the incarcerated Christmas Killer. But with the arrival of the festive season comes a body. A young woman: naked, washed, her throat cut. Is this a copycat killer? Was the wrong man behind bars all this time? Or is there a more frightening explanation? McLean must revisit the most disturbing case of his life and discover what he missed before the killer strikes again .
What Did I Think?
I love the supernatural overtones of this series. I do get rather frustrated with the bullying that is allowed by the higher ups in the police department. If this a true reenactment of all police headquarters in Edinburgh then there is a strong need for major counselling and anger control sessions.
What the book actually was and what it was capable of was not revealed until almost the very last and it let the reader form their own opinion of what it was and how it fit in with the story. I will say the ending was not a total surprise but it did leave a major string dangling. Perhaps it will be answered in the third book. Looking forward to it.
December 26, 2017
Not a bad story. I did enjoy getting to know McLean but because this is book 2 and I havent read book 1, I did feel like I was missing some parts of the puzzel that make up his personality.
And even though I enjoyed the story, it was a little slow for my taste. Plus it felt like more than one investigation and only one felt really finished and solved at the end. And the short chapters in between with memories from McLean without any indication it was him confused me at the beginning and disrupted the flow of the story throughout for me.
Again not a bad story and I can definitely see why people love this writer. However his style is not for me.
And even though I enjoyed the story, it was a little slow for my taste. Plus it felt like more than one investigation and only one felt really finished and solved at the end. And the short chapters in between with memories from McLean without any indication it was him confused me at the beginning and disrupted the flow of the story throughout for me.
Again not a bad story and I can definitely see why people love this writer. However his style is not for me.
August 26, 2018
In Book of Souls, Detective Inspector Tony McLean must revisit the most disturbing case of his career so far.
Twelve years ago, McLean was able to apprehend the serial killer known as The Christmas Killer. Until that time, the killer had been killing a young woman once a year for the past ten years and leaving her naked and throat slit, in/near water. However twelve years ago, the Christmas Killer’s victim was Tony McLean’s fiancée, Kirsty Summers.
Tony has just gotten word that the Christmas Killer has been killed in prison. He is on his way back from the burial only to be called to the site of a murder victim – naked, throat slit and in a drainage area. Was the wrong man convicted of the earlier crimes? Do they have a copycat on their hands? Or, is it something more sinister?
The first book, Natural Causes, gave me a bit of trouble as it had a supernatural base to the story. Going into this one, I expected it so I was not surprised. Also, even though there is a supernatural part of this story, it does not overtake the mystery, it only enhances it. I really enjoyed this book and Tony McLean has quickly become a favorite character of mine – along with several other regulars, such as Grumpy Bob, MacBride and Emma.
Rating: 4
Twelve years ago, McLean was able to apprehend the serial killer known as The Christmas Killer. Until that time, the killer had been killing a young woman once a year for the past ten years and leaving her naked and throat slit, in/near water. However twelve years ago, the Christmas Killer’s victim was Tony McLean’s fiancée, Kirsty Summers.
Tony has just gotten word that the Christmas Killer has been killed in prison. He is on his way back from the burial only to be called to the site of a murder victim – naked, throat slit and in a drainage area. Was the wrong man convicted of the earlier crimes? Do they have a copycat on their hands? Or, is it something more sinister?
The first book, Natural Causes, gave me a bit of trouble as it had a supernatural base to the story. Going into this one, I expected it so I was not surprised. Also, even though there is a supernatural part of this story, it does not overtake the mystery, it only enhances it. I really enjoyed this book and Tony McLean has quickly become a favorite character of mine – along with several other regulars, such as Grumpy Bob, MacBride and Emma.
Rating: 4
March 13, 2015
Disappointing over all. 2.5 I was looking forward to this second book. It did not deliver. After reading a hundred pages, I wasn't sure if I should keep reading but I did. I am not a quitter but in this case, when I reached the last page, I had the feeling it had been a waste of time. Early on I had realized that there were no clues to help the reader 'discover' who the murderer was, that the author would pick someone in the last quarter of the book and that it could be anybody and this character would then become the culprit. This is exactly what happened 'X' was the murderer or became the murderer for no other reason than a 'fantastic unbelievable'life-changing experience happened to him. A down-to-earth reader like me cannot approve of. It doesn't make sense. + Detective McLean superior is extremely annoying. As Detective McLean did, I asked myself how a man like him could even get a promotion. Everybody hates working with the man and he is not really competent. As I have read hundreds of mystery/crime novels, I know how a crime author builds his story. There is always a character who gets on everybody's nerves among other things. In Dagwood's case, it is over the top. Utterly annoying. I just wished that he would be involved in a major accident and Dadgood would be put to pasture for good. At last. What made things worse in my case, I think, is that I had really enjoyed Gordon Ferris', Adrian McKinty's, Brian McGilloway's series and these books were excellent reads. I was expecting as much from this author who was new to me but he did not deliver. Publishers would love to find another Ian Rankin. When we look at the book cover there is a claim that this new Scottish author is as good as Ian Rankin. Don't forget that there is only one Ian Rankin and he has written a lot of books to get where he is at right now.
February 19, 2017
Book 2 in the Inspector McLean series and I'm still really enjoying them.
This one is about the Christmas Killer, a man who devastated Tony before he put him away for life, it starts with his funeral and then the death of a woman that is exactly the same MO of the previously mentioned Christmas Killer.
It's just as good as the first book, the characters are being drawn out more, their personalities meshing well with each other, the humour is still there and so is the violence. I still think Duguid is a dick but he's getting worse, nice bit of departmental friction to mix it all up.
I recommend this series, it's a good police procedural and I am currently reading book 3 to see if it stays just as good as the previous 2. I somehow think it will be.
*Huge thanks to James Oswald, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
This one is about the Christmas Killer, a man who devastated Tony before he put him away for life, it starts with his funeral and then the death of a woman that is exactly the same MO of the previously mentioned Christmas Killer.
It's just as good as the first book, the characters are being drawn out more, their personalities meshing well with each other, the humour is still there and so is the violence. I still think Duguid is a dick but he's getting worse, nice bit of departmental friction to mix it all up.
I recommend this series, it's a good police procedural and I am currently reading book 3 to see if it stays just as good as the previous 2. I somehow think it will be.
*Huge thanks to James Oswald, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
December 31, 2012
I'm not going to rehash the plot of the book That's all there in the blurb above. As with almost all of the books I've been reading the past year and a half or so, I got this when it was free on Amazon.com for Kindle. It is one of the better police procedurals I've read either free of for a fee. There is only one tiny thing that bothered me, and many, many authors do it even though they should know better. In one descriptive passage Oswald said something was "surrounded on three sides." That just sets my back teeth on edge. Something can be "bordered" on three sides, but all FOUR SIDES have to be enclosed in order for something to be "surrounded." Other than that, if you like detective stories there's little not to like in this book.
August 5, 2017
Really a 3.5 star for me but I rounded up to 4. Interesting story. We still have a little bit of the "supernatural" going in this book and I don't know if it is a recurring theme in all this author's books. That being said . . . I'll check out the third one in this series.
April 26, 2017
A second splendid Inspector Maclean Tartan Noir: engaging characters, gritty police procedure and horrific crime, this time shaded by the occult.
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