Devil in the Detail

Scott Cullen Mysteries #2

by Ed James

A missing schoolgirl. A haunted detective. An enthralling mystery. When the body of Mandy Gibson, a young disabled girl, turns up in the affluent East Lothian town of Garleton, DC Scott Cullen finds himself caught in the cross-fire of competitive police politics. The heartbroken parents don’t hesitate to point the finger of suspicion at young Jamie Cook, a tearaway teen with a long history of run-ins with the police. But where is he now?When the victim’s and the suspect’s families are revealed to belong to an offshoot group of the Catholic Church run by an excommunicated priest, Cullen quickly realises that the key to catching the killer is finding out the darkest secrets of this close-knit community, one family at a time.For fans of Ian Rankin, Ed McBain and Christopher Brookmyre, Devil in the Detail is the third novel in the gritty Police Scotland police procedural series that has set the bestseller charts alight.Praise for Devil in the Detail:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Brilliant and compelling. A must-read for those who enjoy crime thrillers’ – Amazon reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘[I have] struck gold! If you like crime fiction this is a must-read’ – Amazon reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The characters are convincingly drawn, and show all the human failings and frailties of real people … If I have a complaint, it's only that Mr James will be completely unable to keep up with my reading speed. If there can be a higher compliment, I'm already comparing his quality with that of the late lamented Ed McBain’ – Amazon reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Loved it from beginning to end. You will not be disappointed" – Goodreads review⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A fantastic author and series … [Devil in the Detail] has some subtle twists and turns and others which knock you sideways. Highly recommended!’ – Amazon reviewer‘Classic Scottish bad food, bad moods, too much booze and tight plots’ – @ey0k1, TwitterThe Police Scotland Dead in the WaterGhost in the MachineDevil in the DetailFire in the BloodStab in the DarkCops and RobbersLiars and ThievesCowboys and IndiansThe MissingThe HuntedHeroes and VillainsThe Black IsleThe Cold TruthThe Dead End

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Scotland, Thriller, Procedural, Audiobook

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2012

Reviews

[Vinay Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was eager to read the Scott Cullen series after enjoying the read of Ghost in the Machine. It was a pleasant surprise to see the author find the review on the blog and then interact with me. And it was really generous on Ed's part to give me a copy of this book to read and review.

Compared to the first book, this isn't an immediate thriller I feel. It builds up slowly in the beginning before things begin to happen. The carry forward from Book 1 to this is quite well done though it spillis over more than I'd have liked. I still have a little difficulty to get the Scottish dialect, and some part of the book can feel uninteresting if you don't have a little knowledge of Scottish football grounds and teams. I liked the twists in the tale, and the flow of the story as well as narration. What I felt could've been toned down was the usage of the word fuck by Bain. And if the character of Law got a proper ending.

Predictability wise, it's good. You can't know till near the end. I feel this holds the reader as a mystery. 3.75 Stars from my side.

My review: http://bit.ly/ZBeYJ4

[Christina Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it lots of twists DC Cullen should be promoted as he is the one who does the hard work and keeps digging until he gets the right answers. Can’t wait for the next book in the series. Got my order in

[Edward Beavers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough subject for murder

I'm sure there are different murder mystery subject matter than child abuse but at least in this case the author wasn't graphic with the detail.

[Bob Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cullen gets it

This is the 2nd Scott Cullen book by Ed James I have read and enjoyed them both. Here Cullen is still a DC and is tasked with investigating the death of a teenage female. Cullen and the various characters, including his boss DI Bain struggle to get a clear understanding of how the young girl died. A lot of the time the various suspects seem to be able to disappear at will. As ever Cullen is trying to pull together the various clues, he has been given, or heard discussed, to clear some of the culprits and incriminate any of those left. Great tale with some excellent characters who draw you into the story. Who did it? You need to read the book to discover which clues gave the culprit/s away. Now for book 3👍

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book for review.

I previously read and reviewed the first book in the Scott Cullen series, Ghost in the Machine, and happily fell back into DC Cullen's world at Lothian and Borders.

This time, DC Cullen is called to investigate the disappearance and subsequent murder of a 13-year-old girl. At the same time, he's dealing with the emotional fallout of his partner being killed and the part he feels he played in his death, a new relationship, all while navigating the minefield created by his boss with the local police force.

Ed James does an excellent job of crafting a story, keeping the reader guessing right up to the end. In this story, the reader gets deeper insight into DC Cullen. He's not flashy, he doesn't blow the bad guys into oblivion, but he exudes a quiet strength while dealing with his very human inner conflicts. As the story twists and turns, DC Cullen doggedly pursues the truth while facing down DI Bain's propensity for finding a culprit around whom he can fit the evidence (sometimes with a great deal of creativity).

I felt the one major flaw in the story is it doesn't really go into why people who are educated, hold professional jobs and are quite well-to-do would so completely buy into the cult created by Father Mulgrew. That said, the religious aspect of this story adds depth and interest, as well as the opportunity for more red herrings and twists in the story. It's a flaw that can be overlooked and didn't lessen my enjoyment of the read.

I definitely recommend this series if you like police procedurals. At $3.99 for the Kindle version, this book is a steal.

[James Rye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my third Ed James and I've just bought the fourth, so, as actions speak louder than words, I'm tempted to leave it there, and any negative comments should be viewed against that light.

I confess I am growing to like and admire Cullen and some of his colleagues. Bain, who was a pain in the previous book, has been toned down slightly and as a result there seemed to be more realism. Although the plots always present a problem to be solved and a crisis needing a resolution, I am finding that I am more attracted to the characters and the details of their repartee and procedures than simply needing to know who done it.

I was amused by the Rainbow Church. I think James got the name right (there is a Rainbow church in my hometown). However, having a fundamentalist church (one that believed in demonic possession) claim to embrace Christianity, Judaism, and Islam revealed (in my view) a serious failure to appreciate that fundamentalism in those religions would have them kill rather than embrace each other.

As an interesting sideline, I know the police often consult psychologists, but wonder if they ever consult psychotherapists. As a practising psychotherapist I was itching to tell them that they could have eliminated one of their main suspects earlier on and provided a plausible explanation for the suspicious behaviour. Thankfully we don't have any murders where I live (despite having a Rainbow Church), so there is no point in me leaving my card at the Police Station.

I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

[Nigel Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Devil In The Detail, Scott Cullen returns to work after the traumas of the Schoolbook case and is quickly back in the middle of the action when the body of a young girl with Additional Support Needs is discovered by a dog walker in the middle of East Lothian.
It’s not long before Cullen realises he’s in some kind of police hell.
Bain is leading the investigation and goes about it with a familiar recklessness and a determination to fit reality into his model of the crime at any costs. Bain’s attitude rubs up the local police in the wrong way and the atmosphere becomes charged.
As if this weren’t enough, Cullen is dealing with the starchy attitudes of the county’s upper-middle classes. He also finds himself involved with a small-but-expanding religious sect which has a leader who practically defines sinister. It also turns out that his leading suspect for the murder can’t be found, not matter how much effort the police make.
The majority of the story focuses upon developments in the case and Cullen’s drive to solve what is soon to become a double murder. As it unfolds, the dark and sordid elements of the case are brought sharply into focus. Underneath all of this is a whodunit that is very well put together. There’s plenty of theorising to be done and the outcome is likely to remain tantalisingly out of reach until the final pages no matter how familiar you are with the genre.

[Andy Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4and 1/2 stars for this book.

The second of the Scott Cullen mysteries, this story takes place about 6 months after the events in the 1st book, Ghost in the Machine. The story takes place over 2 days and so has a more tight feeling than the previous outing.

The main crux of the story revolves around the search for the killer of a mentally challenged 13 year old girl whose body is found early morning by a woman walking her dogs. The main suspect, local bad boy Jamie Cook, is nowhere to be found. The parents of the dead girl, and several of their friends are members of a newly set up 'church' and this lends a slightly sinister air to proceedings at times. I'll be honest and say I thought I had it all sussed out fairly early on - but I was very wrong!

The story brings back many of the characters from the 1st book as well as introducing more that I hope we have not seen the last of.This is a series that is going from strength to strength and I eagerly await my next visit with the officers of Leith Walk Police Station.

[Mark Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was enthralled with the debut Cullen novel. Glad another snow day gave me the time to read this second novel in a blistering cover to cover pace. Cullen is on the trail of a child killer. Not an enviable task. If this book has any short comings, it would be the emotional detachment Cullen has to the case. His lover hints several times that it SHOULD be difficult. Especially following the loss of a colleague in the first novel. With the theme of exorcism running rampant, I would have liked to see Cullen struggle more with his own demons. So I mark it down to a 4/5. Hope to see more character development in subsequent Cullen novels.

[Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another Scottish crime writer that is easy to read and spins a great yarn with humour underlying it all.
DC Cullen is working on the murder of a child, which soon involves another murder of a local "preacher". He has to deal with a boof headed SIO and a with doey eyed female workmate.
Ed James paints great pictures of Scotland, even the made up parts.
At the moment DC Cullen ranks just behind Rebus, and a step further behind, Logan McRae and Steele, only because McRae and Steele make me laugh out loud.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop! Do you enjoy a good police procedural read? Do you enjoy novels that are current and relevant? Set in UK, with well rounded protagonists and with a lead who is not a cliched divorced 50 something with character defect? Well look no further and tuck into the Scott Cullen series. This is the second (the third one is due out shortly) and loved it from beginning to end. You will not be disappointed.

[P.L. Jenkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Cullen series, so I wasn't expecting it to be as good as the first. However, if anything, I actually preferred it. Though book one is very good, you can see from book two how the author has fallen into his style and the story flows in a much more natural way. Just as you can see that the character of Scott Cullen has matured somewhat and makes a much more natural detective. I will certainly be continuing to book three. Congratulations Ed James, on a job well done.

[Nick Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent novel, enjoyed it more than the first part of the trilgoy, seemed to flow better and read easier, seemed to be less scottish dialogue. Excellent plot, leaving you guessing who is guilty until quite late on

[LaDawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Became terminally bored with the arguing between the police. Needs to focus more on the case and less on the arse holes in the police force. My daughter made a really good point when she commented, "Doesn't he know he shouldn't always use said?" I skimmed through many pages.

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really getting into this series, Scott Cullen is fast becoming a much loved character. Have a few problems with supporting characters, mainly Bain, but I think you are supposed to think he is an incompetent Buffoon

[David Stimpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

loving this series ..

[Kathy Sales · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good police procedural set in Scotland; second in the series after GHOST IN THE MACHINE.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

In ‘Devil in the Detail’ by Ed James, readers are taken on a gripping and suspenseful journey through the intricate web of police politics and a secretive religious cult. Featuring Detective Scott Cullen as the main character, this crime thriller captivates from the very first page. Cullen is a young Edinburgh cop desperate to climb the career ladder.

Set in the affluent East Lothian town of Garleton, the story unfolds when the body of Mandy Gibson, a young disabled girl, is discovered. Detective Scott Cullen becomes entangled in a high-stakes investigation as he navigates the complex world of competitive police politics. The heartbroken parents point fingers at Jamie Cook, a troubled teenager with a history of conflicts with law enforcement. However, Jamie’s whereabouts remain unknown, leaving Cullen with a challenging task of solving the case.

Ed James skillfully weaves a plot that keeps readers guessing as they delve into the darkest corners of a secretive religious cult led by an excommunicated priest. The suspense builds with each turn of the page, as Cullen faces the daunting task of unraveling the secrets buried within this close-knit community, one family at a time. The author’s ability to maintain tension and craft intricate mysteries makes ‘Devil in the Detail’ a captivating read.

Detective Scott Cullen serves as an engaging protagonist, a young Edinburgh cop driven by a desire to climb the career ladder. Readers are drawn to his determination and commitment to seeking justice. James skillfully portrays Cullen’s internal struggles and showcases his growth as he faces the challenges of the investigation. The character’s relatability and development add depth to the story, making him an excellent anchor for the narrative.

The exploration of police politics adds an intriguing layer to the plot, as Cullen finds himself caught between competing interests and personal agendas. This aspect of the story adds realism and complexity to the investigation, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in their pursuit of the truth.

Ed James writes gritty crime novels and this series is especially strong due to the complex characters who come to life on the page. As well as the crime there is an excellent mix of police politics and a secretive religious cult. The novel is well-paced, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers hooked until the final reveal. The author’s ability to create intriguing characters and construct a compelling plot make this book a standout in the genre.

Another entertaining gritty read by the dependable Ed James.

[Ross Swinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Views From A Local Lad!

Had quite a few 'eh?' moments as I live in the area of the book's setting. However, as I have a great imagination I went with the flow, mentioning and describing 'The Pheasant' of my youth certainly helped me get into the groove, as it were, reminding me of the other reprobates that I spent many a night with in that most excellent of establishments. Anyways, Ed James's led than subtle use of DI Gain to throw a sackful of spanners into Cullen's deductive process keeps you wondering and second guessing right up to the big reveal. Masterfully written. Now for Book 3!

[Soozee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gritty series, set in East Lothian, with the chief investigator being DC Scott Cullen. Cullen is facing a difficult murder of a young girl, and everyone wants to blame the local 'bad lad'. However, Cullen is determined to follow fact not rumour, and is uncomfortable that all the families involved seem to belong to an unusual religious sect.
As the body count starts to rise, he digs in and despite harrassment from colleagues, tries hard to discover the real culprits.
A good read, a good series.

[Shirley]

More on the topic of abuse and those in power covering it up. In this case a defrocked priest has set up an alternative religious group and is using "counselling" sessions to abuse vulnerable young teenagers. He can get away with it because the abuse he carried out in Ireland was covered up by the RC church and his removal from the priesthood was officially due to a gambling problem (that he didn't have).
But it takes a while to get to this stage and in the meantime Cullen's useless boss Bain is trying to make all the pieces fit for the most plausible suspect without having any evidence.

[Lexie Conyngham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope Brian Bain is not a character-type frequently found in Police Scotland: he really ought to have been fired some time ago. I occasionally find him just slightly too awful to be credible, but that aside I do enjoy this series. It’s set in real Edinburgh and its surroundings, not just Festival Edinburgh, and the people are both ordinary and convincing. That makes them sound dull and they’re not – they are well paced and spin along very quickly.

[Beth Wills · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Tightly woven and compelling"? I think not...I should have realized when the only reviews were from pseudonymous folk on Amazon that there might be a problem. The first of this series was awful, but I was willing to give Mr James a second chance. He's not getting a third. The plot meanders all over the place, the characters are flat and unlikeable, and the writing itself reads like a middle school student.

[Brian Murgatroyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth good 🌟🌟🌟🌟star rating.

Not my type of reading a bit heavy going.I did read it all and I'm sure it was a great read of Scottish culture within the area it is written about.I had to dig hard to grasp the storyline,found it hard to concentrate and kept a hitting and missing modem in the read.😎The author has written a good novel and will be enjoyed,quite a number of follow-ups to continue keeping up with the characters and murders.😎😎

[MR MD LITTLEMORE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable listen

It’s now 2023 for me with Covid hopefully tailing off. Interesting to remember that austerity goes so far back, and the gentrification, social manipulation, and societal engineering by ‘the powers that be’ keep us in thrall and have never stopped. The dating of 2012 does nothing to detract from ED JAMES’ writing—a story well told and a good intro to the characters, mores, and procedures pre-POLICE SCOTLAND. Highly recommended.

[Michelle Nash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic although horrible crime set, but sadly it was way too easy to figure out how it all went down. Throwing one person at us constantly as the bad guy will almost always mean it isn't him or her.

I don't like Scott and Sharon, no build up. Like none. I hate that so many books in this genre do it. Why?

DI Brian Bane (Bain? Audible user) is still horrible. How is this man still employed.

Scott is a great detective but too shy yet too cocky all at the same time with his opinions.

[Ann Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed to go on forever and just repeated a lot of the same stuff over and over again. I see that the author updated and maybe that caused the confusion, as I had already started the book and then things were repeated. All in all, a confusing book with too many police characters to keep up with and a very annoying Bain. I won't be reading any more of series.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book, that makes the nitty gritty of police work extremely interesting, its a great story with really good characters, so good that they bring it to life, particularly DC Scott Cullen, its definitely a book worth reading.

[Douglas Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining read during Covid-19. My only holiday of 2020 was a week based at my youngest sister's house in Archerfield Village, so I spend 8 days exploring many East Lothian locations some of which were even mentioned in the novel.

[Jeffrey S Koweek · Rating 4 out of 5]

great set ups

The conflicting evidence as the story builds are well done. The ending conversations come a bit too easy but the first two in the series are worth reading. First one was better, looking forward to the third