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DS Jack Mackinnon #4

Deadly Justice

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Time to run. Time to hide. Time to die... A late summer heatwave seems to have triggered an unusually high number of suicides. As the dead bodies pile up, DS Jack Mackinnon and the rest of MIT realise things aren't as straightforward as they seem, and when similar letters are found at the scene of each 'suicide, ' Mackinnon is convinced they are dealing with a serial killer. The killer believes the police aren't doing their job properly and is determined to deliver his own deadly justice. Deadly Justice is the fourth book in the DS Jack Mackinnon Series. The series order is as follows: 1) Deadly Obsession 2) Deadly Motive 3) Deadly Revenge 4) Deadly Justice

244 pages, ebook

First published July 2, 2013

956 people are currently reading
254 people want to read

About the author

D.S. Butler

35 books901 followers
Author of the Karen Hart series. Ex-biochemist turned crime-writer. Huge Queen fan. Loves to read crime fiction.

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5 stars
1,563 (49%)
4 stars
1,157 (36%)
3 stars
350 (11%)
2 stars
68 (2%)
1 star
24 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Gary.
3,045 reviews425 followers
January 30, 2022
I really enjoy the Karen Hart series by this author so decided to try her other series hoping for more of the same. I found this to be an enjoyable read but the magics not quite there for me just yet. Good characters that I am sure will grow on me and solid police procedural plot.

A late summer heatwave seems to have triggered an unusually high number of suicides.
As the dead bodies pile up, DS Jack Mackinnon and the rest of MIT realise things aren’t as straightforward as they seem, and when similar letters are found at the scene of each ‘suicide,’ Mackinnon is convinced they are dealing with a serial killer. A killer who is determined to deliver his own deadly justice.

This was a good read and the signs were there for me towards the end that I am finally feeling connected to this series.
Profile Image for Pat.
2,310 reviews502 followers
November 14, 2019
So I read book 1 of the series and gave it three stars thinking the author would get more polished as the series progressed. For some reason I skipped books 2 and 3 (I maybe thought they sounded a bit dull) and settled for book 4 thinking it ought to be pretty damn good. But no.

There is a series of apparent suicides by hydrogen sulphide poisoning (the obvious choice naturally) where two more harmless chemicals are mixed to form a deadly brew. I think the author was saying it was, or was like, the mustard gas used in WWI bur more background would have been useful. Nobody thinks to link these suicides or consider them suspicious despite identical, printed, unsigned suicide notes. Also CCTV is not utilised until much later in the book. Oh, and you'd think the first death would prompt at least an external examination by a pathologist who would have seen other evidence. But no.

The dialogue was wooden and contrived. By the halfway point I was bored nearly to death and ready to DNF but I persevered with skim reading to the inevitable, predictable ending which I reached with a great sense of relief. The whole think was over in a matter of hours thankfully, although I will never get those hours back. Yes I am very cranky and may have given this 1.5 or even 2 stars if it was not the last in a bad bunch of books. Thankfully I am now reading something much more interesting and engaging.
Profile Image for Emma Taylor.
157 reviews3 followers
August 26, 2024
Another easy read in the series. I was sure I’d worked out who the gas killer was early on however. It would have been good to have a bit more detail at the end I felt it ended abruptly.
Profile Image for Kirsty.
48 reviews1 follower
March 4, 2023
Not bad.
I definitely don’t enjoy these books as much as the other series but it’s okay for casual reading.
Profile Image for Nathan Hill.
130 reviews4 followers
May 5, 2020
I love this series

Now on book five the characters are becoming real people and not only are the plots gripping but so are their personal lives with all of the ups and downs sadness and joy. Getting into the book is easy, putting it down isn't.
Thank you for another good book
Profile Image for Paul Adler.
632 reviews2 followers
January 12, 2021
This novel was up to D'S Butler's usual high standard. A good crime novel with many twists nd turns.

I really enjoyed this book. Easy to read and fast paced my kind of thriller. The person we were subtlely lead to believe had done it had nothing to do with the crimes. Will be reading another D'S Butler novel soon. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Profile Image for Lin Robertson.
162 reviews1 follower
June 28, 2020
Wow, this story kept me reading from start to finish

Thought there were some unusual people in this story, but that’s life!

DI Jack Mackinnon and his partner are responding to a death
As readers, we are able to see what is happening.
Loved this story.
34 reviews
July 19, 2020
Intense

Had to give five stars again for another amazing story with Jack MacKinnon I really liked reading this one I didn't want to stop reading until I knew who the culprit was and then I didn't realise until near the end.
Profile Image for Bob.
176 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2020
WoW, deadly justice ...

This book as a great follow up to its predecessors as it too grasped the readers attention and holding it throughout the story.
I enjoyed this as I did the others and recommend the series to all ...
1,181 reviews6 followers
June 5, 2024
Another Excellent Story

Another excellent story in the DS Jack MacKinnon series. All the usual characters and a very good and unique storyline. Kept me gripped from start to finish.Looking forward to reading more in the series.
Profile Image for sandra.
141 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2017
Great book

I really liked all the books in this series can't wait for the next one
Hopefully Charlotte and maybe her and Jack hook up :-)
64 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2017
Murderer

This book held me in sixpence from start to finish and was quite a scary story. I didn't even guess who the murderer was.
326 reviews4 followers
January 29, 2019
Deadly Justice

Fantastic story.I liked most of the characters except the cafe owner and his awful mother. Juniors mother made me feel ill. A Great READ.
517 reviews3 followers
June 24, 2019
Excellent!!

Really enjoyed this story. The main character was written so well. Creepy as. Any lover of this genre will not be disappointed. Can't wait to read the next one.📕
9 reviews
June 26, 2019
B

yet another brilliant book in the series so if you like crime novels and not read any of d s butler's books then they are a must
29 reviews
June 28, 2019
Review

Like this character alot with excellent story line I will be looking forward to book three for my next read
Profile Image for Denise.
20 reviews
July 13, 2019
Easy read

Another good one from the Jack McKinnon series. The author keeps you guessing until the end with her red herrings.
Profile Image for Christine Ann.
199 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2019
This is brilliant kept you guessing right to the end can’t say too much in case I spoil it but it’s bloody brilliant
11 reviews
December 17, 2019
Brilliant

Loving this series of books can't get enough of them really gripping making you want to read on can't wait to reAd next one
Profile Image for Nigel Courtenay.
25 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2020
Slightly predictable

Unfortunately worked out the killer three quarter way through the book. Hopefully future books by the author won’t be. End
Profile Image for Kim.
429 reviews
April 17, 2020
Good book- gave me the creeps a little though!
668 reviews6 followers
Read
May 16, 2020
Another exciting episode in this series of unusual

tales with different subject matter than is usually
found in detective stories. A real leasure to read.
Beautifully written too.
2 reviews
March 4, 2021
Great series

Love the details and background into the science and protocol. Great series
Love it. I have binge read these this week!
Profile Image for Kath.
1,066 reviews27 followers
April 11, 2021
Wonderful well written mystery set.
Profile Image for Steve  .
267 reviews6 followers
June 25, 2021
Enjoyed book but found it a struggle to get through. Seem to be averaging one brilliant one, followed by one still good not quite so good etc in this series
5 reviews
September 12, 2021
Great read

Another brilliant book from D S Butler. Her writing style is compelling to read & difficult to put down once you start reading!
705 reviews3 followers
June 16, 2022
Brilliant

Another fantastic rollacoster of a storey unfolds drawing you in more and more believable characters first-class plot keeps you turning the pages to the end
1 review
June 18, 2022
excellent read.

I enjoyed reading this book. It had great twists and keeps you guessing until the end. I can’t wait to read the next in the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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