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DCI Brendan Moran #10
In the Key of Death
The tranquility of a genteel household is shattered when an elderly piano teacher is found brutally murdered, leaving her sibling devastated and demanding answers. Enter DCI Brendan Moran, called out of retirement at short notice, to tackle the baffling case. As Moran delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding the murder, there emerges a web of complex connections and puzzling alibis among the suspects, leaving him struggling to pinpoint the elusive killer. As the investigation intensifies, one of Moran’s own team members becomes infatuated by the enigmatic leader of a self-sufficient commune, and suspicions are raised concerning a possible connection to the murder. With time running out, Moran must unravel the secrets concealed behind the commune’s Utopian façade and navigate a dangerous labyrinth of deception to uncover the truth. In the Key of Death intertwines themes of childhood abuse, psychological coercion and emotional manipulation – all wrapped up in a page-turning police procedural. In the Key of Death is masterfully crafted, blending moments of intense suspense with Hunter’s customary wry humour. In the Key of Death is number ten in the popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series. If you like Val McDermid , Ian Rankin , DCI Banks , Vera and the Shetland TV series , you’ll love this tense and exciting crime novel from CWA award-winning author, Scott Hunter. REVIEWS - The DCI Brendan Moran Crime Series ★★★★★ ‘… a well-planned, well-written novel. The writer has a fertile imagination and an attractive narrative style.' ★★★★★ ‘ … one of the best reads I have had this year. Gripped by the grizzled Irish detective.....plenty of twists and turns. Bravo!’ ★★★★★ The story rattles into action and concludes with two jaw-dropping climaxes and a final fraught decision. This series is destined for greatness.’
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2024
58 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Scott Hunter
21 books59 followersScott Hunter was born in Romford, Essex. His writing career was kick-started after he won first prize in the Sunday Express Short Story Competition. He divides his time between writing and drumming. He has recorded with internationally renowned rock band 'Jethro Tull' and appeared in concert with 70's popsters 'Mungo Jerry'.
He is currently working on his thirteenth novel and has recently published 'The Cold Light of Death', number eight in the very popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series. 'Black December', the first DCI Brendan Moran novel, has also been released in audiobook format.
He was long listed for the Times/Chicken House Children's Novel Competition for 'The Ley Lines of Lushbury' and won the Sunday Express Short Story Competition a few years back for his historical entry set in the English Civil War. His second novel, 'The Trespass' is a top 20 Amazon Bestseller. He has recently been shortlisted for the 2016 Crime Writers Association (CWA) Margery Allingham short story competition.
Scott Hunter lives in Berkshire with his wife Katherine and his two youngest children
He is currently working on his thirteenth novel and has recently published 'The Cold Light of Death', number eight in the very popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series. 'Black December', the first DCI Brendan Moran novel, has also been released in audiobook format.
He was long listed for the Times/Chicken House Children's Novel Competition for 'The Ley Lines of Lushbury' and won the Sunday Express Short Story Competition a few years back for his historical entry set in the English Civil War. His second novel, 'The Trespass' is a top 20 Amazon Bestseller. He has recently been shortlisted for the 2016 Crime Writers Association (CWA) Margery Allingham short story competition.
Scott Hunter lives in Berkshire with his wife Katherine and his two youngest children
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 29, 2024
With the conclusion of this 10th entry, I've now read all of the DCI Brendan Moran books to date. And the conclusion to this novel makes me wonder if they'll be another one.
I won't go any deeper than that to avoid spoilers, but the plot resolution and denouement did feel like a finale to me. But I guess we'll see.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that one of the plot resolution aspects was a little far-fetched, straining the limits of my suspended disbelief. But up to that point, I thought it was a solid plot. From the jacket cover:
"The tranquility of a genteel household is shattered when an elderly piano teacher is found brutally murdered, leaving her sibling devastated and demanding answers. Enter DCI Brendan Moran, called out of retirement at short notice, to tackle the baffling case.
As Moran delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding the murder, there emerges a web of complex connections and puzzling alibis among the suspects, leaving him struggling to pinpoint the elusive killer. As the investigation intensifies, one of Moran’s own team members becomes infatuated by the enigmatic leader of a self-sufficient commune, and suspicions are raised concerning a possible connection to the murder. With time running out, Moran must unravel the secrets concealed behind the commune’s Utopian façade and navigate a dangerous labyrinth of deception to uncover the truth.
'In the Key of Death' intertwines themes of childhood abuse, psychological coercion and emotional manipulation – all wrapped up in a page-turning police procedural."
As always, I enjoyed Hunter's writing. And I've grown to love Moran and his surrounding characters. So, I hope there are more novels in the series and highly recommend the entire series to anyone who enjoys well-written detective procedurals.
I won't go any deeper than that to avoid spoilers, but the plot resolution and denouement did feel like a finale to me. But I guess we'll see.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that one of the plot resolution aspects was a little far-fetched, straining the limits of my suspended disbelief. But up to that point, I thought it was a solid plot. From the jacket cover:
"The tranquility of a genteel household is shattered when an elderly piano teacher is found brutally murdered, leaving her sibling devastated and demanding answers. Enter DCI Brendan Moran, called out of retirement at short notice, to tackle the baffling case.
As Moran delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding the murder, there emerges a web of complex connections and puzzling alibis among the suspects, leaving him struggling to pinpoint the elusive killer. As the investigation intensifies, one of Moran’s own team members becomes infatuated by the enigmatic leader of a self-sufficient commune, and suspicions are raised concerning a possible connection to the murder. With time running out, Moran must unravel the secrets concealed behind the commune’s Utopian façade and navigate a dangerous labyrinth of deception to uncover the truth.
'In the Key of Death' intertwines themes of childhood abuse, psychological coercion and emotional manipulation – all wrapped up in a page-turning police procedural."
As always, I enjoyed Hunter's writing. And I've grown to love Moran and his surrounding characters. So, I hope there are more novels in the series and highly recommend the entire series to anyone who enjoys well-written detective procedurals.
May 23, 2024
Book 10 - in this Fabulous Series of the Irish Detective. Brendan Moran - can be read as stand alone but I have thoroughly enjoyed following the entire series and can very highly recommend starting with Book 1
Here, in Book 10, we find Brendan at his Retirement Party after a long and often dangerous, but never dull, successful career which started with him as a young detective in Book 1 - Black December.
Brendan has been through some really tough times in his life and faced many dangerous, often life threatening situations during his illustrious career with Reading Police Force. Which sees him travel throughout England and even back to Ireland. However the time appears to have come for his retirement and some quality time with the new lady in his life.
However, Brendan, being Brendan, can never resist a challenge so, when requested to head just one last case, as his predecessor has been involved in an RTC, he is loath to refuse.
The case is a strange one and is made more difficult by the attitude of the acting DS who does not appreciate the fact that Brendan has been asked to take the lead as SIO on this case. However, Brendan’s team are only too happy to be working with him again.
The case is an unusual one and involves many aspects - including clues that relate to the dim and distant past.
Such a well written and intriguing case. There are also links to his very first case going back to Book 1 - Black December, and to other more recent cases as well as his private life and so much more.
I just could not put this book down and just hope it is not the last we hear of this wonderful DCI Moran.
Here, in Book 10, we find Brendan at his Retirement Party after a long and often dangerous, but never dull, successful career which started with him as a young detective in Book 1 - Black December.
Brendan has been through some really tough times in his life and faced many dangerous, often life threatening situations during his illustrious career with Reading Police Force. Which sees him travel throughout England and even back to Ireland. However the time appears to have come for his retirement and some quality time with the new lady in his life.
However, Brendan, being Brendan, can never resist a challenge so, when requested to head just one last case, as his predecessor has been involved in an RTC, he is loath to refuse.
The case is a strange one and is made more difficult by the attitude of the acting DS who does not appreciate the fact that Brendan has been asked to take the lead as SIO on this case. However, Brendan’s team are only too happy to be working with him again.
The case is an unusual one and involves many aspects - including clues that relate to the dim and distant past.
Such a well written and intriguing case. There are also links to his very first case going back to Book 1 - Black December, and to other more recent cases as well as his private life and so much more.
I just could not put this book down and just hope it is not the last we hear of this wonderful DCI Moran.
May 26, 2024
DCI Moran finally retires or so he thought. A fellow copper has an accident on his way home and ends up dying. Moran is called back to temporarily handle a gruesome murder case. His old crew are glad to have him back but his replacement isn’t. As they begin investigating they soon find there is more going on that what they thought. To muddle things up even more, an old nemesis reappears and Brendan has to juggle multiple coppers to cover all the things that must done along with trying to find a way to keep his woman friend happy. This is a truly fun and exciting read. Great cast of characters, action, mystery, intrigue and a well written storyline.
April 4, 2025
What a grand finale to this series. I was sorry to see it end, but this book was heart stopping, so many twists in the plots and danger to the characters. The pages flew by and the loose ends were tied up nicely. This was a series where each subsequent book was better than the proceeding one.
April 28, 2025
Read them all.
I don't read many series, but the Brendan Moran series is the best. I highly recommend starting at book one and just keep going. Some were better than others, but they are all good. Worth reading.
I don't read many series, but the Brendan Moran series is the best. I highly recommend starting at book one and just keep going. Some were better than others, but they are all good. Worth reading.
June 30, 2024
4/5. I will read more from this series. I learned some new, fun vocabulary and appreciated the group dynamics/group roles within the book-it helped me become more attune to TVs characters.
January 23, 2025
Great story. Some of the bad guys have been hanging around for a while. In this episode, Hunter wraps up some of the loose ends. That said, he also leaves the reader hanging as to what happens with Brendan. Good, tight plot with some unexpected conclusions.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews