A Long Time Dead

Misty Isle #1

by J.M. Dalgliesh

You can’t stay dead forever…
A group of high school students gather on the Isle of Skye’s remote Coral Beach for a hedonistic night of partying to celebrate the passing of their finals. The new millennium is on the horizon and the future beckons, promising new hope and a fresh wind of optimism. In the coming days, many will leave the island for work or to study on the mainland, whereas others will remain on Skye and forge a more traditional path much as their families have done for centuries before them.

That is… all but one…

D.I. Duncan McAdam is dispatched home to the Misty Isle. A body has been found buried in a remote location on the Waternish peninsula. Well preserved in the peat, Isla Matheson – missing for the better part of two decades – is revealed to a shocked island community. A teenage runaway is dead… and no one is talking…

Joining a small team of detectives, Duncan is tasked with revisiting those who knew Isla, those who cared for her… and those with the potential to kill her… In a remote community well used to settling scores among themselves, will they trust one of their own when he asks questions or will they persevere with the façade of ignorance?

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

368 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2023

About the author

Jason Dalgliesh was born on the south coast of England and grew up in Hampshire, UK. He has worked in the power transmission industry, the retail sector, call centres and as a night-owl in a bakery. His greatest challenge of all is ongoing, as a stay at home parent.

He is presently writing the Dark Yorkshire crime-series, featuring DI Nathaniel Caslin.

The novels are set in Yorkshire, England. The medieval City of York is Caslin's home town and the plot lines take in some of the UK's most rugged and beautiful landscapes, from the windswept North Sea coastline and across the stunning North York Moors.

Penned in the style of the Crime Noir genre, Caslin is a deep character, as flawed as he is brilliant, battling his own demons as much as those he is pitted against. Readers who enjoy gritty, atmospheric thrillers will find the series a must read.

Having spent time abroad, Jason has lived and worked in various parts of England as well as the Scottish Highlands. He currently resides in the East Riding, with his wife and two young children.

You can reach him via his website at www.jmdalgliesh.com

You can also follow him on social media;
facebook.com/jmdalglieshauthor
twitter.com/darkyorkshire

Reviews

[Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-Stars for D.I. Duncan McAdam - A Long Time Dead
“Excellent - I Really Liked It”

This was a good introductory episode of the Misty Isle series, written by Jason Dalgliesh and narrated with a delightful Scots burr by Angus King.

D.I. Duncan McAdam was born and raised on the Isle of Skye, until he escaped his hated father's abuse and influence by moving to the mainland and joining the police force. Fifteen years later he returns to Skye as a member of a task force to assist in the case of a young girl whose buried body has been recently discovered, twenty years after she first went missing.

All the members of the task force, except Duncan, are mainlanders and the D.C.I. in charge has allocated Duncan to review the witness statements, etc, of the original missing teenager mystery, leaving the city detectives to undertake the 'real' work of solving the case of the discovered body.

Duncan manages to renew some old friendships, and enmities, as he at first reluctantly takes on his assigned task, but later he shows more enthusiasm as his enquiries begin to bear fruit. This has him at odds with the D.C.I. in charge, whose city detectives are following a different course in the investigation.

A very interesting resolution of the case created a most enjoyable audiobook.

From My Listening Activity:
March 18, 2025 @ 23.0%: "D.I. Duncan McAdam is back on the Isle of Skye. - A new series for me, delightfully narrated by the Angus King!"

March 22, 2025 @ 92.0%: "This has been a good, introductory episode of the Misty Isle series, featuring D.I. Duncan McAdam's return to The Isle of Skye. Narration by Angus King, as always, is exemplary. I'm looking forward to "#2, The Dead Man of Storr"

March 22, 2025 @ 99.0%: "A true police procedural. I particularly liked the acumen and sensitivity shown by the character of D.I. Duncan McAdam - well, most of the time, anyway! Angus King is a brilliant narrator. As a GR friend Natalie M once wrote, 'if he narrated an Insurance Disclosure, I would listen'."

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

It's always fun to start a brand new series and this book doesn't disappoint. The characters are interesting and well formed, with plenty of complexity and hidden motivation waiting to be revealed. The setting fits the story, a blustery and sometimes desolate island with tight knit communities. The culture of the community very much becomes a part of the mystery on an area where everyone generally knows everyone else's secrets.

[Lewis Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good detective story that gripped me in its mystery from start to finish ... but it is more than that ... it is an emotional depiction of people trying to find themselves even as they play out their roles in the story ... some succeed (for a time) and others do not ... great read

[Natalie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to a new series.

I picked this one purely for the narrator (Angus King) and how glad I am that I did. I have also purchased the remainder of the series.

What I am enjoying - a strong, damaged DCI, an interesting setting, and nothing too unbelievable.
DCI Duncan McAdam is just coming off a suspension when he’s ordered to report to Skye Island to help with a cold case. The body of a young girl who disappeared 20 years earlier has been found in the peat bog. Duncan grew up in Skye and now returns from Glasgow. The Isla cold case is set to save his career.

As with the start of a new series, it is not fast-moving but does lay solid foundations for future novels. Dagleish does an excellent fleshing out the characters and taking the reader to this remote location. I loved the realistic red herrings and the multiple possibilities.

Angus King is the perfect narrator.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, from the descriptive pieces about the land and even the weather, to each character you meet throughout. It gripped me from the start and I found myself trying to do the detective work alongside the main character. But what I really liked about the story was that nothing was forgotten about. There was times a clue was given or a piece of evidence said by another character, a suspect or witness, and I was afraid it would be left out as the story went on like a lot of books do. But no gap was left open, and I found everything to be addressed at one stage or another.

I wasn’t left with more questions like some crime books give you, I wasn’t left wondering how the detective got the result he did. When he asked a suspect or witness a question, I understood why he asked it and wasn’t left scratching my head wondering why, what significance that had. But despite all of that, I was still pulled into the story trying to figure it all out along side him.

[Colleen Chi-Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading this series and the author, as well as listening to the fabulous male narrator.

I really enjoyed the Scottish isle setting, all of the characters (who I look forward to in the next in the series), and the story was well written with twists and red herrings along the way.

I also really enjoyed the new to me narrator as well.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed A Long Time Dead: A D.I. Duncan McAdam Mystery (The Misty Isle) book 1 of 2 by J.M. Dalgliesh. This is the first crime thriller I have read by J.M. Dalgliesh. I also loved the humour D.I. Duncan McAdam has with his colleagues at the station.

A group of students are throwing a beach party on the isle of Skye in celebration of passing their final exams. Some were to leave the island to seek gainful employment but others would remain to carry on in their ancestor's footsteps and help their kinfolk.

Sadly a teenage runaway Isla is found dead after twenty years and the body has been preserved due to where it had been buried. D.I. Duncan McAdam has been ordered home to his roots to solve who murdered her.

Loved the way J.M. Dalgliesh described the elements and life on the isle it was graphic that as a reader I felt transported right to the island and community. Loved the Scottish slang words and the meaning of them at the end of the book. I was not disappointed.

[Lavins · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

What a delicious feeling!!! We have a new favourite series!!!!

D.I. Duncan McAdam is sent back on his native land, the Isle of Skye to investigate how a young woman died. Her body has been found buried in a remote location on the Waternish peninsula.

JM Dalgliesh does a great job painting a picture and building solid characters. Also, I love that he peppered the story with the dry, sarcastic humour specific to the Scottish people. I love it!!!

The story is compelling but the ending is absolutely brilliant!!

On to the next one!!!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new series set in Isle of Skye where a young detective is brought in from Glasgow to work on a murder case because he is from Skye. A body is found of a young woman who had been murdered years earlier, once a friend of the young man Duncan. Duncan has family challenges to deal with as well as this murder case and ugly truths have to be uncovered to solve this case.

Kindle Unlimited

[Nathan Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally finished, steady start to Sefton book club. Excited for a heartbreaking tear my heart out romance next.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the Dark Yorkshire Series and have been enjoying the Hidden Norfolk Series. Often, when an author starts writing a new series, it's not always easy to settle into the first book. This is definitely not the case with this first of The Misty Isle books.
The saying lost in a good book comes to mind or, in this case, captured from start to finish.
This is no doubt due to the author's unique way of writing. His descriptive of his characters and especially the setting of the Isle of Skye is wonderful, and it's so easy to visualise in your minds eye.
The gripping storyline and plot are well written with strong characters, revelations, and many a twist and turn to keep you guessing all the way through.
All in all, this is a most enjoyable book, and I would definitely recommend it.
I enjoyed it that much, I have pre ordered the next book in the series, and I am very much looking forward to reading it.
As always, I had this book on pre-order, but I would very much like to thank the author for the advanced copy.
This is my honest and unbiased review.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

i do love a scottish crime book, especially in the highlands so i might be a bit biased as i really enjoyed this

it did drag a wee bit in the middle, i didn’t expect the twist and i’m certain i’ll be reading the next book in this series

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great start to a police procedural series that holds a lot of promise. DI Duncan McAdam returns from Glasgow to his native Isle of Skye to help solve a 20 year-old mystery. The plot was tight, and the action moved right along. I've visited the Isle of Skye, and could picture the landscape in my mind's eye.

I switched back and forth between sight-reading, and listening to the audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by the incomperable Angus King. He makes any book requiring a Scottish accent a joy to listen to.

I didn't have the correct suspect identified until pretty much the end of the book. Hurrah! I will be cracking open the second book in the series soon. If you're looking for an engaging police procedural set in a small town in Scotland, then I'd highly recommend this as a series that might be a great fit for you.

[Heather Bowes-Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book club pick: This was good. The story was alright and there was some nice moments. Plus I am always a sucker for a romance sub plot. I think the most enjoyable bit for me though was recognising some of the places where I have visited and researching some of the others to try and link them together. I do think the overall “mood” of the book was good. It felt like Scotland if that made sense. I would read the next one if I was in the mood, not something I will rush to though.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t as face paced as I would have expected, was at times more curious to why the kid was called Russell than finding out about the main plot…. Of course nearing the end this changed. Overall enjoyed

[Cathy Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The major reason why I picked up A Long Time Dead was due to its setting: the Isle of Skye in Scotland. I've spent a few weeks there and wanted a return visit even though it would only be through the pages of a book. As far as the setting goes, this book is a gold mine. I could follow McAdam all around the island, recognizing all sorts of landmarks (even a grocery store that I shopped in in Portree).

The main character, D.I. Duncan McAdam, is on suspension from the Glasgow Police. He's been thrown out by his girlfriend, and as far as the police force goes, he's being passed around like a bad smell. Even his sister, who lives on Skye, isn't all that happy with him. Fortunately, he works well with the Portree police officers he's assigned to work with, and he gradually feels more comfortable in the area he left so many years ago.

While the setting and characterization were strong points for me, the mystery was not. Everything fell into place for me when one small item was revealed about one of the characters. Although that was disappointing, I will be reading more in the series because I know I want to return to Skye.

[Katy Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't bad, but wasn't great either unfortunately. There was quite a bit of repetition and waffling that could have been cut, and it was in need of a good editor for grammar and 'that word doesn't mean what you think it means' changes. The ages of the characters also seemed to move about a bit, along with the time Duncan had been away.

If I can implore the author to do one thing though, it's to never try and write Glaswegian speech again. Yer is not Weegie for 'you' it's 'your'. You comes out as either 'ya', as in 'ya bam' or 'ye' as in 'are ye dancin'?' Your comes out as 'yer' as in 'on yer bike'. To be very clear, 'did ye, aye?' doesn't generally have an 'oh' in front of it, and it's never, ever 'did yer, aye?'. Most of the places where it occurs in the book it's more likely 'aye, right' would be used in normal speech.

Yours, a Glaswegian.

[Dee (readaholic_dee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic start to a new series, not having read anything by this author before I went in with an open mind and I was totally hooked from the start.

Love the setting for the stories and it certainly adds to the atmosphere of the book. The characters are portrayed brilliantly and am looking forward to watching them grow.

Enjoyed it so much, read all three books one after another.

Happy Reading

[Paula Holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less engaging than the Hidden Norfolk series (and I’ve not read the Dark Yorkshire books) but will give the second one a go in case it’s just new characters settling down as I do love cozy crime!

[AJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Found it ok. The story itself was fine, slow & a little predictable. It took me two weeks to finish which shows how slow I found it. I didn’t vibe with the main character much - he was far too pouty & whingy. Maybe his character develops across the other books?

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dalgliesh’s prose vividly evokes the harsh—but sometimes beautiful—desolate and achingly lonely topography of the Isle of Skye, whose isolation is magnified by the fog which obscures a view of the island’s neighbors. The dismal weather is, well, atmospheric in both senses of the word.

(It appears that J.M. Dalgliesh might not be a pen name. The late P.D. James, another British mystery writer, named one of her detectives Adam Dalgliesh. J.M, Dalgliesh follows the same name format— two initials and last name—as the venerable P.D. James.)

In this first of the Misty Isle books, the development of a new detective, Skye native DI (detective inspector) Duncan McAdams, promises in future novels to be a mix of distant interpersonal relationships, re-adjustment to his (foreshadowed) continuing life on the island, grudging respect from a hostile DCI (detective chief inspector), and the inevitable romantic-interest reactivation. McAdams is at once vulnerable but tough, and aloof (but with a bit of emergent compassion). As the book starts, McAdams has not only been booted out by his girlfriend, but “summoned”—the upshot of a disciplinary reprimand associated with his job as a detective with Glasgow law enforcement—to the Isle of Skye, coincidentally, his familial home, to assist in solving a 20-year-old cold case.

It was a bit of a stretch that McAdams did not contact his sister before he made his way back to his family home after a decade of scarce contact.

I had trouble distinguishing between two work teams formed by the DCI on the Isle of Skye: the local contingent and what seemed like a different secondary local group. Nevertheless, the crusty DS MacEachern was an able foil to the sometimes stiff DI McAdams.

Dalgliesh took a chance (on offending the hyper-uptight) in the choice of secondary characters’ traits. I thought it was refreshing. (Stopping there to avoid spoilers.)

The manuscript could use the attention of a stern editor. I hate to be “that person,” but Dalgliesh’s previous books, as well as this one, are peppered with misplaced modifying phrases. Disclaimer: This language device might be acceptable in the UK. I am from the United States, where it is denigrated.

Sitting down on the grass bank, Ghrobain rose up behind her, a solitary hill standing watch over Coral Beach. The introductory phrase (“Sitting down on the grass bank” modifies the mountain, Ghrobain, as if the mountain were sitting on the grass bank.)

Unaware of her presence, Roslyn stood in the doorway, one arm across her chest. (In this case, the implication is that Roslyn was unaware of another female person’s presence. In context, though, McAdams was unaware of Roslyn’s presence.)

Not a misplaced modifying phrase, but, well, curious.
Finishing the call, he walked back to stand on Karen’s shoulder. (No, uniformed officers had not wrestled Karen to the floor.)

Twice in the course of one page, McAdams smacked his lips and raised his eyebrows, once for the benefit of the DCI’s administrative assistant, then a moment later for his supervisor, the DCI.

I’ve enjoyed getting acquainted with the sympathetic detectives in most of the Hidden Norfolk and Dark Yorkshire novels; they are a tough act to follow. Long Time Dead would be a good escapism vehicle for whodunit fans. I'm looking forward to my next visit to the Misty Isle.

[Mr Mark Hawksford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Long Time Dead -

I have read all of the Hidden Norfolk series and thoroughly enjoyed them. This was the first in this new series and I suppose some of the book was setting up the characters and laying the foundations for future books. I seem to remember, book 1 of the Hidden Norfolk series was similar. I enjoyed the story, especially around the police work and believe that future books will stand up to the authors previous writing. 4.5 out of 5 for me. I believe it will be a grower as it continues.

[John Beaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know Skye intimately so I was impressed with the fine, thoroughly researched descriptions of the island. The mystery was well-plotted and engaging. The ending was a bit telegraphed but it's hard to line up a mystery conclusion without threads that lead to it. That said, it was a clean finish with no loose ends. And the characters had personalities, nicely elicited by the fine audiobook narration.

I would have given it 5 stars but found it marred by aspects of the writing.

There was some redundancy that slowed the pace. The descriptions, especially of the weather, were overdone in places and too repetitive. I didn't need to know who opened which car door and how they got out to have the occupants of a vehicle arrive at a house and approach it. And I found the use of opening participle clauses wearisome. Too many actions were written in the form "X-ing Y-ly, he/she did Z." I found the same thing with dialogue beats, where every exchange seemed to require too many smiles, hand gestures, or over-explanation (as in "she frowned with annoyance").

The audiobook narration was for the most part excellent even without a proper Skye accent.

Despite these distractions, the author took me to Skye authentically and the book engaged me. I enjoyed it and will read the full series.

[Mrs J M Carden · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a decent story let down by poor editing.

A decent, if rather predictable, story, let down by poor editing. Hopefully, as the series continues, this will improve. It is a problem that seems to occur regularly with books from Kindle Unlimited, one has to wonder whether authors ever bother re reading what they write when they can publish direct without recourse to an agent, professional editor or publisher.

[Pria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing but predictable. The slew of characters involved can throw you a bit but that's what makes it interesting.

Duncan is your typical sleuth-ish grump. His layers are still very tightly packed making him sort of closed off but I guess that's his charm.

Alistair makes it fun with his quips. They make a good pair.

Overall, a good time read.

[Morag · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unoriginal and slow. Attempts at writing dialect fail, otherwise well enough written. Peter May does it much better.

[Debby Hallett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sorry, there were too many irrelevant ant characters and it took a long time for the story to develop. I may try one more to see if the series improves.

[Abigail Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘A Long Time Dead’ is book one of the Misty Isle Series. It introduces us to DI Duncan McAdam, a detective struggling with his personal life who is dispatched to the Misty Isle after the body of Isla Matheson is found after twenty long years. Isla was long suspected as being a teenage runaway after she vanished after attending a beach party, but now it’s looking as though she was murdered. Can Duncan help his new small team of detectives to solve the case, or will everyone keep silent?

I really enjoyed this book! The author describes the scenery incredibly well and I found the main protagonist and other characters extremely likeable and at times funny. The protagonist is likeable, but also shown as being far from perfect which made them easy to relate to. The plot itself kept me engaged and I loved how I was unable to solve the crime before the end due to the number of twists and turns.

The ending was fantastic and I loved how Duncan was able to put together the pieces right at the very last minute!

Overall, a great introduction to the series and I can’t wait to read the next one!

[Anja Nicolaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I‘m always happy when discovering a new crime series I like, knowing there are further books with the same characters ahead of me, and I‘m particularly so with this Misty Isles series, as the setting is very present to me after recently traveling to and across Skye and the Outer Hebrides.
Apart from the great setting this first book of the series is a compelling who-dunnit and introduces a likable cast of diverse characters. I‘m definitely looking forward to reading the next one!

[Susann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

I enjoyed the Norfolk series and this first in another saga set on the Isle of Skye surpasses even that. A thoughtful portrayal of DI McAdam returning to his home roots, making peace with his family past and solving a mysterious "murder" twenty years after the fact.
The setting sounds mesmerizing and I can't wait to back to the Hebrides. Looking forward to the next one.