Easy Kill

Rhona MacLeod #5

by Lin Anderson

One grave. Two bodies. How many more? A young woman - a prostitute - has been brutally slain and left across a grave in Glasgow's sprawling cemetery, the Necropolis. Rhona Macleod, called in to carry out forensic investigations, has no doubt that the depraved killer's motives were sexual.When the removal of the girl's corpse from the city of the dead reveals another woman recently buried underneath, the case takes on a disturbing new dimension. This man has killed before - and will again. When another girl is reported missing, Rhona knows she has to track him down and stop the pattern from repeating itself.

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

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2008

About the author

Lin Anderson was born in Greenock of Scottish and Irish parents. A graduate of both Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities, she has lived in many different parts of Scotland and also spent five years working in the African bush. A teacher of Mathematics and Computing, she began her writing career four years ago. Her first film, Small Love, which was broadcast on STV, was nominated for TAPS writer of the year award 2001. Her African short stories have been published in the 10th Anniversary Macallan collection and broadcast on BBC Radio Four.

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Definitely 4.5 Stars!**

This fascinating Scottish thriller is the 5th outing of the "Rhona MacLeod" series.

Storytelling is excellent, the characters are very believable and lifelike, and the gloomy and anxious atmosphere during the investigations, while abductions, mutilations and killings are happening in a most horrendous fashion, come wonderfully off the pages.

This thriller is situated in and around Glasgow, and with Dr Rhona MacLeod, her friend DI Bill Wilson, DS McNab and not to forget Rhona's assistant, Chrissy, in full action to try to catch this devious killer.

During these investigations they are assisted by a psychologist who goes by the name of Magnus Pirie, who's introduced at this special case as an extra hand and for his expertise on all things psychological.

The victims of these horrible murder are all very young prostitutes, a group of sometimes desperate but also hard working and outspoken people who are easily and often forgotten by the general public, and all are mutilated and killed by a murderer who's nickname is Gravedigger.

These young women are at first found brutally slain in a grave in Glasgow's cemetery called, the Necropolis, and this will be the starting point for more bloody murders to follow and at the same time it will be a game of cat and mouse that is played between the Justice Department, with the Police and Forensics at the head, and this devious and cunning perpetrator of murders.

What is to follow is a convincing and suspenseful thriller, the best so far in my opinion, in which Rhona MacLeod and her colleagues from Forensics and Police will have their hands full with this cunning killer, but through combined determination, luck and wit they will be able to apprehend this vicious killer and bring him to justice in the end.

Highly recommended to anyone who likes a fast-paced thriller filled with heroics and horrors combined with all its dangerous, sinister and murderous actions, and if that is the case then let me say that this book is for you, and that's why I like to call this captivating episode: "A Very Enthralling Killer Read"!

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely the best of the series so far. Helped by sticking to Glasgow and the surrounds, with an engrossing plot. Bonus points for mentioning Hogganfield Loch, near to where I grew up, and definitely the only time I have read it featured in a novel!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very different to my normal genres but Will definitely read more of the series, very readable. Thanks Michelle! 🙏🏻

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, but I'm finding I have to suspend belief more than I usually need to in a crime novel.

Rhona is a scientist, not a cop. The situations she gets herself into just aren't believable.

Time to step back from the series for a bit.

[Chad James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bookish Books Reading Challenge & #LibraryLoveChallenge

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good. Getting better with each new book in the series

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been ‘binge-reading’ the Scottish Noir series, Rhona MacLeod by Lin Anderson. I am up to Rhona MacLeod #5, EASY KILL.
I like starting a series with its first title, the first chapter as it were. The characters, the locations, the plots, the narratives - every aspect of the series develops and improves.
With EASY KILL, our main characters are back - Forensic Scientist Rhona MacLeod, Assistant Chrissy McInsh, DI Bill Wilson, DS Michael McNab, Pathologist Dr. Sissons, Rhona’s on again-off again lover, Sean and many other familiar police officers and family members. Of course, there are new faces as well. The best (and worst) features of Glasgow are show-cased.
EASY KILL is not an easy book to read, with its gritty and brutal story line.
EASY KILL does reflect all the characteristics of a brilliant noir series - cynical, fatalistic and morally ambiguous.

[Agnieszka Higney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite stale police procedural.Very graphic violence,very disturbing murders of prostitutes in Glasgow's Necropolis.Moves along on a steady but slow pace.None of the characters are very well described or have anything interesting about them.It's an ok read,but nothing special.Not for me.

[Adelyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

This was good! I didn't like the theme to start, I thought the killing of prostitutes was similar to one of the earlier books in the series, and I was enjoying this series for the different theme that Lin Anderson comes up with each time but the plot was built up very differently and I ended up getting really invested. Especially when Rhona and Magnus go missing . Very well-narrated as well, I felt claustrophobic together with our characters as although I am well aware that there are more books in the series (I've even started listening to the next one already) therefore Rhona must have survived the ordeal, I did worry for Magnus. And what happened between Rhona and Sean as a result I didn't see coming, and do think is a pity as I liked him in her life, thought he provided a bit of a non-police avenue for her to release and some stability in her life .

[Aisha Al Baloushi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Forgettable. I think having the multiple povs without having the characters fleshed out makes it a bit meh. I am aware this is book 5 in a series but I feel like you should still be able to tell the characters apart. It was sitting at 4 stars but the more I read the more I had to suspend belief and when books are supposed to be rooted in science - she’s a scientist after all. It feels like some things are a stretch too far. I read a rebus book before this and even tho it was book 24 I felt like I could tell the characters apart better.

And don’t get me started on Magnus being like I love Rhona out the blue

[Andy Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I find myself so glad that I finally got around to starting Lin Anderson’s Rhona MacLeod novels. Easy Kill finds the intrepid Glasgow forensic pathologist and investigator on the trail of a serial killer after a number of dead and defiled women are found buried. Anderson manages to fit so much into her stories and keeps you turning the pages well after the bedroom light should have been turned off! She’s worth the sleepy mornings though and Easy Kill is another brilliant read, with red herrings, twists and intrigue throughout.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If any forensic scientist tells you their job is not exciting, laugh.
Rhona has her work cut out when two girls are found buried in one grave, one recently and the other a little earlier.
A further look at the graveyard produces another recently killed girl.
It was strange having Magnus Pirie turn up [having recently read Bloody Scotland]
I enjoy Rhona's friendship with Chrissy and McNab but not with Sean. I have never liked him.

[Lora King · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books get better and better...great series...Prostitutes are being killed by a serial killer who is taunting the police. A new character Magnus Pirie a profiler joins the group and sparks are flying between Rhona and him even though she won't admit it really...I will say I hope Sean leaves because I do not like his character at all. Bill is having a hard time with his sick wife and then the killer strikes close to home.

[Michael Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just rereading this book after some month since I purchased new from Waterstones. 230 pages today and enjoying again, despite not remembering the ending…and looking to read lots more. All her stories set in well recognised Scottish settings..my daughter had her office in Glasgow University just as Rhonda has and in a very similar place..and will buy more of Lins books in the future..highly addictive series!

[Siobhan Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a Law and Order fan, I loved how detailed Lin got with the investigations and the reasoning behind serial killer motives ect.
The story is based in Scotland and they spoke a lot
about certain landmarks, which confused me a little. But it didn't take away from the story.
Will definitely read more of Lin Anderson.

[David Meldrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best of the series so far, a bleakly exciting serial killer story. The second half verges on horror, and is all the more effective for it; the only undermining feature is the implausibly dumb decisions that two key characters take separately. But the rest of the story is good enough for this not to be a major problem.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spontaneous irrational violence against women and murders of women are featured, so I am not rating this one highly. At what point do we start to wonder if all these books featuring crimes against women are feeding the epidemic of crimes against women?
A star for the setting in Glasgow and a female main character.

[georgie nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read. Plot,characters are fantastic. Will certainly recommend this book to all my friends.

Another fantastic read. Lion Anderson 's books are page turners from beginning to end. A recommendation to all my friends

[Lisa Keeble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was engaging right from the start, the story moved at a great pace and the characters were well developed and interesting. This is the first book I've read from this author but it certainly won't be the last!

[Phil Aldis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Lin Anderson's Rhona MacLeod series. This one felt disappointing. The plot didn't seem to hold together well in parts. Characters actions and motivations didn't seem to be credible for those characters.

[Bailey (Myveinsbleedink) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting better and better......this one was gripping and suspenseful. Loved all the characters, curious where Magnus is going to land. I'm frankly over Sean and unfortunately McNab is growing on me but i'm just waiting for him to show his true wankerness. Book 6 here I come.

[Myshelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young prostitute is found murdered; just the beginning of a series of events in this gripping crime thriller featuring forensic expert Rhona.

[Lesley Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent author great story

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ehhhh I dunno

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

[Jennifer Rendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real page turner for me, very dramatic, lost a few hours reading this last night!

[Jean Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good listening. Interesting characters tho a bit predictable. A bit gruesome.

[Linda Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit dark …didn’t realise it was part of a series.

[Dilys Myhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read, will read more from this author.