A Shadow on the Door

DI Rob Marshall #4

by Ed James

In the heart of the Scottish Borders, Gary Hislop is expanding his criminal empire and his lethal grasp is tightening around the area. But as he opens his Kelso hardware store one morning, a sudden attack on him sets off a chain of events that even he couldn't predict.

Enter DI Rob Marshall and his team. As Marshall delves into the incident, he finds himself ensnared in a web of deceit, where every alliance is suspect and every door casts a long shadow. The organization protecting Hislop is impenetrable and, within Marshall's own ranks, trust is a rare commodity.

Familiar faces may conceal dark secrets and newcomers to the team might be driven by agendas of their own. As the case unfolds, the question becomes not only who attacked Hislop, but who inside Marshall's own team is leaking vital information to the underworld?

With time running out, can Marshall rally his team to uncover the truth? Will he unearth the betrayal within and bring the guilty to justice?

A Shadow on the Door is a pulse-pounding police procedural that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, unable to turn away from the mystery that lurks behind every corner. In a world where no one can be trusted, one man must fight to reveal the truth. The shadows are deep, and the door is closing. Can you solve the mystery before it's too late?

If you love darkly funny crime fiction, binge the DI Rob Marshall series

Genres: Crime, Audiobook

454 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2023

Reviews

[Gill Stollery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and the characters. Will continue to read them

[Mary Ann Olsztyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok. In order to like a series you need to like the characters. This is starting to have more non likeable characters then likeable ones. I think I’m done with this series.

[Alan Middlemass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice mix of comedic, dramatic, chaotic and at times the unbelievable.

I have a problem reading this series because I lived and worked in the places that he mentioned albeit 4 decades ago. Even the prequel started with Gala police station that I had cause to visit a couple of times!

In one book he sent Marshall into Durham and Northumberland and I found, as with this book and the previous that my attention wandered back into memories. And I had to re-read chunks.

As with all his titles there is constant movement. In this series he had me doubting the time taken between locations.

He resurrected Bain from the Cullen series as Elliott, I think, and Shunty seems to fill the Elvis role as competent but butt of others humour. And Marshall struggles to be the hero as does Fenchurch, Cullen and Hunter while Jolene and Kirsten get the work done like Sharon McNeill in Cullen, Hunter and a few Vicky Dodds but under the radar.

And is Struan a version of Jason Bell.

A wicked punishment for Marshall as a climax.

[Berenice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not one of James’ best efforts. It started well but The plot was fairly weak and a lot of pages were spent on the highly unlikely reveal of Rob and Jen’s real father along with a favoured half-sibling. This was a page filler to cover for the lack of plot - it’s really a short story padded out.
Some potentially interesting themes and characters could have been given more depth.
With only 2 suspects initially it was hard to see where this could go, and the outcome was odd and frankly not very credible.
It was good to see some characters return such as Shunty and Kirsten.

[Carolien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary Hislop has plans to expand both his chain of hardware stores and his drugs empire across the Scottish Borders and beyond, but a hit-and-run accident one morning puts a dampener on his plans. The team is confronted with the fact that the vehicle used in the accident may belong to one of their own and DCI Pringle is behaving even more eccentrically than usual. The arrival two members from Professional Standards adds to the tension with personal implications for Rob himself. Complex and fast-paced with a deep emotional impact, highly recommend.

[Neil Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book as I did the first 3 in series before this one.
From the off Hislop a local bad man gets run down outside his hardware store.
Rob Marshall investigates & his world turned upside down when he discovers his father is Superintendent Milne who abandoned Rob & sister Jen when they were 7. There is so much going on with leaks in the investigation & familiar face Shunty is now with boss Milne investigating cops. Really good storytelling from brilliant author

[K Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous series

I'm really enjoying this new series, it just gets better. Lots of tangled webs and surprises in this one for Rob and his team. A new DS replaces Shunty although Shunty is still very much involved in another capacity. I found it very hard to put down and can't wait until the next book.

[Dorothy Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerising

The series came as a great surprise. The relationship between Rob and his twin, Jen and his girlfriend Kirsten. A brilliant, if unusual, storyline that's kept me hooked with different twists and turns. Keeping the killers identity until the very end and I'd no idea . Looking forward to the next book!

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one of the series

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Writing chapters from each of the key characters perspective is refreshing and kept me fully engaged. Usually find the repetitiveness of a series character back story very dull after 2nd book. However, this book managed to spring some excellent surprises. Thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks Ed.

[Sebastian Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainly upped the game again with this novel! Bombshells dropped throughout which certainly makes for an interesting read. Never would have guessed who was the "leak" everyone was after.
Too easy to give spoilers with so much going on, so I will keep quiet and leave it to you to find out.
Just another brilliant story.

[Liz Krummell · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite so far. The story was all over the place - new characters were written as clichés. Person arrested as the leaker was a big surprise. Other characters were all over the place. Why do all the officers have cars that barely work?

[Jenny Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob Marshall book 4

Really enjoyed reading the 4 books in this series but book 4 is my favourite.
Loved the characters, the plot and how everything comes together. I hope there is more to come. Thanks Ed James.

[Janice Colebrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do enjoy these books, and in this one the surprises come thick and fast, almost unbelievably so but despite this it is a very engrossing read with a motley mix of characters old and new. Air opens enough questions that it made me wonder what comes next, so I’ve preordered the next already

[M R B Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two tales

Marshall is getting himself in to the swing of things. Relationship with family blossoms and as a result of the investigation the past catches up with him. The team does well but the future may be different.

[David Nicoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read

I'm starting to get into the main character and enjoying each book even more as the back stories develop. There's plenty to keep you entertained and a few oh my god moments you don't see coming. I thoroughly recommend reading this book.

[Joanne Fairbrother · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series gets better and better but I have a question.... SPOILER ALERT

How did they find the cottage at the end with Pringle, Balfour and Chunk in it? I don't recall any mention of the work that led them there.. What did I miss?!

[Shirley]

Continuing the story of Chunky assassin. Info on what's wrong with Pringle, as his behaviour gets worse and he's suspected of attempting to murder drug dealer/hardware businessman Gary Hislop. And the mystery of Marshall's long missing dad.

[Elizabeth Tafoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing and consuming!

Really enjoyed this book, as I have the three previous DI Rob Marshall books. The plot twists are amazing! Also totally loved the author's character development. You MUST read this book!

[Janice Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and turns galore!

[Tracy Greenwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure brilliance

As always! Gritted teeth and lots of twists. Another to add to my favourites and I highly recommend this and all of Ed’s other books.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

another good read

I’m really enjoying this series set in the Scottish Borders. We learn a lot more about the characters in this instalment. Looking forward to the next book!

[Inez · Rating 1 out of 5]

So bad - can’t believe the author of the Fenchurch series could write such trash. No more.

[Christina Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant as usual couldn’t put it down.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My least favourite in the series so far but still a very enjoyable read, not sure I can wait until April for the next one.

[Douglas Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family & cabbages only add to the entertainment in this latest episode.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

better than the last one

A lot easier to follow than the last book, it was a vast improvement overall.
May raven be tempted to get the next one!

[Terry Slaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rip-roaring tale of complex relationships unfolding in the Scottish Borders after an attempt is made on the life of a local crime kingpin. Well-told!

[Paul Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

My opinion is that this book is possibly Ed's best work so far. It was gripping with lots of twists. Characters are developing nicely.

Thank You Ed

[Blake Borate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Lots of twists and interesting turns. Well done.

[darielle morritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Big fan of all Ed James detectives and Marshall doesnt disappoint. Adding his father into the mix is genius. Thank you