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Keith Calder #1-8

Keith Calder Scottish Mysteries Books 1–8

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In this 8-book set:

BOOK 1: DEAD GAME
Gunsmith Keith Calder is at a shooting party in the Scottish borders when a fellow guest is shot. His professional expertise means Keith becomes embroiled in this baffling murder. But the closer he gets to the truth, the more danger he’s in himself.

BOOK 2: THE REWARD GAME
Keith’s wife Molly returns to her parked car to find a body inside. Then Keith himself is attacked as he retrieves the car. The Calders are clearly targets, but why? The answers take them far from their rural home to the heart of bustling Glasgow.

BOOK 3: THE REVENGE GAME
In Newton Lauder the canal overflows, exposing a skeleton. The police ask Keith for help, but as he assists them he receives a deadly threat. Can Keith’s hunting instinct lead him to the murderer before he or his wife are killed?

BOOK 4: FAIR GAME
Eccentric millionaire Ray Grass dies in an apparent accident, carrying a loaded gun. Keith knows this is no accident. With a long list of suspects who would benefit from Ray’s death, Keith must find the murderer before he himself becomes a target.

BOOK 5: THE GAME
In a high-class brothel, an incident occurs bearing all the hallmarks of a bloody murder. But with no body and no clues about the apparent deceased, the case looks hopeless. Keith attempts to uncover the truth as a group of powerful politicians attempt to silence him for good.

BOOK 6: COUSIN ONCE REMOVED
On holiday in France, Keith finds a pair of antique duelling pistols. On his return, a politician tries to buy them for a hefty sum. Then an attempt is made on Keith’s life. Is it connected to the pistols? Keith is determined to find out before it’s too late.

BOOK 7: SAUCE FOR THE PIGEON
A burnt-out Land Rover is found with a body in the driver's seat. Inspector Munro enlists Keith’s help. All evidence points to Keith’s friend Jake Paterson as the culprit. Keith must work quickly to save his friend and bring the true killer to justice.

BOOK 8: PURSUIT OF ARMS
A lorry with a cargo of guns is attacked outside Keith’s workshop, leaving two men dead. Keith starts to investigate, but the case takes a personal turn when a family member is kidnapped. Keith must find the hijackers before it ends in brutal murder.

1612 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2023

1163 people are currently reading
46 people want to read

About the author

Gerald Hammond

100 books19 followers
Gerald Hammond, (Gerald Arthur Douglas Hammond) son of Frederick Arthur Lucas (a physician) and Maria Birnie (a nursing sister) Hammond; married Gilda Isobel Watt (a nurse), August 20, 1952; children: Peter, David, Steven. Education: Aberdeen School of Architecture, Dip. Arch., 1952. He served in the British Army, 1944-45. Although born in Bournemouth, Hampshire, England, he worked in and retired to the country he most loved, Scotland.

He also writes under the names of Arthur Douglas and Dalby Holden. He was an architect for thirty years before retiring to write novels full-time in 1982. He has written over 50 novels since the late 1960s.

His novels center around guns, shooting, hunting, fishing, and dog training.

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5 stars
588 (62%)
4 stars
255 (27%)
3 stars
76 (8%)
2 stars
13 (1%)
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8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Lesley Williamson.
145 reviews
December 13, 2025
These novels are fine but there is a lot of detail about firearms which are an integral part of the plots and certainly of particular interest for the main character. However, it's not of any special interest for me!
Although the setting is recognisable for me, I don't find the main character particularly sympathetic and a lot of time is spent on his past behaviour and the idea that he is often torn between his wife and his predilection for fancying - and sleeping with - other women. It's almost as if we need to feel sorry for him having to behave! Which I don't!
I felt that I had to read the entire box set of novels as they were on my Kindle. However, I read them over a long period and although I was determined to complete them, I didn't particularly enjoy them .
9 reviews
August 25, 2024
I have enjoyed reading Book 1-8 and have just purchased the follow on series. Keith Calder is as familiar to me now as a member of my family would be and I follow his misadventures and positive results with enthusiasm. These stories are an easy and entertaining read, there is nothing to stimulating or worrisome to keep one from ones sleep so I often read them in bed and sleep soundly thereafter.
The author, develops the characters as you follow the story line from book to book. You see him marry and develop a business, change from a rake into in Keith's words become a happy married businessman. I'll tell you no more about these books because I am afraid of letting the cat out of the bag. They are not set in the modern era but are not to far in the past as to be dated. Enjoy, as i'm sue you will be.
Profile Image for A.J..
622 reviews8 followers
January 12, 2024
Excellent fun for cozy mystery readers

Scottish life in the 1980s provides the setting for this series starring gunsmith Keith Calder, his family and friends. Shooting sports and gun dogs figure prominently, so not recommended for anyone who cringes at the thought of killing birds or animals, whether for food or population control (shooting some to keep many from starving). Keith is a delightful character with a quick mind, sharp eyes and steady hands. Molly, Janet, Deborah and Penny are strong female characters who defy stereotypes and hold their own. I would like to read more about all of them.
201 reviews2 followers
December 31, 2023
Fun, funny and devious

Great mysteries centered in the 1980s in rural Scotland. Keith Calder is a hunter, a gunsmith, and seller and expert in rare arms. Loved learning what hunts are on the great estates in Great Britain and about poaching and keepers and guns. Throw in a bit of Scottish slang and a fascinating cast of supporting characters and this is a memorable series.
12 reviews
February 6, 2024
Oh I really did enjoy these books. What got me so into them was the last two/three intense chapters where Keith explained and picked to pieces the crime to let you know who dun 'it. I didn't want to put them down. It was great binge reading 8 books I was always wanting to get to the end to now what happened but didn't want to finish, if you know what I mean.
601 reviews9 followers
August 6, 2024
Kieth Calder Scottish Mysteries Books 1-8 Box Sets Book 2

I have enjoyed reading these books. Keith Calder writes a really good tale with plenty of humour and lots of information. I love the countryside and many of the tales are really all about maintaining it. I can recommend that you read these books if you understand country laws.
Profile Image for jean barnes.
227 reviews3 followers
August 28, 2024
Amazing

Absolutely intriguing, wonderful books, great characters and a mixture of adventure and mysteries. Such feats of imagination are to be admired. The setting and background story fit in well with the stories. The relationships within the main and regular characters are a pure delight
134 reviews
January 24, 2024
Fun Reading!

Characters are personable and fun. The stories and crimes are well thought out and show great imagination. The hero lives up to his reputation sometimes albeit right on the edge. Great easy read series. Very enjoyable.
59 reviews2 followers
March 23, 2024
Keith to the rescue

Great stories, and characters. From the first book I couldn't put them down. The knowledge about gun was so informative. Looking forward to the next eight books. Hope they are equally awesome.
32 reviews
November 24, 2024
Thrilling and detailed

If you love intrigue, good plots and shooting (sport) you will love these books. Thrilling snd detailed without being bogged down in trivial detail. String characters snd good wit
Profile Image for David Nicoll.
47 reviews
September 20, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyable

A completely different take on the crime novels I normally read but I thoroughly enjoyed this set. I'm even learning a bit about guns, shooting, birds, tracking, and so on. I highly recommend these.
91 reviews
January 17, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed the series great storylines loved the characters and plots. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series
8 reviews
January 29, 2024
KEITH CALDER SCOTTISH MYSTERIES

Love the characters, the Scottish inflection give substance to the plot,and transports the reader directly to a small Scottish village.




14 reviews
March 12, 2024
Keep them coming

Absolutely loved this series. Am hoping to read the rest of the Keith Calder books. Loved the characters; Molly, Janet, Wal, Murn(sp). Keep them coming Gerals
4 reviews
May 11, 2024
Certainly diffeent good stories plenty of twists and turns. Just started on 9-16 hope they are as good.
Profile Image for Jackie Hallam.
14 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2024
Quite enjoyable, misogyny excepted!

Obviously of their time, but kind of enjoyed them nonetheless, despite the frequent inferences of male superiority and female inferiority.
53 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2024
Unusual

I thoroughly enjoyed all 8 books. Murder, mystery, love and laughter
all blended to make for unputdownable gripping books. Great
11 reviews
October 8, 2024
Good value

Bought first box set at a good price. 8 easy reads plus picked up some knowledge on guns. Purchased second box set already.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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