The Dead of Oban: An Inspector Angus Blue mystery

Inspector Angus Blue #4

by Allan Martin

"…a book to die for, a gripping, international crime thriller” - Andrew J Greig

Lurking behind the peaceful facade of Oban, a picturesque west coast Scottish town, lies a mystery.

The disappearance of an unassuming bookshop owner lays bare a complex network of rare book theft. Detective Inspector Angus Blue, drawn into the case by the inexplicable circumstances surrounding Aino Carselaw’s disappearance, finds himself embarking on a challenging investigation where priceless books hold the key to a dangerous plot.

As Angus delves into Aino’s life he uncovers a passion for rare books that extends beyond her discreet backstreet bookshop. Her specialist expertise has attracted a secretive network of collectors, dealers, and thieves determined to possess these valuable books... and willing to kill for them.

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2024

Reviews

[Tiina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tõeliselt kuiv politseiromaan, mille tegevus on osaliselt seotud Eestiga - nimelt algab tegevus sellega, et Kaali kraatrist leitakse laip. Sellele järgneb uurimine peamiselt Šotimaal Obani linnakeses, kus surnud naine elas ja töötas haruldaste raamatute müügiga tegelenud poodnikuńa.

Kohati tundus, et autor üritab lugejale Eestit maha müüa, sest infot tuli tegelaste suust nagu okset. Õudselt väsitav oli lugeda ja usun, et see tüütaks ka mõnda teise päritoluga lugejat, lisaks oli kogu lugu kirja pandud kuivalt, ilma eriliste ilustuste ja kirjeldusteta, nii et muidu igati põnev lugu haruldastest raamatutest ja spionaažist (ja Eestist) ei kõnetanud mind rohkem kui et õppisin uue ladinakeelse sõna: incunabula.

[Evelyn Fenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable story with a twisty plot, a range of suspects who are more nuanced than simply black-and-white goodies and baddies.

In addition, readers are reunited with characters from previous novels who now feel like comfortable friends. Having said that, readers could dive into this without having read the other volumes in the series first.

The setting is one I know well, and it rings delightfully true.

[Martin Dey]

Fast paced police thriller with unusual and interesting crime

Everything of value is a potential target for international criminals and so it seems are old books. As with the other Inspector Blue books the plot grips you and moves along quickly with plausible police procedure and tactics. Interesting characters are introduced as post cold war Europe pits various players against each other in search of looted manuscripts (oh and a murderer).

[Anne MacLennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous story by Allan Martin, love his books. Had fun trying to picture the different places he had made up in Oban and knew most of where he meant. Brilliant twists and super read. Fact I live here made it extra special.

[shelagh milbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Great story found hard to put down . Would recommend to anyone who enjoys crime theologically a bit of espionage thrown in ,and it's all set around the West coast of Scotland .

[Jill Stirling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not bad.

[Christina Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoying reading this series. The storylines are great keeps you guessing making you want to read the book in a day. Can’t wait to read the next one.

[Niharika · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book! A good murder mystery, with more questions being asked while answering the original set of “whodunnit” questions. A little complicated at parts, but I enjoyed it!

[Antanina · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s an ok story, but doesn’t stand close to Ian Ranking or Alex Grey
Remove all sentences about the food and you’ll only have half a book.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprised by the rating for this. It’s overwritten, packed with spoon-fed exposition and pretentious dialogue, and the characters feel really incongruous (as an Obanite, I should know!).

Not my thing at all.