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DCI McNeill #2
Strains of Innocence
A cold-blooded killer. A twisted mind. A unique agenda.Battling unresolved trauma from his past, Mac is pitted against his most devious adversary yet.DCI McNeill, leading Edinburgh’s Serious Crime Unit, faces a case that defies logic when a series of chilling murders thrusts him into a treacherous hunt for justice. The killer, once at the peak of power, now orchestrates his schemes from the shadows, weaving a complex web of deceit. Harbouring a sinister agenda, his clever manipulation challenges McNeill's every instinct, escalating tension, distrust, and confusion, both professionally and personally. The investigation takes a harrowing turn when Clio and her daughter are ensnared in the killer's intricate plot. As the true scale of the deception emerges and more lives hang in the balance, McNeill races against the clock in a desperate bid to save the next victim. Alongside his detective constable, he confronts the peril head-on, staking his sanity, his job and his life to prove the truth. But with the clock ticking and everything to lose, will he get there in time?Strains of Innocence is the second DCI McNeill crime thriller.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2024
139 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline New
11 books22 followersBecome a VIP. Subscribe to The New Crime Club for latest news and updates at: https://jacquelinenew.com/new-crime-c...
Jacqueline New is the author of the popular DCI McNeill Scottish crime thrillers. A series featuring #1 books in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.
Born in Yorkshire she worked in the world of art and design after qualifying as an interior designer.
Following ten-years writing historical and contemporary murder mysteries, in 2023 she introduced DCI McNeill of the Edinburgh Serious Crime Unit. Noir thrillers for readers who enjoy dark atmospheric police procedurals.
The series is now published by Vinci Books and both audio and foreign editions are currently in the works.
Having lived and worked in various parts of the UK and abroad, she now resides in her home town in Yorkshire.
Jacqueline New is the author of the popular DCI McNeill Scottish crime thrillers. A series featuring #1 books in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.
Born in Yorkshire she worked in the world of art and design after qualifying as an interior designer.
Following ten-years writing historical and contemporary murder mysteries, in 2023 she introduced DCI McNeill of the Edinburgh Serious Crime Unit. Noir thrillers for readers who enjoy dark atmospheric police procedurals.
The series is now published by Vinci Books and both audio and foreign editions are currently in the works.
Having lived and worked in various parts of the UK and abroad, she now resides in her home town in Yorkshire.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 18, 2024
The 2nd book in the DCI McNeill series is even better than the first! This is a great book if you like a dark, bloody noir mystery/police procedural. The characters (especially the title DCI) are different and interesting, and the plot is full of action and motors along briskly. Police office politics and culture wars just add to the fun. I really could hardly put it down… except when the anxiety of what might be about to happen got to be too much, and I had to take a break.
My only quibble about the book is that I wish it had been longer. It clocks in at a very compact 257 pages, and I think it could easily have gone 300 to 350. I felt that there were issues and characters that deserved a deeper look, in particular the serial killer. The setup is terrific, but he doesn't get the full story he deserves. His final scene, where he suddenly explains himself, felt rushed.
All in all, a really excellent read. Can't wait for the next book in the series!
Full disclosure: I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions expressed here are my own.
My only quibble about the book is that I wish it had been longer. It clocks in at a very compact 257 pages, and I think it could easily have gone 300 to 350. I felt that there were issues and characters that deserved a deeper look, in particular the serial killer. The setup is terrific, but he doesn't get the full story he deserves. His final scene, where he suddenly explains himself, felt rushed.
All in all, a really excellent read. Can't wait for the next book in the series!
Full disclosure: I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions expressed here are my own.
February 7, 2024
A Great Psychological Thriller.
Strains of Innocents I was impressed with this book by Jacqueline New. This is book 2 and is a great thriller, and I was hooked from page one. It is the story of DCI McNeill, who is at the helm of Edinburgh’s Serious Crime Unit and his team who have a serial killer whose scale of the deception emerges, and many lives hang in the balance. McNeill and his team must race against the clock in a desperate bid to save the next victim.
It is an intricate plot that has plenty of twists and turns that where truly believable. A Good story with great characters which is a thrilling adventure that I highly recommend. A book which is Excellent pacing, intriguing characters, and an action-packed plot line. Do not miss this one.
I highly recommend this book. Thanks to BookSirens and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntary.
Strains of Innocents I was impressed with this book by Jacqueline New. This is book 2 and is a great thriller, and I was hooked from page one. It is the story of DCI McNeill, who is at the helm of Edinburgh’s Serious Crime Unit and his team who have a serial killer whose scale of the deception emerges, and many lives hang in the balance. McNeill and his team must race against the clock in a desperate bid to save the next victim.
It is an intricate plot that has plenty of twists and turns that where truly believable. A Good story with great characters which is a thrilling adventure that I highly recommend. A book which is Excellent pacing, intriguing characters, and an action-packed plot line. Do not miss this one.
I highly recommend this book. Thanks to BookSirens and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntary.
February 20, 2024
The second book involving DCI McNeill of the serious crime unit in Edinburgh. His personal life is looking up as his relationship with Clio and her daughter develops however McNeill is suffering from the trauma in his past and is avoiding the counselling he's being told to attend. There is a vicious killer who needs to be caught but McNeills problems get in the way and he finds himself in conflict with colleagues and unsure of the loyalty of some of his team.
Although not entirely necessary it would probably help to have read the previous book Scars of the Past. I thought the ending a little rushed but none the less a good read, full of interesting characters. I'm looking forward to the next instalment and so I gladly recommend this to fans of this genre.
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this independent review voluntarily.
Although not entirely necessary it would probably help to have read the previous book Scars of the Past. I thought the ending a little rushed but none the less a good read, full of interesting characters. I'm looking forward to the next instalment and so I gladly recommend this to fans of this genre.
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this independent review voluntarily.
February 11, 2024
Strains of Innocence is the second DCI McNeill Crime Thriller book. A fast paced murder mystery read set in Edinburgh. With a series of terrifying murders taking place, the Serious Crime Unit and DCI McNeill team are desperate to solve.
I really enjoyed reading the first book, so was excited to read this, and it didn’t disappoint, in-fact I think it was better. The story moved at a great pace and although I was eager to finish the book, at the same time I wanted to savour the book. At one point my heart was beating so fast at the possible injustice wondering if Mac and his team would save the day!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed reading the first book, so was excited to read this, and it didn’t disappoint, in-fact I think it was better. The story moved at a great pace and although I was eager to finish the book, at the same time I wanted to savour the book. At one point my heart was beating so fast at the possible injustice wondering if Mac and his team would save the day!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 17, 2024
This is the first book I’ve read by Jacqueline New. & I wish that I knew about this series sooner, and read book 1 before this one. Regardless of that, this book still does Mac & his team justice.
I appreciate the diversity of the characters, the different viewpoints - including showing a successful investigator, whose possible autism makes him that much greater.
The plot was good. The prologue confused me a bit, but that could be because I missed (& will catch up) on the first book of the series. But once I understood what was happening, I was hooked. The end tied up all of the loose ends.
So you’ll understand the “why” by the end of the book.
I volunteered to read this ARC through BookSirens.
I appreciate the diversity of the characters, the different viewpoints - including showing a successful investigator, whose possible autism makes him that much greater.
The plot was good. The prologue confused me a bit, but that could be because I missed (& will catch up) on the first book of the series. But once I understood what was happening, I was hooked. The end tied up all of the loose ends.
So you’ll understand the “why” by the end of the book.
I volunteered to read this ARC through BookSirens.
January 30, 2024
A great tense thriller loved the character DCI McNeill who is in charge of Edinburgh’s Serious Crime Unit as he tries to find a killer who always seems to be one step ahead.
When his friend Clio and her daughter become part of the killers plot mac has to act quickly and as well being under pressure from a upcoming detective who wants his job.
This book keeps you on edge wondering what is going to happen next and willing DCI McNeill on to catch the killer.
I would highly recommend for a fast paced and twisting murder plot. Can't wait for the next one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When his friend Clio and her daughter become part of the killers plot mac has to act quickly and as well being under pressure from a upcoming detective who wants his job.
This book keeps you on edge wondering what is going to happen next and willing DCI McNeill on to catch the killer.
I would highly recommend for a fast paced and twisting murder plot. Can't wait for the next one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 3, 2024
Loved returning to this story and these characters.
Again, I really enjoyed seeing a wide range of places from around Edinburgh that I’m familiar with especially a place close to home.
I felt a lot more invested in this story and it had me interested the whole time.
The one reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is because it felt a little rushed at the end and could have had a couple more pages to conclude everything more steadily.
I also really like how there was a little discussion of being on the spectrum and other types of disabilities which carried on throughout the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Again, I really enjoyed seeing a wide range of places from around Edinburgh that I’m familiar with especially a place close to home.
I felt a lot more invested in this story and it had me interested the whole time.
The one reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is because it felt a little rushed at the end and could have had a couple more pages to conclude everything more steadily.
I also really like how there was a little discussion of being on the spectrum and other types of disabilities which carried on throughout the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 13, 2024
I loved this book, Mac is very quickly becoming one of my favourite detectives, and I'm impatient for book 3 to see how his story develops!
This case gets more personal for Mac and Clio, and the pace is great, moving along at a really good rate. There are a few twists and turns to keep you guessing, but overall it's just a book I wanted to keep on reading.
All the characters from book one are developed nicely, but I think it would work if you hadn't read book one- but do yourself a favour and read both!
Thank you to Book Sirens for introducing me to this author and this series, I would highly recommend this book.
This case gets more personal for Mac and Clio, and the pace is great, moving along at a really good rate. There are a few twists and turns to keep you guessing, but overall it's just a book I wanted to keep on reading.
All the characters from book one are developed nicely, but I think it would work if you hadn't read book one- but do yourself a favour and read both!
Thank you to Book Sirens for introducing me to this author and this series, I would highly recommend this book.
February 16, 2024
Overall 4.5*
This series is shaping up very well and in book 2, we get to know a wee bit more about DCI McNeill and not only how he operates but why. The author this time not only looks into the vastness of the spectrum we know as autism but also how it affects different people. She cleverly introduces in this story how DNA may be used to frame people for crimes which they didn't commit but based on circumstantial evidence, then the DNA is the clincher. Well thought out and written and I look forward to getting to know more about Mac in the next book.
Thanks to Booksirens for the ARC to review.
This series is shaping up very well and in book 2, we get to know a wee bit more about DCI McNeill and not only how he operates but why. The author this time not only looks into the vastness of the spectrum we know as autism but also how it affects different people. She cleverly introduces in this story how DNA may be used to frame people for crimes which they didn't commit but based on circumstantial evidence, then the DNA is the clincher. Well thought out and written and I look forward to getting to know more about Mac in the next book.
Thanks to Booksirens for the ARC to review.
February 20, 2024
I have only one complaint with this book….I wanted to see what happened to a certain female.. I need to know what happened to her after this lol. This was so good. I figured it out as soon as the character was introduced in this story but it was so good getting to the whys and hows etc. I hope in book 3 it tells what happened to the chick lol. She deserves to get in mega trouble. Along with a few others. Lol so so good!
February 20, 2024
Excellent British police procedural
Very interesting read. I rather enjoyed the discussion of neuro-diversity. Coming from a family with many varieties of neuro-diversity, I found it to be fascinating. The author has created a scary serial killer, with some interesting twists. I liked the book so much, that I purchased the preceding novel. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Very interesting read. I rather enjoyed the discussion of neuro-diversity. Coming from a family with many varieties of neuro-diversity, I found it to be fascinating. The author has created a scary serial killer, with some interesting twists. I liked the book so much, that I purchased the preceding novel. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 27, 2024
Mac is a pretty good well rounded but with flaws police officer.
This is the second book in the series and he just keeps getting better.
The case in this book gets personal and he has to work harder than he ever has before to clear their name
This is the second book in the series and he just keeps getting better.
The case in this book gets personal and he has to work harder than he ever has before to clear their name
March 20, 2025
Mac is a complex character and in book 2 more layers have been added, We find out more about him and the other characters as the story develops. A good well written story which I think is better than the first book, which was also very good. I have no hesitation in recommending it
February 27, 2025
Enjoyed this 2nd book of series. Slow in parts but makes up for it in other parts! Off to read 3rd in DCI McNeill series.
March 23, 2025
This is the second book I have read in this series. I have enjoyed the plot as well as the characters and with it being set in Edinburgh a city I know a bit makes it even better
April 21, 2025
Another killer on the loose in the streets of Edinburgh but with DCI McNeill on their heels. A wonderful sequel.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews