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DCI James Craig #1

Ice Into Ashes

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Time is a healer….unless you’re the one doing the killing…DCI James Craig is heading home to Fife for a family funeral after the discovery of his wife's uncle's lifeless body at home, having fallen down the stairs. The incident was classified as a Sudden Death, attributing it to the man's advanced age and fragility. Case officially closed. Or is it? Craig, inherently skeptical, approaches matters from a unique perspective, a skill honed on the streets of London. He hesitates to accept the neatly wrapped conclusion surrounding the old man’s demise. As he contemplates letting the matter rest, certain details stand out, prompting him to reconsider the circumstances surrounding the death. Craig reconnects with his former boss, now a Superintendent, from his probationary days in Fife. He requests permission to join the inquiry and is paired with DS Isla McGregor. The two of them are soon caught up in a series of killings that stretch back years, back to the days when a young copper called James Craig was just starting out. A case that Craig remembers very well. Because he almost caught a serial killer who was starting out on his own journey. And now their paths are going to cross again.ICE INTO ASHES is the first book in a new series from the creator of the DCI Harry McNeil books. Perfect for fans of Andrew Raymond and JD Kirk.

346 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2024

2158 people are currently reading
176 people want to read

About the author

John Carson

103 books158 followers
John Carson is the author of the DI Frank Miller detective series. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and lived there most of his life. In 2006, he emigrated to New York State with his American wife and two daughters. They now live in a small town in the Hudson Valley where his wife was brought up, with a German Shepherd, a Beagle mix and four cats.

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5 stars
1,072 (49%)
4 stars
679 (31%)
3 stars
308 (14%)
2 stars
82 (3%)
1 star
42 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
32 reviews
March 6, 2024
OK, but lots of errors

Good and not-so-good. The plot is OK, not much on police procedure etc. The banter between characters can get a bit wearing, and sometimes the descriptions about day-to-day actions are long-winded.

However, there are a myriad of "typos" or editing errors that are annoying. So, beware any of you who are a bit pedantic about poor editing.

I was hoping to find a good police procedural series, so overall disappointed.
Profile Image for Jenny.
2,278 reviews73 followers
November 10, 2024
Ice Into Ashes is book one in John Carson's DCI James Craig series. DCI James Craig was heading home to Fife for the funeral of his wife's uncle. DCI James Craig does not believe in the official account of Clark's death. He visited his old workplace and asked his former boss for help, which caused DCI James Craig to be engaged in the investigation of a series of murders going back to his probationary days in Fife. However, DCI James Craig did not realise the consequences of this action and how it would affect him and his wife forever. The readers of Ice Into Ashes will continue to follow DCI James Craig's investigation to discover what happens.

I enjoyed reading Ice Into Ashes, a fantastic start to John Carson's new series. From the first page, I engaged with the characters and the story and had trouble putting the book down. I love John Carson's portrayal of his characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Ice Into Ashes is well-written and researched. I like John Carson's description of the settings of Ice Into Ashes, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.

The readers of Ice Into Ashes will understand that mental illness can be hereditary and affect each generation and will not be noticeable until they are young adults.

I recommend this book.
Profile Image for Holly.
16 reviews2 followers
May 1, 2024
Has potential

First the ugly…the characters and there are many get confusing. The author uses the main characters’ first and last name, sometimes he’s Craig sometimes he’s Jim…and then brining in all the new characters it gets messy. The dialogue can be this way too. The humorous dialogue is ok but in places isn’t natural sounding. Then story was decent except some of continuity errors which made it a little like “oh I guess to make this work I need this character to do this” it would have been more convincing if there were some hints along the way. I don’t want to spoil the plot but it was a good twist, just not led into well. I will try the next book but if it’s the same then I’m out.
Profile Image for Karolyn.
1,286 reviews41 followers
April 19, 2024
Here is my review of Ice Into Ashes by John Carson

This book is a brilliant read as I got into it straight away and loved it when by halfway through, the bodies had started stacking up! The first in a new series sees us with a serial killer on our hands and he could be after DCI James Craig. They know his MO but this time he has sent more photographs, they have been after him for five years without luck. The plotting is excellent, the writing brilliant and the descriptive text really draws you in with the superb story. It had me hooked the entire way through. I got so I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough and towards the end was such a shock, I didn't see that coming at all! This is by an author that I haven’t read before but I can’t wait to read the next one involving DCI James Craig.

Blurb :

Time is a healer….unless you’re the one doing the killing…

DCI James Craig is heading home to Fife for a family funeral after the discovery of his wife's uncle's lifeless body at home, having fallen down the stairs. The incident was classified as a Sudden Death, attributing it to the man's advanced age and fragility. Case officially closed.

Or is it?

Craig, inherently skeptical, approaches matters from a unique perspective, a skill honed on the streets of London. He hesitates to accept the neatly wrapped conclusion surrounding the old man’s demise.
As he contemplates letting the matter rest, certain details stand out, prompting him to reconsider the circumstances surrounding the death.

Craig reconnects with his former boss, now a Superintendent, from his probationary days in Fife. He requests permission to join the inquiry and is paired with DS Isla McGregor.

The two of them are soon caught up in a series of killings that stretch back years, back to the days when a young copper called James Craig was just starting out. A case that Craig remembers very well.

Because he almost caught a serial killer who was starting out on his own journey.

And now their paths are going to cross again.
Profile Image for Veronika Jordan.
Author 2 books49 followers
April 23, 2024
Ice Into Ashes has everything you would want and expect from a police procedural – dark humour, banter, divorced coppers, too much boozing, all the usual suspects. And you have them in spadefuls, with the addition of Scottish witticisms.

DCI James Craig, originally from Scotland, but now living with his wife Eve in London, has to go back home to attend the funeral of Eve’s uncle Clark. He was 76 years old and a retired police officer. He fell down the stairs and was found dead at the bottom by his cleaning lady.

All very sad, but Craig is suspicious, which he puts down to 25 years in the force. Never take the obvious explanation for granted – always look for evidence in case there is something else more sinister going on. And then there’s the lollipop.

When Craig was first setting out as a young copper, he almost caught a serial killer and nearly lost his own life in the process. He was saved at the last moment by fellow officer Dan Stevenson, who chased the killer away, but they never caught him, and he’s still targeting coppers and retired police officers. He also seems to know a lot about James and his family, so is it personal?

The book gallops along at a cracking pace, with a lot of parallel stories, including a serial killer in London who has been labelled The Hammer, because not only is that his MO, he also send photos of the hammer he uses to murder his victims to various people including James Craig. So is there a connection between the two killers? Or is James being paranoid.

As this is the first in a new series, we meet the characters who will no doubt form the basis of the next books including the aforementioned Dan, DS Isla McGregor, DSup Mark Baker, Eve and Craig’s beloved German Shepherd Finn. I really enjoyed reading this and look forward to book two One Of The Broken out in May.

Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours
Profile Image for Lynsey.
739 reviews34 followers
April 25, 2024
‘Ice Into Ashes’ is the beginning of a brand new series for this author and it was a brilliant introduction to his work! It was packed full of intrigue, misdirections and a stunning conclusion. It was a real page-turner! Somehow, despite having written so many books this was a new author for me and now I have a huge back catalogue to delve into and I can't wait to do so. I am a huge champion of Scottish crime fiction and I can't believe I didn't know about John’s books! Of course, now I am going to have to tell everyone about him though.

DCI James Craig works for the Met but hails from the Kingdom of Fife. He has returned to Scotland as his wife’s uncle has sadly passed away and they need to deal with his estate and the funeral. James thinks there is something wrong with his death though and looks into it more thoroughly. He also has to face his past as he reconnects with old colleagues and friends from time as a young man just starting out in the police. He teams up with DS Isla MacGregor and they are soon pulled into a series of deaths that may stretch all the way back to his early career.

I found James to be a great protagonist and a solid copper! It was refreshing that he seems to have a stable and happy life with his wife and son. Plus he has a great sense of humour. I think the first book in a series is always hampered slightly by having to set the scene and lay the groundwork by identifying connections and relationships. I imagine the upcoming books will be a more standard police procedural than this one was, especially due to all the personal aspects of this plotline. Don't get me wrong this was a great book and I loved the narrative. I'm looking forward to the next book!

Let me know if you pick this one up!

80 reviews
May 12, 2025
I can generally tell from the first few pages if I'm going to enjoy a book and I enjoyed the start, but then it got confusing so I think you need to supervise your proof reader, apparently the wife went up on the train and James Jimmy Craig drove up, but his wife's car was in the drive when he arrived in Scotland as was the dog 🤔
As mentioned in other reviews there was a severe lack of any actual detective work carried out in order to solve the case and some things just did not make any sense.... take the Olivia situation for instance. She had only just began to gain some confidence in going for small walks accompanied literally by a police escort 🤦‍♀️ then goes of in a car with a policeman that she apparently knows to her old house duh!! and how she could possibly know him is a mystery in itself she was in the hospital for 5 years and he would have been only 16 when she was admitted???

The plot twist was something I didn't see coming so kudos for that if a bit of a stretch.
I will read the second book and see how that goes.....
541 reviews3 followers
November 20, 2025
Hated the ending

The big reveal of one of the killers is a shock. I would never have guessed in a million years because the information that would make the end make sense is never introduced into the story. There are so many characters to keep track of it gets tiresome, making the thrill of playing arm chair detective a chore. It's like some were just tossed in then a scramble is made to bring them into the plot.

The intertwining of two separate clue lines is just weird, with the signature of one murderer just chucked in with no explanation. This mistitled book should have been called The Hammer and the Lolly.

I'm still not sure what I just read. If you are looking for Gatward/Kirk level entertainment, pass on this.
Profile Image for Deirdre Stewart.
10 reviews
February 13, 2025
Ugh! Poorly written, reads like a script of a high school play, with every possible cliche. Character's are shallow and one note. The actual story could have been told in 3 paragraphs, the 'banter' is just pathetic. There's no aura of excitement, tension or drama. I only finished it because I'm recovering from a fractured humerus- and it being my dominant arm I'm very restricted regards amusing my self, and I really, really dislike abandoning any book. Even one as poor as this. One star for getting this published!......and as for lollipop sticks I'm not sure what kind of superhuman you'd have to be to use a lolly stick as a threat!?
Profile Image for AJ.
17 reviews
February 25, 2025
Not sure whether to give it 1 or 2 stars. I didn’t hate the characters, just the writing - it felt really basic & infantile. Character dialogue was complete rubbish, who talks like that? The only characters in the story that got a decent description were the big bloke coppers which is a little tedious. The lollipop element was just weird. A long build up for the finale to be over in 2/3 chapters… also the first suspect just sort of happened out of nowhere, no build up or suspence. Same with the culprit. I wasn’t a fan but maybe the books improve as this was the first in series (I won’t be finding out).
179 reviews
September 19, 2024
OUTSTANDING!

Wow, the first in a new series. and what a great read. DCI James Craig travels back to Scotland with his wife Eve to arrange a funeral for his wife's uncle. All is not as it seems and James soon finds it wasn't an accident. Action through out with some lively characters, dark humour and a conclusion that was totally out of the blue. Highly recommend and looking forward to the next instalment. You are a super author John and I am up to date with all your fabulous previous books. Thank you BP Sheffield.
1 review
May 27, 2025
Hmm, scoobie doo ending

Easy reading hence the two stars but plot and background very weak, no character development and people jumping in and out with little reason and making no sense with senior police all over the place just randomly appearing and agreeing to do everything asked with no justification.
Lead character is one dimensional as is the supporting cast and you have to leave everything at the door for the scoobie doo ending, which reminds me, what is the point of the dog?
Profile Image for CJ Andes.
31 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2024
Good read

I enjoyed the story. Found I was attached to the characters. It kept my interest and was surprised by the killers. I only thing I found distracting was I sometimes got lost in which character was talking. This is common in many books the author assures the person speaking is obvious. This makes the reader have to go back and try and figure it out. Other than that is well written and has a good story line. I would recommend it to others.
Profile Image for Nimalee  Ravi.
506 reviews16 followers
April 17, 2024
What an amazing story to a brilliant series! Ice into Ashes is the first book in the DCI James Craig series and definitely starts off with a bang. This is my first read by the author, and I devoured it in one sitting.

I really enjoyed Carson's writing style and the characters created. I loved James Craig's character. Ice into Ashes has plenty of twists, and I couldn't believe the ending. That definitely surprised me. I will definitely be reading this series. I highly recommend this.
1,266 reviews
March 20, 2024
First book I have read by this author and won't be the last. Such fabulous characters and a great storyline. DCI James Craig and his wife Eve have returned to Glasgow for Eve's funeral. The murderer James was investigating in London seems to have followed them. Certainly my heart was in my mouth throughout and particularly at the end. Loved it.
1 review
March 31, 2024
Not great. The author's range of vocabulary and description are limited. There is a lot of he said, she said etc. The book jumps very quickly from one subject to the next. Nothing is described in enough detail, and it's very easy to guess the plot. I've read much better books by this author, but the last few have been rushed and are not of the same standard. Sorry :(
12 reviews
April 2, 2024
impressive new book from a talented crime writer.

Love an author with a wicked sense of humor. I highly recommend Ice Into Ashes to anyone who loves crime novel with heart.

The characters are well thought out. The ending was a total surprise. I did not see that coming. Can’t wait for the next one. I shall now go checkout his other series.
Profile Image for Connie West Frey.
29 reviews
April 8, 2024
John Carson books are hard to put down

I found this on Kindle and decided heck yeah it’s an author I follow! The book had me from page 1! The story and characters take you in and if you’ve read some of the other John Carson books you’ll know the characters! Awesome read and will keep you on your toes!
1,909 reviews18 followers
May 5, 2024
Wow!

Spectacular start to a new series! It is a familiar.lo oncation to readers.of Harry MC Neil ----- Scotland! The finale is one of the most unusual and unexpected that I have ever encountered in 40 years of reading mysteries ! Definitely, read this first entry in a new series, involving a lovely couple with 25 years together. This is a new start in their lives.
Profile Image for Carole Benson.
122 reviews8 followers
May 7, 2024
a brilliant new series…

… from one of my favourite authors. John Carson is an excellent writer and storyteller. Although he writes multiple police procedural series they are all different, all 5stars & I read them all. This new series is no exception. The in depth characterisations, twists you won’t see coming & more. Keep them coming Mr Carson.
129 reviews
October 30, 2024
Way too much!

I read the book all the way through but it never got any better. I found it too gory to find any good except for the relationship between the two main characters.
If you are into killing that never ends you may find this book something you will enjoy.
3 star rating was really too good for it. I probably should have only given it 1 star!
208 reviews
Read
August 16, 2025
An OK read but nothing to make me want to continue the series. Some of the dialogue is a bit stilted. There are a few errors and bits that don't make sense. The ending was like some of the made for TV three part thrillers where the finale is just there to provide a twist and doesn't fit with the characters.
163 reviews
September 15, 2025
GREAT READ

Good storyline, great characters, locales descriptions were so vivid. Had me guessing trying to figure out who the killer was. More than one killing in a book is preferable to me than having the protagonist trying to solve one killing makes it more exciting. Adding this author to my favorites. You should too.
Profile Image for Lora King.
1,060 reviews7 followers
October 9, 2025
Book 1 in series pretty darn good. DCI Craig and his wife are in Scotland as her Uncle has died in his beautiful home...while there they plan to see their son who's at St Andrews. But Craig finds a lollipop which was a clue to many killings through the years....plus Craig is hunting a killer who uses a hammer. When all the clues come together the spiderwebs will connect so many things and be devastating for Craig.
283 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2024
I was only half taken by surprise by the ending of this book. I had worked out one aspect but definitely not the biggest surprise of all. I’m not sure how I feel about that one as it came so far out of left field

It’s a good start to a new series and I look forward to reading more.
Profile Image for Kirk.
608 reviews2 followers
March 11, 2024
I’m a new fan!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. DCI James Craig my kind of detective. I was really glad he went home, and joined with past colleagues and friends!
I highly recommend this book, and look forward to reading the next!
Profile Image for Bobbi Stoffers.
262 reviews2 followers
March 13, 2024
Awesome new series!

The storyline was good, the characters are well developed and as an added bonus some of the other characters from John Carson books are interspersed within the story. Full of thrills and chills.
37 reviews
March 13, 2024
Great. Read

John Carson has written another great book I couldn't put it down.I can't wait to read the next instalment and I'm sure this series will be just as good as all the others
Profile Image for Linda O.
91 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2024
A surprise ending

A page turner for sure. As in the author's other works, well developed characters and interesting plot and setting. I look forward to the next mystery presented to DCI James Craig.
45 reviews
March 20, 2024
Good one

This was pretty good - I was totally surprised at the ending - which I love. I've read so many of this genre I can usually spot the killer a mile away. Will definitely read the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

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