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Inspector McLean #13
For Our Sins
The wages of sin is death.
The partial collapse of a disused Edinburgh church reveals a dead body in the rubble, his head badly smashed by falling masonry. Soon identified as an old ex-con - Kenny Morgan - his death is put down to a heart attack and deemed non-suspicious.
Tony McLean is approached by a notorious crime lord who suggests the police should be looking into Morgan's death more closely. Despite struggling with his recent retirement, he is reluctant to involve himself.
But when a second man is found dead in another disused church, his forehead branded with a cross, this time it is clearly murder.
There's a killer stalking the streets of Edinburgh. Is it time for McLean to get back to doing what he does best?
The partial collapse of a disused Edinburgh church reveals a dead body in the rubble, his head badly smashed by falling masonry. Soon identified as an old ex-con - Kenny Morgan - his death is put down to a heart attack and deemed non-suspicious.
Tony McLean is approached by a notorious crime lord who suggests the police should be looking into Morgan's death more closely. Despite struggling with his recent retirement, he is reluctant to involve himself.
But when a second man is found dead in another disused church, his forehead branded with a cross, this time it is clearly murder.
There's a killer stalking the streets of Edinburgh. Is it time for McLean to get back to doing what he does best?
377 pages, Hardcover
First published February 15, 2024
116 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
March 1, 2025
thanks to the publisher and netgalley for a free copy in return for an open and honest review.
Felt this was weakest novel of the series so far and the introduction of Mclean was far too late in the novel and did feel like an after thought. Still enjoyed the read overall as some of the minor characters have been developed further. just wondering what future for the Mclean series
Felt this was weakest novel of the series so far and the introduction of Mclean was far too late in the novel and did feel like an after thought. Still enjoyed the read overall as some of the minor characters have been developed further. just wondering what future for the Mclean series
May 31, 2024
After Tony McLean resigned from Police Scotland and the author began his new Constance Fairchild series, I feared it might be the end of this highly engaging series. Thankfully, that was not the case.
When the bodies of three old men – all with criminal convictions and links to a local big time gangster – are found in ruined churches in different parts of Edinburgh, Tony is unofficially drafted in to assist the investigation; currently headed by Janie Harrison, who has been – temporarily, at least – promoted to Detective Inspector. As if the extra responsibility isn’t too much of a headache, Janie also has to deal with her new boss, Detective Superintendent Peter Nelson – an Aberdonian with a drink problem and wandering hands. However, she seems to have found a new ally in Cerys Powell, the latest mortuary assistant.
The idea that the deaths are part of a turf war between rival gangs is thrown into doubt by some brief chapters dating from the early 1980s and cases of child abuse by – surprise, surprise – an Irish Catholic priest.
It was a pleasure to get reacquainted with Tony, Janie, Madame Rose and the rest of the crew and a hint towards the end that there could be further installments made it all the more pleasureable.
When the bodies of three old men – all with criminal convictions and links to a local big time gangster – are found in ruined churches in different parts of Edinburgh, Tony is unofficially drafted in to assist the investigation; currently headed by Janie Harrison, who has been – temporarily, at least – promoted to Detective Inspector. As if the extra responsibility isn’t too much of a headache, Janie also has to deal with her new boss, Detective Superintendent Peter Nelson – an Aberdonian with a drink problem and wandering hands. However, she seems to have found a new ally in Cerys Powell, the latest mortuary assistant.
The idea that the deaths are part of a turf war between rival gangs is thrown into doubt by some brief chapters dating from the early 1980s and cases of child abuse by – surprise, surprise – an Irish Catholic priest.
It was a pleasure to get reacquainted with Tony, Janie, Madame Rose and the rest of the crew and a hint towards the end that there could be further installments made it all the more pleasureable.
June 2, 2024
Another page-turner in a great series! The building of the characters continues, their feelings and intuitions, the storyline, the evil doers. Such a wonderful series .
January 31, 2024
For Our Sins is the first book that I have read by James Oswald, despite hearing such good reviews regarding this author, and series. This is how I find myself reading the thirteenth book in the DI McLean series, without having read the previous twelve. I have clearly missed out on so much of the backstories of these characters, but in no way did this spoil my enjoyment or understanding of the book.
Our story starts in 1983, with a young boy, at the mercy of his Catholic priest. Though it is immediately clear, that this priest’s view on God’s love should earn him a place behind bars, and in eternal hell.
Our other timeline, current day, sees the Major Investigation Team, led by DS Janie Harrison, investigating a complex case. A body found in a partially collapsed church has strong links to a long running, aging crime gang, responsible for much of the city’s criminal enterprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline. It was gripping and gritty, without the over the top plot twists that can take a book into farce and implausibility. The shortage of staff within in the team, and associated pressures reinforce how realistic the story feels.
The characterisation is very strong. Each are distinct, fully formed, quirky and very human. There were many characters I liked, and a few I didn’t, which is always a good balance. I love to hate a character, and mentally plot their downfall, hoping that the author is of the same opinion.
As I mentioned previously, I have plunged into this series very late. I wish I had read from the first book, Natural Causes. Not because I felt my enjoyment of this highly recommended, 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ book was marred, but because I have missed out on so many great reads.
There are clearly many long running characters, some of which are more prominently featured than others; but they all bring something to the story, they show their mettle. I really look forward to reading more of their futures, and pasts.
I really hope that James Oswald is planning a fourteenth book in this series, in the meantime, I will head back and start from the beginning.
Our story starts in 1983, with a young boy, at the mercy of his Catholic priest. Though it is immediately clear, that this priest’s view on God’s love should earn him a place behind bars, and in eternal hell.
Our other timeline, current day, sees the Major Investigation Team, led by DS Janie Harrison, investigating a complex case. A body found in a partially collapsed church has strong links to a long running, aging crime gang, responsible for much of the city’s criminal enterprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline. It was gripping and gritty, without the over the top plot twists that can take a book into farce and implausibility. The shortage of staff within in the team, and associated pressures reinforce how realistic the story feels.
The characterisation is very strong. Each are distinct, fully formed, quirky and very human. There were many characters I liked, and a few I didn’t, which is always a good balance. I love to hate a character, and mentally plot their downfall, hoping that the author is of the same opinion.
As I mentioned previously, I have plunged into this series very late. I wish I had read from the first book, Natural Causes. Not because I felt my enjoyment of this highly recommended, 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ book was marred, but because I have missed out on so many great reads.
There are clearly many long running characters, some of which are more prominently featured than others; but they all bring something to the story, they show their mettle. I really look forward to reading more of their futures, and pasts.
I really hope that James Oswald is planning a fourteenth book in this series, in the meantime, I will head back and start from the beginning.
February 16, 2024
Not enough!
Good read but not enough of Madame Rose and McLean himself. I would have liked more of the "other" and less of an another bad policeman like Nelson.
In the past stories some of the supernatural that occurred around Dee was very strange and maybe over the top but I do like Madame Rose and that side of James Oswald's imagination. I want to see more of that.
Fleshier is the word that comes to mind, not as In the criminal and perverted desires of men but in deeper versions of the characters themselves.
Good read but not enough of Madame Rose and McLean himself. I would have liked more of the "other" and less of an another bad policeman like Nelson.
In the past stories some of the supernatural that occurred around Dee was very strange and maybe over the top but I do like Madame Rose and that side of James Oswald's imagination. I want to see more of that.
Fleshier is the word that comes to mind, not as In the criminal and perverted desires of men but in deeper versions of the characters themselves.
October 22, 2023
Oh how I have missed this series. I am, as people who know anything about me know, somewhat of a lover of the McLean books, Mr Oswald's crime fiction in general to be fair, and each time I get hold of a new title I am always itching to read it. This was no exception and, shocking I know, I set aside the book I was reading to dive right in. What a brilliant decision as it turns out as I devoured it. Well ... I say brilliant but, at the time of prepping this review, it means I likely have around 16 months to wait for the next one. Ah well.
It is so nice to be able to say that Inspector Tony McLean, and his strange but wonderful associates - both friends and colleagues - are back with him. Mostly. And it's really a case of saying 'sort of' when talking about McLean being back, for reasons long term readers will understand and which can become obvious from reading the blurb. With a few exceptions, Angus Cadwallader being one of note - enjoying semi retirement in a way that McLean seemingly can't - all of our favourites are here, with a few new faces to get to know too - some friendly, some less so. And I love this brilliant cast of characters, from McLean's long suffering, in every sense of the word, partner, Emma, to Madame Rose, Janie Harrison, Grumpy Bob (in an all too brief cameo) and all the other wonderful and varied personalities that the author has brought into his world. I include in that Edinburgh, a city carefully mapped out, that many can recognise, but given that special James Oswald twist, using the history, legend and almost gothic sensibility that leeches from much of the architecture and lends itself to the slight off kilter investigations that we know and love.
The reason I say that McLean is 'sort of' back is because this, in truth, is probably more Janie Harrison's story. Her investigation. Yes, McLean finds himself embroiled in it, as you would probably expect, although not initially through official channels. But Janie is SIO, temporarily elevated to a senior role that she's not entirely sure she is ready for or even wants, but placed front and centre in leading the team to find a vicious killer whose motives are not entirely clear, even if the link between victims is almost blindingly obvious. I liked how, in this book in particular, James Oswald has given a definite nod to 'girl power', aloowing Janie to shine amongst a vast cast of strong female characters. In fact, all but one of the Senior Officers in this investigation, McLean aside, is female. That's not to say that the author has gone too far towards promoting feminism, old school misogyny making its presence felt on more than one occasion, although deftly dealt with by all concerned.
I really like Janie as a character, always have done since she was first introduced, and she has come a long way since then. McLean's protege to some extent, she is coming well and truly out of his shadow now and I'm loving seeing that progression. She is more sceptical than her mentor, no matter the things she has witnessed, and whilst McLean has learned to accept that not everything is as it seems, and open himself up to the idea of less corporeal explanations, Janie still hasn't quite made that leap. But their partnership is great to watch, even if somewhat limited in this book, and if on more of an even footing this time around than any of their previous cases. She is strong, more capable than she believes, and I think this could mark the start of a real change for her.
As for the case, it's both perplexing and not. Perplexing for the police, for sure, as the killers M.O. seems to have no link to the victims, at least none they can understand. I liked that we have that gangland element to the story which serves to distract us, but at the same time the author touches on some very emotive, and relevant issues, both from present day and of a time which is very pertinent to the story. None of it is used in a gratuitous way and, to a degree, it's perhaps a touch more PG rated than some of his earlier books (anyone recall a certain post mortem in The Damage Done?), but there is no mistaking what has happened and it is no less uncomfortable read. As readers we are privy to some, shall we say, background info, that helps us put two and two together, perhaps a little quicker than Janie and her team, but we still don't necessary make a sum of four, at least not until a certain point in the book, just the right time to see the tempo and the investigation, take a very swift turn.
I love what James Oswald has done here, and he has used it to great effect. I'd made a couple of assumptions, one being somewhat closer to the truth than the other, but for some reason had not even contemplated what comes to pass. I love a book that can do that. Yes, I was missing that vital clue, but it made the 'reveal', if you want to call it that, all the more satisfying. It tapped right into the reason I fell in love with this series in the first place. The fact that the truth often defies explanation, certainly not by people who see in black and white and perhaps aren't quite so quick to accept that the ghoulies and ghosties of Edinburgh aren't just something made up by walking guides for their gullible, spook seeking tourists. If you have come looking for a straight-laced Detective fiction story, this is probably not quite the right place for you. The books have many of the hallmarks of classic Detective/Police based fiction, but always played on an angle. Right up my straight.
I have absolutely loved being back in McLean, and Harrisons's, world and am so excited by the ending and the world of opportunities it opens up for us as readers and fans of the series. Just as long as Mr O wants to keep writing that is. Much like Police Scotland to Inspector McLean, can't see any of us letting him slip away into retirement any time soon. Most definitely recommended and a very happy return.
It is so nice to be able to say that Inspector Tony McLean, and his strange but wonderful associates - both friends and colleagues - are back with him. Mostly. And it's really a case of saying 'sort of' when talking about McLean being back, for reasons long term readers will understand and which can become obvious from reading the blurb. With a few exceptions, Angus Cadwallader being one of note - enjoying semi retirement in a way that McLean seemingly can't - all of our favourites are here, with a few new faces to get to know too - some friendly, some less so. And I love this brilliant cast of characters, from McLean's long suffering, in every sense of the word, partner, Emma, to Madame Rose, Janie Harrison, Grumpy Bob (in an all too brief cameo) and all the other wonderful and varied personalities that the author has brought into his world. I include in that Edinburgh, a city carefully mapped out, that many can recognise, but given that special James Oswald twist, using the history, legend and almost gothic sensibility that leeches from much of the architecture and lends itself to the slight off kilter investigations that we know and love.
The reason I say that McLean is 'sort of' back is because this, in truth, is probably more Janie Harrison's story. Her investigation. Yes, McLean finds himself embroiled in it, as you would probably expect, although not initially through official channels. But Janie is SIO, temporarily elevated to a senior role that she's not entirely sure she is ready for or even wants, but placed front and centre in leading the team to find a vicious killer whose motives are not entirely clear, even if the link between victims is almost blindingly obvious. I liked how, in this book in particular, James Oswald has given a definite nod to 'girl power', aloowing Janie to shine amongst a vast cast of strong female characters. In fact, all but one of the Senior Officers in this investigation, McLean aside, is female. That's not to say that the author has gone too far towards promoting feminism, old school misogyny making its presence felt on more than one occasion, although deftly dealt with by all concerned.
I really like Janie as a character, always have done since she was first introduced, and she has come a long way since then. McLean's protege to some extent, she is coming well and truly out of his shadow now and I'm loving seeing that progression. She is more sceptical than her mentor, no matter the things she has witnessed, and whilst McLean has learned to accept that not everything is as it seems, and open himself up to the idea of less corporeal explanations, Janie still hasn't quite made that leap. But their partnership is great to watch, even if somewhat limited in this book, and if on more of an even footing this time around than any of their previous cases. She is strong, more capable than she believes, and I think this could mark the start of a real change for her.
As for the case, it's both perplexing and not. Perplexing for the police, for sure, as the killers M.O. seems to have no link to the victims, at least none they can understand. I liked that we have that gangland element to the story which serves to distract us, but at the same time the author touches on some very emotive, and relevant issues, both from present day and of a time which is very pertinent to the story. None of it is used in a gratuitous way and, to a degree, it's perhaps a touch more PG rated than some of his earlier books (anyone recall a certain post mortem in The Damage Done?), but there is no mistaking what has happened and it is no less uncomfortable read. As readers we are privy to some, shall we say, background info, that helps us put two and two together, perhaps a little quicker than Janie and her team, but we still don't necessary make a sum of four, at least not until a certain point in the book, just the right time to see the tempo and the investigation, take a very swift turn.
I love what James Oswald has done here, and he has used it to great effect. I'd made a couple of assumptions, one being somewhat closer to the truth than the other, but for some reason had not even contemplated what comes to pass. I love a book that can do that. Yes, I was missing that vital clue, but it made the 'reveal', if you want to call it that, all the more satisfying. It tapped right into the reason I fell in love with this series in the first place. The fact that the truth often defies explanation, certainly not by people who see in black and white and perhaps aren't quite so quick to accept that the ghoulies and ghosties of Edinburgh aren't just something made up by walking guides for their gullible, spook seeking tourists. If you have come looking for a straight-laced Detective fiction story, this is probably not quite the right place for you. The books have many of the hallmarks of classic Detective/Police based fiction, but always played on an angle. Right up my straight.
I have absolutely loved being back in McLean, and Harrisons's, world and am so excited by the ending and the world of opportunities it opens up for us as readers and fans of the series. Just as long as Mr O wants to keep writing that is. Much like Police Scotland to Inspector McLean, can't see any of us letting him slip away into retirement any time soon. Most definitely recommended and a very happy return.
November 14, 2023
Step up to the mark acting Detective Inspector Janie Harrison and wow! does she not disappoint. Inspector Tony McClean has resigned from the police force becoming the full time carer for his partner Emma who recently suffered a debilatating stroke. With few officers available and a Scottish police force in great need of manpower, there is little choice but for Janie Harrison to accept the role as acting Detective Inspector until a replacement for Tony can be found. When the body of a man is found in the remains of an old church, foul play is not initially suspected a view that quickly changes when 2 more bodies appear all linked to Edinburgh's criminal underworld. Meanwhile McClean receives a call from known underworld figure Archibald Seagram stating that he has some information that could benefit him. CCTV points to a shrouded individual who appears to be present at all the incidents. What is the connection between Robert Murphy, a child, who suffered abuse at the hands of a notorious Catholic priest in the early 80's? Meanwhile Janie is receiving unwanted attention from her recently appointed superior Detective Superintendent Peter Nelson which will have far reaching consequences. As always there is a wonderful cast of characters that make "For our Sins" such a joy: Madame Rose the alluring mysterious trans medium, Grumpy Bob retired but still enjoying life in the historic case archives, and not forgetting Tony's honest and faithful companion...Mrs McCutcheon's cat!
The author has done an amazing job of bringing Janie to the fore, she has just the right blend of steely determination, intuition, and sympathy to ensure she has a shining career as Detective Inspector. As the case progresses Tony is employed as a temporary consultant....does this mean he will be returning in the next book?.....lets hope so as Tony McClean and Janie Harrison are not only two great detectives but two respectful work colleagures. An excellent read, a great edition to the series that gets better and better on each outing...Highly recommended.
The author has done an amazing job of bringing Janie to the fore, she has just the right blend of steely determination, intuition, and sympathy to ensure she has a shining career as Detective Inspector. As the case progresses Tony is employed as a temporary consultant....does this mean he will be returning in the next book?.....lets hope so as Tony McClean and Janie Harrison are not only two great detectives but two respectful work colleagures. An excellent read, a great edition to the series that gets better and better on each outing...Highly recommended.
May 7, 2024
James Oswald has shaken things up a bit with this book. I was a good third of the way through the book, and I was missing the fact that Tony McLean was not in his usual role in the story. Add to that, Madame Rose, the mystic medium, was also taking a back seat. The plot of the story had very few supernatural happenings as well, and it was reading as a more standard murder mystery. Almost a bit like a 'Rebus' novel. But not to worry, things started falling into their usual places in the second half of the book.
This was a great read, and there's something about the character of DI McLean that is comforting and reassuring. Hopefully, Madame Rose will feature a bit more in the next book, and I can't wait for that one to come out!
This was a great read, and there's something about the character of DI McLean that is comforting and reassuring. Hopefully, Madame Rose will feature a bit more in the next book, and I can't wait for that one to come out!
April 29, 2024
Superior murder mystery series with a supernatural twist, ‘For Our Sins’ is an excellent addition to a series that combines strong characterisation with intriguing plots.
November 27, 2024
I was lucky enough to win a copy of For Our Sins in a competition back in February, but I couldn't read it straight away, as I was a few books behind. I was champing at the bit, but these things can't be rushed. My patience was finally rewarded peeps, and I am now fully caught up. So, without further ado, here are my thoughts on For Our Sins.
I think those five stars at the top speak for themselves, don't you? I would give more if possible, because I loved it so much. Although it's marked up as Tony McLean #13, make no mistake, For Our Sins is very much a Janie Harrison vehicle, and boy does she deliver.
Don't worry, Tony is there, just not centre stage. There's also a new Detective Superintendent, who makes Dagwood look positively saintly.
Organised Crime, clerical abuse and misogyny are the central themes, and of course there are murders too.
Well paced and deftly plotted, For Our Sins is an engaging, gritty read.
I think those five stars at the top speak for themselves, don't you? I would give more if possible, because I loved it so much. Although it's marked up as Tony McLean #13, make no mistake, For Our Sins is very much a Janie Harrison vehicle, and boy does she deliver.
Don't worry, Tony is there, just not centre stage. There's also a new Detective Superintendent, who makes Dagwood look positively saintly.
Organised Crime, clerical abuse and misogyny are the central themes, and of course there are murders too.
Well paced and deftly plotted, For Our Sins is an engaging, gritty read.
October 25, 2024
Whilst this was a great read, I didn't find it as enthralling as I have James Oswald's earlier books in this series. The absence of Tony McLean was felt as keenly by this reader as it was in the police department for the first half of the book, and the story seemed to drag. Not until the final quarter did the pace ratchet up and McLean becoming more involved clearly made a difference.
Four stars. Would I read it again? Doubtful
Four stars. Would I read it again? Doubtful
July 12, 2024
Detective Inspector McClean newly retired and called back to active duty to deal with a series of murders. I only wish he had come in sooner in the story.
November 14, 2024
Another interesting tale from Mr Oswald. this time with less focus on the supernatural and more on the dark side of policing with mysogyny taking centre stage.
June 30, 2025
A poor book. Motives are never explained, situations are ridiculous and incomprehensible, there are basically zero suspects the whole way, the normal misogynistic-&-corrupt-DCI-for-no-reason storyline is boring, there's far too much focus on the relationships of the police officers and not enough on the actual story, I could go on...
I understand the dyanmics of the abused becoming the abusers, but this book does not explore the theme at all, just accepts the extremness of it as some odd inevitability.
The writing style is okay otherwise I'd be giving this 1 star, but not good enough to invest 400 pages of your time.
I understand the dyanmics of the abused becoming the abusers, but this book does not explore the theme at all, just accepts the extremness of it as some odd inevitability.
The writing style is okay otherwise I'd be giving this 1 star, but not good enough to invest 400 pages of your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2026
4+ stars
April 10, 2025
This was a good read and many issues were included.
November 18, 2023
Review to followWhilst this may book is well in to the teens of a series of novels with these characters it was the first one that I had read so the characters of Tony McLean and Janie Harrison are completely new to me. But that certainly is not a hindrance to reading this book. There's enough backstory weaved in for a new reader to know what's going on (I wonder would it be repetitive if I had read all the previous books however?).
The plot is DI McLean is caring for his partner, Janie Harrison and her team along with the new DS, Peter Nelson are still a DI down. As a bodies start to appear in old churches Janie needs to step up to acting DI, at the request of Nelson, who then badmouths her to higher ups after she rejects his advances. The fact that this latter event is going to happen is obvious from the start which made it slightly irritating to me.
The bodies all appear to have links to the same gangland criminal Archibald Seagram even though they are all now well in to their 70s and apparently no longer active in the criminal world. At the same time we have flashbacks to the 1980s involving the sexual abuse of boys by a local priest. Add to all this the fact that Seagram has approached McLean about the murders and there's a nice little story for McLean and Janie to figure out.
I did enjoy this procedural but I don't think the Nelson & Janie storyline, background as it was, added anything other than to bug me. I also could have done without the multiple mentions of the fact that McLean clearly has money. Maybe it had relevance that I wasn't aware from previous books but I don't think so.
I would read some of the older books in the series but this wouldn't be up in there with my best reads of the year.
The plot is DI McLean is caring for his partner, Janie Harrison and her team along with the new DS, Peter Nelson are still a DI down. As a bodies start to appear in old churches Janie needs to step up to acting DI, at the request of Nelson, who then badmouths her to higher ups after she rejects his advances. The fact that this latter event is going to happen is obvious from the start which made it slightly irritating to me.
The bodies all appear to have links to the same gangland criminal Archibald Seagram even though they are all now well in to their 70s and apparently no longer active in the criminal world. At the same time we have flashbacks to the 1980s involving the sexual abuse of boys by a local priest. Add to all this the fact that Seagram has approached McLean about the murders and there's a nice little story for McLean and Janie to figure out.
I did enjoy this procedural but I don't think the Nelson & Janie storyline, background as it was, added anything other than to bug me. I also could have done without the multiple mentions of the fact that McLean clearly has money. Maybe it had relevance that I wasn't aware from previous books but I don't think so.
I would read some of the older books in the series but this wouldn't be up in there with my best reads of the year.
September 5, 2025
I’m totally confused. How did Robert Murphy get those old criminals come to him without their connections and why did Robert Murphy kill those old criminals. Did I miss something!!!
February 9, 2024
Regular readers of James Oswald will know that waiting for this instalment of the Tony McLean series has, at times, felt like a very long time indeed. But now the time has arrived and we see that it is Janie Harrison that is taking the front and centre lead in this gruesome investigation.
Tony McLean has put in his retirement papers. He is determined to put all his time and effort into making sure his partner Emma recovers her health. He hasn’t been replaced but DS Janie Harrison has been made Acting DI, despite not having taken her Inspectors exams – and is not entirely sure she wants to either. As McLean’s protégée she also suffers from many of his flaws including that she hates the paperwork and loathes the idea of being office bound.
She’s also completely creeped out by her loathsome boss, Detective Superintendent Peter Nelson, a transfer from Aberdeen. Nelson is boozy and handsy – a particularly poor combination and Janie has to be on her toes to avoid his none too subtle advances.
The case begins when Janie is called out to a dead body that has narrowly avoided being trapped in a disintegrating church. Though there’s no evidence of foul play, the dead man is Kenneth Morgan, a serial offender who has been clean for the last ten years. What’s puzzling though, is that Morgan was a Catholic and this church, now derelict, was not.
It’s one of those niggling things that worries away at the back of Janie’s brain and when two more criminals turn up dead in churches, with distinctive marks branded on their foreheads. Is there a serial killer at work?
It doesn’t take too much to link all three of these dead men to gangland boss Archie Seagram. Seagram himself is concerned. He won’t, of course, reach out to the police, but he’s not above putting in a call to Tony McLean to let him know that this is no gangland war. He clearly wants McLean to investigate and McLean can see that Seagram is on edge, but he is determined to stick to his guns and focus on Emma.
Emma, meanwhile, is working with Madame Rose and she doesn’t really need Tony hanging around the house. That, and the fact that Madame Rose has a few thoughts on what’s going on – all conveyed in her usual cryptic fashion – is enough to at least lead him to call in at the Historic Cases Archive to take the temperature with Grumpy Bob and a newcomer to the unit, though not to Tony.
It’s great to meet pathologist Angus Cadwallader again too – though he is also heading for retirement. This is a book in which the old is making way for the new, but the echoes of the past are still swirling round and the gothic Edinburgh churches with their essence of past ghosts bring that home even more.
So Tony becomes involved as a consultant and Janie leads the way, and soon we see that there is a figure who links all three of these bodies. A diary from the 1980’s gives a strong motive for wanting revenge and a young boy writes of his trauma at the hands of a priest more than 30 years ago.
Resolving all this takes time and on the way Janie acquits herself magnificently, showing she has everything it takes to be a great D.I. even if she isn’t quite so sure. I loved the way that women lead from the front in this book, supportive and encouraging; justice is seen to be done inside the force as well as out.
Verdict: A fantastic addition to this series with lovely out of kilter notes and some subtle challenges to orthodox police proceedings. How lovely to see all our much loved characters back. There may be trouble ahead, but I’m looking forward to it!
Tony McLean has put in his retirement papers. He is determined to put all his time and effort into making sure his partner Emma recovers her health. He hasn’t been replaced but DS Janie Harrison has been made Acting DI, despite not having taken her Inspectors exams – and is not entirely sure she wants to either. As McLean’s protégée she also suffers from many of his flaws including that she hates the paperwork and loathes the idea of being office bound.
She’s also completely creeped out by her loathsome boss, Detective Superintendent Peter Nelson, a transfer from Aberdeen. Nelson is boozy and handsy – a particularly poor combination and Janie has to be on her toes to avoid his none too subtle advances.
The case begins when Janie is called out to a dead body that has narrowly avoided being trapped in a disintegrating church. Though there’s no evidence of foul play, the dead man is Kenneth Morgan, a serial offender who has been clean for the last ten years. What’s puzzling though, is that Morgan was a Catholic and this church, now derelict, was not.
It’s one of those niggling things that worries away at the back of Janie’s brain and when two more criminals turn up dead in churches, with distinctive marks branded on their foreheads. Is there a serial killer at work?
It doesn’t take too much to link all three of these dead men to gangland boss Archie Seagram. Seagram himself is concerned. He won’t, of course, reach out to the police, but he’s not above putting in a call to Tony McLean to let him know that this is no gangland war. He clearly wants McLean to investigate and McLean can see that Seagram is on edge, but he is determined to stick to his guns and focus on Emma.
Emma, meanwhile, is working with Madame Rose and she doesn’t really need Tony hanging around the house. That, and the fact that Madame Rose has a few thoughts on what’s going on – all conveyed in her usual cryptic fashion – is enough to at least lead him to call in at the Historic Cases Archive to take the temperature with Grumpy Bob and a newcomer to the unit, though not to Tony.
It’s great to meet pathologist Angus Cadwallader again too – though he is also heading for retirement. This is a book in which the old is making way for the new, but the echoes of the past are still swirling round and the gothic Edinburgh churches with their essence of past ghosts bring that home even more.
So Tony becomes involved as a consultant and Janie leads the way, and soon we see that there is a figure who links all three of these bodies. A diary from the 1980’s gives a strong motive for wanting revenge and a young boy writes of his trauma at the hands of a priest more than 30 years ago.
Resolving all this takes time and on the way Janie acquits herself magnificently, showing she has everything it takes to be a great D.I. even if she isn’t quite so sure. I loved the way that women lead from the front in this book, supportive and encouraging; justice is seen to be done inside the force as well as out.
Verdict: A fantastic addition to this series with lovely out of kilter notes and some subtle challenges to orthodox police proceedings. How lovely to see all our much loved characters back. There may be trouble ahead, but I’m looking forward to it!
May 17, 2024
A solid addition to this Edinburgh-based crime with a dash of supernatural series. It’s always fun to reconnect with familiar characters. The author makes an interesting choice here, letting one of the previous secondary characters DS Janie Harrison, sidekick to DI Maclean, be the lead.
Maclean has retired (kind of) to look after his girlfriend Emma who is recovering from a stroke. So when a body is found in a church, it’s DS Harrison who leads the investigation.
The victim is an old henchman of a known Edinburgh crime boss, and when a second and then third body turns up murdered in similar and quite creepy circumstances, it’s clear it’s the same killer after the crime boss for something that happened in the past.
This links back to some interspersed diary entries we get from an unknown (until the end) character who had been abused as a child by a Catholic priest, who was later also murdered.
Harrison’s investigations are mostly by the book, investigating leads, questioning witnesses and checking the many cameras that seem to exist around Edinburgh. She also manages to inadvertently crack open a sex trafficking ring during the murder investigation.
She’s a likeable enough character, but not especially memorable. Other than the fact she shares a flat with one of the forensic team, I can’t remember much more about her. I got the impression the author might have been setting her character up for a future romance, but that didn’t happen in this book.
In the station, Harrison also has to deal with a sexist and bordering-on incompetent new Detective Superintendent. I understood this plotline was probably added to give her some extra conflict, but it felt quite cliched (both the sexism and the incompetence). I also found it hard to believe that other senior cops would tolerate his bad behaviour for so long. All it would have taken is a complaint to HR and there would have been a clear process for fixing the issue. (especially when it’s strongly hinted he’d harassed women before).
(Ex) DI Maclean eventually helps with the investigation as a consultant, and when they get a break in the case, you get more of an action-driven finale with a supernatural twist - as you’d expect from previous books (no spoilers but clearly some inspiration from a very well known 1970s horror movie).
It’s a decent read, but it was missing a spark somewhere. It didn’t help that you get introduced to several new characters, who then don’t go anywhere. There are already a lot of characters in the series to keep track of, so adding more made it harder to remember who everyone was. A couple of the recurring characters always stand out for being distinctive - the journalist Jo Dalgleish and the spiritualist Madame Rose - but most of the police team start to blur together after a while.
It was OK overall, but parts of it felt rough. There were also some weird repetitions eg tweed smells like wet dog when wet, and a few too many details about cars and traffic. It’s not put me off the series but it’s probably not one I’d rush to re-read either. Passable.
Maclean has retired (kind of) to look after his girlfriend Emma who is recovering from a stroke. So when a body is found in a church, it’s DS Harrison who leads the investigation.
The victim is an old henchman of a known Edinburgh crime boss, and when a second and then third body turns up murdered in similar and quite creepy circumstances, it’s clear it’s the same killer after the crime boss for something that happened in the past.
This links back to some interspersed diary entries we get from an unknown (until the end) character who had been abused as a child by a Catholic priest, who was later also murdered.
Harrison’s investigations are mostly by the book, investigating leads, questioning witnesses and checking the many cameras that seem to exist around Edinburgh. She also manages to inadvertently crack open a sex trafficking ring during the murder investigation.
She’s a likeable enough character, but not especially memorable. Other than the fact she shares a flat with one of the forensic team, I can’t remember much more about her. I got the impression the author might have been setting her character up for a future romance, but that didn’t happen in this book.
In the station, Harrison also has to deal with a sexist and bordering-on incompetent new Detective Superintendent. I understood this plotline was probably added to give her some extra conflict, but it felt quite cliched (both the sexism and the incompetence). I also found it hard to believe that other senior cops would tolerate his bad behaviour for so long. All it would have taken is a complaint to HR and there would have been a clear process for fixing the issue. (especially when it’s strongly hinted he’d harassed women before).
(Ex) DI Maclean eventually helps with the investigation as a consultant, and when they get a break in the case, you get more of an action-driven finale with a supernatural twist - as you’d expect from previous books (no spoilers but clearly some inspiration from a very well known 1970s horror movie).
It’s a decent read, but it was missing a spark somewhere. It didn’t help that you get introduced to several new characters, who then don’t go anywhere. There are already a lot of characters in the series to keep track of, so adding more made it harder to remember who everyone was. A couple of the recurring characters always stand out for being distinctive - the journalist Jo Dalgleish and the spiritualist Madame Rose - but most of the police team start to blur together after a while.
It was OK overall, but parts of it felt rough. There were also some weird repetitions eg tweed smells like wet dog when wet, and a few too many details about cars and traffic. It’s not put me off the series but it’s probably not one I’d rush to re-read either. Passable.
January 31, 2024
I cannot express just how much I have been looking forward to James Oswald's latest in his Edinburgh based series featuring DI Tony McClean, although he has retired to care for Emma after she had suffered a debilitating stroke. All the long established characters return, including DS, soon to be Acting DI, Janie Harrison, snowed under with work, and having the misfortune to work under her sleazy, useless and narcissist of a boss, Detective Superintendent Peter Nelson, a recent arrival from Aberdeen. She has to handle his unwanted creepy advances, and is called out to a dead body that has to be hastily pulled out of a church that scarily collapses. The dead man is Kenneth Morgan, a career criminal released from prison 10 years ago, apparently clean since them, but it appears not to be a suspicious death.
Janie accepts this, but is left with the burning question of why Morgan, a staunch lifelong Catholic, should inexplicably be in this deconsecrated church at night. However, this turns out later to be possibly a case of murder when other murdered bodies of criminals turn up in churches, branded by a cross on their foreheads, fuelling an intense media scrutiny with a serial killer running amok in the city. All of the victims are part of the ruthless and brutal criminal gang led by the elderly Archie Seagram, who has managed to evade the police through the years. Seagram, clearly a terrified man who fears becoming the next target, gets in touch with McLean, trying to encourage the retired detective to investigate, telling him it is a mistake for the police to assume this is about a turf war. McLean is not inclined to get involved until later when his circumstances change. and he joins Janie on the case by becoming a consultant.
It is Janie that takes centre stage, and she rises magnificently to the role of running a particularly complicated and taxing case, working all the hours, in a team seriously short of the necessary people. Janie is low on self esteem and is far from convinced that she is ready to be a DI, but she is clearly marked for a great future in the force. As can be relied on, there are elements of the gothic and supernatural, although that only becomes clear later. It is a delight to be reacquainted with the distinctly offbeat cast that we have come to know so well, such as the wonderful Madame Rose. The insertion of an intriguing thread from the early 1980s, and the trauma of a young boy being abused by Father Eric O'Connell who ends up being murdered by burglars had me intensely curious as to just how it was all going to connect with present day events.
This is a brilliant addition to the series, and I am hoping the author does not take long in coming up with the next in this exceptional Scottish series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Janie accepts this, but is left with the burning question of why Morgan, a staunch lifelong Catholic, should inexplicably be in this deconsecrated church at night. However, this turns out later to be possibly a case of murder when other murdered bodies of criminals turn up in churches, branded by a cross on their foreheads, fuelling an intense media scrutiny with a serial killer running amok in the city. All of the victims are part of the ruthless and brutal criminal gang led by the elderly Archie Seagram, who has managed to evade the police through the years. Seagram, clearly a terrified man who fears becoming the next target, gets in touch with McLean, trying to encourage the retired detective to investigate, telling him it is a mistake for the police to assume this is about a turf war. McLean is not inclined to get involved until later when his circumstances change. and he joins Janie on the case by becoming a consultant.
It is Janie that takes centre stage, and she rises magnificently to the role of running a particularly complicated and taxing case, working all the hours, in a team seriously short of the necessary people. Janie is low on self esteem and is far from convinced that she is ready to be a DI, but she is clearly marked for a great future in the force. As can be relied on, there are elements of the gothic and supernatural, although that only becomes clear later. It is a delight to be reacquainted with the distinctly offbeat cast that we have come to know so well, such as the wonderful Madame Rose. The insertion of an intriguing thread from the early 1980s, and the trauma of a young boy being abused by Father Eric O'Connell who ends up being murdered by burglars had me intensely curious as to just how it was all going to connect with present day events.
This is a brilliant addition to the series, and I am hoping the author does not take long in coming up with the next in this exceptional Scottish series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
August 4, 2024
After my catch-up blitz on the Inspector McLean series, I had to wait like everyone else for the next one in the series to be published so I didn’t want to rush in as I knew then I would have to wait a while for book 14 and I am not always the most patient of people. I have caved though and although I am so glad that I did and I was soon back in the middle of the investigation and as ever when Tony McLean is involved you can expect something otherworldly to make an appearance.
When the police are called to a disused church in Edinburgh they have to quickly remove the body of one-time ex-con Kenny Morgan before the building collapses on him. DS Janie Harrison soon finds herself action SIO on the case with a temporary promotion to DI as Tony is currently not working with the team. That is not to say he is not aware of what is going on as he is soon co contacted by Morgan’s former boss who believes there is more to the death that is being reported and he wants McLean to find out who is responsible.
Janie is determined to get to the bottom of this case especially when two more men are found dead in churches with crosses burned into their foreheads. Although Tony is not really involved (not at the beginning) his influence on how she conducts her investigation are definitely there, the insistence on getting involved in the work that maybe detective constables could do (as its quicker to do it herself) and the fact that she constantly goes against what her boss tells her to do. There are times when both she and the reader think that she is out of her depth but one thing she is more than capable of handling is the unwanted attention of her drunken boss even if it could possibly scupper her chance at permanent promotion.
What she does have going for her is that she knows her team and they know her so they work as hard as they can to solve the case and even have a bit of gentle teasing with her over her promotion and its great to see her really show what she is made of without the buffer of McLean. That being said, fans of the series know that Tony won’t stay away no matter what he says and when even Emma appears to have had enough of his “help” and encourages him to go back to work as a consultant he really doesn’t take long to go back to his old habits and that includes putting himself in harms way.
At the core of this book is an historic crime, one of abuse of a child who, now grown up believes his abuse is still alive but what this has to do with the murders is not very clear until near the end and the ending whilst does wrap the investigation up is actually quite sad and has you feeling that in some way the perpetrator had been let down over the years. I can honestly say I love this series and am now back to waiting (not patiently) for book 14
When the police are called to a disused church in Edinburgh they have to quickly remove the body of one-time ex-con Kenny Morgan before the building collapses on him. DS Janie Harrison soon finds herself action SIO on the case with a temporary promotion to DI as Tony is currently not working with the team. That is not to say he is not aware of what is going on as he is soon co contacted by Morgan’s former boss who believes there is more to the death that is being reported and he wants McLean to find out who is responsible.
Janie is determined to get to the bottom of this case especially when two more men are found dead in churches with crosses burned into their foreheads. Although Tony is not really involved (not at the beginning) his influence on how she conducts her investigation are definitely there, the insistence on getting involved in the work that maybe detective constables could do (as its quicker to do it herself) and the fact that she constantly goes against what her boss tells her to do. There are times when both she and the reader think that she is out of her depth but one thing she is more than capable of handling is the unwanted attention of her drunken boss even if it could possibly scupper her chance at permanent promotion.
What she does have going for her is that she knows her team and they know her so they work as hard as they can to solve the case and even have a bit of gentle teasing with her over her promotion and its great to see her really show what she is made of without the buffer of McLean. That being said, fans of the series know that Tony won’t stay away no matter what he says and when even Emma appears to have had enough of his “help” and encourages him to go back to work as a consultant he really doesn’t take long to go back to his old habits and that includes putting himself in harms way.
At the core of this book is an historic crime, one of abuse of a child who, now grown up believes his abuse is still alive but what this has to do with the murders is not very clear until near the end and the ending whilst does wrap the investigation up is actually quite sad and has you feeling that in some way the perpetrator had been let down over the years. I can honestly say I love this series and am now back to waiting (not patiently) for book 14
October 11, 2024
This 13th in the Tony McLean series by James Oswald is definitely lucky for readers.
We open with the fear of a child in the 1980s, as a young altar boy is awaiting "special ministrations", which raises the hackles immediately - but then from his waiting place in a closet, he can hear scuffles and raised voices. When things fall silent and he finally plucks up the courage to open the door, the church has been robbed of its silverware, and Father O'Connell will no longer be able to prey on children.
In the here and now, DS Janie Harrison and DC Cass Mitchell are at a church, derelict and crumbling, where a body has been found, head crushed by falling rubble - but he was dead before the stones hit him. Identified as Kenneth Morgan, 71, a career criminal who worked for gangster Archie Seagram, there's pressure to close the case quickly, though Janie still wonders why he was in the church and if there was a specific cause for the heart attack he had.
Tony McLean resigned/retired at the end of the previous book and is not keen to return despite the urging of several former colleagues. However, we're not short-changed by having Janie as the central figure in this novel - it's a treat to see her spread her wings a little. Characters that change and develop are what keep me reading a series, and a writer that does this well will always earn my applause.
Another derelict church; another body. Another of Seagram's men, another heart attack. Is this a turf war, or something else entirely? McLean is finally persuaded to be a consultant to the case, as he had dealings with the dead men while an officer - and has had Seagram seeking his help. Finally, the CCTV trawl shows the same figure near each church ahead of the deaths...
The supernatural is always a feature in this series and it rears its head in For Our Sins, in particular two genuinely unsettling scenes close to the end of the book. Though finally, a troubled man finds peace, and our cops can celebrate making Edinburgh a better place, at least for a while.
Once again James Oswald has given us a thoughtful yet gripping read. If you haven't already discovered this series, get yourself settled in Tony McLean's Edinburgh as soon as possible.
We open with the fear of a child in the 1980s, as a young altar boy is awaiting "special ministrations", which raises the hackles immediately - but then from his waiting place in a closet, he can hear scuffles and raised voices. When things fall silent and he finally plucks up the courage to open the door, the church has been robbed of its silverware, and Father O'Connell will no longer be able to prey on children.
In the here and now, DS Janie Harrison and DC Cass Mitchell are at a church, derelict and crumbling, where a body has been found, head crushed by falling rubble - but he was dead before the stones hit him. Identified as Kenneth Morgan, 71, a career criminal who worked for gangster Archie Seagram, there's pressure to close the case quickly, though Janie still wonders why he was in the church and if there was a specific cause for the heart attack he had.
Tony McLean resigned/retired at the end of the previous book and is not keen to return despite the urging of several former colleagues. However, we're not short-changed by having Janie as the central figure in this novel - it's a treat to see her spread her wings a little. Characters that change and develop are what keep me reading a series, and a writer that does this well will always earn my applause.
Another derelict church; another body. Another of Seagram's men, another heart attack. Is this a turf war, or something else entirely? McLean is finally persuaded to be a consultant to the case, as he had dealings with the dead men while an officer - and has had Seagram seeking his help. Finally, the CCTV trawl shows the same figure near each church ahead of the deaths...
The supernatural is always a feature in this series and it rears its head in For Our Sins, in particular two genuinely unsettling scenes close to the end of the book. Though finally, a troubled man finds peace, and our cops can celebrate making Edinburgh a better place, at least for a while.
Once again James Oswald has given us a thoughtful yet gripping read. If you haven't already discovered this series, get yourself settled in Tony McLean's Edinburgh as soon as possible.
April 3, 2024
Step up to the mark acting Detective Inspector Janie Harrison and wow! does she not disappoint. Inspector Tony McClean has resigned from the police force becoming the full time carer for his partner Emma who recently suffered a debilatating stroke. With few officers available and a Scottish police force in great need of manpower, there is little choice but for Janie Harrison to accept the role as acting Detective Inspector until a replacement for Tony can be found. When the body of a man is found in the remains of an old church, foul play is not initially suspected a view that quickly changes when 2 more bodies appear all linked to Edinburgh's criminal underworld. Meanwhile McClean receives a call from known underworld figure Archibald Seagram stating that he has some information that could benefit him. CCTV points to a shrouded individual who appears to be present at all the incidents. What is the connection between Robert Murphy, a child, who suffered abuse at the hands of a notorious Catholic priest in the early 80's? Meanwhile Janie is receiving unwanted attention from her recently appointed superior Detective Superintendent Peter Nelson which will have far reaching consequences. As always there is a wonderful cast of characters that make "For our Sins" such a joy: Madame Rose the alluring mysterious trans medium, Grumpy Bob retired but still enjoying life in the historic case archives, and not forgetting Tony's honest and faithful companion...Mrs McCutcheon's cat!
The author has done an amazing job of bringing Janie to the fore, she has just the right blend of steely determination, intuition, and sympathy to ensure she a shining career as Detective Inspector. As the case progresses Tony is employed as a temporary consultant....does this mean he will be returning in the next book?.....lets hope so as Tony McClean and Janie Harrison are not only two great detectives but two respectful work colleagures. An excellent read, a great edition to the series that gets better and better on each outing...Highly recommended.
The author has done an amazing job of bringing Janie to the fore, she has just the right blend of steely determination, intuition, and sympathy to ensure she a shining career as Detective Inspector. As the case progresses Tony is employed as a temporary consultant....does this mean he will be returning in the next book?.....lets hope so as Tony McClean and Janie Harrison are not only two great detectives but two respectful work colleagures. An excellent read, a great edition to the series that gets better and better on each outing...Highly recommended.
December 15, 2023
I would like to thank Netgalley and Headline for an advance copy of For Our Sins, the thirteenth novel to feature DI Tony McLean of Police Scotland, based in Edinburgh.
The death of former criminal Kenny Morgan in a disused church is written off as natural causes, although DS Janie Harrison wonders what he was doing there. Newly retired Tony McLean is approached by local gang boss Archie Seagram and asked to investigate more thoroughly, even if it’s no longer his job. Then a second man is found in another disused church and it’s clearly murder as the brand of a cross on his forehead shows. Janie is now leading her first murder investigation and Tony is brought on as a consultant.
I thoroughly enjoyed For Our Sins, which is an engrossing read with an inexplicable resolution. I say inexplicable as it could be some kind of paranormal thing or it could simply be some kind of stretched misdirection. Who knows? It adds a certain frisson to the novel and ensures that the mystery of who and why remains strong throughout the novel. I liked the unpredictability of it.
The plot is a bit of a change with Janie Harrison leading her first murder investigation and Tony McLean taking a back seat until making a game changing discovery. Of course, having identified the perpetrator the author still has more twists up his sleeve and they’re crackers. Janie is leading the investigation with too few staff, hence Tony’s drafting as a consultant, and a narcissistic new boss, who picks on her. I loved the resolution to that particular scenario and the broader comeuppance at Tony’s hand. It seems like the old dynamic has revived. In between these highlights the novel reads like a police procedural, always one of my favourite formats, concerned with finding links between the victims, establishing a motive and a relevant perpetrator. There are a lot of surprises in those endeavours and it is very moreish.
For Our Sins is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
The death of former criminal Kenny Morgan in a disused church is written off as natural causes, although DS Janie Harrison wonders what he was doing there. Newly retired Tony McLean is approached by local gang boss Archie Seagram and asked to investigate more thoroughly, even if it’s no longer his job. Then a second man is found in another disused church and it’s clearly murder as the brand of a cross on his forehead shows. Janie is now leading her first murder investigation and Tony is brought on as a consultant.
I thoroughly enjoyed For Our Sins, which is an engrossing read with an inexplicable resolution. I say inexplicable as it could be some kind of paranormal thing or it could simply be some kind of stretched misdirection. Who knows? It adds a certain frisson to the novel and ensures that the mystery of who and why remains strong throughout the novel. I liked the unpredictability of it.
The plot is a bit of a change with Janie Harrison leading her first murder investigation and Tony McLean taking a back seat until making a game changing discovery. Of course, having identified the perpetrator the author still has more twists up his sleeve and they’re crackers. Janie is leading the investigation with too few staff, hence Tony’s drafting as a consultant, and a narcissistic new boss, who picks on her. I loved the resolution to that particular scenario and the broader comeuppance at Tony’s hand. It seems like the old dynamic has revived. In between these highlights the novel reads like a police procedural, always one of my favourite formats, concerned with finding links between the victims, establishing a motive and a relevant perpetrator. There are a lot of surprises in those endeavours and it is very moreish.
For Our Sins is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
February 10, 2024
The partial collapse of a disused Edinburgh church reveals a dead body in the rubble, his head badly smashed by falling masonry. Soon identified as an old ex-con, Kenny Morgan his death is put down to a heart attack and deemed non-suspicious. Tony McLean is approached by a notorious crime lord who suggests the police should be looking into Morgan's death more closely. But when a second man is found dead in another disused church, his forehead branded with a cross, this time it is clearly murder.
The thirteenth outing for Tony & the team & it could be read on its own, I love this series & look forward to each new addition a highlight of my reading year. Tony takes a back seat in this book as he handed in his resignation six months ago so he could care for Emma as she recovers from her stroke. However his post hasn’t been filled & this intriguing case falls on Janie Harrison’s shoulders & boy does she step up to the mark. There are old friends & some new additions including Peter Nelson who made my skin crawl from the first meeting – as Tony & Janie would say ‘something was off’. The case takes twists & turns & at times I wondered how things were linked or even if they were linked. From the abuse of choir boys to trafficking to an aging crime boss & his close associates being branded. The author does hold any punches but builds the picture & lets your imagination fill in the blanks. I love how Janie came into her own & look forward to future books & how she develops as a DI. A very well written, fast paced book with strong characters & an intriguing storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed it & highly recommend it
Despite struggling with his recent retirement, he is reluctant to involve himself.
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The thirteenth outing for Tony & the team & it could be read on its own, I love this series & look forward to each new addition a highlight of my reading year. Tony takes a back seat in this book as he handed in his resignation six months ago so he could care for Emma as she recovers from her stroke. However his post hasn’t been filled & this intriguing case falls on Janie Harrison’s shoulders & boy does she step up to the mark. There are old friends & some new additions including Peter Nelson who made my skin crawl from the first meeting – as Tony & Janie would say ‘something was off’. The case takes twists & turns & at times I wondered how things were linked or even if they were linked. From the abuse of choir boys to trafficking to an aging crime boss & his close associates being branded. The author does hold any punches but builds the picture & lets your imagination fill in the blanks. I love how Janie came into her own & look forward to future books & how she develops as a DI. A very well written, fast paced book with strong characters & an intriguing storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed it & highly recommend it
Despite struggling with his recent retirement, he is reluctant to involve himself.
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
January 29, 2024
After a bit of a gap, it was great to finally get to read the thirteenth book in this excellent crime fiction series set in Edinburgh and featuring DI Tony McLean. As he had resigned at the end of the last book, to look after his partner Emma who is recovering from a stroke, Tony McLean does not at first feature quite so prominently as he usually does. DS Janey Harrison takes the lead in the investigation as a suitable replacement for DI McLean has not yet been found. She is well up to the task, though the responsibility weighs heavy.
When a body is found in the ruins of an old church building, unidentifiable due to the falling masonry, it is not immediately thought to be suspicious. This changes when two more bodies are found in similar circumstances, all linked to the criminal underworld. Unexplained flashbacks to something that happened back in the 1980s are scattered through the narrative, but do they have any relevance to this investigation?
For Our Sins has all the features we have come to expect from this series – strong and capable female officers (most of the senior officers here are female), a troublesome senior officer who is acting inappropriately, a hint of the supernatural, some familiar characters from previous books (always a pleasure to encounter Madame Rose), and most important, Mrs McCutcheon’s cat and the other one are always there to welcome Tony when he comes home.
As readers of this series will already know, trouble and strange occurrences follow Tony McLean and this case is no exception. It was well worth the long wait, and we can only hope that he plans to come back for good in the next book. Only time will tell.
When a body is found in the ruins of an old church building, unidentifiable due to the falling masonry, it is not immediately thought to be suspicious. This changes when two more bodies are found in similar circumstances, all linked to the criminal underworld. Unexplained flashbacks to something that happened back in the 1980s are scattered through the narrative, but do they have any relevance to this investigation?
For Our Sins has all the features we have come to expect from this series – strong and capable female officers (most of the senior officers here are female), a troublesome senior officer who is acting inappropriately, a hint of the supernatural, some familiar characters from previous books (always a pleasure to encounter Madame Rose), and most important, Mrs McCutcheon’s cat and the other one are always there to welcome Tony when he comes home.
As readers of this series will already know, trouble and strange occurrences follow Tony McLean and this case is no exception. It was well worth the long wait, and we can only hope that he plans to come back for good in the next book. Only time will tell.
January 16, 2024
An interesting read this one as it is not the usual Inspector McLean in charge so to speak. Instead he is side lined by the fact he retired and refuses to go back despite getting asked time and again by the higher ups.
What we have is a dead body found when a church collapse and it to all intents and purposes appears to be a heart attack or so they have decided. A crime villain believes or knows otherwise but doesn't know who to tell so he arranges to speak to Tony McLean and advise him that all is not what it seems with the death. Tony though is retired and can't really do much and to some extent doesn't want to due who it was suggesting it.
Then another body turns up in with similar m.o. to the first and that means McLean maybe needs to look into it. Retired though his hands are tied a bit but he can't still influence and find some things out.
That then is the basis of the story and you have two enquiries at times the main police one and McLean's and he tries to influence steer the other.
How it goes and what happens is for you to read and find out and I would strongly advise you to.
This book is as ever well written and thoroughly readable and is what you expect from James Oswald. I just wanted to read it and for it not to end but all good things as they say. If you haven't read the series then your missing a treat and to some extent it may be better if you did read them before this one.
Like I say though if you read this you won't be disappointed.
What we have is a dead body found when a church collapse and it to all intents and purposes appears to be a heart attack or so they have decided. A crime villain believes or knows otherwise but doesn't know who to tell so he arranges to speak to Tony McLean and advise him that all is not what it seems with the death. Tony though is retired and can't really do much and to some extent doesn't want to due who it was suggesting it.
Then another body turns up in with similar m.o. to the first and that means McLean maybe needs to look into it. Retired though his hands are tied a bit but he can't still influence and find some things out.
That then is the basis of the story and you have two enquiries at times the main police one and McLean's and he tries to influence steer the other.
How it goes and what happens is for you to read and find out and I would strongly advise you to.
This book is as ever well written and thoroughly readable and is what you expect from James Oswald. I just wanted to read it and for it not to end but all good things as they say. If you haven't read the series then your missing a treat and to some extent it may be better if you did read them before this one.
Like I say though if you read this you won't be disappointed.
October 29, 2024
I read this while Robert and I had Covid and I’m not sure if that’s why I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as hid others 🤷♀️. It’s interesting how McLean was drawn back in to help is previous DS Janie Harrison who was so left a bit rudderless with no direct boss since McLean left. Det Superintendent Nelson was appointed above McLean of position but he had a reputation for being a “ladies man” which proved correct when he tried it in with her although she got the better of him. He was constantly undermining her. It is about 3 separate murders who are end in a church with a cross burned into their foreheads. She believed they are linked and sets about to prove it. They are all associates of a well known gangster Seagram (although he is now in his 70’s). Throughout the book there is also inserts about a child who was sexually assaulted by the local priest. Harrison believes that there is a police mole who is feeding information to Seagram. Harrison (with McLean’s help) uncovers that it is the young boy, now grown into his 50s who is seeking revenge of these 4 men ( not really sure how these 2 bits got together - must have missed that) as he is mentally unstable from his childhood experiences. McLean also proved to the chief McIntyre that Nelson was the mole.
May 7, 2025
I wasn't as immediately hooked with this one. I found the pace a bit slower and the vibe more procedural, focussing on the inner workings of the station, and Janey's challenges in her new, temporary position. I'm not mad, though. It came off (to me, at least) as quite realistic and well-researched. Not exactly thrilling, but definitely good world-building. The murders... weren't as weird as in others, but I appreciated the way they tied into the deeper rot of the ruling classes.
I'm not a huge fan of stories about CSA in the Catholic church (as a member, it's too close to home, you could say) but again, I appreciated the way the author kind of took a sharp turn, and ended up focusing on other peripheral figures who benefitted in one way or another from the horrors going on at the children's home. The way it went, as they say, all the way to the top? It was satisfying to see the most upper of society's upper echelons fall.
I was glad that we got a bit of an update on the maybe not quite retired yet McLean, and of course Emma and Madame Rose.
And even in an installment that's a little less weird and a little more bureaucratic, I appreciate that it's still very much a world where unexplained things happen, and evil isn't just an abstract concept.
I look forward to the next book.
I'm not a huge fan of stories about CSA in the Catholic church (as a member, it's too close to home, you could say) but again, I appreciated the way the author kind of took a sharp turn, and ended up focusing on other peripheral figures who benefitted in one way or another from the horrors going on at the children's home. The way it went, as they say, all the way to the top? It was satisfying to see the most upper of society's upper echelons fall.
I was glad that we got a bit of an update on the maybe not quite retired yet McLean, and of course Emma and Madame Rose.
And even in an installment that's a little less weird and a little more bureaucratic, I appreciate that it's still very much a world where unexplained things happen, and evil isn't just an abstract concept.
I look forward to the next book.
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