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DI Kelso Strang #6
Deadfall
Previously published as Cradle to Grave
There's something sinister about Drumdalloch Woods in the Black Isle near Inverness. It is a place of tangled growth and shadowy darkness, it has business opportunists, biological scientists and conflicted family members all competing for a say in its future. Then a body is found, and everything starts to look suspicious.
As DCI Kelso Strang's investigation grows more complex, he unearths layers of hatred, greed and revenge that cast doubt even on the local police force. Having only just found happiness with his new girlfriend, Cat Fleming, Strang faces an existential threat not only to his career but to his very life.
There's something sinister about Drumdalloch Woods in the Black Isle near Inverness. It is a place of tangled growth and shadowy darkness, it has business opportunists, biological scientists and conflicted family members all competing for a say in its future. Then a body is found, and everything starts to look suspicious.
As DCI Kelso Strang's investigation grows more complex, he unearths layers of hatred, greed and revenge that cast doubt even on the local police force. Having only just found happiness with his new girlfriend, Cat Fleming, Strang faces an existential threat not only to his career but to his very life.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published November 25, 2010
292 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Aline Templeton
33 books124 followersAline Templeton grew up in the East Neuk of Fife and was educated at St Leonards School, St Andrews and Cambridge University. She has worked in education and broadcasting and has written numerous stories and articles for national newspapers and magazines. Templeton was a bench Justice of the Peace for ten years and is a former Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, now living in Edinburgh. She is married with a grown up family.
She has written nine crime novels, published by Hodder & Stoughton in Britain, and has also been published in the United States and several European countries. After writing seven stand-alone books, she started a series set in Galloway and featuring DI Marjory Fleming, the first of which – Cold In The Earth – was an Ottakar's Crime Novel of the Month and an Independent Best Summer Read. The second, The Darkness and the Deep, was published in July 2006, and there are now six books in the DI Fleming series.
She has written nine crime novels, published by Hodder & Stoughton in Britain, and has also been published in the United States and several European countries. After writing seven stand-alone books, she started a series set in Galloway and featuring DI Marjory Fleming, the first of which – Cold In The Earth – was an Ottakar's Crime Novel of the Month and an Independent Best Summer Read. The second, The Darkness and the Deep, was published in July 2006, and there are now six books in the DI Fleming series.
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November 28, 2024
EXCERPT: ' . . . But no, it's not her house, we share it. There's a lot needs sorting out so it won't be in quite such bad repair when it comes to selling it.'
The boy had turned his head sharply. 'You're going to sell it? Just like that? Grandad said you couldn't, that it was to be handed on like it is . . .'
Perry ground his teeth. That could have been the boy's mother talking - not that he'd ever believed she meant what she said. 'Grandad was running the place into the ground. He was spending the money he'd inherited in a reckless way and if it had gone on like that there'd be nothing left.'
His son's silence was so icy that Perry could almost feel the draught on his skin. Then James said, in a low voice, 'So did you kill him as well, before that could happen?'
ABOUT 'DEADFALL': There is something sinister about Drumdalloch Woods in the Black Isle near Inverness. It is a place of tangled growth and shadowy darkness, and it has business opportunists, biological scientists and conflicted family members all competing for a say in its future. Then a body is found, and everything starts to look suspicious.
As DCI Kelso Strang's investigation grows more complex, he unearths layers of hatred, greed and revenge that cast suspicion even on the local police force. Having only just found happiness with his new girlfriend, Cat Fleming, Strang faces an existential threat not only to his career but to his very life.
MY THOUGHTS: I have loved the DCI Strang series up until this point. Deadfall is definitely not measuring up to the standard set by the earlier books.
It takes an extremely long time for the scene to be set. Neither the plot nor the writing flowed, the majority of the characters are unstable, and most issues remain unresolved at the end. If I hadn't known in advance who had written this, I would never have picked Aline Templeton as the author.
Deadfall starts off well enough. One of the few believable characters, Lachie McIvor, who lives in a decaying shepherd's bothy on the edge of the estate, finds a body in the woods. There is a dark and menacing tone to the prologue which, unfortunately, doesn't carry through to the rest of the book.
The narrative then jumps forwards three years to 2023 and the madness begins. And I mean madness. Other than Lachie, DCI Strang, and a couple of Strang's detectives, none of the main characters are particularly believable. They all behave like squabbling, badly behaved, tantrum throwing, petulant or needy children.
There are secret plans and plots concerning the fate of the woods; people scheming against one another; emotional blackmail; child neglect and bullying. The waters are further muddied by the inclusion of a police corruption thread.
I ended this read feeling dissatisfied, both with the messy structure and the equally messy characters. I missed the easy, compelling reading that has been my previous experience with this author.
⭐⭐.5
#Deadfall #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Aline Templeton grew up in the fishing village of Anstruther, in the East Neuk of Fife. She has worked in education and broadcasting and was a Justice of the Peace for ten years. Married, with a son and daughter and four grandchildren, she lived in Edinburgh for many years but now lives in Kent.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Allison & Busby via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Deadfall by Aline Templeton for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The boy had turned his head sharply. 'You're going to sell it? Just like that? Grandad said you couldn't, that it was to be handed on like it is . . .'
Perry ground his teeth. That could have been the boy's mother talking - not that he'd ever believed she meant what she said. 'Grandad was running the place into the ground. He was spending the money he'd inherited in a reckless way and if it had gone on like that there'd be nothing left.'
His son's silence was so icy that Perry could almost feel the draught on his skin. Then James said, in a low voice, 'So did you kill him as well, before that could happen?'
ABOUT 'DEADFALL': There is something sinister about Drumdalloch Woods in the Black Isle near Inverness. It is a place of tangled growth and shadowy darkness, and it has business opportunists, biological scientists and conflicted family members all competing for a say in its future. Then a body is found, and everything starts to look suspicious.
As DCI Kelso Strang's investigation grows more complex, he unearths layers of hatred, greed and revenge that cast suspicion even on the local police force. Having only just found happiness with his new girlfriend, Cat Fleming, Strang faces an existential threat not only to his career but to his very life.
MY THOUGHTS: I have loved the DCI Strang series up until this point. Deadfall is definitely not measuring up to the standard set by the earlier books.
It takes an extremely long time for the scene to be set. Neither the plot nor the writing flowed, the majority of the characters are unstable, and most issues remain unresolved at the end. If I hadn't known in advance who had written this, I would never have picked Aline Templeton as the author.
Deadfall starts off well enough. One of the few believable characters, Lachie McIvor, who lives in a decaying shepherd's bothy on the edge of the estate, finds a body in the woods. There is a dark and menacing tone to the prologue which, unfortunately, doesn't carry through to the rest of the book.
The narrative then jumps forwards three years to 2023 and the madness begins. And I mean madness. Other than Lachie, DCI Strang, and a couple of Strang's detectives, none of the main characters are particularly believable. They all behave like squabbling, badly behaved, tantrum throwing, petulant or needy children.
There are secret plans and plots concerning the fate of the woods; people scheming against one another; emotional blackmail; child neglect and bullying. The waters are further muddied by the inclusion of a police corruption thread.
I ended this read feeling dissatisfied, both with the messy structure and the equally messy characters. I missed the easy, compelling reading that has been my previous experience with this author.
⭐⭐.5
#Deadfall #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Aline Templeton grew up in the fishing village of Anstruther, in the East Neuk of Fife. She has worked in education and broadcasting and was a Justice of the Peace for ten years. Married, with a son and daughter and four grandchildren, she lived in Edinburgh for many years but now lives in Kent.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Allison & Busby via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Deadfall by Aline Templeton for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 3, 2024
Deadfall is the sixth edition to the DI Kelso Strang thriller series by Aline Templeton set in Scotland. Although it is the first I’ve read, I felt it worked fairly well as a standalone. However, I did have some problems with it which may have been due to my not having read the other books. The pace of the first third of the story seemed very slow as the setting and the plot are set up and the characters introduced and, admittedly, it took a while to engage me. However, when it did get going, it grabbed me and didn’t let go. The end, itself, was left open with no complete resolution although the solution was certainly hinted at. Oddly, this actually worked for me since I suspect this is true of many crimes where the police are sure of the perpetrator but haven’t the evidence to prove it. Overall, despite my criticisms of the book, once it got going, I found it very enjoyable and well-written with an interesting mystery and would definitely read more ny this author in the future.
3.5 rounded up to 4
Thanks to Netgalley and Allison and Busby for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
3.5 rounded up to 4
Thanks to Netgalley and Allison and Busby for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
November 29, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed “Deadfall” by Aline Templeton. It contained many features I consider essential for a good mystery:
1) Good writing (the most important component);
2) Character-driven rather than plot-driven; and
3) Sensory images that immerse the reader in the setting.
Although “Deadfall” is the sixth instalment of the Kelso Strang series, it was the first Aline Templeton novel I have read. At no point did I feel lost. Enough information was provided about Strang to enable me to understand his actions, but the story focused more directly on the needs and motivations of characters embroiled in a unique setting .
Brief Synopsis
The Drumdalloch Woods is a privately owned forest situated on the Black Isle in the Scottish Highlands. Filled with thick, dark trees, a sanctuary for woodland birds, its owner, Giles Forsyth, considered Drumdalloch a sacred trust to be passed on to future generations. Giles did not believe that either of his two children—Oriole, his daughter, or Perry, his son—would carry on this historic legacy and consequently was planning to bequeath it to his daughter-in-law, Helena. Then Helena died in a freak accident. Or was it an accident? Her ten-year-old son, Jay, didn’t believe that it was, but no one listened to him.
Three years later, Giles has died and his two children are waiting for approval of their ownership rights. Oriole, still lives in the large deteriorating house in the woods and is struggling to pay her bills; Perry, who works for his cousins—a branch of the wealthy Forsyths in Edinburgh—has been living comfortably until he is laid off from the family firm during an economic downturn. No one at his firm was sorry to see him go, as several staff members had accused him of bullying and harassment. The loss of his generous salary means that he must return to Drumdalloch, accompanied by Jay, his sullen thirteen-year-old son.
Several people have plans for Drumdalloch. Pompous Professor Michael Erskine views getting the woods officially transferred to the Institute for Studies in Biological Sciences as his way to academic respectability. After all, the Institute has had unfettered access to them for scientific research for almost 100 years. Hot tempered Norwegian graduate student, Lars Andersen, is consumed by his own research project and wants nothing to interfere with his work. Hotel owner Steve Christie needs Perry’s cooperation to include the woods in a luxury hotel investment. And Perry intends to sell to the highest bidder.
Another death, and this one was not an accident, although it doesn’t appear to have been a well-planned murder. After being struck in the head, the victim toppled into a pond and drowned; it appeared to be an opportunistic crime, one committed on impulse. Called in to carry out the investigation, DCI Strang collected his overnight bag and drove to the isolated peninsula. He was followed by his regular (and favourite) assistant, DS Livvy Murray. But what appeared to be a simple act of temper turns out not to be so simple to unravel, as Strang and Murray dig deeper.
What I Liked
1) I thoroughly enjoyed the description of the setting—the woods, alternatively ominous and majestic, mysterious and yet home to hundreds of birds that formed a chorus to greet visitors. To a Canadian reader, it seemed very familiar, close to home, even if the mixture of exotic trees, planted as a private sanctuary, differed from what I typically see in my homeland. But the important thing was that the author’s narrative helped me see and hear the environment.
2) Many of the characters were well-drawn, and unique, not stereotypes. I especially liked the picture of Oriole as it unfolded by showing how others viewed her, as well as her own thought patterns. Awkward, graceless, with a sad-spaniel face and a tendency to continuously talk whenever given the slightest amount of attention, most people pitied her. Steve Christie was her opposite—charming, well-liked, but hiding secret fears. Even Lachie MacIver, a minor character who played a small but significant role, was distinct. Only a major villain was conventionally villainous, but no attempt was made to hide his nefarious personality from the moment he made his first appearance.
3) As mentioned earlier, I loved the author’s writing style—descriptive, yet clear, not pretentious. I quickly flew through the story, finishing it in record time (for me).
What I Didn’t Like
In terms of the police investigation, the killer was identified. But a comment near the end showed that, although guilty of many things, he couldn’t have committed the opportunistic murder. It was left to DS Murray, in her mind, to make the connections that solved that crime. But there was no proof, and Murray decided to leave it be, because it was just a “gut” feeling about who was responsible.
Initially, because of this ambiguous ending, I was going to give “Deadfall” a four-star rating. But then, while re-reading sections of the book to write this review, I came across a passage early in the story that predicted exactly how the real killer thought. The solution was planted early, and easily overlooked by the multitude of details that followed. So, in light of the fact that I overlooked this clue, I am rating it as 4.5 stars, upped to 5.
Thanks to Allison & Busby for providing an electronic copy of this book via Netgalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
1) Good writing (the most important component);
2) Character-driven rather than plot-driven; and
3) Sensory images that immerse the reader in the setting.
Although “Deadfall” is the sixth instalment of the Kelso Strang series, it was the first Aline Templeton novel I have read. At no point did I feel lost. Enough information was provided about Strang to enable me to understand his actions, but the story focused more directly on the needs and motivations of characters embroiled in a unique setting .
Brief Synopsis
The Drumdalloch Woods is a privately owned forest situated on the Black Isle in the Scottish Highlands. Filled with thick, dark trees, a sanctuary for woodland birds, its owner, Giles Forsyth, considered Drumdalloch a sacred trust to be passed on to future generations. Giles did not believe that either of his two children—Oriole, his daughter, or Perry, his son—would carry on this historic legacy and consequently was planning to bequeath it to his daughter-in-law, Helena. Then Helena died in a freak accident. Or was it an accident? Her ten-year-old son, Jay, didn’t believe that it was, but no one listened to him.
Three years later, Giles has died and his two children are waiting for approval of their ownership rights. Oriole, still lives in the large deteriorating house in the woods and is struggling to pay her bills; Perry, who works for his cousins—a branch of the wealthy Forsyths in Edinburgh—has been living comfortably until he is laid off from the family firm during an economic downturn. No one at his firm was sorry to see him go, as several staff members had accused him of bullying and harassment. The loss of his generous salary means that he must return to Drumdalloch, accompanied by Jay, his sullen thirteen-year-old son.
Several people have plans for Drumdalloch. Pompous Professor Michael Erskine views getting the woods officially transferred to the Institute for Studies in Biological Sciences as his way to academic respectability. After all, the Institute has had unfettered access to them for scientific research for almost 100 years. Hot tempered Norwegian graduate student, Lars Andersen, is consumed by his own research project and wants nothing to interfere with his work. Hotel owner Steve Christie needs Perry’s cooperation to include the woods in a luxury hotel investment. And Perry intends to sell to the highest bidder.
Another death, and this one was not an accident, although it doesn’t appear to have been a well-planned murder. After being struck in the head, the victim toppled into a pond and drowned; it appeared to be an opportunistic crime, one committed on impulse. Called in to carry out the investigation, DCI Strang collected his overnight bag and drove to the isolated peninsula. He was followed by his regular (and favourite) assistant, DS Livvy Murray. But what appeared to be a simple act of temper turns out not to be so simple to unravel, as Strang and Murray dig deeper.
What I Liked
1) I thoroughly enjoyed the description of the setting—the woods, alternatively ominous and majestic, mysterious and yet home to hundreds of birds that formed a chorus to greet visitors. To a Canadian reader, it seemed very familiar, close to home, even if the mixture of exotic trees, planted as a private sanctuary, differed from what I typically see in my homeland. But the important thing was that the author’s narrative helped me see and hear the environment.
2) Many of the characters were well-drawn, and unique, not stereotypes. I especially liked the picture of Oriole as it unfolded by showing how others viewed her, as well as her own thought patterns. Awkward, graceless, with a sad-spaniel face and a tendency to continuously talk whenever given the slightest amount of attention, most people pitied her. Steve Christie was her opposite—charming, well-liked, but hiding secret fears. Even Lachie MacIver, a minor character who played a small but significant role, was distinct. Only a major villain was conventionally villainous, but no attempt was made to hide his nefarious personality from the moment he made his first appearance.
3) As mentioned earlier, I loved the author’s writing style—descriptive, yet clear, not pretentious. I quickly flew through the story, finishing it in record time (for me).
What I Didn’t Like
In terms of the police investigation, the killer was identified. But a comment near the end showed that, although guilty of many things, he couldn’t have committed the opportunistic murder. It was left to DS Murray, in her mind, to make the connections that solved that crime. But there was no proof, and Murray decided to leave it be, because it was just a “gut” feeling about who was responsible.
Initially, because of this ambiguous ending, I was going to give “Deadfall” a four-star rating. But then, while re-reading sections of the book to write this review, I came across a passage early in the story that predicted exactly how the real killer thought. The solution was planted early, and easily overlooked by the multitude of details that followed. So, in light of the fact that I overlooked this clue, I am rating it as 4.5 stars, upped to 5.
Thanks to Allison & Busby for providing an electronic copy of this book via Netgalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
November 25, 2024
2.75 stars. This was the first one of the DCI Strang series I’ve read, so I didn’t have any past books to draw on here. Strang was nice enough, but the rest of the characters were mostly unlikeable. Cat comes over as very young and insecure, Murray is unrequited love, and as for the Forsyths, Sinclair and Drummond, they’re all very unlikeable. There wasn’t really any nuance to their personalities, so Drummond isn’t just a corrupt and scary copper, he is almost a pantomime overdone villain. Oriole is very wet and ineffectual.
The plot plods along with lots of hints at plans and lots of talk about the woods, but nothing really picks up until near the end. But unless I missed something, it didn’t really resolve the plot with any clarity? The only thing worse than a slow read is one that doesn’t even wrap things up at the end.
From other reviews, it appears this might be the weaker in the series, in which case it’s unfortunate that has been my introduction. So in the interest of making sure, I will read the other few books I’ve got by this author, to give it a fair shake.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
The plot plods along with lots of hints at plans and lots of talk about the woods, but nothing really picks up until near the end. But unless I missed something, it didn’t really resolve the plot with any clarity? The only thing worse than a slow read is one that doesn’t even wrap things up at the end.
From other reviews, it appears this might be the weaker in the series, in which case it’s unfortunate that has been my introduction. So in the interest of making sure, I will read the other few books I’ve got by this author, to give it a fair shake.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
January 13, 2018
When I saw that it had been over two years since I last read one of Aline Templeton's Marjory Fleming mysteries, I was ashamed of myself. "Big Marge" is one of my favorite characters in all of crime fiction, and Templeton not only knows how to create marvelous characters, she's equally skilled with plot and action. Before I go any further, I'm going to tell you right now-- if you like police procedural series set in the UK and you haven't read Aline Templeton, well... you need to correct the oversight as soon as possible. (And start with the first book, Cold in the Earth.)
Templeton's characters are real. Marge isn't perfect (which can be seen by her recent suspension), but she is a good police officer. Her marriage to a farmer is solid but not without its occasional problems, and her two teenage children alternate between being angels and demons, as all good teenagers do. Marge's righthand man, Tam MacNee, is an odd little man who observes all, voices strong opinions whenever he feels like it and is excessively proud of his Glaswegian heritage. But he's off his feed in Cradle to Grave, and one of the mysteries readers must solve is why. Added to the team is newcomer Detective Constable Kim Kershaw, who began working while Fleming was out and doesn't know quite what to expect from her new boss.
The synopsis of the book makes you think that there's only one mystery in Cradle to Grave, and that is quite misleading. There's a lot going on besides the innocence or guilt of Lisa Stewart. A music festival is scheduled to be held at Rosscarron House if the torrential rain ever lets up, and everyone who's gathered there-- including one of Marjory's old flames-- is up to something... including the eight-year-old boy. The trick is trying to figure out what each of them is doing, and that's amidst all the weather-related action, instances of sabotage, and one very scary killer wandering around the countryside.
Templeton's characters always feel so true and grounded in the here and now that it's a pleasure to immerse myself in their lives while trying to untangle all the threads of the mystery. I came very, very close to giving Cradle to Grave my highest rating, but in the end, I had to admit that there was a bit too much going on. Not to the point where I'd completely lost the plot, but there was a time or two when I'd read a character's name and ask myself, "Now, who's he when he's at home?" Except for that memorable eight-year-old boy....
Aline Templeton is a British author whom I believe should be much better known here in the United States. I can always rely on her to carry me away to Scotland in the midst of characters I love and plots that are a pleasure to unravel. I urge you to give her books a try.
Templeton's characters are real. Marge isn't perfect (which can be seen by her recent suspension), but she is a good police officer. Her marriage to a farmer is solid but not without its occasional problems, and her two teenage children alternate between being angels and demons, as all good teenagers do. Marge's righthand man, Tam MacNee, is an odd little man who observes all, voices strong opinions whenever he feels like it and is excessively proud of his Glaswegian heritage. But he's off his feed in Cradle to Grave, and one of the mysteries readers must solve is why. Added to the team is newcomer Detective Constable Kim Kershaw, who began working while Fleming was out and doesn't know quite what to expect from her new boss.
The synopsis of the book makes you think that there's only one mystery in Cradle to Grave, and that is quite misleading. There's a lot going on besides the innocence or guilt of Lisa Stewart. A music festival is scheduled to be held at Rosscarron House if the torrential rain ever lets up, and everyone who's gathered there-- including one of Marjory's old flames-- is up to something... including the eight-year-old boy. The trick is trying to figure out what each of them is doing, and that's amidst all the weather-related action, instances of sabotage, and one very scary killer wandering around the countryside.
Templeton's characters always feel so true and grounded in the here and now that it's a pleasure to immerse myself in their lives while trying to untangle all the threads of the mystery. I came very, very close to giving Cradle to Grave my highest rating, but in the end, I had to admit that there was a bit too much going on. Not to the point where I'd completely lost the plot, but there was a time or two when I'd read a character's name and ask myself, "Now, who's he when he's at home?" Except for that memorable eight-year-old boy....
Aline Templeton is a British author whom I believe should be much better known here in the United States. I can always rely on her to carry me away to Scotland in the midst of characters I love and plots that are a pleasure to unravel. I urge you to give her books a try.
July 10, 2011
First Sentence: She had no idea how long she had been walking, though such light as there was had begun fading into an ominous twilight.
DI Marjory Fleming is back from suspension and finds tension within her team. A major rainstorm has caused a landslide onto Rosscarron Cottages. One of the tenants has a past she’d rather keep hidden but it’s difficult since the cottages are on the land of wealthy Gillis Crozier, whose family is directly involved in her past. What starts as a trip to the area by DI Fleming and her 1st officer Sgt. Tam MacNee, nearly costs them their lives and leads them to the investigation of a murder.
Ms. Templeton excels at capturing the reader with a very dramatic opening even though, at that point, you don’t know the characters, their background or relationship to the story. That’s a sign of effective writing. It sets the tone for a story that is dramatic and tense, which is maintained throughout the story.
There is such a strong sense of place established by detailed descriptions that it becomes another character in the book. Yet it is the characters that drive the story. Readers new to the series are introduced to Marge and Tam with their backgrounds and relationship, as well as to the other characters. Even those characters who are not likable are made real, alive and, in many cases, sympathetic to us.
The plot is complicated. It is rather hard to follow, in the beginning; similar to a jigsaw puzzle tumbled out on a table with a finished picture being provided. But piece by piece, the bits are brought together and Templeton allows the image to emerge. Along with the plot, comes effectively conveyed, strong emotion, secrets being kept, the devastation of one who is innocent being thought guilty, the malice of real sociopathy, and a very good plot twist.
What is not here is Templeton’s trademark wry humor, aside from a reference to “Lord of the Rings.” While I missed it, I also understood it as it would not have worked with this particularly story. Good for her.
Templeton is an excellent writer who deserves a much wider audience.
CRADLE TO GRAVE (Pol Proc-DI Marjory Fleming-Scotland-Cont) – VG
Templeton, Aline – 6th in series
Hodder, ©2011, UK Paperback – ISBN: 9780340976999
DI Marjory Fleming is back from suspension and finds tension within her team. A major rainstorm has caused a landslide onto Rosscarron Cottages. One of the tenants has a past she’d rather keep hidden but it’s difficult since the cottages are on the land of wealthy Gillis Crozier, whose family is directly involved in her past. What starts as a trip to the area by DI Fleming and her 1st officer Sgt. Tam MacNee, nearly costs them their lives and leads them to the investigation of a murder.
Ms. Templeton excels at capturing the reader with a very dramatic opening even though, at that point, you don’t know the characters, their background or relationship to the story. That’s a sign of effective writing. It sets the tone for a story that is dramatic and tense, which is maintained throughout the story.
There is such a strong sense of place established by detailed descriptions that it becomes another character in the book. Yet it is the characters that drive the story. Readers new to the series are introduced to Marge and Tam with their backgrounds and relationship, as well as to the other characters. Even those characters who are not likable are made real, alive and, in many cases, sympathetic to us.
The plot is complicated. It is rather hard to follow, in the beginning; similar to a jigsaw puzzle tumbled out on a table with a finished picture being provided. But piece by piece, the bits are brought together and Templeton allows the image to emerge. Along with the plot, comes effectively conveyed, strong emotion, secrets being kept, the devastation of one who is innocent being thought guilty, the malice of real sociopathy, and a very good plot twist.
What is not here is Templeton’s trademark wry humor, aside from a reference to “Lord of the Rings.” While I missed it, I also understood it as it would not have worked with this particularly story. Good for her.
Templeton is an excellent writer who deserves a much wider audience.
CRADLE TO GRAVE (Pol Proc-DI Marjory Fleming-Scotland-Cont) – VG
Templeton, Aline – 6th in series
Hodder, ©2011, UK Paperback – ISBN: 9780340976999
February 20, 2013
D.I. Marjory Fleming is back after being suspended pending an enquiry which cleared her of bad practices in a previous case and immediately finds herself heading up a new murder investigation. There is alot going on in this story, Lisa Stewart, a nanny accused and cleared of the murder of a baby in her care, is living in the area under an assumed name and while she is out for a walk, the cliff above her cottage collapses, leaving Lisa's home and several other cottages below, under a mud slide and rubble. It turns out, the family Lisa worked for, are living close by and then a body turns up in Lisa's cottage, which initially is thought to be her boyfriend, killed in the fall, but it is a stranger and he has been murdered. When the grandfather of the baby is murdered soon afterwards, Lisa is a suspect. We also learn that Tam and Marjory's relationship is strained and he is behaving out of character, and Marjory suspects there is something going on he is not sharing with her. There is a new member on Marjory's team, Kim Kershaw and she and Tam are also butting heads. Plus, an old boyfriend of Marjory's is caught up in the middle of the investigation and this leads to some tension between her and her husband, Bill. As I said, there is a lot going on in this story and plenty of twists and turns, which leaves you guessing to the end. I really liked it, as I have all of the books in this series so far.
October 1, 2024
With many thanks to Netgalley for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.
Deadfall sees the return of the wonderful Kelso Strang in this high end Scottish police procedural. Aline Templeton really does like to take her time setting the scene and laying the foundations and therefore it is quite a while before Kelso comes properly into the story. This is when the pace really starts to ramp up and things start to get interesting. An array of fascinating characters makes for plenty of suspects as we follow Kelso and the delightful Livvy as they put the pieces together. My least favourite in the series but still an enjoyable read 3.5 ⭐️
August 30, 2016
CRADLE TO GRAVE is an incredible mystery plus thriller that breathes new life into the phrase "nonstop action/adventure/thrills." With a plot as tautly constructed as a boa hugging its prey, with danger literally at every turn, and characters deeply designed with many of them unacquainted with Truth, author Aline Templeton delivers breathless delight in suspense on every page.
July 3, 2014
I like Templeton's series and the way she brings in DI Marjory Fleming's private life and shows a working mum pulled in two directions between her responsibilities to her family and to her demanding job.
Cradle to Grave has a reasonable mystery to solve for her, too! Very atmospheric and the setting in Scotland perfectly described. Fleming's team revolve around her and add to the tension.
Cradle to Grave has a reasonable mystery to solve for her, too! Very atmospheric and the setting in Scotland perfectly described. Fleming's team revolve around her and add to the tension.
November 23, 2024
I like this series. But this on disappointed. It was obvious who the perpetrator was in one crime and probably in both. The police were chasing their tails and the plot was bit disjointed. The ending unresolved except in one part of the plot. I dislike intensely unresolved plots. So many unresolved bits that makes rethink this might be picked up next time around. If there isa next time.
Read
November 8, 2016Did not finish.
The book failed my '50 Page' rule. If a book hasn't caught my interest inside of 50 pages, I don't bother with it.
By the 50 page mark I had no real idea what was going on, and no interest in the characters.
The book failed my '50 Page' rule. If a book hasn't caught my interest inside of 50 pages, I don't bother with it.
By the 50 page mark I had no real idea what was going on, and no interest in the characters.
June 25, 2015
I could not get into this book at all not sure if you haver to read in order but i was missing something took too long to get into the story
November 21, 2025
Little slow at the beginning but once it picked up I was hooked and enjoyed it quite a bit!
November 19, 2024
Drumdalloch House is surrounded by woods on the Black Isle near Inverness. The Grandmother had planted many special trees, and their parents had taken care of them. At this time, the house is decaying and there are several local students and other volunteers who are working among the trees. Early in the book, the Members of the family are Giles Forsyth, the father, Perry the son, Oriole the daughter, Helena, Perry's wife, and Jay, the young son of Perry and Helena. Perry has been working in the city and is usually only around on weekends.
There are students and faculty from a nearby college as well as volunteer working on the valuable trees in the woods. When a student working finds Helena dead from a bird shelf in a tree landing on her head, Oriole calls the police. Local policeman, Drummond investigates, and determines that Helena's death was an accident. However, Jay thinks that his father or aunt had killed her because they wanted to make money from the trees, and he becomes difficult to control. Oriole wants to keep the forest as her grandmother had wanted, but Perry wants to get some income from it.
We soon find that Perry has joined with two friends, the policeman Drummond and the nearby hotel owner Steve, to sell the hotel and start a new luxury hotel at the Drumdalloch site. When Oriole has an accident similar to Helena's (although it didn't kill her), Jay disappears, and it is believed that he may have tried to kill his aunt. This time Strang is called in from Edinburgh. Drummond tries to take control, but is not allowed to work with the police. Then, there is another suspicious death. We soon realize that there is a group of bad police and Oriole and Jay are both in danger of their life. Will the good guys find Jay before the bad guys get to him? And will Strang live to marry his new girlfriend?
This is a very exciting book and I can't wait to read all the previous books in the series. I thank Net Galley and Allyson&Busby for the ARC so I could read the book before publication.
There are students and faculty from a nearby college as well as volunteer working on the valuable trees in the woods. When a student working finds Helena dead from a bird shelf in a tree landing on her head, Oriole calls the police. Local policeman, Drummond investigates, and determines that Helena's death was an accident. However, Jay thinks that his father or aunt had killed her because they wanted to make money from the trees, and he becomes difficult to control. Oriole wants to keep the forest as her grandmother had wanted, but Perry wants to get some income from it.
We soon find that Perry has joined with two friends, the policeman Drummond and the nearby hotel owner Steve, to sell the hotel and start a new luxury hotel at the Drumdalloch site. When Oriole has an accident similar to Helena's (although it didn't kill her), Jay disappears, and it is believed that he may have tried to kill his aunt. This time Strang is called in from Edinburgh. Drummond tries to take control, but is not allowed to work with the police. Then, there is another suspicious death. We soon realize that there is a group of bad police and Oriole and Jay are both in danger of their life. Will the good guys find Jay before the bad guys get to him? And will Strang live to marry his new girlfriend?
This is a very exciting book and I can't wait to read all the previous books in the series. I thank Net Galley and Allyson&Busby for the ARC so I could read the book before publication.
October 1, 2024
Deadfall is the sixth installment in the police procedural series featuring DCI Kelsey Strang and the members of the All Scotland Regional Police Force. This force is called in to supplement local resources in smaller, more remote areas of Scotland no longer manned for serious crime investigations. I have enjoyed all the books in the series. These are well written police procedurals with a strong sense of place and wonderful descriptions of various areas in the north of Scotland. Deadfall takes place at Drumdalloch Woods in the Black Isle near Inverness and the description of the woods gave them an almost oversized presence. There were a fair number of characters in the book and I struggled a bit for the first 25 percent until DCI Strang arrives to work the case and other characters from the previous books in the series show up. From then on it was a quick read and I hope there will be another DCI Stang book in the future.
September 2, 2014
3.5 stars. A bit better than her average. One of the things that bothered me about this book is that she doesn't consistently refer to non-police characters by either first or last name. It makes it a bit confusing figuring out who is the subject of the text or dialog. I am inclined to think that authors should bend any usual rules here to avoid confusing the reader.
June 17, 2025
not as good as the earlier ones
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2025
Book #6 and still loving this series. DI Marjorie Fleming is back from suspension and uncovering killers.
This time a major disaster is coupled with a crime that ultimately leads to bodies piling up. It's a complicated plot with the villains being outed one by one. Quite twisty actually, with an unexpected end. I love how her characters are revealed to us as simply human, not caped crusaders. Marjorie herself also carries some baggage and we get to see how she lives with her choices.
Templeton brings these characters to life in a way that few others can. She's a talented author who makes her subjects real. She carries a snippet of a previous story to show us this team uses their problem solving skills to help the team in the next case. There's no talking dogs or psychics with cats that help them solve crimes.
I'm always sorry to see the series come to an end, so when I'm done with " Big Marge" I'll be looking into more of her work.
This time a major disaster is coupled with a crime that ultimately leads to bodies piling up. It's a complicated plot with the villains being outed one by one. Quite twisty actually, with an unexpected end. I love how her characters are revealed to us as simply human, not caped crusaders. Marjorie herself also carries some baggage and we get to see how she lives with her choices.
Templeton brings these characters to life in a way that few others can. She's a talented author who makes her subjects real. She carries a snippet of a previous story to show us this team uses their problem solving skills to help the team in the next case. There's no talking dogs or psychics with cats that help them solve crimes.
I'm always sorry to see the series come to an end, so when I'm done with " Big Marge" I'll be looking into more of her work.
July 24, 2018
Another good book in this series.
After the last book, DI Fleming is under a bit of a cloud. She returns to her post and is faced with local antagonism against a proposed music festival, a landslide that has buried some cottages, and a dead body.
Beth, one of the people displaced from her cottage due to the natural disaster, has links to the Crozier family who are backing the music festival. Beth, under another name, was acquitted of killing a baby under her care - the grandchild of Crozier. Crozier had threatened her after the trial and so, when he also turns up murdered, Beth is suspected.
As if this is not enough to be going on with, there is a hit man after Marge, Tam is having problems at home, and the new member of the team, Kim, is also causing problems!
A lot going on but intheir usual way, the team work on the problems and solve the cases.
After the last book, DI Fleming is under a bit of a cloud. She returns to her post and is faced with local antagonism against a proposed music festival, a landslide that has buried some cottages, and a dead body.
Beth, one of the people displaced from her cottage due to the natural disaster, has links to the Crozier family who are backing the music festival. Beth, under another name, was acquitted of killing a baby under her care - the grandchild of Crozier. Crozier had threatened her after the trial and so, when he also turns up murdered, Beth is suspected.
As if this is not enough to be going on with, there is a hit man after Marge, Tam is having problems at home, and the new member of the team, Kim, is also causing problems!
A lot going on but intheir usual way, the team work on the problems and solve the cases.
October 2, 2018
When I first started reading it I did not notice that it was a series of Marjory Fleming books. Therefore, if I had read the first 5 prior to this book, I may have liked it better. It was not a bad book at all, it was entertaining, but it was just not my favorite reading style. I also did not realize that the story took place in Scotland, so the language was different. This is not a problem for me though, I love to read books that are diverse, it is my fault for not researching what I was reading prior to reading it (which I usually do). This book I just happened to pick up at a library sale.
December 6, 2025
A straight forward and easy read with an engaging and enjoyable story line. Where the book fell short in my opinion is that it could have been a bit heavier and grittier and bloodier. The book has a good a range of characters and what was nice was that the damaged commanding officer did not dominate most of the story. I also liked the setting but felt it was perhaps under utilised as if the author chose it as a back drop without exploring the area over much. All in all I enjoyed the read but it could have been better.
December 8, 2025
Brilliant Police Procedural
Detective Chief Inspector Kelso Strang and Detective Sergeant Livvy Murray join together again to unravel the mystery behind the murder of a thoroughly nasty man. With the first third of the book setting up the story, with all its despicable characters, part of the mystery was wondering who would be the victim. From the time the murder happens until the nail-biting conclusion you will be left on the edge of your seat. I thoroughly recommend this book (and the first five books in the series, if you haven’t already read them).
Detective Chief Inspector Kelso Strang and Detective Sergeant Livvy Murray join together again to unravel the mystery behind the murder of a thoroughly nasty man. With the first third of the book setting up the story, with all its despicable characters, part of the mystery was wondering who would be the victim. From the time the murder happens until the nail-biting conclusion you will be left on the edge of your seat. I thoroughly recommend this book (and the first five books in the series, if you haven’t already read them).
July 1, 2020
Another great mystery although this book had such a huge number of characters it was hard to keep track at times. The focus is a music promoter who is holding a concert a la Woodstock and a nanny accused of killing the promtoter's grandchild. Very complex. I just hope that the drama of the police station calms down in the next book.
July 4, 2020
Loved the parts about the nanny accused of killing the child in her care, and the crazed family. Less taken by the Glasgow crime syndicate. But that's a personal preference kind of thing; and the story kept the pages turning
April 30, 2024
Started quite well but got lost somewhere in the middle. Far too many characters; and referred to sometimes by first names and sometimes surnames which doesn't help with such a large cast. Sadly, by the end I was feeling no involvement.
November 26, 2025
Unputdownable.
I have enjoyed the Kelso Strang Mysteries, all of them but I am sad that there seem to be no more of them. I hope another one comes eventually. The DS Livvie Murray was left kind of unfinished and the SRCS division, does it goon? Anyway,great books.
I have enjoyed the Kelso Strang Mysteries, all of them but I am sad that there seem to be no more of them. I hope another one comes eventually. The DS Livvie Murray was left kind of unfinished and the SRCS division, does it goon? Anyway,great books.
January 17, 2026
A murder mystery set in the Scottish Highlands.
An estate in turmoil,a body found,scientific research at stake and a family at odds with one another. These are all the ingredients for a really good story. I enjoyed this book. First time I have read this author.
An estate in turmoil,a body found,scientific research at stake and a family at odds with one another. These are all the ingredients for a really good story. I enjoyed this book. First time I have read this author.
February 3, 2026
Interesting story
An interesting story with some twists and turns. Ending was a bit abrupt. Characters being developed. Kelso character interesting hopefully will be more fully developed as a bit one dimensional.
An interesting story with some twists and turns. Ending was a bit abrupt. Characters being developed. Kelso character interesting hopefully will be more fully developed as a bit one dimensional.
June 4, 2017
I found this book on sale at Barnes and Noble. I didn't know it was a part of a series but I'm looking forward to reading more about Fleming. This book was crazy!
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