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A Dead Man on Staffin Beach

Name: A Dead Man on Staffin Beach (Misty Isle #5)
Rating: 4.44 (89 reviews)

That which does not kill you... only makes them try harder...When the body of a celebrity author, recently returned to the Isle of Skye to live out his remaining days, is found on Staffin Beach, D.I. Duncan McAdam is left with a mystery to solve.

The death appears self-inflicted, but why would a man go to all the time and trouble of relocating back to the island only to end his life in this manner? The case generates a great deal of interest in the media, putting a spotlight on Duncan and his team. Little does Duncan know how many people have been keeping secrets on the island. Secrets that some thought - and many hoped - would never come to light.

As Duncan uncovers a darker side to his beloved Misty Isle, he begins to question just who he can trust in this investigation and what is it that no one dares to speak of?

GenresCrimeMysteryThrillerScotlandFictionAudiobookContemporary

Kindle Edition

First published March 19, 2025

2192 people are currently reading

672 people want to read

About the author

J.M. Dalgliesh

38 books930 followers

Jason Dalgliesh was born on the south coast of England and grew up in Hampshire, UK. He has worked in the power transmission industry, the retail sector, call centres and as a night-owl in a bakery. His greatest challenge of all is ongoing, as a stay at home parent.

He is presently writing the Dark Yorkshire crime-series, featuring DI Nathaniel Caslin.

The novels are set in Yorkshire, England. The medieval City of York is Caslin's home town and the plot lines take in some of the UK's most rugged and beautiful landscapes, from the windswept North Sea coastline and across the stunning North York Moors.

Penned in the style of the Crime Noir genre, Caslin is a deep character, as flawed as he is brilliant, battling his own demons as much as those he is pitted against. Readers who enjoy gritty, atmospheric thrillers will find the series a must read.

Having spent time abroad, Jason has lived and worked in various parts of England as well as the Scottish Highlands. He currently resides in the East Riding, with his wife and two young children.

You can reach him via his website at www.jmdalgliesh.com

You can also follow him on social media;
facebook.com/jmdalglieshauthor
twitter.com/darkyorkshire

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Community Reviews

5 stars

2,795 (56%)

4 stars

1,610 (32%)

3 stars

470 (9%)

2 stars

50 (1%)

1 star

19 (<1%)

Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews

Lavins

1,332 reviews78 followers

April 1, 2025

3.25 stars

A good book, but it felt unfinished. Not because the perpetrators were not brought to justice, but because it was unclear of what exactly happened, to whom and who were all the parties involved in covering it all up.
Also there was no explanation of how the main crime was committed, how and when the body was placed there. Or why Duncan's mom had such a violent reaction to this one person's presence. Lots of loose ends.

Otherwise, I can't stand Grace. She is either dump or extremely self centred or both. Your man is a detective inspector, investigating crimes, acting all insulted that he is not answering the phone and asking where he was seems to me pretty stupid. Also, her sitting in the car for 5 min and throwing a fit cause Duncan was speaking with someone in a library. You're on freaking Sky...where could you be in a rush to go??? considering you also finished work and you go home. Chill. Yeah, really not a fan!

And then Duncan. I am yet to see a DI that decides to turn off his phone just cause he feels like it. Say what now??

2025 kobo mystery-series

John Swift

142 reviews1 follower

July 29, 2025

Another enjoyable read. This book included many twists and turns for DI McAdam, culminating in an interesting ending!! Nice to see that the author included a map of the geographical area of the storyline. I made a request for this a couple of reviews ago, I’m assuming other readers have also asked?

Abigail Walker

267 reviews2 followers

April 28, 2025

This book sees DI Duncan McAdam called in when the body of a famous author is found on Staffin Beach. It looks as though the cause of death is suicide, but when the team delve deeper they realise there is much more to this death than meets the eye. Duncan and the others are soon pulled into a case much more complicated than it appears, and one that makes Duncan have to think about his father and his past. Will Duncan get the result he needs, or will the connection of his father complicate things even further for him?

This was an interesting novel and (like the last book) I was pleased when many elements of it surprised me. For example, I hadn’t guessed the killer, and (SPOILER) I was shocked when the deceased’s housekeeper ended up being related to the killer and was working against the victim the whole time. The author is great at building these moments of shock and it makes his plots a joy to read.

Although I love Duncan’s budding romance with Grace, I find it odd how book one built up his ex, Becky, and the fact they have a child together, yet over the last two books she has barely been mentioned. The book ended with the suggestion Duncan wants his son to know who he is, so perhaps book six will see them in a much more prominent role again.

One thing that brought my rating down was an odd continuity error. In ‘The Talisker Dead’ the reporter, Katie, asks Duncan about his relationship with Grace and states they were friends from school and Grace even tries to call Katie when Duncan wants to check in on her, yet in this book they didn’t know each other as Duncan introduces them at the care home. This is an odd continuity error and confused me while I was reading.

Overall, I’m loving this series and can’t wait for the next book to come out!

2025

Stephen Gray

184 reviews4 followers

April 15, 2025

Such a shame that a reasonably good book with a good plot and good characters is ruined with such a poor ending, actually no ending at all really.
It just stops - more loose ends than a bowl of spaghetti.
I'm not listing them all here but beware there are so many unanswered questions that we are just left in mid air. We are told that the next book - #6 Death at Neist Point, is due out next November. So we have to wait 7 months to get some answers. By then I will probably have forgotten the questions.

Brian The Red

119 reviews

April 26, 2025

Readable but frustrating and disappointing fifth entry into the series set on Isle of Skye. In the Nordic crime tradition, the story delves into possible crimes from more than a generation ago, and many persons of interest that insist the investigators should let sleeping dogs lie. Dalgliesh could use an editor that would encourage him to make better choices ever time a cliched situation presented itself, because so much of this sounds familiar.

reviewed

Karen Oakley

337 reviews3 followers

March 26, 2025

I sort of enjoyed this but I'm afraid it's not one of his best. The search into the background of the author kept me interested and I liked DI Duncan McAdam opening up about his past as we learn about his father. The story though was a bit slow and plodding and not a lot happened until the end and even that didn't blow me away. Only three stars for me I'm afraid.

Iina

175 reviews7 followers

July 6, 2025

Felt like a part 1, rushed too.

Jen

195 reviews2 followers

October 6, 2025

3.5⭐️

i didn’t enjoy this one as much as the previous books in the series, what i did like was finding out about duncan’s family history

Hermien

2,306 reviews64 followers

October 10, 2025

Great series.

crime-thriller ebooks scotland

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1 review

Want to read

April 7, 2025

Lee

462 reviews9 followers

April 22, 2025

Frustrating when justice isn't served

But it was a good story that was fairly easy to figure out. It supposedly continues in book 6 - we will see.

John Brooker / Kim Brooker

60 reviews

April 23, 2025

I enjoyed the previous books in this series very much, but this was rather turgid with a predictable plot. I look forward to the next one returning to the 5 star standard of the previous ones.

Gowtham Mothukuri

17 reviews

March 30, 2025

"A Dead Man on Staffin Beach" is a gripping crime thriller set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Scotland’s Isle of Skye. The novel follows journalist Rachael Blakely as she is drawn into a web of secrets after discovering a body on the shore of Staffin Beach. What starts as a seemingly isolated incident soon unravels into a complex mystery filled with deception, hidden pasts, and unexpected twists.

One of the novel’s strongest aspects is its atmospheric setting. The descriptions of Skye’s rugged landscapes and moody weather add an immersive layer to the story, making the reader feel as if they are right there, experiencing the eerie quiet of the island. The author does a fantastic job of balancing the beauty of the location with the underlying tension of the mystery.

Rachael is a compelling protagonist—driven, intelligent, and flawed in a way that makes her feel real. Her background as a journalist gives her a sharp investigative edge, and her personal struggles add depth to her character. The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, with each character bringing something unique to the story, whether it’s suspicion, intrigue, or a connection to the past.

The plot moves at a steady pace, keeping the suspense alive without feeling rushed. Clues are woven into the narrative with precision, allowing the reader to piece things together while still being surprised by the final revelations. The dialogue is natural and engaging, and the writing style is smooth and descriptive without becoming overwhelming.

Overall, "A Dead Man on Staffin Beach" is a well-executed crime thriller that combines strong storytelling with a vivid setting. It’s a perfect read for those who enjoy atmospheric mysteries with complex characters and a plot that keeps them guessing until the very end.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

35 reviews

138 reviews

3.75 I enjoyed this one, but I did feel like it was a bit more chaotic than some of the others in the series. There were so many parts to the puzzle and I think I just wanted more details to tie it all together in the end. Especially since this has origins going back 40+ years, I was hoping for more specific background instead of "the catholic boys school was bad." This one does set up the next book well, and I assume we will see what happens with Katie's article and how the Huxley family will retaliate.

It is good to see Duncan's growth as a character, and I think it comes through best when interacting with his mom and sister. He is less reactive (overall) and seems more confident in himself. However, I am not loving Duncan's love life, Grace seems nice but I am just waiting for him to end things with her at this point. We also got no mention of Becky and Callum until the very end, so I am hoping for more progress on that front in the next one.

Deb

1,150 reviews2 followers

March 27, 2025

DI Duncan McAdam is investigating the death of a famous local thriller writer whose lifeless body was found on a beach. At first, the death presents as a suicide, but the ME discovers evidence of bound hands and a blood screen shows heavy amounts of an anesthetic drug in the man's system. When the investigation leads back to a long closed Catholic boy's school, Duncan finds a link to the death of his own abusive father fifteen years before. The island of Skye is again an important setting for the investigation. Storms roll in off the Atlantic, vistas open up across the straits to the Scottish coast and isolated crofts add to the brooding nature of the story. Duncan's mother is slipping deeper into dementia with every passing day, but he and his older sister are growing closer at last and his relationship with Grce is his solace in a difficult time.

June

511 reviews12 followers

March 23, 2025

Another captivating and well written gripping storyline and plot, in this book 5 of The Misty Isle books.
I love the strong, interesting characters and the way we find out more about DI Duncan McAdam's past in this book.
It's one of those books that keeps you guessing as you read, and once started, you just have to read on.
There are surprising revelations and plenty of twists along the way, and I thought the ending was very fitting.
I enjoy good descriptive, and the author is wonderful at making you see in your minds eye and bring to life the settings, story, and characters.
I have no hesitation at recommended this book.
I always pre-order the authors books, so I don't miss any. I would like to thank the author for the advanced copy of this book.
This is my honest and unbiased review.

Ian Martin

13 reviews

April 30, 2025

Now have read all Norfolk, York and Misty Isles. Really enjoyed the very real DI Duncan. Interesting ending all of a sudden. Can't wait until 30 Nov for new book. Maybe catch up with his son and what happens if the paper reporter takes up the challenge.
Interesting to read the very full comments of others which i won't add to but being an Aussie and spending just 3 days visiting Skye in a car and wanting to revisit real places on Skye visually, it was so good to be able to google maps and see all the places Jason takes us to. Photos, videos, following the roads as you can drive them with all the scenery of the countryside as well so good to visually see the places Jason describes in the books. I wonder if he worked from a croft or one on the b&bs we stayed in.

Elaine

652 reviews7 followers

April 4, 2025

This was an exciting, intelligent and fast-paced murder mystery that involves the present and the past. The characters were believable and well-developed and the police team continues to bond and evolve. There is some humor. I listened on Audible and of course Angus King is the best! Once again the book is set on the Isle of Skye and the setting, weather and local culture add even more to the story. Duncan is a great DI with flaws and his own demons, but he is honest and dedicated too. As in the earlier installments, the plot involves Duncan's family and past but it is still believable. I will definitely grab the next book.

Kathy Berry

16 reviews

August 7, 2025

I have enjoyed all 5 of the Misty Isle books I have read. Each one seems to be better than the one before. The stories are compelling, the characters multi-layered and Duncan's ongoing family dramas give depth and pathos to the books, as we root for his efforts to deal with past traumas. In any mystery I read, I like to try to solve the puzzles along with the detectives. Some writers are prone to insert too many red herrings into the mix, making that impossible. J.M. Dalgliesh reveals just enough of the pertinent, timely and unfolding information to give the reader a fighting chance at successful sleuthing! Very satisfying!

John H

44 reviews

August 10, 2025

When the past is not the past

This quite an interesting and shocking story. It kept me interested throughout . As DI Duncan McAdam investigates the circumstances of how a world famous author Bruce Dunmore was found dead on Staffing Beach. Dunmore has recently returned to the island of his home. In a short period he is found dead. As McAdam unravels the circumstance of Dunmore death the secrets of unspeakable past begin to reveal themselves . As secrets are unraveled Duncan finds himself unexpectedly personally part that past. The investigation and what it reveals kept me interested throughout.

Ed Napiorkowski

632 reviews4 followers

December 2, 2025

Solid 4 stars from me. If you want a summary of the story, read the dust cover.

Entertaining and somewhat thought provoking. A big question answered. How far are you really prepared to go in order to reveal or cover up the truth when very personal implications are involved?

Great characters, well-paced, solid storyline, believable events and interactions.

A good continuation of the series and the drawing in of historical events with personal implications for the characters involved was well structured, thought provoking and "entertaining" doesn't really seem like the most appropriate word but it all combined into a really good read. Thank you, J.M. Dalgliesh.

Susan

7,249 reviews69 followers

March 19, 2025

Isle of Skye. The body of well known author Bruce Dunmore is discovered on An Corran beach. Suicide or murder. DI Duncan McAdam and his team investigate but how does the distant past connect to the case, and what might be the relationship to his family. What secrets are some islanders keeping.
An interesting and entertaining well-written modern mystery with its cast of likeable and well-drawn characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.

book-reviews historical-1945-2025

Rosemary

3,865 reviews69 followers

March 22, 2025

A Dead Man On Staffin Beach - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

A Dead Man On Staffin Beach is a suitably dramatic title for JM Dalgliesh's excellent crime-thriller, that's guaranteed to grip you firmly by the imagination throughout.

Family secrets and others' skeletons from the past, are a cause of sleepless nights and frustration to DI Duncan McAdam, as murky ripples spread across the Misty Isle and beyond.

Grab a copy of A Dead Man On Staffin Beach today, to see what hidden truths are finally revealed!

Maureen

1,276 reviews

April 5, 2025

The body of an author is found on Staffin Beach on Skye. The investigation takes many surprising turns, and DI Duncan McAdam is confronted by some disturbing information and also undue pressure is brought to bear on the investigation. Duncan and Alastair make a good pairing in this great story where the past influences the present. The scenic setting also plays a part as the story unfolds. It is a compelling story, but also disturbing. Even though the story is complete within this book, there are elements that carry through from the beginning of the series.

Victoria Bevan

18 reviews

April 10, 2025

A very good story and plot....

I find all the books to be very well plotted, with one (or several!) real irritants.
Editor, please get out your editing pen and strike through 50% of
'arched his eyebrows'
'pursed his lips'
'sucked in air through his teeth'
'pushed his tongue in his cheek'

And stop making all the women patient saints who kindly tap men on the arm while brimming over with sympathy!

Alistair has all the best lines and a big part, but we don't even know his wife's name after 5 books.

Corny

1,010 reviews15 followers

May 9, 2025

The best in the series so far as Duncan confronts demons both past and present as he searches for the killer of a famous author. Duncan’s family plays a role as does his intrepid sidekick Alistair. I love the settings in these books. The Isle of Skye is a forbidding place but its people are kind if a bit gruff. We meet a bunch of local characters, some of whom are hiding guiltily from their pasts. Duncan is severely tested and there is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end. We will see how this works out in the next book.

crime

Janeen Harlow

6 reviews1 follower

October 24, 2025

I don’t usually write reviews because I find it a bit tedious lol but I have been listening to this series for the past few days and something happened in this book that really confused me and made me want all my time back.

Why in the world does Duncan introduce Grace and Katie to each other when Grace and Katie were already friends in a previous book??? Not to mention all of the unanswered questions regarding the actual investigation.

So anyway, I’m done with this series. I do love the narrator Angus King though so I will let him read me the DCI Logan series by JD Kirk (again).

610 reviews15 followers

March 19, 2025

This series of books just gets better with each book! A group of wild swimmers find a body on Staffin beach, it looks like a suicide. However when Duncan and Alistair arrive they are not quite convinced.
The body belongs to an elderly author, not long returned to his island home, here to work on his next book.
This book had me hooked from the start and I could hardly put it down. Well written and with plenty of unexpected twists, and what an ending.

Jacqueline

264 reviews3 followers

April 19, 2025

Dead Man on Staffin Beach

Well Duncan finally has some answers but is unable to do anything about them himself.
Another brilliant book from Jason. The research, storyline, characters. It’s all there in abundance. And more besides. An author is found dead on a beach and this leads to the mistreatment of boys at a school many decades before. A local peer is keen to stop the story coming out and will do anything to do so. Excellent.

Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews

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