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Cradle to Grave
Who can you trust?
Accused of murdering the baby in her care, seemingly cold and measured nanny Lisa Stewart maintains her innocence. But when she changes her name and tries to flee, terrifying threats continue to follow her. Is she an innocent victim of public anger—or a calculating murderer on the run? Can Detective Marjory Fleming, dogged by her own past, uncover the truth?
This psychological thriller is perfect for fans of Tana French and Susan Hill.
417 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
25 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Aline Templeton
38 books129 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
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.
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.
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
January 30, 2016
I've slightly mixed opinions on this one, which probably makes it more of a three and a half as opposed to a four, but there was plenty of good things about the novel which I am wanting to give credit for, despite some reservations.
Anyhow, this is another Scottish crime thriller, but much less the gritty 'Glasgow neds and junkies' type, and more of a bleak countryside one - slightly Nordic in a sense. It was more Val McDermid than Christopher Brookmyre anyhow - slow building and complex with a bit more thought and a bit less deed than I am used to.
At times I felt slightly bogged down in the story developing slowly, and I also found it hard to keep track of the large number of characters introduced in the opening third of the book, Templeton choosing to introduce many parallel strands of narrative which weren't tied together for quite a while (and which felt slightly disconnected till the importance was later pointed out).
I did enjoy it, however. The plotting was clever, in how things developed in the second half of the book, and many of the characters were very realistic (due to a lot of investment in showing the reader the thought processes of the people inhabiting this story). It was compelling, if rather relentlessly sad in places, and I will try others by this author in future - if not right away. I'd recommend it to fans of well-plotted and intelligent dark crime fiction.
Anyhow, this is another Scottish crime thriller, but much less the gritty 'Glasgow neds and junkies' type, and more of a bleak countryside one - slightly Nordic in a sense. It was more Val McDermid than Christopher Brookmyre anyhow - slow building and complex with a bit more thought and a bit less deed than I am used to.
At times I felt slightly bogged down in the story developing slowly, and I also found it hard to keep track of the large number of characters introduced in the opening third of the book, Templeton choosing to introduce many parallel strands of narrative which weren't tied together for quite a while (and which felt slightly disconnected till the importance was later pointed out).
I did enjoy it, however. The plotting was clever, in how things developed in the second half of the book, and many of the characters were very realistic (due to a lot of investment in showing the reader the thought processes of the people inhabiting this story). It was compelling, if rather relentlessly sad in places, and I will try others by this author in future - if not right away. I'd recommend it to fans of well-plotted and intelligent dark crime fiction.
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.
April 28, 2026
This is the sixth book in a police procedural series (nine books in total) and the ninth book which I have read featuring Deective Inspector Marjory Fleming which is set in south west Scotland.
Fleming has returned to work following her suspension from duty after the events in the previous book. Lots to deal with though as there has been flooding, a landslip and the discovery of a dead body. This is a compelling read as more deaths follow. I did feel the final part was a bit melodramatic but it's well worth a read.
I recommend new readers read the books in order as there are deveopments in the lives of the main characters as the series progresses.
Fleming has returned to work following her suspension from duty after the events in the previous book. Lots to deal with though as there has been flooding, a landslip and the discovery of a dead body. This is a compelling read as more deaths follow. I did feel the final part was a bit melodramatic but it's well worth a read.
I recommend new readers read the books in order as there are deveopments in the lives of the main characters as the series progresses.
August 31, 2012
‘Cradle to Grave’ by Aline Templeton
Published by Hodder, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-340-97899-0
DI Marjorie Fleming known to her colleagues as `Big Marge' is pleased to be back at work following her months of suspension. But although re-instated by the tribunal, she still has bridges to build particularly with her sergeant Tam MacNee, whose malcontent is finding an outlet with the new DC Kim Kershaw who has her own problems.
Since being accused of murdering a baby in her care Lisa Stewart has been vilified where ever she goes, despite moving and changing her name it seems `they' always find her. She lives in fear of being recognised, so when see meets a young man who seems to care for her, and who accepts her innocence she allows herself to hope. But the relaxing holiday at Rosscarron Cottages turns into a nightmare when a landslide forces her to take refuge at a nearby farm with Maidie Buchan, but she is not welcomed by Maidie's husband, surly Alick Buchan.
Living nearby is wealthy Gillis Crozier who is not sure of the wisdom of returning to his roots, as long suppressed memories surface. He has inadvisably agreed to a pop festival in the grounds of his house, but with the inclement weather it seems to be a doomed venture.
When a body is found, Big Marge is on the case, but her investigation is complicated by the appalling weather conditions and an unwelcome intrusion from her past
This is a story rich in story-lines and characters - the perpetrators, the hunted and the hunters. The relationships between the police, and the suspect's makes for a fascinating compelling mystery, for gradually as the story unfolds, unrelated people prove to be part of a sad and emotional story.
One of the most gripping books I have read in a long time, with well drawn characters, this entry in this acclaimed series is highly recommended.
-----
Lizzie Hayes
Published by Hodder, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-340-97899-0
DI Marjorie Fleming known to her colleagues as `Big Marge' is pleased to be back at work following her months of suspension. But although re-instated by the tribunal, she still has bridges to build particularly with her sergeant Tam MacNee, whose malcontent is finding an outlet with the new DC Kim Kershaw who has her own problems.
Since being accused of murdering a baby in her care Lisa Stewart has been vilified where ever she goes, despite moving and changing her name it seems `they' always find her. She lives in fear of being recognised, so when see meets a young man who seems to care for her, and who accepts her innocence she allows herself to hope. But the relaxing holiday at Rosscarron Cottages turns into a nightmare when a landslide forces her to take refuge at a nearby farm with Maidie Buchan, but she is not welcomed by Maidie's husband, surly Alick Buchan.
Living nearby is wealthy Gillis Crozier who is not sure of the wisdom of returning to his roots, as long suppressed memories surface. He has inadvisably agreed to a pop festival in the grounds of his house, but with the inclement weather it seems to be a doomed venture.
When a body is found, Big Marge is on the case, but her investigation is complicated by the appalling weather conditions and an unwelcome intrusion from her past
This is a story rich in story-lines and characters - the perpetrators, the hunted and the hunters. The relationships between the police, and the suspect's makes for a fascinating compelling mystery, for gradually as the story unfolds, unrelated people prove to be part of a sad and emotional story.
One of the most gripping books I have read in a long time, with well drawn characters, this entry in this acclaimed series is highly recommended.
-----
Lizzie Hayes
February 6, 2015
The sixth in the DI Marjory Fleming series and the third one that we have read together.
I was enjoying this book less that the first two we had read because the constant rain, flooding rivers, and enveloping fog were damping my spirits. And then there were the clouds looming over Fleming because of her recent suspension and over her relationship with Tam McNee. But we were drawn into the tangled plot and looming threat from some good nasty bad guys. A page turner that probably would have gotten a five star rating if the weather had been better. The cradle part of the title refers to a young woman who had been accused of killing the baby in her care, found not guilty by a jury and then hounded by the press and the baby's family. The grave is filled with three murder victims and a suicide, among others.
23. MemoryWalk - Bert Bowes Junior Secondary School in Fort St. John - I am walking to school in a relentless downpour and getting soaked in the process. When I arrive, there seems to be no one else around. I try to push open the door, but I have to struggle to get it to open because the floor of the hallway inside is covered in several inches of malodorous mud. I am wearing tall gum boots, so I slog and squelch along the hall past books, papers, overturned chairs and other flotsam — including an empty wicker CRADLE and a closed coffin. As I start up the stairs to the second floor, the PA system crackles to life and loud rock music pours out of the speakers. Just as I reach the landing at the top, a woman in a police uniform runs past. A large black white animal (a badger?) lumbers after her. When I reach the upper hallway and look toward the art room, I see that the badger has overtaken the woman, knocked her the floor and is tearing at her with its teeth and claws.
I was enjoying this book less that the first two we had read because the constant rain, flooding rivers, and enveloping fog were damping my spirits. And then there were the clouds looming over Fleming because of her recent suspension and over her relationship with Tam McNee. But we were drawn into the tangled plot and looming threat from some good nasty bad guys. A page turner that probably would have gotten a five star rating if the weather had been better. The cradle part of the title refers to a young woman who had been accused of killing the baby in her care, found not guilty by a jury and then hounded by the press and the baby's family. The grave is filled with three murder victims and a suicide, among others.
23. MemoryWalk - Bert Bowes Junior Secondary School in Fort St. John - I am walking to school in a relentless downpour and getting soaked in the process. When I arrive, there seems to be no one else around. I try to push open the door, but I have to struggle to get it to open because the floor of the hallway inside is covered in several inches of malodorous mud. I am wearing tall gum boots, so I slog and squelch along the hall past books, papers, overturned chairs and other flotsam — including an empty wicker CRADLE and a closed coffin. As I start up the stairs to the second floor, the PA system crackles to life and loud rock music pours out of the speakers. Just as I reach the landing at the top, a woman in a police uniform runs past. A large black white animal (a badger?) lumbers after her. When I reach the upper hallway and look toward the art room, I see that the badger has overtaken the woman, knocked her the floor and is tearing at her with its teeth and claws.
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.
May 14, 2012
This is a crime novel set in Scotland. There are a lot of point of view characters though the main ones are police. There are numerous questions and criss-crossing agendas, many of them surrounding the death (before the novels starts) of a baby and the fact that the nanny who was accused of the crime was acquitted.
But there are other crimes and criminals involved, including a large scale, international one and several murders. Added to these mysteries are some private problems for the police men and women.
It's an energetic mélange of action and speculation with most of the real violence 'off-stage'.
But there are other crimes and criminals involved, including a large scale, international one and several murders. Added to these mysteries are some private problems for the police men and women.
It's an energetic mélange of action and speculation with most of the real violence 'off-stage'.
September 27, 2015
Marjorie Fleming is finally back at work after a long suspension, and she is under pressure to come up with a big win after the debacle of her last case. When a devastating flood forces the cancellation of a music festival, an apparent flood victim is found to have been murdered. Marjorie and Tam MacNee are injured in a bridge collapse, and a second murder victim is found. The situation is complicated by the appearance of a past lover, as well as the appearance of a former nanny acquitted of killing her charge. Aline Templeton does a great job of exploring characters and creating very realistic conflicts for them. None of endings are entirely happy, and yet they are satisfying.
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.
January 25, 2017
I have been reading this series in order and have enjoyed them all. This was one of the best ones - had everything for me, good pace and suspense, interesting characters and plot. Very rounded main characters with human emotional problems. The main detective, Marjory Fleming has just come back from a period of suspension, not really her fault, but now under pressure to prove herself. Her detective side-kick is going through some turmoil at the same time. One of those books that's hard to put down, never dragged for me. Will certainly read the rest in this series.
August 23, 2014
Aline Templeton's books haven't been readily available to me so I was excited to see that there are 2 others out there as well. "Big Marge" is a unique character. A Scottish DI, she is both tough and vulnerable. She doesn't always get respect from her bosses and her subordinates but she powers through even as she second-guesses herself. These books are all excellent. I hope Templeton has many more.
April 5, 2023
I love these characters, so I hated to see two of the main ones at odds with one another. I'd kind of like to see them just solve something, without quite so much personal involvement! However, it is very well written and quite enjoyable and kept me guessing right up to the end. I really thought _______ had done it! ;-)
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 11, 2011
Lisa Stewart does not tryat anyone over the age of five because they tell lies. She is accused of killing a child who was in her care. It's not true but most people believe it is so her life is pretty miserable. Basically a good book.
November 1, 2012
Afraid I was really bored stiff about 30% of the way into this tome. I have been a bit preoccupied in the last few days and I think my concentration was below par, but the number of characters and odd relationships was very confusing. I will need to try (much) harder.
July 11, 2014
Big Marge is back in action. Several story lines going on here which take you on crazy twists and turns. Is Lisa a baby killer? There is such a web of lies being woven. Can Marge and her team unravel it in time? I love the Scottish atmosphere. The ending will haunt you.
July 4, 2014
Complicated, involving procedural that starts with a landslide and ends with a professional hitman zeroing in our Our Heroine, Big Marge. Some difficult themes give this mystery extra depth, but character overload makes it a bit hard to keep things straight.
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.
August 12, 2011
i found this slow going not as interesting as her others
I didn't like the self doubting big marge
I didn't like the self doubting big marge
July 24, 2011
this was ok to read but didnot enjoy it as much as her other books. I couldn't keep absorbed enough to keep a track of what was going on
May 2, 2013
It was okay but the fact that two of the police had "issues" that related to the main plot was a tad unbelievable. Also could not believe that all this was happening in D&G.
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