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DCI Logan Crime Thrillers #8

A Death Most Monumental

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We all have our little secrets.

When the remains of a brutally murdered young woman are left hanging from the Glenfinnan Monument in the Highlands of Scotland, DCI Jack Logan and his Major Investigations Team are dispatched to investigate.

At first, the case appears to be fairly open and shut. But, as evidence mounts, Jack uncovers some shocking truths about the victim that risk turning the investigation into a potentially explosive international incident.

With a billionaire baying for his blood, a former FBI agent breathing down his neck, and half the world's press watching his every move, it isn't the murderer that Jack's afraid might be the end of him.

It's the stress.

And don't get him started on the bloody tourists...

A Death Most Monumental is the eighth book from internationally bestselling author, JD Kirk, and is perfect for fans of Stuart Macbride, Ian Rankin, Chris Brookmyre, and Val McDermid.

306 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2020

2410 people are currently reading
942 people want to read

About the author

J.D. Kirk

55 books1,768 followers
JD Kirk is the pen name of multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, and writer of comics, Barry Hutchison.

JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. Despite writing from a young age, 'A Litter of Bones' is his first novel, and combines his love of the Highlands, crime thrillers, and cats.

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5 stars
6,958 (61%)
4 stars
3,399 (30%)
3 stars
752 (6%)
2 stars
76 (<1%)
1 star
40 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 384 reviews
Profile Image for Julia.
226 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2024
Another very fast moving story with the usual brand of Scottish witty banter between the characters.
The MC is brilliant as usual in his role as DCI and the supporting cast are just as entertaining. The plot is full of suspense and keeps you guessing until the very end. I was very happy that one of the supporting cast came into their own and shone.
Kirk is so good at mixing humour with suspense and crime and creating believable characters. I really enjoyed this book as I have all of them in the series and I look forward to reading the next..
Profile Image for David Ward.
Author 2 books17 followers
August 22, 2021
J.D.Kirk's DCI Logan Crime thrillers give me real problems.

First of all, I'm loving reading them so much that I'll soon have read all that have been published so far. Can J.D.Kirk write faster than I read? No, he can't. Maybe I'll have to read them all twice, or even a third time, while I'm waiting.

Secondly, should I really be laughing while I'm reading a murder story? Usually no - of course not. But the DCI Logan books are an exception. They are often hilarious, having me in fits of laughter. If I'm reading in bed the bed's shaking. A second problem.

Thirdly, how can I do without his extraordinary cast of characters? Who'll take their places? Or do I just read the next in the DCI Logan series? Most characters in other books seem a little mild (often, VERY mild) compared to Jack Logan and his team.

So what do I do next?

Well, I can very highly recommend you discover J.D.Kirk's books for yourself. That won't solve my problems but, believe me, your world will be a happier place if you do.
Profile Image for James.
13 reviews2 followers
October 9, 2020
Such an enjoyable read!

Possibly his best yet, J D Kirk has really wrote a belter of a story.
I loved this one. So many laugh out loud moments intermingled with the highs and lows of the story.
I could ramble on about the plot or general goings on, but all you really want to know is, is it worth buying?
And to that I give a massive YES!
This series is quickly becoming a firm favourite of mine and deserves, if done right, its own TV series.
Now, do the right thing. Snap this book up and dive in!
Profile Image for Natalie M.
1,439 reviews94 followers
May 27, 2023
I’ve lost all willpower and I’m reading Kirk back-to-back!

Side-splitting laugh-out-loud moments amid the crime and devastation of DCI Logan’s world.

A brilliant series and I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I’ve worked my way through all of them!
Profile Image for Steven R. McEvoy.
3,813 reviews174 followers
August 12, 2022
Wow what an awesome read in an excellent series! This is the eleventh volume from J.D. Kirk that I have read in the last few months. I have enjoyed all that I have now read, the first 8 in the DCI Logan series and the first 3 in the Robert Hoon series, and a stand alone VIP exclusive short story. I picked the first for a few reasons, but mainly because authors Alex Smith and JE Mayhew have both recommended the author and series. I am a big fan of Smith’s DCI Kett novels and Mayhew’s DCI Will Blake Series. I had no idea how addictive Kirk’s books would be. Like Mayhew and Smith, Kirk publishes under various names. Kirk publishes children books as Barry Hutchison, and other adult fiction as Barry J. Hutchison. He is coming up on 175 books across the three pen names. Seriously! If I had known that or I might not have picked up this first one. Friends call me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author I like, I try to read everything they have published. For now I will try and read the remaining books published as Kirk.

The description of this novel is:

“We all have our little secrets.

When the remains of a brutally murdered young woman are left hanging from the Glenfinnan Monument in the Highlands of Scotland, DCI Jack Logan and his Major Investigations Team are dispatched to investigate.

At first, the case appears to be fairly open and shut. But, as evidence mounts, Jack uncovers some shocking truths about the victim that risk turning the investigation into a potentially explosive international incident.

With a billionaire baying for his blood, a former FBI agent breathing down his neck, and half the world's press watching his every move, it isn't the murderer that Jack's afraid might be the end of him.

It's the stress.

And don't get him started on the bloody tourists...”

In these stories often the murders are gruesome. The humour is dark. And the Scottish temperament comes out from several different characters. But that being said the characters are written wonderfully. You can’t but enjoy Logan and his interactions with his team and even the new Chief Superintendent. And in this one we get a lot of the team. And the Billionaire Texan and his lackey a former FBI agent provide some new entertainment. Throw in an extremely intoxicated Hoon, sleeping in 2 partially finished guess houses and the is ample opportunity for hilarity, outright laughter, and more than a little yelling. This one is not as gruesome as most of the others. It is far more crime procedural and an ensemble piece. We get a much clearer look at Logan, his process and to some extent his genius.

To find out if Logan’s nagging suspicions are correct or of the most obvious suspect is really to blame you will need to read this Scottish Crime novel! I will warn you I definitely laughed at the ending. This is another great book in an excellent series. The two series written under the pen name J.D. Kirk are definitely Scottish Mysteries, and I can see the comparisons with both Smith and Mayhew’s works. Every time I finish a book by Kirk it takes willpower not to just pick up the next one and keep going. I can state that I will be reading all the DCI Logan books and the Robert Hoon Series as well. I know I will be reading all the books published buy this author under this name. And once caught up branching out into his other works. I love that the stories are set in Scotland! This book and series would be great read for fans of Jack Reacher, DCI Kett or DCI Will Blake. A great read in an excellent series!
Profile Image for Scott.
455 reviews
December 5, 2020
I'd been holding off reading book 8 so I wouldn't have as long to wait for 9. Finally caved and started it last night, devouring the rest today. I was not prepared for how funny this one was, Hoon is spectacular! The note he left for Logan had me in tears, and his Francis Begbie turn in the pub makes me extremely eager for his spinoff, which before reading this book I was a bit unsure how that was going to work, but now I'm all in!
Profile Image for Elaine .
659 reviews8 followers
January 16, 2021
I really love the Jack Logan mysteries! The banter and dialog between the detectives at the Scottish police station are sarcastic, hilarious and convey the deep comradery between the characters. A Death Most Monumental has the scenic backdrop of the Glenfinnan railway viaduct and a murder mystery that I did not figure out. The ending really came at me from left field. The book was populated with quirky young travelling companions to the victim but there were many secrets between the group members. Jack Logan and his team have to peel back the layers of the onion and uncover the truth. Throw in a filthy-mouthed, alcoholic and disgraced ex-superintendent who they end up babysitting and a rick, ruthless Texas billionaire and the loved every minute of the plot! Great book.
Profile Image for Christine Rennie.
2,964 reviews40 followers
October 3, 2020
A Death Most Monumental is Book 8 in the DCI Logan series and each book in the series has been a really good read. There are the gruesome murders, the dark humour, laughter and tears sometimes found on the same page. The MIT team is as oddball as ever but still managed to solve the case.
I look forward to reading book 9 in the series, A Snowball’s Chance In Hell.
Highly recommended.
291 reviews5 followers
October 3, 2020
Jack is back.

DCI Logan returns with his wonderful, quirky team to solve another murder. This series is filled with humor and great literary characters. To fully appreciate this book I recommend starting with the first one, sit back and enjoy the ride.
948 reviews5 followers
February 4, 2024
Another really enjoyable mystery from JD Kirk, with plenty of comical elements, as usual. Yet again, I failed to spot the killer before the reveal, and the ending is brilliant. Looking forward to the next in the set. Recommended to mystery fans.
1,148 reviews4 followers
December 13, 2023
what could make listening to an audiobook narrated by angus king even more enjoyable?
that would be his rendition of a texas accent! as always, DCI logan and his motley crew are such an enjoyable cast of characters.
i wish these books were more easily available through my library system.
Profile Image for Jenna.
52 reviews
July 23, 2025
I think the fact I’ve just read 4 consecutive DCI Logan books speaks for itself!!
12 reviews
October 9, 2020
Another great book

Settle down and enjoy catching up with old friends in this latest book in the series. If you have enjoyed the last seven books in the series then book eight certainly won't disappoint. The team is back to solve another murder and boy are they on form! As well as a brilliant storyline with twists that leave you guessing, the humour in this book is fantastic. At times I actually laughed out loud! It made the characters so real that you could build a picture in your head of the characters and situations while reading. This is a talent that JD Kirk has in all his books but has excelled himself in this one. It was a proud mum moment watching Tyler mature and come into his own in this book. I would definitely recommend that you take time to meet the family in the DCI Logan series.
110 reviews
March 18, 2022
Another superb entry in the series! The growth of the characters and the developing relationships between them are beautifully and humorously written. There are times when I laughed out loud reading this book. While solving this crime, the Scottish police have to interact with Americans (from Texas, no less!) and things don't go smoothly. As an American (from Maine), I do feel it necessary to note that we don't all wear cowboy hats, drill for oil, and act like the world owes us a favor. That said, I enjoyed this book immensely!
450 reviews7 followers
October 3, 2020
A Death Most Monumental

What an absolutely fantastic read this was the story line can be sad and then have you laughing your head off brilliant 💖 five star's definitely
Profile Image for K.
1,607 reviews83 followers
October 10, 2020
I'm sure I wasn't meant to laugh quite that much reading this... but never mind..
Profile Image for Janice Laurie.
59 reviews
December 28, 2021
The eight book in the DCI Logan series and my favourite to date! Sorry I’ve finished reading it.
Profile Image for Andrea.
287 reviews
July 3, 2024
Gah, every time I read one of these books I always say "This is the last one I'll read" and then I am sucked into another one! The character building in this world is quite good and I think that is why I keep coming back for more. I think my biggest complaint though is Logan and Forde are such stereotypical cops, especially when it comes to interviewing and things of that nature. In this book they basically coerced a confession out of a guy who didn't even do it! Extremely frustrating at times. But I will be reading the next one anyway LOL
Profile Image for Julie Lacey.
2,035 reviews129 followers
April 27, 2025
Another great crime thriller from JD Kirk.
When a bird watcher finds the body of a dead woman, Jack and the team are called to investigate.
Alexis was a young woman who had been travelling with a group of people, but it’s not clear at first why anyone would want to murder her.
Her friends are upset and shocked by her death but Jack knows at least one of them is hiding something.
This is a gripping crime thriller and also has some humour, which I really enjoyed.
Profile Image for Kati.
426 reviews1 follower
April 13, 2024
The DCI Logan series always cracks me up. I enjoyed this one especially. Hoon returns with even more bluster and ranting. while I really disliked him in prior books, he’s grown on me in this novel with his colorful repertoire of swears and insults. Angus King does an excellent job narrated and I had to stop the audio a couple times because I was laughing so hard
Profile Image for Barbara Ford.
74 reviews5 followers
July 11, 2024
First one I have read by JD Kirk and although the story line was good, I found that keeping the characters names sorted in my mind was a little confusing, especially with the Police officers investigating the murder of an "eco-warrior" who had an oil rich American father, confusing, especially as in one paragraph they were using surnames and in the next, using their Christian names. However, it has not put me off reading other novels by JD Kirk.
172 reviews1 follower
October 3, 2020
Just keep them coming.

Another good read. I was so sure that I had guessed the killer, but yet again I was wrong. Love the settings and the dialogue and the characters are no three bad either.
Profile Image for Chaplain Stanley Chapin.
1,978 reviews22 followers
December 2, 2021
Another rollicking winner

I have enjoyed this series from the first three this one and am looking with anticipation towards next. I can well identify with the main character, both in build an temperature.
Profile Image for Tammy.
2,237 reviews81 followers
October 4, 2021
A Death Most Monumental is a fun and humorous read but those comedic acts and funny moments eclipse the case and the investigation. Well, I still love Logan and his team, though.
Profile Image for Fiona Murray.
11 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2024
Bob Hoon gets better and better with each book. Loads of laugh out loud moments!
Profile Image for Kexx.
2,342 reviews104 followers
September 21, 2023
This is one of the best so far - made me laugh outloud. Good fun - humour very dry, Police based, almost offensive so read with caution! 🤓
Displaying 1 - 30 of 384 reviews

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