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Strathburgh Crime Universe #2
Vanity Project
Who stabbed cybersecurity consultant Ray Higgins to death in his own living room?
Was it his long-suffering wife, or one of the powerful people he’d been blackmailing?
The deeper DI Brian Brandon digs, the further he's drawn into a web of corruption, betrayal, and a revenge plot the killer will do anything to keep on track.
Plagued by memories of a harrowing incident on the job and drinking too much to keep them at bay, Brian’s grip is slipping just as the case becomes personal. Can he expose the killer before he loses what little control he has left?
A dark, unflinchingly gritty Scottish crime thriller for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart MacBride, JD Kirk, and Helen Fields.
Was it his long-suffering wife, or one of the powerful people he’d been blackmailing?
The deeper DI Brian Brandon digs, the further he's drawn into a web of corruption, betrayal, and a revenge plot the killer will do anything to keep on track.
Plagued by memories of a harrowing incident on the job and drinking too much to keep them at bay, Brian’s grip is slipping just as the case becomes personal. Can he expose the killer before he loses what little control he has left?
A dark, unflinchingly gritty Scottish crime thriller for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart MacBride, JD Kirk, and Helen Fields.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2024
About the author
André Spiteri
4 books7 followersI'm the author of the pulse-pounding, award-nominated organised crime thriller Back From The Dead and the DI Brian Brandon series of gritty Scottish murder mysteries.
I was born on the sunny island of Malta in 1982, and live in Edinburgh with my wife, our two daughters, and two cats.
All my links 👉 linktr.ee/andrespiteriauthor
I was born on the sunny island of Malta in 1982, and live in Edinburgh with my wife, our two daughters, and two cats.
All my links 👉 linktr.ee/andrespiteriauthor
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 15, 2026
Vanity Project by Andre Spiteri is an entertaining romp of a story about a police detective who is deeply traumatized by a past case. There is no doubt about it, DI Brian Brandon is an absolute mess. On the job drinking leads to on the job vomiting, he is seeing (and talking to) visions of his injured partner and every move he makes suggests that he is completely unfit for his job. The troubled, alcoholic detective is of course an often used cliche in crime fiction, but the character's anxieties and fears are well written here if a little over done and repetitive. While he is dealing with his myriad of personal problems, he is also trying to solve what ultimately is a double murder with some blackmail, internet porn, financial crime, and paranormal activity thrown in for good measure. He is making very little progress in solving these crimes while he deals with his inner turmoil.
Description may be overdone and lengthy but the add on scenes - waiting in an office, troubled times at home, at a grocery store, and even a child's birthday party work well to establish the character's mindset. Ultimately, the story does come to a confusing, yet satisfactory conclusion.
Description may be overdone and lengthy but the add on scenes - waiting in an office, troubled times at home, at a grocery store, and even a child's birthday party work well to establish the character's mindset. Ultimately, the story does come to a confusing, yet satisfactory conclusion.
December 19, 2024
Gripping Read!
Very much enjoyed this one.
Characters had depth, story was not rushed and it kept me guessing.
Enjoyed André's first book too, but this felt richer, like he's found a flow. Not to detract from the first book at all, I personally enjoyed this one more. As he mentions, you don't need to have read the first one to follow this story.
Can't say too much without giving the plot away, but if you enjoy slightly gritty mysteries with surprising outcomes, this is for you. That doesn't really do it justice, so give it a read for yourself!
Looking forward to book two!
Very much enjoyed this one.
Characters had depth, story was not rushed and it kept me guessing.
Enjoyed André's first book too, but this felt richer, like he's found a flow. Not to detract from the first book at all, I personally enjoyed this one more. As he mentions, you don't need to have read the first one to follow this story.
Can't say too much without giving the plot away, but if you enjoy slightly gritty mysteries with surprising outcomes, this is for you. That doesn't really do it justice, so give it a read for yourself!
Looking forward to book two!
May 19, 2025
Traumatized and slowly killing himself.
DI Brandon felt guilty for not protecting his partner. Liam was in a coma after being hit in the head with a hockey stick. Finally he was allowed to return to work, but he had begun to drink. A murder case comes in and he is assigned to solve it.
The story seems to go in circles, but it is tying things together.
DI Brandon felt guilty for not protecting his partner. Liam was in a coma after being hit in the head with a hockey stick. Finally he was allowed to return to work, but he had begun to drink. A murder case comes in and he is assigned to solve it.
The story seems to go in circles, but it is tying things together.
June 2, 2026
Twists and turns and insights
This police mystery managed to keep my interest despite various Scottish words and titles (still) unfamiliar to me. The voice inside the grieving detective’s head was self-deprecating but also revealing about the motivations and rationalizations behind his self-destructive choices. I enjoyed it very much!
This police mystery managed to keep my interest despite various Scottish words and titles (still) unfamiliar to me. The voice inside the grieving detective’s head was self-deprecating but also revealing about the motivations and rationalizations behind his self-destructive choices. I enjoyed it very much!
August 9, 2026
Suspence
Good read filled with mind numbing twists and turns. Just when you think you have it figured out, here comes another possibility. Don't let the slow start scare you away. You will be glad you finished.
Good read filled with mind numbing twists and turns. Just when you think you have it figured out, here comes another possibility. Don't let the slow start scare you away. You will be glad you finished.
April 19, 2025
Vanity
The use of f-bombs is extensive. I can not read such drivel and know that there are better offerings elsewhere.
The use of f-bombs is extensive. I can not read such drivel and know that there are better offerings elsewhere.
July 27, 2025
interesting story but too long.
Many descrptions slowed down the action. This 400 page book could have been done under 300 pages. The ending was quite a surprise.
Many descrptions slowed down the action. This 400 page book could have been done under 300 pages. The ending was quite a surprise.
September 6, 2025
Very surprising ending.
December 28, 2025
too much repetitive detail, but a real surprise ending! i will consider reading the next of the series.
August 29, 2026
Good book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews