What do you think?
Rate this book
DI Callum MacLean #2
Straw in the Wind
A suspicious death, a missing girl, and very few leads... New Forest police are grasping at straws
Whilst Detective Inspector Callum MacLean is settling into his new role in rural Hampshire, a young woman is found dead in the neighbourhood, her identity unknown.
For a close-knit community where everyone knows everyone else, this seems very odd, but when a local child goes missing shortly afterwards, panic sets in.
It’s not the first such case for the Scottish inspector, yet the last one in Glasgow ended in tragedy. This is personal. And when Callum’s team don’t share his sense of urgency, he will have to put his foot down.
It doesn’t help that Sergeant Daisy Donaldson, with whom Callum had developed a rapport, has doubts about his theories. Like the weather, relations are becoming stormy.
As the search gets underway to find the little girl, last seen feeding her ponies, all potential suspects have rock solid alibis. The only lead is a white van seen near the area in both cases.
Yet Callum begins to fear they might not be the only ones looking for the missing girl. Will they find her before tragedy strikes again?
STRAW IN THE WIND is the second standalone detective mystery by Carol Cole featuring DI Callum MacLean.
Whilst Detective Inspector Callum MacLean is settling into his new role in rural Hampshire, a young woman is found dead in the neighbourhood, her identity unknown.
For a close-knit community where everyone knows everyone else, this seems very odd, but when a local child goes missing shortly afterwards, panic sets in.
It’s not the first such case for the Scottish inspector, yet the last one in Glasgow ended in tragedy. This is personal. And when Callum’s team don’t share his sense of urgency, he will have to put his foot down.
It doesn’t help that Sergeant Daisy Donaldson, with whom Callum had developed a rapport, has doubts about his theories. Like the weather, relations are becoming stormy.
As the search gets underway to find the little girl, last seen feeding her ponies, all potential suspects have rock solid alibis. The only lead is a white van seen near the area in both cases.
Yet Callum begins to fear they might not be the only ones looking for the missing girl. Will they find her before tragedy strikes again?
STRAW IN THE WIND is the second standalone detective mystery by Carol Cole featuring DI Callum MacLean.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2025
339 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 14, 2025
Brilliant
DI Callum MacLean is settling in to his new life living and working in the New Forest but before too long he has two new cases to deal with. A young woman is found dead, and then a child disappears from her home. He needs to find the child quickly, but with his new detective sergeant doubting his thinking will he find her alive? I really like this new series and hope there will be a third book soon.
DI Callum MacLean is settling in to his new life living and working in the New Forest but before too long he has two new cases to deal with. A young woman is found dead, and then a child disappears from her home. He needs to find the child quickly, but with his new detective sergeant doubting his thinking will he find her alive? I really like this new series and hope there will be a third book soon.
February 8, 2025
Awesome
I hope there will be more books in this series. I really like them.
DI MacLean is smart and calm. I do hope he can get over his late wife, not forget her, but neither forgetting himself. I like he doesn’t have to yell or course to lead, he really has it in him a clever leader, even though he sometimes gets lost in his memories. And the animals, he stared with a cat, next step a dog.
I hope there will be more books in this series. I really like them.
DI MacLean is smart and calm. I do hope he can get over his late wife, not forget her, but neither forgetting himself. I like he doesn’t have to yell or course to lead, he really has it in him a clever leader, even though he sometimes gets lost in his memories. And the animals, he stared with a cat, next step a dog.
February 10, 2025
Really good news series . Bring on more
February 4, 2025
I liked it as well as the previous one, but I just probably missed where disappeared Legs…
May 26, 2025
Looking forward to the sequels.
September 8, 2025
Interesting! Intriguing!
This second book in the series was full of twists and turns that spun out in all directions and kept me guessing until the very end. A mysterious death of a person who had been classified as missing occurred. There were no signs of foul play, but what caused the death of a young, seemingly healthy woman? The story told by the man who found her on his property and claimed he was trying to resuscitate her just didn't ring true. While attempting to find the details and truth of the matter, a child goes missing, and there are signs that the two cases are connected. The how and the why are both frustrating and elusive, but Detective MacLean doggedly keeps searching for answers that result in a very surprising ending. Highly recommended. You won't be disappointed!
This second book in the series was full of twists and turns that spun out in all directions and kept me guessing until the very end. A mysterious death of a person who had been classified as missing occurred. There were no signs of foul play, but what caused the death of a young, seemingly healthy woman? The story told by the man who found her on his property and claimed he was trying to resuscitate her just didn't ring true. While attempting to find the details and truth of the matter, a child goes missing, and there are signs that the two cases are connected. The how and the why are both frustrating and elusive, but Detective MacLean doggedly keeps searching for answers that result in a very surprising ending. Highly recommended. You won't be disappointed!
August 24, 2025
This is a terrific follow-up to what was a brilliant first in the series. Callum, Daisy and the team find themselves investigating the discovery of a dead woman's body when they are also tasked with looking into the disappearance of a teenage girl.
I missed Legs in this one but the rest of the team perform admirably. I like how Daisy is subtly trying to figure Callum out a bit more. Callum himself is living in a new temporary location while getting a new house built and I'm enjoying the brief insights into his new domestic life. There are some not so nice characters in this book and I wasn't sure who was involved. I'm loving the rural setting and seeing how Callum is slowly adjusting to his new life. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
I missed Legs in this one but the rest of the team perform admirably. I like how Daisy is subtly trying to figure Callum out a bit more. Callum himself is living in a new temporary location while getting a new house built and I'm enjoying the brief insights into his new domestic life. There are some not so nice characters in this book and I wasn't sure who was involved. I'm loving the rural setting and seeing how Callum is slowly adjusting to his new life. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
March 24, 2025
Callum and Daisy investigate the death of a 19-year old woman and a missing 8-year old girl. This books takes on the subjects of jealousy, bullying, friendships and the love of animals. I do hope that Callum moves on in the next book to become more likeable as his dwelling on about his dead wife after 3 years is a bit morbid. Granted one has wonderful memories, but one needs to move on. The author already hinted that Grace did not care for being at his grandparents as she liked the city better. Callum realises he likes this environment. So he needs to listen to himself and start enjoying life.
June 9, 2025
Wonderful characters!
I love ther 2 books in this series.
The plots are good... multifaceted.
The descriptions of the darling animals and the beautiful land are detailed and lovely. But the best part are the different characters and how the author describes them so you can just picture them! The main characters are wonderful... especially the thoughtful Callum, still grieving his late wife but beginning a new phase in his life. I hope the author continues this series with many more books !!!
I love ther 2 books in this series.
The plots are good... multifaceted.
The descriptions of the darling animals and the beautiful land are detailed and lovely. But the best part are the different characters and how the author describes them so you can just picture them! The main characters are wonderful... especially the thoughtful Callum, still grieving his late wife but beginning a new phase in his life. I hope the author continues this series with many more books !!!
March 6, 2025
A Brilliant Storyteller
I've really, really enjoyed reading the two books in this series and am begging for more.
Small town setting, scottish leading character, interesting backstories, complex investigations where all is not as it seems....who could ask for more? Beyond more books in the series, of course.
Did i mention the expertly crafted emotional tug the stories evoke? It's my favorite part.
I've really, really enjoyed reading the two books in this series and am begging for more.
Small town setting, scottish leading character, interesting backstories, complex investigations where all is not as it seems....who could ask for more? Beyond more books in the series, of course.
Did i mention the expertly crafted emotional tug the stories evoke? It's my favorite part.
March 24, 2025
3 3/4 Stars
DI Callum McLean is still adjusting to his life in the New Forest. A body is found in the neighborhood, identity unknown. While working on this case, a young girl disappears. There are many twists and turns, but the case is solved eventually. And the perp is who McLean thought but for totally different reasons. More information about the New Forest and the British resistance during WWII are within the pages of this book.
DI Callum McLean is still adjusting to his life in the New Forest. A body is found in the neighborhood, identity unknown. While working on this case, a young girl disappears. There are many twists and turns, but the case is solved eventually. And the perp is who McLean thought but for totally different reasons. More information about the New Forest and the British resistance during WWII are within the pages of this book.
August 30, 2025
Second Callum MacLean mystery. A dead girl is found. Seemingly died of natural causes. Turns out she was a runaway from Spain.
Then a young local girl disappears.
Callum and the team work together--I am liking the chemistry of the characters.
In this installment, we learn more about Callum--he is building a house, trying to build a life after Grace.
Hope there will be more in the series. These books would also adapt well to TV
Then a young local girl disappears.
Callum and the team work together--I am liking the chemistry of the characters.
In this installment, we learn more about Callum--he is building a house, trying to build a life after Grace.
Hope there will be more in the series. These books would also adapt well to TV
March 24, 2025
Another Excellent Story
Another excellent story in the Callum MacLean series and a great follow up to the first book. He has his new team working with him and you can see the relationships developing. Great storyline and a good satisfactory ending. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
Another excellent story in the Callum MacLean series and a great follow up to the first book. He has his new team working with him and you can see the relationships developing. Great storyline and a good satisfactory ending. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
April 18, 2025
3.5 Like others, I'm a little tired on the emphasis of his dead wife. Still like the characters, but found the relationship between the sisters too open-ended. Had hoped to like this second book even better than the first, but for several reasons, I was a bit disappointed. Nevertheless, an entertaining read.
May 11, 2025
So well written, I really felt as though I was in the New Forest as the narrative was so descriptive. The sounds, smells and places described took me back to my younger days spent around Fordingbridge and surrounding areas, such a joy to read and with an exciting twist to boot. Bravo, I can't wait for book three.
July 28, 2025
Straw in the Wind
I absolutely loved this book. Like the first one, it was full of mystery and suspense! I actually only read the first one because my son lives in Fordingbridge and I’d just returned from visiting him! Now I have a new favourite detective….and team! Would highly recommend both books.
I absolutely loved this book. Like the first one, it was full of mystery and suspense! I actually only read the first one because my son lives in Fordingbridge and I’d just returned from visiting him! Now I have a new favourite detective….and team! Would highly recommend both books.
March 12, 2025
Couldn't wait for the end, then didn't want it to end
Well developed characters that draw your interests. Real page turner.
Story line made perfect sense And kept you guessing to the end
Well developed characters that draw your interests. Real page turner.
Story line made perfect sense And kept you guessing to the end
April 8, 2025
Carole Cole
What a breath of fresh air a DI who’s not fighting tooth and nail with his boss and has jelled with his new team almost immediately there’s even locals who don’t hate the police and are even helpful
Great story lines as well
What a breath of fresh air a DI who’s not fighting tooth and nail with his boss and has jelled with his new team almost immediately there’s even locals who don’t hate the police and are even helpful
Great story lines as well
April 17, 2025
These books.
I enjoy this author's work. She writes well and has kept me guessing!
I had never read any of her work before, but will be looking out for the next one!
Thank you Ms Cole.
I enjoy this author's work. She writes well and has kept me guessing!
I had never read any of her work before, but will be looking out for the next one!
Thank you Ms Cole.
July 3, 2025
a great and new detective book
The characters in this book are interesting, complex and quirky. The mysteries are interesting also. I have read the first 2 books in this series and I am waiting for more
The characters in this book are interesting, complex and quirky. The mysteries are interesting also. I have read the first 2 books in this series and I am waiting for more
August 12, 2025
Two great books
Carole Cole writes beautifully. Her descriptions of characters and places is poetic while the plots are twisted and the solution unpredictable. Humor keeps it light. The New Forest sounds like a special place where animals are valued by most. A good read.
Carole Cole writes beautifully. Her descriptions of characters and places is poetic while the plots are twisted and the solution unpredictable. Humor keeps it light. The New Forest sounds like a special place where animals are valued by most. A good read.
August 30, 2025
Uncommonly good
Lovely descriptive writing, really interesting, colorful characters, emotions without smut, animals you can 'see' and mystery that makes sense. Ready for more from Carol Cole!
Lovely descriptive writing, really interesting, colorful characters, emotions without smut, animals you can 'see' and mystery that makes sense. Ready for more from Carol Cole!
February 23, 2025
An amazing follow up book to a stunning debut. We can't wait to see what Carol Cole has next in store.
March 1, 2025
Very interesting read
I really enjoyed this book as I had lived very close to the new forest so was able to relate to the area
I really enjoyed this book as I had lived very close to the new forest so was able to relate to the area
March 1, 2025
Straw in the Wind
Great Read. I really like this author. I like her characters! And her stories. I hope she writes more of this series.
Great Read. I really like this author. I like her characters! And her stories. I hope she writes more of this series.
April 15, 2025
A nice easy read.
April 26, 2025
fascinating twist
So Callum does a lot of overthinking. Do men really think that much? I do like the stories. Nice character development too.
So Callum does a lot of overthinking. Do men really think that much? I do like the stories. Nice character development too.
July 24, 2025
Way too much description
September 9, 2025
Excellent and enjoyable
This is only the second book I have read by this author. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading both of them and will be recommending this author to my friends.
This is only the second book I have read by this author. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading both of them and will be recommending this author to my friends.
September 29, 2025
Another cracking read, now read the three - yes, I read book 3 first 😅- hoping for more. Kept me guessing right up to the end. Recommend reading if you like a great story that is believable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews