Dead Man's Shoes

D.I. Clare Mackay #9

by Marion Todd

Will DI Clare Mackay end up with blood on her hands? A young man is found dead near a nightclub. He has marks on his neck, the signature of the Choker, a killer who has been targeting gay men across the country. Now, it seems he's in DI Clare Mackay’s territory.

She discovers this victim has links to notorious criminals in the area. Is it possible his death was at the hands of someone else?

More men, including ones linked to the victim, are attacked and left injured. It’s only a matter of time before someone else is killed. But Clare’s desire for justice leaves her with blindspots which put her job – and her life – at risk.

A thrilling new instalment from one of the best-loved voices in Tartan Noir and former Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year nominee Marion Todd. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Alex Gray and Neil Lancaster.

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Scotland, Thriller, Contemporary

302 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 2025

About the author

Marion grew up in the City of Dundee, now home to the magnificent V&A Museum. Always a keen writer, she has had point-of-view pieces published in the Dundee Courier and short stories in My Weekly magazine. She won first prize in the Family Circle Magazine Short Story for Children Competition in 1987.

More recently, Marion has turned her hand to crime fiction and was one of only six commercial fiction writers selected to pitch to an industry panel at XPONorth in Inverness in 2017. In 2018 Marion was long-listed for the Sunstory Award and the Scottish Arts Council Short Story Award. This year she was short-listed for Dundee Rep’s Stripped programme. She is represented by Northbank Talent Management and her debut novel, See Them Run, will be published as an eBook by Canelo on 31 October 2019.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Marion worked as a lecturer, candle-maker and hotel lounge pianist, a job which provided rich material for her novels. When she isn’t writing, Marion can be found tussling with her jungle-like garden and walking in the beautiful Scotish countryside.

Marion lives in North East Fife overlooking the River Tay and is a sometime babysitter for her daughter’s unruly but lovable dog.

Reviews

[Diane (IF U'RE PRIVATE, PLEASE SKIP ME!!!) Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!
Enjoyable conclusion to this long ongoing Scottish police procedural series.
Recommended book and series!

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joining a series mid way through can be tricky, but I had no problems joining this crew at number 9. Not having read this author before I feel this is due to her skilled writing; I felt immersed into this world of 'Tartan Noir' (this term is new to me!), I felt the gritty locations, the camaraderie of the team, the gutsy work of DI Clare Mackay who doesn't seem to blink twice soldiering on at work with broken ribs. She's onto a rather dodgy older female crime lord who has seemed to evade capture for some time (I know running a nightclub at my stage in life is the last thing I'd want to do!). This needs to be an undercover strike as a serial killer is targeting young gay men, and time is of the essence. We glimpse into Clare's personal life which suits my reading style, I enjoy seeing what makes the strong female protagonists tick. I had a giggle at Clare's use of calling her romantic partner DCI. Her team were interesting characters, working well together making a cohesive team. I enjoyed Clare, I would be reading scores of series if I added this to my list. The ending set up a hook for me, I want to know what's next for Clare. She performs well under pressure, performing her job with ease and without fanfare. Recommended for an authentic procedural, enjoyed the location and the grit.

Thank you to Ultimo Press/Hardie Grant for my copy to read and review.

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Read 4.5 STARS!**

This very engaging Scottish police procedure thriller is the 9th volume of the incredible "DI Clare Mackay" series.

The author's storytelling is excellent, the story is superbly constructed and it contains real lifelike and workmanlike characters, and besides that are the police procedures wonderfully executed to make this crime thriller such an engrossing read.

This action-packed police thriller is once more situated in and around St Andrews, Scotland, with much cooperation from the police in Dundee in this novel, and we find DI Clare Mackay and her team of DS Chris West, DS Max Evans, DC Sara Stapleton, Desk Sergeant Jim Douglas, along with some police officers from Dundee namely, Bill, Janey and Nita, coming into action after the murder of Theo Clancy.

This murder will bring other cases to the surface, and these will all be linking and intertwining somehow with each other, but with a different culprit at each of them.

Theo's death will become a family tragedy, for people closely related to this family are also targeted of what they have done or possibly know, while the case of tracking and catching the Choker will hopefully come to a successful end, and a formidable and notorious female criminal, Big Val Docherty, will head towards a deserved treatment.

What is to follow as a whole is an immensely enjoyable read, that is brought to us in a most accomplished fashion by the author.

Highly recommended, for this is another magnificent addition to this sublime series, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "A Gripping Lethal Shoes"!

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why have I not read this author before? I will certainly be looking out for more Marion Todd books after reading Dead Man’s Shoes, book 9 in the series featuring DI Clare Mackay. I usually don’t like to jump into a series so far in but I had absolutely no issue reading this as a standalone book. It was a gripping and dark police procedural, my favourite kind!!

Clare was such a great character, she is tough as nails and won’t let anything get in her way. Set in the St Andrew’s area in Scotland, there are so many dodgy characters around. The team are hunting a nasty serial killer who targets gay men called The Choker. When a body is discovered it is believed to be the work of this killer but Clare isn’t so sure. There is so much action and drama, with a local crime lord somehow involved. While all of this is going on, Clare is dealing with issues at home.

This was a really well written and paced story that had my attention the entire time. It certainly kept me guessing. It had a very satisfying ending and I look forward to learning more about Clare and the team.

Thanks so much to Ultimo Press, Hardie Grant, Canelo for sending me a copy of this book to enjoy.

[Shannon M (Canada) · Rating 4 out of 5]

DEAD MAN'S SHOES is #9 in the Clare Mackay series by author Marion Todd. Although it can be read as a standalone, the fact that it brings back Clare's old nemesis, Big Val Docherty, makes it one of the stronger entries in the group.

Before Big Val returns, Clare finds herself working again with DCI Ben Ratcliffe. He needs assistance setting up a plan to catch the "Chainlink Choker"—a serial killer of young gay men. Before the plan can be put in place, however, a body is found and it appears that Clare and DCI Ratcliffe have missed their chance to catch the Choker.

There are many threads in this story. The mother of the murdered young man is a friend of Big Val. The murdered man's brother may be dealing drugs, and also possibly working for one of Big Val's competitors. A man who is nearly the victim of the Choker was also a lover of the murdered man. And then—the brother of the murdered man disappears. This is one of Todd's twistier plots.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My reviews for other books from this series:
Watch Them Fall (DI Clare Mackay, #10)
Bridges To Burn (DI Clare Mackay, #8)
 A Blind Eye (DI Clare Mackay, #7)
 Old Bones Lie (DI Clare Mackay, #6)
 What They Knew (DI Clare Mackay, #4)
Lies To Tell (DI Clare Mackay, #3)
 In Plain Sight (DI Clare Mackay, #2)
 See Them Run (DI Clare Mackay, #1)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks to the Greater Victoria Public Library for providing the ebook that I read.

[Karen Chong · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5.0

Not read the Mackay series but was swayed by the positive high reviews- and safe to say this book did not disappoint. Other than the difficult to familiarise myself with the names (which is a given since this is the 9th book of the series) I found the plot easy to follow. My only bone to pick is the predictability of the book which I got spot on, which is the reason why I dropped it down a rating - which was a tad disappointing. That being said, the writing is superb which I found added to the reading experience. It does help that I have been to Dundee and a few places myself which helped set the scene up more. Overall not a bad read, a good reliable one if the next book comes up, most likely will get myself a copy and read!

[Elle (IG: simply.elle18) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay to discovering another new author!

I really enjoyed this one! I love a good police procedural, and anything set in Scotland to be honest.

Dead Man's Shoes is the 9th in the DI Clare Mackay series. Not having read the previous books was not a problem at all, so one could easily pick this up and read it as a standalone, but I'll be going right back to the beginning all the same!

The storyline and cast of characters are credible, and it is a very easy read with a great plot. The story has some good twists and really kept me guessing.

Overall, a very entertaining read and I can definitely recommend this book!

[L. Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series, especially the audio book versions as they are well done and well narrated.

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

last one in the series for now💔💔 this was actually one of my faves though i liked that it had multiple plots but unlike some of the other ones it was all interlinked a bit which i really liked

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another page turner in the Clare Mackay series. I will continue to read them as I love all the characters, and the mysteries play out quite well. There were a couple things that nagged at me though. Al/The DCI seemed a real door mat in this, at least to Clare. Sort of this weird fantasy of the man staying at home, cooking, rubbing her feet, etc., and she was upset he didn't tell her about a job because she didn't have time to hear it. Not a good look, Clare.
The biggest issue with me was the handling of the serial killer story, which seemed to be just forgotten. Finn was about to be the serial killer's next victim but was saved by the cops/Clare, yet, every time he is mentioned, the "trauma" he suffers is the kidnapping after he's out of hospital. Even the newspaper in the Epilogue didn't mention the fact that we was drugged in the back of the killer's van about to be the Choker's next victim. Somehow having his boyfriend killed and then his being threatened by would be gang members was worse. Also, his important testimony was never mentioned again. Seemed a weird plot hole, which Todd doesn't usually have. Like I said, I will keep reading the books as I thought it was weird for the series.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one .

[John Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very enjoyable read. DI Clare Mackay and her team rub along nicely and sooner or later crack the puzzles/crimes. I never that Fife wax such a hot bed of violence and debauchery!! An interesting end to the book - what next for DI Mackay?

[Lilly Tolputt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very good!

It was believable and I liked the relations to this being over real life things.

I thought it being told from the detectives pov was well done.

This author is someone who I’d like to read more from.

[Gabriele McMeans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did we read the same book? I mean the book is fine, but that’s it, just fine. The plot was pretty predictable and there weren’t any huge plot twists. The writing kinda sucked. I felt like at any point I could’ve put the book down and never picked it back up because I wasn’t engaged at all in the story. The best way to describe reading this is like eating a saltine cracker, just kinda meh.

SPOILERS START HERE!

I feel like the whole plot of the choker and how Danny is involved but kinda not was cool, but the writing kinda dragged. As soon as things would heat up they’d be over. I mean think about trying to track down the choker? Theo gets killed so they think they’re too late and he’s already left town so things kinda settle down. Then oh crap Theo wasn’t killed by the choker, guess we gotta find him. Oh yea I think he’s here guys let’s go check this spot. Oh crap he was here and got away, time for super cool car chase but NO! Instead we meet him behind a silo Clare gets hit in the ribs and it’s pretty much over. They literally said yea let’s let this murderer go and we’ll regroup in the morning. Like there could’ve been so much more to that whole ordeal but instead it kinda fell flat. It kinda seemed like Clare automatically knew things without showing it in a way the reader could follow. Like rather than having a bunch of little details that make sense later on it was like detail, detail, bam rather than detail, wait, oh remember that, bam! I dunno also of the suspenseful moments kinda just fell flat in my opinion

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Man's Shoes is another gripping instalment in Marion Todd's series featuring St. Andrews-based Detective Inspector Clare Mackay.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good and entertaining crime investigation. I enjoyed the friendliness of the police officers and their positive team work.
I have received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

[Mary Picken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Marion Todd’s DI Clare Mackay series and Dead Man’s Shoes is a real cracker. This time a fair bit of the action comes from around Dundee and I had no trouble at all identifying with the storyline involving drugs, a dodgy nightclub and a particularly slippy customer that the Police have been trying to pin down for their crimes but to no avail.

In the midst of business as usual, DI Clare Mackay is asked to lead her team in identifying a serial killer who preys on gay men. It’s got to be an undercover operation, because the Serious Crime Agency is keen to make sure that their perpetrator has no idea that they believe he’s in Clare’s area of St Andrews. Without a picture to go on and only the sketchiest of details about his likely occupation and mode of transport, Clare must use her skills and local knowledge of the area to track this man down, working in conjunction with an old acquaintance at the NCA. It is believed that this killer, whom the press have dubbed ‘The Choker’ seeks his victims out at weekends and kills them.

So, when a young man is found strangled earlier in the week, Clare chastises herself for not anticipating an earlier kill, but remains unsure as to whether this young man is actually a victim of The Choker or someone else’s target. The young man was a member of a local family with ties to criminal activity and so other leads need to be investigated, stretching the team to capacity.

One of the reasons I like this series so much is its authenticity. You do get a feel for how police procedure works and for the careful planning that goes into an operation like finding a serial murderer.

Clare has a good team around her and is mindful of their mental and physical well-being – though of course it doesn’t stop her nicking their biscuits! She does though, throw a lot of herself into her work and that means she can be a little forgetful of her home and family life, though she does her best to balance things out, she is not always successful. Her beloved dog, Benjy, though ensures he is never far from her mind! Clare’s life partner. Alastair Gibson, whom she refers to as ‘the DCI’, on the other hand, has to bide his time until she has the headspace to listen to his news as Clare’s investigation ramps up.

Marion Todd does a great job of creating tension and excitement and of throwing in the odd piece of misdirection here and there to keep us guessing. Her understanding of forensics is excellent and provides her with the fodder for an excellent plot line and denouement. The pacing is good, and moves from an even flow to fast paced when things start to really heat up.

Verdict: An excellent read and a terrific police procedural. Marion Todd writes her characters with deftness and brings them to life as rounded individuals, especially in Clare’s team. These are likeable characters with the kind of domestic issues we all have and though the crimes feel all too real, there’s no gratuitous violence or overdoing the gore. I have no hesitation in recommending the whole series to new readers. Dead Man’s Shoes can easily be read as a stand-alone book, but if you read the whole series, you’ll really enjoy the character progression.

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"Dead Man's Shoes" by Marion Todd is a finely-crafted gem that gleams brightly in the treasure trove of crime fiction. The narrative is an adrenaline-pumping blend of intricate plotting, compelling characters, and atmospheric tension, making it a riveting read from start to finish.

Todd masterfully constructs the world of DI Clare Mackay, a detective whose depth of character is rivaled only by the depth of the mysteries she seeks to unravel. Mackay is a character you root for; her tenacity, intelligence, and moments of vulnerability bring authenticity to her role and make her relatable on many levels.

The plot begins with a bang and never loses its momentum. Todd's storytelling prowess ensures that each twist and turn is both unexpected and seamlessly integrated into the narrative fabric. The suspense is palpable, and just when you think you've got it all figured out, Todd deftly subverts expectations, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

What sets "Dead Man's Shoes" apart is Todd's ability to evoke a strong sense of place. The Scottish setting is vividly brought to life with meticulous detail, adding another layer of immersion. You can almost feel the chill in the air and hear the whispers of the wind as they carry secrets through the small town.

Moreover, Todd's prose is crisp and evocative, striking a perfect balance between description and action. The pacing is spot-on, ensuring that the story never drags and that each scene contributes meaningfully to the unfolding mystery.

"Dead Man's Shoes" is a stellar addition to the crime genre. It entertains while engaging the reader's mind, making it a must-read for fans of compelling detective fiction. Marion Todd has crafted a story that lingers long after the final page is turned, and I eagerly await DI Clare Mackay's next adventure.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Man's Shoes by Marion Todd is a highly recommended procedural and the ninth novel set in Scotland featuring Detective Clare Mackay.

There is a serial killer on the loose targeting men. He is being called the Choker since he drugs his victims and then chokes them to death with a chain. Police intelligence believes the Choker is moving into the St. Andrews area. He drives a white van and is thought to be a decorator or painter. He usually strikes on a Friday or Saturday night. DI Clare Mackay and her team are tasked with setting up a widespread surveillance trying to catch the killer.

When a young man is found dead before the weekend, it is thought it might be from the Choker, but Mackay has her doubts. The victim has ties to some local criminals in the area. The surveillance plan continues and another man is found injured. It seems that the Choker is still active and there may be more going on than the police realize.

Dead Man's Shoes is a well-written, detailed, even-paced procedural. It did seem to move a little slowly at times, but those who enjoy procedurals will appreciate all the details carefully provided. The focus is on the facts of the investigation while avoiding a lot of grisly descriptions of the crimes.

For those not following the series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel. Even though there are some personal things happening in the lives of the character, the focus is really on the police work. You won't have all the background information on the characters, but you will still be able to follow the investigation.

Thanks to Canelo Crime for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/1...

[Sian Morant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Man’s Shoes by Marion Todd is the ninth novel in this consistently good series featuring Detective Clare Mackay.
Clare gets a visit from an old colleague who has police intelligence that a prolific serial killer has moved into the St Andrews area, hence Clare’s patch. This particular serial killer only targets men and has been nicknamed “The Choker”, because he tortures his victims, then chokes them to death with a chain. Intelligence has yielded that the protagonist uses a white van and could possibly be a painter or decorator
Unfortunately, before Claire’s investigations have got off the ground, a young man is found strangled in woodland. Claire wonders if she could have prevented the death, but then she is unsure if the victim is The Choker’s chosen target or is there another reason for his death.
What follows is a case of utmost complexity and painstaking police inquiries. I like Marion Todd’s writing a lot. She creates a really authentic police procedural and the intricate teamwork that goes into a major investigation.
The only downside in the book is the relationship between Claire and Alistair Gibson, her partner. I don’t find them believable at all. Still, this is a minor hiccup in a well-crafted story and series.
My thanks to NetGalley, Marion Todd and especially Canelo for the much-appreciated ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

[Michelle Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great twisty-turny story with supporting characters, good and bad, from other books in the series. I really enjoy it when people we've met show up again.


I've complained a lot about Clare NOT keeping things confidential the way she's supposed to and when she did, I actually, out loud yelled, FINALLY. Although she did eventually talk to someone about the case before she was given the ok, she did last longer and I liked that.

What I didn't like was her not telling DCI Ben Ratcliffe about the missing boy. Sure it was only 12 hours since he was supposed missing, with what she knows going on and was going to happen in her area, it was a bad call. Clare has a tendency in each novel to make a crucial or critical mistake in her detective work. Part of me says this is good because it makes her more human, more real because even the best in their field will still make the occasional mistake. However for her to be a lauded DI, the mistakes she makes are more akin to a newly minted DC, if even.

The story moved along nicely and was rather excellent. But Clare is risky, makes a lot of risky and poor decisions. I suggest that when the author is done writing this series, she should kill Clare off by finally succumbing to one of her bad decisions....not that I want that anytime soon.

[Jamie Garwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having followed Todd's career - a second career as her life as a novelist started in later years - it has been a joy to see this writer grow as an author creating a world she is happily swimming in as the crime washes up on the nearby shores in St Andrews.

This most recent adventure follows the death of a young man found dead near a nightclub. The marks on his neck are indicative and a symbol of a serial killer in the North of England, labelled 'The Choker', a killer who targets gay men.

From that death, another death follows and on and on and with further attacks on men happening, Slater must again balance the extremes of work pressure with the crucial home-life balance with a fellow member of the Police force.

It is always difficult to find new problems or obstacles for a character in a continuing series without it becoming old hat or sound like you are repeating yourself. In this edition, Todd gives Slater the difficulty of a back injury sustained in the line of duty meaning she becomes a passenger driven to crime scenes and has to slow down while trying to get the same results.

Written as ever with such enthusiasm and with a great ear for dialogue in the workplace, Todd again has written a winner of a crime read.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young man is found dead near a nightclub. He has marks on his neck, the signature of the Choker, a killer who has been targeting gay men across the country. Now, it seems he's in DI Clare Mackay’s territory. She discovers this victim has links to notorious criminals in the area. More men, including ones linked to the victim, are attacked and left injured. It’s only a matter of time before someone else is killed.
The ninth book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own, I’m a lover of series & have to start from the beginning so I can see how relationships develop & the dynamics between them. Another well written, well paced book that I read in a couple of sittings. I really like Clare & like how she’s becomes involved in each new case, she does try to balance her work & her home life but once she’s deep into a case her home life gets put on the back burner. The case is intriguing & there are twists & turns, some of which were surprising & had me on the edge of my seat. A very enjoyable book which I thoroughly enjoyed
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[John MacLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Dead Man’s Shoes’,by Marion Todd is the ninth book in this consistently very enjoyable Scottish based series.In the plot this time, D.I.Clare MacKay and her team are tasked with stopping a serial killer who is responsible for the murders of young gay men.Police Intelligence reports that the Chain Lock Choker is moving their activity from the north of England to the St.Andrews area.There is the difficult task of surveillance of a large number of white vans in the search for the suspect,which heralds the start of a complex case.The latest installment of this series maintains the highest standards of fictional crime writing .The familiar well drawn characters continue to shine as they attempt to establish just who is responsible for acts of violence that could well be linked.As far as police procedural investigations go,this feels very realistic and is also so well thought out.Skillful storytelling that manages to be gritty ,gripping,human,warm hearted,and incredibly compelling all at once.
Many thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for a pre release copy.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dead Man's Shoes is a good addition to the DI Mackay series by Marion Todd. I think the first part of the story is slow going though and it took a while for me to become fully invested in this read. Mackay and her team search for a serial killer believed to be in their area and also investigate a murder. I like following the team in their investigations and love the banter they have. The glimpses into the DI's home and personal life are a nice touch. My one gripe is that I wish Mackay would stop referring to her other half as the DCI ... I find this quite irritating. Dead Man's Shoes does begin to gain pace after its slowish start, I think the authors writing is good, the story flows well and the plot is all too believeable and realistic. It hasn't wowed me as much as the previous books did - but I'd still recommend Marion Todd and this series and if you're new to this author you need to read the books in order to know the characters and their histories from the start.

3.5 stars

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Man’s Shoes is book 9 in the D I Clare Mackay series, but it can easily read as a standalone.
Intel has been brought it that a serial Killer called the choker is heading to St Andrews way. Clare and her team plan to catch the killer before he strikes again. The killer kills men and hokes them with a chain. They get news that a body is found with the M.O. of the Choker and the police think that he has killed again but Clare has her doubts,
When they delve into the investigation that the person killed is linked to a night club and a case of wrong identity. When another person goes missing is he going to be next or is it something else entirely.
Although the storyline a bit slow at first. It became another gripping read from the author. Clare as usual doing all she can to find the killer. Its not easy for her as she also has things in her personal to deal with too. This is a great read. 4 stars from me.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Clare MacKay #9

There's a serial killer that's been targeting gay men. He's been nicknamed The Choker as he drugs and rapes his victims, then strangles them with a chain. Police intelligence believes he is targeting the St. Andrews ares next. All they know about him is that he might be a painter and decorator. and he drives a white van. DI Clare MacKay and her team are setting up a widespread surveillance in the hope of capturing the person responsible.

The pace is steady in this twisted and well-written read. People who have read all the books in this series will be familiar with DI Clare MacKay and her team. It's action-packed, and we learn more of Clare's background and personal struggles dealing wiith her elderly parents. Another great addition to the series.

Published 9th January 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Canelo and the author #MarionTodd for my ARC of #DeadMansShoes in exchange for an honest review.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is #9 in the DI Clare Mackay series but can easily be read as a standalone.

I love this series, definitely one of my favourite police procedurals.

Clare’s DCI tells her that there is a serial killer – nicknamed the Choker – operating in the north of England but it seems that he’s now moved up to Scotland and in Clare’s territory. The body of a man has been found with marks around his neck, almost certainly a victim of the Choker.

Once the investigation gets going, Clare discovers that the victim had links to local criminals, both male and female. Then another man is found, fortunately not dead but seriously injured, so Clare and the team have to find the perpetrator before there are any more deaths or casualties.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

[Rachel N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed the previous books in the Detective Clare Mackay series and this is one of the best yet. The action gets going on page one and never lets up – a killer is suspected to be heading towards St Andrews and Clare and her team are required to find and trap him before he can hit again – and the characters are now so well established that it all flows very naturally. Even the background of the underworld of the area has been built up so they have become part of the series themselves and keep reoccurring, which feels very realistic to policing. I particularly enjoyed the writing around Clare’s personal life – her struggle to deal with aging parents was beautifully and very sensitively portrayed – and I can’t wait to see where the series goes next.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent tension & suspense😯

This is one of my favorite police investigative series and just keeps going at a high standard. Here St. Andrews DI Clare Mackay and her team start the story poised to nab a serial killer of young gay men moving around in the UK and end up untangling a local crime streak that results in kidnapping and murder. It's fast paced and I was totally engaged beginning to end. Clare and her whole team are dedicated and work so well together.

I usually prefer this genre with focus on the crime investigation and limited input about the characters' private lives. But not here. Clare's escalating problem with work life balance and its effect on her relationship with Al had me worried and added to the suspense.

Thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.