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Scott Cullen Mysteries #6
Liars and Thieves
Windchill brings together two different cases for Cullen to solve, in the dark and gripping Scottish police procedural series that has set the bestseller charts alight.
Detective Constable Scott Cullen finds his peaceful return from holiday scuppered when the body of a barman is found with a knife in his gut. What seems to be a straightforward case of violent jealousy soon reveals itself to have much darker links; revelations of mounting debts, out of control gambling and organised crime lead to the discovery of another body. Desperate for a promotion, Cullen sets out to solve the murders, but can he untangle the web?
This ebook also includes a short story, Christmas Steps, which sees Cullen investigate the gruesome murder of a businessman on a cold Christmas Eve in Edinburgh.
Detective Constable Scott Cullen finds his peaceful return from holiday scuppered when the body of a barman is found with a knife in his gut. What seems to be a straightforward case of violent jealousy soon reveals itself to have much darker links; revelations of mounting debts, out of control gambling and organised crime lead to the discovery of another body. Desperate for a promotion, Cullen sets out to solve the murders, but can he untangle the web?
This ebook also includes a short story, Christmas Steps, which sees Cullen investigate the gruesome murder of a businessman on a cold Christmas Eve in Edinburgh.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2014
433 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 1, 2014
In the sixth Scott Cullen book by author Ed James, "Windchill" has three different murders to investigate. Working for the indomitable DI Colin Methven. Cullen only barely tolerates Methven slightly better than arch-enemy DI Brian Bain. Cullen still lives with DS Sharon McNeill. Their relationship hanging by a thread after losing their baby. Cullen must partner up with acting DC Simon Buxton to investigate a house fire where a tortured murder victim was found inside. Co-owner of JG Markets & Investments, Steven McCoull was tortured brutally before killer set his house on fire to escape. Cullen and Buxton have several suspects to question. Among them include, McCoull's ex-wife, his business partner, and his neighbor. Of course Cullen and Buxton can never do anything quickly enough, or thoroughly enough to satisfy Methven. Sharon and Methven try to bring Cullen's excessive drinking and partying to his attention. Scott does come around to the point his drinking is affecting his police work and career path. With 2 more murders to investigate, Cullen and Buxton must try to bring down 2 career criminals. Kenny Falconer has eluded the police for years. Also, Dean Vardy has proven to be too slippery to catch. The murder victims, Keith Lyle worked for Vardy and lived in same apartment building as Vandy's girlfriend. The second murder victim was killed with a knife with Falconer's fingerprints all over the murder weapon. Somehow one man, Darren Keough, becomes the alibi for both accused killers. Before long this unravels a master plot of criminal brilliance I did not see coming. Again with all of author James' Scott Cullen books, the protagonist is suffering in his personal life that makes him really question how far does he want to go. The colorful characters in this book had some very lively dialog to add some special life to the story. All six of the Cullen books have been a joy to read. I really look forward to when a new one is coming out. I'd highly recommend this series to any mystery/ thriller fans. It's hard not to read through the book and feel empathy for Scott. I pull hard for his character to overcome. With miserable bosses and inept co workers, Cullen has his work really cut out for him. I'm calling this on a 5 stars out of a possible 5 stars. Please do not miss this series. It's actually something pretty special.
June 20, 2015
Windmill a bit windy
I never know with Ed James what to expect with Scott Cullen and his troop. I like how they seem to know the who before they know the what of the story being told. It's good that the mystery isn't to overdone in Ed's manner of telling the story. The beauty of these crime mysteries is you keep guessing til the end. Looking forward to more Scott Cullen crime mysteries in the future.
I never know with Ed James what to expect with Scott Cullen and his troop. I like how they seem to know the who before they know the what of the story being told. It's good that the mystery isn't to overdone in Ed's manner of telling the story. The beauty of these crime mysteries is you keep guessing til the end. Looking forward to more Scott Cullen crime mysteries in the future.
April 8, 2015
Gutted i have to wait for next installment
January 1, 2026
Two novellas set around Christmas time and Hogmany in Edinburgh in the cold snow and winter winds, but gruesome murders have been committed and Cullen must still proof that he should be promoted. In the first story, a man is found tortured to death and it soon becomes clear that he was not the upstanding person portrayed by his friends. The second novella features two of Edinburgh's career criminals providing each other alibis for murders in the city. A solid end of the year read with the cast of characters facing professional changes in the next year. Highly recommend this series.
October 17, 2014
Windchill is another gripping Scott Cullen adventure. If you have read and enjoyed any other Scott Cullen stories then you will not be disappointed with Windchill. Then again if this your Cullen novel then you will quickly come to know and cheer him on.
October 16, 2014
Another 5 star read
January 17, 2015
Ed James goes from strength to strength. Really enjoy the story line and now looking forward to the next book out some time this year
March 7, 2015
Really enjoyed that this book was split into two-parts, slightly overlapping each other, with a few of the fringe characters coming to the fore. Great ending too
March 11, 2015
i like these books more and more
April 30, 2015
Good read
May 14, 2022
Cullen finally getting his head on straight
Detective constable took a bit of a ticking in the last book, But he's finally getting his act together. He has given up drinking And seems to be making smarter choices at work and it's finally getting the recognition and adulation that he deserves. He's able to solve the crime without butting heads with his superior and seems to get along better with everyone in this squad.
That does seem to be an awful lot of sniping and griping among the different detectives and officers in the series , so much so that it all seems very dysfunctional. I am wondering if this is what life is like in the Scottish police force or if it's exaggerated a bit for our benefit.
Detective constable took a bit of a ticking in the last book, But he's finally getting his act together. He has given up drinking And seems to be making smarter choices at work and it's finally getting the recognition and adulation that he deserves. He's able to solve the crime without butting heads with his superior and seems to get along better with everyone in this squad.
That does seem to be an awful lot of sniping and griping among the different detectives and officers in the series , so much so that it all seems very dysfunctional. I am wondering if this is what life is like in the Scottish police force or if it's exaggerated a bit for our benefit.
January 21, 2023
This is the sixth book in the Scott Cullen series by author Ed James. Another very entertaining read in this good solid crime series based in Scotland.
Detective Constable Scott Cullen is back from holiday and is straightaway thrust into the latest case. The dead body of a barman was discovered with a knife still protruding from his stomach. The case proves to be a lot more complicated than first thought and revelations of mounting debts, out of control gambling and organised crime lead to the discovery of another body. Scott Cullen is still seeking that long standing promise of a promotion and hopes that solving the latest murders will put him in prime position.
Another solid crime novel. I enjoy the interesting plots with plenty of interesting characters along the way.
Detective Constable Scott Cullen is back from holiday and is straightaway thrust into the latest case. The dead body of a barman was discovered with a knife still protruding from his stomach. The case proves to be a lot more complicated than first thought and revelations of mounting debts, out of control gambling and organised crime lead to the discovery of another body. Scott Cullen is still seeking that long standing promise of a promotion and hopes that solving the latest murders will put him in prime position.
Another solid crime novel. I enjoy the interesting plots with plenty of interesting characters along the way.
December 6, 2023
I am fast becoming a fan of this series and reading this one in a day tells me that I cannot put them down! A great two-parter story that has some great twists that serve the story well and feed into the overall narrative with the characters seamlessly. My only reason for not giving five stars is that the recurring thread with Cullen's impatience in his career is beginning to grate, along with the laddishness of the character (which can be forgiven, given the age of the character, the behaviours in general being exhibited in men between 28 - 35 and the reality that this behaviour exists). What is pleasing about that is that the other characters take him to task for his impatience and ambition untempered!
March 11, 2024
continuity flaws
I really hate continuity flaws; they jump out at me and bug me all the way through a book. In the previous book in this series Chantal Jain was promoted to DS, something that bothered Scott Cullen enormously. In this book she is a DC again with no explanation. Also, in the previous book Sharon O’Neill had a miscarriage at 8 weeks. In this book she talks about losing her daughter. Seriously, you cannot tell the sex of an 8 week old miscarried fetus. I also find it disconcerting that the officers asking so many leading questions, which basically gives the suspect the answer, e.g. “Were you with Joe on Friday” vs “Who were you with on Friday?”
I really hate continuity flaws; they jump out at me and bug me all the way through a book. In the previous book in this series Chantal Jain was promoted to DS, something that bothered Scott Cullen enormously. In this book she is a DC again with no explanation. Also, in the previous book Sharon O’Neill had a miscarriage at 8 weeks. In this book she talks about losing her daughter. Seriously, you cannot tell the sex of an 8 week old miscarried fetus. I also find it disconcerting that the officers asking so many leading questions, which basically gives the suspect the answer, e.g. “Were you with Joe on Friday” vs “Who were you with on Friday?”
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May 6, 2025Hogmanay and the fallout. A body is discovered, stabbed. Then another one. There's a local villain who always has an alibi for crimes the police are fairly certain he committed.
All through the investigation, Cullen is still going to become a DS. But he remains a DC working for Methven. And there's a rumour that Bain is coming back to the area but demoted so he would be given the next DS post
But Cullen is staying off the booze and trying to push forward without going off doing his own thing.
A pair of lawyers are paying people with no criminal history a retainer to be upstanding members of the public who'll give false alibis
All through the investigation, Cullen is still going to become a DS. But he remains a DC working for Methven. And there's a rumour that Bain is coming back to the area but demoted so he would be given the next DS post
But Cullen is staying off the booze and trying to push forward without going off doing his own thing.
A pair of lawyers are paying people with no criminal history a retainer to be upstanding members of the public who'll give false alibis
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2018
Not bad but not as good as it has been
Probably the weakest Cullen book so far for me, I found the 2 shorter stories a bit odd and they never knitted together as one story other than just being dated together and introducing the shifty solicitors- but I do like ed James and still did enjoy the book, nice little ending for Cullen and Bain and will look forward to book 7 and hopefully a bit more of the previous than this 2 novella effort
Probably the weakest Cullen book so far for me, I found the 2 shorter stories a bit odd and they never knitted together as one story other than just being dated together and introducing the shifty solicitors- but I do like ed James and still did enjoy the book, nice little ending for Cullen and Bain and will look forward to book 7 and hopefully a bit more of the previous than this 2 novella effort
August 6, 2019
Don’t know why these have all been renamed, but this used to be Windchill, apparently, which to my mind is a much more distinctive title. Heigh ho. Scott Cullen being his own worst enemy as usual – I think the appeal of these books is that Cullen says what we’d like to say, even though we know that it’s completely the wrong thing to say and that it won’t help him at all. That and the fact that we hope he’ll learn how not to harm his own career and happiness so completely effectively!
September 18, 2022
Ed James is really getting into his stride with the Cullen books but Cullen is getting less likeable and more whiny about his lack of promotion.
There was a weird discontinuity where Chantal Jain was promoted above Cullen to DS in the previous book, but is suddenly back to DC in this book, with no explanation.
Other than that the plot was good with a few unreliable witnesses and realistic errors by Cullen and Co - quite a gripping yarn!
There was a weird discontinuity where Chantal Jain was promoted above Cullen to DS in the previous book, but is suddenly back to DC in this book, with no explanation.
Other than that the plot was good with a few unreliable witnesses and realistic errors by Cullen and Co - quite a gripping yarn!
January 15, 2020
Love this series
Why did I choose 5 stars? Because this series is excellent. The development of Cullen both in his police role and as a partner to Sharon is so interesting to read. Also Edinburgh, especially at New Year, is such a colourful backdrop to a complex investigation.
Why did I choose 5 stars? Because this series is excellent. The development of Cullen both in his police role and as a partner to Sharon is so interesting to read. Also Edinburgh, especially at New Year, is such a colourful backdrop to a complex investigation.
October 24, 2024
liars and Thieves. Ed James
Twists, turns, ins and outs. The Team get their Men, or do they. Up and down. The exciting turmoils threaten, bewilder, ensue. Will everything come together. Gripping to the end. A bloody good read.
Twists, turns, ins and outs. The Team get their Men, or do they. Up and down. The exciting turmoils threaten, bewilder, ensue. Will everything come together. Gripping to the end. A bloody good read.
January 1, 2025
This was probably the most boring read so far of this series. The plot was unnecessarily chaotic if there was one, and the characters were too flimsy.
I was very disappointed as I am a fan of Ed James books and have read most of them, with the exception of the Elli Reckless series.
I was very disappointed as I am a fan of Ed James books and have read most of them, with the exception of the Elli Reckless series.
January 25, 2019
Great characters. Really enjoyed the book.
May 4, 2019
Great read, engaging and a great story
Like all the other books this one is great, just enough twist and turns to keep you engaged! Once you start reading you cant stop
Like all the other books this one is great, just enough twist and turns to keep you engaged! Once you start reading you cant stop
November 3, 2019
Series just gets better and with added humour.
November 25, 2019
Intriguing
Another twisting and tempting instalment in the Scott Cullen series, with clever and intriguing overlapping stories to keep you guessing right up to the end
Another twisting and tempting instalment in the Scott Cullen series, with clever and intriguing overlapping stories to keep you guessing right up to the end
February 7, 2021
Ed James continues his Scott Cullen series on great form. I already have Mysteries #7 & #8 loaded on my kindle.
March 22, 2015
Two novellas,less cursing
I read the first Cullen crime series book as it was free. I wasn't sure I would continue, but the rest of the series was offered with Kindle Unlimited so I have read them all now.
The actual crime plots are good. I found the major characters unlikable to varying degrees. The DI Bain was so offensive it was difficult to believe he could hold that position. If he was allowed to do so, it would certainly undermine the entire police service. As he did not seem to be able to complete a line of dialog without using some variety of the "f" word, I wondered about the author's vocabulary as well. Cullen came off as a whining jerk who couldn't work well with others. Granted most of his work colleagues had personality problems also, but his constant complaints about not getting promoted made me want to give him a kick in the rear! Enough already Scott - Grow up or quit the job!!
He seemed bit better by book six, so I hope he and his fellow officers can continue to evolve into more sympathetic and realistic people.
I can't agree with remarks comparing these books to those of Ian Rankin's REBUS series - the only things in common are the setting and the profession of the main characters. Mr James has quite a way to go to match the quality of Mr Rankin's prose. I will continue to follow the series in hope of improvement.
I read the first Cullen crime series book as it was free. I wasn't sure I would continue, but the rest of the series was offered with Kindle Unlimited so I have read them all now.
The actual crime plots are good. I found the major characters unlikable to varying degrees. The DI Bain was so offensive it was difficult to believe he could hold that position. If he was allowed to do so, it would certainly undermine the entire police service. As he did not seem to be able to complete a line of dialog without using some variety of the "f" word, I wondered about the author's vocabulary as well. Cullen came off as a whining jerk who couldn't work well with others. Granted most of his work colleagues had personality problems also, but his constant complaints about not getting promoted made me want to give him a kick in the rear! Enough already Scott - Grow up or quit the job!!
He seemed bit better by book six, so I hope he and his fellow officers can continue to evolve into more sympathetic and realistic people.
I can't agree with remarks comparing these books to those of Ian Rankin's REBUS series - the only things in common are the setting and the profession of the main characters. Mr James has quite a way to go to match the quality of Mr Rankin's prose. I will continue to follow the series in hope of improvement.
April 22, 2016
4.5 stars.
I've been looking for some good British crime fiction. And although this takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland, this fit the bill. This is the 6th book in the DC Scott Cullen series. Even though I'm coming to the series late, there was the perfect amount of backstory to bring me up to speed. DC Scott Cullen is a 31 year old on the Scottish police force. He's kind of a maverick, he drinks to much, complains too much about his lack of promotion but he's hard working and is in a serious relationship with Sharon O'Neill, another police officer. I couldn't help but like him. But what really drew me in were two things: the story and the clever plot. Usually, in crime fiction, it's about one crime and one criminal for the course of the book. In this story were two crimes, both happening over the Christmas and New Year's holidays. I was somewhat surprised when the first crime was wrapped up and the book wasn't even finished. But then we went on to the second crime and it is here that there is a complex, intricate plot. It was such a good read that I'm going to go back and start at the beginning of the series. I also liked the idea of the shorter chapters, it seemed to read faster. Highly recommend this book.
I've been looking for some good British crime fiction. And although this takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland, this fit the bill. This is the 6th book in the DC Scott Cullen series. Even though I'm coming to the series late, there was the perfect amount of backstory to bring me up to speed. DC Scott Cullen is a 31 year old on the Scottish police force. He's kind of a maverick, he drinks to much, complains too much about his lack of promotion but he's hard working and is in a serious relationship with Sharon O'Neill, another police officer. I couldn't help but like him. But what really drew me in were two things: the story and the clever plot. Usually, in crime fiction, it's about one crime and one criminal for the course of the book. In this story were two crimes, both happening over the Christmas and New Year's holidays. I was somewhat surprised when the first crime was wrapped up and the book wasn't even finished. But then we went on to the second crime and it is here that there is a complex, intricate plot. It was such a good read that I'm going to go back and start at the beginning of the series. I also liked the idea of the shorter chapters, it seemed to read faster. Highly recommend this book.
October 24, 2014
Windchill is the 6th installment in the Cullen series, with a fast paced, twisty plot that kept me guessing right up to the end. Out of all the Cullen books so far, Windchill is my favorite. I liked the format of having a quick solve at the beginning, followed by a longer, tougher case. Cullen matures and evolves into the "team player" his superiors have wanted him to be and the dynamic of Cullen and sidekick Buxton make for a good team. I have to say, they're really inept at self-defense. They both need a course in S**t-Kicking 101.
The plot was tightly worked, very straightforward without much deviation from solving the crime. While Cullen's personal life has a larger role in the previous books, Sharon has only a small part in this one and even less about Bain. And really, there really isn't room for it in Windchill, it would've bogged down the story.
Although I confess, I missed Bain, the man everyone loves to hate.
The plot was tightly worked, very straightforward without much deviation from solving the crime. While Cullen's personal life has a larger role in the previous books, Sharon has only a small part in this one and even less about Bain. And really, there really isn't room for it in Windchill, it would've bogged down the story.
Although I confess, I missed Bain, the man everyone loves to hate.
February 6, 2017
Satisfying finale but not as good as the previous one!!
Hmmmm..... I ended up enjoying this book (especially the being - very satisfying!!) - but some of the reasoning was not very plausible - hence the drop to 3 stars - though 3 1/2 stars is what I really want to give it. I didn't really like the short story stuck in with this novel, because it ended up giving Windchill the feel of a novella rather than a full novel - or even a second short story. Overall I enjoyed it and I am really glad that DC Cullen has finally got his full promotion!! Now maybe he will stop whining!!
Hmmmm..... I ended up enjoying this book (especially the being - very satisfying!!) - but some of the reasoning was not very plausible - hence the drop to 3 stars - though 3 1/2 stars is what I really want to give it. I didn't really like the short story stuck in with this novel, because it ended up giving Windchill the feel of a novella rather than a full novel - or even a second short story. Overall I enjoyed it and I am really glad that DC Cullen has finally got his full promotion!! Now maybe he will stop whining!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews