What do you think?
Rate this book
Detective Corstorphine #3
Murder of Crows
Detective James Corstorphine’s blood ran cold. His wife never left her clinic door unlocked. Inside, her receptionist sat bound and gagged, tears streaming down her face. “He’s taken Shamila.”
But Shamila’s abduction is just the beginning. When human remains are discovered dressed as a scarecrow in a Highland farmer’s field, Corstorphine realises the cases are connected. The victim worked at Carstairs State Hospital – the same institution where Shamila once treated the criminally insane.
As Corstorphine traces the killer’s obsession with Shamila, another body is found – a young woman strangled in the village, her face hidden beneath a scarecrow’s mask.
With the ancient festival of Samhain approaching and shadows lengthening across the glens, a book of cryptic clues arrives at Corstorphine’s door. As Corstorphine races to decode the killer’s macabre messages can he save Shamila before she becomes the final victim?
An atmospheric page-turning Scottish crime thriller from CWA New Blood Dagger Longlist author Andrew James Greig. Perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Ian Rankin, and Ann Cleeves.
But Shamila’s abduction is just the beginning. When human remains are discovered dressed as a scarecrow in a Highland farmer’s field, Corstorphine realises the cases are connected. The victim worked at Carstairs State Hospital – the same institution where Shamila once treated the criminally insane.
As Corstorphine traces the killer’s obsession with Shamila, another body is found – a young woman strangled in the village, her face hidden beneath a scarecrow’s mask.
With the ancient festival of Samhain approaching and shadows lengthening across the glens, a book of cryptic clues arrives at Corstorphine’s door. As Corstorphine races to decode the killer’s macabre messages can he save Shamila before she becomes the final victim?
An atmospheric page-turning Scottish crime thriller from CWA New Blood Dagger Longlist author Andrew James Greig. Perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Ian Rankin, and Ann Cleeves.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2025
66 people are currently reading
76 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 65 reviews
November 1, 2025
EXCERPT: Richard Bryce remembered going to his allotment after tea. The day had been uneventful. A round of the wards with his trolley of medicines. Double-checking doses, dates and delivery before moving onto the next closed cell. Providing first-aid for the minor bumps, scratches and fights that were a regular occurrence during the working day. Then home to his bungalow in Cleghorn - looking out over fields and Mouse Water. He struggled to remember what had happened. He'd felt faint and had collapsed.
Richard found he could raise his head, although it felt as though it had doubled in size. The realisation that he'd been drugged occurred at the same time as two other startling discoveries. The first was that he was still dressed in his casual clothes, proving ineffectual against the cold of the night. The second, more alarming realisation, was that he was lying across a railway line next to a putrid deer carcass.
(Then) the rails underneath his back began to vibrate . . .
ABOUT 'MURDER OF CROWS': Detective James Corstorphine’s blood ran cold. His wife never left her clinic door unlocked. Inside, her receptionist sat bound and gagged, tears streaming down her face. “He’s taken Shamila.”
But Shamila’s abduction is just the beginning. When human remains are discovered dressed as a scarecrow in a Highland farmer’s field, Corstorphine realises the cases are connected. The victim worked at Carstairs State Hospital – the same institution where Shamila once treated the criminally insane.
As Corstorphine traces the killer’s obsession with Shamila, another body is found – a young woman strangled in the village, her face hidden beneath a scarecrow’s mask.
With the ancient festival of Samhain approaching and shadows lengthening across the glens, a book of cryptic clues arrives at Corstorphine’s door. As Corstorphine races to decode the killer’s macabre messages can he save Shamila before she becomes the final victim?
MY THOUGHTS: Fast-paced, action-packed and intriguing . . . just why are scarecrows being stolen?
I may never look at a scarecrow the same way again. Formidophobia is a real thing - a fear of scarecrows. It is also something that Corstorphine's new wife Shamila suffers from. Now she is missing, as is another young woman, and so are several scarecrows plus an alert has been issued for a missing ex-psychiatric patient believed to be dangerous.
Murder of Crows contains all my favorite elements and I was riveted as I read, unable to put the book down until I finished. Greig's writing style is easy to ready and he sure knows how to ramp up the tension. I enjoyed the characters, but I do wish the author had given Corstorphine a more manageable name - my reading seemed to stutter every time I came across it.
I enjoyed the easy working relationships between the characters who made up the local police force. They obviously have a deep respect for one another. I also appreciated how Frankie is prepared to go the extra mile to keep Corstorphine in the loop when he is sidelined in favor of the MIT team after his wife is kidnapped.
A cohesive and thrilling mystery. I'll be reading more of this series.
#MurderofCrows #NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
MEET THE AUTHOR: ANDREW JAMES GREIG writes crime and speculative fiction inspired by the wild and rugged Scottish landscape where he lives. Andrew spends his time writing, exploring islands and playing music.
A member of the Society of Authors and regular contributor to literary festivals and events, he is as equally at home on the stage as on a windswept mountain top. Inspiration comes from the places he’s seen on his travels but mostly from the people he meets along the way and the tales they have to tell. (Source: https://stormpublishing.co/portfolio/... abridged)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Murder of Crows by Andrew James Greg for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Richard found he could raise his head, although it felt as though it had doubled in size. The realisation that he'd been drugged occurred at the same time as two other startling discoveries. The first was that he was still dressed in his casual clothes, proving ineffectual against the cold of the night. The second, more alarming realisation, was that he was lying across a railway line next to a putrid deer carcass.
(Then) the rails underneath his back began to vibrate . . .
ABOUT 'MURDER OF CROWS': Detective James Corstorphine’s blood ran cold. His wife never left her clinic door unlocked. Inside, her receptionist sat bound and gagged, tears streaming down her face. “He’s taken Shamila.”
But Shamila’s abduction is just the beginning. When human remains are discovered dressed as a scarecrow in a Highland farmer’s field, Corstorphine realises the cases are connected. The victim worked at Carstairs State Hospital – the same institution where Shamila once treated the criminally insane.
As Corstorphine traces the killer’s obsession with Shamila, another body is found – a young woman strangled in the village, her face hidden beneath a scarecrow’s mask.
With the ancient festival of Samhain approaching and shadows lengthening across the glens, a book of cryptic clues arrives at Corstorphine’s door. As Corstorphine races to decode the killer’s macabre messages can he save Shamila before she becomes the final victim?
MY THOUGHTS: Fast-paced, action-packed and intriguing . . . just why are scarecrows being stolen?
I may never look at a scarecrow the same way again. Formidophobia is a real thing - a fear of scarecrows. It is also something that Corstorphine's new wife Shamila suffers from. Now she is missing, as is another young woman, and so are several scarecrows plus an alert has been issued for a missing ex-psychiatric patient believed to be dangerous.
Murder of Crows contains all my favorite elements and I was riveted as I read, unable to put the book down until I finished. Greig's writing style is easy to ready and he sure knows how to ramp up the tension. I enjoyed the characters, but I do wish the author had given Corstorphine a more manageable name - my reading seemed to stutter every time I came across it.
I enjoyed the easy working relationships between the characters who made up the local police force. They obviously have a deep respect for one another. I also appreciated how Frankie is prepared to go the extra mile to keep Corstorphine in the loop when he is sidelined in favor of the MIT team after his wife is kidnapped.
A cohesive and thrilling mystery. I'll be reading more of this series.
#MurderofCrows #NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
MEET THE AUTHOR: ANDREW JAMES GREIG writes crime and speculative fiction inspired by the wild and rugged Scottish landscape where he lives. Andrew spends his time writing, exploring islands and playing music.
A member of the Society of Authors and regular contributor to literary festivals and events, he is as equally at home on the stage as on a windswept mountain top. Inspiration comes from the places he’s seen on his travels but mostly from the people he meets along the way and the tales they have to tell. (Source: https://stormpublishing.co/portfolio/... abridged)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Murder of Crows by Andrew James Greg for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
November 13, 2025
Having loved the first instalment “Wirligig”, I cannot believe I somehow missed the second book, but I dove right in book number three. There are some changes on the domestic side, but the heart of the Scottish crew remains the same. They all have to step up as Corstophine’s wife has been abducted by a madman. It’s a very good mystery and all, but for me it still is the crisp writing and the tremendously good rendering of the environment of the Scottish hills and the people that does it.
Greig is right up there with Val McDermid as far as I’m concerned.
Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own.
Greig is right up there with Val McDermid as far as I’m concerned.
Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own.
October 30, 2025
The MURDER OF CROWS opens with a terrific prologue. Richard Bryce is tied to railway tracks. He cannot move. He does not know who tied him. The train is coming. We can feel his fear. Typical top-level writing by Andrew James Greig.
Too Many Threads
But then the story switches to a wedding. DI Corstorphine is marrying Shamila Mallick. The last time we read about DI Corstorphine, in "The Devil's Cut", he was becoming attracted to Shamila. Now it is a year later, and he is marrying her. The courtship was skipped. I found this jarring.
Frankie is at the wedding, as well as Sergeant Hamish and PC Lamb, and those three I remembered well, but Shamila was a blur to me; she played only a minor part in the earlier novel. And the more I read about her, in her interactions with her new husband, the more I disliked her. Not because she treated him badly—she didn't—but because she spouts theories that are not supported by facts. Furthermore, we never seem to get inside her mind as we do with Corstorphine, Frankie, and Lamb.
The story skips around. Frankie investigates a missing scarecrow. Susie, an intellectually disabled young woman, is exploited by a young man. An unnamed villain makes preparations that involve body parts. Another scarecrow goes missing. A staff member working at a hospital for the criminally insane disappears. Corstorphine becomes anxious because his new wife used to work at that hospital. A third scarecrow is stolen. Then the first missing scarecrow is returned—with the body of a real person inside it.
Jarring events continue to occur, and because they seemed unrelated, I found the story choppy. Not terrible because the writing is good, but because there is a rush of unconnected events, I would rate it as only average—a three-star rating. This continued until I decided to take a break at about the 30% point.
Story Picks Up
After a month, I decided to carry on. At first there were more disjointed events, but the story definitely picked up once Shamila was kidnapped at the 40% mark. Now we follow Corstorphine and Frankie as they race against time, knowing that Shamila is likely to be murdered by the scarecrow thief. And all the apparently disconnected parts from the earlier half of the book begin to merge into a very exciting narrative.
Conclusion
The latter half of the novel is great. Really impressive. But, the beginning part, although not slow, didn't flow properly. Furthermore, in order to pull off a great plot, with an unexpected twist ending, the author didn't do his homework about the psychology of the criminally insane. Thus by the ending, although I still loved DI Corstorphine, DC Frankie McKenzie, PC Lamb, and Sergeant Hamish, I never felt any empathy with Shamila.
So three-stars for the first half and five-stars for the second, for an overall 4.0 star rating.
Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My reviews for other books in this series:
The Bone Clock (Detective Corstorphine, #1)
The Devil's Cut (Detective Corstorphine, #2)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Too Many Threads
But then the story switches to a wedding. DI Corstorphine is marrying Shamila Mallick. The last time we read about DI Corstorphine, in "The Devil's Cut", he was becoming attracted to Shamila. Now it is a year later, and he is marrying her. The courtship was skipped. I found this jarring.
Frankie is at the wedding, as well as Sergeant Hamish and PC Lamb, and those three I remembered well, but Shamila was a blur to me; she played only a minor part in the earlier novel. And the more I read about her, in her interactions with her new husband, the more I disliked her. Not because she treated him badly—she didn't—but because she spouts theories that are not supported by facts. Furthermore, we never seem to get inside her mind as we do with Corstorphine, Frankie, and Lamb.
The story skips around. Frankie investigates a missing scarecrow. Susie, an intellectually disabled young woman, is exploited by a young man. An unnamed villain makes preparations that involve body parts. Another scarecrow goes missing. A staff member working at a hospital for the criminally insane disappears. Corstorphine becomes anxious because his new wife used to work at that hospital. A third scarecrow is stolen. Then the first missing scarecrow is returned—with the body of a real person inside it.
Jarring events continue to occur, and because they seemed unrelated, I found the story choppy. Not terrible because the writing is good, but because there is a rush of unconnected events, I would rate it as only average—a three-star rating. This continued until I decided to take a break at about the 30% point.
Story Picks Up
After a month, I decided to carry on. At first there were more disjointed events, but the story definitely picked up once Shamila was kidnapped at the 40% mark. Now we follow Corstorphine and Frankie as they race against time, knowing that Shamila is likely to be murdered by the scarecrow thief. And all the apparently disconnected parts from the earlier half of the book begin to merge into a very exciting narrative.
Conclusion
The latter half of the novel is great. Really impressive. But, the beginning part, although not slow, didn't flow properly. Furthermore, in order to pull off a great plot, with an unexpected twist ending, the author didn't do his homework about the psychology of the criminally insane. Thus by the ending, although I still loved DI Corstorphine, DC Frankie McKenzie, PC Lamb, and Sergeant Hamish, I never felt any empathy with Shamila.
So three-stars for the first half and five-stars for the second, for an overall 4.0 star rating.
Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My reviews for other books in this series:
The Bone Clock (Detective Corstorphine, #1)
The Devil's Cut (Detective Corstorphine, #2)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
October 27, 2025
The action and suspense doesn’t stop.
I loved the way this one hooked me right from the start and didn’t let go. It’s dark, gritty, and packed with tension. It kept me thinking “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was way past lights out and I didn’t care. The twists actually caught me off guard, and then everything came together in a way that felt both clever and real.
I really liked the characters, especially how imperfect they were. It made the story hit harder because I could feel their frustration, fear, and determination. The emotion woven into the suspense gave it more weight than an average procedural. I love when a mystery keeps me guessing but also makes me feel something and this one absolutely did.
Multi POV
Safe - not a romance
Triggers
I loved the way this one hooked me right from the start and didn’t let go. It’s dark, gritty, and packed with tension. It kept me thinking “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was way past lights out and I didn’t care. The twists actually caught me off guard, and then everything came together in a way that felt both clever and real.
I really liked the characters, especially how imperfect they were. It made the story hit harder because I could feel their frustration, fear, and determination. The emotion woven into the suspense gave it more weight than an average procedural. I love when a mystery keeps me guessing but also makes me feel something and this one absolutely did.
Multi POV
Safe - not a romance
Triggers
October 5, 2025
Murder of Crows is book three in the Detective Corstorphine series by Andrew James Greig. Detective James Corstorphine had reasonably returned from his honeymoon when his wife was kidnapped from her office, and his secretary was tied to her office chair. At first, Detective James Corstorphine did not know why until he connected the escape of a patient at the local hospital where his wife used to work and the death of a nurse discovered as a scarecrow. Readers of The Murder of Crows will continue to follow Detective James Corstorphine's investigation to find out what happens next.
The Murder of Crows is the first book I have read by Andrew James Greig, and I enjoyed reading it. I enjoyed Andrew James Greig's writing style, which allowed me to engage with the plot and the characters of this book. I learnt about the meaning of the murder of Crows, which is a group of crows.
I love Andrew James Greig's portrayal of his characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. Murder of Crows is well-written and researched by Andrew James Greig. I appreciate Andrew James Greig's description of the settings in Murder of Crows, which enabled me to envision myself as part of the book's plot.
Thank you to Netgallery and Publisher for my ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. I recommend this book.
The Murder of Crows is the first book I have read by Andrew James Greig, and I enjoyed reading it. I enjoyed Andrew James Greig's writing style, which allowed me to engage with the plot and the characters of this book. I learnt about the meaning of the murder of Crows, which is a group of crows.
I love Andrew James Greig's portrayal of his characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. Murder of Crows is well-written and researched by Andrew James Greig. I appreciate Andrew James Greig's description of the settings in Murder of Crows, which enabled me to envision myself as part of the book's plot.
Thank you to Netgallery and Publisher for my ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. I recommend this book.
September 26, 2025
Murder of Crows by Andrew James Greig was a murder mystery that ticked all the boxes for me. It was my first book by the author, and I won’t be my last. The perfect Halloween read, it revolves around the mystery of scarecrows. The author made me care about the characters, and I found the writing to be well-crafted.
Thanks, Storm Publishing via NetGalley.
Thanks, Storm Publishing via NetGalley.
October 31, 2025
Corstorphine has returned back from his honeymoon to a grisly murder, and suspicious small crimes in his quaint town. As urgency mounts to find the killer, connections to his new wife put her directly in the line of danger.
*****
This is the third installment in the Detective Corstorphine series, and it's a time jump ahead from the last novel. We get the same characters from the station with interludes into their point of views, along with the devastated and desperate DI who would stop at nothing to protect his wife.
I really enjoyed the references to current day tools (AI, drones, ring cameras, etc.) that made the book feel like it was very much in current day. I love when novels feel as if they could be happening with existing technology instead of 30 years in the past, and the author definitely embraces that here. He also wove in some interesting twists and it took me until a good 80% of the book before I figured it out, which was endlessly satisfying for me!
All in all, this was a great continuation to the series, and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.
*****
Thank you to Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****
This is the third installment in the Detective Corstorphine series, and it's a time jump ahead from the last novel. We get the same characters from the station with interludes into their point of views, along with the devastated and desperate DI who would stop at nothing to protect his wife.
I really enjoyed the references to current day tools (AI, drones, ring cameras, etc.) that made the book feel like it was very much in current day. I love when novels feel as if they could be happening with existing technology instead of 30 years in the past, and the author definitely embraces that here. He also wove in some interesting twists and it took me until a good 80% of the book before I figured it out, which was endlessly satisfying for me!
All in all, this was a great continuation to the series, and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.
*****
Thank you to Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 21, 2025
Oops, I did it again. Started a series on the third book, rather than the first. But I was invited, by the publisher, to read this ARC, and what was I supposed to do? Politely decline? No way that was happening. It didn't matter anyway. I picked up enough back story to figure out what was going on with the main characters, and thus I could read it as a standalone. 🗡️
As to the story itself, it was gripping. Gripping, I tell you. Also a bit creepy, but that's okay, I love creepy. 🗡️
Someone's stealing scarecrows, and not because they're a collector. There's a couple of rather nasty murders, and a double kidnapping. All this in a wee town in the Scottish Highlands, with a police force stretched to its limits. 🗡️
Likeable characters (killer excepted, of course), a Halloween scarecrow festival, murder and a touch of the macabre. You can see why I enjoyed this, can't you? I learned a new word too. Formidophobia: fear of scarecrows. 🎃🗡️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
As to the story itself, it was gripping. Gripping, I tell you. Also a bit creepy, but that's okay, I love creepy. 🗡️
Someone's stealing scarecrows, and not because they're a collector. There's a couple of rather nasty murders, and a double kidnapping. All this in a wee town in the Scottish Highlands, with a police force stretched to its limits. 🗡️
Likeable characters (killer excepted, of course), a Halloween scarecrow festival, murder and a touch of the macabre. You can see why I enjoyed this, can't you? I learned a new word too. Formidophobia: fear of scarecrows. 🎃🗡️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
October 25, 2025
"Murder of Crows” by Andrew James Greig is a fast-moving 5-star crime story! Detective James Corstorphine is back, and this time things are very personal as his wife Shamila is kidnapped. Can Corstorphine and the rest of his team get to the bottom of things before it’s too late?
If you enjoyed the first two books in this series, there’s no doubt you’ll enjoy this one. If you haven’t read any of them, start with the first book so everything makes more sense rather than jumping in on the third. This is another perfect read for the spooky season! Unless you have formidophobia (which I just learned about from this book), you may want to skip it. I hope I don’t have to wait long for the next book in the series!
Thanks to Storm Publishing, Andrew James Greig, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
If you enjoyed the first two books in this series, there’s no doubt you’ll enjoy this one. If you haven’t read any of them, start with the first book so everything makes more sense rather than jumping in on the third. This is another perfect read for the spooky season! Unless you have formidophobia (which I just learned about from this book), you may want to skip it. I hope I don’t have to wait long for the next book in the series!
Thanks to Storm Publishing, Andrew James Greig, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.
October 25, 2025
Wow! What an utterly fantastic read this was!
DI Corstorphine faces his worst nightmare when his new wife, Shamila, and her friend Phoebe are kidnapped.
Already grappling with the bizarre mystery of missing scarecrows, the case rapidly escalates as bodies mount, bringing in the MIT and forcing Corstorphine off the active investigation.
What follows is a relentless, high-stakes race to connect the disparate crimes.
The joy of these books is the fierce loyalty and sharp dynamic of Corstorphine's team as they leave no stone unturned.
The tension ramps up as they rush to decipher the suspect's cryptic ramblings, hoping to catch him before it's too late.
While part of a series, this book could easily be read as a standalone.
The final chapters deliver a totally unexpected twist that turns the entire story on its head and the neatly tied up ending is executed as smoothly as Mart McKeown's face.
I can't wait for the next instalment!
DI Corstorphine faces his worst nightmare when his new wife, Shamila, and her friend Phoebe are kidnapped.
Already grappling with the bizarre mystery of missing scarecrows, the case rapidly escalates as bodies mount, bringing in the MIT and forcing Corstorphine off the active investigation.
What follows is a relentless, high-stakes race to connect the disparate crimes.
The joy of these books is the fierce loyalty and sharp dynamic of Corstorphine's team as they leave no stone unturned.
The tension ramps up as they rush to decipher the suspect's cryptic ramblings, hoping to catch him before it's too late.
While part of a series, this book could easily be read as a standalone.
The final chapters deliver a totally unexpected twist that turns the entire story on its head and the neatly tied up ending is executed as smoothly as Mart McKeown's face.
I can't wait for the next instalment!
September 23, 2025
Murder of Crows by Andrew James Greig is a dark, atmospheric crime thriller that blends classic detective work with a chilling, almost gothic edge. Set in the Scottish Highlands during Halloween, the novel plunges readers into a world of missing scarecrows, gruesome murders, and a community unsettled by fear.
Detective James Corstorphine has barely returned from his honeymoon when his new wife Shamila is abducted. What begins as a strange case of stolen scarecrows escalates into a series of macabre discoveries—bodies hidden inside effigies, cryptic messages from a twisted mind, and a personal nightmare for Corstorphine as he races against time to save Shamila.
The setting is wonderfully eerie. Misty fields, shadowy woods, and the ominous presence of scarecrows give the story a distinct Halloween flavor. Greig uses this backdrop to heighten tension, weaving folklore and psychological dread into the procedural framework. The result is a novel that feels both unsettling and addictive, one that lingers long after the final page.
The pacing is sharp, with short, tense chapters that keep the momentum high. While some of the investigative details stretch plausibility, the suspense more than makes up for it. The characters are well-drawn, particularly Corstorphine—vulnerable, determined, and painfully human as he balances his professional duty with personal despair. His team adds depth and texture, grounding the novel with loyalty, conflict, and occasional humor.
Murder of Crows is not for the faint-hearted—the imagery is gruesome, and the villain’s theatrics veer toward the nightmarish. But for readers who enjoy their crime fiction with a dose of the macabre, it’s a gripping and perfectly timed release for spooky season. You may never look at a scarecrow the same way again.
Thank you to the author, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early copy.
Detective James Corstorphine has barely returned from his honeymoon when his new wife Shamila is abducted. What begins as a strange case of stolen scarecrows escalates into a series of macabre discoveries—bodies hidden inside effigies, cryptic messages from a twisted mind, and a personal nightmare for Corstorphine as he races against time to save Shamila.
The setting is wonderfully eerie. Misty fields, shadowy woods, and the ominous presence of scarecrows give the story a distinct Halloween flavor. Greig uses this backdrop to heighten tension, weaving folklore and psychological dread into the procedural framework. The result is a novel that feels both unsettling and addictive, one that lingers long after the final page.
The pacing is sharp, with short, tense chapters that keep the momentum high. While some of the investigative details stretch plausibility, the suspense more than makes up for it. The characters are well-drawn, particularly Corstorphine—vulnerable, determined, and painfully human as he balances his professional duty with personal despair. His team adds depth and texture, grounding the novel with loyalty, conflict, and occasional humor.
Murder of Crows is not for the faint-hearted—the imagery is gruesome, and the villain’s theatrics veer toward the nightmarish. But for readers who enjoy their crime fiction with a dose of the macabre, it’s a gripping and perfectly timed release for spooky season. You may never look at a scarecrow the same way again.
Thank you to the author, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early copy.
October 30, 2025
This is the third book in the Detective James Corstorphine series. I have loved the previous two, and was very eager to read this one. Alas, it did not live up to it's predecessors for me.
The murder is horrific and detailed. The team that I have come to love because Greig has developed the characters so well, seem to be floundering. And one in particular is still floundering with an issue he had in the previous novel. I have come to expect growth in the characters based on what I have read in this series, and in the PI Tearlach Paterson series (which I also thoroughly enjoy). Greig takes the time to slowly reveal the characters strength and flaws, and addresses them with situations that are authentic and force each one further into maturity. This novel lacked this aspect.
The case is interesting, but I felt the team really did not work as cohesively as they had in the past. There was a lot of emphasis on their personal lives. Although it did interweave into the case, I felt this seemed a bit forced and contrived. I got very bored/irritated with the constant professions of love from Corstorphine towards his new wife Shamila. This just seems so out of character for him- a very private man with great intelligence. I think that he would not leave his team hanging while he tries to solve this himself (his personal connection to the kidnapped victim is his wife). He also would not withhold so much from them, especially Frankie.
I did want to know what happened, and enjoyed the atmosphere and promise of the plot- thus the 3 stars!
I do really love the previous novels, and believe that Greig has a terrific gift of writing interesting plots and great characters. He continues to weave a claustrophobic, dark and creepy atmosphere into the story, and there are many plot lines that eventually meet together. I will still read the next in the series, and I hope Greig weaves his magic into his characters again!
IF the story interests you, read other reviews because many more ranked it higher and enjoyed it more than I did!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
The murder is horrific and detailed. The team that I have come to love because Greig has developed the characters so well, seem to be floundering. And one in particular is still floundering with an issue he had in the previous novel. I have come to expect growth in the characters based on what I have read in this series, and in the PI Tearlach Paterson series (which I also thoroughly enjoy). Greig takes the time to slowly reveal the characters strength and flaws, and addresses them with situations that are authentic and force each one further into maturity. This novel lacked this aspect.
The case is interesting, but I felt the team really did not work as cohesively as they had in the past. There was a lot of emphasis on their personal lives. Although it did interweave into the case, I felt this seemed a bit forced and contrived. I got very bored/irritated with the constant professions of love from Corstorphine towards his new wife Shamila. This just seems so out of character for him- a very private man with great intelligence. I think that he would not leave his team hanging while he tries to solve this himself (his personal connection to the kidnapped victim is his wife). He also would not withhold so much from them, especially Frankie.
I did want to know what happened, and enjoyed the atmosphere and promise of the plot- thus the 3 stars!
I do really love the previous novels, and believe that Greig has a terrific gift of writing interesting plots and great characters. He continues to weave a claustrophobic, dark and creepy atmosphere into the story, and there are many plot lines that eventually meet together. I will still read the next in the series, and I hope Greig weaves his magic into his characters again!
IF the story interests you, read other reviews because many more ranked it higher and enjoyed it more than I did!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
October 24, 2025
I have long been a fan of Andrew James Grieg and this book reminds me why.
This story is not for the faint hearted, it has wonderfully macabre murders which I don't mind one little bit.
Detective James Corstorphine had returned happily from his honeymoon with his new wife, clinical psychologist, Shamina Mallick. Shamina had worked with patients at the Carstairs Hospital for the Criminally Insane but now has her own clinic. When Shamina received a warning from the hospital to say that a member of staff was missing, she wasn't particularly worried but Corstorphine was uneasy, although Shamina always kept the doors to her clinic locked, there wasn't much security, he needed his team to keep watch.
Corstorphine's fears were justified when he received a call to say that a gruesomely murdered body had been found, this was not the return from honeymoon that he was hoping for. Another heart stopping call was to say that Shamina had been kidnapped and her assistant bound and gagged. A previous patient was the main suspect, he had brutally murdered his wife in the most horrific way but after treatment at Carstairs, Shamina had been the consultant who had agreed that he was safe to be released into the community.
What is the connection between the stolen scarecrows, further kidnapping and gruesome murders ?. This book has mounting tension from the first page, the author has created a wonderful, creepy atmosphere, the dark forests, the mist on the fields, the rugged mountains.
Corstorphine's loyal team work well together, despite the case being taken over by the Glasgow major crimes team, the author has also addressed the subject of dementia with sensitivity, in all, a really enjoyable read for readers who love a thriller.
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is totally voluntary.
This story is not for the faint hearted, it has wonderfully macabre murders which I don't mind one little bit.
Detective James Corstorphine had returned happily from his honeymoon with his new wife, clinical psychologist, Shamina Mallick. Shamina had worked with patients at the Carstairs Hospital for the Criminally Insane but now has her own clinic. When Shamina received a warning from the hospital to say that a member of staff was missing, she wasn't particularly worried but Corstorphine was uneasy, although Shamina always kept the doors to her clinic locked, there wasn't much security, he needed his team to keep watch.
Corstorphine's fears were justified when he received a call to say that a gruesomely murdered body had been found, this was not the return from honeymoon that he was hoping for. Another heart stopping call was to say that Shamina had been kidnapped and her assistant bound and gagged. A previous patient was the main suspect, he had brutally murdered his wife in the most horrific way but after treatment at Carstairs, Shamina had been the consultant who had agreed that he was safe to be released into the community.
What is the connection between the stolen scarecrows, further kidnapping and gruesome murders ?. This book has mounting tension from the first page, the author has created a wonderful, creepy atmosphere, the dark forests, the mist on the fields, the rugged mountains.
Corstorphine's loyal team work well together, despite the case being taken over by the Glasgow major crimes team, the author has also addressed the subject of dementia with sensitivity, in all, a really enjoyable read for readers who love a thriller.
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is totally voluntary.
September 17, 2025
Detective James Corstorphine is a little too involved in a kidnapping case because the woman taken is his wife, Shamila. He and his team were already investigating missing scarecrows, and he believes the cases are connected. One scarecrow was returned to its field, but with the addition of a body inside. Well, technically, body parts inside, connected by metal rods. Pretty macabre. He had already warned Shamila that she could be in danger because the man in the scarecrow worked at the same institution that she did. She didn’t take the warning seriously, believing the team’s lone suspect to be the farthest thing from a repeat offender.
Now she’s vanished, and Corstorphine is out of his mind with worry, obsessively going over every inch of the case, trying to figure out who’s behind everything. PC Lamb doesn’t help by once again leaking information because apparently a female reporter’s attention is worth risking your career and self-respect. The media wastes no time blowing open the case to the public, and now Corstorphine is terrified the killer will panic and hurt Shamila before anyone can find her. Will he save her before the killer completes his sick plan?
The creepiness of the story was awesome, just in time for the Halloween season. I love the fear of a scarecrow being an actual human, which never gets old. Whether it’s an alive person who jumps up and scares the life out of you, or whether it’s a corpse stuck in its place, those things are just made for horror.
The big scene at the conclusion was vividly described and would look awesome on screen. It was a bit too ‘down to the wire’ for me, you know, when something happens just in the nick of time. But that’s a thriller, I guess, and a perfect new book for this series.
Now she’s vanished, and Corstorphine is out of his mind with worry, obsessively going over every inch of the case, trying to figure out who’s behind everything. PC Lamb doesn’t help by once again leaking information because apparently a female reporter’s attention is worth risking your career and self-respect. The media wastes no time blowing open the case to the public, and now Corstorphine is terrified the killer will panic and hurt Shamila before anyone can find her. Will he save her before the killer completes his sick plan?
The creepiness of the story was awesome, just in time for the Halloween season. I love the fear of a scarecrow being an actual human, which never gets old. Whether it’s an alive person who jumps up and scares the life out of you, or whether it’s a corpse stuck in its place, those things are just made for horror.
The big scene at the conclusion was vividly described and would look awesome on screen. It was a bit too ‘down to the wire’ for me, you know, when something happens just in the nick of time. But that’s a thriller, I guess, and a perfect new book for this series.
December 21, 2025
Murder of Crows by Andrew James Greig
Detective Corstorphine #3
~ Horrified by the prologue, on to Corstorphine’s wedding to Shamilla, a stolen scarecrow while the newlyweds were on honeymoon, and then crimes in abundance to solve once James and Shamilla return home ~ Great addition to the series ~
What I liked:
* DI Jim Corstorphine: strong leader, cares about and utilizes staff to their best potential, focused, sees order in chaos, newly married, deeply in love, will do anything to get his wife back
* Shamilla: newly married, loves her husband, forensic psychologist, consultant, strong, intelligent, has a private practice, compassionate, wise, survivor
* Catching up with Corstorphine’s team and watching them work together, they are a cohesive supportive group, one member retires – wonder who will join the team in the next book
* The complexity of the case with its twists and turns, red herrings, and so many unknowns to suss out
* Thinking that the police were too focused on one character being the murderer without looking at anyone else
* Phoebe and her brother showing up again in this book
* Being able to thoroughly dislike the perpetrator of the kidnappings and murders
* That all of the threads of the story were followed and tied up tightly without any left dangling at the end of the book
* Knowing that there will be another book in the series…hopefully soon
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Knowing that there are people as evil in the world as some in this book
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Detective Corstorphine #3
~ Horrified by the prologue, on to Corstorphine’s wedding to Shamilla, a stolen scarecrow while the newlyweds were on honeymoon, and then crimes in abundance to solve once James and Shamilla return home ~ Great addition to the series ~
What I liked:
* DI Jim Corstorphine: strong leader, cares about and utilizes staff to their best potential, focused, sees order in chaos, newly married, deeply in love, will do anything to get his wife back
* Shamilla: newly married, loves her husband, forensic psychologist, consultant, strong, intelligent, has a private practice, compassionate, wise, survivor
* Catching up with Corstorphine’s team and watching them work together, they are a cohesive supportive group, one member retires – wonder who will join the team in the next book
* The complexity of the case with its twists and turns, red herrings, and so many unknowns to suss out
* Thinking that the police were too focused on one character being the murderer without looking at anyone else
* Phoebe and her brother showing up again in this book
* Being able to thoroughly dislike the perpetrator of the kidnappings and murders
* That all of the threads of the story were followed and tied up tightly without any left dangling at the end of the book
* Knowing that there will be another book in the series…hopefully soon
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Knowing that there are people as evil in the world as some in this book
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
October 30, 2025
Detective Corstorphine:
MURDER OF CROWS - Mr. Greig has improved with his writing style with each new book he writes. An interesting, intriguing and immersing read with good characters and story lines. A one-sitting read. Source: Netgalley. 5*
THE BONE CLOCK - An extremely interesting and intriguing read that had me immersed in the pages until the end. It was easy to figure out the killer but the MOs are unique, at least for me. Good characters, interesting story lines and a variety of reactions and hindrances to the investigations. Source: Netgalley. 5*
THE DEVIL'S CUT - Another extremely interesting and immersing read with good characters, intriguing story lines, and a constant pace with a bit of twists making this a one-sitting read. I have enjoyed reading the books by this author. I like his writing style and his grip on his previous wordiness. Source: Netgalley. 5*
Private Investigator Teàrlach Paterson:
SILENT RITUAL - An interesting but wordy book with good story lines and good characters. While an interesting story, the wordiness made it hard to keep my focus reading, too easy to set down. Gruesome crimes but not graphically gory. Source: Netgalley. 3*
THE GRAVEYARD BELL - An improvement over Silent Ritual with the wordiness. Interesting story lines, a variety of characters, a steady pace and interesting descriptions of the locale and people. Source: Netgalley. 5*
MURDER OF CROWS - Mr. Greig has improved with his writing style with each new book he writes. An interesting, intriguing and immersing read with good characters and story lines. A one-sitting read. Source: Netgalley. 5*
THE BONE CLOCK - An extremely interesting and intriguing read that had me immersed in the pages until the end. It was easy to figure out the killer but the MOs are unique, at least for me. Good characters, interesting story lines and a variety of reactions and hindrances to the investigations. Source: Netgalley. 5*
THE DEVIL'S CUT - Another extremely interesting and immersing read with good characters, intriguing story lines, and a constant pace with a bit of twists making this a one-sitting read. I have enjoyed reading the books by this author. I like his writing style and his grip on his previous wordiness. Source: Netgalley. 5*
Private Investigator Teàrlach Paterson:
SILENT RITUAL - An interesting but wordy book with good story lines and good characters. While an interesting story, the wordiness made it hard to keep my focus reading, too easy to set down. Gruesome crimes but not graphically gory. Source: Netgalley. 3*
THE GRAVEYARD BELL - An improvement over Silent Ritual with the wordiness. Interesting story lines, a variety of characters, a steady pace and interesting descriptions of the locale and people. Source: Netgalley. 5*
October 29, 2025
A chilling mystery, a trail of secrets, and scarecrows that will keep you up at night.
I went into this book without reading the first two books in the series, but this one worked perfectly as a standalone. When the publisher sent me this ARC, I couldn’t resist, and it turned out to be such a gripping surprise.
From the very first chapter, the story had this eerie pull with a mix of rural tension, murder, and an unsettling mystery surrounding scarecrows. The atmosphere was so vivid that I could almost feel the chill in the air and the quiet dread creeping through the pages.
What I really loved was how Greig balances strong plotting with emotional depth. The characters feel authentic, and you can sense their fear, guilt, and desperation. It’s not just a whodunit, it’s a story about secrets festering beneath the surface of a small community. The writing is sharp, immersive, and cinematic and it reads like a crime show you can’t pause. The tension never lets up, and even when I thought I had things figured out, the ending managed to surprise me.
This book is unsettling in the best way possible, dark, clever, and brimming with atmosphere. A perfect pick if you love your mysteries with a side of unease and a touch of the macabre.
Thank you to Netgallery and Storm Publishing for my ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. I definitely recommend this book.
I went into this book without reading the first two books in the series, but this one worked perfectly as a standalone. When the publisher sent me this ARC, I couldn’t resist, and it turned out to be such a gripping surprise.
From the very first chapter, the story had this eerie pull with a mix of rural tension, murder, and an unsettling mystery surrounding scarecrows. The atmosphere was so vivid that I could almost feel the chill in the air and the quiet dread creeping through the pages.
What I really loved was how Greig balances strong plotting with emotional depth. The characters feel authentic, and you can sense their fear, guilt, and desperation. It’s not just a whodunit, it’s a story about secrets festering beneath the surface of a small community. The writing is sharp, immersive, and cinematic and it reads like a crime show you can’t pause. The tension never lets up, and even when I thought I had things figured out, the ending managed to surprise me.
This book is unsettling in the best way possible, dark, clever, and brimming with atmosphere. A perfect pick if you love your mysteries with a side of unease and a touch of the macabre.
Thank you to Netgallery and Storm Publishing for my ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. I definitely recommend this book.
November 21, 2025
Well look at me picking up yet another book part way through the series. I was able to get a good feel of the characters without having read the previous two and didn't feel lost. There were a couple of minor spoilers about previous books which might reduce my enjoyment of them if I were to read them, but this book did make me want to follow those cases too.
Some of it was a little ridiculous at times, and things seem to happen without rhyme or reason. While its great to get inside the heads of so many different characters, at times I found the story rather choppy and disjointed.
I wasn't a fan of his wife, her kidnapping is the core of this book and yet she came across rather flat, and I struggled to care about her being missing when so little had been done to build her up as someone we should care about.
The ending was a little weak for me, although the climatic scenes before that were fantastic and the drama and tension they evoked was very good. I was on tenterhooks, worried about the safety of the other characters.
By and large however, this was engaging and entertaining, and this author can write. It's just maybe a little odd for such things to be happening in such a small place in Scotland.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Some of it was a little ridiculous at times, and things seem to happen without rhyme or reason. While its great to get inside the heads of so many different characters, at times I found the story rather choppy and disjointed.
I wasn't a fan of his wife, her kidnapping is the core of this book and yet she came across rather flat, and I struggled to care about her being missing when so little had been done to build her up as someone we should care about.
The ending was a little weak for me, although the climatic scenes before that were fantastic and the drama and tension they evoked was very good. I was on tenterhooks, worried about the safety of the other characters.
By and large however, this was engaging and entertaining, and this author can write. It's just maybe a little odd for such things to be happening in such a small place in Scotland.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
October 23, 2025
What pandemonium!🚔🚨
4-4.5🌟 stars
Lots of threads here done well, with abductions, horrifying murder, crazy obsessions and the lead detective sidelined along with his sergeant who's got a sad family crisis. I love Frankie; she shines through as the level-headed one in the investigative team and gets things done even when a Glasgow team brought in to take over leading the investigation treats her and her team colleagues like trainees. She also shows herself capable of separating her disappointing private life from her police work. The twist at the end? Yes, I expected one but it was significantly different from what I anticipated.
Overall, I like this team of police and the plot is gruesome in parts but not overwhelmingly so. The lengths the murderer will go to and the uncertainty of how many he will target keeps the suspense high. But I did find it repetitive in parts. For example, there's no need to sum up Frankie's theories about motives, etc., more than once. It actually was a bit longer than I like, partly because of this rehashing of thoughts and events already covered.
Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
4-4.5🌟 stars
Lots of threads here done well, with abductions, horrifying murder, crazy obsessions and the lead detective sidelined along with his sergeant who's got a sad family crisis. I love Frankie; she shines through as the level-headed one in the investigative team and gets things done even when a Glasgow team brought in to take over leading the investigation treats her and her team colleagues like trainees. She also shows herself capable of separating her disappointing private life from her police work. The twist at the end? Yes, I expected one but it was significantly different from what I anticipated.
Overall, I like this team of police and the plot is gruesome in parts but not overwhelmingly so. The lengths the murderer will go to and the uncertainty of how many he will target keeps the suspense high. But I did find it repetitive in parts. For example, there's no need to sum up Frankie's theories about motives, etc., more than once. It actually was a bit longer than I like, partly because of this rehashing of thoughts and events already covered.
Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
September 17, 2025
Andrew James Greig delivers a masterclass in atmospheric crime fiction with this gripping Scottish thriller. From the moment Detective James Corstorphine steps into his wife's eerily unlocked clinic, the tension coils tight and never lets go.
The story unfolds like a dark tapestry woven with folklore, obsession, and psychological dread. The scarecrow imagery is haunting, and the killer’s twisted theatrics—complete with cryptic clues and ritualistic timing around Samhain—add a deliciously eerie layer to the mystery. Greig’s use of the Highland setting is sublime: misty glens, ancient festivals, and the looming presence of Carstairs State Hospital all contribute to a sense of creeping unease.
Corstorphine is a compelling lead—driven, vulnerable, and deeply human. His race against time to save Shamila is both emotionally charged and intellectually satisfying, especially as the killer’s puzzle pieces begin to fall into place.
Perfect for fans of LJ Ross and Ian Rankin, this novel blends classic detective grit with gothic flair. It’s the kind of book you read with the lights on and the doors locked.
With thanks to Andre James Greig, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
The story unfolds like a dark tapestry woven with folklore, obsession, and psychological dread. The scarecrow imagery is haunting, and the killer’s twisted theatrics—complete with cryptic clues and ritualistic timing around Samhain—add a deliciously eerie layer to the mystery. Greig’s use of the Highland setting is sublime: misty glens, ancient festivals, and the looming presence of Carstairs State Hospital all contribute to a sense of creeping unease.
Corstorphine is a compelling lead—driven, vulnerable, and deeply human. His race against time to save Shamila is both emotionally charged and intellectually satisfying, especially as the killer’s puzzle pieces begin to fall into place.
Perfect for fans of LJ Ross and Ian Rankin, this novel blends classic detective grit with gothic flair. It’s the kind of book you read with the lights on and the doors locked.
With thanks to Andre James Greig, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
October 1, 2025
‘A Murder of Crows’ is the third book in the Detective Corstorphine series, and the first one I have read. I feel it reads well as a standalone, as the author gives enough detail of the backstory to allow new readers to follow along. The author successfully uses an eerie setting of ghostly woodland, endless fields and the autumnal presence of scarecrows to create a brilliantly chilling atmosphere that you can almost feel. The pacing is good and l liked the short, sharp chapters. The host of main characters are well-developed, as you would expect from the third book, and I liked how the team worked well together, without the usual backbiting and one-upmanship that quite often dominates police procedurals. The murders are suitably gory – probably not for the faint of heart, but it was another plus for me. However, I did find my mind wandering in places as there is a lot of repetition, and I grew weary of Corstorphine’s frequent declarations of love for his new wife. I also found there were some discernible plot holes, and due to this I was able to work out who the perpetrator was fairly early on...
October 30, 2025
Murder of Crows, is a thriller that will keep you hooked and needing to discover who is behind the deaths. 💫💫💫💫💫
Our story starts off strong. A man finds himself tied to the train rails. He can see and feel the train heading his way. Detective James Corstorphine has married Shamila Mallick, everyone at the police station is happy for them. He is just returning from his honeymoon when two reports of missing scarecrows have come up. Also, a staff member from Carstairs State Hospital is missing. A fingerprint from one of the hospital's patients has been found near the missing staff member. When bodies start to show up inside the scarecrows, it is up to Detective Corstorphine to find the killer before his wife becomes the next victim.
What a fun and exciting read. Very clever idea of using crows to commit the crimes. The pacing was perfect and all the characters involved had their own story and played an important part in catching the killer. I enjoyed this read so much. The writing was smooth and enjoyable.
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this eArc. All opinions are entirely my own.
Our story starts off strong. A man finds himself tied to the train rails. He can see and feel the train heading his way. Detective James Corstorphine has married Shamila Mallick, everyone at the police station is happy for them. He is just returning from his honeymoon when two reports of missing scarecrows have come up. Also, a staff member from Carstairs State Hospital is missing. A fingerprint from one of the hospital's patients has been found near the missing staff member. When bodies start to show up inside the scarecrows, it is up to Detective Corstorphine to find the killer before his wife becomes the next victim.
What a fun and exciting read. Very clever idea of using crows to commit the crimes. The pacing was perfect and all the characters involved had their own story and played an important part in catching the killer. I enjoyed this read so much. The writing was smooth and enjoyable.
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this eArc. All opinions are entirely my own.
November 5, 2025
"Abducted" Scarecrows form the prelude to murder and the abduction of Shamila, inspector Corstorphine’s wife of two weeks.
The killer seems to be obsessed by Corstorphine’s wife. When one of the scarecrows returns to its original spot, minus the straw but including body parts of one of the nurses from Shamila's previous workplace, Carstairs State Hospital for the criminal insane, things get decidedly spooky.
Will the inspector and his team find Shamila in time to prevent her from being turned into a human scarecrow. And who is the culprit behind these abductions and murders?
Like the other books in this series this episode is well written, full of suspense and a lot of "couleur locale". There are a couple of plot twists and red herrings but I managed to guess at an early stages who was behind this, even though the investigative team seemed to have no idea. I like the way the supporting characters have their own story-lines and development.
This was an excellent read for the Halloween period. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The killer seems to be obsessed by Corstorphine’s wife. When one of the scarecrows returns to its original spot, minus the straw but including body parts of one of the nurses from Shamila's previous workplace, Carstairs State Hospital for the criminal insane, things get decidedly spooky.
Will the inspector and his team find Shamila in time to prevent her from being turned into a human scarecrow. And who is the culprit behind these abductions and murders?
Like the other books in this series this episode is well written, full of suspense and a lot of "couleur locale". There are a couple of plot twists and red herrings but I managed to guess at an early stages who was behind this, even though the investigative team seemed to have no idea. I like the way the supporting characters have their own story-lines and development.
This was an excellent read for the Halloween period. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 20, 2025
Murder of Crows is a dark and creepy but oh so good read that will have you holding your breath and guessing to the very end.
Detective James Cortsorphine is back and this time the case is personal. His new bride has been abducted and strange things are happening in the village.
He and his team are racing against the clock.
Scarecrows going missing in and around town and I guarantee you will never look at scarecrows in the same way.
Bodies are piling up and they have been murdered in the most gruesome ways.
Murder of Crows is atmospheric with twists and turns that will keep the lights on.
You can certainly read this book as a stand alone but I recommend you start with the first book in the series.
Fantastic spooky season read (or anytime read) and I highly recommend Andrew James Greig' books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the privilege of reading and reviewing Murder of Crows.
Detective James Cortsorphine is back and this time the case is personal. His new bride has been abducted and strange things are happening in the village.
He and his team are racing against the clock.
Scarecrows going missing in and around town and I guarantee you will never look at scarecrows in the same way.
Bodies are piling up and they have been murdered in the most gruesome ways.
Murder of Crows is atmospheric with twists and turns that will keep the lights on.
You can certainly read this book as a stand alone but I recommend you start with the first book in the series.
Fantastic spooky season read (or anytime read) and I highly recommend Andrew James Greig' books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the privilege of reading and reviewing Murder of Crows.
October 2, 2025
A Scottish police procedural, Murder of Crows (2025) by Andrew James Greig, is an intriguing case of missing scarecrows and murder. It opens with a man tied to the railway line tracks and then moves to the wedding of Detective Inspector James Corstorphine. Upon his return from his honeymoon, he is advised of reports of missing scarecrows, when he receives a warning alert from the nearby Carstairs State Hospital, where his now wife used to work. These disparate events coalesce into an intriguing murder mystery, with the added complications of two missing women and the case getting personal for DI Corstorphine. Overall, this is a standalone review of the third adventure in the DI Corstorphine series, with its classic police investigation and a four star crime read rating. With thanks to Storm Publishing and the author for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes, and the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.
October 3, 2025
“Murder of Crows” is the third novel in the Detective James Corstorphine series.
We begin with Detective Corstorphine on his honeymoon with his lovely bride, Shamila. While he is gone, the police are dealing with such incredible crimes as speeding, traffic violations, and some missing scarecrows. Yawn.
But maybe there is something a little more sinister going on than some teenagers pulling a prank stealing scarecrows. Shamila disappears. A worker at her previous job, a mental hospital, is found deceased dressed as a scarecrow. Something evil is taking place and this time, failure to solve the mystery could cost Detective Corstorphine his bride.
Wow! Such a great novel.
This book is fast paced. No downtime at all. Short chapters make it a super quick read. This book was super creepy and just an overall great read. Can’t wait till the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
We begin with Detective Corstorphine on his honeymoon with his lovely bride, Shamila. While he is gone, the police are dealing with such incredible crimes as speeding, traffic violations, and some missing scarecrows. Yawn.
But maybe there is something a little more sinister going on than some teenagers pulling a prank stealing scarecrows. Shamila disappears. A worker at her previous job, a mental hospital, is found deceased dressed as a scarecrow. Something evil is taking place and this time, failure to solve the mystery could cost Detective Corstorphine his bride.
Wow! Such a great novel.
This book is fast paced. No downtime at all. Short chapters make it a super quick read. This book was super creepy and just an overall great read. Can’t wait till the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
October 31, 2025
Once again DI James Corstorphine is thrown into the deep end. The day after his return to the station following his honeymoon, a body is found in the area. Not the usual dumped murder victim, this one is certainly causing a stir amongst the local Corvus population! James and his trusty team are soon onto the trail of identifying the victim, but not all of the team have their minds on the task, one of them has more pressing and personal troubles. When the search for the killer gets too close to home for James, does he let his emotions get the better of him or is he the ultimate professional?
This is book three in the series and as always it’s a cracking plot with well developed characters. It’s a series I like very much, though there was a fair amount of reiteration in this offering that was unnecessary, the only reason I didn’t give it 5*. That being said, it’s still a very good read and long may the series continue.
4.5*
This is book three in the series and as always it’s a cracking plot with well developed characters. It’s a series I like very much, though there was a fair amount of reiteration in this offering that was unnecessary, the only reason I didn’t give it 5*. That being said, it’s still a very good read and long may the series continue.
4.5*
September 16, 2025
Andrew James Greig has the ability in writing to make me feel like I am actually there in his books, they are so evocative of a place. In this one, we find out what is bothering Hamish and it is heart-breaking, especially as we know it will break the team up. DI James Corstophine is newly married and DS Frankie McKenzie is at the helm during his honeymoon, looking in to cases of missing scarecrows which seems trivial but quickly develops into something much more sinister with the abduction of Shamila. Glasgow sends in a MIT, but James and his team are so tight that they continue working together to search for the main suspect. We learn more about PC Lamb and PC McAdam in this one too which is good. There's a good twist at the end, and some interesting characters along the way.
A great addition to this series.
A great addition to this series.
September 25, 2025
James Corstorphine is due back to work, just returning from his honeymoon, and just before his return, Frankie, his trusty sergeant, has to start to deal with thefts from the local farmers. Their scarecrows have been stolen. Frankie more or less suggests it's kids having a lark, but the 1st farmer doesn't think so. The next day, when James Corstorphine hears about it, he tells Frankie to go and see the farmer. When she gets there, to her surprise, the scarecrow has been returned, but on closer inspection, it's made up of body parts.
Now Corstorphine has his work cut out; who has been cut up?
This has been well written; the police staff have their problems, as well as the main story, and it's set in a small, quiet rural part of Scotland.
I love the way the story unfolds, and this is the third in the series.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC copy.
Now Corstorphine has his work cut out; who has been cut up?
This has been well written; the police staff have their problems, as well as the main story, and it's set in a small, quiet rural part of Scotland.
I love the way the story unfolds, and this is the third in the series.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC copy.
October 7, 2025
Thanks to Andrew and NetGalley for allowing me to read Murder of Crows before the publication date.
This is the first book in the series which I have read but it can be read as a standalone book.
The horrific events in the prologue created an image which was hard to ignore.
Carstairs State Hospital, which houses the criminally insane, casts a shadow over the surrounding towns and villages.
Corstorphine was relieved when his wife, Shamila, left her role at Carstairs to set up a private practice. When Shamila receives a text alert from Carstairs advising that a member of staff is missing, she shrugs it off as probably an admin error, but Corstorphine remains concerned.
The author has woven several other topical storylines into the book, including some which are very personal to his team.
Is there an evil person living in plain sight?
This is the first book in the series which I have read but it can be read as a standalone book.
The horrific events in the prologue created an image which was hard to ignore.
Carstairs State Hospital, which houses the criminally insane, casts a shadow over the surrounding towns and villages.
Corstorphine was relieved when his wife, Shamila, left her role at Carstairs to set up a private practice. When Shamila receives a text alert from Carstairs advising that a member of staff is missing, she shrugs it off as probably an admin error, but Corstorphine remains concerned.
The author has woven several other topical storylines into the book, including some which are very personal to his team.
Is there an evil person living in plain sight?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews