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Broken Bones
Discover the BRAND NEW gripping Scottish crime series, from the author of the bestselling DCI James Craig series, John Carson. An absolute must-read for fans of Andrew Raymond and JD Kirk! 🔍👀🩸 'A twisty, tartan-clad cracker laced with dark humour.' Bestselling crime author Ross Greenwood
Some bodies just won't stay buried...
After putting a stop to one of Edinburgh’s most notorious serial killers 3 years ago, DCI Liam Brodie is known as a man who can handle - and solve - the hardest of cases. But when he’s assigned to Fife’s Major Investigations Team, he soon realises that he’s walking into a minefield. The previous DCI is missing, presumed dead, and the case he’s been called in to lead becomes dangerously close to home.
When a child’s bones are unearthed beneath the floorboards of an old house in Fife - the same house where his girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, grew up as a foster daughter - Brodie uncovers a tangled web of lies and jealousy. Ruth’s foster mother, now gripped by dementia, holds fragments of the truth but in a community haunted by its history, Brodie must navigate betrayal and buried guilt to bring a decades-old secret to light.
But at what cost to those he loves most? ⚠️
Don't miss this explosive start to a brand new series from Scottish crime writer John Carson! 💥
Praise John Carson...
'Broken Bones is a cracking start to a brand new series. Flawed characters, twists and turns galore and a brutal mystery that had me guessing until the end.' Bestselling crime author Wes Markin
'Always a five star for John Carson. His books just keep getting better and better.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'Another great book from this highly recommended author. Hard to put down any of his books they keep you gripped from the beginning to the end.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'OUTSTANDING!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'A brilliant new series from one of my favourite authors!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'Lots of humour and normality as well as intrigue and right at the end, the final, and most stunning twist.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
Some bodies just won't stay buried...
After putting a stop to one of Edinburgh’s most notorious serial killers 3 years ago, DCI Liam Brodie is known as a man who can handle - and solve - the hardest of cases. But when he’s assigned to Fife’s Major Investigations Team, he soon realises that he’s walking into a minefield. The previous DCI is missing, presumed dead, and the case he’s been called in to lead becomes dangerously close to home.
When a child’s bones are unearthed beneath the floorboards of an old house in Fife - the same house where his girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, grew up as a foster daughter - Brodie uncovers a tangled web of lies and jealousy. Ruth’s foster mother, now gripped by dementia, holds fragments of the truth but in a community haunted by its history, Brodie must navigate betrayal and buried guilt to bring a decades-old secret to light.
But at what cost to those he loves most? ⚠️
Don't miss this explosive start to a brand new series from Scottish crime writer John Carson! 💥
Praise John Carson...
'Broken Bones is a cracking start to a brand new series. Flawed characters, twists and turns galore and a brutal mystery that had me guessing until the end.' Bestselling crime author Wes Markin
'Always a five star for John Carson. His books just keep getting better and better.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'Another great book from this highly recommended author. Hard to put down any of his books they keep you gripped from the beginning to the end.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'OUTSTANDING!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'A brilliant new series from one of my favourite authors!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
'Lots of humour and normality as well as intrigue and right at the end, the final, and most stunning twist.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader Review
- GenresMysteryProceduralCrime
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2025
284 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
John Carson
103 books159 followersJohn Carson is the author of the DI Frank Miller detective series. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and lived there most of his life. In 2006, he emigrated to New York State with his American wife and two daughters. They now live in a small town in the Hudson Valley where his wife was brought up, with a German Shepherd, a Beagle mix and four cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
November 21, 2025
EXCERPT: EDINBURGH
He knew the place would have a smell, just not like this. Old and musty, the dust from the shelves flew off with the slightest encouragement. It was cloying, invading his nostrils no matter what he did.
Edinburgh had died centuries ago and with it, its citizens. Then they had started again, building right over the top of the old place, leaving behind in its wake a series of tunnels and chambers.
This was where Detective Chief Inspector Liam Brodie found himself now, in the underground book depository of the Central Library in the middle of the city. A cavernous space filled with row after row of ancient books and papers which reeked of another era, of history clawing at his throat.
The fluorescent lights above his head lay dormant, switched off to save money. To save the killer from being put in the spotlight.
Years ago, Brodie had told somebody: if you think there's a housebreaker in your home, don't switch the lights on. You know your way around your house in the dark; an intruder doesn't.
It was clear that this killer thought the same way, except he knew his way around thousands of square feet of what was essentially an ancient warehouse.
ABOUT 'BROKEN BONES': Some bodies just won't stay buried...
After putting a stop to one of Edinburgh’s most notorious serial killers 3 years ago, DCI Liam Brodie is known as a man who can handle - and solve - the hardest of cases. But when he’s assigned to Fife’s Major Investigations Team, he soon realises that he’s walking into a minefield. The previous DCI is missing, presumed dead, and the case he’s been called in to lead becomes dangerously close to home.
When a child’s bones are unearthed beneath the floorboards of an old house in Fife - the same house where his girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, grew up as a foster daughter - Brodie uncovers a tangled web of lies and jealousy. Ruth’s foster mother, now gripped by dementia, holds fragments of the truth but in a community haunted by its history, Brodie must navigate betrayal and buried guilt to bring a decades-old secret to light.
But at what cost to those he loves most?
MY THOUGHTS: A cracking start to a brand new series.
Broken Bones is a dark and gritty piece of Scottish Noir which, for me, raised an important question: should convicted criminals (in this case a serial killer) be allowed to trade information (in this case where the bodies are buried) for prison privileges? It would make for a great book club discussion! Being Gemini, I can see both sides. If it was my child, I would want its body back, but at the same time I would not want its killer to be rewarded for giving up this information.
Broken Bones is a complex plot with many threads. As with life, there's never just one thing going on and not all the threads are tied up or resolved by the end of the book. I am guessing this will happen in future books in this series.
A DCI is missing; negotiations are going on with a convicted serial killer to try to get him to reveal the locations of the bodies he disposed of; a child's body is discovered during a home renovation; and women are still going missing . . .
Carson has written a well-paced and well-constructed novel which kept my interest throughout. There are some surprising twists and turns and Brodie's family having a connection to more than one of the cases certainly ramps up the tension.
I'll definitely be following through on this series.
⭐⭐⭐.9
#BrokenBones #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: JOHN CARSON was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and lived there most of his life. In 2006, he emigrated to New York State with his American wife and two daughters. They now live in a small town in the Hudson Valley where his wife was brought up, with a German Shepherd, a Beagle mix and four cats. There's never a dull moment . . . (Source: johncarsonauthor.com)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Broken Bones by John Carson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Broken Bones by John Carson was published Nov 11 2025.
I combined reading with listening to Broken Bones, written by John Carson and narrated by Angus King. I enjoyed both formats.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
He knew the place would have a smell, just not like this. Old and musty, the dust from the shelves flew off with the slightest encouragement. It was cloying, invading his nostrils no matter what he did.
Edinburgh had died centuries ago and with it, its citizens. Then they had started again, building right over the top of the old place, leaving behind in its wake a series of tunnels and chambers.
This was where Detective Chief Inspector Liam Brodie found himself now, in the underground book depository of the Central Library in the middle of the city. A cavernous space filled with row after row of ancient books and papers which reeked of another era, of history clawing at his throat.
The fluorescent lights above his head lay dormant, switched off to save money. To save the killer from being put in the spotlight.
Years ago, Brodie had told somebody: if you think there's a housebreaker in your home, don't switch the lights on. You know your way around your house in the dark; an intruder doesn't.
It was clear that this killer thought the same way, except he knew his way around thousands of square feet of what was essentially an ancient warehouse.
ABOUT 'BROKEN BONES': Some bodies just won't stay buried...
After putting a stop to one of Edinburgh’s most notorious serial killers 3 years ago, DCI Liam Brodie is known as a man who can handle - and solve - the hardest of cases. But when he’s assigned to Fife’s Major Investigations Team, he soon realises that he’s walking into a minefield. The previous DCI is missing, presumed dead, and the case he’s been called in to lead becomes dangerously close to home.
When a child’s bones are unearthed beneath the floorboards of an old house in Fife - the same house where his girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, grew up as a foster daughter - Brodie uncovers a tangled web of lies and jealousy. Ruth’s foster mother, now gripped by dementia, holds fragments of the truth but in a community haunted by its history, Brodie must navigate betrayal and buried guilt to bring a decades-old secret to light.
But at what cost to those he loves most?
MY THOUGHTS: A cracking start to a brand new series.
Broken Bones is a dark and gritty piece of Scottish Noir which, for me, raised an important question: should convicted criminals (in this case a serial killer) be allowed to trade information (in this case where the bodies are buried) for prison privileges? It would make for a great book club discussion! Being Gemini, I can see both sides. If it was my child, I would want its body back, but at the same time I would not want its killer to be rewarded for giving up this information.
Broken Bones is a complex plot with many threads. As with life, there's never just one thing going on and not all the threads are tied up or resolved by the end of the book. I am guessing this will happen in future books in this series.
A DCI is missing; negotiations are going on with a convicted serial killer to try to get him to reveal the locations of the bodies he disposed of; a child's body is discovered during a home renovation; and women are still going missing . . .
Carson has written a well-paced and well-constructed novel which kept my interest throughout. There are some surprising twists and turns and Brodie's family having a connection to more than one of the cases certainly ramps up the tension.
I'll definitely be following through on this series.
⭐⭐⭐.9
#BrokenBones #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: JOHN CARSON was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and lived there most of his life. In 2006, he emigrated to New York State with his American wife and two daughters. They now live in a small town in the Hudson Valley where his wife was brought up, with a German Shepherd, a Beagle mix and four cats. There's never a dull moment . . . (Source: johncarsonauthor.com)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Broken Bones by John Carson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Broken Bones by John Carson was published Nov 11 2025.
I combined reading with listening to Broken Bones, written by John Carson and narrated by Angus King. I enjoyed both formats.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
November 28, 2025
A compelling mystery with some fun dialogue. A rather high body count that went beyond the believable, but good overall.
December 4, 2025
Broken Bones by John Carson is set in Scotland and focuses on detective Brody. When the book starts it’s the one day of the year they go to visit serial killer dr. Gabriel Crane a killer he put behind bars three years ago but it’s trying to finesse him into giving up where the bodies are. Doctor Crane is pompous and arrogant but detective Brody is smart and streetwise but while this is going on we also get the POV of detectives Art and his partner cam who are investigating their missing CEO but while doing this they also get the case of a body found when a fireplace collapses and it’s the body of a seven-year-old boy who was clearly prior to his death and suffering from long-term abuse soon Ian Brody is called to lead art and cam‘s team due to their missing boss while at the same time trying to uncover the bodies of serial killer Gabriel Crane before long though he’ll have a much more personal investigation to tend to this was just the first book and I must say I really enjoyed the book I did find the whole thing with Marcus a tad bit convenient but I did have a few lol moments with Art and Cameron. I love crime mysteries and thought this one set in Scotland was a pretty good beginning and will definitely be reading the next book to find out the answers to questions I have right now. Most of everything was wrapped up and it really was a very satisfying read with very likable characters and lots of intriguing plot lines. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestreview, #BrokenBones, #JohnCarson,
November 13, 2025
This gritty Scottish police procedural gets off to a cracking good start. Central to the investigation is DCI Liam Brodie who has been placed in charge of Fife’s Major Investigation Team as the previous DCI has gone missing, presumed dead. However, it’s not just the missing DCI which causes concern as Brodie and his team are soon engulfed in a complex murder investigation which may have links to a case Brodie worked on three years ago in Edinburgh when a particularly nasty serial killer was brought to justice.
Capturing my attention from the start, I enjoyed getting to know DCI Brodie and learning more about his relationship with his partner, psychologist Ruth Calder. The way in which the plot becomes entwined on a very personal level to Brodie and Ruth makes the story all the more compelling. As with any new series there is a certain amount of scene setting and a sense of getting to know the relationships between the major characters. There’s a realistic sense of police camaraderie and whilst the language is, at times, colourful , their commitment to seeing justice done is always paramount. DCI Brodie is an interesting character, who is fully committed to his job and is determined to root out evil, I’m sure we’ll see his character progress over time.
Well written, with strong attention to detail, Broken Bones is a really good start to this new Scottish crime series and I look forward to seeing where DCI Liam Brodie will go to in False Witness, which is due to be published in April 2026.
November 8, 2025
This is the first book in the DCI Liam Brodie series, and it is also the first time I have read a book by this author. He has written several books, so I will be looking at some of those in the future.
Brodie is assigned to Fife's Major Investigations Team, set in Scotland, where there is a wide-ranging landscape that is as colourful as some of the language and local terminology that gets banded about by the various colleagues in the department.
Brodie had been responsible for the arrest of a serial killer. Brodie was wounded in the process, but three years on, there are still bodies to be found. Kane, the perpetrator, likes games, and he is playing one with the police. Each year since his arrest, he has led the police to a victim.
Brodie has taken over the Fife division as the previous DCI has gone missing.
A lot is going on in this book, and there is a good array of characters, as well as an unnamed one. What I have mentioned already is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The author has a well-twisted plot line, and as I sit and think about it now as I write my review, I realise how clever he has been. He has brought the past to the present, given people interesting back stories that are not obvious from the outset, but do come into play further on in the story.
This is the start of a series, and there are various things to get in place, people, places, dynamics, relationships and the other things that go into creating a series. For me, there was at times a lot to digest, but I also could not put this book down.
It is a dark and gritty police procedural that has some banter and hostility between people, as well as a strong psychological side to it. The author tackles difficult subjects, but doesn't glorify them with too many details.
If you are looking to start a new series that is set in Scotland, that is dark, tense, twisted and has lots of things going on, then this is one for you. A very good crime thriller that I would be happy to recommend.
Brodie is assigned to Fife's Major Investigations Team, set in Scotland, where there is a wide-ranging landscape that is as colourful as some of the language and local terminology that gets banded about by the various colleagues in the department.
Brodie had been responsible for the arrest of a serial killer. Brodie was wounded in the process, but three years on, there are still bodies to be found. Kane, the perpetrator, likes games, and he is playing one with the police. Each year since his arrest, he has led the police to a victim.
Brodie has taken over the Fife division as the previous DCI has gone missing.
A lot is going on in this book, and there is a good array of characters, as well as an unnamed one. What I have mentioned already is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The author has a well-twisted plot line, and as I sit and think about it now as I write my review, I realise how clever he has been. He has brought the past to the present, given people interesting back stories that are not obvious from the outset, but do come into play further on in the story.
This is the start of a series, and there are various things to get in place, people, places, dynamics, relationships and the other things that go into creating a series. For me, there was at times a lot to digest, but I also could not put this book down.
It is a dark and gritty police procedural that has some banter and hostility between people, as well as a strong psychological side to it. The author tackles difficult subjects, but doesn't glorify them with too many details.
If you are looking to start a new series that is set in Scotland, that is dark, tense, twisted and has lots of things going on, then this is one for you. A very good crime thriller that I would be happy to recommend.
November 8, 2025
Genre: Scottish Crime Thriller
Publication Date: 11 November 2025
Core Idea: DCI Liam Brodie, a celebrated Edinburgh investigator, faces a deeply personal case when child bones are discovered beneath a Fife house linked to his girlfriend’s traumatic past. The story unravels decades-old secrets in a community haunted by betrayal and guilt.
Strengths:
✓ Gritty Atmosphere: Immersive Scottish setting with authentic procedural details.
✓ Complex Protagonist: Brodie’s resilience and emotional depth anchor the high-stakes plot.
✓ Layered Mystery: Skillful weaving of past crimes, dementia-induced memory fragments, and present-day dangers.
✓ Series Potential: Establishes Brodie and psychologist Ruth Calder as compelling leads for future installments.
Weaknesses:
✗ Pacing: Early chapters prioritize setting over action, which might test impatient readers.
✗ Underdeveloped Antagonists: Some villains lack clear motivation, relying on generic malice.
Perfect For: Fans of JD Kirk’s Scottish noir or Val McDermid’s psychological twists. Ideal for readers who enjoy cold cases with emotional stakes.
November 15, 2025
DCI Brodie is good at solving cases. So when a detective is missing he’s sent to help out.
This was a nice start with this first book in this series.
It’s a good detective procedural story. There’s a lot going on, several mysteries to solve. It was easy to follow but I did think at times it dragged a little.
This was a nice start with this first book in this series.
It’s a good detective procedural story. There’s a lot going on, several mysteries to solve. It was easy to follow but I did think at times it dragged a little.
October 19, 2025
It seems I am late coming to the party as I had not heard of John Carson before, but I was very impressed with this book. This is the beginning of a new series, and it was a fabulous start.
The story opens with a startling attack on the protagonist, setting a gripping tone and laying the groundwork for a deeper exploration of Liam and his team’s complex history with the enigmatic Dr Gabriel Kane. As the narrative unfolds, the discovery of a child’s body in a long-abandoned cottage shifts the focus, drawing Liam into a new investigation alongside a different team — a move that adds fresh tension and emotional weight to the unfolding mystery.
The detectives Art and Cameron who share a mutual respect, with what seems effortless synergy with intuitive understanding and professional chemistry.
Carson’s prose is sharp and immersive, weaving humour and heart into the shadows of a dark narrative. With this confident debut, the series sets the stage for a slow-burning saga rich in suspense and emotional depth. In Carson’s world, justice is tangled and elusive, and every buried bone carries a haunting tale that demands to be heard. A very enjoyable read and I will now be looking at more books from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own,
The story opens with a startling attack on the protagonist, setting a gripping tone and laying the groundwork for a deeper exploration of Liam and his team’s complex history with the enigmatic Dr Gabriel Kane. As the narrative unfolds, the discovery of a child’s body in a long-abandoned cottage shifts the focus, drawing Liam into a new investigation alongside a different team — a move that adds fresh tension and emotional weight to the unfolding mystery.
The detectives Art and Cameron who share a mutual respect, with what seems effortless synergy with intuitive understanding and professional chemistry.
Carson’s prose is sharp and immersive, weaving humour and heart into the shadows of a dark narrative. With this confident debut, the series sets the stage for a slow-burning saga rich in suspense and emotional depth. In Carson’s world, justice is tangled and elusive, and every buried bone carries a haunting tale that demands to be heard. A very enjoyable read and I will now be looking at more books from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own,
October 8, 2025
When I picked up Broken Bones, I was expecting a gritty police procedural but what I got was a dark, emotional mystery that grabbed me and refused to let go. John Carson doesn’t just write about murder; he writes about the echoes it leaves behind, how old wounds fester, how secrets rot in the dark, and how sometimes justice comes at a steep personal cost.
DCI Liam Brodie is the kind of detective I love to read about: sharp, battle-worn, and haunted by both past cases and personal demons. After being transferred to Fife’s Major Investigations Team, he’s immediately thrown into chaos by a missing DCI, a house with a buried secret, and a child’s bones under the floorboards. The kicker? The house once belonged to his girlfriend’s foster family. Talk about a case hitting too close to home.
The atmosphere in this book is thick with tension, foggy streets, small-town whispers, and a creeping sense that everyone knows more than they’re saying. Carson perfectly balances the procedural detail with deep emotional undercurrents, especially as Brodie’s loyalty and love for Ruth are tested by the horrors he uncovers.
By the end, I felt like I’d walked through the crime scene myself heart pounding, flashlight in hand, not sure who I could trust. If you love your mysteries layered with moral gray areas, haunting secrets, and detectives who carry their scars like armor, Broken Bones is one to add to your shelf.
⚡️Thank you Rachel's Random Resources and John Carson for sharing this book with me!
DCI Liam Brodie is the kind of detective I love to read about: sharp, battle-worn, and haunted by both past cases and personal demons. After being transferred to Fife’s Major Investigations Team, he’s immediately thrown into chaos by a missing DCI, a house with a buried secret, and a child’s bones under the floorboards. The kicker? The house once belonged to his girlfriend’s foster family. Talk about a case hitting too close to home.
The atmosphere in this book is thick with tension, foggy streets, small-town whispers, and a creeping sense that everyone knows more than they’re saying. Carson perfectly balances the procedural detail with deep emotional undercurrents, especially as Brodie’s loyalty and love for Ruth are tested by the horrors he uncovers.
By the end, I felt like I’d walked through the crime scene myself heart pounding, flashlight in hand, not sure who I could trust. If you love your mysteries layered with moral gray areas, haunting secrets, and detectives who carry their scars like armor, Broken Bones is one to add to your shelf.
⚡️Thank you Rachel's Random Resources and John Carson for sharing this book with me!
October 15, 2025
This is an exciting novel that moves at breakneck speed as we meet a killer being taken down in a library. Later we meet the killer, now in custody who tells them where the body is buried. Could it really be true? If so, why does he give up the information so easily without asking for anything in return? The case becomes even more complicated the more people get involved and my head was spinning with questions as there were many clues that lead to dead ends. It's a fascinating look at killers as we are never quite sure who to believe!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
November 18, 2025
Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
At first, I wasn’t sure how various scenarios that occur for a few primary characters within Broken Bones would tie together, but everything had come together well, and with perfect timing. Brodie’s serial killer is an obvious culprit, yet there are missing people, murdered individuals, and a child’s remains are found. How does it all connect? I could appreciate discovering the truth right along with Brodie, and what has always appeared the most obvious choice begins to fade into obscurity.
The writing style is gritty and raw. It felt like I was watching a mystery cop show, the kind you can’t help but get sucked into. Old painful wounds and past mistakes seem to play a repetitive theme for the antagonists, seeking revenge in ways that are pretty far out there; nothing I’ve ever seen or read before in a mystery detective read. It was cleverly and scarily devised, and while I would never claim to side with the bad guys, it was fascinating to get inside their minds and learn more about what makes someone with a vendetta tick.
The banter between characters Art and Cameron had been fun to read. They reminded me of two adult brothers who like to poke and prod at one another, humanizing them despite their staunch police backgrounds. Dr. Gabriel Kane was the quintessential serial killer who isn’t at all who he’s portrayed to be, reminding me of Anthony Hopkins’s Hannibal Lecter from Silence of the Lambs. Brodie is the hero who is trying to save it all, but even he has his limits, particularly when terror strikes too close to home.
Broken Bones was thrilling and terrifying, all at once. A definite five-star read!
At first, I wasn’t sure how various scenarios that occur for a few primary characters within Broken Bones would tie together, but everything had come together well, and with perfect timing. Brodie’s serial killer is an obvious culprit, yet there are missing people, murdered individuals, and a child’s remains are found. How does it all connect? I could appreciate discovering the truth right along with Brodie, and what has always appeared the most obvious choice begins to fade into obscurity.
The writing style is gritty and raw. It felt like I was watching a mystery cop show, the kind you can’t help but get sucked into. Old painful wounds and past mistakes seem to play a repetitive theme for the antagonists, seeking revenge in ways that are pretty far out there; nothing I’ve ever seen or read before in a mystery detective read. It was cleverly and scarily devised, and while I would never claim to side with the bad guys, it was fascinating to get inside their minds and learn more about what makes someone with a vendetta tick.
The banter between characters Art and Cameron had been fun to read. They reminded me of two adult brothers who like to poke and prod at one another, humanizing them despite their staunch police backgrounds. Dr. Gabriel Kane was the quintessential serial killer who isn’t at all who he’s portrayed to be, reminding me of Anthony Hopkins’s Hannibal Lecter from Silence of the Lambs. Brodie is the hero who is trying to save it all, but even he has his limits, particularly when terror strikes too close to home.
Broken Bones was thrilling and terrifying, all at once. A definite five-star read!
December 13, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
Review to follow...
Review to follow...
November 2, 2025
First in the DCI Liam Brodie series. Brodie is investigating the remains of a child found in an old house, while local detectives search for their missing leader. I enjoyed this and will read more in this series. 4 stars.
October 5, 2025
"Broken Bones" is a chillingly precise start to John Carson's new Scottish crime series, where the past refuses to stay buried. DCI Liam Brodie's transfer to Fife's Major Investigations Team feels less like a fresh start and more like stepping into a haunted landscape. The discovery of a child's bones beneath his girlfriend's childhood home unleashes a series of personal and disturbing revelations. Carson masterfully blends a taut, character-driven mystery with psychological depth. What truly captivates is the emotional core of the story. Ruth Calder, Brodie's foster mother, struggles with dementia, holding fragments of truth that Brodie must piece together amidst betrayal and guilt within the community.
The writing is both brisk and evocative, using humor and humanity to temper the darkness. With this strong foundation, the series promises to be a slow-burning masterpiece of suspense and emotional complexity. Carson crafts a world where justice is never straightforward, and every unearthed bone whispers a story worth hearing.
Thanks to John Carson, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.
The writing is both brisk and evocative, using humor and humanity to temper the darkness. With this strong foundation, the series promises to be a slow-burning masterpiece of suspense and emotional complexity. Carson crafts a world where justice is never straightforward, and every unearthed bone whispers a story worth hearing.
Thanks to John Carson, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.
October 28, 2025
Broken Bones by John Carson is a highly recommended Scottish procedural/crime thriller and the first book in a new series featuring DCI Liam Brodie.
Three years earlier DCI Liam Brodie was responsible for capturing Edinburgh serial killer Dr. Gabriel Kane. Now with Fife’s Major Investigations Team he is now working as the lead detective because the previous DCI is missing. In his position he must interact with Kane in an attempt to get him to disclose where his victims are buried. When the latest victim's location is revealed they discover the victim is not who Kane said it was, so now the question is if this is a new victim or is another killer involved.
At the same time a child's bones are discovered beneath the floorboards of an old house being remodeled in Fife. It appears the body, wrapped in plastic, has been there for many years. In a shocking coincidence, it is the same house where Brodie's girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, grew up as a foster daughter. She knows who the victim likely was and remembers living in the house.
This is a compelling, very good introductory novel to a new series. At a deliberate, steady pace, the procedural logically follows the clues and discoveries in the complex investigations, and there are more than two investigations going on. Interspersed through the serious investigations are also humorous moments. As a longtime reader of British mysteries, I knew what bollocks, poncy, and tossers meant, but admittedly doolally gave me pause. No worries, I figured it out.
All the characters are introduced and portrayed as realistic individuals. Since this is an introduction to the team, it may feel like a lot of characters at first, but they all quickly sort themselves out. The whole team works very well together following up on information in the cases and the intrigue held my interest throughout the whole novel.
Broken Bones is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy procedurals and a great chance to be at the start of a new series. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/1...
Three years earlier DCI Liam Brodie was responsible for capturing Edinburgh serial killer Dr. Gabriel Kane. Now with Fife’s Major Investigations Team he is now working as the lead detective because the previous DCI is missing. In his position he must interact with Kane in an attempt to get him to disclose where his victims are buried. When the latest victim's location is revealed they discover the victim is not who Kane said it was, so now the question is if this is a new victim or is another killer involved.
At the same time a child's bones are discovered beneath the floorboards of an old house being remodeled in Fife. It appears the body, wrapped in plastic, has been there for many years. In a shocking coincidence, it is the same house where Brodie's girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, grew up as a foster daughter. She knows who the victim likely was and remembers living in the house.
This is a compelling, very good introductory novel to a new series. At a deliberate, steady pace, the procedural logically follows the clues and discoveries in the complex investigations, and there are more than two investigations going on. Interspersed through the serious investigations are also humorous moments. As a longtime reader of British mysteries, I knew what bollocks, poncy, and tossers meant, but admittedly doolally gave me pause. No worries, I figured it out.
All the characters are introduced and portrayed as realistic individuals. Since this is an introduction to the team, it may feel like a lot of characters at first, but they all quickly sort themselves out. The whole team works very well together following up on information in the cases and the intrigue held my interest throughout the whole novel.
Broken Bones is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy procedurals and a great chance to be at the start of a new series. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/1...
November 13, 2025
4 Stars from me
There is little better than reading the first book in a new series - and Broken Bones by John Carson did not disappoint. This is my first time reading one of his books and I am thrilled to find there is quite the back collection for me to catch up on.
In Broken Bones we meet DCI Liam Brodie who has been assigned to the MIT in Fife following the disappearance of his predecessor. A bit of an inauspicious entry to a role and one in which I would certainly be watching my back if I were him!
But Brodie is no stranger to finding himself in dangerous situations, having arrested Dr Gabriel Kane, notorious serial killer, and nearly losing his life in the process.
Throughout the book, Dr Kane toys with the police by offering to reveal the location of one of his victims each year. This dynamic puts Brodie and the police team on the back foot throughout and especially so for Brodie who still bears the scars of their last encounter.
Alongside this narrative, a set of bones are discovered in a former foster home, and DI Art McKenzie and DS Cameron Reid are leading on the search for their former DCI, Alan McRae.
I enjoyed the different threads and the directions that they took the characters in as they fought to solve their respective elements and it isn't long before the tense ramps up with implications for Brodie personally once their search for bodies drags up something unexpected for his partner - who just happens to also be the forensic psychologist on the case.
Overall, a gripping and engaging read that crossed the line between Scottish noir and classic crime thriller and I very much look forward to reading the rest of the series.
There is little better than reading the first book in a new series - and Broken Bones by John Carson did not disappoint. This is my first time reading one of his books and I am thrilled to find there is quite the back collection for me to catch up on.
In Broken Bones we meet DCI Liam Brodie who has been assigned to the MIT in Fife following the disappearance of his predecessor. A bit of an inauspicious entry to a role and one in which I would certainly be watching my back if I were him!
But Brodie is no stranger to finding himself in dangerous situations, having arrested Dr Gabriel Kane, notorious serial killer, and nearly losing his life in the process.
Throughout the book, Dr Kane toys with the police by offering to reveal the location of one of his victims each year. This dynamic puts Brodie and the police team on the back foot throughout and especially so for Brodie who still bears the scars of their last encounter.
Alongside this narrative, a set of bones are discovered in a former foster home, and DI Art McKenzie and DS Cameron Reid are leading on the search for their former DCI, Alan McRae.
I enjoyed the different threads and the directions that they took the characters in as they fought to solve their respective elements and it isn't long before the tense ramps up with implications for Brodie personally once their search for bodies drags up something unexpected for his partner - who just happens to also be the forensic psychologist on the case.
Overall, a gripping and engaging read that crossed the line between Scottish noir and classic crime thriller and I very much look forward to reading the rest of the series.
November 21, 2025
Broken Bones by John Carson is a new Scottish crime series and what an excellent start the is new DCI Liam Brodie series was. It was full of twists and turns throughout with likeable characters and I loved DCI Liam Brodie.
This book had multiple stories all focusing around DCI Liam Brodie which was great especially as we got to know know him and his past. DCI Liam Brodie stop to one of Edinburgh’s most notorious serial killers 3 years ago,
DCI Liam Brodie is known as a man who can handle and solve the hardest of cases. But when he’s assigned to Fife’s Major Investigations Team. Now, he soon realises that he’s walking into a minefield. With the previous DCI is missing and presumed dead, this case he’s been called in to lead becomes dangerously close to home.
Child’s bones are unearthed beneath the floorboards of an old house in Fife, this is the same house where his girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, grew up as a foster daughter. Now DCI Brodie uncovers a tangled web of lies and jealousy. Now, Ruth’s foster mother, is now gripped by dementia, and she holds fragments of the truth behind the bones that were found, but this is a community haunted by its history, and no one is going to talk about the past!
Now, DCI Brodie must navigate betrayal and buried guilt to bring a decades-old secret to light.
But at what cost to those he loves most? ⚠️
WoW, what a book! I wized through this book and I Loved learning about this new DCI.
I highly recommend this book. Great start to a promising new series.
This book had multiple stories all focusing around DCI Liam Brodie which was great especially as we got to know know him and his past. DCI Liam Brodie stop to one of Edinburgh’s most notorious serial killers 3 years ago,
DCI Liam Brodie is known as a man who can handle and solve the hardest of cases. But when he’s assigned to Fife’s Major Investigations Team. Now, he soon realises that he’s walking into a minefield. With the previous DCI is missing and presumed dead, this case he’s been called in to lead becomes dangerously close to home.
Child’s bones are unearthed beneath the floorboards of an old house in Fife, this is the same house where his girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, grew up as a foster daughter. Now DCI Brodie uncovers a tangled web of lies and jealousy. Now, Ruth’s foster mother, is now gripped by dementia, and she holds fragments of the truth behind the bones that were found, but this is a community haunted by its history, and no one is going to talk about the past!
Now, DCI Brodie must navigate betrayal and buried guilt to bring a decades-old secret to light.
But at what cost to those he loves most? ⚠️
WoW, what a book! I wized through this book and I Loved learning about this new DCI.
I highly recommend this book. Great start to a promising new series.
November 12, 2025
In Edinburgh DCI Liam Brodie, together with his partner forensic psychologist Ruth Campbell, Det Supt Cross and DI Lucy Warren, is looking for bodies. Dr Gabriel Kane, the man who knifed him before his arrest, reveals one of his victims each year and this will be number three. Is Kane playing games with them when he says the latest body does not belong to him or is there a copycat? Meanwhile in Fife, DI Art McKenzie and DS Cameron Reid are searching for their missing DCI Alan McRae who disappeared after returning from his holiday. It’s out of character and they fear the worst. Liam is assigned to help them but when bones are found in a house that Ruth lived in as a foster child, she is dragged back to an unwelcome time in her life. They will need to unlock the memories and secrets of her foster mother’s dementia gripped mind to find a lead but will it reveal the truth?
What a smashing start to a new series! The banter between Art and Cameron was humorous and contrasted nicely with the grim nature of the investigations. This is a multilayered police procedural with lots of threads cleverly woven together into a complex and thoroughly engrossing plot. As in any new series, it takes a little time for the main characters to be introduced, and the pace soon picks up from the slightly slower start into a gripping ending. I really liked Liam and Ruth, who make a great team, and I look forward to seeing them together in more stories.
What a smashing start to a new series! The banter between Art and Cameron was humorous and contrasted nicely with the grim nature of the investigations. This is a multilayered police procedural with lots of threads cleverly woven together into a complex and thoroughly engrossing plot. As in any new series, it takes a little time for the main characters to be introduced, and the pace soon picks up from the slightly slower start into a gripping ending. I really liked Liam and Ruth, who make a great team, and I look forward to seeing them together in more stories.
September 23, 2025
Broken Bones marks a gripping and emotionally layered beginning to John Carson’s new Scottish crime series—a tale where buried secrets refuse to stay silent, and the past claws its way into the present with chilling precision.
DCI Liam Brodie is no stranger to darkness, but his transfer to Fife’s Major Investigations Team feels less like a fresh start and more like stepping into a haunted house. The discovery of a child’s bones beneath the floorboards of his girlfriend’s childhood home sets off a chain of revelations that are as personal as they are disturbing. Carson weaves a taut, character-driven mystery that balances procedural grit with psychological depth.
What makes this series debut so compelling isn’t just the crime—it’s the emotional stakes. Ruth Calder’s foster mother, lost in the fog of dementia, holds fragments of truth that Brodie must piece together, even as betrayal and guilt ripple through the community. The writing is brisk yet evocative, with just enough humour and humanity to keep the shadows from swallowing the light.
If this is the foundation, the series promises to be a masterclass in slow-burning suspense and emotional complexity. Carson has crafted a world where justice is never simple, and every bone unearthed tells a story worth listening to.
With thanks to John Carson, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
DCI Liam Brodie is no stranger to darkness, but his transfer to Fife’s Major Investigations Team feels less like a fresh start and more like stepping into a haunted house. The discovery of a child’s bones beneath the floorboards of his girlfriend’s childhood home sets off a chain of revelations that are as personal as they are disturbing. Carson weaves a taut, character-driven mystery that balances procedural grit with psychological depth.
What makes this series debut so compelling isn’t just the crime—it’s the emotional stakes. Ruth Calder’s foster mother, lost in the fog of dementia, holds fragments of truth that Brodie must piece together, even as betrayal and guilt ripple through the community. The writing is brisk yet evocative, with just enough humour and humanity to keep the shadows from swallowing the light.
If this is the foundation, the series promises to be a masterclass in slow-burning suspense and emotional complexity. Carson has crafted a world where justice is never simple, and every bone unearthed tells a story worth listening to.
With thanks to John Carson, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
November 12, 2025
Broken Bones is the first book in the DCI Liam Brodie series. A novel filled with multiple stories all focusing around DCI Liam Brodie. Liam Brodie put away a serial killed three years ago, one who continues to play games. When a copycat comes calling, his entire team race to put an end to murder spree.
In the meantime, Liam's girlfriend Ruth, is thrown back into her unpleasant childhood when bones are discovered in the house she lived in as a foster child. When the cases intersect, Liam knows he has limited time to solve each of them before he ends up on the receiving end of a killer's plot.
Broken Bones is so much more than a crime thriller. It's a full-blown psychological crime thriller. The setting within Scotland is majestic but also horrific. The twisted path the author weaves has the reader on the edge of their seat, anxious about what's coming next.
This book invokes so many emotions. There is tension, fear, loathing, acceptance, and love, to name a few. The mysteries are complex within this gritty and suspenseful police procedural. The author crafted a unique, exciting, and well-written crime novel. One that will stick with the reader long after the final page.
In the meantime, Liam's girlfriend Ruth, is thrown back into her unpleasant childhood when bones are discovered in the house she lived in as a foster child. When the cases intersect, Liam knows he has limited time to solve each of them before he ends up on the receiving end of a killer's plot.
Broken Bones is so much more than a crime thriller. It's a full-blown psychological crime thriller. The setting within Scotland is majestic but also horrific. The twisted path the author weaves has the reader on the edge of their seat, anxious about what's coming next.
This book invokes so many emotions. There is tension, fear, loathing, acceptance, and love, to name a few. The mysteries are complex within this gritty and suspenseful police procedural. The author crafted a unique, exciting, and well-written crime novel. One that will stick with the reader long after the final page.
November 17, 2025
Y’all—this book had me side-eyeing every creaky floorboard in my house. 😅 From the moment those child’s bones turn up under Ruth’s old foster home (because of course trauma likes to boomerang), I was locked in. The damp-wood smell, the cold Fife air, the tension snapping like old wires—Carson nails the atmosphere. 🥶🏚️
DCI Liam Brodie is my favorite kind of detective: sharp, steady, and walking straight into a job that feels like a trap wrapped in a mystery wrapped in political nonsense. His chemistry with Ruth? Messy, emotional, deliciously complicated. And Ruth’s foster mother—her dementia turning truths into maddening fragments—adds such a haunting layer.
The plot? A tangled mess of jealousy, buried sins, and “wait, WHO did WHAT now?” moments. I guessed the twist… then un-guessed it… then surrendered. 😂
My only tiny gripe is a couple slower patches—but honestly, the writing is gritty, snappy, and atmospheric enough to keep the pages flying.
If you love cold cases, Scottish crime, complicated characters, and twists sharp enough to leave a mark—this is your next read. 💥🔍🩸
Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing this review copy #NetGalley #BrokenBones
DCI Liam Brodie is my favorite kind of detective: sharp, steady, and walking straight into a job that feels like a trap wrapped in a mystery wrapped in political nonsense. His chemistry with Ruth? Messy, emotional, deliciously complicated. And Ruth’s foster mother—her dementia turning truths into maddening fragments—adds such a haunting layer.
The plot? A tangled mess of jealousy, buried sins, and “wait, WHO did WHAT now?” moments. I guessed the twist… then un-guessed it… then surrendered. 😂
My only tiny gripe is a couple slower patches—but honestly, the writing is gritty, snappy, and atmospheric enough to keep the pages flying.
If you love cold cases, Scottish crime, complicated characters, and twists sharp enough to leave a mark—this is your next read. 💥🔍🩸
Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing this review copy #NetGalley #BrokenBones
December 12, 2025
Three years ago Liam Brodie was stabbed as he arrested a killer. Now Dr Gabriel Kane reveals one victim’s location on the anniversary of his arrest. This year he is mistaken about the victim’s identity or is he playing games…?
Broken Bones is the first book in a new series of police procedurals set in Scotland and featuring DCI Liam Brodie.
The book starts with an action scene as Brodie is attacked whilst arresting Kane. It then jumps forward 3 years to Brodie's team in Edinburgh as they investigate the latest victim revealed by Kane. There is a second plotline set in Fife about a missing police officer and a skeleton found under floorboards in a house.
It took me a while to get into this book due to the two separate investigations but I was fully invested in the plot by halfway. Brodie is a fab lead detective and I enjoyed the cat and mouse games with Kane. There are touches of humour, especially in the Fife police's banter with each other and the stressed exclamations of Brodie's superior Cross.
Broken Bones is a solid start to a new series and I look forward to seeing what happens to Brodie and his team next.
Broken Bones is the first book in a new series of police procedurals set in Scotland and featuring DCI Liam Brodie.
The book starts with an action scene as Brodie is attacked whilst arresting Kane. It then jumps forward 3 years to Brodie's team in Edinburgh as they investigate the latest victim revealed by Kane. There is a second plotline set in Fife about a missing police officer and a skeleton found under floorboards in a house.
It took me a while to get into this book due to the two separate investigations but I was fully invested in the plot by halfway. Brodie is a fab lead detective and I enjoyed the cat and mouse games with Kane. There are touches of humour, especially in the Fife police's banter with each other and the stressed exclamations of Brodie's superior Cross.
Broken Bones is a solid start to a new series and I look forward to seeing what happens to Brodie and his team next.
September 28, 2025
DCI Liam Brodie is still wrapping up a serial killer case he solved three years ago when he is assigned temporarily to Major Investigations in Fife. Their DCI is missing and a child’s bones have been discovered beneath the floorboards of a home there. It turns out that his girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, was a foster child in that home and remembers the treatment she received there as well as a child who went missing.
This is the first in what is to become a series featuring DCI Liam Brodie. It is a fast-paced read with different storylines and intriguing plot lines. The twists and turns as the cases progress are interspersed with humor.
I did feel that the backstories and introductions to the many characters could have been more developed. At times, I felt as though I had entered the story in the middle rather than at the beginning. Despite this, I enjoyed the characters, particularly Brodie, and look forward to the next installment.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @TheBoldBookClub for the DRC.
This is the first in what is to become a series featuring DCI Liam Brodie. It is a fast-paced read with different storylines and intriguing plot lines. The twists and turns as the cases progress are interspersed with humor.
I did feel that the backstories and introductions to the many characters could have been more developed. At times, I felt as though I had entered the story in the middle rather than at the beginning. Despite this, I enjoyed the characters, particularly Brodie, and look forward to the next installment.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @TheBoldBookClub for the DRC.
November 10, 2025
DCI Liam Brodie, Book 1
DCI Liam Brodie has been assigned to Fife's Major Investigations Team and he soon realises that he's walking into a minefield. The previous DCI is missing presumed dead, and the case he'd been called in to lead becomes dangerously close to home. When a child's bones are unearthed beneath the floorboards of an old house in Fife - the same house where his girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, grew up as a foster daughter - Brodie uncovers a tangled web of lies and jealousy. Ruth's foster mother, now gripped by dementia, holds fragments of the truth.
There's quite a lot happening in this book. This is a compelling and complex introduction to DCI Liam Brodie. It's also my first read by the author and I like his writing style. The characters are well-developed. This is a dark, emotional, gripping and twisted thriller. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.
Published 11th November 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #JohnCarson for my ARC of #BrokenBones in exchange for an honest review.
DCI Liam Brodie has been assigned to Fife's Major Investigations Team and he soon realises that he's walking into a minefield. The previous DCI is missing presumed dead, and the case he'd been called in to lead becomes dangerously close to home. When a child's bones are unearthed beneath the floorboards of an old house in Fife - the same house where his girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, grew up as a foster daughter - Brodie uncovers a tangled web of lies and jealousy. Ruth's foster mother, now gripped by dementia, holds fragments of the truth.
There's quite a lot happening in this book. This is a compelling and complex introduction to DCI Liam Brodie. It's also my first read by the author and I like his writing style. The characters are well-developed. This is a dark, emotional, gripping and twisted thriller. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.
Published 11th November 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #JohnCarson for my ARC of #BrokenBones in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2025
3.75⭐ from me.
First, many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.
So... this book ... I’d say it’s an okay opener for a new detective series. Not too explosive for me, but definitely solid.
Three years after catching one of Edinburgh serial killers, DCI Liam Brodie is sent to Fife to take over after their lead investigator goes missing. He’s juggling two cases, trying to make Dr. Kane (aka the charming serial killer) reveal his victims’ burial sites and investigating a newly found set of child’s bones under the floorboards of an old house.
And not just any old house… but the same one where his girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, once lived while in foster care.
From there, the story starts weaving old secrets, small-town gossip, guilt, and lies. And even though some parts didn’t totally hook me, the pacing stayed steady, the procedural work was well written and it kept my attention until the end.
It’s a good foundation for this new series and I’m actually curious to see where Brodie and Ruth’s storyline goes next.
First, many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.
So... this book ... I’d say it’s an okay opener for a new detective series. Not too explosive for me, but definitely solid.
Three years after catching one of Edinburgh serial killers, DCI Liam Brodie is sent to Fife to take over after their lead investigator goes missing. He’s juggling two cases, trying to make Dr. Kane (aka the charming serial killer) reveal his victims’ burial sites and investigating a newly found set of child’s bones under the floorboards of an old house.
And not just any old house… but the same one where his girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, once lived while in foster care.
From there, the story starts weaving old secrets, small-town gossip, guilt, and lies. And even though some parts didn’t totally hook me, the pacing stayed steady, the procedural work was well written and it kept my attention until the end.
It’s a good foundation for this new series and I’m actually curious to see where Brodie and Ruth’s storyline goes next.
November 16, 2025
Brilliant book, DCI Liam Brodie starts the day, at a high security facility, meeting a serial killer on the anniversary of his capture, to reveal where another body is buried, this is personal for Brodie as he was almost killed when the killer Kane stabbed him, things don't go right on this trip though ... as the body found isn't the one Kane named! This woman was involved in a serious car accident years before, and further inquiries link her to more bodies,
As well as this enquiry, Brodie is sent to take charge of a case where a young boys body is found under the floor in a cottage in Fife, as the DCI in charge there has mysteriously disappeared, leaving DI Makenzie and DS Reid trying to find out where he has gone, and people close to him die in somewhat suspicious circumstances,
we are led through each case following the detectives as they sift out the reasons for the deaths in both Edinburgh and Fife.
This book is one you can't put down until the last page has been turned .... and leaves us with a hint of what will appear in the next one ... definitely a 5⭐️ read!!
As well as this enquiry, Brodie is sent to take charge of a case where a young boys body is found under the floor in a cottage in Fife, as the DCI in charge there has mysteriously disappeared, leaving DI Makenzie and DS Reid trying to find out where he has gone, and people close to him die in somewhat suspicious circumstances,
we are led through each case following the detectives as they sift out the reasons for the deaths in both Edinburgh and Fife.
This book is one you can't put down until the last page has been turned .... and leaves us with a hint of what will appear in the next one ... definitely a 5⭐️ read!!
October 7, 2025
There was plenty going on in this introduction to a new series, centred around DCI Liam Brodie and his psychologist partner Ruth. It starts with a shocking attack on the main character which was an interesting beginning and laid the foundations for a book about Liam and his team's history with Dr Gabriel Kane, a central character in this book. Then there is the discovery of a child's body in an old cottage, which leads to Liam working with a different team on that case. We are introduced to Art and Cameron, the detectives in that team, who are a brilliant double act. I loved the relationship between the two and the humour between them. I really hope they are as prominent in the next books in the series as I liked them better than Liam and Ruth! It's always good to find a new police procedural series when the plot and characters are as good as these and I really look forward to reading more as the series grows.
October 20, 2025
This is the first book I have read by this author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was a taut, character-driven police procedural, written in such a way that the witty banter which peppers the story doesn’t feel forced and made me laugh out loud in more than one place. This was welcome as the discovery of a child’s skeleton found buried beneath floorboards sets the scene for a dark and gripping tale.
We are also introduced to Dr Gabriel Kane, with whom the team – particularly Liam, have a violent past. It’s safe to say there is a lot going on, and on occasion it felt as if there were a few separate stories taking place in the same book, which affected the pacing and fragmented the flow. However, from this first instalment I have a feeling this series is going to be a triumph of slow-burning mystery/suspense, and I look forward to more outings with Liam and the team.
We are also introduced to Dr Gabriel Kane, with whom the team – particularly Liam, have a violent past. It’s safe to say there is a lot going on, and on occasion it felt as if there were a few separate stories taking place in the same book, which affected the pacing and fragmented the flow. However, from this first instalment I have a feeling this series is going to be a triumph of slow-burning mystery/suspense, and I look forward to more outings with Liam and the team.
October 27, 2025
This is a fantastic start to a promising new series.
This book is an absolutely thrilling read and a wonderful beginning to what promises to be a great new series. From the very first page, the story grabs your attention and refuses to let go. The plot is well-crafted, full of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.
he pacing is perfect—fast enough to keep you on edge, yet detailed enough to let you truly connect with the characters and their struggles. The author does a great job building tension and creating a vivid world that feels real and alive.
It’s one of those books that’s difficult to put down—you’ll find yourself saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s well past midnight. If you enjoy stories filled with suspense, clever plotting, and memorable characters, this is definitely a must-read.
I received an advance review copy via NetGalley/Boldwood Books and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
This book is an absolutely thrilling read and a wonderful beginning to what promises to be a great new series. From the very first page, the story grabs your attention and refuses to let go. The plot is well-crafted, full of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.
he pacing is perfect—fast enough to keep you on edge, yet detailed enough to let you truly connect with the characters and their struggles. The author does a great job building tension and creating a vivid world that feels real and alive.
It’s one of those books that’s difficult to put down—you’ll find yourself saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s well past midnight. If you enjoy stories filled with suspense, clever plotting, and memorable characters, this is definitely a must-read.
I received an advance review copy via NetGalley/Boldwood Books and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
November 17, 2025
An installment of the Dci Brodie series. Easily read as a standalone book although Brodie seems a good character so you might want to pick up more.
This loosely gives off Lector vibes although victims aren't getting eaten and there's a bit of a twist to come where the killer is concerned.
Very close to home for Brodie and those close to him and the number of victims increases with a separate, historic crime turning up too. Brodie and Lucy are great partners and they have a good dynamic although we don't get to know Lucy as much as we do Brodie. She's still quite a strong character and I think she respects Brodie. Art and Cameron are still learning so it's interesting to see the difference in the way crimes are worked depending on who Brodie is working with.
Quite an even-paced police procedural with some fun characters along the way.
#gifted #giftedbook #freebook #freebookreview #boldwoodbooks #booktour #crimefiction #policeprocedural
This loosely gives off Lector vibes although victims aren't getting eaten and there's a bit of a twist to come where the killer is concerned.
Very close to home for Brodie and those close to him and the number of victims increases with a separate, historic crime turning up too. Brodie and Lucy are great partners and they have a good dynamic although we don't get to know Lucy as much as we do Brodie. She's still quite a strong character and I think she respects Brodie. Art and Cameron are still learning so it's interesting to see the difference in the way crimes are worked depending on who Brodie is working with.
Quite an even-paced police procedural with some fun characters along the way.
#gifted #giftedbook #freebook #freebookreview #boldwoodbooks #booktour #crimefiction #policeprocedural
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