A Cold Heart: DS Malkie McCulloch, Book 4

DS Malkie McCulloch #4

by Doug Sinclair, Angus King (Narrator)

With shaking hands, she tells herself she can do this. There’s nothing she won’t do for her daughter. But will she ever forgive herself for what happens next?

When a woman is brutally snatched from her home in broad daylight, DS Malkie McCulloch must race against time to find her before it's too late. The victim is a carer, mother and wife living a quiet life in rural Scotland. But someone wanted to hurt her badly enough to risk everything.

As Malkie pieces together the scattered clues she left behind, the case takes a devastating turn. What started as a simple shoplifting incident has spiralled into something far more dangerous, connecting to the violent death of a local security guard and a web of secrets that threatens to destroy everyone it touches.

With his personal life in turmoil–a newly discovered relative, a deepening relationship with fellow trauma survivor Deborah, and the haunting reopening of his mother's suspicious death–Malkie fights to stay focused on finding the victim alive. As winter temperatures plummet, his investigation reveals a story of family betrayal and desperate love that shows just how far a parent will go to protect their child....

The fourth book in a gripping Scottish crime thriller series featuring DS Malkie McCulloch, a brilliantly complex detective who will risk everything to protect the innocent. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, JM Dalgliesh, and JD Kirk.

Genres: Crime, Procedural, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published August 7, 2025

Reviews

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping Scottish crime drama of love in many forms, hate—and pure evil!

The love a mother has for her bullied daughter results in actions and outcome no-one foresees. A stolen jumper worth £350, a shopping center security guard killed in the illegal pursuit of a shoplifter! The situation spirals out of control when the relatives of the security guard are known viscous drug dealers.
The love a seemingly aloof and detached detective is growing into for recovering, scarred burn victim,Flight Lieutenant Deborah Fleming, who’s undergoing treatment at a special unit.
The developing love of a father for a child he didn’t know existed until she’s an adult.
The care shown for and by fellow workers.
The discovery that his mother’s death may not have been his fault.
The relationship of a father and son following the harrowing details about their wife/mother’s death.
The hate a daughter holds for her father, her mother’s rapist.
I was glued to this complex gritty crime novel. This is so so much more than that.
There are threads here that twirl around in a vortex of feelings and emotions. Some just plain evil.
I must say this DS Malkie McCulloch novel caught me by surprise!

A Storm ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 4 in the DS Malkie McCulloch series. Having read the other 3 books in the series I was looking forward to book 4. Unfortunately it just did not do it for me 😔 I found the storyline really slow and it just didn’t have me gripped.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm publishing for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Kathleen Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cold Heart by Doug Sinclair is a gripping, emotionally layered police procedural set in Glasgow. I have followed the DS Malkie McCulloch series from the start, and A Cold Heart might be the most emotionally powerful yet. DS Malkie McCulloch investigates the shocking abduction of a mother in broad daylight, uncovering links to murder and personal tragedy. The case is gripping, but it’s Malkie’s personal struggles his grief, guilt, and complicated relationships that really stay with me. Sinclair captures the human side of policing so well. Gritty, authentic, and heartfelt. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book in the series although you could read it as a standalone. Great to see all the main characters back again, so it’s just the new ones for this book you need to get used to, which you do pretty quickly. A great main storyline but I like the continuing one about Malkie and his past just simmering away in the background (it’s that which helps if you’ve read the past books to get the full picture but enough is given to get you up to speed). Highly recommended,

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doug Sinclair (https://dougsinclair.co.uk/) is the author of four novels. A Cold Heart was published early last August, is the fourth installment in his DS Malkie McCulloch series. It is the 88th title I’ve completed reading in 2025.

I received an advance reader copy (ARC) of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com and am voluntarily leaving this review. All opinions expressed here are my own. Due to scenes of violence and mature language, I would rate this novel R.

Elizabeth Dunn is married with a young teenage daughter, and the family is struggling. Elizabeth has lost a well-paying job and now works long hours as a carer for the elderly and ill. Their situation worsens when her husband is diagnosed with MS. When Elizabeth discovers that her daughter is being bullied at school, she becomes desperate to help her feel normal again.

That desperation leads Elizabeth to shoplift clothing for her daughter. She is nearly out of the store when a security guard approaches. Panicking at the consequences being caught would bring down on her family, Elizabeth runs. The guard gives chase and is struck by a car, dying shortly afterward.

Elizabeth’s misfortune continues. The dead guard, Martin Jessop, was a 24-year-old member of a violent crime family. When the Jessops learn of Martin’s death, Elizabeth is brutally abducted from her home in broad daylight.

DS Malkie McCulloch and DC Stephanie Lang are assigned to the case. They know the Jessop family’s reputation and understand they have very little time to find Elizabeth–if they are to find her alive at all. Fortunately, Elizabeth manages to leave behind what clues she can. Malkie, with help from his colleagues, slowly pieces them together, drawing closer to her location. But time is running out: Stevie Jessop, the family’s ruthless leader, is returning to the UK, and with his arrival, Elizabeth’s chances of survival diminish rapidly.

At the same time, Malkie, Stephanie, and Elizabeth are all grappling with personal turmoil. Malkie has just learned he has an adult daughter, and new evidence suggests that the fire that killed his mother may not have been an accident. He is also cautiously moving forward in a relationship with Deborah, a fellow trauma survivor. Stephanie is confronting her past with her rapist father while facing threats that could end her law-enforcement career.

Despite everything weighing on them, the detectives must stay focused and find Elizabeth before it is too late.

I enjoyed the 7+ hours I spent reading this 340-page mystery. Although part of an ongoing series, A Cold Heart works well as a standalone novel. For me, the pacing felt slow at times, with too much emphasis on the emotional baggage of the main characters. I do like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 3.6 (rounded to 4) out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cold Heart by Doug Sinclair is the 4th book in the excellent DS Malkie McCulloch crime series which is set in Livingston West Lothian in Scotland. I have enjoyed reading this series and getting to know the main character DS Malkie McCulloch which is an excellent character, I really like him. This latest book is another 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ read from start to finish and a enjoyable read!

Elizabeth Dunn is brutally snatched from her home and in broad daylight, DS Malkie McCulloch is called to the scene. The victim lives on a housing estate in Livingston and is living a quiet life. . . .But, someone wants to hurt her and to risk everything to do it!!

But, Who would do this to a normal house wife, who is a mum and carer!? and so many people will miss her!

DS Malkie McCulloch and his team are raising against the time to find her before it is too late! As he puts all the clues together about Elizabeth, the case takes a devastating turn for the worse. Now, he connects her disappearance to the violent death of a local security guard and a large web of secrets that threatens to destroy everyone it touches.

The clock is ticking . . . . . .especially as DS Malkie McCulloch personal life is in turmoil, with a newly discovered relative, a deepening relationship with fellow trauma survivor Deborah, and now a renewed investigation into his mother’s suspicious death. Malkie's brain is on over drive!!. . . . . . . But he has to focus 100% on the case of missing Elizabeth Dunn case and what he and his team has recently found out regarding this case.

Now, the temperatures outside have fallen to below freezing, as winter takes its toll!! and his investigation reveals a story of family betrayal and desperate love that shows just how far a parent will go to protect their child. . . . . . .

Tick tock the clock is ticking. . . . .time is running out for Elizabeth.

A Cold Heart can be read as a Standalone but I do recommend you go back and read the other 3 books, it will not disappoint! I highly recommend this series. Another 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my ARC.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

A small crime with potentially deadly consequences. Elizabeth Dunn is a care worker with a husband suffering from MS and a daughter with mental health issues. When she discovers her daughter is being bullied by the rich girls at her school for not having the latest designer jumper, Elizabeth will stop at nothing to help her daughter, even if it means shoplifting a £300 jumper.

Unfortunately, a security guard sees Elizabeth and chases after her, straight into traffic where he is hit by a car, with fatal consequences. Elizabeth scurries off into the night bumping into DS Malkie McCulloch on her way, he was on the way to meet his twenty-six year old daughter Jennifer for the first time until the RTA derailed his plans.

Although full of guilt, Elizabeth is happy to have made her daughter smile, until it transpires that the dead security guard was a member of the notorious Jessop family and Elizabeth is abducted from her home in broad daylight.

Can Malkie and his team find Elizabeth before Stevie Jessop returns to Scotland to extract his revenge?

Over and above the mystery we also have the overreaching arcs of Steph's rapist sperm donor and drug pushing step father (luckily Doug has toned down her constant harping on about it), Malkie's romance with the wounded former pilot Deborah, and the investigation into his mother's death, which Malkie now believes was murder, as well as Malkie meeting his daughter for the first time. TBH, I think these four overarching arcs are too much, at least one of them needs to fade away quickly because they detract from the current mystery in each book.

As always, this is on the high side of violence in what I like in my detective stories (ie one below serial killer in terms of violence and gore), I tend more towards the procedural and cosy but for others this is probably just right.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Available on Kindle Unlimited.

[TrishAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in this series, it can be read as a standalone but I would urge reading the series in sequence, you won't be disappointed.
D.S Malkie McCulloch's life seems to go from one disaster to the next, his mother had died when the family home was burned to the ground, a tragedy that Malkie blamed himself for, new information had come to light but did Malkie want to put himself and his devastated father through another investigation ? His fondness for Flight Lieutenant Deborah Fleming , badly burned in an accident, was growing into something deeper, Deborah listened to him, Deborah advised him, Deborah made him laugh but will Deborah ever have any sort of normality in her life? His partner, DC Steph Lang, had escaped a horrendous childhood to become a great cop but her sleezy, manipulative, stepfather was never far from the scene, would Steph be able to keep her temper in check and thus keep her job ? Out of the blue Malkie finds that he is the father to a twenty six year old daughter, how can he build a relationship with someone he didn't know existed for twenty six years ?
The team's latest case was getting to Malkie, Elizabeth Dunn is struggling to survive, she is carer to her disabled husband, she is working all hours to make ends meet, her daughter is self harming after being bullied at school but Elizabeth's desperate attempt to help resulted in the death of a member of one of the most feared, brutal, ruthless families in Glasgow and they wanted revenge........Elizabeth is their target.
I couldn't put this book down, I loved the diverse, well rounded characters, there is plenty of action, nail biting suspense and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is totally voluntary.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cold Heart by Doug Sinclair is the fourth installment in the DS Malkie McCulloch series and it is tension filled from the start. You certainly can read this as a standalone because enough background is given to understand the main characters.

While I can understand Elizabeth’s decision to do what she did, it seems a bit extreme and only a temporary fix to a problem. The end result of her action is tragic, but doesn’t seem to warrant the revenge visited upon her by the relatives of the man who ends up dying. It is a very brutal story in the telling of the violence she is dealt with, but there are good points as well. You are taken for a roller coaster of a ride during the investigation and wonder if Elizabeth will be found dead or alive. The ending is amazing and will have you cheering for the determination of women.

Malkie’s personal life is coming along nicely with his relationship with Deborah and his newly discovered daughter. He has decided to have the arson of his family’s home re-opened and discoveries are made that will change his and his father’s lives. Poor DC Steph Lang is having a tough time in this book with her stepfather Dean Lang and his constant threats and manipulations. I hope there is a positive resolution to this soon because Dean is annoying.

I generally read cozy mysteries, but Mr. Sinclair’s writing draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait for the next book in this series because I want to see what the arson investigation will uncover and find out if Deborah will ever recover enough to get back on her horse. That, plus seeing if Deborah and Malkie are able to sustain a long-lasting relationship.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Roroblu'sMum · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* Misleading blurb, brutal scenes that I didn't expect or stomach too well, but a not-bad tale.

I've only read the predecessor to this book, not the first 2 in the series, but wasn't lost in either. This one follows immediately from book 3, with some personal stuff for Malkie some possible closure, a possible future with someone he loves, and a case that works, though Elizabeth really didn't have a very good head on her shoulders, nor care much about her daughter, it felt. I mean, doing what she did, handing the offending item to her daughter to be seen with it, risking the adverse publicity that would come with her being found out, risking her daughter now being bullied for 2 things instead of 1 - I mean, really, lady?

The brutality in this book was shocking, especially as it's explicit and against females. There really needed to be a warning about it. But, the events leading to the involvement of the bad guys was mostly plausible (other than who employs someone with a police record as a security guard?) snd the tale worked with some decent policing. But it ended without the issue of Elizabeth's daughter and the consequences of her mother's actions being answered, and because of possible involuntary manslaughter charges realistically being brought, unsatisfyingly.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my reading pleasure.

[Alison Taylor-Muhl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book four in the DS Malkie McCulloch series, and the only book I have read. Due to joining at this late stage, I was fearful that I would have a disjointed reading experience – this wasn’t the case. The author provides just enough backstory to highlight the important parts, but it is clear that starting from book one would be beneficial. The characters are well-written, and as you expect by book four, well-developed. I liked Malkie, he seems to wear his heart on his sleeve and is clearly trying to ‘be better’. It’s apparent from the backstory highlights that Malkie has had a hard life and that he has suffered with his mental health, these elements make him feel human and relatable. It was also refreshing to read about a police team that don’t hate each other’s guts and that work together to crack the case they are dealing with. The book deals with kidnap, bullying, self-harm, and violence towards women – all tough subjects, however, I did feel that the author handles these elements sympathetically and that they are included to enhance the tale, not simply to shock/upset the reader.

For me, and although well written, this book is a slow burner, and sadly, it never quite reached the level I was hoping it would - I didn’t feel the exhilarating tension that I have come to expect from police procedurals.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth in this series, I have read and enjoyed all of them so far. This one was no exception. The characters of both Malkie and his work partner Steph have developed throughout the series, both have unconventional working methods and a complicated personal life. This book starts with a shoplifter leaving an expensive shop and being chased by a security guard. The guard was knocked down when crossing the road and died from his injuries. Unfortunately he had links to one of the criminal families in the town and family members saw the woman as the cause of his death. She was kidknapped by them and subject to abuse.
Mostly the pace is good in this book, though in the middle chapters, the detective team are searching for clues without much luck, and the pace dropped off. Saying that, I did remain engaged with the book and eager to see how it was wound up. There is a lot of violence and bullying in the book . The lifestyle of those caught up in the poorer areas in the town is graphically described and doesn't make for comfortable reading. The main crime is well and realistically described , there are also developments in plotlines from previous books. Fine as a standalone, though probibily better to read as part of the series to get the most out of the book.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

[Judy Odom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cold Heart is another outstanding book in the DA Malkie McCulloch series that is both brutal and devastating.

When Malkie who is dealing with alot of his own personal issues witnesses a man who is chasing a woman get hit by a truck he has a feeling that is more than just an accident.

Elizabeth has made the mistake of her life shoplifting as the security guard who chases her belongs to a major crime family.

Revenge is on the way in full force.

Malkie and his team are racing against the clock as they know very well that Elizabeth's chances are slim to none with every second that the clock ticks down.

There is just something about Malkie that is so endearing. He doesn't always make the right choices, he says what most of us are thinking, he truly cares about his cases and co workers and I find myself laughing out loud at times as he talks to himself.

Doug Sinclair masterfully leads the reader down a tense, brutal and highly emotional path that keeps those pages turning with just one more chapter.

I cant wait to see what DS Malkie McCulloch faces in his next case, I will be first in line.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the privilege of reading and reviewing A Cold Heart.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Cold Heart is the fourth book in Doug Sinclair’s gritty and compulsively readable DS Malkie McCulloch series, and it’s one of the strongest yet.

Elizabeth Dunn is a struggling mother trying to protect her daughter from relentless bullying. But one desperate decision puts her in the crosshairs of one of Scotland’s most violent crime families. Snatched from her home in broad daylight, Elizabeth’s disappearance sparks a frantic investigation. DS Malkie McCulloch and his team must untangle a web of secrets, betrayal, and vengeance before time runs out.

As always, Sinclair balances the brutal pace of the case with Malkie’s complicated personal life. He’s still reeling from the suspicious fire that killed his mother, deepening his relationship with Deborah Fleming, and trying to process the sudden discovery of an adult daughter he never knew existed. His flaws, resilience, and dark humor make him a richly layered protagonist.

Tense, emotional, and brutally authentic, A Cold Heart combines nail-biting suspense with deep character work. It can be read as a standalone, but starting from book one makes the stakes hit even harder.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review: Doug Sinclair’s A Cold Heart is a searing, brilliantly paced addition to the DS Malkie McCulloch series—one that grips tight from page one and refuses to be polite about it. Thank you to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for the gifted ARC.

This is book four in the series, but let’s be real—you can absolutely jump in here and still get knocked flat by the story. If you have been following Malkie’s journey, brace yourself. He’s older, angrier, more exhausted, and somehow still dragging himself toward justice like it owes him money. When Elizabeth Dunn—ordinary carer, wife, mother—is abducted in broad daylight, Malkie is called in. The scene is messy. The motive? Even messier. And of course, because Sinclair doesn’t believe in coincidences or your emotional wellbeing, the case spirals into something much darker, touching on corruption, murder, and enough family dysfunction to make your own relatives seem downright charming.

Doug Sinclair’s writing is razor-sharp and completely free of filler. He’s not here to hold your hand or spoon-feed you exposition. If you miss a detail, that’s on you. Livingston is painted in bleak, honest strokes: cold, grey, and full of people trying to outrun their past. It’s not gritty for the sake of aesthetic—this is realism with cracked windows and unpaid bills.

And let’s talk about DS Malkie McCulloch. If brooding was an Olympic sport, Malkie would have a gold medal and a chip on his shoulder about it. He’s still carrying trauma like it’s a second badge, still navigating a raw, tentative relationship with Deborah (who deserves an award for her patience), and now he’s knee-deep in a reopened investigation into his mother’s suspicious death. You’d think that would be enough, but no. Throw in a violent murder, a missing woman, and the ever-present threat of Malkie self-sabotaging everything good in his life, and you’ve got yourself a proper storm.

“There’s a line between justice and vengeance,” Malkie says. “I’ve crossed it so many times I’ve worn a groove in the road.” That’s the quote that stuck with me. Because this book doesn’t just dabble in moral ambiguity—it unpacks it, drinks it black, and lights a cigarette next to it. You’re not reading about heroes here. You’re reading about people trying not to drown in their own compromises.

The plot moves fast—blink and you’ll miss something critical. Twists are earned, not dumped in for shock value. And when the ending comes, it’s both satisfying and emotionally bruising. There’s no moral cleanup, no easy answers. Just Malkie, standing in the cold, trying to hold onto what little still matters.

If you’re new to the series, congratulations—your weekend just disappeared. If you’re a returning fan, A Cold Heart might just be the best one yet. It’s dark, emotional, sharply written, and full of the kind of characters who’d rather punch a wall than talk about their feelings. In other words: exactly what a crime thriller should be.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective rather than case centric🤔

3-3.5🌟 stars
Not really suited to my taste. I picked it up because of the Scottish setting.

A lot of, my impression was most of, this story centers on the depressing lives of DS Malkie, still grieving over his mother's death, and his work partner who has a solid hate relationship with her family. I actually prefer police mystery and suspense where the story and drama focuses on the investigation and helping the victims, so this missed the mark for me.

The abduction case part of the story was also very emotionally draining. I couldn't see a really positive ending for the victim or her family no matter whether the police succeeded in finding and rescuing her. The level of violence meted out by the villains was pretty off-putting, too.

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

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cold Heart by Doug Sinclair is book 4 in the DS Malkie McCulloch series. Malkie is pulled into a traffic incident he witnesses when he is on his way to meet a new member of his family. This traffic incident has far-reaching tentacles and complications. What would a mother do to help her daughter. Also, with new evidence emerging about the devastating fire that destroyed his life, all the heartache is brought back for both Malkie and his Dad. Malkie carries out some great conversations with himself at various times trying to work out what to do. He always seems to get so emotionally involved in cases. He is so conflicted at times, but his growing relationship with Deborah is something good in his life. There is bullying, self-harming, self-doubt and kidnap and with all this the tension increases as well as the pace of the story. An excellent continuation of the series.

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book!
This Edinburgh-set police procedural delivers tension and character in abundance!
We have Detectives Malkie and Steph, grappling with their personal demons, plunged into a desperate search for Liz, a kidnapped woman brutally taken by a truly menacing family seeking the ultimate revenge.
Liz's fierce love for her teenage daughter and sick husband fuels her will to survive, making her plight all the more heartbreaking.
The suspense builds relentlessly with each turn of the page, while the intricate team dynamics add another intriguing layer to the narrative.
With a perfectly tied-up ending that leaves you craving more, this is a must-read for all crime fans.
Highly recommended and a well deserved 5 ⭐ from me. I can't wait for the next instalment.

My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest review.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant, emotional and gritty read from the author, one of the best in the Scottish crime fiction genre. It's the fourth book in the series and I highly recommend starting with book 1 for background information. DS Malkie Mc Culloch is such a complex character, struggling with work and the turmoil in his personal life, whilst dealing with past trauma but I absolutely just love him! The cast of characters, the gritty plotting and the build up to the ending, left me almost in tears. The writing is raw, there are some hard hitting scenes but the author writes from the heart and I think this ever improving series could easily translate to a television series. It is up with the best in the genre and an easy 5* from me. Bring on more Malkie please! Thanks to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for my ARC.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malkie McCulloch is based in Livingston, he is a Detective Sergeant with Police Scotland. His mother recently died during a house fire, initially he believed it was caused by a candle lit beside her bed, one he had given her, but now he realises the source of the fire, although from a candle, was from one on the windowsill, sitting beside an open window. The fire was deliberately set and his mother was murdered. The case will be looked at again.
Malkie himself, is investigating the kidnapping of a local woman, discovering that it could be linked to the serious accident where a security guard was knocked down whilst pursuing a shop lifter.
I have not read any of these books before, but did not feel this hampered my enjoyment of reading this one. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting Scottish crime thriller with DS Malkie McCulloch. McCulloch is complex, quietly brilliant and the man you want on the job when there is a baffling, confusing, complicated crime to be solved. No one is safe from his focus and determination to secure justice.

A fascinating police procedural with a varied staff of officers balanced against Malkie’s equally fascinating personal life, A Cold Heart pulls you in and won’t let go. Full of suspense, danger, thrills, twists and turns and a peek into the mind of a professional at work. Will excite you, pull at your heart and keep you guessing until the final page.

I received an advance copy of A Cold Heart as a Storm Publishing pre-approved reader via NetGalley. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is certainly plenty going on in this book. We are given Malkie who is trying very hard to be more normal with his team (whatever normal is !), work place bullying. school bullying and just thugs doing what they do, personal pressures of life and illnesses. In the midst of it all is Deborah, who having suffered the most, is the epitome of a survivor - someone who won't give in sometimes to her own detriment. So in among the chaos of Malkie's life, she is there for him and he for her and I am enjoying the burgeoning love story within. The book has a good solid pace and has you turning the pages wanting more. This is a very enjoyable series which is developing with each book.

Thanks to Netgalley / Storm books for the ARC to review

[Christina Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my copy of A Cold Heart by Doug Sinclair.
The book starts off with a woman, just a normal mother who decides to do something for her daughter. Something she knows is wrong.
But nothing could prepare her for what comes next.
Malkie, DS Malkie McCulloch is given the case that ensues, along with everything else he is dealing with at the moment, could this be the case that breaks him.
This book takes you on a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, twists and turns, hope and despair. You will be glued to the page.
BRILLIANTLY COMES TOGETHER.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#NetGalley #StormPublishing #AColdHeart #DougSinclair.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Malkie is faced with some difficult situations in this one. A road traffic accident and an abduction, a race to find the victim in time. He has to decide whether to request that the case of his mother's death in the house fire be reopened for further investigation. He's trying to support Steph, who's facing her own issues as well. Malkie's such a great character, muddling along as best he can even though he keeps getting himself into sticky situations. I'm really enjoying this series!
Thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and Doug Sinclair for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re ever in trouble, DS Malkie McCulloch is the police officer you wouldn’t want to be on your case. He’s an old school detective, relying on his gut feeling, blurting out his thoughts unfiltered but determined to find the truth, whatever the costs to himself. I love the way the characters are developing in this series, as well as Malkies relationships with Deborah and Stephanie. Added to that, there is a really good story, a well planned & satisfying read which feels really authentic. Can’t wait for the next one in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I ever had a problem with the law I'd want Malkie to be the detective investigating my case, he won't let anything past him and will keep digging till he finds the truth. A Cold Heart is a brutal story of domestic violence, crime and despair over life circumstances. Women who have been bullied and had their lives destroyed, a man who is slowly succumbing to an awful disease, a young girl who is being bullied at school, and a mother who makes an absolutely wrong decision. Raw emotions are present throughout the whole story which is well-written and grabs the reader's attention from the beginning. Great entertainment!
I thank Mr. Sinclair, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is #4 in the DS Malkie McCulloch but can easily be read as a standalone.

Malkie has a lot going on in his life – both at home and at work - including investigating his mother’s suspicious death. He’s called when a woman called Elizabeth vanishes, and it looks as though she’s been kidnapped. Malkie and his team have their work cut out to find her alive.

A great police procedural, highly recommended.

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

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Dunn, a desperate middle aged woman makes a dreadful mistake to help her daughter face up to bullies at school, in the process unfortunately drawing the attention of some very violent men from one of the most brutal crime families, who badly want retribution. DS Malkie McCulloch and his colleagues must race against time if they are to save her.

This is the fourth book in this gritty Scottish crime series set in West Lothian. Malkie is a complicated and flawed detective who might not always make the right choices but will always do whatever it takes to protect the innocent. His personal life is complicated as he is still coming to terms with the death of his mother in a suspicious fire that destroyed their house and he is falling in love with a female pilot battling serious injuries following a helicopter accident.

Malkie has also recently discovered he has a 26 year old daughter he didn’t know about and is anxious about meeting her for the first time. His relationships with his colleagues can also be complicated as they also have their own work or personal issues to deal with. Still, they work together well enough and their banter can be quite entertaining.

Tense, fast paced, often brutal but always compelling, the novel works reasonably well as a stand-alone since the author gives sufficient background. However, a lot of previous events are alluded to and it would be best read in sequence with the rest of the series to fully understand Malkie and his colleagues.

With thanks to Storm Publishing via Netgalley for a copy to read

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fourth book in the DS Malkie McCulloch series by Doug Sinclair is a nail-biter. A very emotional read for many reasons ... a child being bullied, sexual exploitation, abduction, serious health issues, assault, shoplifting. As is typical with this series it is graphically violent and at times you will be cringing at the abuse Elizabeth endures. While a fast-paced read, there were moments in the book that the action seemed to drag and I wanted Malkie and his police officer partner, Steph, to rescue Elizabeth and solve the crime. This is in no way a light and cozy read. And while it would be helpful to read previous books in the series, this one works well as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

[Geralyn Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Heart was fast paced, police procedural drama based in Scotland. This book is the fourth in the DS Malkie McCulloch series but the first I have read. I had no issues reading this as a stand alone and I intend to go back and read the previous books. The author writes complex characters and a gripping plot to keep you hooked until the end and craving more. Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC.