When Devils Dance With Saints

by John Carson

Every chapter is a death sentence.

When literary agent Sarah Matthews is found murdered in her St. Andrews office, the scene holds a chilling pages from an unpublished manuscript describing her death with eerie precision.
Days later, DCI James Craig receives an envelope containing the next chapter—detailing another murder that hasn’t yet happened.
As bodies begin to appear across Fife, each staged exactly as written, Craig realises he’s chasing a killer who is using fiction as their blueprint for revenge. The victims all share a dark history in the ruthless publishing world, where loyalty is fleeting and betrayal can be fatal.
With every new chapter that arrives, Craig is forced deeper into a web of ambition, obsession, and secrets long buried. The killer is always one step ahead, writing the story as it unfolds—and Craig fears his own name may be destined for the final page.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2025

About the author

John 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.

Reviews

[Steven Lane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very Sloppy

I've read many books by this author and this is the first one that I felt was extremely disjointed. There were many plot error and mistakes in information about characters. It is usually fun to read & try to work the clues leading to the killer, but this one kept introducing so many new people and going off on tangents (like the funeral) that I became confused (and not because I missed clues). Also, what's with introducing an evil twin right at the very end... REALLY??

[Mrs Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

James craig and Harry o'neil!! what a combination 👍

One Murder, that leads DCI's James Craig and Harry O'Neil searching for 'accidental deaths ' that are becoming unsolved murders
... thanks to chapters of books yet to be published.
We're led first in one direction then another when links seem to point to certain people.... this all ends in a surprise reveal!!!!
Another great book from John Carson, definitely a 5🌟 read 👌

[Gladys Block · Rating 1 out of 5]

This needs a rewrite. It should be read by an editor, from start to finish -- an editor who has not read it before. It is FULL of inconsistencies, things mentioned but no basis laid for understanding them, things that would have been caught by a good editor. It makes me wonder if there was an editor, or if it was written with the use of an AI. I've never seen this number of problems in a human-written book. It would have been not bad otherwise.

[Lynne Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't dislike this book. A little confusing in places. John Carson is a prolific crime fiction writer and likes his 'crossover' detectives. well I suppose Scotland isn't the largest country in the world. Harry McNeill seems to pop up in quite a few of his books just drops everything to help out ! If you are a John Carson fan you will enjoy it.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Book

It was nice seeing DCI Craig and DCI McNeil working together again. This book kept me guessing the whole time! I didn’t expect that ending. It kept me interested the whole time. I look forward to the next book. Beth P.

[Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page turner!

Well written, great characters, and outstanding murders!
DCI Craig has his hands full, with what turns out to be serial killings. Bringing together old cops, and cops with a pedigree.
I couldn’t put this book down!

[sharon cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read

Loved this book. It kept me guessing right up to the end. John Carson books are a must for any self respecting police procedural lover.

[Mrs Sue Leaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner

Great story bringing together characters from other series, who you feel you already know. Plenty of twists and turns in the plot to keep you wanting more

[Marktroth · Rating 5 out of 5]

when devils dance with saints

Another great book by John Carson in the dci James Craig series can’t wait for the next one in the series

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not figure this one out. That being said there were some weird jumps in this storyline and didn't jive with what was actually going on in the investigation.

[Donali Howell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Needs a new editor? The book contradicts itself every two pages!