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Misty Isle #7
The Missing Dead
One murder. Three empty graves. And a secret worth killing for...
D.I. Duncan McAdam is called to a cemetery to investigate a desecrated grave. The deceased was the skipper of a trawler with a chequered past. Its crew all died in mysterious circumstances — one man fell to his death; the second took his own life; the third jumped from a rocky clifftop. Only one crewman remains.
When Duncan goes to interview the skipper’s widow, he finds her house ransacked, blood on the floor, and a body in the boot of her car. He soon realises that everyone on board that trawler was hiding something — and it all leads back to one stormy night at sea years ago.
As the case begins to spiral, Duncan’s own personal challenges with his son come back to haunt him. Can he find the only surviving crew member before it’s too late? What secrets did these men take with them to their graves? And why is someone willing to kill to unearth them now?
D.I. Duncan McAdam is called to a cemetery to investigate a desecrated grave. The deceased was the skipper of a trawler with a chequered past. Its crew all died in mysterious circumstances — one man fell to his death; the second took his own life; the third jumped from a rocky clifftop. Only one crewman remains.
When Duncan goes to interview the skipper’s widow, he finds her house ransacked, blood on the floor, and a body in the boot of her car. He soon realises that everyone on board that trawler was hiding something — and it all leads back to one stormy night at sea years ago.
As the case begins to spiral, Duncan’s own personal challenges with his son come back to haunt him. Can he find the only surviving crew member before it’s too late? What secrets did these men take with them to their graves? And why is someone willing to kill to unearth them now?
391 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2026
About the author
J.M. Dalgliesh
48 books996 followersJason Dalgliesh was born on the south coast of England and grew up in Hampshire, UK. He has worked in the power transmission industry, the retail sector, call centres and as a night-owl in a bakery. His greatest challenge of all is ongoing, as a stay at home parent.
He is presently writing the Dark Yorkshire crime-series, featuring DI Nathaniel Caslin.
The novels are set in Yorkshire, England. The medieval City of York is Caslin's home town and the plot lines take in some of the UK's most rugged and beautiful landscapes, from the windswept North Sea coastline and across the stunning North York Moors.
Penned in the style of the Crime Noir genre, Caslin is a deep character, as flawed as he is brilliant, battling his own demons as much as those he is pitted against. Readers who enjoy gritty, atmospheric thrillers will find the series a must read.
Having spent time abroad, Jason has lived and worked in various parts of England as well as the Scottish Highlands. He currently resides in the East Riding, with his wife and two young children.
You can reach him via his website at www.jmdalgliesh.com
You can also follow him on social media;
facebook.com/jmdalglieshauthor
twitter.com/darkyorkshire
He is presently writing the Dark Yorkshire crime-series, featuring DI Nathaniel Caslin.
The novels are set in Yorkshire, England. The medieval City of York is Caslin's home town and the plot lines take in some of the UK's most rugged and beautiful landscapes, from the windswept North Sea coastline and across the stunning North York Moors.
Penned in the style of the Crime Noir genre, Caslin is a deep character, as flawed as he is brilliant, battling his own demons as much as those he is pitted against. Readers who enjoy gritty, atmospheric thrillers will find the series a must read.
Having spent time abroad, Jason has lived and worked in various parts of England as well as the Scottish Highlands. He currently resides in the East Riding, with his wife and two young children.
You can reach him via his website at www.jmdalgliesh.com
You can also follow him on social media;
facebook.com/jmdalglieshauthor
twitter.com/darkyorkshire
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June 26, 2026I can highly recommend The Missing Dead (Misty Isle book 7) Kindle edition a Scottish mystery crime novel by J.M. Dalgliesh which I thoroughly enjoyed.
DI Duncan McAdam investigates a desecrated grave belonging to the former skipper of a commercial trawler on the Isle of Skye. As Duncan delves deeper into the skipper's past and suspicious deaths of three of his crew and empty graves, leaving only one remaining member of the crew still alive.
As Duncan investigates further, he confronts the skipper's widow, which in turn, escalates into a treacherous revelation of dark hidden secrets connected to the trawler and someone is on a mission to silence anyone who gets in his way.
Duncan's personal life is also in turmoil as his son Callum has left his Mother, Becky's home to live with Duncan and Grace his partner. All is not what it seems as Duncan wil find out the real reason that Callum left home.
"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Benjamin Franklin 1789 is a quote within this novel which is very apt indeed under the circumstances.
I love the way the author describes the way the weather can change within a matter of minutes from being cruel to calm as the weather fluctuates.
There is menace in the air, greed, treachery, deception all rolled in one in this exciting crime mystery.
DI Duncan McAdam investigates a desecrated grave belonging to the former skipper of a commercial trawler on the Isle of Skye. As Duncan delves deeper into the skipper's past and suspicious deaths of three of his crew and empty graves, leaving only one remaining member of the crew still alive.
As Duncan investigates further, he confronts the skipper's widow, which in turn, escalates into a treacherous revelation of dark hidden secrets connected to the trawler and someone is on a mission to silence anyone who gets in his way.
Duncan's personal life is also in turmoil as his son Callum has left his Mother, Becky's home to live with Duncan and Grace his partner. All is not what it seems as Duncan wil find out the real reason that Callum left home.
"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Benjamin Franklin 1789 is a quote within this novel which is very apt indeed under the circumstances.
I love the way the author describes the way the weather can change within a matter of minutes from being cruel to calm as the weather fluctuates.
There is menace in the air, greed, treachery, deception all rolled in one in this exciting crime mystery.
July 4, 2026
Penguin gets solid gold
I have been a fan of the books written by JM Dalgliesh for a few years now. Binge reading and waiting not too patiently for his next book.
This is hid first book published by Penguin. He has done them proud already.
This book is based on the isle of Skye; firmly enmeshed in the local fishing community.
The starting point is a night of wild stormy seas and winds when a fishing trawler comes across a yacht all lit up but in serious trouble with no power; and no crew.
As tragedy befalls four of the five trawler crew it soon becomes Skye's Marie Celeste and tales of curses grow with the telling.
Eighteen years later the grave of the trawler's captain is dug up and his remains scattered.
Then the book gallops on at a pace that could leave you spinning with more twists and turns than you'd find if you were driving round the island.
This is another marvellous book by the author and I would recommend it to all fans of this genre.
Then check out some of his other gems.
I have been a fan of the books written by JM Dalgliesh for a few years now. Binge reading and waiting not too patiently for his next book.
This is hid first book published by Penguin. He has done them proud already.
This book is based on the isle of Skye; firmly enmeshed in the local fishing community.
The starting point is a night of wild stormy seas and winds when a fishing trawler comes across a yacht all lit up but in serious trouble with no power; and no crew.
As tragedy befalls four of the five trawler crew it soon becomes Skye's Marie Celeste and tales of curses grow with the telling.
Eighteen years later the grave of the trawler's captain is dug up and his remains scattered.
Then the book gallops on at a pace that could leave you spinning with more twists and turns than you'd find if you were driving round the island.
This is another marvellous book by the author and I would recommend it to all fans of this genre.
Then check out some of his other gems.
July 4, 2026
Once again, well written. This author's works are always done right with believable characters and in-depth storylines. I will always suggest his work because they are always, in my eyes, worthy.
July 17, 2026
This is another great book in the Misty Isle Mysteries. Although it's book 7 in the series, it can be read as a standalone in its own right.
It's a well written, twisty, gripping, page-turner of a storyline and plot, with surprising revelations, strong characters, and many a twist and turn, leading to a twisty conclusion.
This kept my guessing and suspecting, all the way through. In the end I was slightly right with my suspicions, but there was more twisty goings on than I'd anticipated.
As always the author's descriptive is wonderful, and you can visualise the story unfolding in your minds eye, as you read.
I loved this book from start to finish and it certainly was hard to lay it down for long
I would definitely recommend this book to others. It's a book you don't want to miss.
As always I have JM Dalgliesh's books on pre-order as I don't want to miss any.
My thanks to the author for the advanced copy. This my honest and unbiased review of this book.
It's a well written, twisty, gripping, page-turner of a storyline and plot, with surprising revelations, strong characters, and many a twist and turn, leading to a twisty conclusion.
This kept my guessing and suspecting, all the way through. In the end I was slightly right with my suspicions, but there was more twisty goings on than I'd anticipated.
As always the author's descriptive is wonderful, and you can visualise the story unfolding in your minds eye, as you read.
I loved this book from start to finish and it certainly was hard to lay it down for long
I would definitely recommend this book to others. It's a book you don't want to miss.
As always I have JM Dalgliesh's books on pre-order as I don't want to miss any.
My thanks to the author for the advanced copy. This my honest and unbiased review of this book.
August 3, 2026
J.M. Dalgliesh’s thrilling police procedural, The Missing Dead, published in July 2026, marks the gripping seventh installment in his highly acclaimed Misty Isle series. Set against the breathtaking yet unforgivingly rugged backdrop of the Isle of Skye in Scotland, the novel once again follows the seasoned and deeply perceptive Detective Inspector Duncan McAdam. Dalgliesh has carved out a massive following by blending the atmospheric, brooding tension of Scandinavian noir with the intricate, character-driven plotting of traditional British crime fiction. In this latest entry, he delivers a masterclass in suspense, weaving a dark and compelling tale that proves some secrets refuse to stay buried, no matter how deep the grave.
The narrative begins with an unsettling and highly unusual crime that immediately shakes the quiet, tight-knit island community. D.I. McAdam is called out to a local windswept cemetery to investigate the desecration of a grave. The disturbed burial site belongs to the former skipper of a local fishing trawler, a man who was well-known on the island for his rather chequered and complicated past. While grave robbery or vandalism is rare enough on the Misty Isle, Duncan’s sharp investigative instincts quickly lead him to uncover a string of eerie, seemingly connected tragedies surrounding the deceased skipper's former crew. Over the years following their time at sea together, the crew members have all met violent, mysterious, and untimely ends. One man suffered a fatal fall, another reportedly took his own life in a fit of despair, and a third leapt to his death from a rocky island clifftop. Out of the entire crew, only a single man remains alive, casting a long, ominous shadow of suspicion and dread over the seemingly isolated graveyard incident.
What starts as a disturbing case of vandalism rapidly escalates into a full-blown murder investigation when Duncan visits the deceased skipper's widow, hoping to find some context or answers. Instead of a routine, quiet interview, the detective arrives to find her home completely ransacked. A chaotic and bloody crime scene has been left in the intruder's wake, pointing to a frantic search for something highly valuable or incriminating. The grim discovery reaches its climax when Duncan’s team finds a lifeless body unceremoniously stuffed into the boot of the widow's car. It becomes immediately and chillingly apparent that this is not a random act of violence, but a calculated, targeted cover-up. Someone is desperately tearing the island apart, willing to cross any moral boundary to ensure that a long-buried secret stays hidden permanently.
As Duncan and his investigative team delve deeper into the history of the trawler and its doomed crew, all the fragmented clues lead back to a single, fateful, and stormy night at sea many years ago. Whatever happened out on those dark, unforgiving waters off the Scottish coast was so profoundly significant—and potentially so damning—that the men formed a desperate pact of silence upon their return. Now, decades later, the past is violently catching up with them, and a ruthless killer is systematically eliminating anyone who might hold a piece of the puzzle. The narrative shifts into a high-stakes race against the clock. Duncan must locate the sole surviving crew member before the killer reaches him first, all while trying to decipher the fragmented, blood-stained clues that the dead men took to their graves. The chilling realization sets in that the secret is quite literally worth killing for, and no one in the insular community is truly safe until the truth is finally dragged into the light.
Adding emotional weight and profound depth to the gripping murder mystery is the careful exploration of Duncan McAdam's personal life. Dalgliesh is celebrated for creating deeply human, flawed characters, and in this installment, Duncan is forced to grapple with his own ghosts. As the professional case spirals into increasing violence and urgency, Duncan's personal challenges and strained relationship with his son come back to haunt him. The tension in his family life heavily mirrors the turbulent, unpredictable nature of the investigation, testing his mental resolve and challenging his focus. This dual narrative of unyielding professional duty and quiet personal turmoil makes Duncan an incredibly relatable protagonist. He is a man desperately struggling to protect his community from a present danger while simultaneously trying to mend the fractured pieces of his own past.
Because you strongly prefer digital reading platforms for their unparalleled convenience and portability, The Missing Dead is a phenomenal title to seamlessly add to your devices. Whether you enjoy using Google Books to pull up your current read on the go or prefer keeping your vast personal library stored neatly on your Kindle, enjoying this mystery in a digital format allows you to carry Dalgliesh’s sprawling, atmospheric Scottish landscapes right in your pocket. Reading digitally also leans into your appreciation for searchability; you can easily use the search function to trace subtle, early clues sprinkled throughout the text, or quickly look up the names of the trawler crew as the complex web of their past unfolds. Furthermore, keeping an eye on these digital platforms might allow you to score free ebook promotions for earlier entries in the Misty Isle series, letting you sample more of D.I. McAdam's cases and continue building your library without taking up an inch of physical space on your shelves.
The narrative begins with an unsettling and highly unusual crime that immediately shakes the quiet, tight-knit island community. D.I. McAdam is called out to a local windswept cemetery to investigate the desecration of a grave. The disturbed burial site belongs to the former skipper of a local fishing trawler, a man who was well-known on the island for his rather chequered and complicated past. While grave robbery or vandalism is rare enough on the Misty Isle, Duncan’s sharp investigative instincts quickly lead him to uncover a string of eerie, seemingly connected tragedies surrounding the deceased skipper's former crew. Over the years following their time at sea together, the crew members have all met violent, mysterious, and untimely ends. One man suffered a fatal fall, another reportedly took his own life in a fit of despair, and a third leapt to his death from a rocky island clifftop. Out of the entire crew, only a single man remains alive, casting a long, ominous shadow of suspicion and dread over the seemingly isolated graveyard incident.
What starts as a disturbing case of vandalism rapidly escalates into a full-blown murder investigation when Duncan visits the deceased skipper's widow, hoping to find some context or answers. Instead of a routine, quiet interview, the detective arrives to find her home completely ransacked. A chaotic and bloody crime scene has been left in the intruder's wake, pointing to a frantic search for something highly valuable or incriminating. The grim discovery reaches its climax when Duncan’s team finds a lifeless body unceremoniously stuffed into the boot of the widow's car. It becomes immediately and chillingly apparent that this is not a random act of violence, but a calculated, targeted cover-up. Someone is desperately tearing the island apart, willing to cross any moral boundary to ensure that a long-buried secret stays hidden permanently.
As Duncan and his investigative team delve deeper into the history of the trawler and its doomed crew, all the fragmented clues lead back to a single, fateful, and stormy night at sea many years ago. Whatever happened out on those dark, unforgiving waters off the Scottish coast was so profoundly significant—and potentially so damning—that the men formed a desperate pact of silence upon their return. Now, decades later, the past is violently catching up with them, and a ruthless killer is systematically eliminating anyone who might hold a piece of the puzzle. The narrative shifts into a high-stakes race against the clock. Duncan must locate the sole surviving crew member before the killer reaches him first, all while trying to decipher the fragmented, blood-stained clues that the dead men took to their graves. The chilling realization sets in that the secret is quite literally worth killing for, and no one in the insular community is truly safe until the truth is finally dragged into the light.
Adding emotional weight and profound depth to the gripping murder mystery is the careful exploration of Duncan McAdam's personal life. Dalgliesh is celebrated for creating deeply human, flawed characters, and in this installment, Duncan is forced to grapple with his own ghosts. As the professional case spirals into increasing violence and urgency, Duncan's personal challenges and strained relationship with his son come back to haunt him. The tension in his family life heavily mirrors the turbulent, unpredictable nature of the investigation, testing his mental resolve and challenging his focus. This dual narrative of unyielding professional duty and quiet personal turmoil makes Duncan an incredibly relatable protagonist. He is a man desperately struggling to protect his community from a present danger while simultaneously trying to mend the fractured pieces of his own past.
Because you strongly prefer digital reading platforms for their unparalleled convenience and portability, The Missing Dead is a phenomenal title to seamlessly add to your devices. Whether you enjoy using Google Books to pull up your current read on the go or prefer keeping your vast personal library stored neatly on your Kindle, enjoying this mystery in a digital format allows you to carry Dalgliesh’s sprawling, atmospheric Scottish landscapes right in your pocket. Reading digitally also leans into your appreciation for searchability; you can easily use the search function to trace subtle, early clues sprinkled throughout the text, or quickly look up the names of the trawler crew as the complex web of their past unfolds. Furthermore, keeping an eye on these digital platforms might allow you to score free ebook promotions for earlier entries in the Misty Isle series, letting you sample more of D.I. McAdam's cases and continue building your library without taking up an inch of physical space on your shelves.
May 22, 2026
The Missing Dead is a dark, atmospheric police procedural set against the rugged Northumberland coastline, where the landscape itself adds to the tension and isolation running through the story. When D.I. Duncan McAdam investigates a desecrated grave, the case soon uncovers links to a trawler crew whose deaths years earlier were surrounded by suspicion and secrets.
I really liked Duncan as a lead character. He feels believable and grounded, carrying personal struggles with his son alongside the pressures of the investigation. The character development throughout the book is strong, not just for Duncan but across the wider cast, with relationships and histories unfolding naturally as the case deepens.
The plotting felt authentic and well paced, gradually revealing what happened on that stormy night at sea without relying on unrealistic twists. There is a steady sense of unease throughout, helped by the bleak coastal setting and the feeling that everyone involved is hiding something.
A gripping and immersive crime thriller with strong atmosphere and a genuinely engaging central character.
With thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I really liked Duncan as a lead character. He feels believable and grounded, carrying personal struggles with his son alongside the pressures of the investigation. The character development throughout the book is strong, not just for Duncan but across the wider cast, with relationships and histories unfolding naturally as the case deepens.
The plotting felt authentic and well paced, gradually revealing what happened on that stormy night at sea without relying on unrealistic twists. There is a steady sense of unease throughout, helped by the bleak coastal setting and the feeling that everyone involved is hiding something.
A gripping and immersive crime thriller with strong atmosphere and a genuinely engaging central character.
With thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
July 7, 2026
The Missing Dead is a D.I. Duncan McAdam book.
Book #7 in The Misty Isle series written by J.M. Dalgliesh.
“D.I. Duncan McAdam is called to a cemetery to investigate a desecrated grave.
The deceased was the skipper of a trawler with a chequered past. Its crew all
died in mysterious circumstances. Only one crewman remains alive.
When Duncan interviews the skipper’s widow, he finds her house ransacked,
blood on the floor and a body in the boot of her car. Duncan soon realizes that
everyone on board that trawler was hiding something. And it all leads back to
one stormy night at sea years ago.”
I enjoy reading this series very much. The main characters are very well-written
with an interesting, beautiful and remote location - the Isle of Skye.
Once I begin, it’s hard to put the book down.
I can’t wait for the next title!
*****
Book #7 in The Misty Isle series written by J.M. Dalgliesh.
“D.I. Duncan McAdam is called to a cemetery to investigate a desecrated grave.
The deceased was the skipper of a trawler with a chequered past. Its crew all
died in mysterious circumstances. Only one crewman remains alive.
When Duncan interviews the skipper’s widow, he finds her house ransacked,
blood on the floor and a body in the boot of her car. Duncan soon realizes that
everyone on board that trawler was hiding something. And it all leads back to
one stormy night at sea years ago.”
I enjoy reading this series very much. The main characters are very well-written
with an interesting, beautiful and remote location - the Isle of Skye.
Once I begin, it’s hard to put the book down.
I can’t wait for the next title!
*****
July 4, 2026
The Missing Dead - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
A historic maritime mystery set in the Scottish Isles featuring the misdeeds and misdirection from long ago, surfaces after various graves are vandalized and horrifying discoveries made, in JM Dalgliesh's The Missing Dead. DI Duncan is already struggling with family issues, when a 'dead' man's resurrection and revenge-seeking leads to some graves being assigned their correct corpses and other - new ones - being required...two of which could be Duncan's and Alistair's.
A dynamic, well-written suspense-thriller, with lots of action, great characters and an engaging storyline that draws the reader in and makes you want to read more by the author, (if you haven't already).
Grab a copy of The Missing Dead today - and avoid graveyards after dark!
A historic maritime mystery set in the Scottish Isles featuring the misdeeds and misdirection from long ago, surfaces after various graves are vandalized and horrifying discoveries made, in JM Dalgliesh's The Missing Dead. DI Duncan is already struggling with family issues, when a 'dead' man's resurrection and revenge-seeking leads to some graves being assigned their correct corpses and other - new ones - being required...two of which could be Duncan's and Alistair's.
A dynamic, well-written suspense-thriller, with lots of action, great characters and an engaging storyline that draws the reader in and makes you want to read more by the author, (if you haven't already).
Grab a copy of The Missing Dead today - and avoid graveyards after dark!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first book I have read written by the author and I really enjoyed it! I love the fact that the weather is also part of the investigation, with the sea always in the background. It makes the novel chilly and atmospheric and a real pleasure to read. As to the police team, I like them a lot, the way they interact with each other gives a nice touch to the novel. The plot is complex, intriguing and somewhat creepy... Only towards the conclusion did I get an inkling to how it all actually summed up.... A great read!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
July 30, 2026
I just finished J.M. Dalgliesh’s The Missing Dead, my first book by this author, and an hour later I already couldn’t remember a single thing about the plot. That’s never a good sign.
A story should leave some kind of mark, even if it’s only a lingering atmosphere or a sharp twist. This one left nothing. It feels like a completely average, forgettable collection of crime-thriller clichés: predictable setup, stock characters, and a resolution that lands with a dull thud.
There’s no spark, no edge, nothing to make it stand out from the endless pile of similar books. Competent enough on a technical level, maybe, but utterly hollow. I won’t be rushing to pick up another one.
A story should leave some kind of mark, even if it’s only a lingering atmosphere or a sharp twist. This one left nothing. It feels like a completely average, forgettable collection of crime-thriller clichés: predictable setup, stock characters, and a resolution that lands with a dull thud.
There’s no spark, no edge, nothing to make it stand out from the endless pile of similar books. Competent enough on a technical level, maybe, but utterly hollow. I won’t be rushing to pick up another one.
August 28, 2026
I'm still crashing through the unread titles on my failing ereader, many of which are murder mysteries. It's giving distinct signs of dying, and I intend to swap brands, so I'm trying to get as many already-purchased books read on it as I can, before it gives up the ghost entirely.
I'm still impressed with J.M.Dalgleish's narrative, plotting, characters and sense of place - he's quite a machine.
He's being featured in this year's "Bloody Scotland" mystery writers event in Edinburgh. I'll be in Scotland while it's on, but am missing it by just days, so am kicking myself for not paying attention to my travel dates a little more carefully.
I'm still impressed with J.M.Dalgleish's narrative, plotting, characters and sense of place - he's quite a machine.
He's being featured in this year's "Bloody Scotland" mystery writers event in Edinburgh. I'll be in Scotland while it's on, but am missing it by just days, so am kicking myself for not paying attention to my travel dates a little more carefully.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Skye. The police are called to the Ashaig cemetery because of a desecrated grave. But this is only the first, all were the crew of a fishing vessel which encountered an abandoned yacht eighteen years ago.
But the skipper’s widow, is discovered murdered. What did really happen 18 years ago. DI McAdam and his team investigate.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery with its cast of likeable and interesting characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own
But the skipper’s widow, is discovered murdered. What did really happen 18 years ago. DI McAdam and his team investigate.
An entertaining and well-written modern mystery with its cast of likeable and interesting characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own
July 6, 2026
3.5* Dragged a lot, maybe because I'm new to the series and am missing what's happened so far?
This is bogged down in Scottish life and wasn't a very entertaining read. Add in some personal drama for the lead, and I got a bit bored. Of course there was a cover-up - that much was clear from the prologue. It's normally always money or sex, and here, things took 20-odd years to unravel, with innocents sacrificed because of greed.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, for my reading pleasure.
This is bogged down in Scottish life and wasn't a very entertaining read. Add in some personal drama for the lead, and I got a bit bored. Of course there was a cover-up - that much was clear from the prologue. It's normally always money or sex, and here, things took 20-odd years to unravel, with innocents sacrificed because of greed.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, for my reading pleasure.
August 3, 2026
Interesting
I do so hope this isn't the last of Duncan and Alistair. I am thoroughly enjoying this series of books, I just wish I M Dalgliesh could write quicker. In this book there are plenty of murders and it is the crew of a trawler from years past that are being picked off one at a time. Some are already deceased and their graves have being dug up. But for what reason Duncan and Alistair have to find out. Also for Duncan his son has turned up on his doorstep, causing complications on the home front.
I can thoroughly recommend this series of books.
I do so hope this isn't the last of Duncan and Alistair. I am thoroughly enjoying this series of books, I just wish I M Dalgliesh could write quicker. In this book there are plenty of murders and it is the crew of a trawler from years past that are being picked off one at a time. Some are already deceased and their graves have being dug up. But for what reason Duncan and Alistair have to find out. Also for Duncan his son has turned up on his doorstep, causing complications on the home front.
I can thoroughly recommend this series of books.
August 23, 2026
I love this series. Not only is Skye a wonderful setting for curious crimes, Duncan has a complicated family situation that makes every case more challenging. This time around someone is robbing graves. Why is unclear, but all the victimes were members of the crew of a fishing trawler twenty years in the past. As Duncan and his team travel around Skye interviewing family members and piecing together the Trawler's last voyage, a theory begins to take shap. Picturesque setting, complex characters and plenty of false leads make this mystery compulsive reading.
August 30, 2026
I've read and thoroughly enjoyed all the Misty Isle books and this one is no exception. Another taught, engaging crime story, with rounded characters and a great murder mystery. Busy as he is, there is still time for Duncan's relationships to develop, which always makes all Mr Dalgliesh's detectives so much more relatable and 3-dimensional. A great read and I will definitely be pre-ordering the next in the series when it materialises (I already have two new books on pre-order from the Hidden Norfolk series and the new Lost Orkney series from the brilliantly prolific Mr Dalgliesh).
Review of advance copy received from Author
The latest in the Misty Isles series is an excellent read. Grebes are being desecrated on Skye, then a widow is found dead in her home, are these events linked? The graves belonged to the crew of the Aria, and the widow had been married to one of the crew. Duncan and the team dig deeper and find more confusion.
Well written as usual, full of twists and turns. My thanks to NetGalley and JM Dalgleish for the arc. Well worth reading
Well written as usual, full of twists and turns. My thanks to NetGalley and JM Dalgleish for the arc. Well worth reading
July 17, 2026
As I finished the book I feel I had more questions than answers The shipwreck happened almost 20 years ago. So what if something was found in the graves or the ship logs - pretty much everyone had died. The 2 wives had nothing to do with it. There were people who had disappeared and now reappeared why come back Plus like Duncan we wonder what they had been doing the whole time. So not as satisfying as others in the series
July 22, 2026
3 stars
I am getting tired of how this guy is treated like the doormat by all the women in his life. They are all entitled, full of opinions, importance and full of criticism towards him and his actions.
Sure, let me pause the investigation of a murder inquiry so i can be home at dinner...
The book was interesting but the ending was ridiculous in my opinion. All those people and their perfect schemes.
I hope the next one is better.
I am getting tired of how this guy is treated like the doormat by all the women in his life. They are all entitled, full of opinions, importance and full of criticism towards him and his actions.
Sure, let me pause the investigation of a murder inquiry so i can be home at dinner...
The book was interesting but the ending was ridiculous in my opinion. All those people and their perfect schemes.
I hope the next one is better.
July 26, 2026
J M does not disappoint! I am again taken by a solid plot, history, Skye, and the sea. I do see character development emerging but would like him to dissect Duncan a little more/ more depth to his character and more action. I say this but this author is a great one. I read all his books and he usually always earned a 5 star from me. J M painted pictures of a storm and the area of Skye with his words that makes you see it in person. I love his painted pictures!
July 28, 2026
DI McAdam is well and truly up to his ears with three disturbed graves and a growing number of bodies. On the side we get continued developments in Duncan’s private life, his growing role as a father and increased turmoil with his sister. The misty Isle series is getting better with each book and this was particularly twisty. The book is well written, with plenty of action thrown in and the solution was surprising! A great read and I’ll certainly look out for the next.
August 6, 2026
I really enjoy this series and the main characters are well-defined and feel very real. The relationships that surround Duncan are pretty depressing though. This murder mystery has depth and gritty realism and I did not figure it all out. There are a lot of characters in this book so you need to stay with it or you may lose the threads. But the complicated plot unfolds at the right pace and the historical elements add a lot to the story. I look forward to the next mystery set in the Isle of Skye. And as always, the Audible version with Angus King narrating is perfect.
July 8, 2026
Best Murder Mystery Series - EVER!!
Even if you haven’t read the other books in the Misty Isle series (and you WILL want to after you read this one I guarantee) - each one is complete in itself so just buy it! You won’t be disappointed.
You WILL get completely immersed in this murder mystery based on the beautiful Isle of Skye. I couldn’t put it down honestly.
The evolving case being investigated by DI Duncan McCallum and his team, real characters one and all, will have you gripped from the start. The story unfolds and develops.
The Isle of Skye is a beautiful place and if you’ve never been lucky enough to visit, will surely be on your bucket list after reading this story.
I’ve never managed to figure out the end till I get there with JM Dalgleish’s books and this one is no different. Love, love, it - thanks for an other cracking tale Mr D!
Keep em coming
Even if you haven’t read the other books in the Misty Isle series (and you WILL want to after you read this one I guarantee) - each one is complete in itself so just buy it! You won’t be disappointed.
You WILL get completely immersed in this murder mystery based on the beautiful Isle of Skye. I couldn’t put it down honestly.
The evolving case being investigated by DI Duncan McCallum and his team, real characters one and all, will have you gripped from the start. The story unfolds and develops.
The Isle of Skye is a beautiful place and if you’ve never been lucky enough to visit, will surely be on your bucket list after reading this story.
I’ve never managed to figure out the end till I get there with JM Dalgleish’s books and this one is no different. Love, love, it - thanks for an other cracking tale Mr D!
Keep em coming
July 9, 2026
Excellent
I love reading these books all the books I've read by the author have me totally invoved... I have never been further than Edinburgh but can imagine what island life is like through these books the plots are really well written and keep you guessing until the end ...thank you and keep the good work ccoming
I love reading these books all the books I've read by the author have me totally invoved... I have never been further than Edinburgh but can imagine what island life is like through these books the plots are really well written and keep you guessing until the end ...thank you and keep the good work ccoming
July 22, 2026
on and on and on and on and on
Good grief, I finally quit as it was like the author needed so many words and he kept coming up with goofy plot twists. By far the worst Dalgliesh novel I’ve read. I usually zip through these books in a couple of days. It’s been 10 days and I just couldn’t bring myself to pick it up again..
Good grief, I finally quit as it was like the author needed so many words and he kept coming up with goofy plot twists. By far the worst Dalgliesh novel I’ve read. I usually zip through these books in a couple of days. It’s been 10 days and I just couldn’t bring myself to pick it up again..
August 24, 2026
I would have to say I was disappointed by this book . First time I've read anything by JM Dalgleish and I'm not sure I'll return . The outline of the plot was very promising but I just found it very complex with characters appearing from nowhere . I, also, did not warm to the characters and the attempts at humour/banter . Methinks the author needs to speak with JD Kirk.
August 29, 2026
WOW!
Really good! Interesting, unexpected. I always enjoy the Misty Isle books. But this one was probably the best. I loved the relationship starting between Duncan and his son. And Grace seems perfect for Duncan. Alistair always makes me laugh. The ending was totally surprising.
Really good! Interesting, unexpected. I always enjoy the Misty Isle books. But this one was probably the best. I loved the relationship starting between Duncan and his son. And Grace seems perfect for Duncan. Alistair always makes me laugh. The ending was totally surprising.
July 2, 2026
This latest book in the Isle of Skye series surpasses the high standard already set by the author. The exciting and well thought out story swept me up from the opening paragraph. I love the fact that the places mentioned in the book are real. What a beautiful place Skye is.
July 4, 2026
The Missing Dead
Another cracking read from JM. Never sure what was happening, little snippets from the past popping up, but the storyline is excellent. Always surprising, keeping us on our toes, with such a great ending!!
Another cracking read from JM. Never sure what was happening, little snippets from the past popping up, but the storyline is excellent. Always surprising, keeping us on our toes, with such a great ending!!
July 7, 2026
surprise ending
I always enjoy JM Dalglies’s mysteries. Love the locations, the atmosphere, the storylines and characters. I’ve really enjoyed Wee Duncan and his return to his home island of Skye.
I always enjoy JM Dalglies’s mysteries. Love the locations, the atmosphere, the storylines and characters. I’ve really enjoyed Wee Duncan and his return to his home island of Skye.
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