Fallen Angels

by John Carson

He came seeking the truth. He died for someone else's sins.

Christmas week in Edinburgh. DCI Ewan McCall is called to St. Margaret's Church in Leith, where a body has been discovered in the confessional booth. The victim is Donald Fraser, a retired detective McCall worked with years ago.
Fraser was supposed to be enjoying his retirement. Instead, he was still working a cold case - the unsolved murder of a young prostitute from fifteen years earlier. His notes point to Father Vincent Gallagher, the parish priest at St. Margaret's, as his prime suspect.
But when McCall and DI Megan Ross dig deeper, nothing adds up. Why would Fraser confront Gallagher in the confessional after hours? Why does the crime scene feel staged? And what secrets are hidden in the presbytery beside the church?
As McCall follows Fraser's final investigation, he uncovers a past that someone has already killed to protect. A past buried deep beneath respectability and faith.
And as the Christmas lights glow across the city, McCall realizes the most dangerous confessions are the ones that never get spoken aloud.
Fallen

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2026

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

[Mags Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came back. After reading book #1 with DCI Ewan and very satisfied with his investigation, and a promise to read the 2nd in the series I’m still enjoying your writing. Not sure why, but truly enjoy the stories out of Scotland and Wales. Perhaps it was finding my DNA is 60% Northern UK and Wales. And have had a wee sip of Talisker’s, Glenglassaugh’s, Aberlour’s and of course some Glenfiddich also from Dufftown,Banffshire — but only on occasion!
What I enjoy most is your books are easy reading, and though wrapped with twists, they are clearly presented, realistic and very frequently sprinkled with good humor. So, on to the third in the series. See if there is a remarriage in the making, Vicky gets new wheels, and Eddie calls his family off. Reading over 100 books annually, it is great when I discover a new author whom I really enjoy. Thanks for your literary contribution. VR, Mags

[Mrs Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not how they expected the Christmas season to be!!!

When DCI Ewan McCall gets a call about a body in a church a few days before Christmas,little did he know how the case would lead both his team and Glasgow detective Angie Fisher, into the lives of priests,sexton and housekeeper of the church. This one had me guessing who was the killer from the start.. a brilliant 2nd book to this series 👏 by John Carson,
Well worthy of the 5🌟 rating...

[Frances Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

This is the second in this series and I am enjoying a great deal. It is well written, easy to read with the added bonus of having complex but likeable characters.
The storyline was interesting and even though I guessed the identity of the murderer early on, it didn’t spoil my enjoyment because I was drawn into the story quickly and enjoyed the journey as they solved it. Looking forward to the next book.

[Grace Brophy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst plotting I've read in years. Knew who the killer was well before middle of novel. I'd suggest Mr. Carson do some research before he writes his next book. It takes some nine years to become a priest in the Catholic church; no one, and I do mean no one, becomes a priest because Mama says army, church, or prison, actually the only laugh in novel--although unintentional. Too many other bits of bad writing but too numerous to mention.

[S Nicholls · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed basic police procedures would be to include everyone in the rectory in their enquires and not disregard the housekeeper 🤦‍♀️
Could have been cleared up so much quicker by including her in the enquiries as it did not take them long to find out key information once they belatedly looked
Totally spoiled it for me.....

[margaret biggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Another great read from John Carson .This one a bit different but still couldn't put it down Ewan McCall and his team are like all John Carson's detectives infectious and always a touch of humour in each one.Can't wait for next book.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Another great book by John Carson. Ewan McCall is someone you would want on your side. He’s diligent and won’t stop until he solves the case. I look forward to more books and getting to know everyone better.

[Marktroth · Rating 5 out of 5]

FALLEN ANGELS

Really enjoying this series and will start reading the next one straight away a great writer if you like j d Kirk and David g gatward then you’ll definitely love John Carson

[Timothy Scherr · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read!

Really good. Characters well written. Nice comaraderie of detectives. Excellent tie in with other potential storylines. Live the dog's personalities too!

[Blake Borate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the books by this author but this one was too easy to figure out who committed the murders and took too long to get it solved.

[Ian Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Decent read subject matter was different. The murderer was too heavily hinted at for me. I suppose I read too many books. I did enjoy it though.