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DI Marjory Fleming #9
The Third Sin
Pleasure is the highest good: the group who called themselves the Cyrenaics embrace the hedonistic principle until the death of one of their members from an overdose. Sobered, the group went their separate ways. One headed for Canada, another disappeared and a third was believed to have committed suicide - at least until his body turns up in the wreck of a car swept up on the Solway mud flats. The murky relationships among the Cyrenaics, revived when they start returning from a party, bring more suffering and death. DI Marjory Fleming faces obstruction and hostility. Can she piece together the puzzle before someone else dies? .
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2015
27 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Aline Templeton
33 books124 followersAline Templeton grew up in the East Neuk of Fife and was educated at St Leonards School, St Andrews and Cambridge University. She has worked in education and broadcasting and has written numerous stories and articles for national newspapers and magazines. Templeton was a bench Justice of the Peace for ten years and is a former Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, now living in Edinburgh. She is married with a grown up family.
She has written nine crime novels, published by Hodder & Stoughton in Britain, and has also been published in the United States and several European countries. After writing seven stand-alone books, she started a series set in Galloway and featuring DI Marjory Fleming, the first of which – Cold In The Earth – was an Ottakar's Crime Novel of the Month and an Independent Best Summer Read. The second, The Darkness and the Deep, was published in July 2006, and there are now six books in the DI Fleming series.
She has written nine crime novels, published by Hodder & Stoughton in Britain, and has also been published in the United States and several European countries. After writing seven stand-alone books, she started a series set in Galloway and featuring DI Marjory Fleming, the first of which – Cold In The Earth – was an Ottakar's Crime Novel of the Month and an Independent Best Summer Read. The second, The Darkness and the Deep, was published in July 2006, and there are now six books in the DI Fleming series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 12, 2015
First Sentence: Julia was wild that night, her long blonde hair streaming as she danced like a maenad among the trees.
In 2012, a group of friends formed the Cyrenaics, and followed the philosophy of sensual hedonism, until one of their members died of an overdose, another disappeared, one moved to Canada, and another is believed to have committed suicide. When the last turns up, found in a submerged car two years later, Marjory and are team must find out what really happened.
We begin with wonderfully evocative descriptions…”There was an edge of frost tonight and above the angled branches of the trees the black bowl of night sky was studded with diamonds. Tonight you could almost hear the music of the spheres…interwoven with the restless muttering of the trees.” Templeton is a very literary author who uses language very well, and can reference both Baudelaire and the same paragraph, along with quotes from Robert Burns, courtesy of DI Fleming’s sergeant Tam MacNee.
The very effective prologue and first chapter lay the groundwork and compel us into the story. Templeton has an interesting style of creating the setting, introducing the characters and building the story without the reader being certain of where the path will lead. Yet one thing of which one is certain is that mystery lies ahead.
Rather than the police acting as a cohesive team, Templeton places us within an oft-found group of people with their own ambitions and jealousies, making getting things done all the harder. The characters include Marjory who tends to be brusque, are not altogether likable and there seems to be a lot of in-fighting, but give them time. Relationships change and cohesion prevails. Even so, it’s nice to see the personal lives that support many of the characters, including the development of one a new relationship. .
The story is a little hard to get into as there are so many pieces to the puzzle. There is also a thread that was, rather frustratingly, dropped.
Templeton does write good dialogue, sometimes with a bit of wry, Scottish humor…”Never trust those one—“grave, tideless-blooded, calm and cool”,’ MacNee said. “And school teachers—I’ve never been overfond of them either, except my old English teacher—I’d never have heard of Rabbie Burns if it wasn’t for him.” ‘I wondered whose fault it was,’ Fleming said…
“The Third Sin” is a well-done mystery; it is realistic in that mistakes are made, people aren’t all likable, and not all endings are completely satisfactory, yet there is still hope.
THE THIRD SIN (Pol Proc-DI Marjory Fleming-Scotland-Contemp) – G+
Templeton, Aline – 9th in series
Allison and Busby – April 2015
In 2012, a group of friends formed the Cyrenaics, and followed the philosophy of sensual hedonism, until one of their members died of an overdose, another disappeared, one moved to Canada, and another is believed to have committed suicide. When the last turns up, found in a submerged car two years later, Marjory and are team must find out what really happened.
We begin with wonderfully evocative descriptions…”There was an edge of frost tonight and above the angled branches of the trees the black bowl of night sky was studded with diamonds. Tonight you could almost hear the music of the spheres…interwoven with the restless muttering of the trees.” Templeton is a very literary author who uses language very well, and can reference both Baudelaire and the same paragraph, along with quotes from Robert Burns, courtesy of DI Fleming’s sergeant Tam MacNee.
The very effective prologue and first chapter lay the groundwork and compel us into the story. Templeton has an interesting style of creating the setting, introducing the characters and building the story without the reader being certain of where the path will lead. Yet one thing of which one is certain is that mystery lies ahead.
Rather than the police acting as a cohesive team, Templeton places us within an oft-found group of people with their own ambitions and jealousies, making getting things done all the harder. The characters include Marjory who tends to be brusque, are not altogether likable and there seems to be a lot of in-fighting, but give them time. Relationships change and cohesion prevails. Even so, it’s nice to see the personal lives that support many of the characters, including the development of one a new relationship. .
The story is a little hard to get into as there are so many pieces to the puzzle. There is also a thread that was, rather frustratingly, dropped.
Templeton does write good dialogue, sometimes with a bit of wry, Scottish humor…”Never trust those one—“grave, tideless-blooded, calm and cool”,’ MacNee said. “And school teachers—I’ve never been overfond of them either, except my old English teacher—I’d never have heard of Rabbie Burns if it wasn’t for him.” ‘I wondered whose fault it was,’ Fleming said…
“The Third Sin” is a well-done mystery; it is realistic in that mistakes are made, people aren’t all likable, and not all endings are completely satisfactory, yet there is still hope.
THE THIRD SIN (Pol Proc-DI Marjory Fleming-Scotland-Contemp) – G+
Templeton, Aline – 9th in series
Allison and Busby – April 2015
April 14, 2023
I love Templeton's writing style and her characters (especially Tam), but for some reason this book seemed unfinished to me. Maybe I wanted the unhelpful inspector-next-door to get his comeuppance, maybe I was to tired to keep track of all the relationships, but it didn't quite work for me like her other books have.... Still, an enjoyable book with lots of twists.
April 10, 2016
Cardboard characters in search of a cardboard plot - it takes them over 200 pages to solve a murder when they fail to follow up on one piece of evidence that everyone knows the police would check as soon as possible.
My introduction to the work of Templeton and not a writer I'll be looking to read more of.
My introduction to the work of Templeton and not a writer I'll be looking to read more of.
May 24, 2017
I have now read all 9 in this series, hope there will be more. Love the characters plus interesting plots, lots of complex emotional dynamics. Set in the west of Scotland with an interesting woman in charge of the local police. Well developed interesting character. A bit too much on her family life for my taste and, as usual, you have to really concentrate at the beginning as there are so many characters to get to know quickly. Wasn't sure who the killer was until near the end. Quite a nasty piece of work - very convincing, great suspense at the end. Highly recommended. Good side plots too - main detective has a very self-centred boss. There was also a theme around the merger of different regional police forces and the politics between two different forces in this case.
August 2, 2018
Hope there is more to come in this series.
I really enjoy the plot lines, characters, settings, and just everything about this series. There is always lots going on, not only with the investigation itself, but in the interpersonal relationships between the team.
A very complex plot that starts out with Marjory being brought in to look over a case from another police department. The case had been mishandled, was at a standstill, and she is brought in to review and, possibly, move it forward.
My only niggle: that at the conclusion of the book, no mention was made of the reaction of this other force. They had a very obstructive police officer and I would have liked to see him reprimanded. Also, it would have brought the case full circle.
I really enjoy the plot lines, characters, settings, and just everything about this series. There is always lots going on, not only with the investigation itself, but in the interpersonal relationships between the team.
A very complex plot that starts out with Marjory being brought in to look over a case from another police department. The case had been mishandled, was at a standstill, and she is brought in to review and, possibly, move it forward.
My only niggle: that at the conclusion of the book, no mention was made of the reaction of this other force. They had a very obstructive police officer and I would have liked to see him reprimanded. Also, it would have brought the case full circle.
May 7, 2025
DI Fleming #9. Published in 2015, a theme is the turmoil in Police Scotland, with the amalgamation of regional commands. There is clearly competition between these units, and working together is fraught. Very few if any of the police characters are likeable, but some are easy to detest.
Some of the police threads are unfinished, leaving an unsatisfactory feeling at the end.
There are many characters, and it's difficult to keep track of them all. Perhaps that's why even the editor passed over some naming errors.
As a mystery it's not too bad. It's not easy to guess the main culprit. The process is clunky, with the POV jumping around frequently.
To me it was just an average example of the type, and I rate it 3.1.
Some of the police threads are unfinished, leaving an unsatisfactory feeling at the end.
There are many characters, and it's difficult to keep track of them all. Perhaps that's why even the editor passed over some naming errors.
As a mystery it's not too bad. It's not easy to guess the main culprit. The process is clunky, with the POV jumping around frequently.
To me it was just an average example of the type, and I rate it 3.1.
October 27, 2024
I had not come across this author before so thought I would give this book a go and was glad that I did because this is probably the most enjoyable book I have read so far this year.
This is a police procedural set in south west Scotland in 2014. A man who supposedly committed suicide, having disappeared two years earlier, is found to have been recently killed. Then an elderly woman is murdered. This is a fascinating story and I did not figure out what was going on until the author chose to reveal it. I really liked the characters of Deective Inspector Marjory Fleming and her team so I now plan to look for more of the author's books.
This is a police procedural set in south west Scotland in 2014. A man who supposedly committed suicide, having disappeared two years earlier, is found to have been recently killed. Then an elderly woman is murdered. This is a fascinating story and I did not figure out what was going on until the author chose to reveal it. I really liked the characters of Deective Inspector Marjory Fleming and her team so I now plan to look for more of the author's books.
February 7, 2019
A bit disappointing really.
At 450 pages it’s too long. There are too many minor characters involved that there isn’t time to see them developed so we really don’t care about any of them. There were as many policemen and women as baddies so you don’t get a good feel for them either.
The premise, a group return to village for Homecoming where one of them died in suspicious circumstances a few years before, was quite enticing but that’s probably the best bit of the book. There were a few peaches in the dialogue and descriptions but not enough to hold it together.
At 450 pages it’s too long. There are too many minor characters involved that there isn’t time to see them developed so we really don’t care about any of them. There were as many policemen and women as baddies so you don’t get a good feel for them either.
The premise, a group return to village for Homecoming where one of them died in suspicious circumstances a few years before, was quite enticing but that’s probably the best bit of the book. There were a few peaches in the dialogue and descriptions but not enough to hold it together.
January 8, 2020
Really liked this book but it took me quite a few pages to get to grips with all the characters (they’re are a lot) and who was who. Although my gut told me it was Randal’s mother (Philippa) I hadn’t a clue how or why or whether it wasn’t someone else. That’s what makes it VG as it keeps you doubting yourself. They’re is much less about DI Marjory Flemings family in this book, Bill, Cammie and Tess hardly get a mention. However you can see how DC (Louise) Hepburn and DI (Andy) Macdonalds relationship is going forward together.
January 9, 2021
Nearly gave up on this. The first 60 or so pages I found hard work and the book over-characterized, which meant constant referral checking who was who. But it all worked out fine in the end. I read the first in this series several years ago and have found that my County library service have a good stock of the remaining titles which I intend to work my way through.
August 23, 2024
Entertaining mystery if a little unlikely. Internal police politics didn't really ring true, a DI suppressing evidence in a show of one-upmanship? Not very likely.
Spoilt by some lax proofreading, a character called Margrave was once referred to as Musgrave and Phillipa Lindsay became Phillipa Randall at one point, Randall Lindsay being her son.
Spoilt by some lax proofreading, a character called Margrave was once referred to as Musgrave and Phillipa Lindsay became Phillipa Randall at one point, Randall Lindsay being her son.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2020
Read all 9 NONSTOP
Don't miss any of this series. Characters so real and human. Plots well thought out and well written. Templeton is a beautiful writer. Might just start again with the first one!
Don't miss any of this series. Characters so real and human. Plots well thought out and well written. Templeton is a beautiful writer. Might just start again with the first one!
September 25, 2020
Not the best book of the series. Formed around a clique of unlikable people when the deaths of several occur it is hard to care. I like this series in general but if this was my first read it might also be my last.
April 17, 2021
More than a police procedural
The author provides the reader with a clear picture of the Scottish landscape, and the members of the local police force come to life through her skill. A very enjoyable series.
The author provides the reader with a clear picture of the Scottish landscape, and the members of the local police force come to life through her skill. A very enjoyable series.
August 13, 2024
. Reasonably well written got a little thin in parts but a decent mystery. Police characters engaging. This is the fly I’ve read of hers. Ca help but think this is not one of her best and look forward to reading another.
May 11, 2018
I always enjoy these police procedurals set in Galloway and this one was no exception. Puzzling mystery and good characters.
August 2, 2018
Sigh. I really hope this is not the last we see of Big Marge and the characters of Kirkluce.
September 6, 2019
Well written and, as with the whole Marjory Fleming series, great characters, twists and turns to keep you turning the pages to the end.
November 15, 2019
Kept me reading to the end Difficult to get into initially as too many names But would look for by Aline
January 27, 2024
3.5 Would continue the series
December 30, 2018
So sad that this is the end of the series. Really enjoyed everyone of them. A great story .
March 3, 2017
A good read with many suspects to choose from.
July 3, 2015
This is the 9th in the DI Marjorie Fleming series. There is plenty of information interspersed within this novel for it to be read as a standalone. Having read the series from the beginning, there is no doubt that each book gets better than the last one.
Set in Galloway, the story opens in 2012 when tragedy strikes amongst a group calling themselves the "Cyrenaics", who have the ethic of pleasure as their principle. As a result the group dissolves with different paths being taken by each of them.
Moving on 2 years, the murder of one of them and the arranging of a homecoming event brings trouble for DI Fleming and her team.
There are a lot of characters within the novel but this isn't confusing as they all fit into the plot well.
Fleming is a natural and believable central character in that she is good at what she does without this being exaggerated and she has to put up with the problems at work and at home that most people would identify with. There are some great fractious moments between her and her grown up daughter. The relationship between Hepburn and MacDonald continues to be given life and it will be interesting to see where this goes in the next book.
The writing can be poetic at times and this enhances what's going on and are not wasted words that can slow down the pace. There are twists to complicate and to keep the reader going - in fact, even Marjorie and her team can get it wrong sometimes! The reader follows the team as they investigate - there was only one occasion when Fleming spotted something that wasn't passed on to the reader, which was a bit annoying, when trying to reach your own conclusions.
The Author gives focus on Fleming and her team thinking through the motives and actions to get results rather than the procedures that need to be followed. An engrossing well written mystery.
Set in Galloway, the story opens in 2012 when tragedy strikes amongst a group calling themselves the "Cyrenaics", who have the ethic of pleasure as their principle. As a result the group dissolves with different paths being taken by each of them.
Moving on 2 years, the murder of one of them and the arranging of a homecoming event brings trouble for DI Fleming and her team.
There are a lot of characters within the novel but this isn't confusing as they all fit into the plot well.
Fleming is a natural and believable central character in that she is good at what she does without this being exaggerated and she has to put up with the problems at work and at home that most people would identify with. There are some great fractious moments between her and her grown up daughter. The relationship between Hepburn and MacDonald continues to be given life and it will be interesting to see where this goes in the next book.
The writing can be poetic at times and this enhances what's going on and are not wasted words that can slow down the pace. There are twists to complicate and to keep the reader going - in fact, even Marjorie and her team can get it wrong sometimes! The reader follows the team as they investigate - there was only one occasion when Fleming spotted something that wasn't passed on to the reader, which was a bit annoying, when trying to reach your own conclusions.
The Author gives focus on Fleming and her team thinking through the motives and actions to get results rather than the procedures that need to be followed. An engrossing well written mystery.
September 18, 2018
It took a long time for this one to arrive at the library and be processed. And then we were second in the queue...
But it was worth the wait. Another winner from Aline Templeton.
This one involves a group of friends who call themselves the Cyrenaics (a label that was a pain in the butt to pronounce consistently when reading aloud) who drape their drinking, drug taking and free wheeling in a mantle of philosophy. Until things go wrong, one of the group dies and they disperse. A couple of years later, another member of the group who supposedly committed suicide turns up murdered.
THE THIRD SIN was book #5 on our 2016 Read-aloud List.
But it was worth the wait. Another winner from Aline Templeton.
This one involves a group of friends who call themselves the Cyrenaics (a label that was a pain in the butt to pronounce consistently when reading aloud) who drape their drinking, drug taking and free wheeling in a mantle of philosophy. Until things go wrong, one of the group dies and they disperse. A couple of years later, another member of the group who supposedly committed suicide turns up murdered.
THE THIRD SIN was book #5 on our 2016 Read-aloud List.
February 28, 2016
The Majory Fleming series continues to entertain. While this mystery was resolved, with a few twists and lots of suspects, one side story was never resolved and this conflict of characters was more interesting than the murders. Of course this is a series and this side plot does add tension to Marjory's already tense job situation and opens the door to all kinds of relationship issues with her male counterparts from other precincts that resent her being better at the job and her being a woman. (This does get kind of old).
February 21, 2016
Interesting. Premise of the story is promising, but the characters are not well developed. Too much happens, too fast. I also had a problem with the "opposing team" police; if one had valuable information, he/she would not wait to turn it over, childishly demanding to see the "boss." It just seemed as though the author is trying to put so much action into play that she loses track of the main plot line.
May 16, 2015
This is the first book to appear since I had read all of the available books. I thought it was pretty good. I would have to agree with the other reviewer that the vindictive DI from the next jurisdiction suddenly disappeared from the story early on.
March 2, 2016
I'm not enjoying this series as much as I did when reading the earlier books.
November 22, 2016
4.5. Great cast of characters. Margery at her best surrounded by a team who are afraid to come up with ideas and work extra hours.
December 13, 2016
The characters were so predictable and so uninteresting that I didn't even get past the 2nd chapter.
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