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PI Charlie Cameron #2
Old Friends and New Enemies
The body on the mortuary slab wasn’t who Glasgow PI Charlie Cameron was looking for.
But it wasn’t a stranger.
Suddenly, a routine missing persons investigation becomes a fight for survival. As Charlie is dragged deeper into Glasgow’s underbelly he goes up against notorious gangster Jimmy Rafferty and discovers what fear really is.
Rafferty is so ruthless even his own sons are terrified of him.
Now he wants Charlie to find something. And Jimmy Rafferty always gets what he wants.
There is only one problem... Charlie doesn’t know where it is.
*** Also available in this stunning new series***
The best-selling: Games People Play
But it wasn’t a stranger.
Suddenly, a routine missing persons investigation becomes a fight for survival. As Charlie is dragged deeper into Glasgow’s underbelly he goes up against notorious gangster Jimmy Rafferty and discovers what fear really is.
Rafferty is so ruthless even his own sons are terrified of him.
Now he wants Charlie to find something. And Jimmy Rafferty always gets what he wants.
There is only one problem... Charlie doesn’t know where it is.
*** Also available in this stunning new series***
The best-selling: Games People Play
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
94 people are currently reading
536 people want to read
About the author
Owen Mullen
24 books191 followersBestselling author Owen Mullen is a McIlvanney Crime Book Of The Year long-listed novelist.
Owen Mullen graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; Owen still loves to perform on occasion. His great love for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colourful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home away from home in the Greek Islands where all of his crime thrillers were created.
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Copyright
Owen Mullen graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; Owen still loves to perform on occasion. His great love for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colourful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home away from home in the Greek Islands where all of his crime thrillers were created.
New and exciting things are happening in 2021 and if you'd like to know all about them ahead of time, subscribe to my newsletter. You won't be spammed but you will be sent exclusive competitions and giveaways, and oh yeah...get all the inside gen...
Sign up here 😃 bit.ly/JOINNEWSLETTER
If you would like a set of questions for book group discussions please contact me.
linktr.ee/OwenMullen
Copyright
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
July 26, 2018
EXCERPT: They dragged him from the boot of the car, down an embankment to the shore; gagged, bound and blindfolded. His feet scraped grass and stones, a shoe came off and was left behind. At the jetty, Kevin Rafferty waited in the boat. In a long career of violent persuasion, this guy had been the hardest to break. But it wouldn't last, when the blindfold came off he'd realise the loch was to be his grave.
THE BLURB: The body on the mortuary slab wasn’t who Glasgow PI Charlie Cameron was looking for.
But it wasn’t a stranger.
Suddenly, a routine missing persons investigation becomes a fight for survival. As Charlie is dragged deeper into Glasgow’s underbelly he goes up against notorious gangster Jimmy Rafferty and discovers what fear really is.
Rafferty is so ruthless even his own sons are terrified of him.
Now he wants Charlie to find something. And Jimmy Rafferty always gets what he wants.
There is only one problem... Charlie doesn’t know where it is.
MY THOUGHTS: Old Friends and New Enemies: A tense and gripping Scottish Crime Thriller - all true, but neither tense nor gripping does this book justice.
This book follows on from Games People Play and again we meet with Charlie Cameron, who specialises in locating missing people; Jackie, the Manager of New York Blues, Charlies 'local' for want of a better word; Pat Logue, Charlie's sidekick and husband of the long-suffering Gail; and DS Andrew Geddes, sometimes friend of Charlie who has been known to push the limits on what he unofficially reveals to Charlie.
Charlie is looking for a man who went missing after his teenage son committed suicide. There is an unidentified body in the morgue who just may be the man Charlie is trying to locate. Instead he finds an old friend, Ian Selkirk, whom he hasn't seen for years. Ian has been tortured. Whoever killed him wanted something. And now they think Charlie may have it......
I have never before read an author who can pack so much meaning and imagery into so few words. His writing style could almost be called terse. it is also refreshing, dynamic and (as I have said previously) totally unputdownable.
Gripping? Yes. Thrilling? Yes. But both these words pale in the face of Owen Mullen's talent. Here is a new writer with a brilliant future.
Thank you to author Owen Mullen for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
THE BLURB: The body on the mortuary slab wasn’t who Glasgow PI Charlie Cameron was looking for.
But it wasn’t a stranger.
Suddenly, a routine missing persons investigation becomes a fight for survival. As Charlie is dragged deeper into Glasgow’s underbelly he goes up against notorious gangster Jimmy Rafferty and discovers what fear really is.
Rafferty is so ruthless even his own sons are terrified of him.
Now he wants Charlie to find something. And Jimmy Rafferty always gets what he wants.
There is only one problem... Charlie doesn’t know where it is.
MY THOUGHTS: Old Friends and New Enemies: A tense and gripping Scottish Crime Thriller - all true, but neither tense nor gripping does this book justice.
This book follows on from Games People Play and again we meet with Charlie Cameron, who specialises in locating missing people; Jackie, the Manager of New York Blues, Charlies 'local' for want of a better word; Pat Logue, Charlie's sidekick and husband of the long-suffering Gail; and DS Andrew Geddes, sometimes friend of Charlie who has been known to push the limits on what he unofficially reveals to Charlie.
Charlie is looking for a man who went missing after his teenage son committed suicide. There is an unidentified body in the morgue who just may be the man Charlie is trying to locate. Instead he finds an old friend, Ian Selkirk, whom he hasn't seen for years. Ian has been tortured. Whoever killed him wanted something. And now they think Charlie may have it......
I have never before read an author who can pack so much meaning and imagery into so few words. His writing style could almost be called terse. it is also refreshing, dynamic and (as I have said previously) totally unputdownable.
Gripping? Yes. Thrilling? Yes. But both these words pale in the face of Owen Mullen's talent. Here is a new writer with a brilliant future.
Thank you to author Owen Mullen for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 25, 2018
Old Friends and New Enemies is book 2 in the PI Charlie Cameron series.
Charlie has been approached by Cecilia McNeil to track down her husband who has disappeared after the death of their son. When an unidentified body turns up at the morgue he thinks his job is done. However the body is not that of the missing husband but an old friend of Charlie’s, Ian Selkirk. How did Ian end up in the morgue and where is Fiona? Ian and Fiona were inseparable. While Charlie takes finding out what happened to Ian as his own personal case he will put himself in grave danger, be double crossed and reunite with the love of his life.
Mullen has written another gritty, brutal and unforgiving Scottish noir crime thriller. I always enjoy Mullen’s writing style.
Plenty of old friends from book 1, Jackie from the NYB cafe, DC Andrew Geddes and Charlie’s offsider, Pat Logue, make an appearance in this book with a few new enemies, in the cut-throat Rafferty clan, making Charlie’s life hell.
In this book I found Cameron rather self indulgent and lacking motivation. I think I prefer his cases to be a little less personal.
Old Friends and New Enemies has a gritty plot with some unpredictable twists and a good dose of Glaswegian humour. Highly recommended. Well worth a read.
*I received an ecopy from the author
Charlie has been approached by Cecilia McNeil to track down her husband who has disappeared after the death of their son. When an unidentified body turns up at the morgue he thinks his job is done. However the body is not that of the missing husband but an old friend of Charlie’s, Ian Selkirk. How did Ian end up in the morgue and where is Fiona? Ian and Fiona were inseparable. While Charlie takes finding out what happened to Ian as his own personal case he will put himself in grave danger, be double crossed and reunite with the love of his life.
Mullen has written another gritty, brutal and unforgiving Scottish noir crime thriller. I always enjoy Mullen’s writing style.
Plenty of old friends from book 1, Jackie from the NYB cafe, DC Andrew Geddes and Charlie’s offsider, Pat Logue, make an appearance in this book with a few new enemies, in the cut-throat Rafferty clan, making Charlie’s life hell.
In this book I found Cameron rather self indulgent and lacking motivation. I think I prefer his cases to be a little less personal.
Old Friends and New Enemies has a gritty plot with some unpredictable twists and a good dose of Glaswegian humour. Highly recommended. Well worth a read.
*I received an ecopy from the author
August 6, 2018
While I do like the characters in this series, this book like the first, could be improved. This one has Charlie investigating a missing husband as a minor plot and two old friends coming back into his life as the major plot. I think the resolution of the old friends was not as dramatic as it could have been. More should have been made of Fiona and I would have liked more emotion from Charlie. The missing husband resolution was more straight forward, but it was resolved after the other plot line. Should that have been reversed? As the title indicates, Charlie now has new enemies. I will be reading the third book in the series soon.
June 24, 2016
Missing persons PI Charlie Cameron has his hands full when his search for an AWOL husband turns personal. In Owen Mullen’s second of the Cameron series, Old Friends and New Enemies, Charlie is called to identify a dead body. Instead of Stephen McNeil, the corpse turns out to be that of a long lost friend. Making matters worse, the man had been tortured and stabbed to death before he was dumped in the drink.
Mullen brings back familiar faces – Cameron, his pal and occasional assistant Patrick Logue, DI Andrew Geddes, NYB manager Jackie – as he flips back and forth between the saga of Charlie’s friendship with the dead man and his female sidekick, Fiona, to his present day life. Cameron struggles to give his full attention to Mrs. McNeil’s problem as he becomes completely enmeshed in trying to solve the murder of his former friend. Enter the Rafferty thugs, the ever-suspicious DI Platt, and a romantic entanglement, and Charlie is up to his eyeballs in bad energy. Even Jackie’s Toad God doesn’t seem to change his fortunes.
This all sounds like a rip-roaring, action-packed thriller, but I found it to be rather sluggish and even wearisome at times. The final 10% did turn out to meet my expectations, and it made me wish that this had been the norm. I did like the turn of events at the end.
I also liked the added depth that Mullen gave to Pat. He loves his drink – “First one today,” he was always saying. But the man is quite likable and proves himself to be a loyal and trustworthy friend, despite his many other faults. Charlie seems to lack the drive and intensity that I would figure a private detective requires; Pat seems to be coming up with most of the plans. In Charlie’s defense, however, he is love-struck and quite distracted through much of this saga. For the most part, I found this to be a slow go, and I did not enjoy it quite as much as Games People Play.
3 stars
Mullen brings back familiar faces – Cameron, his pal and occasional assistant Patrick Logue, DI Andrew Geddes, NYB manager Jackie – as he flips back and forth between the saga of Charlie’s friendship with the dead man and his female sidekick, Fiona, to his present day life. Cameron struggles to give his full attention to Mrs. McNeil’s problem as he becomes completely enmeshed in trying to solve the murder of his former friend. Enter the Rafferty thugs, the ever-suspicious DI Platt, and a romantic entanglement, and Charlie is up to his eyeballs in bad energy. Even Jackie’s Toad God doesn’t seem to change his fortunes.
This all sounds like a rip-roaring, action-packed thriller, but I found it to be rather sluggish and even wearisome at times. The final 10% did turn out to meet my expectations, and it made me wish that this had been the norm. I did like the turn of events at the end.
I also liked the added depth that Mullen gave to Pat. He loves his drink – “First one today,” he was always saying. But the man is quite likable and proves himself to be a loyal and trustworthy friend, despite his many other faults. Charlie seems to lack the drive and intensity that I would figure a private detective requires; Pat seems to be coming up with most of the plans. In Charlie’s defense, however, he is love-struck and quite distracted through much of this saga. For the most part, I found this to be a slow go, and I did not enjoy it quite as much as Games People Play.
3 stars
September 18, 2016
Having read Mullen's first book, Games People Play a few months ago I had high hopes for his second book and I wasn't disappointed.
Some of the characters from the first book are re-introduced along with some new faces. Charlie has two cases on the go, the search for a missing husband and discovering what an old friend was killed for before he suffers the same fate. The two cases make for an exciting and suspenseful read.
We learn a lot more about Charlie and his collection of friends along the way and Charlie's mother's comment, that he is more like his father than he thinks has a ring of truth. Charlie is a flawed character and makes mistakes but his strengths make him so likeable I felt angry and protective towards him when he is betrayed by people he trusted.
A great read. I highly recommend it to thriller fans and will be grabbing the third book as soon as it is released.
Some of the characters from the first book are re-introduced along with some new faces. Charlie has two cases on the go, the search for a missing husband and discovering what an old friend was killed for before he suffers the same fate. The two cases make for an exciting and suspenseful read.
We learn a lot more about Charlie and his collection of friends along the way and Charlie's mother's comment, that he is more like his father than he thinks has a ring of truth. Charlie is a flawed character and makes mistakes but his strengths make him so likeable I felt angry and protective towards him when he is betrayed by people he trusted.
A great read. I highly recommend it to thriller fans and will be grabbing the third book as soon as it is released.
May 19, 2021
PI Charlie Cameron #2
Private Investigator Charlie Cameron is looking for a man who disappeared after his sons suicide. When an unidentified body turns up at the morgue, Cameron is sure it's another case closed. But it's not the man he's been looking for. And it isn't a stranger. Suddenly, a routine investigation becomes a desperate fight for survival.
I have not read the first book in this series but i will need to resolve that soon. Charlie is trying to find
Stephen McNeil. When a body turns up at the mortuary, it's not the man Charlie is looking for but he does know the bodies identity. Charlie contacts his old friend in Spain to let them know and instantly puts himself in a situation between drug dealers and a hitman.
The story takes place between Glasgow and Spain, The characters are well developed and believable.
The pace is fast from the start and the tension builds throughout. Charlie now has two cases to solve and a ruthless gangster family to avoid. This book can be read as a standalone.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #OwenMullen for my ARC of #TheWronged in exchange for an honest review.
Private Investigator Charlie Cameron is looking for a man who disappeared after his sons suicide. When an unidentified body turns up at the morgue, Cameron is sure it's another case closed. But it's not the man he's been looking for. And it isn't a stranger. Suddenly, a routine investigation becomes a desperate fight for survival.
I have not read the first book in this series but i will need to resolve that soon. Charlie is trying to find
Stephen McNeil. When a body turns up at the mortuary, it's not the man Charlie is looking for but he does know the bodies identity. Charlie contacts his old friend in Spain to let them know and instantly puts himself in a situation between drug dealers and a hitman.
The story takes place between Glasgow and Spain, The characters are well developed and believable.
The pace is fast from the start and the tension builds throughout. Charlie now has two cases to solve and a ruthless gangster family to avoid. This book can be read as a standalone.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #OwenMullen for my ARC of #TheWronged in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2017
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
This is the second book in Mullen’s series featuring Charlie Cameron and I read the first one and really liked it, you can find my review here. Though you can read this as a standalone, I would encourage you to pick up the first book in the series as I really enjoyed the introduction to the characters and you’ll be missing out on some important background information.
Charlie has two cases going on at once, he’s hired in his role of a PI to search for Cecelia McNeil’s husband who went missing after their son committed suicide, then he goes to see if an un identified body is who he’s looking for and is shocked to discover it’s an old friend of his. Charlie has no idea how much danger this chance encounter will put him in and he struggles both personally and professionally as a result.
This book had a darkly emotional feeling to it even more so than the first book as the case leads Charlie to have run ins with a local gangster family. He had such a personal connection to the case that it provided some really interesting insight into who he is now and who he was in the past. As his characterization delved deeper, so did that of the other players in the book. Pat is back as Charlie’s sidekick and he’s as charming and lovable as ever. Jackie who runs NYB, the bar where they all hang out and work is dating someone new (again) and Andrew the police officer who is also a friend of Charlie’s makes several appearances.
The setting of Glasgow shined through beautifully once again and the dark humor that I loved in book one was back with a vengeance. I’m always really pleased when a series gets better with each book and it definitely happened here. The tension was more palpable, the storyline was grittier, and the stakes were higher as Charlie faced some serious betrayals. I’m really enjoying Mullen’s books and am very much looking forward to the third book to be released.
This is the second book in Mullen’s series featuring Charlie Cameron and I read the first one and really liked it, you can find my review here. Though you can read this as a standalone, I would encourage you to pick up the first book in the series as I really enjoyed the introduction to the characters and you’ll be missing out on some important background information.
Charlie has two cases going on at once, he’s hired in his role of a PI to search for Cecelia McNeil’s husband who went missing after their son committed suicide, then he goes to see if an un identified body is who he’s looking for and is shocked to discover it’s an old friend of his. Charlie has no idea how much danger this chance encounter will put him in and he struggles both personally and professionally as a result.
This book had a darkly emotional feeling to it even more so than the first book as the case leads Charlie to have run ins with a local gangster family. He had such a personal connection to the case that it provided some really interesting insight into who he is now and who he was in the past. As his characterization delved deeper, so did that of the other players in the book. Pat is back as Charlie’s sidekick and he’s as charming and lovable as ever. Jackie who runs NYB, the bar where they all hang out and work is dating someone new (again) and Andrew the police officer who is also a friend of Charlie’s makes several appearances.
The setting of Glasgow shined through beautifully once again and the dark humor that I loved in book one was back with a vengeance. I’m always really pleased when a series gets better with each book and it definitely happened here. The tension was more palpable, the storyline was grittier, and the stakes were higher as Charlie faced some serious betrayals. I’m really enjoying Mullen’s books and am very much looking forward to the third book to be released.
February 25, 2017
Old Friends and New Enemies is the second book featuring PI Charlie Cameron.
Set in Scotland, I loved the different places that are mentioned. Having lived there myself and still having family up there, I could easily visualise a lot of the areas mentioned having been to some of them myself. It did make me feel ever so slightly homesick.
I have to admit I really felt for Charlie in this book. He catches up with some old friends which to a certain extent has him hopeful about his future, only to have things take a severe turn as he ends up being placed in a very dangerous position.
There are two threads running alongside each other in the novel. One to do with Charlies old friends as well as a case he is working on for his own business. Both stories left me feeling quite melancholy. The whole novel felt deeper and darker, I think this is because both threads affects Charlie quite deeply which in turn affected me.
Old Friends and New Enemies is without a doubt an enthralling crime thriller. Through Charlies emotions the author draws you in so that everything he is feeling is passed on to the reader. It’s one that after finishing I had to sit back and reflect on what I had just read and made me want to take my hat off to the author for the emotions that he had raised within myself. This is certainly a series that seems to be going from strength to strength.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Set in Scotland, I loved the different places that are mentioned. Having lived there myself and still having family up there, I could easily visualise a lot of the areas mentioned having been to some of them myself. It did make me feel ever so slightly homesick.
I have to admit I really felt for Charlie in this book. He catches up with some old friends which to a certain extent has him hopeful about his future, only to have things take a severe turn as he ends up being placed in a very dangerous position.
There are two threads running alongside each other in the novel. One to do with Charlies old friends as well as a case he is working on for his own business. Both stories left me feeling quite melancholy. The whole novel felt deeper and darker, I think this is because both threads affects Charlie quite deeply which in turn affected me.
Old Friends and New Enemies is without a doubt an enthralling crime thriller. Through Charlies emotions the author draws you in so that everything he is feeling is passed on to the reader. It’s one that after finishing I had to sit back and reflect on what I had just read and made me want to take my hat off to the author for the emotions that he had raised within myself. This is certainly a series that seems to be going from strength to strength.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
August 5, 2016
This is the second book to feature PI Charlie Cameron, I loved the first book so had high hopes for this one.. it delivered..bucket loads
Some of my favourite characters are back. Namely Andrew Geddes and Pat Logue, these two from opposite ends of the spectrum can keep me amused for hours
So you want to know a little about the plot. Well once again Charlie is stretched to the limit with not only personal issues but also work and it’s these competing storylines that make these books so interesting. Love, Friendship, Family and Business all compete for Charlie’s attention in this one
This is a really personal case for Charlie. While out on a job he gets pulled into the world of Ian Selkirk a onetime friend of his. Ian got himself into a spot of bother and with Charlie looking into things some people suspect he might know more than he does..
I don’t want to go into too much of the plot.. it would seriously ruin the enjoyment for you but let’s just say there’s more than one blast from the past for our favourite PI and this time Andrew Geddes isn’t the only police officer involved.. Will this new detective want to help Charlie? Read it and find out :)
There’s an underlying case playing out also involving Cecelia McNeil and her missing husband. With so much on his plate this case doesn’t get his full attention but our Charlie always gets the job done and how this one ends shocked me to say the least.. loved it.
I think the thing I enjoy the most about these books is that it’s dark crime.. just because Charlie is the good guy in this doesn’t mean he’s going to have everything his way and with this story in particular right up until near the end you really didn’t know how he would make it out of the situation he got himself into
For me the best part of the book has to be Pat Logue.. that loveable rogue develops so much for me.. his whole character.. I just love him.
Charlie himself developed during this one also. We learn more about his family and it added a bit of depth to him that I felt was needed
I really enjoy this book. Gripping, intriguing, dark and one hell of a ride.
My thanks go to the author for the chance to read/review their work
Some of my favourite characters are back. Namely Andrew Geddes and Pat Logue, these two from opposite ends of the spectrum can keep me amused for hours
So you want to know a little about the plot. Well once again Charlie is stretched to the limit with not only personal issues but also work and it’s these competing storylines that make these books so interesting. Love, Friendship, Family and Business all compete for Charlie’s attention in this one
This is a really personal case for Charlie. While out on a job he gets pulled into the world of Ian Selkirk a onetime friend of his. Ian got himself into a spot of bother and with Charlie looking into things some people suspect he might know more than he does..
I don’t want to go into too much of the plot.. it would seriously ruin the enjoyment for you but let’s just say there’s more than one blast from the past for our favourite PI and this time Andrew Geddes isn’t the only police officer involved.. Will this new detective want to help Charlie? Read it and find out :)
There’s an underlying case playing out also involving Cecelia McNeil and her missing husband. With so much on his plate this case doesn’t get his full attention but our Charlie always gets the job done and how this one ends shocked me to say the least.. loved it.
I think the thing I enjoy the most about these books is that it’s dark crime.. just because Charlie is the good guy in this doesn’t mean he’s going to have everything his way and with this story in particular right up until near the end you really didn’t know how he would make it out of the situation he got himself into
For me the best part of the book has to be Pat Logue.. that loveable rogue develops so much for me.. his whole character.. I just love him.
Charlie himself developed during this one also. We learn more about his family and it added a bit of depth to him that I felt was needed
I really enjoy this book. Gripping, intriguing, dark and one hell of a ride.
My thanks go to the author for the chance to read/review their work
Read
July 1, 2021The Wronged...Originally this was book one in the series but it was decided that Games People Play should take that spot...a bit of rewriting and that was that. Here more of Charlie's past is revealed and it might bring about his downfall when he finds himself in the radar of Glasgow's most notorious gangsters, the Raffertys. This crime family are not people you want breathing down your neck... not now... not ever!
July 12, 2021
Cecelia McNeil's husband Stephen has vanished and she hires Private Detective Charlie Cameron to find him. He went missing two weeks ago, just before her son's funeral. Her son, Christopher's death was recorded as suicide and Cecelia believes Stephen blames himself for Christopher taking his own life and has run off, unable to bear the guilt. Private detective Cameron comes from a wealthy family but he and his father have been estranged for years. When Charlie is asked to identify a body he thinks the case is all sewn up but finds that the man is Ian Selkirk one of Cameron's close friends...
The Wronged is a taut mystery thriller with multiple plot lines that interweave throughout the story. Character development is a big focus throughout the novel but not to the detriment of the compelling plotlines. Set in Glasgow, private investigator Charlie specialises in finding missing persons, his interest shaped by his own experiences; his sister has been missing for thirty years. A bit of a loner, thirty-odd-year-old Charlie's office base is a room above a venue called New York Blue where he meets his close friends and acquaintances including DCI Andrew Geddes from Police Scotland, Patrick Logue, who sometimes assists Charlie.
Owen Mullen cleverly combines each of the story strands really well making this a fascinating read as well as showcasing the characters. In addition to a few neat twists, there is a pronounced overall noir feel to the narrative and all of the threads are tied off by the rather chilling ending. I'm now planning to read the third book in the series, Whistleblower.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Boldwood Books via NetGalley, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
The Wronged is a taut mystery thriller with multiple plot lines that interweave throughout the story. Character development is a big focus throughout the novel but not to the detriment of the compelling plotlines. Set in Glasgow, private investigator Charlie specialises in finding missing persons, his interest shaped by his own experiences; his sister has been missing for thirty years. A bit of a loner, thirty-odd-year-old Charlie's office base is a room above a venue called New York Blue where he meets his close friends and acquaintances including DCI Andrew Geddes from Police Scotland, Patrick Logue, who sometimes assists Charlie.
Owen Mullen cleverly combines each of the story strands really well making this a fascinating read as well as showcasing the characters. In addition to a few neat twists, there is a pronounced overall noir feel to the narrative and all of the threads are tied off by the rather chilling ending. I'm now planning to read the third book in the series, Whistleblower.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Boldwood Books via NetGalley, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
March 25, 2017
The blurb and cover both grabbed my attention and although I haven't read the first in this series, I downloaded this and enjoyed it. I felt it worked well as a stand alone, but that I was missing some information about Charlie - which I intend on rectifying by going back and reading the first book!
I liked the characters of both Charlie and Pat. They both bring their own set of skills to the cases and Pat tries to help Charlie when personal issues cause problems with work. The mix of thrills, tension, suspense and a touch of humour worked really well, as did the interactions and relationships between the characters.
A well written second in this series. I'm off to get a copy of the first!
I liked the characters of both Charlie and Pat. They both bring their own set of skills to the cases and Pat tries to help Charlie when personal issues cause problems with work. The mix of thrills, tension, suspense and a touch of humour worked really well, as did the interactions and relationships between the characters.
A well written second in this series. I'm off to get a copy of the first!
March 7, 2016
Charlie finds an old friend- on a mortuary slab and so begins a trail to find out what happened to his university pal. An intriguing tale of Glasgow grit, Scottish scenery and the banter of friends old and new. An old flame steps back into the light then disappears as drug barons maybe on her tail through an innocent relationship- or is it?
Owen’s characters always have depth and do what we would expect. That may sound daft, but there are no “fairy tale convenient get outs” whether he is talking about imminent divorce or a bust up. Charlie is a solid 3d character who has lived a little and lost a lot. His friend Patrick is the sidekick- a bad influence at times where alcohol is involved but his heart is always in the right place.
From the shores of Loch Lomond to the dirty backwaters of Glasgow this will have you page turning as there is more than one thread. With Owen’s skill, every character comes to life and weaves into the plots keeping you there with them.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review
Owen’s characters always have depth and do what we would expect. That may sound daft, but there are no “fairy tale convenient get outs” whether he is talking about imminent divorce or a bust up. Charlie is a solid 3d character who has lived a little and lost a lot. His friend Patrick is the sidekick- a bad influence at times where alcohol is involved but his heart is always in the right place.
From the shores of Loch Lomond to the dirty backwaters of Glasgow this will have you page turning as there is more than one thread. With Owen’s skill, every character comes to life and weaves into the plots keeping you there with them.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review
March 24, 2016
This is the follow-up to Games People Play, Owen Mullen's first novel about investigator Charlie Cameron operating in Glasgow. It builds nicely on all that was good in the first book both in terms of character and writing style. The twin stories of a search for a missing husband and the more personal story involving friends of Charlie's play well together and both are interesting and intriguing. The background of both Charlie and his group of friends and accomplices is well-developed and I am very much looking forward to Book Three!
March 7, 2016
Old Friends and New Enemies is a fantastic book which I thoroughly enjoyed reading! Once again the adventures of Charlie Cameron and his cronies kept me gripped from the outset, with the detailed descriptions of Glasgow and the surrounding areas making me feel like I was part of the story. Another fantastic read by an excellent Scottish writer - I can't wait to see what Owen Mullen has in store for Charlie Cameron next!
July 28, 2016
Having read and enjoyed Games People Play by Owen Mullen, I was keen to read Book two in the series. There seems to have been a few books recently that have featured a PI as the central character, there to solve a mystery as an aside to a police investigation, but the charismatic Charlie Cameron is one of the better ones that I've come across.
I wasn't as emotionally involved in the plot of this second book as I was the first but it was an interesting twist to have Charlie searching for a missing husband and viewing a body that was possibly his at the morgue but instead the deceased turns out to be an old friend! Surely just a coincidence but Owen is then drawn into an underground world of gangsters who believe that Charlie is the key to finding a very large amount of cash. I loved the softer side of Charlie that came out once his old friend Fiona appeared on the scene. He doesn't give much away usually but I felt Fiona brought him out of himself a little more and that emotion fed through to his investigations. The usual sidekicks were back, Jackie at NYB and Pat which let us explore their back stories a little more. Although my favourite has to be the Big Issue seller who I hope has chance of a bigger role in future books.
Having lived in and around Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dunbartonshire for many years, I think a lot of my enjoyment came from recognising the local landmarks and I loved the authenticity of Charlie's surroundings. The start and the ending really held my attention but there was a time in the middle that I kind of lost my way a bit. Thankfully, once back on track the finale raced along to the end with an unexpectedly chilling last few pages. Although set in recent years, many times I felt as if I were reading a vintage PI story set in the 1940s especially in the way it was told in those short sharp sentences and dialogue. But this just added to this rather atmospheric and dark thriller.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a review copy and this is my unbiased review in return.
I wasn't as emotionally involved in the plot of this second book as I was the first but it was an interesting twist to have Charlie searching for a missing husband and viewing a body that was possibly his at the morgue but instead the deceased turns out to be an old friend! Surely just a coincidence but Owen is then drawn into an underground world of gangsters who believe that Charlie is the key to finding a very large amount of cash. I loved the softer side of Charlie that came out once his old friend Fiona appeared on the scene. He doesn't give much away usually but I felt Fiona brought him out of himself a little more and that emotion fed through to his investigations. The usual sidekicks were back, Jackie at NYB and Pat which let us explore their back stories a little more. Although my favourite has to be the Big Issue seller who I hope has chance of a bigger role in future books.
Having lived in and around Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dunbartonshire for many years, I think a lot of my enjoyment came from recognising the local landmarks and I loved the authenticity of Charlie's surroundings. The start and the ending really held my attention but there was a time in the middle that I kind of lost my way a bit. Thankfully, once back on track the finale raced along to the end with an unexpectedly chilling last few pages. Although set in recent years, many times I felt as if I were reading a vintage PI story set in the 1940s especially in the way it was told in those short sharp sentences and dialogue. But this just added to this rather atmospheric and dark thriller.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a review copy and this is my unbiased review in return.
June 27, 2016
Old Friends and New Enemies – gripping, gritty and dark Scottish crime novel that takes the reader from the scenic shores of Loch Lomond to the dark underbelly of Glasgow streets as Charlie comes up against one of the city’s most ruthless gangsters.
I loved Charlie Cameron, as a character he has his flaws but these just serve to make him “real”, he is determined to get to the bottom of things even though it puts his own life in danger. Catching up with an old flame brings grief for Charlie and adds even more grit and drama to the story line.
I hadn’t read the first in the series so did miss out on some of the nuances in the relationships with other characters and the back stories but this did not detract from my enjoyment or reading of the book. I love a book where I feel that I am “in the streets” with the characters and this book gave me that – I honestly felt that I was in NYB with Charlie at times and I have a picture in my head of what it looks like! This is a must in a book for me and Owen achieved it for me!
The book flows well and there is plenty of action and twists to keep the reader enthralled, highly recommended for fans of crime procedurals, thrillers and my favourite genre, Tartan Noir – 4 stars from me!
I loved Charlie Cameron, as a character he has his flaws but these just serve to make him “real”, he is determined to get to the bottom of things even though it puts his own life in danger. Catching up with an old flame brings grief for Charlie and adds even more grit and drama to the story line.
I hadn’t read the first in the series so did miss out on some of the nuances in the relationships with other characters and the back stories but this did not detract from my enjoyment or reading of the book. I love a book where I feel that I am “in the streets” with the characters and this book gave me that – I honestly felt that I was in NYB with Charlie at times and I have a picture in my head of what it looks like! This is a must in a book for me and Owen achieved it for me!
The book flows well and there is plenty of action and twists to keep the reader enthralled, highly recommended for fans of crime procedurals, thrillers and my favourite genre, Tartan Noir – 4 stars from me!
March 7, 2016
What a sequel! I really enjoyed Games People Play but Old Friends blew me away. As Charlie enters the shadowy domain of Glasgow's underworld gangsters, he finds himself embroiled in some very dodgy dealings indeed. The Raffertys are a nasty wee crew. As usual Charlie has more than one missing person on his caseload and as he searches, you will enjoy a tour of Scotland's scenic gems. We see even more of who Charlie really is as he rediscovers an old flame. The action is much grittier this time, in keeping with the storyline - don't be surprised if you gasp out loud on a couple of occasions - and the plot will have you hooked till the final page. Not to mention the goings-on in the lives of Pat, Jackie and Andrew. I couldn't put it down and look forward to seeing where Charlie takes us next. For maximum enjoyment, read the two books in order of sequence. You won't be disappointed.
March 13, 2016
Another good read. This is a crime thriller telling the story of an episode in the life of P.I. Charlie Cameron. It could be read on it's own or as a follow up to "Games People Play". The main Characters are so well drawn that I could imagine walking into NYB in Glasgow and seeing Charlie with Patrick, Gail, Andrew & Jackie. The descriptions of Loch Lomond and the Isle of Skye are so vivid I feel like I am there again. The twists in the story are not as surprising as in Owen Mullen's first book or perhaps I am more familiar now with his way of thinking, but none the less kept me interested to the very end.
May 16, 2016
This is the second book in the series and I have read them both. Thoroughly enjoyed this one as much as the first, if not more and really liked the main character. Good to have a detective series with a PI instead of police officer. Great book which I devoured in 2 days. Totally recommend. Thanks to TBC on Facebook for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
May 27, 2016
After reading the first in the series I was keen to read this . Another great book , maybe better than the first . An easy , gripping read with fab characters . Well done Owen . Hope there's more to come . Thank you to tbc on Facebook and to Owen for my arc
March 7, 2024
** OVERALL SERIES REVIEW **
I have finally finished the whole series. For one, I actually thoroughly enjoyed all 4 books, though for me, they all resulted in a 4 star read. And I have my reasons.
Due to time constraints, I have writing this reviews as a collective for all four books in the series, and will be placed in each book.
I do first want to praise this author for setting his series in Scotland and making it readable for people all around the world. In the past, I’ve DNF’d many books set in Scotland due to the Scottish monologue/language that was used, and were all terrible to understand. I remember with the first book in this series, when I realised it was based on Scotland and the characters were Scottish, I was worried and concerned that I may have picked the wrong book to read, especially as the series appeared to be pretty good. Thankfully, I found to really enjoy the book and the lack of constant Scottish dialogue/monologue/language/etc, etc, was refreshing and, quite frankly, an absolute relief. It was easily read and easy to follow, even with all the weird town names that were in the series (my trusty friend google helped me with pronunciation of the town names - I couldn’t possibly read on without being able to properly pronounce them in my head. Call me weird, but I’m not bothered) were easy to picture in my head.
The main reason for the lack of a fifth star, and is especially relevant and related more in this fourth book, is the switching between two fantastic storylines - one being that of the PI Charlie Cameron and the other a Scottish gangster called Sean Rafferty. What I refer to here that I believe to be the biggest let down is that both stories did not connect at the end and was left for us readers, I can imagine, quite confused and baffled. My first thought was; ‘what is the point?’, ‘Why are we reading two different storylines that do not connect at the end, or anywhere for that matter, and leave myself feeling I’m either missing something or I just wasted a fair chunk of my time?’ I would have loved a connection, a strong twisty one, than to be left with questions and a sigh of frustration that I’ve wasted valuable time.
Both the storylines were intriguing and great to read though and I won’t take away the fact that this fourth instalment in the PI Charlie Cameron series was amazing but it was a confusing ending and my biggest, fattest, probably most obvious question - that many readers of this series may have - is that: ‘will there be another PI Charlie Cameron book? Will a fifth instalment be on the way? This book was published in 2021 and I would have assumed that if a new book for the series were to be added, it would have been added by now. I’d love to be proven wrong though and I would absolutely welcome another one.
As a whole this series was a great evening/night time read, especially for myself who suffers with quite severe insomnia, and a series I would recommend - though heed to the warnings I have already provided above about this final book in the series.
The first book for slow going and took me time to really get stuck in but it ended up being great though simply written with many errors and unrealistic scenes.
Likewise, books 2 and 3 were slow burners as well but once I was stuck in, I was hooked. To an extent. I say this because I’m a little disappointed with the writing style of this series compared to that of the first book I read from this author - “The Three Sisters” - which was AMAZING, and a book that is easily in my top 10 best reads of 2023/2024.
I don’t want to drone on about this series. So, if you love a good detective - or in this case a private investigator - mystery novels, that are not too grim or graphic, more a light hearted read for the genre, then definitely grab all 4 and have yourself a reading-a-thon that may last just a week or two tops.
Overall, it was a great series and I’m so glad I took a chance. I was just let down considering how amazingly well written ‘The Three Sisters’ was. Great author, intriguing characters, bewildering storylines and cool plot twists, I’ll be keeping an eye out for future books from this author as I love his imagination for unique storylines and even more unique characters.
I have finally finished the whole series. For one, I actually thoroughly enjoyed all 4 books, though for me, they all resulted in a 4 star read. And I have my reasons.
Due to time constraints, I have writing this reviews as a collective for all four books in the series, and will be placed in each book.
I do first want to praise this author for setting his series in Scotland and making it readable for people all around the world. In the past, I’ve DNF’d many books set in Scotland due to the Scottish monologue/language that was used, and were all terrible to understand. I remember with the first book in this series, when I realised it was based on Scotland and the characters were Scottish, I was worried and concerned that I may have picked the wrong book to read, especially as the series appeared to be pretty good. Thankfully, I found to really enjoy the book and the lack of constant Scottish dialogue/monologue/language/etc, etc, was refreshing and, quite frankly, an absolute relief. It was easily read and easy to follow, even with all the weird town names that were in the series (my trusty friend google helped me with pronunciation of the town names - I couldn’t possibly read on without being able to properly pronounce them in my head. Call me weird, but I’m not bothered) were easy to picture in my head.
The main reason for the lack of a fifth star, and is especially relevant and related more in this fourth book, is the switching between two fantastic storylines - one being that of the PI Charlie Cameron and the other a Scottish gangster called Sean Rafferty. What I refer to here that I believe to be the biggest let down is that both stories did not connect at the end and was left for us readers, I can imagine, quite confused and baffled. My first thought was; ‘what is the point?’, ‘Why are we reading two different storylines that do not connect at the end, or anywhere for that matter, and leave myself feeling I’m either missing something or I just wasted a fair chunk of my time?’ I would have loved a connection, a strong twisty one, than to be left with questions and a sigh of frustration that I’ve wasted valuable time.
Both the storylines were intriguing and great to read though and I won’t take away the fact that this fourth instalment in the PI Charlie Cameron series was amazing but it was a confusing ending and my biggest, fattest, probably most obvious question - that many readers of this series may have - is that: ‘will there be another PI Charlie Cameron book? Will a fifth instalment be on the way? This book was published in 2021 and I would have assumed that if a new book for the series were to be added, it would have been added by now. I’d love to be proven wrong though and I would absolutely welcome another one.
As a whole this series was a great evening/night time read, especially for myself who suffers with quite severe insomnia, and a series I would recommend - though heed to the warnings I have already provided above about this final book in the series.
The first book for slow going and took me time to really get stuck in but it ended up being great though simply written with many errors and unrealistic scenes.
Likewise, books 2 and 3 were slow burners as well but once I was stuck in, I was hooked. To an extent. I say this because I’m a little disappointed with the writing style of this series compared to that of the first book I read from this author - “The Three Sisters” - which was AMAZING, and a book that is easily in my top 10 best reads of 2023/2024.
I don’t want to drone on about this series. So, if you love a good detective - or in this case a private investigator - mystery novels, that are not too grim or graphic, more a light hearted read for the genre, then definitely grab all 4 and have yourself a reading-a-thon that may last just a week or two tops.
Overall, it was a great series and I’m so glad I took a chance. I was just let down considering how amazingly well written ‘The Three Sisters’ was. Great author, intriguing characters, bewildering storylines and cool plot twists, I’ll be keeping an eye out for future books from this author as I love his imagination for unique storylines and even more unique characters.
February 20, 2017
A dead body, missing money and Glasgow gangsters result in what could be Private Investigator Charlie Cameron’s most difficult case yet…not least because the dead body is that of an old friend and it has become personal!
Old Friends and New Enemies is the second book in the Charlie Cameron series. Initially I felt I had missed out as I have not read the first book The Games People Play and it took me a while to get into the characters and the setting as I didn’t have the benefit of the backstory that had gone before in the previous book. However, as the book progressed I settled in, got to know the characters better, and it worked well as a standalone novel.
Charlie Cameron is a great character who I really warmed to. He has the right combination of being straight-forward with hidden depth which makes you want to get to know more about him. Mullen has created a great cast around Charlie in his friends which results in the reader feeling fully involved in their lives. I really liked the dynamics portrayed in the Rafferty family and Mullen has made the ‘bad guys’ gritty and two-dimensional with insights into their family and personalities. This always adds extra to the story as I always love to know more about the villains and their motivations.
Fast-paced with ‘Oh my God’ moments, Mullen writes well keeping up the momentum until the very end. With two investigations running concurrently, Mullen effectively keeps the reader’s interest with both until they reach their conclusions. There are also moments in the book in which Mullen writes about Charlie’s thoughts and feelings with a depth and sensitivity I wasn’t expecting.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, Old Friends and New Enemies is a great book with a protagonist I look forward to seeing more of. The Charlie Cameron series is set to become a firm favourite and I will definitely be reading The Games People Play, the first book in the series.
A huge thanks to Owen Mullen for my copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Old Friends and New Enemies is the second book in the Charlie Cameron series. Initially I felt I had missed out as I have not read the first book The Games People Play and it took me a while to get into the characters and the setting as I didn’t have the benefit of the backstory that had gone before in the previous book. However, as the book progressed I settled in, got to know the characters better, and it worked well as a standalone novel.
Charlie Cameron is a great character who I really warmed to. He has the right combination of being straight-forward with hidden depth which makes you want to get to know more about him. Mullen has created a great cast around Charlie in his friends which results in the reader feeling fully involved in their lives. I really liked the dynamics portrayed in the Rafferty family and Mullen has made the ‘bad guys’ gritty and two-dimensional with insights into their family and personalities. This always adds extra to the story as I always love to know more about the villains and their motivations.
Fast-paced with ‘Oh my God’ moments, Mullen writes well keeping up the momentum until the very end. With two investigations running concurrently, Mullen effectively keeps the reader’s interest with both until they reach their conclusions. There are also moments in the book in which Mullen writes about Charlie’s thoughts and feelings with a depth and sensitivity I wasn’t expecting.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, Old Friends and New Enemies is a great book with a protagonist I look forward to seeing more of. The Charlie Cameron series is set to become a firm favourite and I will definitely be reading The Games People Play, the first book in the series.
A huge thanks to Owen Mullen for my copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
May 8, 2018
Set in the vibrant city of Glasgow, this crime thriller is fast-paced & superbly written. I can't wait to read more of Mullen's work, his characters are so real that you start to champion their causes. A brilliant book, gritty, intriguing & amazingly addictive.
December 4, 2021
Long, unnecessarily so. Unlisted LGBA content. Narrator was clear.
March 23, 2017
3.5 stars
July 23, 2018
Charlie Cameron is your every guy's private eye. The title of the book is very apt.
Glasgow makes a good setting for this series.
Glasgow makes a good setting for this series.
May 19, 2016
In this sequel to Games People Play PI Charlie Cameron is working on another missing person's enquiry. After a tip off from the mortuary, it is not the missing man lying there, but an old friend from his university days. In shock, he manages to contact a mutual friend, Fiona, who was at university with them and who set up in business with Ian in Spain.
Rekindling his feelings for Fiona and finding them reciprocated throws them together whilst organising Ian's funeral and starting to retrace his steps. They discover that he was tortured, stabbed and dumped in a loch whilst running from the renowned Rafferty family. Forensics find a high level of heroin in his system, and it becomes obvious that he was involved in something very dangerous, as Charlie learns that 5 million pounds is missing. He send Fiona back to Spain to sort out her affairs and to keep her safe.
Along with his policeman friend, and others he knows through the NYB club, Charlie sets out to find out what happened to Ian. The Rafferty's soon realise who Charlie is and are after him for the money. The only problem is that Charlie doesn't know where it is... and finds himself mixed up in murder, lies and betrayal.
Meanwhile he tries to move on with finding the missing man who's wife is becoming very anxious about him. He resolves this but the outcome is not what he expects.
I enjoyed this novel with it's fast paced plot. My thanks to Booklady for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
Rekindling his feelings for Fiona and finding them reciprocated throws them together whilst organising Ian's funeral and starting to retrace his steps. They discover that he was tortured, stabbed and dumped in a loch whilst running from the renowned Rafferty family. Forensics find a high level of heroin in his system, and it becomes obvious that he was involved in something very dangerous, as Charlie learns that 5 million pounds is missing. He send Fiona back to Spain to sort out her affairs and to keep her safe.
Along with his policeman friend, and others he knows through the NYB club, Charlie sets out to find out what happened to Ian. The Rafferty's soon realise who Charlie is and are after him for the money. The only problem is that Charlie doesn't know where it is... and finds himself mixed up in murder, lies and betrayal.
Meanwhile he tries to move on with finding the missing man who's wife is becoming very anxious about him. He resolves this but the outcome is not what he expects.
I enjoyed this novel with it's fast paced plot. My thanks to Booklady for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
May 4, 2016
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OLD FRIENDS AND NEW ENEMIES - HOW DO YOU TELL THEM APART?
This is the second book in the Charlie Cameron series and its just as good, if not slightly better than the first, Games People Play (that's saying a lot as I really enjoyed the first one - my review for this is further down - its very highly recommended).
"The body on the mortuary slab wasn't who Glasgow PI Charlie Cameron was looking for. But it wasn't a stranger. Ian Selkirk had been stabbed through the heart and dumped in the loch. Suddenly, a routine missing persons investigation becomes a fight for survival as Charlie goes up against a notorious Glasgow gangster. Jimmy Rafferty is ruthless. Even his own family are terrified of him. He wants to use Charlie to get something for him. And Jimmy Rafferty always gets what he wants. Only one problem. Charlie doesn't know where it is..."
Old Friends and New Enemies is billed as being a sense and gripping Scottish Crime and boy does it live up to this and then some - its a fantastic read, excellent characters, fast paced and thorough plot with some brilliant twists - I loved the pace and writing style. I wouldn't hesitate to give this book 5 stars and I'm genuinely thrilled to have found Owen's books.
OLD FRIENDS AND NEW ENEMIES - HOW DO YOU TELL THEM APART?
This is the second book in the Charlie Cameron series and its just as good, if not slightly better than the first, Games People Play (that's saying a lot as I really enjoyed the first one - my review for this is further down - its very highly recommended).
"The body on the mortuary slab wasn't who Glasgow PI Charlie Cameron was looking for. But it wasn't a stranger. Ian Selkirk had been stabbed through the heart and dumped in the loch. Suddenly, a routine missing persons investigation becomes a fight for survival as Charlie goes up against a notorious Glasgow gangster. Jimmy Rafferty is ruthless. Even his own family are terrified of him. He wants to use Charlie to get something for him. And Jimmy Rafferty always gets what he wants. Only one problem. Charlie doesn't know where it is..."
Old Friends and New Enemies is billed as being a sense and gripping Scottish Crime and boy does it live up to this and then some - its a fantastic read, excellent characters, fast paced and thorough plot with some brilliant twists - I loved the pace and writing style. I wouldn't hesitate to give this book 5 stars and I'm genuinely thrilled to have found Owen's books.
April 7, 2016
This time around PI Charlie Cameron is looking for a missing husband. Charlie gets a hit on a man found dead in the water with no ID. Getting to the morgue with a picture of the man he's looking for, he gets a major shock. He knows who the man is .. but it's not the one he's looking for.
Ian Selkirk had been his friend many years ago, along with a young woman named Fiona. Ian hadn't drowned ... he was full of drugs, missing all his fingers and had been stabbed in the heart.
The two cases keep Charlie on the move. But then he comes to the attention of a particularly ruthless gangster. What he wants is for Charlie to get something for him .. but Charlie doesn't know where it is.
I really like the persona of Charlie ... he comes across as genuine. He's a bit flawed, but that just makes him more interesting. I like the friends that surround him. They watch each others backs, as well as help out whenever Charlie needs help. You can always tell what a person is like by looking at the people he keeps company with.
This is an excellent addition to the series.
Many thanks to the author / Booklover Catlady Publicity who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Ian Selkirk had been his friend many years ago, along with a young woman named Fiona. Ian hadn't drowned ... he was full of drugs, missing all his fingers and had been stabbed in the heart.
The two cases keep Charlie on the move. But then he comes to the attention of a particularly ruthless gangster. What he wants is for Charlie to get something for him .. but Charlie doesn't know where it is.
I really like the persona of Charlie ... he comes across as genuine. He's a bit flawed, but that just makes him more interesting. I like the friends that surround him. They watch each others backs, as well as help out whenever Charlie needs help. You can always tell what a person is like by looking at the people he keeps company with.
This is an excellent addition to the series.
Many thanks to the author / Booklover Catlady Publicity who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
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