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DI Frank Farrell #1
Dead Man's Prayer
Ex-priest DI Frank Farrell has returned to his roots in Dumfries, only to be landed with a disturbing murder case. Even worse, Farrell knows the victim: Father Boyd, the man who forced him out of the priesthood eighteen years earlier.
With no leads, Farrell must delve into the old priest’s past, one that is inexorably linked with his own. But his attention is diverted when a pair of twin boys go missing. The Dumfries police force recover one in an abandoned church, unharmed. But where is his brother?
As Farrell investigates the two cases, he can’t help but feel targeted. Is someone playing a sinister game, or is he seeing patterns that don’t exist? Either way, it’s a game Farrell needs to win before he loses his grip on his sanity, or someone else turns up dead.
With no leads, Farrell must delve into the old priest’s past, one that is inexorably linked with his own. But his attention is diverted when a pair of twin boys go missing. The Dumfries police force recover one in an abandoned church, unharmed. But where is his brother?
As Farrell investigates the two cases, he can’t help but feel targeted. Is someone playing a sinister game, or is he seeing patterns that don’t exist? Either way, it’s a game Farrell needs to win before he loses his grip on his sanity, or someone else turns up dead.
309 pages, ebook
Published September 2, 2016
134 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Baldwin
17 books71 followersScottish crime writer and former criminal lawyer.
Debut novel 'Dead Man's Prayer' published on 2nd September 2016 by Killer Reads, Harper Collins.
Debut novel 'Dead Man's Prayer' published on 2nd September 2016 by Killer Reads, Harper Collins.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
August 28, 2016
This is an intense police procedural set in Dumfries, the home town of DI Frank Farrell, an ex-priest. This is the first of a series, Frank Farrell is a man with many demons, including mental health issues. He is estranged from his mother and was pushed from the priesthood by Father Boyd who has recently being trying to speak to him. Frank has ignored him and unfortunately Boyd has been gruesomely murdered in his church, with a note saying mea culpa, mea culpa. Frank finds himself on dark, warped and twisted case that will test him to the edge of his limits.
Despite the police working the case hard, there are precious few leads. There is a troubled young priest, Father Malone, threatening notes, and indications that Boyd had murky secrets in his past. Identical twins, Jamie and Mark, are abducted from a nursery. They are not the only twins to be abducted, and it appears that there are connections with the murder of Boyd. Frank begins to wonder about his sanity as things are disturbed in his home and it looks as if an intruder has been breaking in. Frank begins a relationship with psychiatrist Clare Yates, only to find the case detrimentally affecting it. Working closely with DC Mhairi McLeod, Frank finds himself being personally targeted on a deadly and dangerous trail which appears to have something to do with long buried secrets in his own family.
This is a well plotted and complex debut crime novel. The author has created a diverse range of different characters in the police team. I particularly liked DCI Lind, and Mhairi whose characters were especially well developed. It felt like an authentic police team. I do worry that Frank is overburdened with emotional problems and his personal history. It will be interesting to see where the next in the series goes. Recommended read. Thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
Despite the police working the case hard, there are precious few leads. There is a troubled young priest, Father Malone, threatening notes, and indications that Boyd had murky secrets in his past. Identical twins, Jamie and Mark, are abducted from a nursery. They are not the only twins to be abducted, and it appears that there are connections with the murder of Boyd. Frank begins to wonder about his sanity as things are disturbed in his home and it looks as if an intruder has been breaking in. Frank begins a relationship with psychiatrist Clare Yates, only to find the case detrimentally affecting it. Working closely with DC Mhairi McLeod, Frank finds himself being personally targeted on a deadly and dangerous trail which appears to have something to do with long buried secrets in his own family.
This is a well plotted and complex debut crime novel. The author has created a diverse range of different characters in the police team. I particularly liked DCI Lind, and Mhairi whose characters were especially well developed. It felt like an authentic police team. I do worry that Frank is overburdened with emotional problems and his personal history. It will be interesting to see where the next in the series goes. Recommended read. Thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
February 21, 2020
Ex-priest DI Frank Farrell on returning to his hometown Dumfries and trying to solve the murder of Father Boyd, the man who forced him out of the priesthood eighteen years ago. Along with that case DI Frank is also investigating the case of missing twin boys .The police discover one of the boys in an old abandoned church but his brother is still missing. Farrell investigates the two cases which somehow seem connected to his past.
This is the first book in the police procedural DI Farrell series . A solid police work with flawed characters and plenty of twists and turns along the way that are sure to keep the pages turning.
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers request group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This is the first book in the police procedural DI Farrell series . A solid police work with flawed characters and plenty of twists and turns along the way that are sure to keep the pages turning.
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers request group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
August 24, 2016
Ex-Priest DI Farrell returns to his roots in Dunfries. He gets a disturbing case to investigate made worse by the fact that he knew the victim. Father Boyd was the priest Farrell was forced out of priesthood 18 years ago.
There were no clues to Father Boyd's murder. Then Farrell's attention to the case is disturbed by the disappearance of twin boys. The police discover one off the boys in an old abandoned church. The boy seems to be unscathed by his ordeal. Where is his brother?Farrell investigates the two cases with the uneasy feeling that he is being targeted by someone.
This is the 1st in the series of books about DI Farrell Ana is full of page turning events to keep your attention.
I would like to thank Net Galley, Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction and the author Jackie Baldwin for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There were no clues to Father Boyd's murder. Then Farrell's attention to the case is disturbed by the disappearance of twin boys. The police discover one off the boys in an old abandoned church. The boy seems to be unscathed by his ordeal. Where is his brother?Farrell investigates the two cases with the uneasy feeling that he is being targeted by someone.
This is the 1st in the series of books about DI Farrell Ana is full of page turning events to keep your attention.
I would like to thank Net Galley, Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction and the author Jackie Baldwin for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2016
This book had been on my radar for a while before I picked up a copy to read. A few reviewers had said they thought it would be a book I would enjoy and they were absolutely right! It had all my favourite elements for a police procedural and I devoured it within a matter of hours.
The Scottish crime thriller scene is huge at the moment but Jackie Baldwin has written a self assured debut that has slotted into the current market as if she had been around for years. Her fictional detective DI Frank Farrell is a great character creation and I was cheering him on from the off! I liked the fact that he had a very different backstory having previously been a priest. The layers that his former vocation gave to his personality meant that, although I took to him, I never quite fully anticipated what actions he would take next. Especially once he comes into contact with former friends and family.
I love the way Jackie Baldwin writes. There was just the right mix of police investigation and personal problems with a host of supporting characters that I’d love to meet again and find out more about. The use of the twin boys in the plot was a particular favourite theme for me (everyone knows I’m a huge fan of twin psychology!) and the twists and turns here meant we were never quite sure where the motives overlapped and why.
I’m really looking forward to seeing where the author takes DI Farrell next. His individuality stands out for me making him an intriguing personality that I’m keen to delve into further. The characterisation, plus the fact that this is a well researched crime thriller, means I am more than happy to recommend it to other fans of this genre.
Many thanks to the author for my copy of Dead Man’s Prayer which I have chosen to read and review.
The Scottish crime thriller scene is huge at the moment but Jackie Baldwin has written a self assured debut that has slotted into the current market as if she had been around for years. Her fictional detective DI Frank Farrell is a great character creation and I was cheering him on from the off! I liked the fact that he had a very different backstory having previously been a priest. The layers that his former vocation gave to his personality meant that, although I took to him, I never quite fully anticipated what actions he would take next. Especially once he comes into contact with former friends and family.
I love the way Jackie Baldwin writes. There was just the right mix of police investigation and personal problems with a host of supporting characters that I’d love to meet again and find out more about. The use of the twin boys in the plot was a particular favourite theme for me (everyone knows I’m a huge fan of twin psychology!) and the twists and turns here meant we were never quite sure where the motives overlapped and why.
I’m really looking forward to seeing where the author takes DI Farrell next. His individuality stands out for me making him an intriguing personality that I’m keen to delve into further. The characterisation, plus the fact that this is a well researched crime thriller, means I am more than happy to recommend it to other fans of this genre.
Many thanks to the author for my copy of Dead Man’s Prayer which I have chosen to read and review.
February 26, 2020
"Gravel crunched under his trainers like muesli."
Need I say more?
Need I say more?
July 31, 2017
Time taken to read - on and off over 3 days
Pages - 344
Publisher - Killer Reads
Blurb from Goodreads
Ex-priest DI Frank Farrell has returned to his roots in Dumfries, only to be landed with a disturbing murder case. Even worse, Farrell knows the victim: Father Boyd, the man who forced him out of the priesthood eighteen years earlier.
With no leads, Farrell must delve into the old priest’s past, one that is inexorably linked with his own. But his attention is diverted when a pair of twin boys go missing. The Dumfries police force recover one in an abandoned church, unharmed. But where is his brother?
As Farrell investigates the two cases, he can’t help but feel targeted. Is someone playing a sinister game, or is he seeing patterns that don’t exist? Either way, it’s a game Farrell needs to win before he loses his grip on his sanity, or someone else turns up dead.
My Review
A priest is murdered, D.I. Frank Farrell is named as the officer in charge of the case. Farrell is not just a police officer, he was a priest and in the same community as the the priest who has been killed. Farrell has links to the old priest, a connection that he doesn't think is relevant and doesn't want to dredge up his past. As the case unfolds, Farrell is forced to look upon his own past, why he had to leave the priesthood and why his mother no longer speaks to him.
You would never know this is a debut novel, it is well written and has strong police procedural themes. Farrell ends up investigating two cases, the murder of the priest and the disappearance of twin boys. Things start to seem personal and Farrell is battling his own demons whilst trying to focus on the cases and keep on top of the inner team issues.
A great book that looks at many themes, battling inner demons, secrets, mental health, relationships, police procedures and a deranged killer. The chapters are short which I love in a book, makes it easier for dipping in and out of especially if you are busy & working in between. You know early on something is a foot and Baldwin keeps you gripped page after page desperate to know what it is, or maybe that is just me because I am a nosey reader. Relatively fast paced, you have a murder in the first chapters and the investigation and introduction to the team goes from there. A fantastic and gripping debut, I will certainly be on the watch for more from this author and hope this is just the beginning of Farrell's story, 4/5 for me this time.
Pages - 344
Publisher - Killer Reads
Blurb from Goodreads
Ex-priest DI Frank Farrell has returned to his roots in Dumfries, only to be landed with a disturbing murder case. Even worse, Farrell knows the victim: Father Boyd, the man who forced him out of the priesthood eighteen years earlier.
With no leads, Farrell must delve into the old priest’s past, one that is inexorably linked with his own. But his attention is diverted when a pair of twin boys go missing. The Dumfries police force recover one in an abandoned church, unharmed. But where is his brother?
As Farrell investigates the two cases, he can’t help but feel targeted. Is someone playing a sinister game, or is he seeing patterns that don’t exist? Either way, it’s a game Farrell needs to win before he loses his grip on his sanity, or someone else turns up dead.
My Review
A priest is murdered, D.I. Frank Farrell is named as the officer in charge of the case. Farrell is not just a police officer, he was a priest and in the same community as the the priest who has been killed. Farrell has links to the old priest, a connection that he doesn't think is relevant and doesn't want to dredge up his past. As the case unfolds, Farrell is forced to look upon his own past, why he had to leave the priesthood and why his mother no longer speaks to him.
You would never know this is a debut novel, it is well written and has strong police procedural themes. Farrell ends up investigating two cases, the murder of the priest and the disappearance of twin boys. Things start to seem personal and Farrell is battling his own demons whilst trying to focus on the cases and keep on top of the inner team issues.
A great book that looks at many themes, battling inner demons, secrets, mental health, relationships, police procedures and a deranged killer. The chapters are short which I love in a book, makes it easier for dipping in and out of especially if you are busy & working in between. You know early on something is a foot and Baldwin keeps you gripped page after page desperate to know what it is, or maybe that is just me because I am a nosey reader. Relatively fast paced, you have a murder in the first chapters and the investigation and introduction to the team goes from there. A fantastic and gripping debut, I will certainly be on the watch for more from this author and hope this is just the beginning of Farrell's story, 4/5 for me this time.
February 17, 2021
A well done mystery, but the snippets of Catholicism were depressing rather than comforting. The idea that man has the ability to offer absolution and grant one entrance to Heaven rather than God Himself is an attack on the very purpose of salvation.
The mystery was well written and the characters fascinating, but I’m not certain I can overlook the catholic bent to read further in the series.
The mystery was well written and the characters fascinating, but I’m not certain I can overlook the catholic bent to read further in the series.
October 18, 2016
Dead Man’s Prayer – A Stunning Debut
Dead Man’s Prayer is the stunning debut from Jackie Baldwin, a crime thriller that will draw you in and keep you entertained throughout the book. From page one all the way through to the end there are no wasted words or chapters, they all lead to the fantastic conclusion of the novel.
Ex-priest DI Frank Farrell is coming home after working in the Edinburgh Murder Squad, heading back to Dumfries where he has not lived for 15 years. While his new Superintendent, Walker, is not the happiest to have the ex-priest on his command, but DCI Lind, an old friend is happy to see him.
His first day on the job and he is sent to investigate a murder, to make matters worse it is at his old church St Aidan’s, and once he finds who the victim is, he is shaken to the core. Father Ignatius Boyd, the reason why he left the priesthood 15 years prior, has been murdered and his death staged in the confessional of all places. Father Boyd and Farrell had history and it was not on friendly terms that he had left.
When a pair of twins are abducted from a nursery, by a man posing as a social worker with a court order, he assists his colleague DI Moore in the investigation. Even when they find one of the twins in a disused church, and there is a strong smell of incense he is sure it is a message to him, but will need to look deeper. When another pair of twins are taken, again by a man posing as a social worker the pressure is really on him.
Whoever murdered Father Boyd and taken the twins seems to be taunting Farrell and when he has to investigate the church, Father Malone, and his mother he knows they are withholding something. What he finds that to solve the murder and the abduction of the children he will have to investigate something in the past that will provide him with the answers to what is happening now.
Jackie Baldwin has written a fantastic crime thriller debut that delivers on every level, with plenty of twists and turns. The writing is crisp and clear, that draws you in and entertains the reader throughout, without ever preaching that she knows better than the reader. She has created a sympathetic detective in Frank Farrell who has to face his past in the Catholic Church and even harder his mother!
We see Farrell struggle to understand if his mental health is failing him like it has done in the past, or is the perpetrator pushing all the right buttons, so that he questions his own sanity. At the same time, we see Farrell’s caring side with DC Mhairi McLeod taking her under his wing, while dealing with the Catholic Church with respect.
This is an excellent debut that all readers will love with an excellent detective and great characters around him. This is an excellent start, hopefully to a series of Farrell thrillers, and take us around Dumfries rather than either Glasgow and Edinburgh, which makes a pleasant change. This really is a great debut for Jackie Baldwin!
Dead Man’s Prayer is the stunning debut from Jackie Baldwin, a crime thriller that will draw you in and keep you entertained throughout the book. From page one all the way through to the end there are no wasted words or chapters, they all lead to the fantastic conclusion of the novel.
Ex-priest DI Frank Farrell is coming home after working in the Edinburgh Murder Squad, heading back to Dumfries where he has not lived for 15 years. While his new Superintendent, Walker, is not the happiest to have the ex-priest on his command, but DCI Lind, an old friend is happy to see him.
His first day on the job and he is sent to investigate a murder, to make matters worse it is at his old church St Aidan’s, and once he finds who the victim is, he is shaken to the core. Father Ignatius Boyd, the reason why he left the priesthood 15 years prior, has been murdered and his death staged in the confessional of all places. Father Boyd and Farrell had history and it was not on friendly terms that he had left.
When a pair of twins are abducted from a nursery, by a man posing as a social worker with a court order, he assists his colleague DI Moore in the investigation. Even when they find one of the twins in a disused church, and there is a strong smell of incense he is sure it is a message to him, but will need to look deeper. When another pair of twins are taken, again by a man posing as a social worker the pressure is really on him.
Whoever murdered Father Boyd and taken the twins seems to be taunting Farrell and when he has to investigate the church, Father Malone, and his mother he knows they are withholding something. What he finds that to solve the murder and the abduction of the children he will have to investigate something in the past that will provide him with the answers to what is happening now.
Jackie Baldwin has written a fantastic crime thriller debut that delivers on every level, with plenty of twists and turns. The writing is crisp and clear, that draws you in and entertains the reader throughout, without ever preaching that she knows better than the reader. She has created a sympathetic detective in Frank Farrell who has to face his past in the Catholic Church and even harder his mother!
We see Farrell struggle to understand if his mental health is failing him like it has done in the past, or is the perpetrator pushing all the right buttons, so that he questions his own sanity. At the same time, we see Farrell’s caring side with DC Mhairi McLeod taking her under his wing, while dealing with the Catholic Church with respect.
This is an excellent debut that all readers will love with an excellent detective and great characters around him. This is an excellent start, hopefully to a series of Farrell thrillers, and take us around Dumfries rather than either Glasgow and Edinburgh, which makes a pleasant change. This really is a great debut for Jackie Baldwin!
August 26, 2016
DI Frank Farrell knew that returning to his hometown of Dumfries was sure to bring back memories, most of which he would rather forget. But when the local parish priest is murdered, Farrell, a former priest, will do everything he can to catch the psychotic killer regardless of his personal feelings for the victim. But is Farrell's troubled past with the Church a key factor in the case? And when the abduction of two little boys occurs soon after, is there any connection? As the past returns to haunt the present, Frank knows that some of the locals are hiding something. Add in threatening notes, a secretive young priest and estranged family relationships, and life just seems to get more complicated for Frank. But with time running out on all fronts, old and new friendships being tested, and shocking secrets coming to the forefront, can Farrell solve the case before the next victim is claimed?
DEAD MAN'S PRAYER by Jackie Baldwin is the debut novel from this author and will keep you hooked from beginning to end. Captivating characters, a thrilling plot, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, are just some of the reasons why I couldn't put this novel down. The author creates an intense atmosphere that really had me sitting on the edge of my seat. When Frank starts to receive ominous letters from the murderer, he is forced to relive his past and the demons that have haunted him, in order to figure out the next move of this killer. The other characters in the novel, such as DC McLeod and DCI Lind, are also compelling and I look forward to learning more about them in the rest of this series. DEAD MAN'S PRAYER by Jackie Baldwin is a gripping thriller and a truly killer read!
*Book was a prize in an online competition
DEAD MAN'S PRAYER by Jackie Baldwin is the debut novel from this author and will keep you hooked from beginning to end. Captivating characters, a thrilling plot, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, are just some of the reasons why I couldn't put this novel down. The author creates an intense atmosphere that really had me sitting on the edge of my seat. When Frank starts to receive ominous letters from the murderer, he is forced to relive his past and the demons that have haunted him, in order to figure out the next move of this killer. The other characters in the novel, such as DC McLeod and DCI Lind, are also compelling and I look forward to learning more about them in the rest of this series. DEAD MAN'S PRAYER by Jackie Baldwin is a gripping thriller and a truly killer read!
*Book was a prize in an online competition
January 15, 2019
This was a cracking book with a rather different chief protagonist. DI Frank Farrell is a former priest who returns to his hometown of Dumfries to join the relatively small force there. His first case however is unfortunately the murder of a priest. Even more unfortunate is that it is someone that Farrell knew and disliked intensely. Still, he intends to conduct a professional investigation as no one deserves to be murdered like that. There are no clues to be had so its a hard slog and old fashioned police work.
The detective soon have their workload increased when twin toddler boys are abducted from a childcare centre using fake social worker credentials. After a few days one of the twins is found in an abandoned church. There is no sign of the other twin. Detectives are wondering if the cases are linked by some religious connection. Then another pair of twin boys is abducted in the same way from another centre.
Things really ramp up from there. There is a frantic effort to find the missing boys and a series of shocking revelations. Frank becomes a suspect. his home is broken into. More children are abducted.
And tension mounts as it all culminates in a very tense stand off. This was a fantastic debut with very likeable and real seeming characters. I am keen to get book 2 and read more about Frank Farrell and his very able and relatable sidekick, DC Mhairi McLeod.
The detective soon have their workload increased when twin toddler boys are abducted from a childcare centre using fake social worker credentials. After a few days one of the twins is found in an abandoned church. There is no sign of the other twin. Detectives are wondering if the cases are linked by some religious connection. Then another pair of twin boys is abducted in the same way from another centre.
Things really ramp up from there. There is a frantic effort to find the missing boys and a series of shocking revelations. Frank becomes a suspect. his home is broken into. More children are abducted.
And tension mounts as it all culminates in a very tense stand off. This was a fantastic debut with very likeable and real seeming characters. I am keen to get book 2 and read more about Frank Farrell and his very able and relatable sidekick, DC Mhairi McLeod.
February 28, 2020
Oh, I do so like to read books that are set in Scotland, one of my favourite places in the world!
This book gave us a very intense police procedural, with a troubled police officer who had had some issues in the past. There was a LOT going on in this book and at times it got a bit messy, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and the twists and turns that came along with it. The plot twists surrounding the twins was really well done and I had no clue how this was all going to end up!
4.5 stars from me.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series :)
This book gave us a very intense police procedural, with a troubled police officer who had had some issues in the past. There was a LOT going on in this book and at times it got a bit messy, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and the twists and turns that came along with it. The plot twists surrounding the twins was really well done and I had no clue how this was all going to end up!
4.5 stars from me.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series :)
July 2, 2017
Clumsy dialogue that was difficult to take seriously. There are errant capitals over the place on nouns that don't need a capital like Sir. The plot twist came halfway through so it wasn't much of a surprise and very unlikely. Characters under developed and not particularly likable. Some of the procedures seemed unlikely, I'm not Scottish or English but surely you don't get permission to see your former cellmate in prison nor can you visit a prisoner without ID??? Honestly. Any police department wouldn't allow the SIO to be familiar with the victim - they'd be removed from the case straightaway!
Silly.
September 1, 2018
Disappointing modern police procedural. Full review at classicmystery.blog
April 23, 2020
I heard Jackie read a short section of Dead Man's Prayer as part of Crime in the Spotlight at the Bloody Scotland festival maybe four years ago and knew then I wanted to read it. It took me a while to buy it and another while to read it, but I got there in the end!
Eighteen years ago Frank Farrell left the priesthood to join the police, but his faith remains strong. He has just been transferred to his home town of Dumfries when his former senior priest is murdered, quite horrifically. But before that investigation can really get anywhere, two young brothers are kidnapped spreading police resources thin.
Frank is such an interesting character. He's the second policeman I've read recently with a strong Catholic faith, but Frank has actually been a priest. We see him attending Mass and kneeling in prayer at home. His faith is deep, and we see his compassion for his fellow officers in the way he worries about them. He hasn't had a relationship for a long time and his last proper girlfriend is now married to his boss! But he finds himself considering a bit of romance here. The calm moments in the book are provided by Frank, when he finds his own times of peace.
There is dark humour throughout, and Frank's first meeting with his new superior is hysterical. And I loved Mhairi. She's a bit of a party girl, often turning up barely on time or even a little late, looking tired and a bit hungover, and isn't hugely respected by her colleagues. Frank gives her a chance to shine, and she steps up. Their exchanges are a joy.
The case is a tricky one. Frank has to revisit old hurts, and open up to those around him about his own past. And he has to look at his relationship with his mother. He feels that the case is somehow connected to him, and this affects his mental health and judgement.
This is a tense story, particularly as it has children at its centre, and that always gets to me. It's pretty twisty, and twisted actually. it kept me turning the pages because I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I certainly didn't foresee how things would turn out.
A fabulous debut, with an original storyline and an interesting, likeable protagonist. I can't wait to see what's next for DI Farrell!
Eighteen years ago Frank Farrell left the priesthood to join the police, but his faith remains strong. He has just been transferred to his home town of Dumfries when his former senior priest is murdered, quite horrifically. But before that investigation can really get anywhere, two young brothers are kidnapped spreading police resources thin.
Frank is such an interesting character. He's the second policeman I've read recently with a strong Catholic faith, but Frank has actually been a priest. We see him attending Mass and kneeling in prayer at home. His faith is deep, and we see his compassion for his fellow officers in the way he worries about them. He hasn't had a relationship for a long time and his last proper girlfriend is now married to his boss! But he finds himself considering a bit of romance here. The calm moments in the book are provided by Frank, when he finds his own times of peace.
There is dark humour throughout, and Frank's first meeting with his new superior is hysterical. And I loved Mhairi. She's a bit of a party girl, often turning up barely on time or even a little late, looking tired and a bit hungover, and isn't hugely respected by her colleagues. Frank gives her a chance to shine, and she steps up. Their exchanges are a joy.
The case is a tricky one. Frank has to revisit old hurts, and open up to those around him about his own past. And he has to look at his relationship with his mother. He feels that the case is somehow connected to him, and this affects his mental health and judgement.
This is a tense story, particularly as it has children at its centre, and that always gets to me. It's pretty twisty, and twisted actually. it kept me turning the pages because I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I certainly didn't foresee how things would turn out.
A fabulous debut, with an original storyline and an interesting, likeable protagonist. I can't wait to see what's next for DI Farrell!
June 13, 2022
Former priest DI Frank Farrell gave up a position on the Edinburgh, Scotland, force to return to his roots in Dumfries. He was looking for time to unkink and maybe repair his relationship with his mother before returning to where the real action happened. That’s not what he got, however. His first day on the job, a priest at the local Catholic church is murdered. The same priest who forced Farrell out of the priesthood 18 years earlier. He and his team also are faced with the disappearance of twin boys and he sees parallels with the dead priest case. Both cases hit extremely close to home for Farrell, placing him in personal and professional jeopardy.
This was an excellent first in series. I liked the pacing, the plotting, the setting, the writing style, and the character development. The author does a great job of depicting people placed in challenging situations. The bad guys are scary, the cops run the gamut of humanity, and even the minor characters have depth. Farrell was a fascinating character for me. The author gave tantalizing snippets of what makes him tick and what caused him to take a hard left in his life. A particularly challenging case earlier in his career caused him to have a break with reality and now when he doesn’t take his medication, his life doesn’t go so well.
The ending was a surprise. The interplay between reality and Farrell’s perceptions of reality kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself thinking about what was happening when I wasn’t reading. I’ll definitely read more in this series. I need to know what happens next.
This was an excellent first in series. I liked the pacing, the plotting, the setting, the writing style, and the character development. The author does a great job of depicting people placed in challenging situations. The bad guys are scary, the cops run the gamut of humanity, and even the minor characters have depth. Farrell was a fascinating character for me. The author gave tantalizing snippets of what makes him tick and what caused him to take a hard left in his life. A particularly challenging case earlier in his career caused him to have a break with reality and now when he doesn’t take his medication, his life doesn’t go so well.
The ending was a surprise. The interplay between reality and Farrell’s perceptions of reality kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself thinking about what was happening when I wasn’t reading. I’ll definitely read more in this series. I need to know what happens next.
August 22, 2018
4.25 stars
DI Frank Farrell has just returned to his hometown in Dumfries from Edinburgh. He meets his boss DCI Lind. He knew Lind from before and is glad to see him, but he is now married to his old love, and that’s not so good. He also meets DI Kate Moore. He also meets DS Stirling, DS Byers and DC McLeod.
Word is received that a murder has been committed at St. Aidan’s. An elderly priest named Father Boyd was the victim. Frank knows Boyd from before. He was the one who drove him out of the priesthood some years earlier. He is appointed to be the SIO on the case. DS’s Byers and Stirling and DC Mhairi McLeod are on his team.
Then two twin boys go missing. The police pull out all stops to find them. Another set of twins go missing, then another. The police are making headway, but way too slowly.
In the midst of all this some shocking and astounding secrets are revealed. Frank’s world is set on its head. He begins to doubt his own sanity, as do some of the other cops at the station. But Mhairi sticks with him.
This is an exciting and thrilling novel. It is filled with non-stop action and the reader is constantly trying to figure out just what in the heck is going on. It has many surprises and twists. The book is very well written and plotted. One event follows another in a logical progression. For a debut, this book kicks it. I loved it. Although I read them out of order, this novel is almost as good as the second in the series.
DI Frank Farrell has just returned to his hometown in Dumfries from Edinburgh. He meets his boss DCI Lind. He knew Lind from before and is glad to see him, but he is now married to his old love, and that’s not so good. He also meets DI Kate Moore. He also meets DS Stirling, DS Byers and DC McLeod.
Word is received that a murder has been committed at St. Aidan’s. An elderly priest named Father Boyd was the victim. Frank knows Boyd from before. He was the one who drove him out of the priesthood some years earlier. He is appointed to be the SIO on the case. DS’s Byers and Stirling and DC Mhairi McLeod are on his team.
Then two twin boys go missing. The police pull out all stops to find them. Another set of twins go missing, then another. The police are making headway, but way too slowly.
In the midst of all this some shocking and astounding secrets are revealed. Frank’s world is set on its head. He begins to doubt his own sanity, as do some of the other cops at the station. But Mhairi sticks with him.
This is an exciting and thrilling novel. It is filled with non-stop action and the reader is constantly trying to figure out just what in the heck is going on. It has many surprises and twists. The book is very well written and plotted. One event follows another in a logical progression. For a debut, this book kicks it. I loved it. Although I read them out of order, this novel is almost as good as the second in the series.
April 19, 2020
This is the first book in the series. It took me a little while to get into this book but once it took hold there was no letting go. The main character, DI Frank Farrell, is a mystery unto himself when you first meet him and you don't get any real answers to the mystery until towards the end which helps to keep the suspense building. I did figure out some portion of the mystery before it was revealed. The tension between Farrel and some of the secondary characters is palpable through the vivid descriptions that Baldwin provides to us. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book a The Book Club Reviewer Group on Facebook.
June 28, 2022
Although I had to suspend disbelief about some aspects of the story (particularly in relation to Frank's involvement in the police investigation!) I found this relatively easy to do because the characters are all so well-drawn (warts and all!) and, as I know the Dumfries area so well, I loved the evocatively captured setting. My only problem now is that I feel a need to discover more about what Frank and the team get up to next so yet more books are about to be added to my tbr pile!
November 23, 2017
A good Start
Really enjoyed Dead Mans Prayer .. DI Frank Farrell is a Different Sort of Detective .. The Story is Good and There is a Good bunch of Characters. . Looking forward to the next Book
Really enjoyed Dead Mans Prayer .. DI Frank Farrell is a Different Sort of Detective .. The Story is Good and There is a Good bunch of Characters. . Looking forward to the next Book
June 26, 2017
A great crime fiction story. DI Frank Farrell is an interesting character. I wish to read more.
Jackie Baldwin is speaking 23 and 24 June in Wigtown Scotland'#s National Book Town.
www.wigtownevents.com
Jackie Baldwin is speaking 23 and 24 June in Wigtown Scotland'#s National Book Town.
www.wigtownevents.com
April 22, 2017
A fast-paced, intriguing crime thriller with a fresh feel.
I especially liked the characterisation. Each character was distinctive with their on personal baggage and felt real and believable in the way they related to one another. And what an interesting central character. An ex-priest turned detective with a dark past. A brilliant start for a series.
The writing throughout was superb and the twisting plot well thought out.
And the litmus test - will I read the second book in the series? I resounding yes, I can't wait to see what the author does with the cast of characters she has created.
I especially liked the characterisation. Each character was distinctive with their on personal baggage and felt real and believable in the way they related to one another. And what an interesting central character. An ex-priest turned detective with a dark past. A brilliant start for a series.
The writing throughout was superb and the twisting plot well thought out.
And the litmus test - will I read the second book in the series? I resounding yes, I can't wait to see what the author does with the cast of characters she has created.
May 1, 2018
thoroughly enjoyed this & very much look forward to reading more of Jackie Baldwins' riveting style.
September 8, 2016
I was delighted to be asked to review this book from a new Scottish author and for a book set in Dumfries and Galloway area – this is an unusual setting as most of the books I read are set in Glasgow or the central belt of Scotland. Let me tell you – after reading this, Dumfries and Galloway is not the quiet and quaint little area that you might think it is….we have a murdered priest, abducted children, a convicted serial killer in the community and an ex priest turned policeman! Who would have thought it!
I thought the book started well, few gripping plot lines to draw the readers in and a number of interesting characters that will grab your attention – I found myself wanting to know much more about Frank Farrell’s decision to leave the priesthood for the force and what is it about DC Mhairi McLeod that makes her “party cop” to the detriment of her reputation in the force?
The main plot around the murdered priest and the abducted children was tense and nerve-wracking and as the book progresses the reader finds themselves drawn in even more, so many secrets and lies unfold and it was here that the book begins to take more shape for me. By the end of the book my heart was racing and I couldn’t go to sleep until I had finished it!
I found myself drawn to Farrell and McLeod as their characters developed; I think they make a winning team! Farrell’s background fascinates me and his relationships with other characters are something that I hope will be explored further in the coming books; his emotional connections with Dumfries are certainly a tangled web and there are sure to be some twists and turns as the series develops. I think the characters in this series are going to be intense and fascinating & I am really looking forward to seeing how they develop!
The plot/sub plots underlying the book are great, they are what ticks my box when reading a crime novel; the location is superb – a wee quiet area which hides a multitude of secrets. Connections that unfold and twist there way into the storyline. I felt that there was just a bit too much “glossing over” at times. I would have liked a bit more background or depth and it left me feeling slightly frustrated as though I was missing out on something e.g. Frank’s background and Mhairi’s apparent lack of self esteem are all areas where I felt as a reader that I was left with questions unanswered. Some of these were addressed as the book progressed but at the beginning left me with a feeling of missing something as a reader. However, this isn’t the end of the world, this is a first novel in a series and all of this can be built upon in future books in the series and I will certainly be following the series to see where it goes.
Overall this is a great debut novel, it has the right ingredients for a brilliant series – good complex characters and a fantastic setting in Dumfries and Galloway (you always need to watch out for the wee quiet Scottish towns is all that I’m saying ;-))
I thought the book started well, few gripping plot lines to draw the readers in and a number of interesting characters that will grab your attention – I found myself wanting to know much more about Frank Farrell’s decision to leave the priesthood for the force and what is it about DC Mhairi McLeod that makes her “party cop” to the detriment of her reputation in the force?
The main plot around the murdered priest and the abducted children was tense and nerve-wracking and as the book progresses the reader finds themselves drawn in even more, so many secrets and lies unfold and it was here that the book begins to take more shape for me. By the end of the book my heart was racing and I couldn’t go to sleep until I had finished it!
I found myself drawn to Farrell and McLeod as their characters developed; I think they make a winning team! Farrell’s background fascinates me and his relationships with other characters are something that I hope will be explored further in the coming books; his emotional connections with Dumfries are certainly a tangled web and there are sure to be some twists and turns as the series develops. I think the characters in this series are going to be intense and fascinating & I am really looking forward to seeing how they develop!
The plot/sub plots underlying the book are great, they are what ticks my box when reading a crime novel; the location is superb – a wee quiet area which hides a multitude of secrets. Connections that unfold and twist there way into the storyline. I felt that there was just a bit too much “glossing over” at times. I would have liked a bit more background or depth and it left me feeling slightly frustrated as though I was missing out on something e.g. Frank’s background and Mhairi’s apparent lack of self esteem are all areas where I felt as a reader that I was left with questions unanswered. Some of these were addressed as the book progressed but at the beginning left me with a feeling of missing something as a reader. However, this isn’t the end of the world, this is a first novel in a series and all of this can be built upon in future books in the series and I will certainly be following the series to see where it goes.
Overall this is a great debut novel, it has the right ingredients for a brilliant series – good complex characters and a fantastic setting in Dumfries and Galloway (you always need to watch out for the wee quiet Scottish towns is all that I’m saying ;-))
August 29, 2016
I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, Harper Fiction for an advance copy of Dead Man's Prayer, a police procedural set in Dumfries.
Ex-priest, now DI, Frank Farrell has just transferred from Edinburgh to his home town of Dumfries when he is asked to head up the investigation into the brutal murder of Father Doyle, a priest he has a bad history with. His investigation isn't getting very far when twin boys are kidnapped from a local nursery. Has Frank brought a crime wave with him?
I liked Dead Man's Prayer. It has an interesting plot which kept me reading, all you can ask for in a novel, but it is obviously a first novel and has a few snagging issues. The revelations about Frank's past are not well paced and it is annoying at the beginning that there are lots of references but no solid informatio and few lines of enquiry are mentioned and not followed up so we never know what happened.
Frank Farrell is an interesting character. Ex-priest with more of a past than even he realised he is a dedicated, smart detective with a gung-ho attitude. He is also a paranoid who takes lithium. He is a mass of contradictions.
Overall this is a good novel which held my attention throughout and I would like to read more of Frank Farrell to see where Ms Baldwin takes him. Therefore, I can recommend Dead Man's Prayer as a good read.
Ex-priest, now DI, Frank Farrell has just transferred from Edinburgh to his home town of Dumfries when he is asked to head up the investigation into the brutal murder of Father Doyle, a priest he has a bad history with. His investigation isn't getting very far when twin boys are kidnapped from a local nursery. Has Frank brought a crime wave with him?
I liked Dead Man's Prayer. It has an interesting plot which kept me reading, all you can ask for in a novel, but it is obviously a first novel and has a few snagging issues. The revelations about Frank's past are not well paced and it is annoying at the beginning that there are lots of references but no solid informatio and few lines of enquiry are mentioned and not followed up so we never know what happened.
Frank Farrell is an interesting character. Ex-priest with more of a past than even he realised he is a dedicated, smart detective with a gung-ho attitude. He is also a paranoid who takes lithium. He is a mass of contradictions.
Overall this is a good novel which held my attention throughout and I would like to read more of Frank Farrell to see where Ms Baldwin takes him. Therefore, I can recommend Dead Man's Prayer as a good read.
April 20, 2020
I was born in Dumfries and for a long time lived in Lockerbie but am far from home now. I thought this book would bring back the memories but it didn’t really dwell on the area too much.
As we know it is essential that detectives are unhappy people with so much baggage from their past you’d think they wouldn’t be able to hold down a job. Meet DI Frank Farrell, ex priest and now newly moved back to Dumfries. His superior hates him, and his best friend from schooldays is his immediate boss.
A priest is murdered. The priest that drove Farrell out of the priesthood. To find out more about him Farrell must seek out his estranged mother, one of the dead priest’s devoted flock.
On top of the murder some children go missing. Farrell is sure there is some connection.
But he’s not a well man, wracked with guilt over his time as a priest when he heard a confession he’d rather not have heard, recovering from a breakdown and beginning to find out dark family secrets. Things are just getting worse and worse for him. Luckily he has the help of DC McLeod. A bright girl who has lost her way a bit but has every faith in her boss Farrell, as he does in her.
As we know it is essential that detectives are unhappy people with so much baggage from their past you’d think they wouldn’t be able to hold down a job. Meet DI Frank Farrell, ex priest and now newly moved back to Dumfries. His superior hates him, and his best friend from schooldays is his immediate boss.
A priest is murdered. The priest that drove Farrell out of the priesthood. To find out more about him Farrell must seek out his estranged mother, one of the dead priest’s devoted flock.
On top of the murder some children go missing. Farrell is sure there is some connection.
But he’s not a well man, wracked with guilt over his time as a priest when he heard a confession he’d rather not have heard, recovering from a breakdown and beginning to find out dark family secrets. Things are just getting worse and worse for him. Luckily he has the help of DC McLeod. A bright girl who has lost her way a bit but has every faith in her boss Farrell, as he does in her.
November 17, 2017
I really enjoyed this debut book. The set-up felt fresh and original, the characters were mostly well-developed (Mhairi was a particular favourite of mine) and the conclusion galloped along at a great pace. I did find the first quarter or so a little slower than the rest of it but once the secondary investigation started there was no looking back. It was a roller coaster from then on!
I will definitely be looking out for Jackie's next book!
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and Jackie Baldwin for the ARC of Dead Man's Prayer.
I will definitely be looking out for Jackie's next book!
Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and Jackie Baldwin for the ARC of Dead Man's Prayer.
November 12, 2018
I persevered to the end with this one, but not sure I'm ready to continue the relationship with DI Frank Farrell, former (?) priest. Not being a catholic, and being an atheist, there was just way too much religion in this book. I'm not against religion in novels, but this kept getting in the way of what could have been gripping suspense.
February 25, 2018
This book is a great read that keeps the reader guessing! I highly recommend it!
December 10, 2020
3.5 stars. Will read another in this series and hopefully Frank will have settled down. Don't know why all police officers seem to have personal issues and are holding on to their jobs by a thread.
April 4, 2021
I was recently on a panel during a crime festival with Jackie Baldwin. She is a bestselling Scottish crime writer and I was thrilled to have an opportunity to discuss Dead Man’s Prayer with her. I have always found her main character, Frank Farrell a most interesting one and it was interesting to learn more about him from the author herself.
The Blurb
A dark and gripping crime debut, the first in an exciting new series. Eighteen years ago, DI Frank Farrell turned his back on the church. But when an ex-priest is murdered in his hometown, he has no choice but to delve into his past. Perfect for fans of Stuart MacBride, James Oswald and Val McDermid.
The Review
The author creates a most interesting main character in Frank Farrell: he was formerly a priest but, having left the priesthood has become a police detective. This in itself marks Baldwin’s series out from other police procedurals in the field.
Dead Man’s Prayer takes the reader through the investigation of a priest’s murder and combines this with the kidnapping of twin boys. Considering the chequered past of the main character the author sets herself a challenge and a gripping story for her readers.
Personally, I especially like Farrell as a main character. He stands out as unique amongst the many detectives that are written about in crime fiction. Farrell’s priesthood background and faith adds another dimension to this novel. I also enjoyed Mhaire and thought she made the perfect foil for Farrell.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and plan to read the rest of the series. I highly recommend Dead Man’s Prayer.
The Author
Jackie Baldwin was born in Dumfries. She studied law at Edinburgh University returning to Dumfries to practice criminal and family law for the next twenty years. During that time she married and had two children and a variety of pets. She later retrained as a hypnotherapist. Her DI Frank Farrell series is set in Dumfries and Galloway in SW Scotland. She has recently moved closer to Edinburgh.
Val Penny
The Blurb
A dark and gripping crime debut, the first in an exciting new series. Eighteen years ago, DI Frank Farrell turned his back on the church. But when an ex-priest is murdered in his hometown, he has no choice but to delve into his past. Perfect for fans of Stuart MacBride, James Oswald and Val McDermid.
The Review
The author creates a most interesting main character in Frank Farrell: he was formerly a priest but, having left the priesthood has become a police detective. This in itself marks Baldwin’s series out from other police procedurals in the field.
Dead Man’s Prayer takes the reader through the investigation of a priest’s murder and combines this with the kidnapping of twin boys. Considering the chequered past of the main character the author sets herself a challenge and a gripping story for her readers.
Personally, I especially like Farrell as a main character. He stands out as unique amongst the many detectives that are written about in crime fiction. Farrell’s priesthood background and faith adds another dimension to this novel. I also enjoyed Mhaire and thought she made the perfect foil for Farrell.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and plan to read the rest of the series. I highly recommend Dead Man’s Prayer.
The Author
Jackie Baldwin was born in Dumfries. She studied law at Edinburgh University returning to Dumfries to practice criminal and family law for the next twenty years. During that time she married and had two children and a variety of pets. She later retrained as a hypnotherapist. Her DI Frank Farrell series is set in Dumfries and Galloway in SW Scotland. She has recently moved closer to Edinburgh.
Val Penny
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