The Killing Connection

DCI Gilchrist #7

by T.F. Muir

How well do you know the person you love?A woman's body is washed up on the rocks by the castle ruins in St Andrews with evidence of strangulation, and no ID. Two days into the case, a call from another woman claiming to be the victim's friend could be DCI Andy Gilchrist's first solid lead. But when she fails to turn up for an interview, Gilchrist fears the worst. The next day, they find her battered body.Gilchrist's focus centres on his prime suspect, a local handyman with the reputation of being a ladies' man, who seems to have no history beyond three years - the length of time he's been living in the East Neuk. But before Gilchrist can bring him in for questioning, he vanishes.Would you trust the person you love with your life? If you do, they might just take it.Praise for T.F. 'A truly gripping read.' Mick Herron'Everything I look for in a crime novel.' Louise Welsh'Rebus did it for Edinburgh. Laidlaw did it for Glasgow. Gilchrist might just be the bloke to put St Andrews on the crime fiction map.' Daily Record'Gripping and grisly, with plenty of twists and turns that race along with black humour.' Craig Robertson'Muir exposes the dark underbelly of a well-heeled university town with knuckle-gnawing tension, whipcrack plot twists and grisly set-pieces shot through with black humour.' Neil Broadfoot

Genres: Crime, Audiobook, Scotland, Fiction

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 8, 2017

About the author

Aka Frank Muir and T. Frank Muir

Born in Glasgow, Frank was plagued from a young age with the urge to see more of the world than the rain sodden slopes of the Campsie Fells. By the time he graduated from University with a degree he hated, he’d already had more jobs than the River Clyde has bends. Short stints as a lumberjack in the Scottish Highlands and a moulder’s labourer in the local foundry convinced Frank that his degree was not such a bad idea after all. Twenty-five years of working overseas helped him appreciate the raw beauty of his home country. Now a dual US/UK citizen, Frank divides his time between Richmond, Virginia, and Glasgow, Scotland, carrying out research in the local pubs and restaurants. Frank is currently doing some serious book research in St Andrews' local pubs, and working on his next novel, another crime story suffused with dark alleyways and cobbled streets and some things gruesome.

Reviews

[Sherrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new author for me, very average, story was ok but nothing special. On the slow side.

[MR MD LITTLEMORE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting to the end

David Monteath’s narration is not even challenged by Australian—the guy is a genius with accents. There are some exciting chase scenes that Muir is so good at—raising the reader’s heart rate, I’m sure. Gilchrist gets himself into some tight spots with his ‘go-it-alone’ attitude. The skin of his teeth must be wearing thin! Another great read from Frank Muir—recommended.

[Sandra McCourt · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic book. Again this is one I just couldn’t put down. There are more twists and turns than a samba dance. What a great writer. You just have to read this series. It just gets better and better

[Anne, Unfinished Woman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rollercoaster ride...very fast, complex and compelling. The first I've read of this series and I intend to go back to read the earlier installments. I was pulled into the character of Gilchrist which the author portrays beautifully in all his flaws, honesty and courage. He also paints the landscape so well that I was cold and uncomfortable right along with the police.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read The characters have odd relationships with their family members in my opinion. The relationship between Jessie and her son is quite odd and between Gilchrist and his older children. Thankfully he is not in a personal relationship in this one. Will continue with series when next book comes out

[Stephen Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good and page turning DCI Gilchrist story. Continuous action with twist and turns in the story . I have now read / listened to all these books of life with Gilchrist in the Fife constabulary and can only highly recommend them .

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am Strand von St. Andrews wird die Leiche einer Unbekannten angespült. Wenig später meldet sich eine Frau bei Andy Gilchrist und seinem Team und behauptet, die Tote zu kennen, aber bevor sie ihre Aussage machen kann, wird auch sie ermordet. Der einzige Verdächtige ist ein Handwerker, der nach dem Tod der beiden Frauen spurlos verschwunden ist.

Andy Gilchrist ist kein Ermittler, der seine Fälle intuitiv löst, sondern in oft mühevoller Kleinarbeit. Das lässt seine Ermittlungen manchmal schwerfällig wirken, zum anderen bringen seine Methoden seine Vorgesetzen immer wieder gegen ihn auf. Aber er hat auch ein Team auf das er sich voll und ganz verlassen kann. Besonders DS Jessie Janes rückt immer mehr in den Vordergrund. Sie gefällt mir als Charakter und Ermittlerin sehr gut und ich hoffe, dass ihre Rolle in den nächsten Fällen noch ausgebaut wird.

Die Suche nach dem Täter führt das Team nicht nur ins Ausland, sondern auch in die Vergangenheit. Schnell wird ihnen klar, dass die beiden Morde in der Gegenwart nicht die Einzigen sind.

Die Geschichte hat einen spannenden Fall und interessante Charaktere. Ich mag die Reihe um Andy Gilchrist. Es sind solide Krimis, vielleicht einen Tick ruhiger. Das macht sie aber nicht weniger spannend.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another brilliant read in this outing with the maverick Andy Gilchrist. Absolutely love this character, Frank Muir has his portrayal spot on. This is a very good cat and mouse story intertwined with the personal lives of Andy and Jesse, with one storyline left unfinished hopefully to be revisited in future books. And as always with these books the narrative on the setting is sublime. Fast paced first class read

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series. In this one we have a body washed up on the coast. DI Gilchrist and co struggle to identify her. When someone calls them with an identity and they arrange to meet her, she doesn't make the appointment and subsequently is found dead. Is there a serial killer?

[Glyn Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did,nt really do it for me over complicated and boring in parts , this up to now is the least liked of all the muir books i,ve read. Its also very far fetched in places so its a no no from me, don,t go out and BUY this book.

[Lora King · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman is found washed on shore and Andy and Jessie will find they actually have a serial killer on their hands, one of the most secretive ones ever adept at evading all radars....and Andy talked to him and let him go! Oh No. Greaves is gone and Smiley is his new boss. But is she working with Andy or now. I will say I'm sick of Andy's children...ffs they are grown individuals. At least no more teen age angst between him and Cooper.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Gilchrist story and thoroughly enjoyable. Very involved and interesting once again. Highly recommended.

[Jennifer Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed the previous books, however, I find the story lines are getting more repetitive. Still a good read though.

[Caroline Ingvaldsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The seventh DCI Andy Gilchrist police procedural is another fast paced crime story leavened with domestic detail.

[PAUL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another new author for me and also one that I will be reading again. Excellent characters and a good plot kept me tuned in all the way through the book.

[Rachel Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this yet again. Lots of plot twists and turns. Still loving Jessie even if she can be rather moody. Not afraid of saying what she thinks though.

[Andrea Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook

[James Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This story has twists and turns throughout, I am a fan Gilchrist and the rest of the characters. If you are looking for a book you cannot put down, this is it!

[julie clifton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by TF Muir.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid, middle of the road police procedural, solidly set in the area of St Andrews. DCI Andy Gilchrist and a team with the usual variation of constricted team-members and superiors.
The plot very well-worked and only part of the tension obtained by virtue of the detectives doing stupid things.