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PI Charlie Cameron #3
Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
A Scottish PI investigates the murder of a medical whistleblower—and gets tangled up with a Glasgow mob boss in this crime thriller.
Gavin Law was a whistleblower who exposed a tragic case of medical malpractice. Now he’s missing. It’s just another case for Glasgow PI, Charlie Cameron, until he comes to believe Law was murdered. Did the disgraced surgeon abandon his sacred oath to become a killer? Or did the hospital itself have Law permanently silenced? As Charlie digs deeper, he discovers just how bad the world of medicine can be for his health.
Across the city, East End gangster Sean Rafferty is preparing to exploit the already corrupt city council in a multi-million pound leisure development known as Riverside. The project will be good for Glasgow. But not everybody is keen to work with Rafferty. With more than money at stake, Sean will do anything to get his way. So when Charlie’s investigation gets him tangled up in Sean’s business, someone’s going to need a doctor…or an undertaker.
What the readers are saying:
Gavin Law was a whistleblower who exposed a tragic case of medical malpractice. Now he’s missing. It’s just another case for Glasgow PI, Charlie Cameron, until he comes to believe Law was murdered. Did the disgraced surgeon abandon his sacred oath to become a killer? Or did the hospital itself have Law permanently silenced? As Charlie digs deeper, he discovers just how bad the world of medicine can be for his health.
Across the city, East End gangster Sean Rafferty is preparing to exploit the already corrupt city council in a multi-million pound leisure development known as Riverside. The project will be good for Glasgow. But not everybody is keen to work with Rafferty. With more than money at stake, Sean will do anything to get his way. So when Charlie’s investigation gets him tangled up in Sean’s business, someone’s going to need a doctor…or an undertaker.
What the readers are saying:
'An exciting new voice in Glasgow's crime fiction genre - it will have you hooked from page one!'
Lorraine Patrick
Westender Magazine
I have a very pleasurable problem with Owen Mullen's books - after I have finished reading them, I am spoilt for anything else until I come down off my 'Charlie high'.
Sandy
Goodreads Top 100 Reviewer
This is a cracking read, fast-paced and well plotted. More please!
Chris Nolan
*** Also available in this breathtaking series ***
Book 1: Games People Play
Book 2: Old Friends and New Enemies
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2017
43 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Owen Mullen
27 books192 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 51 reviews
March 15, 2017
I have a very pleasurable problem with Owen Mullen's books - after I have finished reading them, I am spoilt for anything else. I find it difficult to settle into and enjoy my next few reads until I come down off my 'Charlie high'. As I read I keep thinking 'Charlie wouldn't have done that. Charlie would have done it like this....'
Yes, I am a Charlie Cameron fan - a huge Charlie Cameron fan. He is a refreshing find in the jaded world of detective fiction.
Mullen writes with a dark, wry and dry humour that has me snorting out loud (yes, a great look in the café!) as I read, and devouring his books with a greedy intensity.
Whatever happened to the Hippocratic oath? The 'I shall do no harm' bit in particular. Gavin Law has dobbed in a surgeon for acting recklessly in the operating theatre, causing brain-damage to a woman who will live out the rest of her life in a vegetative state. Now he has gone missing. And no-one other than his sister seems concerned. The hospital, who has denied any responsibility for the 'mishap', is also busy throwing up a smokescreen to protect itself.
And meanwhile, East End gangster Sean Rafferty (whom we have met previously) is behind Riverside, a development that will be 'good for Glasgow'. Not everyone agrees. Bad things start happening to those who oppose the development because Sean, like his father Jimmy before him, has never learnt to take no for an answer.
With all this going on Charlie still finds time for a little romance in his life.
An exciting and satisfying read. Leaving me wanting more.......I sincerely hope Mullen is working on a 4th book in this series.
Thank you to author Owen Mullen for providing an ARC for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Yes, I am a Charlie Cameron fan - a huge Charlie Cameron fan. He is a refreshing find in the jaded world of detective fiction.
Mullen writes with a dark, wry and dry humour that has me snorting out loud (yes, a great look in the café!) as I read, and devouring his books with a greedy intensity.
Whatever happened to the Hippocratic oath? The 'I shall do no harm' bit in particular. Gavin Law has dobbed in a surgeon for acting recklessly in the operating theatre, causing brain-damage to a woman who will live out the rest of her life in a vegetative state. Now he has gone missing. And no-one other than his sister seems concerned. The hospital, who has denied any responsibility for the 'mishap', is also busy throwing up a smokescreen to protect itself.
And meanwhile, East End gangster Sean Rafferty (whom we have met previously) is behind Riverside, a development that will be 'good for Glasgow'. Not everyone agrees. Bad things start happening to those who oppose the development because Sean, like his father Jimmy before him, has never learnt to take no for an answer.
With all this going on Charlie still finds time for a little romance in his life.
An exciting and satisfying read. Leaving me wanting more.......I sincerely hope Mullen is working on a 4th book in this series.
Thank you to author Owen Mullen for providing an ARC for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
August 12, 2018
I assume the title of this book refers to an Irish drinking toast.
“May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.”
The consumption of alcohol in this book is prevalent, but no character gives this toast.
While the story is interesting, it is three characters that make this book (and the two previous books in the series) so enjoyable for me. The central character is Charlie Cameron, a private investigator. He comes from a wealthy family but doesn’t have much contact with them. He’s a bit lazy because he doesn’t need to earn his money. He’s dogged with a case because he doesn’t want to let his clients down.
Supporting him are two friends. Patrick Logue is a petty criminal, married with two teen boys, who spends a lot of time on “his” stool at the bar. This character reminds me of Slip Mahoney of the old Bowery Boys movies. Charlie's other friend is DS Andrew Geddes. He’s a pessimistic, experienced, gut-instinct type of cop. He has a new younger superior who wants to close cases based on assumptions rather than evidence. Patrick and Geddes are not friends, and neither sees why Charlie is friends with the other.
The antagonist is Sean Rafferty, a son of the major crime family in Glasgow who now leads that organization after his father and brother have died. Sean wants to become a respectable businessman and gets involved with a city development project, but Sean is his father's son.
This may all seem stereotypical, but I liked this book. I can’t find any references to another book in the series, so this may be it.
Also, consistent with the previous books but no where near as severe, is the problem with incorrect comma usage. As an example, a character asks, “Is it about, Tony?”
“May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.”
The consumption of alcohol in this book is prevalent, but no character gives this toast.
While the story is interesting, it is three characters that make this book (and the two previous books in the series) so enjoyable for me. The central character is Charlie Cameron, a private investigator. He comes from a wealthy family but doesn’t have much contact with them. He’s a bit lazy because he doesn’t need to earn his money. He’s dogged with a case because he doesn’t want to let his clients down.
Supporting him are two friends. Patrick Logue is a petty criminal, married with two teen boys, who spends a lot of time on “his” stool at the bar. This character reminds me of Slip Mahoney of the old Bowery Boys movies. Charlie's other friend is DS Andrew Geddes. He’s a pessimistic, experienced, gut-instinct type of cop. He has a new younger superior who wants to close cases based on assumptions rather than evidence. Patrick and Geddes are not friends, and neither sees why Charlie is friends with the other.
The antagonist is Sean Rafferty, a son of the major crime family in Glasgow who now leads that organization after his father and brother have died. Sean wants to become a respectable businessman and gets involved with a city development project, but Sean is his father's son.
This may all seem stereotypical, but I liked this book. I can’t find any references to another book in the series, so this may be it.
Also, consistent with the previous books but no where near as severe, is the problem with incorrect comma usage. As an example, a character asks, “Is it about, Tony?”
March 21, 2017
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
This is book three in the Charlie Cameron series and I wouldn’t recommend reading it as a standalone because at this point there is some pretty deep character development at play and you would also be missing out on a great series! One of my favorite things about this series is that Charlie is a PI and not a detective which while being unique, it’s also fun because he’s not restricted by the same rules and regulations as a police officer and he has the freedom to take on cases of his choosing. He also can toe the line more and follow his gut instincts which keeps things fresh and exciting.
I spoke of character development earlier and while there are always more layers to Charlie’s character being revealed, this time you learn more about Charlie’s police contact and friend, Andrew Geddes. Diving into his background and seeing what drives him was really interesting and following along with him as he works a case was also a new treat. When two separate cases that both men are working on collide, things really start to get sticky and compelling.
I’ve really grown to love and appreciate Mullen’s use of dry wit and humor in his writing, it breaks things up and always causes me to smirk. Charlie is such a likable guy to me and though I always enjoy following along as he tries to solve a case and find a missing person, seeing what he does in terms of his romantic and personal life is also a draw. There is a little bit of that in this book and I can’t wait to see what comes of that. The Rafferty’s are also back, and that only means trouble for Charlie and things were left wide open, the epilogue especially intrigued me, I’ll be impatiently awaiting book four!
This is book three in the Charlie Cameron series and I wouldn’t recommend reading it as a standalone because at this point there is some pretty deep character development at play and you would also be missing out on a great series! One of my favorite things about this series is that Charlie is a PI and not a detective which while being unique, it’s also fun because he’s not restricted by the same rules and regulations as a police officer and he has the freedom to take on cases of his choosing. He also can toe the line more and follow his gut instincts which keeps things fresh and exciting.
I spoke of character development earlier and while there are always more layers to Charlie’s character being revealed, this time you learn more about Charlie’s police contact and friend, Andrew Geddes. Diving into his background and seeing what drives him was really interesting and following along with him as he works a case was also a new treat. When two separate cases that both men are working on collide, things really start to get sticky and compelling.
I’ve really grown to love and appreciate Mullen’s use of dry wit and humor in his writing, it breaks things up and always causes me to smirk. Charlie is such a likable guy to me and though I always enjoy following along as he tries to solve a case and find a missing person, seeing what he does in terms of his romantic and personal life is also a draw. There is a little bit of that in this book and I can’t wait to see what comes of that. The Rafferty’s are also back, and that only means trouble for Charlie and things were left wide open, the epilogue especially intrigued me, I’ll be impatiently awaiting book four!
March 25, 2017
Before The Devil Know’s You’re Dead is the third novel in the PI Charlie Cameron series. As there is a character from the first book in the series that is in this book who Charlie has a history with, I would recommend reading the first book at least before reading this one.
It seems to be getting to be the norm in a lot of crime novels to have two threads running alongside each other throughout a story. I have to say this makes a more gripping read and ensures that the author has the readers attention.
Charlie seems to be doing well with the business side of things and his cases certainly make for an intriguing read. His love life sadly isn’t as straight forward. I don’t know if its just me but he brings out the mothering instinct in me, in that I care about his wellbeing and want to see him happy.
The story line to do with David Cooper is one that really got to me. It can’t be easy to go through what him and his wife have and it makes for some thought provoking reading.
Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead is yet another good read in the series. The author manages to keep me guessing and keeps his cards close to his chest so that I never know what quite to expect. This is sure to be a hit with fans of the series, new and old.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
It seems to be getting to be the norm in a lot of crime novels to have two threads running alongside each other throughout a story. I have to say this makes a more gripping read and ensures that the author has the readers attention.
Charlie seems to be doing well with the business side of things and his cases certainly make for an intriguing read. His love life sadly isn’t as straight forward. I don’t know if its just me but he brings out the mothering instinct in me, in that I care about his wellbeing and want to see him happy.
The story line to do with David Cooper is one that really got to me. It can’t be easy to go through what him and his wife have and it makes for some thought provoking reading.
Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead is yet another good read in the series. The author manages to keep me guessing and keeps his cards close to his chest so that I never know what quite to expect. This is sure to be a hit with fans of the series, new and old.
My thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
March 23, 2017
I was so excited when I heard that Owen Mullen had the third book in the Charlie Cameron P.I. series completed, having already read the first two novels when they first came out, and oh boy it was definitely worth waiting for. I love Scotland and with each of these books I just feel like another layer has been exposed, another dimension that exists in Glasgow that I don't really think about. One that I hope never to really find myself in.
At a push you could read this novel as a stand alone but don't. The characters have become like old friends and there would be times that although you will get the gist of why they are like they are with each other, it would be like missing the punch line. Talking of punch lines I love the humour in these books, Owen Mullen's can be pretty wicked at times, making me laugh at not always the appropriate moment.
In this book Charlie again takes on a missing person case to find Surgeon Gavin Law but seems to lack motivation to be honest and at first he believes that he just fled an inevitable scandal. Now for me one of my very favourite characters from the series takes quite a role in this book, DS Andrew Geddes. He is extremely frustrated with his boss after a man's death by hanging is dismissed as a suicide, when he has that gut feeling there is far more to it than that. Things for Andrew just don't add up, so he calls on his good friend Charlie to take a look. Now Charlie is more than happy to help his friend out having got fed up of banging his head against the proverbial brick wall with the missing person case. This in turn brings one of the most vile characters from the series back into play too East End gangster Sean Rafferty. You just don't EVER upset Sean and you NEVER say no!
I am in heaven. The atmosphere just became charged because Charlie sometimes just pushes too far. What a brilliant book, loved each one but I think this is my favourite so far. Already need my next Charlie fix.
At a push you could read this novel as a stand alone but don't. The characters have become like old friends and there would be times that although you will get the gist of why they are like they are with each other, it would be like missing the punch line. Talking of punch lines I love the humour in these books, Owen Mullen's can be pretty wicked at times, making me laugh at not always the appropriate moment.
In this book Charlie again takes on a missing person case to find Surgeon Gavin Law but seems to lack motivation to be honest and at first he believes that he just fled an inevitable scandal. Now for me one of my very favourite characters from the series takes quite a role in this book, DS Andrew Geddes. He is extremely frustrated with his boss after a man's death by hanging is dismissed as a suicide, when he has that gut feeling there is far more to it than that. Things for Andrew just don't add up, so he calls on his good friend Charlie to take a look. Now Charlie is more than happy to help his friend out having got fed up of banging his head against the proverbial brick wall with the missing person case. This in turn brings one of the most vile characters from the series back into play too East End gangster Sean Rafferty. You just don't EVER upset Sean and you NEVER say no!
I am in heaven. The atmosphere just became charged because Charlie sometimes just pushes too far. What a brilliant book, loved each one but I think this is my favourite so far. Already need my next Charlie fix.
March 24, 2017
3rd in the Charlie Cameron series. All the usual suspects are here , but not least Glasgow itself.
I have grown to love this series and its characters. For various reasons, well rounded people and a city that I love and figures large in my life.
Gavin Law is a whistle blower who after accusing Wallace Maitland of botching an operation, that leaves a woman brain damaged , disappears.
Gavin's sister asks Charlie to find her brother. A straight forward case sees Charlie involved in the murky world of cover ups, politics and organised crime.
The writing is top quality and draws the reader along at a furious pace.
As a Glasgow boy I can relate to where this book is set.
Also good was to see DS Geddes taking a bigger part in this book.
If you like your books fast paced, gritty and multilayered, then grab this book, and if you haven't read the others grab them too.
5 stars from me and well deserved.
I have grown to love this series and its characters. For various reasons, well rounded people and a city that I love and figures large in my life.
Gavin Law is a whistle blower who after accusing Wallace Maitland of botching an operation, that leaves a woman brain damaged , disappears.
Gavin's sister asks Charlie to find her brother. A straight forward case sees Charlie involved in the murky world of cover ups, politics and organised crime.
The writing is top quality and draws the reader along at a furious pace.
As a Glasgow boy I can relate to where this book is set.
Also good was to see DS Geddes taking a bigger part in this book.
If you like your books fast paced, gritty and multilayered, then grab this book, and if you haven't read the others grab them too.
5 stars from me and well deserved.
June 2, 2021
This is book 3 in the Charlie Cameron series and having read the previous books I was very happy to read this one.
Charlie Cameron is a private investigator with a big heart. His character has grown throughout the books and I feel I really know him now. He has an extraordinary skill for finding lost people and has built a business out of it. Unfortunately trouble seems to follow Charlie where he goes and is probably very lucky to still be alive especially since he has got on the wrong side of a gangster.
He is helped in his searches by Pat who is a very unique character, a lovable rogue with exceptional people skills that enable him to extract information for Charlie that otherwise may not be possible.
DI Andrew Geddes also plays a big part in the books as a policeman he is able to provide Charlie with information and has been known to be in the right place at the right time. In this book Andrew is having problems with the new DCI and is considering retirement which means Charlie becomes a counsellor along with his other tasks.
There is a lot going on in this book so much that at times it gets a little confusing. A man going missing puts into motion a series of events that brings Charlie back under the Gangster's radar. He had a lucky escape once maybe he wont be so lucky this time. Pat and Andrew have problems of their own and Charlie has love life issues. As always everything comes together in a totally unexpected ending.
Another excellent book I am hoping to read more about Charlie in future books.
I was provided with a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Charlie Cameron is a private investigator with a big heart. His character has grown throughout the books and I feel I really know him now. He has an extraordinary skill for finding lost people and has built a business out of it. Unfortunately trouble seems to follow Charlie where he goes and is probably very lucky to still be alive especially since he has got on the wrong side of a gangster.
He is helped in his searches by Pat who is a very unique character, a lovable rogue with exceptional people skills that enable him to extract information for Charlie that otherwise may not be possible.
DI Andrew Geddes also plays a big part in the books as a policeman he is able to provide Charlie with information and has been known to be in the right place at the right time. In this book Andrew is having problems with the new DCI and is considering retirement which means Charlie becomes a counsellor along with his other tasks.
There is a lot going on in this book so much that at times it gets a little confusing. A man going missing puts into motion a series of events that brings Charlie back under the Gangster's radar. He had a lucky escape once maybe he wont be so lucky this time. Pat and Andrew have problems of their own and Charlie has love life issues. As always everything comes together in a totally unexpected ending.
Another excellent book I am hoping to read more about Charlie in future books.
I was provided with a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
March 17, 2017
The immediate start to this story was really gripping. How I love when an author grabs you by the scruff of the neck and drags you in, that's what the first chapter did to me.
I hadn't read his previous books, but, it didn't seem to matter I was well into the story, the plot.
I found this author to be clear in his writing, easy to follow and for some reason because its set in Scotland everyone of course had a scottish accent in my head as I read the dialogue.
Nice snappy kind of read, keeps you on your toes, guessing, and in some places quite a twink of fun with the warped dry sense of humour popping up here and there, but it certainly has a serious side to this.
The plot is tight, its very enjoyable and I loved the little bit of romance that Charlie could enjoy.
I will need to catch up on his previous book.
My thanks to Bloodhounds for my copy.
I hadn't read his previous books, but, it didn't seem to matter I was well into the story, the plot.
I found this author to be clear in his writing, easy to follow and for some reason because its set in Scotland everyone of course had a scottish accent in my head as I read the dialogue.
Nice snappy kind of read, keeps you on your toes, guessing, and in some places quite a twink of fun with the warped dry sense of humour popping up here and there, but it certainly has a serious side to this.
The plot is tight, its very enjoyable and I loved the little bit of romance that Charlie could enjoy.
I will need to catch up on his previous book.
My thanks to Bloodhounds for my copy.
March 26, 2017
A good thriller needs a strong story because thriller readers want to be thrilled! They want a complex, but flawed hero. It should be full of action, stylish and complex. The main character should grow and evolve, pacing should always be fast. Your reader should be eager to turn the pages, oh and lets not forget a nasty villain, we like our villains to be cruel. So if these are the criteria we judge a thriller against, how does Before The Devil Knows You're Dead measure up?
It hits the base on every single one of the criteria all good thrillers are judged against. Not only did it rollick along, sweeping me from the opening scene, out into the gritty streets of Glasgow, into the shadowy world of organised crime, it took me into the less than professional operating rooms of egoistical surgeons and into the shadowy halls of council politics.
In PI Charlie Cameron we have a hero who starts the story needing to move forward professionally and personally and by the end Owen Mullen gives us a character who s stronger and ready to face his demons in the next thrilling adventure.
Even better we have a villain who personifies my image of a Glasgow Mafia Boss. Sean Raftery is cruel, manipulative and ruthless. Now that is a villain you will love to hate. The supporting range of characters range from a whistleblower who disappears, a devastated husband, a disgraced surgeon and weather beaten police officers. Its the perfect cross section of characters who alternatively leave you angry, nervous and willingly them to fnd the justice they seek.
It all adds up to a story with numerous twists and turns. More than once I was wrong footed, convinced I knew who the killer was. I was thrilled to discover than Owen Mullen had delivered a story with multiple threads. Not a simple straight forward thriller. Like suffering whiplash, you were taken down one thread of the story, only to be whipped back and sent hurtling down another. Yet he ties up all the threads perfectly, leaving the reader wanting more, ready for the next instalment in this series.
Without doubt this is a first class thriller that fits perfectly into the series.
It hits the base on every single one of the criteria all good thrillers are judged against. Not only did it rollick along, sweeping me from the opening scene, out into the gritty streets of Glasgow, into the shadowy world of organised crime, it took me into the less than professional operating rooms of egoistical surgeons and into the shadowy halls of council politics.
In PI Charlie Cameron we have a hero who starts the story needing to move forward professionally and personally and by the end Owen Mullen gives us a character who s stronger and ready to face his demons in the next thrilling adventure.
Even better we have a villain who personifies my image of a Glasgow Mafia Boss. Sean Raftery is cruel, manipulative and ruthless. Now that is a villain you will love to hate. The supporting range of characters range from a whistleblower who disappears, a devastated husband, a disgraced surgeon and weather beaten police officers. Its the perfect cross section of characters who alternatively leave you angry, nervous and willingly them to fnd the justice they seek.
It all adds up to a story with numerous twists and turns. More than once I was wrong footed, convinced I knew who the killer was. I was thrilled to discover than Owen Mullen had delivered a story with multiple threads. Not a simple straight forward thriller. Like suffering whiplash, you were taken down one thread of the story, only to be whipped back and sent hurtling down another. Yet he ties up all the threads perfectly, leaving the reader wanting more, ready for the next instalment in this series.
Without doubt this is a first class thriller that fits perfectly into the series.
March 29, 2017
OWEN MULLEN.
Before the Devil knows you're dead.
Another book featuring Charlie Cameron as the private investigator. Follow Charlie in his quest to solve the murders and missing persons, he gets involved in all sorts of work. This is a brilliant book and will keep you gripped to the very end.
5* 29 March 2017.
Before the Devil knows you're dead.
Another book featuring Charlie Cameron as the private investigator. Follow Charlie in his quest to solve the murders and missing persons, he gets involved in all sorts of work. This is a brilliant book and will keep you gripped to the very end.
5* 29 March 2017.
August 1, 2018
Read the print (paperback) edition. Charlie is back and managing to survive. It's a wonder.
James Bond he is not. But some of his escapes and ladies would remind you of Bond.
Another good story, full of lots of laughs (many at Charlie) and a convoluted one, with so many
characters you need a notebook. Don't think I have ever read backwards more times in my reading
life than I did with this one. But I enjoyed it. I like Charlie. And Glasgow.
James Bond he is not. But some of his escapes and ladies would remind you of Bond.
Another good story, full of lots of laughs (many at Charlie) and a convoluted one, with so many
characters you need a notebook. Don't think I have ever read backwards more times in my reading
life than I did with this one. But I enjoyed it. I like Charlie. And Glasgow.
April 3, 2017
WOW…. This book is way above a 5star read!
I have to say I really enjoyed Owen Mullen’s first two books featuring PI Charlie Cameron – Games People Play and Old Friends and New Enemies – and have been recommending them both to everyone I speak to. This third novel, Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead is even better than the first two!
It may be that once we reach book three we know the characters who feature in all three books. I would love to meet Charlie Cameron!
I felt this book moved at a faster pace than the last which made it impossible to put down. I switched between the paperback and the kindle versions depending on where and when I was reading.
It was gripping and I look forward to Owen Mullen’s next release!
I have to say I really enjoyed Owen Mullen’s first two books featuring PI Charlie Cameron – Games People Play and Old Friends and New Enemies – and have been recommending them both to everyone I speak to. This third novel, Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead is even better than the first two!
It may be that once we reach book three we know the characters who feature in all three books. I would love to meet Charlie Cameron!
I felt this book moved at a faster pace than the last which made it impossible to put down. I switched between the paperback and the kindle versions depending on where and when I was reading.
It was gripping and I look forward to Owen Mullen’s next release!
Read
July 1, 2021Whistle Blower...This idea came to me when I picked up a newspaper...side by side were two articles, one about a hospital whistleblower, the other about corruption in Glasgow City Council. It offered me the perfect opportunity to pit Charlie against his nemesis Sean Rafferty...sooner or later their war will end - but only one will survive.
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.
March 28, 2017
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead provides the reader with an enthralling, gripping and fast-paced rollercoaster of a ride through the streets of Glasgow with Charlie Cameron and his hunt for whistleblower, Gavin Law.
Charlie Cameron is a Private Investigator with his own demons to torment him and throughout this series, the reader is drawn further into his character and begins to learn more about what drives him and what makes him tick. With no word of a lie, I think I’ve been developing a little #GirlCrush on Charlie over the 3 books; he has wormed his way into my heart with his determination and down to earth, straight talking Glaswegian grit and humour! In Before the Devil he has gone straight to my heart! The love of his life makes a brief reappearance but is Charlie as in love with her as he first thought and is there a new love interest on the horizon?!
Patrick Louge, Charlie’s sidekick, seriously this guy has me in stitches with every book, borderline alcoholic and part-time crook, it would appear that he is tolerated by Charlie but in reality, you know that Charlie couldn’t do without him. Patrick’s earthy Glaswegian dry wit is brought to the fore in Before The Devil and there are some class one liners in there that had the tears streaming down my face!
Notorious gangster, Jimmy Rafferty appeared in Old Friends and New Enemies and in this book we are given the pleasure of getting to know his son, Sean. Hmm, you thought Jimmy was bad news – well let’s just say Sean may have more of a respectable persona on the outside but inside he is more ruthless and dangerous than his father ever was. Owen has given a spot on portrayal of the gangster underworld in present day Glasgow – they are not all wee neds running around with blades and chibbing folk – today’s gangsters have a more “respectable veneer” and are often found courting business with those in positions of power.
DS Andrew Geddes, Charlie’s police link, plays a greater role in this book and it was good to be able to find out some more about what is going on with him. He is struggling with his boss who has not risen through the ranks but who is a fast-tracked entrant into Police Scotland. His desire to manage by statistics and budgets as opposed to Geddes’ need to deliver justice through the truth, sees Geddes question his role in Police Scotland and him linking up with Charlie to find the truth behind the deaths….
Corruption and the dark underworld of Glasgow gangsters are the themes explored in Before the Devil and Owen pulls no punches when narrating the tale of the lengths those in power will go to, to protect their own interests!
Characters and plot aside, one of my favourite things about Owen’s books are the sense of place that he gives the reader – he has the knack of bringing the streets of Glasgow alive for you! I know every street and every landmark in his books and I swear it is like he has picked me up and placed me slap bang in the centre of the action when I read his books! Even if you don’t know Glasgow, you will feel like you do after you read this. I can now drive or walk through the city centre and see the characters step out of the pages into the streets such is Owen’s talent for providing the reader with that sense of place.
Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead gives you a tightly knit and enthralling plot, with Glaswegian grit and gallows humour thrown in; Owen has an uncanny knack of creating solid and multi-dimensional characters that will draw you in and leave you wanting more…it will keep you engrossed until the very last page and shouting for book number four!
Charlie Cameron is a Private Investigator with his own demons to torment him and throughout this series, the reader is drawn further into his character and begins to learn more about what drives him and what makes him tick. With no word of a lie, I think I’ve been developing a little #GirlCrush on Charlie over the 3 books; he has wormed his way into my heart with his determination and down to earth, straight talking Glaswegian grit and humour! In Before the Devil he has gone straight to my heart! The love of his life makes a brief reappearance but is Charlie as in love with her as he first thought and is there a new love interest on the horizon?!
Patrick Louge, Charlie’s sidekick, seriously this guy has me in stitches with every book, borderline alcoholic and part-time crook, it would appear that he is tolerated by Charlie but in reality, you know that Charlie couldn’t do without him. Patrick’s earthy Glaswegian dry wit is brought to the fore in Before The Devil and there are some class one liners in there that had the tears streaming down my face!
Notorious gangster, Jimmy Rafferty appeared in Old Friends and New Enemies and in this book we are given the pleasure of getting to know his son, Sean. Hmm, you thought Jimmy was bad news – well let’s just say Sean may have more of a respectable persona on the outside but inside he is more ruthless and dangerous than his father ever was. Owen has given a spot on portrayal of the gangster underworld in present day Glasgow – they are not all wee neds running around with blades and chibbing folk – today’s gangsters have a more “respectable veneer” and are often found courting business with those in positions of power.
DS Andrew Geddes, Charlie’s police link, plays a greater role in this book and it was good to be able to find out some more about what is going on with him. He is struggling with his boss who has not risen through the ranks but who is a fast-tracked entrant into Police Scotland. His desire to manage by statistics and budgets as opposed to Geddes’ need to deliver justice through the truth, sees Geddes question his role in Police Scotland and him linking up with Charlie to find the truth behind the deaths….
Corruption and the dark underworld of Glasgow gangsters are the themes explored in Before the Devil and Owen pulls no punches when narrating the tale of the lengths those in power will go to, to protect their own interests!
Characters and plot aside, one of my favourite things about Owen’s books are the sense of place that he gives the reader – he has the knack of bringing the streets of Glasgow alive for you! I know every street and every landmark in his books and I swear it is like he has picked me up and placed me slap bang in the centre of the action when I read his books! Even if you don’t know Glasgow, you will feel like you do after you read this. I can now drive or walk through the city centre and see the characters step out of the pages into the streets such is Owen’s talent for providing the reader with that sense of place.
Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead gives you a tightly knit and enthralling plot, with Glaswegian grit and gallows humour thrown in; Owen has an uncanny knack of creating solid and multi-dimensional characters that will draw you in and leave you wanting more…it will keep you engrossed until the very last page and shouting for book number four!
March 24, 2017
This is the third novel in the Charlie Cameron P.I. series. I loved the previous two books in the series so jumped at the chance to read this one.
I honestly didn’t think Owen Mullen could top the previous book but he certainly did and it was lovely to be back with Charlie and the loveable rogue Pat.
Once again Charlie gets drawn into two cases while also handling his personal life.. which is never easy.
I think it’s this work life balance that makes Charlie the likable and believable character he is. His private life is more complicated in this tale when an old flame shows up which brings Charlie’s emotions to the foreground.
I’d recommend reading the books in order if I’m honest but it would work as a standalone too as the author explains the background well enough, I just think you’d be missing out on the character development that's built up.
So you’ll want to know about the cases our P.I gets sucked into. Well first off Gavin Law has went missing and his overbearing sister is out for answers. There’s not much to go on at first and it takes Charlie a while to be able to piece the dark and disturbing case together with some twists in the tale that really knock you for six.
The other case involves Sean Rafferty a gangster we’ve met before. I won’t give the game away with this one but when a gangster is involved you know there’s bound to be a body or two.
I’ve always loved Charlie but in this tale his Police friend Andrew Geddes shined and developed so well for me. I can’t wait to see what’s next and hope Geddes gets more page time.
The plot is dark and gritty, twists come from nowhere and you really are kept on your toes. It’s another brilliant tale from Mullen. What I really enjoy is that he manages to give us two tales weaved into one and at no point did it get confusing, With so many characters it would be easy to get lost but not with Mullen’s tales..everything is so clear to follow.
What I really need to love a book is to feel like the characters are real and with Charlie I get just that. I couldn’t think of anything I didn’t like about this book.
I honestly didn’t think Owen Mullen could top the previous book but he certainly did and it was lovely to be back with Charlie and the loveable rogue Pat.
Once again Charlie gets drawn into two cases while also handling his personal life.. which is never easy.
I think it’s this work life balance that makes Charlie the likable and believable character he is. His private life is more complicated in this tale when an old flame shows up which brings Charlie’s emotions to the foreground.
I’d recommend reading the books in order if I’m honest but it would work as a standalone too as the author explains the background well enough, I just think you’d be missing out on the character development that's built up.
So you’ll want to know about the cases our P.I gets sucked into. Well first off Gavin Law has went missing and his overbearing sister is out for answers. There’s not much to go on at first and it takes Charlie a while to be able to piece the dark and disturbing case together with some twists in the tale that really knock you for six.
The other case involves Sean Rafferty a gangster we’ve met before. I won’t give the game away with this one but when a gangster is involved you know there’s bound to be a body or two.
I’ve always loved Charlie but in this tale his Police friend Andrew Geddes shined and developed so well for me. I can’t wait to see what’s next and hope Geddes gets more page time.
The plot is dark and gritty, twists come from nowhere and you really are kept on your toes. It’s another brilliant tale from Mullen. What I really enjoy is that he manages to give us two tales weaved into one and at no point did it get confusing, With so many characters it would be easy to get lost but not with Mullen’s tales..everything is so clear to follow.
What I really need to love a book is to feel like the characters are real and with Charlie I get just that. I couldn’t think of anything I didn’t like about this book.
June 22, 2017
It is a snowy Hogmanay in Glasgow. Obstetric Surgeon Gavin Law has made an accusation of malpractice against a colleague, Wallace Maitland, only for an accusation to be made against him. Wallace Maitland doesn't remember Hogmanay but did end up covered in blood. Sean Rafferty is now the head of gangster family having taken over from his violent father Jimmy and is having a party to try to appear respectable.
When Law disappears on that fateful Hogmanay, private detective Charlie Cameron takes on the case to find him. But with no leads he also agrees to look at an apparent suicide for his policeman friend DS Geddes, something will put him on a collision course with Rafferty, a man who has tried to kill Cameron in the past.
This, roughly, is the setting for the third of the Charlie Cameron crime thrillers. Detective novels require their plot and characterisation to be convincing and Mullen delivers both. Cameron is always convincing, and an entertaining narrator of the events as he witnesses them. The usual supporting cast of Pat Logue and Geddes are in fine form and Rafferty seems even more of a threat when in the role of a respectable businessman. The various others involved in the cases all ring true as well. Mullen has a knack for not only making his characters believable but very human and realistic as well.
The plotting did not disappoint either with the Law case especially baffling as all avenues of investigation peter out to nothing, and Cameron's frustration at this is clear. The final reveal caught me by surprise but fits everything together perfectly. It certainly kept me guessing, although to be honest I was enjoying simply following Cameron around and seeing his world too much to spend much time worrying about who did it.
This was a book that I enjoyed reading enormously. Mullen is a terrific writer and Cameron and the world he inhabits is a living breathing thing in his hands. Very very highly recommended.
When Law disappears on that fateful Hogmanay, private detective Charlie Cameron takes on the case to find him. But with no leads he also agrees to look at an apparent suicide for his policeman friend DS Geddes, something will put him on a collision course with Rafferty, a man who has tried to kill Cameron in the past.
This, roughly, is the setting for the third of the Charlie Cameron crime thrillers. Detective novels require their plot and characterisation to be convincing and Mullen delivers both. Cameron is always convincing, and an entertaining narrator of the events as he witnesses them. The usual supporting cast of Pat Logue and Geddes are in fine form and Rafferty seems even more of a threat when in the role of a respectable businessman. The various others involved in the cases all ring true as well. Mullen has a knack for not only making his characters believable but very human and realistic as well.
The plotting did not disappoint either with the Law case especially baffling as all avenues of investigation peter out to nothing, and Cameron's frustration at this is clear. The final reveal caught me by surprise but fits everything together perfectly. It certainly kept me guessing, although to be honest I was enjoying simply following Cameron around and seeing his world too much to spend much time worrying about who did it.
This was a book that I enjoyed reading enormously. Mullen is a terrific writer and Cameron and the world he inhabits is a living breathing thing in his hands. Very very highly recommended.
August 15, 2021
Gavin Law, a surgeon has vanished and Private Detective Charlie Cameron is on the case hired by Gavin's sister Caroline to find him. Gavin accused another colleague, Wallace Maitland, of malpractice and then found himself the subject of a serious allegation by Francis Fallon Hospital. Charlie comes from a wealthy family and he thinks the case is a simple one until Gavin turns up dead. Charlie also agrees to look at an apparent suicide for his policeman friend DS Andrew Geddes, from Police Scotland putting him in the path of Rafferty, a man who has tried to kill Cameron before.
Whistleblower 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. 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 Geddes and Patrick Logue, who sometimes assists Charlie.
Owen Mullen cleverly combines each of the story strands really well making this a fascinating read and love the way in which he showcases his characters. In addition to a few neat twists and plenty of wit, there is a pronounced overall noir feel to the narrative and nothing is given away until the tidy and artful ending. I'm now planning to read the fourth book in the series, The Accused.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Boldwood Books via NetGalley, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
Whistleblower 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. 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 Geddes and Patrick Logue, who sometimes assists Charlie.
Owen Mullen cleverly combines each of the story strands really well making this a fascinating read and love the way in which he showcases his characters. In addition to a few neat twists and plenty of wit, there is a pronounced overall noir feel to the narrative and nothing is given away until the tidy and artful ending. I'm now planning to read the fourth book in the series, The Accused.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Boldwood Books via NetGalley, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
January 25, 2022
3.5 stars
The Raffertys are up to no good once again, & there is some shady stuff happening at a local private hospital. Charlie ends up investigating both, of course. As usual, good dialogue & character work & a strong story.
[What I liked:]
•Ah, Patrick & Andrew, Charlie’s sidekicks! Back again to provide comic relief & local color. Jackie doesn’t feature much this time, but it’s nice to see recurring characters pop up.
•The ending is very nice & twisty! Did not see it coming, but all the pieces were there, waiting to be revealed, by the end.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•It seems a bit hasty for Hambley to jump to the conclusion that Wallace murdered someone. Based on zero evidence. It just makes him seem completely unhinged.
•I generally like Charlie as a character, but he does a good bit of objectifying women throughout this book, internally judging almost every woman he meets on their attractiveness, & with a certain character named Alile it gets especially uncomfortable. I guess this wouldn’t have bothered me as much except the book opens with Charlie reconnecting with an ex he’s still half in love with, he says he’s “falling in love” with her all over again, & as soon as she flies back to the US he’s drooling over Alile 🤦♀️
CW: substance abuse, infidelity, suicide, child death, medical malpractice, murder, domestic violence, r*pe, mental health issues
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
The Raffertys are up to no good once again, & there is some shady stuff happening at a local private hospital. Charlie ends up investigating both, of course. As usual, good dialogue & character work & a strong story.
[What I liked:]
•Ah, Patrick & Andrew, Charlie’s sidekicks! Back again to provide comic relief & local color. Jackie doesn’t feature much this time, but it’s nice to see recurring characters pop up.
•The ending is very nice & twisty! Did not see it coming, but all the pieces were there, waiting to be revealed, by the end.
[What I didn’t like as much:]
•It seems a bit hasty for Hambley to jump to the conclusion that Wallace murdered someone. Based on zero evidence. It just makes him seem completely unhinged.
•I generally like Charlie as a character, but he does a good bit of objectifying women throughout this book, internally judging almost every woman he meets on their attractiveness, & with a certain character named Alile it gets especially uncomfortable. I guess this wouldn’t have bothered me as much except the book opens with Charlie reconnecting with an ex he’s still half in love with, he says he’s “falling in love” with her all over again, & as soon as she flies back to the US he’s drooling over Alile 🤦♀️
CW: substance abuse, infidelity, suicide, child death, medical malpractice, murder, domestic violence, r*pe, mental health issues
[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]
March 26, 2017
In the words of Glaswegian wide-boy Pat Logue, Su perb! I've just had a "Charlie-Fest" weekend, re-reading the first two books in this series before I excitedly unwrapped the third one. I won't tell you what these books are about, you can read that for yourself in the blurb on the back pages. What I will tell you is this is a fantastic series that just keeps getting better as the characters develop. By the third book we are now very familiar with Charlie Cameron Private Investigator, his side kick the aforementioned Pat and his long suffering wife Gail, his policeman friend DS Andrew Geddes,the on/off rock chick girlfriend Kate Calder, Jackie Mallon feisty barmaid turned manager of the New York Blue owned by Alex Gilby and then there's the big bad villain himself Sean Rafferty. These characters have vividly evolved and I feel I know them very well now. I love the tour of Glasgow and other areas of Scotland we are shown around. Mr Mullen 's books are well plotted, written with a good deal of underlying wit and give nothing away until the very end. I particularly loved the epilogue with promises to come..... This is surely a TV series in the making. STV , get in there!
March 25, 2017
Reuniting with old friends
It is always great to become reunited with old friends particularly when their latest adventure proves to be even more diverting than the last.We meet new characters,say a possible goodbye to others and follow an intriguing new plot to it's conclusion.I look forward to readind a lot more of Owen Mullen's work Whilst this book is delightful as a standalone for a real treat read all the books in order for maximum pleasure
It is always great to become reunited with old friends particularly when their latest adventure proves to be even more diverting than the last.We meet new characters,say a possible goodbye to others and follow an intriguing new plot to it's conclusion.I look forward to readind a lot more of Owen Mullen's work Whilst this book is delightful as a standalone for a real treat read all the books in order for maximum pleasure
April 18, 2017
The third instalment in Owen Mullen's Charlie Cameron PI series will have you on the edge of your seat. This time Charlie and his sidekick Patrick Logue are drawn into the murky world of nepotism and corruption - and Charlie re-encounters his old adversary Sean Rafferty from his second novel, Old Friends and New Enemies. Sean is desperate to rebrand himself as a respectable businessman and shake off his father's reputation, but under the veneer he is more evil than his dad ever was. Add to that the disappearance of hospital whistleblower Gavin Law and you have a cracking story that twists and turns until the very end. DS Andrew Geddes is further developed in this novel as he locks horns with his new boss. And of course the banter from Patrick and the familiar characters from New York Blue will keep you smiling amid the grit and gore. I couldn't put it down and hope Charlie comes back again very soon!
September 13, 2017
Now this, I remember, really was good.
October 12, 2021
Maybe not perfect, but quite close.
I enjoyed the story and LOVED the characters!
Off to the next book in the series.
I enjoyed the story and LOVED the characters!
Off to the next book in the series.
March 21, 2017
Loved it but then I loved the first 2 - Charlie Cameron is brilliant and I can't wait for the next one! The characters are so well written I feel like I know them. If you haven't read any of these I would recommend making time to do so - you won't regret it.
November 13, 2019
When whistle-blower Gavin Law goes missing, Glasgow PI Charlie Cameron sets out to track him down. But Charlie soon discovers there’s a lot more to the mystery than he first thought. Could a surgeon who left a woman brain-damaged have killed Law to keep him quiet? Or has the woman’s husband taken revenge for the doctor’s mistake? Meanwhile, Charlie’s old adversary Sean Rafferty has his fingers in several political pies, exerting influence on the city’s corrupt councillors in a bid to serve himself a slice of a multi-million-pound project.
Once again, Owen Mullen’s snappy dialogue and multi-layered plot throw his hero into the path of the bad guys, while adding a bit of something special in the guise of a potential new love interest. As with all good crime thrillers, a series of apparently unconnected scenarios are deftly weaved together to keep us on the edge while the author guides the strands of his tale into another sparkling page-turner.
This is book 3 in the Charlie Cameron series and as usual it’s a rollicking good ride. Go Charlie!
Once again, Owen Mullen’s snappy dialogue and multi-layered plot throw his hero into the path of the bad guys, while adding a bit of something special in the guise of a potential new love interest. As with all good crime thrillers, a series of apparently unconnected scenarios are deftly weaved together to keep us on the edge while the author guides the strands of his tale into another sparkling page-turner.
This is book 3 in the Charlie Cameron series and as usual it’s a rollicking good ride. Go Charlie!
March 15, 2017
Having read the first two Charlie Cameron novels and enjoyed them very much, I was delighted to learn that Owen Mullen had been signed by Bloodhound Books; I am grateful to Bloodhound for sending me an ARC of Before The Devil Knows Your Dead. This is an excellent addition to the series; Mullen writes well and the picture he portrays of Scotland and Glasgow in particular is vivid. Most of the characters are familiar from the first two novels; Charlie Cameron is an interesting PI with a good back story, and his police contact, DS Andrew Geddes, is a committed and able cop with a somewhat doleful mien. The various strands which are featured in this story are neatly linked and cleverly resolved. This is a cracking read, fast-paced and well plotted. More please!
March 21, 2017
Another outstanding novel in the Charlie Cameron series for more thoughts check out my blog at confessions of a reading addict
April 10, 2017
Is it possible? Can Mr Mullen really do it again? YES! HE CAN! And he has! Another STONKIN' good read. In fact, although I wouldn't have thought it possible, this one may be the best book of the series. Poor old Charlie - will he finally find true love and will the love of the beautiful nurse finally bring him happiness? The support characters in this are all lovable; irascible Jackie, cheeky rogue Pat and his long suffering wife, Gail, Andrew, you have to love them, warts and all. The story is clever and very fast moving. We'll all be keeping a watchful eye on our local councillors from now on. It's about time this was turned into a TV series. Charlie Cameron is ready for the small screen and I'm ready for book number 4. A fabulous 5 star hit, yet again, from Owen Mullen
January 4, 2018
My favourite book in this series so far, same great characters and locations and an intriguing storyline
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews