Terminus

DI Munro & DS West #5

by Pete Brassett

Detective Munro is on the back foot when a dangerous killer always seems to be one step ahead.

Having been the victim of a hit and run accident, and despite being black and blue, DI Munro wastes no time in trying to find out the identity of the perpetrator.

In the meantime, a junior detective receives a call from a concerned member of the public, worried that a recently deceased friend’s will had been unlawfully changed.

What connects these two events will be crucial to the detective’s investigation. But when prime witnesses turn up dead, they’ll discover they have a more serious case on their hands. With attempted murder upgraded to a full-scale murder investigation, can the police close in on a mysterious killer or will Munro be finally outwitted?

TERMINUS is the fifth book by Pete Brassett to feature detectives James Munro and Charlotte West. The other books are, in order of appearance: SHE, AVARICE, ENMITY and DUPLICITY. All of these books are available on Kindle Unlimited and in paperback from Amazon.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Ebooks, Procedural, Thriller, Scotland

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2017

About the author

Pete Brassett is the author of the best-selling series of detective novels based in and around his native Scotland featuring James Munro and Charlie West.

Following the publication of his debut novel, 'Clam Chowder at Lafayette and Spring', Pete ventured into the world of crime fiction tackling issues like PTSD, religious scandal, and manic depression with the novels 'Kiss the Girls', 'Prayer for the Dying' and 'The Girl From Kilkenny', before moving onto subject matter a little closer to home.

The forging of the Munro and West relationship begins with a fractious encounter in east London where a dissolute West, struggling with personal problems and misogynistic colleagues, is mentored by Munro who, recognising her potential, hoodwinks her into joining him back in Scotland where she flourishes as a first-class, yet ultimately flawed, detective.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

so confused...Believe it or not, I had no memory of having read earlier Munro/West books a year ago. I was very entertained reading this one.
I have just visited the book that I should have read prior to this one, but did not do enough research before downloading. Even though I may have had to connect the dots by making presumptions it did not spoil the experience of reading this police procedural.
Munro is one very entertaining old Scot. For maximum enjoyment, do read the five books in order.

[Merryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good quick, entertaining read.

[Tony da Napoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are not reading these in order, do not bother with this book. It begins the day after the end of the last and really should have been part of the last book. Publisher deadlines probably prevented that. I am a fan of the series to date. This storyline continues with the same cast of good guys and bad guys and all but provides complete closure. Having a lot of bad guys makes it a chore to follow exactly who-done-what until it is explained by the wise DI Monroe.
=> Disclaimer: I read for pleasure and not to critique- so I leave good critiques to those with that skill.
I saw a number of poor ratings for this and conclude that most did not read the previous book. This one is NOT intended as a standalone.
I enjoyed it but not as much as the last. 3 stars. why?
I noticed (IMO) a change in the banter dialog between the protagonists. Some have said it is DS Charlotte 'Charlie' West coming into her own, professionally and personally. But I thought it was a bit too informal and too "cute" for "pro" police detectives. I am thinking Brassett is trying to take this bantering to a new level to introduce more humor. If so, it didn't work for me.
A fast, easy read if you are into it. It wraps up the story lines. Hopefully you can get it on the cheap😂I am starting the next in the series today hoping author Pete readjusts the dialog...

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

209 pages

4 stars

This is an interlude book. It bridges between the last novel and, I presume, the next. In other words, it is a cliffhanger. Yuk…

DI Jim Mumro is recovering from being hit by a car intentionally. There is CCTV of the car, and surprise, surprise it belongs to one of the characters from the last book. And the driver, well that is no surprise either. All of the characters who did not die in the last book are back again.

Along with DI Munro, are Charlie, Dougal and Duncan. They make a great team. I love their interactions, shot through with a sense of humor. For a little light reading, dive in!

I’ll have to read the next in the series to find out what happens.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read the previous 4 DI Munro/DS West books. These are police procedurals set in Scotland, and I do like that genre. This book was frustrating because it tied in to the previous book, which I don't own and couldn't remember vividly. I recommend that f you are reading the series, read #4 and this book back-to-back. (I'm used to having the backstory thread through a series, but this book had the actual mystery reliant on what happened in the prior book.)

[Linda Sharp · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dialog reminds me of Sam Spade novels and I don't like it. Stopped reading 1/3 of the way.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just enjoyed the whole series. It reminded me so so much of Midsummer Murders.

[Jeanne Johnston · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was enjoying the story well enough until it abruptly ended--in the middle of the action. WTAF?

[Mike Briley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining read but I found there were too many threads held by too many people for me to keep all the details clear in my mind. Maybe I'm getting old;-(

According to other critics I discover that reading the earlier books in the series makes things clearer

[John Nissen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first book in this series.Absolutely disappointing.A bunch of four friends who may or may not be members of a police force (no evidence for this) solve a ,yes what?Lots of names but no character description.Silly story line.This was my first and my last book in this series.What a waste of time!

[Michelle Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Long winded and repetitive. Characters added unnecessarily in an attempt to thicken the plot but only succeeds in complicating the already thin storyline. The twist in the tale comes right at the end, almost as a desperate measure, perhaps for the reader to buy the next book. Extremely disappointing.

[Gary Van Cott · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems like this series is making less sense as it goes along. Good thing it is on kindle unlimited.

[Joan]

So this is book 5 in a five book series and it ends like that????

[Ian · Rating 1 out of 5]

It has been a few weeks since I completed this book and I've already forgotten what it was about. That's not because my memory is bad, I'm no Amos Decker but who is? It's because I couldn't have told you what this book was about even whilst reading it. I can remember something about a taxi firm and a white VW Golf and that's about it.

If you've read any of the previous books as I have then you'll know to expect a certain amount of sarcasm and tongue in cheek humour from the various characters. However, this story is like episode of the Keystone Cops Scotland. At best the humour can bring a smile to your face as the characters interact, but for me it just becomes too much. The idea of a police detective riding around on a moped seems somewhat ridiculous even to me and I actually ride a scooter!

The other thing that grated me throughout is the characters obsession with food and drink. I remember mentioning this in previous reviews and nothing has changed. I guess I'm reaching the point that I've finally concluded I'm not a fan of the series. I have tried to give it the benefit of the doubt hence this is book #5 but I don't think I'll be finishing the series.

I quite seriously could not give away any spoilers as I just don't remember what the story was about. I had no interest in it whatsoever. Although only just over two hundred pages I struggled to complete this book. I actually got to the point of having to force myself to read it a few pages at a time, it was a chore. I have decided that in future if I feel this way about a book I'll just move on as there are so many books I haven't read, why waste my time if I'm not enjoying it?

just not to my taste.

[Andrew Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally a good book. DI west is finally standing on her own two feet and not needing to be spoon fed solutions. Still loving it being set in Ayrshire.

One niggling thing though, its the gas oven exploding at the end of the book. Gas ovens have had safety features for many years, including a gas cut off if no ignition is detected with in about 5 seconds of starting the gas. or in other models a pilot light out - won't allow main gas on.
Also, as stated the gas was on full, and on for a long time. So even if the safety devices were bypassed, the gas / air mixture inside the oven would have been too fuel rich to get any ignition or explosion. Again, having the gas on full for a long period (lets say 10 minutes), surely you would smell it as it leaked out the oven.

There are still some other issues I'm having with this series:
I'm still wondering how and why Munro is employed, surely you can only be employed or unemployed, and not just a retired cop coming back to help. HR must have a field day at this. Didn't he hand back his warrant card when he retired? How does he get payed? is he still contributing to his pension fund? How does he claim expenses? How did he get signed off from the doctors to return back to work??? He wouldn't have been allowed anywhere near an investigation let alone be back at work with his arm in a cast... my 2 cents...

[Nancy]

Detective Munro is on the back foot when a dangerous killer always seems to be one step ahead.

Having been the victim of a hit and run accident, and despite being black and blue, DI Munro wastes no time in trying to find out the identity of the perpetrator.

In the meantime, a junior detective receives a call from a concerned member of the public, worried that a recently deceased friend’s will had been unlawfully changed.

What connects these two events will be crucial to the detective’s investigation. But when prime witnesses turn up dead, they’ll discover they have a more serious case on their hands. With attempted murder upgraded to a full-scale murder investigation, can the police close in on a mysterious killer or will Munro be finally outwitted?

TERMINUS is the fifth book by Pete Brassett to feature detectives James Munro and Charlotte West. The other books are, in order of appearance: SHE, AVARICE, ENMITY and DUPLICITY. All of these books are available on Kindle Unlimited and in paperback from Amazon.

Very good. Good series - Scotland.

[Mags Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a large number of players in this one. Highly recommend go to the list at the back of the book and read over the individuals list for the story. Then maybe review it again as you get part way through the book. Many many twists and turns but it's all worth it when you get to the end. Great finish. I iterate the research is excellent, and Author Brassett uses names and brands which really exist even though this does not represent actual living individuals. I like the research and the fact there is a Wikipedia access to explain what some of the UK names are for various activities and items. Am reading the series of Munro and West, and it really does help to read them in order even though it is not an absolute necessity. The included humor from time-to-time also keeps the story line from being simply a morbid criminal story. VR, Mags

[Patiscynical · Rating 2 out of 5]

Murky

This Scottish murder mystery had too much going on. Too many suspects, too many characters with names beginning with 'D'. Duncan, Dougal, Dalgetty. I had to look up a lot of unfamiliar Scottish terms, but I really didn't mind that. I don't expect a British mystery to use American slang. No, it was just that the storyline was muddied by all the herrings, red or otherwise.
To be fair, there are several books in this series that I haven't read, and apparently some of the villains had major parts in previous books. So if you've read the whole series the story might make more sense.
Results: I don't feel the need to rush out and read the rest of this series. I won't say that I wouldn't read more books by this author, but I won't look specifically for them, either.

[Bette · Rating 4 out of 5]

ODD! DI Munro has been hospitalized after he is the victim of a hit and run.
ODD! Following the death of a senior with no family, the will has been moved to a different lawyer’s office, its beneficiaries are slightly different than her priest and best friend knew them to be, and were not of her lifelong interests!

This sets the beginning to this case for DI Munro and DS West. What ties these two cases together?

NOTE: I get the impression the author is misleading his readers or maybe himself. I can’t say more because it would be a spoiler.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

D.C.I. Munro has been seriously injured after a hit and run traffic accident, but is determined not to stay at the hospital. Meanwhile Father Dalgetty is concerned after the death of a close friend because he believes that her will has been altered. His friend Alison Kennedy, manager of Glencree Care Home, approaches the police with her concerns. But is there a connection between the two events.
An enjoyable crime story but with this book it is best to have read number 4 in the series first.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm irritated because the book ends abruptly and strangely and now I will need to download #6. But not right away. As others have said, this story relates to earlier volumes although I had forgotten much of what happened in #4. I am confused about just how the crimes were resolved and I am sad about being fooled myself about some of the more likable characters. The book starts out with quite the confession of a priest but doesn't go back to that story at all and I was looking for more there.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a police procedural that takes place in Scotland. The beginning was confusing because there were too many characters. In fact, I made a list of characters so I would know who was who. What did I find at the end of the book? Yes, a list of characters. There are some things that don’t make sense. However, I did enjoy the book. The main characters are interesting and well drawn. I wouldn’t mind reading about them again.

[Bernie Gale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had just read Enmity and really enjoyed and found I had a copy of Terminus. I was sadly disappointed the jokes from Terminus were being repeated and yes a twist at the end of the story but the general direction of the story was clear from a few pages into the book and it lacked the depth of investigation of Enmity.

I will probably read the early books but I can't generate much enthusiasm for reading later books a great shame as I thought I had found a new top 5 author.

[J Crossley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not read the previous Munro/West books by Pete Brassett. In this book, Detective Munro is recovering from a hit and run accident that has left him black and blue. Father Dalgetty concerned with his friend, Margeret Forsyth’s sudden death and her will. Are these two cases related? Possibly so…

I was drawn in at the beginning with the writing of the book. I enjoyed the setting of the novel. What happened in the epilogue was very creative.

[Carol Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terminus by Pete Brassett is a Scottish police procedural mystery. Brassett’s writing plops the reader right in the middle of the action in a police investigation. The plot is solid, with an abundance of clues sprinkled throughout the story and a surprise ending. The characters are multi-dimensional; good at their job, even when they must chase down false leads, are overworked, and very human. This series would make a great Netflix series.

[Di Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving this series! The characters are lovely, with a great sense of repartee, even with Munro's dry humour. The only problem I noticed in this book specifically is the constant need for everyone to be flirting with everyone else. I didn't feel it added to the plot or characterisation in any real way, and in my opinion, showed the police members in a less-than-professional light. That's the only reason this didn't get five stars. I've already started the next in the series.

[Huub Nollet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ja, ik wist dat het mogelijk in een soort dialect geschreven zou zijn, maar daar wen je toch min of meer aan. Verhaallijn is erg chaotisch en eigenlijk pas op het eind van dit verhaal dat je een beetje begint in te zien waar het allemaal om draait. Heb er heel lang over gedaan om dit uit te lezen, voor mijn gevoel erg weinig verhaal. En veel onmogelijke draaiingen zorgde niet echt voor duidelijkheid.

[Bud Mallar · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty much the same style as the first four books.

A good whodunit, and short. A bit too tongue and cheek for my liking.

However, I'm just not attached to the recurring characters, as I am, say with Louise Penny's series. Not that it's necessary all the time, but it helps when you are looking at over 20 books in the series.

So, gonna lay off for a while and start some new series. Might end up in the same situation, might not. Time will tell.

[Anouska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Brassett's style is hugely enjoyable, with evocative descriptions, highly inventive similes, and sharp dialogue. I was really invested in the story, with lots of satisfying and unpredictable twists and turns. Well-developed and relatable characters. My favourite murder mystery of the year.

[Katherine Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was enjoyable reading but it had too many characters in it found it hard to keep track of plot. It was a good story and finish was not what I had anticipated or expected. A real shocker.

I would recommend this book to other mystery readers because the finish was not what they have detected in keeping with the spirit of this story.