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Detective Inspector Murray #1
The Winter Wind
The very first crime novel by author Michael Patterson, which introduces his challenged hero Steven Murray. It was December 2014 in Edinburgh and “the bells were ringing out for Christmas Day.” When choosing between the police and the criminals, it can often be difficult to tell who is a god and who is a monster. In Scotland, in the 'Heart of Midlothian' - Kenny Dixon was regarded as both. Detective Inspector Steve Murray is a down-to-earth, no nonsense, music loving Scotsman. In addition to having a healthy Irish lineage, he is a mouthy maverick with a 'heart of gold' and an unsettling series of disturbing demons of his own to fight! One thing he knew for sure though - the darker things got, the closer the danger! So he recognised the dead, bloodied body of a female art student was only just the beginning. With a string of further unexplained festive deaths, the investigation intensified. In a battle of wits and wills - Did Murray have what it took to uncover the truth? To figure out the how, the why and eventually, the who? Revenge, greed, abuse and power all surface. And as the twists, turns and death count rise - be prepared to be startled, shocked and amazed by the intimate deathly sound of .................. The Winter Wind!
371 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2017
7 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Michael Patterson
7 booksMichael is one of Scotland's growing breed of highly talented crime writers. He is the creator of the extremely popular Steven Murray novels, and has been recently nominated for 'Best Breakthrough Author 2018 Crime Thriller Awards.
His inaugural book The Winter Wind was the precursor in what should prove to be an exciting collection of titles featuring the music loving, yet somewhat mentally challenged Detective Inspector. It was also shortlisted for the Staedtler Independent Crime Novel of the Year in 2017.
Brought up in Paisley, in the west of Scotland. He was the youngest in a family of five. Born in the month of October, he has a great affinity with his star sign of 'the scales.' Growing up, he'd often quote - "It's all about getting the balance right!"
After many years as a professional entertainer and business author, in early 2015 he took up crime fiction writing. It became a conduit and an exciting outlet to keep his creative juices flowing. In the February of that year D.I. Murray was born and the journey for both he and Michael over the next few years is going to be filled with more twists and turns than a giant roller coaster. He hopes you'll all enjoy the adventure together.
His inaugural book The Winter Wind was the precursor in what should prove to be an exciting collection of titles featuring the music loving, yet somewhat mentally challenged Detective Inspector. It was also shortlisted for the Staedtler Independent Crime Novel of the Year in 2017.
Brought up in Paisley, in the west of Scotland. He was the youngest in a family of five. Born in the month of October, he has a great affinity with his star sign of 'the scales.' Growing up, he'd often quote - "It's all about getting the balance right!"
After many years as a professional entertainer and business author, in early 2015 he took up crime fiction writing. It became a conduit and an exciting outlet to keep his creative juices flowing. In the February of that year D.I. Murray was born and the journey for both he and Michael over the next few years is going to be filled with more twists and turns than a giant roller coaster. He hopes you'll all enjoy the adventure together.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 30, 2018
A crime story based in Edinburgh, with the main character of Detective Inspector Steven Murray. A music loving, non-nonsense copper of old. He has his own demons to fight, a dead wife and three children, but is often out spoken and direct with his colleagues and superiors, so will never get promoted. The story starts with the murder of a young art student at Christmas in 2014. As Murray is brought in to start the investigation, his dark side leaves him in a funk and knowing that there will be more to come. When matters are dark, danger is never far away.
As the time of Christmas cheer and New Year wishes takes place in Edinburgh, the more bodies mount up. Not a great time of year for death to come calling for anyone or their families. The crimes increase with some local crime lord involvement, young girls going missing, but not being found, dead or alive anywhere, other seemingly unconnected murders and even old cases which could maybe finally be solved. A casino, money laundering and other crimes all abound.
The book gives lots of description, for me far too much, of places, people and quotes and sudden musical comparisons. I have lived in the North East of England and went to school in Tynemouth, mentioned at the beginning of the story and live in Edinburgh now and for the last twenty plus years. So yes, the reason I chose the book was because it was based in Edinburgh, a beautiful city with so much going on and it was a crime thriller to boot.
A decent crime story with lots of plots twists and interesting characters that led me to read to the end to see how the plot was finalised. It took me longer than expected to read as I was off put by the continual quotes for each chapter start and then too much description, music quotes and the rest that I found unnecessary. It could have been a lot more streamlined to make it an easier read, but maybe other readers will like all the extra descriptive parts and quotes through-out.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above. I would have given it between 2-3 stars as I didn't hate the story, more the writing style, which hopefully the author will improve upon as they get more feedback on crime writing.
As the time of Christmas cheer and New Year wishes takes place in Edinburgh, the more bodies mount up. Not a great time of year for death to come calling for anyone or their families. The crimes increase with some local crime lord involvement, young girls going missing, but not being found, dead or alive anywhere, other seemingly unconnected murders and even old cases which could maybe finally be solved. A casino, money laundering and other crimes all abound.
The book gives lots of description, for me far too much, of places, people and quotes and sudden musical comparisons. I have lived in the North East of England and went to school in Tynemouth, mentioned at the beginning of the story and live in Edinburgh now and for the last twenty plus years. So yes, the reason I chose the book was because it was based in Edinburgh, a beautiful city with so much going on and it was a crime thriller to boot.
A decent crime story with lots of plots twists and interesting characters that led me to read to the end to see how the plot was finalised. It took me longer than expected to read as I was off put by the continual quotes for each chapter start and then too much description, music quotes and the rest that I found unnecessary. It could have been a lot more streamlined to make it an easier read, but maybe other readers will like all the extra descriptive parts and quotes through-out.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above. I would have given it between 2-3 stars as I didn't hate the story, more the writing style, which hopefully the author will improve upon as they get more feedback on crime writing.
July 3, 2018
Too much trivia distracts from the murder mystery😟
June 28, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
I had problems keeping any interest in the murder mystery part of this story because it was so buried in irrelevant, tangential trivia, much of which was geared to a local (Scottish) reader's understanding. At one point, when murder visits a woman and child, I thought I had finally developed a connection with the story but, no, the story diverted to a travelogue train ride to Dundee and my attempt to stay with the story could not withstand the scatter shot writing any longer.
I love Scotland and look forward to reading books set there. I had great hopes for this story but just could not endure constant distracting reminiscing about song lyrics and tv shows, padded with tossed in "fun" facts about just about everything under the sun. I also found it confusing the way so many characters were introduced one after another, many with no seeming connection to the others. Maybe they came together eventually, but I could not be bothered to stick with it to the end.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
June 28, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
I had problems keeping any interest in the murder mystery part of this story because it was so buried in irrelevant, tangential trivia, much of which was geared to a local (Scottish) reader's understanding. At one point, when murder visits a woman and child, I thought I had finally developed a connection with the story but, no, the story diverted to a travelogue train ride to Dundee and my attempt to stay with the story could not withstand the scatter shot writing any longer.
I love Scotland and look forward to reading books set there. I had great hopes for this story but just could not endure constant distracting reminiscing about song lyrics and tv shows, padded with tossed in "fun" facts about just about everything under the sun. I also found it confusing the way so many characters were introduced one after another, many with no seeming connection to the others. Maybe they came together eventually, but I could not be bothered to stick with it to the end.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
August 2, 2018
Provided with a free ARC for an honest review. Wow, what can I say. First, the good. I liked the characters, in particular Joe Hanlon. I can see a lot more of him coming. Likewise, DI Steve Murray, a very damaged personality with mental issues. He is brilliant and very interesting. The plot is also quite interesting. Who did what to whom and why makes for an amazing story. However, slogging through the book is painful. Too much trivia!! I don't care who won a horse race a hundred years ago, or the history of various towns in Scotland, or music lyrics to songs I've never heard of. All that is acceptable if it's integral to the plot. In most cases it is totally superfluous. The book took way too long to engage the reader. I almost gave up more than once. There are so many characters introduced in the beginning I almost felt I should be talking notes. All is explained in the end, but even then some of the clues are so obscure I can't imagine what kind of a genius it would take to figure it out. I'd really have to think hard about trying the next book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews