Vantage Point: A MacNeice Mystery

MacNeice #4

by Scott Thornley

The highly anticipated fourth instalment in the critically acclaimed MacNeice Mysteries series finds MacNeice and his team on the hunt for a sophisticated serial killer who draws his inspiration from classic works of art ― perfect for fans of Dan Brown’s mysteries with a historical twist. Two bodies have been found in the master bedroom of a mansion in Dundurn’s old-money neighbourhood under the mountain. Howard Terry and his son, Matthew, have both been shot twice in the chest. Under Matthew’s body is a doll with blood-red cotton wadding spilling out of its head. Nearby, a mannequin in a nightshirt lies on its back, with two bullet holes in the chest. On the other side of town, a body is discovered below the Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall. Leaning against an enormous rock is a man in a cotton nightshirt wearing a papier mâché donkey’s head. Two rounds in the chest. Something about the way the bodies have been arranged suggests the murders are connected and triggers a memory in Detective Superintendent MacNeice of an image he saw years before…

Genres: Mystery

320 pages, Paperback

Published November 27, 2018

Reviews

[Ann Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a quick read. Its main strength is the detailed portrayal of the main characters. They were thoroughly believable as real people fighting their own demons. I have not read any of the other MacNeice mysteries but plan to read the first so I can better understand MacNeice’s personality.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth in the MacNeice series of mysteries set in the fictional town of Dundurn (which we all know as Hamilton). Somehow I missed reading book #3, but it really doesn't matter the order.
This mystery was a little more gruesome that previous ones, but I just love the characters and their different personalities. There was a military background to this suspect who was obviously suffering from PTSD. It made for very tense and disturbing scenes.
MacNeice is such a likeable character! He is a bird lover and in every book we're given information on the different birds he hears and sees. Thornley puts a real humanity to the detectives and how a life as a homicide detective can affect their own personal life.

[Jane Mulkewich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A murder mystery, set in Hamilton, Ontario (where I live) - although the name has been changed to Dundurn. This book is nominated for a prize in the Hamilton Literary Awards and so we will see if it wins on Monday evening! Although the murders in this book are actually quite grisly, the writing and the character development is very engaging. I do want to go back and read the other books in the Detective MacNeice series now.

[Murray O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done. This was my first Scott Thornley and I thought it was as good as most mystery genre books I’ve read. I like the narrative of the lead character and the storyline. Being based in Canada was a bonus. I will go back and real his other books too.

[Caroline Ingvaldsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth MacNeice Mystery is another gripping and erudite police procedural set in Dundurn, that is Hamilton, Ontario re-imagined.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

More birds, including swans! and more grappa, and more music, Tom Waits Foreign Affairs! and more conversations with his dead wife and way more, wow, hugely impressive visual art! To me, this is the best in the series of our crime fiction hero, MacNeice. Here, the Detective Superintendent mines the intricacies of elite military training and intelligence while still at the same time manages his own insecurities and personal losses. On the upside, after unimaginable bravery and belief in himself at the the climax of the story, the big picture itself, which is not only of art itself, but where art originates from, emerges, and Mac finally and delicately imagines a future for himself. That is quite possibly, and hopefully, a beautiful thing.

[Virginia Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Reverend Howard Terry and his son Matthew are found in their home, both been shot twice in the chest. But what makes this case stand out is how the bodies were dressed in old fashioned nightshirts along with a female mannequin, also wearing a nightshirt and with two bullet holes in the chest. And what, wonders Dundurn's DS MacNeice, is the purpose of the brass letter "V" placed atvthe scene. When a second elaborately staged body, this of a local drug dealer, shows up MacNeice realizes he has a serial killer on his hand. The story is intriguing but a little too busy and any of the characters are rather flat.

[Cybercrone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just found myself a great new series.

My new favourite detective is a great guy and good detective, who discusses things with his deceased wife whom he misses so much. The story and plot line were wonderful too.

Funnily enough, I had just moved to the city he writes about and in the years since the move have felt totally displaced. Reading this book and thinking "Oh, I know that street" is the first thing that's made me feel a bit of belonging here, so - side benefit.

However, I did not find the French Cafe and I'm still looking.

[Wendy Hearder-moan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like it could be the last in the series (although not necessarily I guess). If it is, it certainly is a finale that packs a punch. The character of MacNeice is well-drawn. I like how he comes across as both strong and sensitive. The extra star is for the author’s treatment of the killer. Unusually for this genre, the killer is not a one-dimensional or stereotypical figure. MacNeice feels some sympathy for him and so does the reader.

[Eric Morneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai adoré tout simplement. J'ai été m'acheter 2 autres de ses livres (les seuls que j'ai trouvé) et j'ai bien hâte de les lire! Je trouve que la façon d'opérer des policiers est probablement plus proche de la réalité que dans bien des livres, même à la fin de la traque, je sentait que c'était crédible

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, for a reader who likes the Agatha Christie style Body in the Library (with very little blood) murders, these are pushing my limits in gruesomeness. But I enjoy the Dundurn (Hamilton) setting so much, (had to google The Devil's Punchbowl waterfall). I find that MacNeice is veering into Inspector Gamache territory, like an invincible saint. Looking to see what happens in the next book.

[Jean-paul Audouy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grisly but gripping and hard to put down! Packed with action and references to art (as in murder as art) with the bunch of now familiar flawed characters we’ve learned to love. One of the best in this series set in Hamilton, Ontario, even if it’s called Dundurn here for reasons that escape me. Highly recommended.

[Vontel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating & complex plot, bringing so many different threads together, including many contemporary social issues. MacNeice continues to emerge as a complex & moral character & detective. A delight to read, & I look forward to reading further volumes.

[Allen Pasternak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, Canadian police procedural. Extraordinary scene with detective identifying with the killer and the two coming face to face. That twist sets this novel apart as probably the best, so far, in the series.

[wvreads]

Received a copy of this book some time ago and thought I'd give it a try. Chasing a serial killer who has a military background and an interest in classic art results in some disturbing scenes as the mystery unfolds. Not my cup of tea, but I did appreciate the familiarity of the setting.

[Andrya · Rating 4 out of 5]

almost perfect

Just a bit too much gore for me but I enjoy the characters and the thoughtful presentation of aberrant and violent acts can be motivated by good. Lots to think about but just wish for less gore.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

MacNuece is an appealing and interesting police character, and these are very well-written novels. They take place in Hamilton, ON (aka “Dundurn”). I enjoyed this one.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered a new author! Loved this one, which is 4th in a series and now have to go and start at the first. I don't think I am giving anything away by stating that the ending was a bit "busy".

[LMB]

Loved this book. Need to read the first 4 in this series.

[Donna Mcnab · Rating 4 out of 5]

As horrifying as the murders in this book are, Scott Thornley manages to bring the story to a satisfying conclusion. I am now awaiting the next MacNeice book.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another murder mystery that I blindly grabbed off the shelves, as the library was closing for quarantine.

[Doris Thomsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series has been excellent. I hope there's a #5 coming soon.

[Anne Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more!

[Lyle Lawson]

Great yarn!

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* Interesting and different mystery novel because of the visual art aspect.

[Hubert Ricard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Booker prize material but still a good story.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

One star for being set in Ontario, though it isn’t clear why Hamilton was renamed to....well whatever. One star for having a few nicely-crafted characters. One star for seeing the plan through. The book is competent without being startlingly fresh.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the forth book in the series and I will watch for another if it comes along. The story was original and good but the real strength are the characters and MacNeice .