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Logan McRae #12
All That’s Dead
Scream all you want, no one can hear…
Inspector Logan McRae is looking forward to a nice simple case – something to ease him back into work after a year off on the sick. But the powers-that-be have other ideas…
The high-profile anti-independence campaigner, Professor Wilson, has gone missing, leaving nothing but bloodstains behind. There’s a war brewing between the factions for and against Scottish Nationalism. Infighting in the police ranks. And it’s all playing out in the merciless glare of the media. Logan’s superiors want results, and they want them now.
Someone out there is trying to make a point, and they’re making it in blood. If Logan can’t stop them, it won’t just be his career that dies.
Inspector Logan McRae is looking forward to a nice simple case – something to ease him back into work after a year off on the sick. But the powers-that-be have other ideas…
The high-profile anti-independence campaigner, Professor Wilson, has gone missing, leaving nothing but bloodstains behind. There’s a war brewing between the factions for and against Scottish Nationalism. Infighting in the police ranks. And it’s all playing out in the merciless glare of the media. Logan’s superiors want results, and they want them now.
Someone out there is trying to make a point, and they’re making it in blood. If Logan can’t stop them, it won’t just be his career that dies.
447 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2019
990 people are currently reading
1593 people want to read
About the author
Stuart MacBride
87 books2,719 followersAka Stuart B. MacBride
The life and times of a bearded write-ist.
Stuart MacBride (that's me) was born in Dumbarton -- which is Glasgow as far as I'm concerned -- moving up to Aberdeen at the tender age of two, when fashions were questionable. Nothing much happened for years and years and years: learned to play the recorder, then forgot how when they changed from little coloured dots to proper musical notes (why the hell couldn't they have taught us the notes in the first bloody place? I could have been performing my earth-shattering rendition of 'Three Blind Mice' at the Albert Hall by now!); appeared in some bizarre World War Two musical production; did my best to avoid eating haggis and generally ran about the place a lot.
Next up was an elongated spell in Westhill -- a small suburb seven miles west of Aberdeen -- where I embarked upon a mediocre academic career, hindered by a complete inability to spell and an attention span the length of a gnat's doodad.
And so to UNIVERSITY, far too young, naive and stupid to be away from the family home, sharing a subterranean flat in one of the seedier bits of Edinburgh with a mad Irishman, and four other bizarre individuals. The highlight of walking to the art school in the mornings (yes: we were students, but we still did mornings) was trying not to tread in the fresh bloodstains outside our front door, and dodging the undercover CID officers trying to buy drugs. Lovely place.
But university and I did not see eye to eye, so off I went to work offshore. Like many all-male environments, working offshore was the intellectual equivalent of Animal House, only without the clever bits. Swearing, smoking, eating, more swearing, pornography, swearing, drinking endless plastic cups of tea... and did I mention the swearing? But it was more money than I'd seen in my life! There's something about being handed a wadge of cash as you clamber off the minibus from the heliport, having spent the last two weeks offshore and the last two hours in an orange, rubber romper suit / body bag, then blowing most of it in the pubs and clubs of Aberdeen. And being young enough to get away without a hangover.
Then came a spell of working for myself as a graphic designer, which went the way of all flesh and into the heady world of studio management for a nation-wide marketing company. Then some more freelance design work, a handful of voiceovers for local radio and video production companies and a bash at being an actor (with a small 'a'), giving it up when it became clear there was no way I was ever going to be good enough to earn a decent living.
It was about this time I fell into bad company -- a blonde from Fife who conned me into marrying her -- and started producing websites for a friend's fledgling Internet company. From there it was a roller coaster ride (in that it made a lot of people feel decidedly unwell) from web designer to web manager, lead programmer, team lead and other assorted technical bollocks with three different companies, eventually ending up as a project manager for a global IT company.
But there was always the writing (well, that's not true, the writing only started two chapters above this one). I fell victim to that most dreadful of things: peer pressure. Two friends were writing novels and I thought, 'why not? I could do that'.
Took a few years though...
The life and times of a bearded write-ist.
Stuart MacBride (that's me) was born in Dumbarton -- which is Glasgow as far as I'm concerned -- moving up to Aberdeen at the tender age of two, when fashions were questionable. Nothing much happened for years and years and years: learned to play the recorder, then forgot how when they changed from little coloured dots to proper musical notes (why the hell couldn't they have taught us the notes in the first bloody place? I could have been performing my earth-shattering rendition of 'Three Blind Mice' at the Albert Hall by now!); appeared in some bizarre World War Two musical production; did my best to avoid eating haggis and generally ran about the place a lot.
Next up was an elongated spell in Westhill -- a small suburb seven miles west of Aberdeen -- where I embarked upon a mediocre academic career, hindered by a complete inability to spell and an attention span the length of a gnat's doodad.
And so to UNIVERSITY, far too young, naive and stupid to be away from the family home, sharing a subterranean flat in one of the seedier bits of Edinburgh with a mad Irishman, and four other bizarre individuals. The highlight of walking to the art school in the mornings (yes: we were students, but we still did mornings) was trying not to tread in the fresh bloodstains outside our front door, and dodging the undercover CID officers trying to buy drugs. Lovely place.
But university and I did not see eye to eye, so off I went to work offshore. Like many all-male environments, working offshore was the intellectual equivalent of Animal House, only without the clever bits. Swearing, smoking, eating, more swearing, pornography, swearing, drinking endless plastic cups of tea... and did I mention the swearing? But it was more money than I'd seen in my life! There's something about being handed a wadge of cash as you clamber off the minibus from the heliport, having spent the last two weeks offshore and the last two hours in an orange, rubber romper suit / body bag, then blowing most of it in the pubs and clubs of Aberdeen. And being young enough to get away without a hangover.
Then came a spell of working for myself as a graphic designer, which went the way of all flesh and into the heady world of studio management for a nation-wide marketing company. Then some more freelance design work, a handful of voiceovers for local radio and video production companies and a bash at being an actor (with a small 'a'), giving it up when it became clear there was no way I was ever going to be good enough to earn a decent living.
It was about this time I fell into bad company -- a blonde from Fife who conned me into marrying her -- and started producing websites for a friend's fledgling Internet company. From there it was a roller coaster ride (in that it made a lot of people feel decidedly unwell) from web designer to web manager, lead programmer, team lead and other assorted technical bollocks with three different companies, eventually ending up as a project manager for a global IT company.
But there was always the writing (well, that's not true, the writing only started two chapters above this one). I fell victim to that most dreadful of things: peer pressure. Two friends were writing novels and I thought, 'why not? I could do that'.
Took a few years though...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 444 reviews
June 6, 2019
Inspector Logan McRae has returned to work after a year on sick leave, after being seriously injured in a knife attack, but if he thinks he’ll be eased in gently then he’s in for a shock, because the mother of all cases is awaiting him!
Aberdeen based anti independence campaigner Professor Wilson has gone missing, with only bloodstains in his kitchen to indicate that something sinister has occurred. There are serious tensions between those for and those against Scottish Nationalism, and Wilson ( an arrogant and opinionated individual) has made many enemies in general, but in particular amongst those in favour of independence.
This storyline is certainly topical, as a spate of grisly crimes unfold against the backdrop of the political tensions in Scotland, and it features a group called Alt Nats and their desire for an Independent Scotland. Some of the Alt Nat members are certainly not averse to using extreme violence against those who’s views differ from theirs.
Logan’s injuries are still causing him pain and, (combined with very little sleep), he’s struggling to make sense of events, aware that he’s being blind sided by a world where every spotlight makes the corners where it doesn’t shine, an even darker and deeper threat.
This is an extremely complex and gruesome case, but Stuart MacBride always manages to lighten the atmosphere a little with spades full of humour, and some brilliant one liners, especially from DS Roberta Steel. Another absolutely unmissable read from the extremely gifted Mr MacBride!
*Thank you to HarperCollins UK for my *Wish for it* copy. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
Aberdeen based anti independence campaigner Professor Wilson has gone missing, with only bloodstains in his kitchen to indicate that something sinister has occurred. There are serious tensions between those for and those against Scottish Nationalism, and Wilson ( an arrogant and opinionated individual) has made many enemies in general, but in particular amongst those in favour of independence.
This storyline is certainly topical, as a spate of grisly crimes unfold against the backdrop of the political tensions in Scotland, and it features a group called Alt Nats and their desire for an Independent Scotland. Some of the Alt Nat members are certainly not averse to using extreme violence against those who’s views differ from theirs.
Logan’s injuries are still causing him pain and, (combined with very little sleep), he’s struggling to make sense of events, aware that he’s being blind sided by a world where every spotlight makes the corners where it doesn’t shine, an even darker and deeper threat.
This is an extremely complex and gruesome case, but Stuart MacBride always manages to lighten the atmosphere a little with spades full of humour, and some brilliant one liners, especially from DS Roberta Steel. Another absolutely unmissable read from the extremely gifted Mr MacBride!
*Thank you to HarperCollins UK for my *Wish for it* copy. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
May 9, 2019
This may be the 12th addition to the DI Logan McRae series by Stuart MacBride set in Aberdeen, but I still anticipate the newest book with an eagerness and anticipation that places me amongst the community of readers that are die hard fans of the series. At this stage, I know there is little that will surprise me, but this makes little difference to the huge level of enjoyment that I know I am guaranteed to experience. All the elements I expect are here, the humour, the comic wit, the mayhem, the iconic, shambolic lesbian queen that is DS Roberta Steel, and a Logan that MacBride has really put through the mill, it is nothing short of a miracle that he has managed to survive. Here, Logan is returning to work after a year of recovering from a previous stabbing. His new boss at Professional Standards, the crocheting Superintendent Julie Bevan, is easing him into work to support DI Frank King, whose past a journalist is planning to expose, and it is Logan's job to help Police Scotland manage this disastrous state of affairs.
Needless to say, it turns out Logan has to do far more than support King who unravels in spectacular fashion as he hits the bottle, sinks into an all consuming depression, facing a wife that is intent on making his life a misery, and the worrying prospect of losing his job, thanks to youthful errors of judgement. In the meantime, Scotland is facing the kind of political nightmare that parallels our contemporary politics of Brexit, with a deadly battle between those who support the union between England and Scotland and the extreme Alt-Nats, intent on a independent nation, by whatever means necessary, as they create a poisonous climate of fear with gruesome and brutal murders. Professor Nicholas Wilson is a stridently prominent voice supporting the union and ridiculing independence supporters. He is a man disliked by everyone who knows him, and has been abducted from his home, leaving behind a heavily blood spattered crime scene. The perpetrator(s) display a comprehensive awareness of forensics as there is no trace left behind as it becomes clear that Wilson is not the only person abducted and in danger.
The put upon Logan has to babysit King, put up with the idiots Tufty and DS Rennie, and confront a desperate police hierarchy intent on avoiding any individual blame with scapegoats lined up, bullying the lower orders as their stress levels hit sky high levels with the unfolding disasters and the never ending unwelcome pressure from the media. What can I say??? Simply a fantastic novel and a rip roaring, entertaining, character driven narrative that will be loved by fans. For those who have never read this series, I strongly urge you to give it a try. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
Needless to say, it turns out Logan has to do far more than support King who unravels in spectacular fashion as he hits the bottle, sinks into an all consuming depression, facing a wife that is intent on making his life a misery, and the worrying prospect of losing his job, thanks to youthful errors of judgement. In the meantime, Scotland is facing the kind of political nightmare that parallels our contemporary politics of Brexit, with a deadly battle between those who support the union between England and Scotland and the extreme Alt-Nats, intent on a independent nation, by whatever means necessary, as they create a poisonous climate of fear with gruesome and brutal murders. Professor Nicholas Wilson is a stridently prominent voice supporting the union and ridiculing independence supporters. He is a man disliked by everyone who knows him, and has been abducted from his home, leaving behind a heavily blood spattered crime scene. The perpetrator(s) display a comprehensive awareness of forensics as there is no trace left behind as it becomes clear that Wilson is not the only person abducted and in danger.
The put upon Logan has to babysit King, put up with the idiots Tufty and DS Rennie, and confront a desperate police hierarchy intent on avoiding any individual blame with scapegoats lined up, bullying the lower orders as their stress levels hit sky high levels with the unfolding disasters and the never ending unwelcome pressure from the media. What can I say??? Simply a fantastic novel and a rip roaring, entertaining, character driven narrative that will be loved by fans. For those who have never read this series, I strongly urge you to give it a try. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
February 12, 2020
Another brilliant book in this oh so excellent series! You need a strong stomach for this one though. The murders are all appallingly gruesome. Best if you do not try and visualise them fully!
Logan is at his very best and is currently that most unusual of characters in a crime novel, that is a man with a nice home, a serious, happy relationship, and no problems with alcohol. He also seems to be handling his job in Professional Standards in his usual level headed way.
The whole book revolves around just one nasty case and includes some very topical political issues. There is a lot of good old fashioned police work as well as interesting forensic details and an entertaining young policeman who knows his way around computers. Add all that to Logan's perceptive brain and the murderer does not stand a chance.
And I must not forget to mention Roberta Steel's way with words, both Scottish and English. It is the way she strings them together that makes them memorable, funny and very quotable but maybe not here.
Anyway, great book , great series. Keep them coming Mr. MacBride!
Logan is at his very best and is currently that most unusual of characters in a crime novel, that is a man with a nice home, a serious, happy relationship, and no problems with alcohol. He also seems to be handling his job in Professional Standards in his usual level headed way.
The whole book revolves around just one nasty case and includes some very topical political issues. There is a lot of good old fashioned police work as well as interesting forensic details and an entertaining young policeman who knows his way around computers. Add all that to Logan's perceptive brain and the murderer does not stand a chance.
And I must not forget to mention Roberta Steel's way with words, both Scottish and English. It is the way she strings them together that makes them memorable, funny and very quotable but maybe not here.
Anyway, great book , great series. Keep them coming Mr. MacBride!
August 19, 2019
EXCERPT: He brought the torch round, sweeping across the skeleton branches and bone trunks.
A pair of eyes glittered back at him, too far away to make out anything but their reflected glow.
He stayed where he was. 'Stalin? Stalin, that you?'
No answering bark. No response at all. Whatever it was just stayed there, staring at him from the darkness.
'Hmph.' Nicholas pulled his chin up. 'Well, what are you then? A fox, or a badger?'
And that's when he feels it. A .... presence. There's someone behind him!
The smoky tang of whisky catches in his nostrils as they step in close, their breath warm against his cheek.
Oh God...
His mouth dries, pulse stabbing its way through his throat.
There's a papery rustling sound. Then a cold metallic one as a ghost white arm appears from behind Nicholas, painfully bright in the torch's glow. The arm holds an axe, the blade chipped and brown with rust.
'A fox or a badger?' A small laugh. 'Oh, I'm something much, much worse.'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Inspector Logan McRae was looking forward to a nice simple case – something to ease him back into work after a year off on the sick. But the powers-that-be have other ideas…
The high-profile anti-independence campaigner, Professor Wilson, has gone missing, leaving nothing but bloodstains behind. There’s a war brewing between the factions for and against Scottish Nationalism. Infighting in the police ranks. And it’s all playing out in the merciless glare of the media. Logan’s superiors want results, and they want them now.
Someone out there is trying to make a point, and they’re making it in blood. If Logan can’t stop them, it won’t just be his career that dies.
MY THOUGHTS: Classic MacBride. Plenty of black humour, a twisted plot showing off the worst of humankind, and quirky characters, all overlaid by a veneer of normality.
I am always excited by the advent of a new addition to this series. And All That's Dead certainly doesn't disappoint. Graphic, grisly, but strangely enchanting, MacBride weaves his web entangling the reader in a desperate chase to catch an elusive and deadly chameleon.
****.5
THE AUTHOR: The life and times of a bearded write-ist.
Stuart MacBride (that's me) was born in Dumbarton -- which is Glasgow as far as I'm concerned -- moving up to Aberdeen at the tender age of two, when fashions were questionable. Nothing much happened for years and years and years: learned to play the recorder, then forgot how when they changed from little coloured dots to proper musical notes (why the hell couldn't they have taught us the notes in the first bloody place? I could have been performing my earth-shattering rendition of 'Three Blind Mice' at the Albert Hall by now!); appeared in some bizarre World War Two musical production; did my best to avoid eating haggis and generally ran about the place a lot.
Next up was an elongated spell in Westhill -- a small suburb seven miles west of Aberdeen -- where I embarked upon a mediocre academic career, hindered by a complete inability to spell and an attention span the length of a gnat's doodad.
And so to UNIVERSITY, far too young, naive and stupid to be away from the family home, sharing a subterranean flat in one of the seedier bits of Edinburgh with a mad Irishman, and four other bizarre individuals. The highlight of walking to the art school in the mornings (yes: we were students, but we still did mornings) was trying not to tread in the fresh bloodstains outside our front door, and dodging the undercover CID officers trying to buy drugs. Lovely place.
But university and I did not see eye to eye, so off I went to work offshore. Like many all-male environments, working offshore was the intellectual equivalent of Animal House, only without the clever bits. Swearing, smoking, eating, more swearing, pornography, swearing, drinking endless plastic cups of tea... and did I mention the swearing? But it was more money than I'd seen in my life! There's something about being handed a wadge of cash as you clamber off the minibus from the heliport, having spent the last two weeks offshore and the last two hours in an orange, rubber romper suit / body bag, then blowing most of it in the pubs and clubs of Aberdeen. And being young enough to get away without a hangover.
Then came a spell of working for myself as a graphic designer, which went the way of all flesh and into the heady world of studio management for a nation-wide marketing company. Then some more freelance design work, a handful of voiceovers for local radio and video production companies and a bash at being an actor (with a small 'a'), giving it up when it became clear there was no way I was ever going to be good enough to earn a decent living.
It was about this time I fell into bad company -- a blonde from Fife who conned me into marrying her -- and started producing websites for a friend's fledgling Internet company. From there it was a roller coaster ride (in that it made a lot of people feel decidedly unwell) from web designer to web manager, lead programmer, team lead and other assorted technical bollocks with three different companies, eventually ending up as a project manager for a global IT company.
But there was always the writing (well, that's not true, the writing only started two chapters above this one). I fell victim to that most dreadful of things: peer pressure. Two friends were writing novels and I thought, 'why not? I could do that'.
Took a few years though...
DISCLOSURE: I listened to the audiobook of All That's Dead by Stuart MacBride, narrated by Steve Worsley, and published by Harper Collins Audio. All opinions expressed in this reveiw are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page, or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
A pair of eyes glittered back at him, too far away to make out anything but their reflected glow.
He stayed where he was. 'Stalin? Stalin, that you?'
No answering bark. No response at all. Whatever it was just stayed there, staring at him from the darkness.
'Hmph.' Nicholas pulled his chin up. 'Well, what are you then? A fox, or a badger?'
And that's when he feels it. A .... presence. There's someone behind him!
The smoky tang of whisky catches in his nostrils as they step in close, their breath warm against his cheek.
Oh God...
His mouth dries, pulse stabbing its way through his throat.
There's a papery rustling sound. Then a cold metallic one as a ghost white arm appears from behind Nicholas, painfully bright in the torch's glow. The arm holds an axe, the blade chipped and brown with rust.
'A fox or a badger?' A small laugh. 'Oh, I'm something much, much worse.'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Inspector Logan McRae was looking forward to a nice simple case – something to ease him back into work after a year off on the sick. But the powers-that-be have other ideas…
The high-profile anti-independence campaigner, Professor Wilson, has gone missing, leaving nothing but bloodstains behind. There’s a war brewing between the factions for and against Scottish Nationalism. Infighting in the police ranks. And it’s all playing out in the merciless glare of the media. Logan’s superiors want results, and they want them now.
Someone out there is trying to make a point, and they’re making it in blood. If Logan can’t stop them, it won’t just be his career that dies.
MY THOUGHTS: Classic MacBride. Plenty of black humour, a twisted plot showing off the worst of humankind, and quirky characters, all overlaid by a veneer of normality.
I am always excited by the advent of a new addition to this series. And All That's Dead certainly doesn't disappoint. Graphic, grisly, but strangely enchanting, MacBride weaves his web entangling the reader in a desperate chase to catch an elusive and deadly chameleon.
****.5
THE AUTHOR: The life and times of a bearded write-ist.
Stuart MacBride (that's me) was born in Dumbarton -- which is Glasgow as far as I'm concerned -- moving up to Aberdeen at the tender age of two, when fashions were questionable. Nothing much happened for years and years and years: learned to play the recorder, then forgot how when they changed from little coloured dots to proper musical notes (why the hell couldn't they have taught us the notes in the first bloody place? I could have been performing my earth-shattering rendition of 'Three Blind Mice' at the Albert Hall by now!); appeared in some bizarre World War Two musical production; did my best to avoid eating haggis and generally ran about the place a lot.
Next up was an elongated spell in Westhill -- a small suburb seven miles west of Aberdeen -- where I embarked upon a mediocre academic career, hindered by a complete inability to spell and an attention span the length of a gnat's doodad.
And so to UNIVERSITY, far too young, naive and stupid to be away from the family home, sharing a subterranean flat in one of the seedier bits of Edinburgh with a mad Irishman, and four other bizarre individuals. The highlight of walking to the art school in the mornings (yes: we were students, but we still did mornings) was trying not to tread in the fresh bloodstains outside our front door, and dodging the undercover CID officers trying to buy drugs. Lovely place.
But university and I did not see eye to eye, so off I went to work offshore. Like many all-male environments, working offshore was the intellectual equivalent of Animal House, only without the clever bits. Swearing, smoking, eating, more swearing, pornography, swearing, drinking endless plastic cups of tea... and did I mention the swearing? But it was more money than I'd seen in my life! There's something about being handed a wadge of cash as you clamber off the minibus from the heliport, having spent the last two weeks offshore and the last two hours in an orange, rubber romper suit / body bag, then blowing most of it in the pubs and clubs of Aberdeen. And being young enough to get away without a hangover.
Then came a spell of working for myself as a graphic designer, which went the way of all flesh and into the heady world of studio management for a nation-wide marketing company. Then some more freelance design work, a handful of voiceovers for local radio and video production companies and a bash at being an actor (with a small 'a'), giving it up when it became clear there was no way I was ever going to be good enough to earn a decent living.
It was about this time I fell into bad company -- a blonde from Fife who conned me into marrying her -- and started producing websites for a friend's fledgling Internet company. From there it was a roller coaster ride (in that it made a lot of people feel decidedly unwell) from web designer to web manager, lead programmer, team lead and other assorted technical bollocks with three different companies, eventually ending up as a project manager for a global IT company.
But there was always the writing (well, that's not true, the writing only started two chapters above this one). I fell victim to that most dreadful of things: peer pressure. Two friends were writing novels and I thought, 'why not? I could do that'.
Took a few years though...
DISCLOSURE: I listened to the audiobook of All That's Dead by Stuart MacBride, narrated by Steve Worsley, and published by Harper Collins Audio. All opinions expressed in this reveiw are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page, or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
May 19, 2019
The Logan McRae series is a favorite series of mine. No one can mix crime and humor as Stuart Macbride and this book is no exception. And, it all starts with a missing body, and that's not the first body to go missing. However, Logan also has to deal with the fact that the cop that runs this investigation has, let's say a black spot on his record. And, now a journalist is threatening to reveal it all. And, to top it all Logan is the one set to help out the investigation because the powers to be needs a scapegoat. And, who's better than Logan?
There is so much going on in this book that I will just say this: This book is great from the beginning until the end. There are plenty of funny moments, my favorite fictional cat Cthulhu and Logan's children have great cameos. The case is interesting, and of course, Roberta Steel is there to make Logan's life worse. And, that ending...
So, what are you waiting for? Go out and get a copy of this book (and the rest of the books in the series)...
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
There is so much going on in this book that I will just say this: This book is great from the beginning until the end. There are plenty of funny moments, my favorite fictional cat Cthulhu and Logan's children have great cameos. The case is interesting, and of course, Roberta Steel is there to make Logan's life worse. And, that ending...
So, what are you waiting for? Go out and get a copy of this book (and the rest of the books in the series)...
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
May 24, 2019
Every time I review a Stuart Macbride novel I have a terrible time because honestly all I want to do is dance the awesome book dance. Yes it’s a thing in my house, the youngest did one last night having finished the fourth Harry Potter..
Anyway, you can’t see me so I’ll just have to use my words…All That’s Dead is yet another fantastic addition to this series, completely gripping first page to last, irreverently hilarious and also dark as you like.
Our favourite characters are back doing their own awesome book dance alongside a truly villainous villain, a massive dose of reality and some rather horrific happenings. The plot is taut and effective as ever, it is an utter delight to read, as they all are.
Is there any need to say more? Nope. Well ok, just that if you are looking for quality writing, brilliant observation and genuinely addictive plots within your crime fiction, this series and this author should be high up on your reading list.
Exceptional stuff.
Highly Recommended.
June 8, 2019
This is the 12th book in the Logan McRae series by author Stuart MacBride. I have read all of these books but could easily be read as a stand alone. The Logan McRae series is set in Aberdeen.
Inspector Logan McRae is back at work after a year off on the sick and looking forward to an easy case to ease him back into the daily grind. But his bosses have different ideas.
Professor Wilson an high profile anti-independence campaigner has gone missing, leaving nothing but bloodstains behind. There’s a war brewing between the factions for and against Scottish Nationalism. Infighting in the police ranks. And it’s all playing out in the merciless glare of the media. Someone is making a point, and they are making it in blood. Logan’s superiors want results, and they want them now.
All the usual characters are here resulting in a witty crime novel that is enjoyable to read. I find that this series is a bit hit or miss with me, I always enjoy the banter between the characters but sometimes find the plot doesn't deliver. But rest assured this one is a hit and well worth a read.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Harper Collins for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Inspector Logan McRae is back at work after a year off on the sick and looking forward to an easy case to ease him back into the daily grind. But his bosses have different ideas.
Professor Wilson an high profile anti-independence campaigner has gone missing, leaving nothing but bloodstains behind. There’s a war brewing between the factions for and against Scottish Nationalism. Infighting in the police ranks. And it’s all playing out in the merciless glare of the media. Someone is making a point, and they are making it in blood. Logan’s superiors want results, and they want them now.
All the usual characters are here resulting in a witty crime novel that is enjoyable to read. I find that this series is a bit hit or miss with me, I always enjoy the banter between the characters but sometimes find the plot doesn't deliver. But rest assured this one is a hit and well worth a read.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Harper Collins for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2025
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#1-11 - Haven't read yet
#12 All That's Dead - ★★★
All That’s Dead is book number 12 in the Logan McRae series, however, each of these books can be read as a standalone, as it features Inspector Logan McRae in different situations. This was my first novel from the series, as well from Stuart MacBride, and I was pleasantly surprised. I’ve only just met the hero that is Logan McRae and I’m planning on hanging out with him more in the future.
Synopsis:
Scream all you want, no one can hear…
Inspector Logan McRae is looking forward to a nice simple case – something to ease him back into work after a year off on the sick. But the powers-that-be have other ideas…
The high-profile anti-independence campaigner, Professor Wilson, has gone missing, leaving nothing but bloodstains behind. There’s a war brewing between the factions for and against Scottish Nationalism. Infighting in the police ranks. And it’s all playing out in the merciless glare of the media. Logan’s superiors want results, and they want them now.
Someone out there is trying to make a point, and they’re making it in blood. If Logan can’t stop them, it won’t just be his career that dies.
My Thoughts:
I had the pleasure to listen to the audiobook by a narrator with a Scottish accent and I loved it! It managed to bring Stuart MacBride’s humour and beautiful writing to life like I wouldn’t be able to do it myself by simply reading.
It took me a while to fully get into the story, and to be quite honest, I never truly did. Mostly it’s because the political aspect of the book was not interesting to me, and I was merely into it from the investigation side of things. This is also the only reason I gave this book a 3-star rating.
Aside from the political aspect, I enjoyed the thriller elements in the book. I was hooked on the investigation scenes, and there were many plot twists that kept me intrigued. Same goes for the storytelling. Stuart MacBride did an amazing job there. I could vividly imagine the scenes only from his descriptions and I really enjoyed his hilarious metaphors. Each character was amazingly done, with their own little storylines and personal development, all culminating into a great ending to sum everything up.
Even though my first, this book will definitely not be my last from the author. If you are looking for a gripping political mystery thriller with a witty inspector, read All That’s Dead!
#1-11 - Haven't read yet
#12 All That's Dead - ★★★
All That’s Dead is book number 12 in the Logan McRae series, however, each of these books can be read as a standalone, as it features Inspector Logan McRae in different situations. This was my first novel from the series, as well from Stuart MacBride, and I was pleasantly surprised. I’ve only just met the hero that is Logan McRae and I’m planning on hanging out with him more in the future.
Synopsis:
Scream all you want, no one can hear…
Inspector Logan McRae is looking forward to a nice simple case – something to ease him back into work after a year off on the sick. But the powers-that-be have other ideas…
The high-profile anti-independence campaigner, Professor Wilson, has gone missing, leaving nothing but bloodstains behind. There’s a war brewing between the factions for and against Scottish Nationalism. Infighting in the police ranks. And it’s all playing out in the merciless glare of the media. Logan’s superiors want results, and they want them now.
Someone out there is trying to make a point, and they’re making it in blood. If Logan can’t stop them, it won’t just be his career that dies.
My Thoughts:
I had the pleasure to listen to the audiobook by a narrator with a Scottish accent and I loved it! It managed to bring Stuart MacBride’s humour and beautiful writing to life like I wouldn’t be able to do it myself by simply reading.
It took me a while to fully get into the story, and to be quite honest, I never truly did. Mostly it’s because the political aspect of the book was not interesting to me, and I was merely into it from the investigation side of things. This is also the only reason I gave this book a 3-star rating.
Aside from the political aspect, I enjoyed the thriller elements in the book. I was hooked on the investigation scenes, and there were many plot twists that kept me intrigued. Same goes for the storytelling. Stuart MacBride did an amazing job there. I could vividly imagine the scenes only from his descriptions and I really enjoyed his hilarious metaphors. Each character was amazingly done, with their own little storylines and personal development, all culminating into a great ending to sum everything up.
Even though my first, this book will definitely not be my last from the author. If you are looking for a gripping political mystery thriller with a witty inspector, read All That’s Dead!
December 30, 2020
All that’s Dead Stuart MacBride a crime novel littered with sardonic humour contrasted with a bloody gore fest. Who knew, apparently using the postal service to mail human body parts is very illegal, especially if the outspoken gruff professor is an anti Scottish independence bugle, is still using those body parts like hands, heads, Torso. You just got to love Logan Macrae he is such a laugh he actually thought he could ease his way back into work from another lengthy recovery after being stabbed yet again, well he got that wrong. If anything MacBride’s instalment which aside the fact, learning more about the political landscape thanks for the independence of free Scotland or remaining within the United Kingdom and now even more messy Brexit deal that it is. It is really quite a big deal, It is seriously is a big deal. Do I recommend this book, for what its worth, absolutely, as an iron man event with prize money, your guaranteed face planting the floor with laughing fits or risk running to a padded room for a cup of tea and a lie down.
May 31, 2019
Wow! This is probably one of the best police procedural/crime novels that I have ever read. It is my first Stuart MacBride book, but it definitely will not be my last.
Scotland has survived two referenda. In the first they voted against independence, believing the “Better Together” campaign. So, in the second – the EU referendum – they also voted to remain together, and were royally shafted by the English nationalists, who decided that it was OK for the English to vote to “take back control”, but not the Scots. It is not a huge leap to understand that many Scots are a wee bit miffed. However, thankfully no one has yet taken their ‘disappointment’ to the extreme level of the so-called Scottish Nationalists in this book.
Someone is targeting high profile, anti-(Scottish)-independence, pro-English rent-a-mouths, and they are not just throwing milkshakes and eggs. First target is Nicholas Wilson – a constitutional scholar, who is loathed by even his closest associates. So, when he goes missing, not a lot of tears are shed. However, the blood left in his home, and a macabre parcel later to delivered to BBC Scotland., make it clear, that this is no ordinary Missing Person situation.
DI Frank King has been assigned to lead the investigation, and Inspector Logan McCrae, from Professional Standards (back at work after being stabbed in a previous book), has been assigned to keep an eye on DI King. King is under suspicion of having Alt-Nat terrorist links. His marriage is failing, he is drinking too much and Logan has his work cut out for him if he wants to save King’s career (and his own), and solve this crime: “the scapegoat’s scapegoat had no intention of letting the original-issue scapegoat screw things up and land him in it”.
King explains: “You know how the Alt-Right is full of white supremacists, gun nuts, racists, and neo-Nazis? Well, Alt-Nats are our own home-grown version. Only without the guns and Nazis. And it’s the English they hate.”
The crime, the many unexpected twists and turns before the eventual solution, are so well designed, that you are compelled to keep reading right to the bitter end. But that is just window-dressing for the real treasures in this novel: the wonderful writing and the amazing characters.
The scenes are always so perfectly set, that you could be a fly on the wall. For example: “A small bark crackled out in the hallway, and Stalin hobbled through the study door. Wheezing and whining. Fading brown spots. Legs stiff with arthritis. A clockwork Jack Russell that was slowly winding down.”; “Bees bumbled their way between the flowering weeds that lined the drive, hoverflies buzzing amongst the thunderheads, house martins reenacting the Battle of Britain – jinking and swooping and diving, while a clatter of jackdaws looked on from the farmhouse roof.”; “A clipped voice came from a room off to one side, as if every word was being throttled to stop it screaming, emphasising the Highland burr.”; “Deep wrinkles slashed their way across her forehead, barely concealed by a sweaty brown fringe. Mid-forties, going on homicidal”. And then there are the Scottish dialect words, expressions and insults, which I loved discovering. Luckily each is used in a context that makes it easy for non-Scots to understand e.g. “Mrs Bag-For-Life raised a walking stick and took a wee hurpley step forward”, “one of the lippy auld wifies”. My favourite insult was the “Womble-funting dick-muppets”. There were so many great sentences, that I just had to read out to my husband.
Because I had not (yet) read any of the earlier books, I missed some of the character development – and was, on the whole, presented with perfectly formed unique, believable characters (such as Logan and the intimidating, foul-mouthed lesbian, Steel), and had a little catching up to do. However, my favourite of all was the ever-cheery, ever-helpful, high-as-a-kite (on caffeine) Tufty: “like a kicked dachshund. ‘Pity poor Tufty…’ Bless his little Starfleet socks, but that lad was a complete and utter weirdo”. Tufty is severely underrated by his colleagues (“asking Tufty had always been a long shot. It wasn’t as if he was renowned for his Sherlock-Holmes-style steel-trap intellect, was it? He wasn’t completely thick – the boy was great on sci-fi trivia, so if Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Battlestar Galactica came up at a pub quiz, he was your man – but actual police work? Might as well ask a drunken hedgehog to fill out your tax return”), but really is a computer whiz (“Brave Sir Tufty’s algorithmic methodology is inspired, but without more computing power, it’s like trying to push a ten-tonne blancmange uphill wearing nothing but flip-flops and an amusing hat.” ), and eventually he comes up with the goods. He also makes a habit of hacking Logan’s phone.
Nationalism is a blight on every country, and in the book, nationalism is taken to obscene lengths. Steel sums up the feelings of many Scots: “I’m all for independence. But I want a Scotland of the Enlightenment; a nation of fairness and equality; a nation that cares about the smallest, weakest person living here every bit as much as the biggest, richest one. A nation that welcomes everyone: aye, even the English … What I don’t want is some sort of apartheid s****hole full of racist, moronic, ethnic cleansing w*** spasms like you.”
I loved this book and can highly recommend it to everyone. I have already bought book number one in this series. My husband is scouring the library for the rest, as he is also hooked. Read and be enthralled. Ten out of five stars!.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Scotland has survived two referenda. In the first they voted against independence, believing the “Better Together” campaign. So, in the second – the EU referendum – they also voted to remain together, and were royally shafted by the English nationalists, who decided that it was OK for the English to vote to “take back control”, but not the Scots. It is not a huge leap to understand that many Scots are a wee bit miffed. However, thankfully no one has yet taken their ‘disappointment’ to the extreme level of the so-called Scottish Nationalists in this book.
Someone is targeting high profile, anti-(Scottish)-independence, pro-English rent-a-mouths, and they are not just throwing milkshakes and eggs. First target is Nicholas Wilson – a constitutional scholar, who is loathed by even his closest associates. So, when he goes missing, not a lot of tears are shed. However, the blood left in his home, and a macabre parcel later to delivered to BBC Scotland., make it clear, that this is no ordinary Missing Person situation.
DI Frank King has been assigned to lead the investigation, and Inspector Logan McCrae, from Professional Standards (back at work after being stabbed in a previous book), has been assigned to keep an eye on DI King. King is under suspicion of having Alt-Nat terrorist links. His marriage is failing, he is drinking too much and Logan has his work cut out for him if he wants to save King’s career (and his own), and solve this crime: “the scapegoat’s scapegoat had no intention of letting the original-issue scapegoat screw things up and land him in it”.
King explains: “You know how the Alt-Right is full of white supremacists, gun nuts, racists, and neo-Nazis? Well, Alt-Nats are our own home-grown version. Only without the guns and Nazis. And it’s the English they hate.”
The crime, the many unexpected twists and turns before the eventual solution, are so well designed, that you are compelled to keep reading right to the bitter end. But that is just window-dressing for the real treasures in this novel: the wonderful writing and the amazing characters.
The scenes are always so perfectly set, that you could be a fly on the wall. For example: “A small bark crackled out in the hallway, and Stalin hobbled through the study door. Wheezing and whining. Fading brown spots. Legs stiff with arthritis. A clockwork Jack Russell that was slowly winding down.”; “Bees bumbled their way between the flowering weeds that lined the drive, hoverflies buzzing amongst the thunderheads, house martins reenacting the Battle of Britain – jinking and swooping and diving, while a clatter of jackdaws looked on from the farmhouse roof.”; “A clipped voice came from a room off to one side, as if every word was being throttled to stop it screaming, emphasising the Highland burr.”; “Deep wrinkles slashed their way across her forehead, barely concealed by a sweaty brown fringe. Mid-forties, going on homicidal”. And then there are the Scottish dialect words, expressions and insults, which I loved discovering. Luckily each is used in a context that makes it easy for non-Scots to understand e.g. “Mrs Bag-For-Life raised a walking stick and took a wee hurpley step forward”, “one of the lippy auld wifies”. My favourite insult was the “Womble-funting dick-muppets”. There were so many great sentences, that I just had to read out to my husband.
Because I had not (yet) read any of the earlier books, I missed some of the character development – and was, on the whole, presented with perfectly formed unique, believable characters (such as Logan and the intimidating, foul-mouthed lesbian, Steel), and had a little catching up to do. However, my favourite of all was the ever-cheery, ever-helpful, high-as-a-kite (on caffeine) Tufty: “like a kicked dachshund. ‘Pity poor Tufty…’ Bless his little Starfleet socks, but that lad was a complete and utter weirdo”. Tufty is severely underrated by his colleagues (“asking Tufty had always been a long shot. It wasn’t as if he was renowned for his Sherlock-Holmes-style steel-trap intellect, was it? He wasn’t completely thick – the boy was great on sci-fi trivia, so if Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Battlestar Galactica came up at a pub quiz, he was your man – but actual police work? Might as well ask a drunken hedgehog to fill out your tax return”), but really is a computer whiz (“Brave Sir Tufty’s algorithmic methodology is inspired, but without more computing power, it’s like trying to push a ten-tonne blancmange uphill wearing nothing but flip-flops and an amusing hat.” ), and eventually he comes up with the goods. He also makes a habit of hacking Logan’s phone.
Nationalism is a blight on every country, and in the book, nationalism is taken to obscene lengths. Steel sums up the feelings of many Scots: “I’m all for independence. But I want a Scotland of the Enlightenment; a nation of fairness and equality; a nation that cares about the smallest, weakest person living here every bit as much as the biggest, richest one. A nation that welcomes everyone: aye, even the English … What I don’t want is some sort of apartheid s****hole full of racist, moronic, ethnic cleansing w*** spasms like you.”
I loved this book and can highly recommend it to everyone. I have already bought book number one in this series. My husband is scouring the library for the rest, as he is also hooked. Read and be enthralled. Ten out of five stars!.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
April 20, 2019
Stuart MacBride can do no wrong in my eyes. His novels always feature in my top five books of the year. All That's Dead is fantastic, pure and simple, and for all of the reasons that make Stuart MacBride my favourite crime writer - outstanding, unforgettable characters; clever, witty writing; gripping, shocking mysteries; and that special indefinable something that is irresistible. Not to mention Roberta Steel. Superb. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
May 28, 2019
While I enjoy MacBrides writing and humour mixed with his crime. I'm losing my fondness for some characters. I think I might retire this series as I feel like the series has bit a formulaic trend.
July 29, 2019
3.5 stars
July 16, 2022
This is #12 of the Logan McRae series and still going strong with both characterizations and plot development. I have come to love and appreciate the quirky if not downright absurd shenanigans of Logan's slightly off kilter cohorts or maybe crew of knuckleheads would be a better description. These characters lend much needed comic relief to an intense and dark police procedural. Let's just say MacBride writes Logan as one who is a magnet for weirdos both in his professional and personal life.
June 10, 2019
Few things get me as excited as the arrival of a new Logan McRae book so as soon as my pre-order arrived, I dropped everything and settled in for what I was sure would be an entertaining afternoon.
On his first day back at work after a year long absence, Logan McRae is hoping for a nice and easy ride but luck is not on his side. High-profile and anti-independence campaigner Professor Wilson goes missing from his home and that’s just the start of a major shit-storm all over the place. Social media goes mental, there���s a war brewing between between factions for and against Scottish Nationalism and the media is having a field day.
Gee, I wonder where Stuart MacBride got his inspiration from 🤔. All That’s Dead is extremely politically tinted, if you hadn’t guessed that yet, and thus sadly incredibly apt in this day and age. This may not be to everyone’s liking and I dare say the author took quite a risk putting this out there. Personally, it didn’t bother me at all. It makes for a great story and ultimately that’s all I’m ever looking for.
I always worry slightly about how much Logan McRae can actually be involved in an investigation, being that he now works for Professional Standards. I shouldn’t have though, because he’s not on the fringes of this one at all. Logan McRae is tasked with keeping an eye on the investigating Detective King and this puts him smack-bang in the middle of it all. There are some surprises, some twists, many dubious decisions and quite frankly, if I were the big chief who gets a say in these things, I’d fire pretty much the entire force.
The Logan McRae books are always a treat but even though I found this one a fabulous read and it had me hooked as these books always do, I also felt it was missing something. It’s hard to explain but there’s a special kind of Stuart MacBride magic that seemed to be lacking this time around. Many of the characters that normally bring a brilliant kind of dark humour to the table were now just plainly getting on my nerves. I missed that particular way Stuart MacBride has of combining the darkest of crimes with a healthy dose of chuckles, even sometimes at the most inappropriate moments.
Was this the best book in the Logan McRae series? I’m sorry to say that no, it wasn’t. Although I also fully admit that my expectations are always insanely high. But I did still enjoy it immensely and if Stuart MacBride decides to carry on with this series, I’ll still be every bit as excited as I used to be.
On his first day back at work after a year long absence, Logan McRae is hoping for a nice and easy ride but luck is not on his side. High-profile and anti-independence campaigner Professor Wilson goes missing from his home and that’s just the start of a major shit-storm all over the place. Social media goes mental, there���s a war brewing between between factions for and against Scottish Nationalism and the media is having a field day.
Gee, I wonder where Stuart MacBride got his inspiration from 🤔. All That’s Dead is extremely politically tinted, if you hadn’t guessed that yet, and thus sadly incredibly apt in this day and age. This may not be to everyone’s liking and I dare say the author took quite a risk putting this out there. Personally, it didn’t bother me at all. It makes for a great story and ultimately that’s all I’m ever looking for.
I always worry slightly about how much Logan McRae can actually be involved in an investigation, being that he now works for Professional Standards. I shouldn’t have though, because he’s not on the fringes of this one at all. Logan McRae is tasked with keeping an eye on the investigating Detective King and this puts him smack-bang in the middle of it all. There are some surprises, some twists, many dubious decisions and quite frankly, if I were the big chief who gets a say in these things, I’d fire pretty much the entire force.
The Logan McRae books are always a treat but even though I found this one a fabulous read and it had me hooked as these books always do, I also felt it was missing something. It’s hard to explain but there’s a special kind of Stuart MacBride magic that seemed to be lacking this time around. Many of the characters that normally bring a brilliant kind of dark humour to the table were now just plainly getting on my nerves. I missed that particular way Stuart MacBride has of combining the darkest of crimes with a healthy dose of chuckles, even sometimes at the most inappropriate moments.
Was this the best book in the Logan McRae series? I’m sorry to say that no, it wasn’t. Although I also fully admit that my expectations are always insanely high. But I did still enjoy it immensely and if Stuart MacBride decides to carry on with this series, I’ll still be every bit as excited as I used to be.
May 12, 2020
Logan McRae is one of my favourite fictional detectives, and I’m always eager to dive into a Stuart MacBride book. With All That’s Dead, we have a great addition to the series that will have you happy to devour the story.
Although this one is a bit more political than I would have liked, it was an addictive story filled with what Stuart MacBride does best. It’s a story with many layers, ensuring you’re hooked on all that is playing out. The humour is great, ensuring you’ll giggle away at the events. The characters are fabulous, and it was great to see how their stories develop.
As is always the case with the Logan McRae books, I devoured this one in no time as I was hooked on every page. Without a doubt, it’s a great addition to the series. It’s not my favourite in the series, but it’s well worth the read.
Although this one is a bit more political than I would have liked, it was an addictive story filled with what Stuart MacBride does best. It’s a story with many layers, ensuring you’re hooked on all that is playing out. The humour is great, ensuring you’ll giggle away at the events. The characters are fabulous, and it was great to see how their stories develop.
As is always the case with the Logan McRae books, I devoured this one in no time as I was hooked on every page. Without a doubt, it’s a great addition to the series. It’s not my favourite in the series, but it’s well worth the read.
January 8, 2020
"All That's Dead" might also include me after struggling through this tedious tartan crime story. Having read most of this highly entertaining series, this one didn't do it for me. I like all the characters, Logan, Rennie, Tufty, "Milky" Way and the very funny Roberta Steel, etc. but they all seemed to get in each others way desperately trying to find a kidnapped Unionist Professor. It gets political as the search boggs down in endless meetings and dialogue with upper management of Police Scotland as they debate who to throw under the bus. Sharper editing would have vastly improved my reading experience that even Roberta Steel's vicious wit couldn't salvage!
June 7, 2019
Well this may be the twelfth in the series but it is a new one to me and I really need to catch up on the earlier books. I found this to be an enthralling, occasionally humorous and enthralling read, a brilliant crime thriller with fantastic characters and plenty of twists to keep me guessing!
Inspector Logan McRae is returning to work a year after being stabbed and seriously injured. He's anticipating a gentle re-introduction to work but the disappearance of a vocal, acerbic anti-independence campaigner, Professor Wilson thwarts this. With nothing but blood stains and his dog left behind, DI Frank King is supposedly in charge of the investigation. However, a journalist is threatening to make a huge splash of revelations regarding King and Logan is set on initially to determine the veracity of the accusations and to assist in the case. Media interest in the Professor is high, the pressure from their superior officers unrelenting as they want results - preferably yesterday! However, as bloody packages add to the suspense and mystery, there are many other events impacting on the case and there'll be surprising revelations, more victims and other red herrings before the perpetrators can be brought to justice in this fast paced crime thriller.
I really enjoyed reading this and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys crime thrillers. It is a real page turner and, whilst the events are dark, there is a thread of humour to lighten it, especially through the interactions of the characters. I'll definitely be endeavouring to read more books in this series in future!
Many thanks to the publishers for granting my wish to read this book via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing reading it.
Inspector Logan McRae is returning to work a year after being stabbed and seriously injured. He's anticipating a gentle re-introduction to work but the disappearance of a vocal, acerbic anti-independence campaigner, Professor Wilson thwarts this. With nothing but blood stains and his dog left behind, DI Frank King is supposedly in charge of the investigation. However, a journalist is threatening to make a huge splash of revelations regarding King and Logan is set on initially to determine the veracity of the accusations and to assist in the case. Media interest in the Professor is high, the pressure from their superior officers unrelenting as they want results - preferably yesterday! However, as bloody packages add to the suspense and mystery, there are many other events impacting on the case and there'll be surprising revelations, more victims and other red herrings before the perpetrators can be brought to justice in this fast paced crime thriller.
I really enjoyed reading this and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys crime thrillers. It is a real page turner and, whilst the events are dark, there is a thread of humour to lighten it, especially through the interactions of the characters. I'll definitely be endeavouring to read more books in this series in future!
Many thanks to the publishers for granting my wish to read this book via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing reading it.
May 22, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for an advance copy of All That’s Dead, the twelfth novel to feature DI Logan MacRae of Police Scotland.
Logan returns to a job in Professional Standards after a year off on invalidity. To ease him in he is asked to investigate DI King who is facing exposure in the press. It should be a simple job but DI King is investigating the disappearance of staunch and combative anti independence campaigner Professor Nicholas Wilson. As Logan gets pulled into the investigation his gentle easing in turns into anything but.
I thoroughly enjoyed All That’s Dead which is another fine addition to an excellent series. It made me laugh while clinging to the edge of my seat as the tension and excitement rise. There are plenty of twists and turns as Logan tries to find out what happened to Professor Wilson, many of them gory as Mr MacBride does not shy away from the violence implicit in crimes of this nature.
It is an interesting subject to cover and I enjoyed the running commentary on Independence. It has been somewhat overshadowed by Brexit in the press but is still a hot button topic in Scotland. I was particularly interested in what Mr MacBride calls the Alt-Nat, the rabid pro-independence movement which surfaced during the referendum as I hadn’t realised the extent of it. It makes for interesting if shameful reading for any Scot. For non Scots the politics may not be quite as interesting but the story they shape will surely hold the attention.
It is equally interesting to see the once feckless Logan MacRae turn into the voice of reason and often the only adult in the room. He has his hands full in this novel trying to corral a motley crew of colleagues, including the irrepressible DS Roberta Steele who, as ever, has a way with words and attitude that has me in stitches on a regular basis.
All That’s Dead is a great read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Logan returns to a job in Professional Standards after a year off on invalidity. To ease him in he is asked to investigate DI King who is facing exposure in the press. It should be a simple job but DI King is investigating the disappearance of staunch and combative anti independence campaigner Professor Nicholas Wilson. As Logan gets pulled into the investigation his gentle easing in turns into anything but.
I thoroughly enjoyed All That’s Dead which is another fine addition to an excellent series. It made me laugh while clinging to the edge of my seat as the tension and excitement rise. There are plenty of twists and turns as Logan tries to find out what happened to Professor Wilson, many of them gory as Mr MacBride does not shy away from the violence implicit in crimes of this nature.
It is an interesting subject to cover and I enjoyed the running commentary on Independence. It has been somewhat overshadowed by Brexit in the press but is still a hot button topic in Scotland. I was particularly interested in what Mr MacBride calls the Alt-Nat, the rabid pro-independence movement which surfaced during the referendum as I hadn’t realised the extent of it. It makes for interesting if shameful reading for any Scot. For non Scots the politics may not be quite as interesting but the story they shape will surely hold the attention.
It is equally interesting to see the once feckless Logan MacRae turn into the voice of reason and often the only adult in the room. He has his hands full in this novel trying to corral a motley crew of colleagues, including the irrepressible DS Roberta Steele who, as ever, has a way with words and attitude that has me in stitches on a regular basis.
All That’s Dead is a great read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
May 29, 2019
All That's Dead is the twelfth book in the DI Logan McRae series and although most series' would be running out of steam at this point, this is as fresh and captivating as the first ones. The dark sardonic humour is as great as ever and helps break up the brutal crimes and investigation into the two killers by giving the reader some light relief. MacBride has an army of devotees who appreciate the character-driven narrative he creates and each member of the cast is detailed and three-dimensional. He is one of the best at crafting incredibly real, believable and relatable characters in the crime fiction genre.
I rarely comment on dialogue included in a story, but MacBride does a superb job of moving the narrative forward in a very natural way. It's a highly entertaining read with a complex plot and a variety of threads which are woven together cleverly. Once you pick it up you're guaranteed a good time; I read it in a single sitting and was on the edge of my seat for most of it. I found myself laughing out loud many times throughout this cracking read too. The ragtag crew of McRae, Tufty, Rennie and Steel are as strange, intriguing and unusual as they have always been, but you never get tired of them due to their idiosyncrasies.
They are foul-mouthed and wonderful, but although not essential I'd advise reading the previous novels first. This is a fast-paced, high-octane, politically-influenced police procedural and is well worth the time of all crime readers. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
I rarely comment on dialogue included in a story, but MacBride does a superb job of moving the narrative forward in a very natural way. It's a highly entertaining read with a complex plot and a variety of threads which are woven together cleverly. Once you pick it up you're guaranteed a good time; I read it in a single sitting and was on the edge of my seat for most of it. I found myself laughing out loud many times throughout this cracking read too. The ragtag crew of McRae, Tufty, Rennie and Steel are as strange, intriguing and unusual as they have always been, but you never get tired of them due to their idiosyncrasies.
They are foul-mouthed and wonderful, but although not essential I'd advise reading the previous novels first. This is a fast-paced, high-octane, politically-influenced police procedural and is well worth the time of all crime readers. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.
June 5, 2019
Any author who starts out a blurb with "darkness is coming" and then gives Logan McRae a happy home life needs a damn good glaring at. The only saving grace is that things are typically shit creek / broken paddle at work so it's not a massive glaring at...
Book number 12 in the Logan McRae series, ALL THAT'S DEAD, finds him still an Inspector in Professional Standards, sucked into an ongoing murder investigation when the lead investigator is himself about to be outed by the papers as a member of a Scottish Nationalist group. Most inconvenient timing as a high profile anti-independence campaigner goes missing, minus a sobering amount of his blood at his house (what happened with his dog I hear you all wonder), and that disappearance is down to what seems for all the world to be somebody with a massive "issue" with Anti-Independence supporters. Aka a Scottish Nationalist. McRae is part assistant Investigator, bunny on the spot in the event that the upper brass need somebody to blame, and part agony Aunt for Inspector King - whose dalliance with the Nationalists as a teenager with a hard on for a girl is just one more thing, added to the grief he's getting from his wife about her affair with an unnamed one of his colleagues, and the complications of a possible kidnap victim still alive, but badly injured.
Of course Tufty, Rennie, and the gloriously over-the-top Steel are all in place to provide "moral support" to an increasingly pissed off McRae, freshly back at work after 12 months off recovering from stabbing wounds. Situation normal then. Sort of. The case is complicated by another high-profile disappearance, and made murky / mucky by the receipt of various body parts belonging to the presumed alive earlier victims. It's a twister, that's helped somewhat by a tiny mistake on the part of one of the suspects, not helped by the less than tiny mistake by Steel and King in the pursuit of same suspect, and definitely not helped by the media attention, and the ever-hanging threat that one of the less than favoured journalists is happy to dump the news about King's past right smack bang in the middle of an investigation that's struggling for traction.
So everything as you'd expect it to be in a Logan McRae book, and absolutely nothing to dent favourite reading status. Except maybe for that happy home life thing, which, now that I think about it, is worrying. We all know what happened last time Logan was happy. We all know the deviousness that can lie at the heart of a beardy crime writing genius from Scotland.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
Book number 12 in the Logan McRae series, ALL THAT'S DEAD, finds him still an Inspector in Professional Standards, sucked into an ongoing murder investigation when the lead investigator is himself about to be outed by the papers as a member of a Scottish Nationalist group. Most inconvenient timing as a high profile anti-independence campaigner goes missing, minus a sobering amount of his blood at his house (what happened with his dog I hear you all wonder), and that disappearance is down to what seems for all the world to be somebody with a massive "issue" with Anti-Independence supporters. Aka a Scottish Nationalist. McRae is part assistant Investigator, bunny on the spot in the event that the upper brass need somebody to blame, and part agony Aunt for Inspector King - whose dalliance with the Nationalists as a teenager with a hard on for a girl is just one more thing, added to the grief he's getting from his wife about her affair with an unnamed one of his colleagues, and the complications of a possible kidnap victim still alive, but badly injured.
Of course Tufty, Rennie, and the gloriously over-the-top Steel are all in place to provide "moral support" to an increasingly pissed off McRae, freshly back at work after 12 months off recovering from stabbing wounds. Situation normal then. Sort of. The case is complicated by another high-profile disappearance, and made murky / mucky by the receipt of various body parts belonging to the presumed alive earlier victims. It's a twister, that's helped somewhat by a tiny mistake on the part of one of the suspects, not helped by the less than tiny mistake by Steel and King in the pursuit of same suspect, and definitely not helped by the media attention, and the ever-hanging threat that one of the less than favoured journalists is happy to dump the news about King's past right smack bang in the middle of an investigation that's struggling for traction.
So everything as you'd expect it to be in a Logan McRae book, and absolutely nothing to dent favourite reading status. Except maybe for that happy home life thing, which, now that I think about it, is worrying. We all know what happened last time Logan was happy. We all know the deviousness that can lie at the heart of a beardy crime writing genius from Scotland.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
June 11, 2019
Stuart MacBride has built a strong crime writing reputation on his adroit blending of gruesome crimes and gallows humour, delving into dark places without dwelling too long without a laugh or two in the pages too.
Sometimes those strong threads of brutality and banter can make it easy to overlook that he's also got a great touch for character and character relationships in his storytelling, and bringing the setting and some relevant social issues to life. All of that is well on show in his twelfth novel starring Aberdeen detective Logan McRae.
A year after being stabbed, McRae is welcomed back to Professional Standards with a case that could be a career killer. A right wing ranter has vanished, leaving only bloodstains on his kitchen table.
With rumours circling about lead detective DI King’s youthful ties to violent nationalist groups, a still-recovering McRae has to shadow the high-profile investigation while tiptoeing through police infighting and waiting for a journalist to toss his unpinned grenade into the mix. Carnage is hovering for all involved.
This is an intense tale addressing how bitter politics and zealotry can lead to violence when beliefs are glorified beyond human life. MacBride delivers plenty of humour to leaven the dark deeds and weighty issues; McRae’s interactions with colleagues such as DS Steel and DC “Tufty” Quirrel are a particular highlight.
For those who've followed the series from the start, it's smile-inducing to see the ongoing evolution of the McRae-Steel dynamic, from their reversal of police hierarchy to their unusual personal ties.
An engrossing read from a master storyteller who is much more than just blood and guts with some laughs.
Sometimes those strong threads of brutality and banter can make it easy to overlook that he's also got a great touch for character and character relationships in his storytelling, and bringing the setting and some relevant social issues to life. All of that is well on show in his twelfth novel starring Aberdeen detective Logan McRae.
A year after being stabbed, McRae is welcomed back to Professional Standards with a case that could be a career killer. A right wing ranter has vanished, leaving only bloodstains on his kitchen table.
With rumours circling about lead detective DI King’s youthful ties to violent nationalist groups, a still-recovering McRae has to shadow the high-profile investigation while tiptoeing through police infighting and waiting for a journalist to toss his unpinned grenade into the mix. Carnage is hovering for all involved.
This is an intense tale addressing how bitter politics and zealotry can lead to violence when beliefs are glorified beyond human life. MacBride delivers plenty of humour to leaven the dark deeds and weighty issues; McRae’s interactions with colleagues such as DS Steel and DC “Tufty” Quirrel are a particular highlight.
For those who've followed the series from the start, it's smile-inducing to see the ongoing evolution of the McRae-Steel dynamic, from their reversal of police hierarchy to their unusual personal ties.
An engrossing read from a master storyteller who is much more than just blood and guts with some laughs.
June 3, 2019
Yet another rip-roaring novel from the incomparable Stuart MacBride. Since I started reading his novels about five years ago I have eagerly awaited each and every instalment and he never fails to produce a book that utterly grips me.
I love the reoccurring characters of Logan, Steel, Tufty and Rennie, and the camaraderie between them makes me laugh out loud the entire way through and brings beings a lightness to what otherwise are incredibly grim tales...
The story line for this book is very topical as it takes a look into the political tension that is escalating in Scotland amongst the debate for whether they should become independent or not.
Logan, back to work after a year on the sick following his latest injury, immediately gets caught up in another scandal and has to work darn hard to protect the reputation of his fellow officers in light of some shocking revelations.
Full of humour, darkness and everything I love about crime thrillers, this is epic!
Perfect for fans of Line of Duty.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this.
I love the reoccurring characters of Logan, Steel, Tufty and Rennie, and the camaraderie between them makes me laugh out loud the entire way through and brings beings a lightness to what otherwise are incredibly grim tales...
The story line for this book is very topical as it takes a look into the political tension that is escalating in Scotland amongst the debate for whether they should become independent or not.
Logan, back to work after a year on the sick following his latest injury, immediately gets caught up in another scandal and has to work darn hard to protect the reputation of his fellow officers in light of some shocking revelations.
Full of humour, darkness and everything I love about crime thrillers, this is epic!
Perfect for fans of Line of Duty.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this.
January 10, 2020
I usually rate Logan McRae books higher, but this one reminded me too much of previous books due to recycled tropes (missing body parts of victims, ‘experienced’ killer leaving no traces, murders filmed and going viral, errant cop). The fact that we knew who the villain was almost halfway through the book killed some of the suspense for me. Logan seems to have cleaned up a bit - you just know he (or, actually, Steel) would’ve done the accent thing.
I enjoyed the usual romp: a race against the newspaper, Steel at her best. I thought Tufty’s lolspeak was a bit much, but even he came good at the end. Also liked the Scottish nationalism and the commentary on fake news/internet trolls. MacBride’s writing is as engrossing as ever, but for some reason I thought this book dragged a bit. Maybe it was because the dynamic duo of Logan and Steel — or Logan and Rennie - was missing. King and Logan are good characters, but they don’t play off each other very well.
The best part of the book was at the end, when they had to find the perpetrator and the tension really amped up.
I enjoyed the usual romp: a race against the newspaper, Steel at her best. I thought Tufty’s lolspeak was a bit much, but even he came good at the end. Also liked the Scottish nationalism and the commentary on fake news/internet trolls. MacBride’s writing is as engrossing as ever, but for some reason I thought this book dragged a bit. Maybe it was because the dynamic duo of Logan and Steel — or Logan and Rennie - was missing. King and Logan are good characters, but they don’t play off each other very well.
The best part of the book was at the end, when they had to find the perpetrator and the tension really amped up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2019
Received ARC copy from Harper Collins and Netgalley for honest read and review.
This is such a good book,I could not out it down.It had me hooked from the very beginning and kept going until the end
Logan is such a wonderful character that you cannot help feeling sorry for him as he tries to solve the murders of some prominent people with the aid of some rather outlandish police characters especially Tufty....
Very good story and it was such a joy to read that I cannot wait to read more in the series
This is such a good book,I could not out it down.It had me hooked from the very beginning and kept going until the end
Logan is such a wonderful character that you cannot help feeling sorry for him as he tries to solve the murders of some prominent people with the aid of some rather outlandish police characters especially Tufty....
Very good story and it was such a joy to read that I cannot wait to read more in the series
June 7, 2019
There is nothing I don't love about Stuart McBride's writing (and use of the Aberdonian dialect!), and the stories of Logan McRae and his cohorts.
Full stop :)
Full stop :)
July 5, 2020
Back in the club...
Logan McRae has just returned to work after a year off on the sick because of serious knife wounds he received in his last case. Still part of the Professional Standards team, McRae is tasked with looking into a claim that a now senior officer was once involved with a Nationalist terrorist cell. But no sooner has he contacted the officer, DI Frank King, than King is called out to a horrific crime scene – the blood-soaked kitchen of Professor Nicholas Wilson, a prominent and obnoxiously combative Unionist. No body, so first King has to discover if Wilson left the kitchen dead or alive. And due to the sensitivity of the allegations made against King, McRae is told to work with him and keep an eye on him. Meantime, social media has gone wild with rumours about what has happened to Wilson and threats of more violence to come...
I loved the first several books in this series and then felt that MacBride had allowed the humorous element that always existed in them to take over from the plotting, leaving them feeling wildly caricatured and completely lacking in credibility. However when I was sent this one for review, I was happy to revisit McRae and the team for the first time in several years to see if the old magic could be revived. And I’m happy to say that I enjoyed it a lot!
MacBride is never an author I’d identify with realism or credibility. He takes an aspect of Scottish life or the criminal world and exaggerates it madly, and I always hope that no one outside Scotland thinks our country or our police force are actually like this. But he does it mainly to make for more exciting plots and for comic effect, so I can usually go along for the ride. In this one it’s all based on the idea of Nationalist terrorism, which doesn’t happen in the real world, and specifically on “Alt Nats” - a term that is only really used as a jibe to annoy those at the fanatical end of the Nationalist cause. Nationalists and Unionists do call each other names and shout at each other on social media, but neither side (as far as I know) have active terrorist cells – if they do, they must be really incompetent ones or you’d think we’d hear about them! So the plot is fundamentally unbelievable, and actually that means it’s more fun than would have been possible if Scottish terrorism was really a thing. MacBride treads quite carefully and cleverly through the Independence quagmire, and I suspect probably manages the almost impossible feat of not offending either side – or perhaps of offending both equally, which works just as well!
It may just be that I’ve been away from him for a while but I felt he’d pulled the recurring characters back a little from the extreme caricaturing that lost me eventually in the earlier books. The appalling DI Steel is still outrageously rude and foul-mouthed but she does at least try to stay within the rules most of the time now. McRae’s team are always good fun. DS Rennie wants to be McRae’s best “sidekick” while DC “Tufty” is torn between becoming a computer geek or appearing in a CGI movie as a space alien. McRae is the sane one amidst all these eccentrics, but only by comparison. However, it’s good to see that in my absence he’s found himself a nice girlfriend and a bit of domestic happiness.
Putting credibility of the basic premise to the side, the plotting in this also felt stronger to me than the last couple I’d read. It’s pretty dark and extremely gruesome, but the general atmosphere of humour stops it from ever becoming grim. MacBride’s signature is entertainment and when he’s at his best, he delivers in spades. The writing is great, as always, and I’d forgotten how much I enjoy his use of contemporary Scots banter and dialect – again always exaggerated, but very funny, and not at all problematic for non-Scots to enjoy.
All-in-all, not sure it’s his very best but I enjoyed it hugely, and with MacBride that’s what it’s all about! I’m delighted to resume my membership of the Logan McRae fan club, and am happily looking forward to his next outing now. 4½ stars for me, so rounded up.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, HarperCollins.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Logan McRae has just returned to work after a year off on the sick because of serious knife wounds he received in his last case. Still part of the Professional Standards team, McRae is tasked with looking into a claim that a now senior officer was once involved with a Nationalist terrorist cell. But no sooner has he contacted the officer, DI Frank King, than King is called out to a horrific crime scene – the blood-soaked kitchen of Professor Nicholas Wilson, a prominent and obnoxiously combative Unionist. No body, so first King has to discover if Wilson left the kitchen dead or alive. And due to the sensitivity of the allegations made against King, McRae is told to work with him and keep an eye on him. Meantime, social media has gone wild with rumours about what has happened to Wilson and threats of more violence to come...
I loved the first several books in this series and then felt that MacBride had allowed the humorous element that always existed in them to take over from the plotting, leaving them feeling wildly caricatured and completely lacking in credibility. However when I was sent this one for review, I was happy to revisit McRae and the team for the first time in several years to see if the old magic could be revived. And I’m happy to say that I enjoyed it a lot!
MacBride is never an author I’d identify with realism or credibility. He takes an aspect of Scottish life or the criminal world and exaggerates it madly, and I always hope that no one outside Scotland thinks our country or our police force are actually like this. But he does it mainly to make for more exciting plots and for comic effect, so I can usually go along for the ride. In this one it’s all based on the idea of Nationalist terrorism, which doesn’t happen in the real world, and specifically on “Alt Nats” - a term that is only really used as a jibe to annoy those at the fanatical end of the Nationalist cause. Nationalists and Unionists do call each other names and shout at each other on social media, but neither side (as far as I know) have active terrorist cells – if they do, they must be really incompetent ones or you’d think we’d hear about them! So the plot is fundamentally unbelievable, and actually that means it’s more fun than would have been possible if Scottish terrorism was really a thing. MacBride treads quite carefully and cleverly through the Independence quagmire, and I suspect probably manages the almost impossible feat of not offending either side – or perhaps of offending both equally, which works just as well!
It may just be that I’ve been away from him for a while but I felt he’d pulled the recurring characters back a little from the extreme caricaturing that lost me eventually in the earlier books. The appalling DI Steel is still outrageously rude and foul-mouthed but she does at least try to stay within the rules most of the time now. McRae’s team are always good fun. DS Rennie wants to be McRae’s best “sidekick” while DC “Tufty” is torn between becoming a computer geek or appearing in a CGI movie as a space alien. McRae is the sane one amidst all these eccentrics, but only by comparison. However, it’s good to see that in my absence he’s found himself a nice girlfriend and a bit of domestic happiness.
Putting credibility of the basic premise to the side, the plotting in this also felt stronger to me than the last couple I’d read. It’s pretty dark and extremely gruesome, but the general atmosphere of humour stops it from ever becoming grim. MacBride’s signature is entertainment and when he’s at his best, he delivers in spades. The writing is great, as always, and I’d forgotten how much I enjoy his use of contemporary Scots banter and dialect – again always exaggerated, but very funny, and not at all problematic for non-Scots to enjoy.
All-in-all, not sure it’s his very best but I enjoyed it hugely, and with MacBride that’s what it’s all about! I’m delighted to resume my membership of the Logan McRae fan club, and am happily looking forward to his next outing now. 4½ stars for me, so rounded up.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, HarperCollins.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
September 4, 2020
seguirà commento ^^
January 21, 2020
I'm a big fan of MacBride because I love his style, I love his plots and I love his leading characters. I'm a little sad now after reading All That's Dead because it just didn't work so well for me. The 4 starts are of course because the style and the characters are the same. It's the plot I'm having a problem with. I think it is because I'm not British or Scottish but I just couldn't relate to this book because it was more about politics than anything else.
What I thought very funny is the fact that everybody in the book keeps complaining about the weather. It is 26 degrees! The call it tropical. I would call it a perfect day - but it was a nice change from reading about endless rain.
Between 31 December 2019 and 18 January 2020, I read two books simultaneously (well, not exactly of course but you know what I mean). I started reading All That’s Dead by Stuart MacBride first, in print. Before I started in All that’s dead I re-read A Dark So Deadly, also by MacBride. For reasons specified in my review of this book, I then switched to The Dark Winter by David Mark, a book I picked up because I liked Scorched Earth (Aector #7) so much (read in 2018).
And there it was: I suddenly realized that Aector MacAvoy and Logan McRae could be brothers, almost. McRae is based in Aberdeen, MacAvoy in Hull, although he is of Scottish descent too. Both are very good at what they do, but they pay a price. Life is never ‘just solve the murder’ for both of them. Life is always struggling with the reasons behind the murder(s), their family and their colleagues. The writing style of MacBride and Mark is different, but not much so as both use (for me at least) the same style – and a lot of Scottish words.
I’m not an author myself but I would love to write an extensive essay about both Mark and MacBride. All I can say now is that I’m very pleased that both authors are so prolific and keep on writing more books for their fans.
What I thought very funny is the fact that everybody in the book keeps complaining about the weather. It is 26 degrees! The call it tropical. I would call it a perfect day - but it was a nice change from reading about endless rain.
Between 31 December 2019 and 18 January 2020, I read two books simultaneously (well, not exactly of course but you know what I mean). I started reading All That’s Dead by Stuart MacBride first, in print. Before I started in All that’s dead I re-read A Dark So Deadly, also by MacBride. For reasons specified in my review of this book, I then switched to The Dark Winter by David Mark, a book I picked up because I liked Scorched Earth (Aector #7) so much (read in 2018).
And there it was: I suddenly realized that Aector MacAvoy and Logan McRae could be brothers, almost. McRae is based in Aberdeen, MacAvoy in Hull, although he is of Scottish descent too. Both are very good at what they do, but they pay a price. Life is never ‘just solve the murder’ for both of them. Life is always struggling with the reasons behind the murder(s), their family and their colleagues. The writing style of MacBride and Mark is different, but not much so as both use (for me at least) the same style – and a lot of Scottish words.
I’m not an author myself but I would love to write an extensive essay about both Mark and MacBride. All I can say now is that I’m very pleased that both authors are so prolific and keep on writing more books for their fans.
July 21, 2019
Time taken to read - 2 days
Pages -400
Publisher - Harper Collins
Source - Netgalley
Blurb from Goodreads
The stunning new Logan McRae thriller from No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller Stuart MacBride.
Scottish crime fiction at its very best.
Darkness is coming…
Inspector Logan McRae was looking forward to a nice simple case – something to ease him back into work after a year off on the sick. But the powers-that-be have other ideas…
The high-profile anti-independence campaigner, Professor Wilson, has gone missing, leaving nothing but bloodstains behind. There’s a war brewing between the factions for and against Scottish Nationalism. Infighting in the police ranks. And it’s all playing out in the merciless glare of the media. Logan’s superiors want results, and they want them now.
Someone out there is trying to make a point, and they’re making it in blood. If Logan can’t stop them, it won’t just be his career that dies.
My Review
I have missed a few of the books, this is book 12, I can't remember which one I last read but i has been a few, I will need to go back and catch up. Logan is day one back at the job after being off with a horrendous injury. He is with Professional standards but as he is monitoring one of the police he is in the midst of the action rather than a fence sitter. A gobby professor who is very action online and vocal on politics has gone missing, blood found in his kitchen, the investigation is on.
We flip between the police investigation, Logan dealing with being back on the job and his lasting effects from his injuries and the bad guy. Now let me say straight out the book is filled with a lot of political stuff from different angles, online stuff, the peoples views, zenophobia, hate and they all go hand in hand. I am not a huge fan of political stuff, I don't always get it, some of it is above my head and if I am honest I get bored with it very quickly. So for me it is surprising I got on so well with the book. I think because the political stuff comes from the angle of their beliefs and we hear the why behind some of it. Whilst they are clearly bams for the hate/violence done in the name of beliefs it gives you a bit of insight into that frame of mind, utter madness but MacBride helps paint a picture so you can peek behind the curtain most of us genuinely couldn't fathom.
As with his previous books I have read we get the inappropriate unpc humour, bad language, swearing and misbehavior from some of the characters we know and love from the series. I started reading MacBride years ago and fell away when I discovered new authors after reading this it was like putting on an fav blanket and catching up with old friends. Brutal violence, shocking beliefs, hate and anger mixed with swearing galore - if these guys had a swear box they would be minted, and dark humour. All the things in MacBride books that fans came to love from book one, 4/5 for me this time.
Pages -400
Publisher - Harper Collins
Source - Netgalley
Blurb from Goodreads
The stunning new Logan McRae thriller from No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller Stuart MacBride.
Scottish crime fiction at its very best.
Darkness is coming…
Inspector Logan McRae was looking forward to a nice simple case – something to ease him back into work after a year off on the sick. But the powers-that-be have other ideas…
The high-profile anti-independence campaigner, Professor Wilson, has gone missing, leaving nothing but bloodstains behind. There’s a war brewing between the factions for and against Scottish Nationalism. Infighting in the police ranks. And it’s all playing out in the merciless glare of the media. Logan’s superiors want results, and they want them now.
Someone out there is trying to make a point, and they’re making it in blood. If Logan can’t stop them, it won’t just be his career that dies.
My Review
I have missed a few of the books, this is book 12, I can't remember which one I last read but i has been a few, I will need to go back and catch up. Logan is day one back at the job after being off with a horrendous injury. He is with Professional standards but as he is monitoring one of the police he is in the midst of the action rather than a fence sitter. A gobby professor who is very action online and vocal on politics has gone missing, blood found in his kitchen, the investigation is on.
We flip between the police investigation, Logan dealing with being back on the job and his lasting effects from his injuries and the bad guy. Now let me say straight out the book is filled with a lot of political stuff from different angles, online stuff, the peoples views, zenophobia, hate and they all go hand in hand. I am not a huge fan of political stuff, I don't always get it, some of it is above my head and if I am honest I get bored with it very quickly. So for me it is surprising I got on so well with the book. I think because the political stuff comes from the angle of their beliefs and we hear the why behind some of it. Whilst they are clearly bams for the hate/violence done in the name of beliefs it gives you a bit of insight into that frame of mind, utter madness but MacBride helps paint a picture so you can peek behind the curtain most of us genuinely couldn't fathom.
As with his previous books I have read we get the inappropriate unpc humour, bad language, swearing and misbehavior from some of the characters we know and love from the series. I started reading MacBride years ago and fell away when I discovered new authors after reading this it was like putting on an fav blanket and catching up with old friends. Brutal violence, shocking beliefs, hate and anger mixed with swearing galore - if these guys had a swear box they would be minted, and dark humour. All the things in MacBride books that fans came to love from book one, 4/5 for me this time.
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