Siege Mentality

Jasmine Sharp and Catherine McLeod

by Christopher Brookmyre

Dark deeds make for devilish reading in this short story from the multi-award-winning crime author of Black Widow, Want You Gone and Where the Bodies Are Buried.

***Please note that this story was originally published as The Last Siege of Bothwell Castle in the Bloody Scotland anthology***

A hostage crisis is developing at a castle on the outskirts of Glasgow, during what is supposed to be Superintendent Catherine McLeod's bank holiday relaxation time.

Those trapped inside the castle are used to dealing with the volatile mix of light-fingered teens and obnoxious tourists; less so a truckload of explosives and a hidden agenda. For Catherine and her team, it's a recipe for a potentially deadly day off.

Tense, twisted and laugh-out-loud funny, Siege Mentality is a day-trip you won't forget.

For more from Catherine McLeod, read the Jasmine Sharp trilogy, beginning with Where the Bodies are Buried , a sample from which is included with this short story.

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Short Stories, Humor

45 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2017

About the author

Christopher Brookmyre is a Scottish novelist whose novels mix politics, social comment and action with a strong narrative. He has been referred to as a Tartan Noir author. His debut novel was Quite Ugly One Morning, and subsequent works have included One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night, which he said "was just the sort of book he needed to write before he turned 30", and All Fun and Games until Somebody Loses an Eye (2005). Brookmyre also writes historical fiction with Marisa Haetzman, under the pseudonym "Ambrose Parry."

Reviews

[Ted Tayler · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Enjoyable short story"

Quirky tale that might confuse an American reader when conversation lapses into the Northern England dialect. It was funny to my ears, because it was familiar and although this was shorter than I prefer, there was a lot of good content crammed into only a few pages. A fun way to pass an hour before sleep, if all other avenues have been explored.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story, so there is no time for character development or much set up, but it reads well and ends well.

[Colin Murtagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this on Amazon going for a pound, so I had to really.
It's fair day at Bothwell Castle, when a Siege Tower is taken over by ISIS terrorists, holding the tourists inside as hostages. It's up to Superintendent Catherine McLeod from the Jasmine Sharp books to get the hostages out. Course this is Brookmyre so it's not going to be that simple, or that straightforward, but it will be a lot of fun.

[Colin Forbes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not even a novella, just a short story - and even shorter than you expect, because it's padded out with an extract from one his novels.

Would have been OK as an interlude in a larger work, but there wasn't much pay-off as a stand alone piece.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, punchy short story centered around a tense hostage crisis, with Catherine McLeod taking the lead. Brookmyre delivers his trademark blend of sharp humor and clever twists, making this a satisfying read despite its brevity.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, great story, early Brookmyre style.

[Gordon Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short, short story. Enjoyable wee tale full of CB's caustic humour.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short story from Brookmyre. He seldom disappoints.

[Frank Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wee Brookmyre short to cleanse the reading palate. Fun, funny and enjoyable.

[Ipswichblade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story but ok

[margaret holmes-middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight back to Glasgow

The dialogue is pure dead brilliant. bang on the nose with Glasgow imagery..the characters burst from the page and into he minds eye..

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siege Mentality

I enjoyed this short story. I liked the characters. I really liked the lead detective in the story. I look forward for more from this series.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining but very slight.

[Ken Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sneaky little short story (a detective Catherine McLeod one), about a terrorist attack that might just not be what it seems. The twist, when it comes is good enough, but it is a slight tale. I am a bit miffed that the last third of the ebook is a 'teaser' for 'Where the Bodies are Buried'. Not sure whose fault, but an underhand trick.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet

A nice, fun short story, that doesn't skimp on the traditional Brookmyre wit. A steal at a quid. Must read for fans, and a good taster for soon to be fans!