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DCI Harry McNeil #4
Dead before you die
A killer on the rampage. A detective standing in his way...
As a winter storm covers the city, the frozen corpse of a female is found inside a pile of snow outside Hector Mann's house. There's no identity on her, but Hector recognises her. She's a woman from his past.
DCI Harry McNeil is called in with his team to start the investigation but right from the start, things don't add up. Does Mann know more than he's letting on?
DCI Jimmy Dunbar is sent through from Glasgow to join the investigation. They have a cold case murder from two years ago very similar to this one. Coincidence, or more? What is the connection between that murder and this one?
Harry is brought in for questioning by his old department, Professional Standards. His ex-girlfriend is being stalked and she's pointing the finger at Harry. Suddenly things are not looking good for him.
Harry not only needs to track down a vicious serial killer but somebody who is intent on bringing him to his knees.
Can he catch a killer before his life is not only turned upside down, but ended? As time is running out, Harry is racing against the clock to stop one of the most frightening and lethal killers he's ever dealt with.
As a winter storm covers the city, the frozen corpse of a female is found inside a pile of snow outside Hector Mann's house. There's no identity on her, but Hector recognises her. She's a woman from his past.
DCI Harry McNeil is called in with his team to start the investigation but right from the start, things don't add up. Does Mann know more than he's letting on?
DCI Jimmy Dunbar is sent through from Glasgow to join the investigation. They have a cold case murder from two years ago very similar to this one. Coincidence, or more? What is the connection between that murder and this one?
Harry is brought in for questioning by his old department, Professional Standards. His ex-girlfriend is being stalked and she's pointing the finger at Harry. Suddenly things are not looking good for him.
Harry not only needs to track down a vicious serial killer but somebody who is intent on bringing him to his knees.
Can he catch a killer before his life is not only turned upside down, but ended? As time is running out, Harry is racing against the clock to stop one of the most frightening and lethal killers he's ever dealt with.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2019
1274 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
John Carson
99 books166 followersJohn Carson is the author of the DI Frank Miller detective series. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and lived there most of his life. In 2006, he emigrated to New York State with his American wife and two daughters. They now live in a small town in the Hudson Valley where his wife was brought up, with a German Shepherd, a Beagle mix and four cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 18, 2020
Hm. I didn't enjoy reading this book as much as I did the previous two in the series. My biggest complaint is that I found the plethora of Scottish police and their many acronyms confusing. People who live in Scotland probably wonder what the heck I'm complaining about, haha. I've always enjoyed the banter between Harry and Alex but in this book, the more-than-usual police officers (with their many acronyms) were all cracking jokes with each other, too. Does this mean I will stop reading the books? No. In fact, I've already started the fourth one.
The storyline was fascinating. And
The storyline was fascinating. And
January 13, 2020
A serial murderer with a snowman fixation
I enjoyed this quick-read police procedural featuring DCI Harry McNeil and his team. The likable, well-written characters are what draws me back to author John Carson’s mysteries. This time around, it’s a good thing I read the two earlier books, because although this one has only 190 pages, there are 35-40 characters. That said, I’ve met most of the police characters, plus the author brings in enough backstory, so I could update myself without re-reading earlier books.
The main storyline has unique touches and is well-plotted, but the side story was meh and could’ve been omitted. This should’ve been a 5 stars book, but there were several things that nagged at me, including a few procedural questions regarding due diligence or lack thereof. Here’s what bothered me most: Why doesn’t the young woman, who hit her head on the vanity, have a name? She’d died years ago, but she matters. I was stunned when DCI McNeil & team didn’t ask her name.
I enjoyed this quick-read police procedural featuring DCI Harry McNeil and his team. The likable, well-written characters are what draws me back to author John Carson’s mysteries. This time around, it’s a good thing I read the two earlier books, because although this one has only 190 pages, there are 35-40 characters. That said, I’ve met most of the police characters, plus the author brings in enough backstory, so I could update myself without re-reading earlier books.
The main storyline has unique touches and is well-plotted, but the side story was meh and could’ve been omitted. This should’ve been a 5 stars book, but there were several things that nagged at me, including a few procedural questions regarding due diligence or lack thereof. Here’s what bothered me most: Why doesn’t the young woman, who hit her head on the vanity, have a name? She’d died years ago, but she matters. I was stunned when DCI McNeil & team didn’t ask her name.
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February 8, 2020A killer on the rampage. A detective standing in his way...
As a winter storm covers the city, the frozen corpse of a female is found inside a pile of snow outside Hector Mann's house. There's no identity on her, but Hector recognises her. She's a woman from his past.
DCI Harry McNeil is called in with his team to start the investigation but right from the start, things don't add up. Does Mann know more than he's letting on?
DCI Jimmy Dunbar is sent through from Glasgow to join the investigation. They have a cold case murder from two years ago very similar to this one. Coincidence, or more? What is the connection between that murder and this one?
Harry is brought in for questioning by his old department, Professional Standards. His ex-girlfriend is being stalked and she's pointing the finger at Harry. Suddenly things are not looking good for him.
Harry not only needs to track down a vicious serial killer but somebody who is intent on bringing him to his knees.
Can he catch a killer before his life is not only turned upside down, but ended? As time is running out, Harry is racing against the clock to stop one of the most frightening and lethal killers he's ever dealt with.
Good.
As a winter storm covers the city, the frozen corpse of a female is found inside a pile of snow outside Hector Mann's house. There's no identity on her, but Hector recognises her. She's a woman from his past.
DCI Harry McNeil is called in with his team to start the investigation but right from the start, things don't add up. Does Mann know more than he's letting on?
DCI Jimmy Dunbar is sent through from Glasgow to join the investigation. They have a cold case murder from two years ago very similar to this one. Coincidence, or more? What is the connection between that murder and this one?
Harry is brought in for questioning by his old department, Professional Standards. His ex-girlfriend is being stalked and she's pointing the finger at Harry. Suddenly things are not looking good for him.
Harry not only needs to track down a vicious serial killer but somebody who is intent on bringing him to his knees.
Can he catch a killer before his life is not only turned upside down, but ended? As time is running out, Harry is racing against the clock to stop one of the most frightening and lethal killers he's ever dealt with.
Good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2020
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I have the same issue with it that I've had with the others in the series: you're moving through the story at a good pace, and then all of a sudden, the mystery is solved, and it feels like the end is quite sudden.
I also agree with the other reviewers about how it was a bit frustrating that the original girl whose death kicked off the whole series of events was never named, and her cause of death was revealed by the officers right after they were told where to find her body, without having actually had time to locate and examine her.
The characters are good, and I love the setting,and the relationship between two of the main characters isn't painful to read (refreshing to have characters who actually communicate rather than assume!).
I also agree with the other reviewers about how it was a bit frustrating that the original girl whose death kicked off the whole series of events was never named, and her cause of death was revealed by the officers right after they were told where to find her body, without having actually had time to locate and examine her.
The characters are good, and I love the setting,and the relationship between two of the main characters isn't painful to read (refreshing to have characters who actually communicate rather than assume!).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2020
Great read
John Carson creates characters that you want to visit time and again. Although this story is about intrigue and murder the wry humor in the dialogue adds a much needed dimension to a dark story. Highly recommend the Frank Miller series and this new series featuring Harry McNeil.
John Carson creates characters that you want to visit time and again. Although this story is about intrigue and murder the wry humor in the dialogue adds a much needed dimension to a dark story. Highly recommend the Frank Miller series and this new series featuring Harry McNeil.
January 16, 2020
Terrific!
This series is superb! Read in order as team relationships develop with each book. Edinburgh MIT squad, aided again by MIT squad Glasgow, investigate current and past murders in which body is encased in a snow man!! Another exciting, interesting, involved murder case with too many suspects and too few clues.
This series is superb! Read in order as team relationships develop with each book. Edinburgh MIT squad, aided again by MIT squad Glasgow, investigate current and past murders in which body is encased in a snow man!! Another exciting, interesting, involved murder case with too many suspects and too few clues.
May 3, 2021
Love that these books are quick reads, enjoyable, and the returning characters are extremely likeable ad funny. Good plot. And as much as I enjoy them, there is always a part of me that thinks, with a bit of editing, these books could be five star novels. The plot is there. The characters are there. The writing, however, just jumps so quickly. SO much talent, but its just not developed :(
August 9, 2021
Chillingly good!
A fantastic book in this series which just like the previous books is full of action and plenty of twists that'll keep you guessing until the end. I also enjoy the happenings around the main crime which really let you delve into the lives of the main characters........Onto the next book in this series.
A fantastic book in this series which just like the previous books is full of action and plenty of twists that'll keep you guessing until the end. I also enjoy the happenings around the main crime which really let you delve into the lives of the main characters........Onto the next book in this series.
January 9, 2020
Good book
I am a huge John Carson fan. I have loved the Frank Miller series immensely. Now I can read Harry McNeil while I wait for the next Miller book! The characters are very likable and Edinburgh is a great setting. I highly recommend this author.
I am a huge John Carson fan. I have loved the Frank Miller series immensely. Now I can read Harry McNeil while I wait for the next Miller book! The characters are very likable and Edinburgh is a great setting. I highly recommend this author.
October 15, 2020
Suspense from start to finish
I love the character of Harry McNeil. Tough exterior but soft hearted underneath. The tension of will they or won't they dominated this book bit did not spoil the storyline. Excellent.
I love the character of Harry McNeil. Tough exterior but soft hearted underneath. The tension of will they or won't they dominated this book bit did not spoil the storyline. Excellent.
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November 18, 2021Winter Weather Mystery
I enjoyed this mystery which had surprises throughout the book. Harry investigates a bizarre murder related to a murder that occurred many years ago in another location.
I enjoyed this mystery which had surprises throughout the book. Harry investigates a bizarre murder related to a murder that occurred many years ago in another location.
April 13, 2022
Best yet: Absolutely loved this one, not only an excellent thriller/mystery but it also kept me guessing on the main killer. It was nice to have Dunbar and Evans again too, it made that much funnier. It also had a lovely splash of romance and all I can say is finally.
December 3, 2025
I found this one very satisfying. A romance resolution. And clever premise, a snowman gets hit by a car and low and behold inside is a dead woman yikes...... will the killer keep this up, have they done it before. Alex and Harry + help from Glasgow friends will figure this out!
January 8, 2020
Fabby read
Fantastic read John as usual. Can't wait for the next. I would definitely recommend this book to all my friends.
Fantastic read John as usual. Can't wait for the next. I would definitely recommend this book to all my friends.
January 12, 2020
Yet another excellent book from john carson
January 19, 2020
Great read
Loved the descriptions of the characters and felt for them. Enjoyed this book & will read this author in the future
Loved the descriptions of the characters and felt for them. Enjoyed this book & will read this author in the future
April 23, 2020
Another great story
Another great story by John and as good as the rest in the series.I have already purchased the next book in the series and I am looking forward to reading it.
Another great story by John and as good as the rest in the series.I have already purchased the next book in the series and I am looking forward to reading it.
June 8, 2020
Very good book couldn't put it down !
Very good book and a story I couldn't put down!!can't wait to read the next book !
Richard Moeser
!
Very good book and a story I couldn't put down!!can't wait to read the next book !
Richard Moeser
!
June 9, 2020
An unlikely plot and a few too many characters for my elderly brain to keep up with.
July 6, 2020
A good page turner. Well written and plotted, although I could have done without the sub plot involving the ex girlfriend (or it could have been kept lower key). In retrospect, I think there's a large plot discrepancy, but as I enjoyed reading it, I'm not going back to check!
August 2, 2020
Good read
September 28, 2020
not sure why i can't get into this series but i am trying..
August 3, 2021
An interesting mystery. Not the best written story, but I do like the developing romance between Harry and Alex.
November 27, 2021
Another excellent detective thriller
Great characters, unusual murders, fascinating plot that keeps you on your toes. A few twists too. I definitely Recommend this series
Great characters, unusual murders, fascinating plot that keeps you on your toes. A few twists too. I definitely Recommend this series
February 6, 2022
Twists and turns
I'm enjoying the series, with many twists and turns keep the action coming think and fast. Keep the series going.
I'm enjoying the series, with many twists and turns keep the action coming think and fast. Keep the series going.
November 8, 2022
Loved the story. For me I liked the camaraderie and banter; the mystery came second.
February 5, 2023
I liked this book a lot and I like the entire series. Highly recommended.
May 9, 2023
This one was easier understood, there weren't quite as many character names. The "snowman" killer was an interesting twist. And the getting rid of Alex's competition was well-done.
July 26, 2023
A really enjoyable read but was hoping for something. A spark to liven it up a bit. None the less I look forward to book 5 soon.
February 1, 2024
Dead before you Die
Another fantastic read , thoughouly enjoyed it. Can't wait to read the next one. The characters are very real and it's easy to relate to
Another fantastic read , thoughouly enjoyed it. Can't wait to read the next one. The characters are very real and it's easy to relate to
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews