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DS Jack Mackinnon #4
Deadly Justice
Time to run. Time to hide. Time to die...
A late summer heatwave seems to have triggered an unusually high number of suicides. As the dead bodies pile up, DS Jack Mackinnon and the rest of MIT realise things aren’t as straightforward as they seem, and when similar letters are found at the scene of each ‘suicide,’ Mackinnon is convinced they are dealing with a serial killer. A killer who is determined to deliver his own deadly justice.
A late summer heatwave seems to have triggered an unusually high number of suicides. As the dead bodies pile up, DS Jack Mackinnon and the rest of MIT realise things aren’t as straightforward as they seem, and when similar letters are found at the scene of each ‘suicide,’ Mackinnon is convinced they are dealing with a serial killer. A killer who is determined to deliver his own deadly justice.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2013
About the author
D.S. Butler
35 books963 followersAuthor of the Karen Hart series. Ex-biochemist turned crime-writer. Huge Queen fan. Loves to read crime fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 30, 2022
I really enjoy the Karen Hart series by this author so decided to try her other series hoping for more of the same. I found this to be an enjoyable read but the magics not quite there for me just yet. Good characters that I am sure will grow on me and solid police procedural plot.
A late summer heatwave seems to have triggered an unusually high number of suicides.
As the dead bodies pile up, DS Jack Mackinnon and the rest of MIT realise things aren’t as straightforward as they seem, and when similar letters are found at the scene of each ‘suicide,’ Mackinnon is convinced they are dealing with a serial killer. A killer who is determined to deliver his own deadly justice.
This was a good read and the signs were there for me towards the end that I am finally feeling connected to this series.
A late summer heatwave seems to have triggered an unusually high number of suicides.
As the dead bodies pile up, DS Jack Mackinnon and the rest of MIT realise things aren’t as straightforward as they seem, and when similar letters are found at the scene of each ‘suicide,’ Mackinnon is convinced they are dealing with a serial killer. A killer who is determined to deliver his own deadly justice.
This was a good read and the signs were there for me towards the end that I am finally feeling connected to this series.
November 14, 2019
So I read book 1 of the series and gave it three stars thinking the author would get more polished as the series progressed. For some reason I skipped books 2 and 3 (I maybe thought they sounded a bit dull) and settled for book 4 thinking it ought to be pretty damn good. But no.
There is a series of apparent suicides by hydrogen sulphide poisoning (the obvious choice naturally) where two more harmless chemicals are mixed to form a deadly brew. I think the author was saying it was, or was like, the mustard gas used in WWI bur more background would have been useful. Nobody thinks to link these suicides or consider them suspicious despite identical, printed, unsigned suicide notes. Also CCTV is not utilised until much later in the book. Oh, and you'd think the first death would prompt at least an external examination by a pathologist who would have seen other evidence. But no.
The dialogue was wooden and contrived. By the halfway point I was bored nearly to death and ready to DNF but I persevered with skim reading to the inevitable, predictable ending which I reached with a great sense of relief. The whole think was over in a matter of hours thankfully, although I will never get those hours back. Yes I am very cranky and may have given this 1.5 or even 2 stars if it was not the last in a bad bunch of books. Thankfully I am now reading something much more interesting and engaging.
There is a series of apparent suicides by hydrogen sulphide poisoning (the obvious choice naturally) where two more harmless chemicals are mixed to form a deadly brew. I think the author was saying it was, or was like, the mustard gas used in WWI bur more background would have been useful. Nobody thinks to link these suicides or consider them suspicious despite identical, printed, unsigned suicide notes. Also CCTV is not utilised until much later in the book. Oh, and you'd think the first death would prompt at least an external examination by a pathologist who would have seen other evidence. But no.
The dialogue was wooden and contrived. By the halfway point I was bored nearly to death and ready to DNF but I persevered with skim reading to the inevitable, predictable ending which I reached with a great sense of relief. The whole think was over in a matter of hours thankfully, although I will never get those hours back. Yes I am very cranky and may have given this 1.5 or even 2 stars if it was not the last in a bad bunch of books. Thankfully I am now reading something much more interesting and engaging.
August 26, 2024
Another easy read in the series. I was sure I’d worked out who the gas killer was early on however. It would have been good to have a bit more detail at the end I felt it ended abruptly.
March 2, 2023
Not bad.
I definitely don’t enjoy these books as much as the other series but it’s okay for casual reading.
I definitely don’t enjoy these books as much as the other series but it’s okay for casual reading.
March 20, 2019
I love this series
Now on book five the characters are becoming real people and not only are the plots gripping but so are their personal lives with all of the ups and downs sadness and joy. Getting into the book is easy, putting it down isn't.
Thank you for another good book
Now on book five the characters are becoming real people and not only are the plots gripping but so are their personal lives with all of the ups and downs sadness and joy. Getting into the book is easy, putting it down isn't.
Thank you for another good book
January 12, 2021
This novel was up to D'S Butler's usual high standard. A good crime novel with many twists nd turns.
I really enjoyed this book. Easy to read and fast paced my kind of thriller. The person we were subtlely lead to believe had done it had nothing to do with the crimes. Will be reading another D'S Butler novel soon. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
I really enjoyed this book. Easy to read and fast paced my kind of thriller. The person we were subtlely lead to believe had done it had nothing to do with the crimes. Will be reading another D'S Butler novel soon. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
March 2, 2026
Previously enjoyed several books by this author, all featuring the character Karen Hart. This is my first read of the Jack Mackinnon character and unfortunately I was disappointed. I felt the character lacked depth, unlike Hart, the plot was a little pedestrian for me and the ending was an anti-climax. I will continue to read the Hart series but won’t be reading another featuring this character.
June 28, 2020
Wow, this story kept me reading from start to finish
Thought there were some unusual people in this story, but that’s life!
DI Jack Mackinnon and his partner are responding to a death
As readers, we are able to see what is happening.
Loved this story.
Thought there were some unusual people in this story, but that’s life!
DI Jack Mackinnon and his partner are responding to a death
As readers, we are able to see what is happening.
Loved this story.
July 19, 2020
Intense
Had to give five stars again for another amazing story with Jack MacKinnon I really liked reading this one I didn't want to stop reading until I knew who the culprit was and then I didn't realise until near the end.
Had to give five stars again for another amazing story with Jack MacKinnon I really liked reading this one I didn't want to stop reading until I knew who the culprit was and then I didn't realise until near the end.
December 18, 2020
WoW, deadly justice ...
This book as a great follow up to its predecessors as it too grasped the readers attention and holding it throughout the story.
I enjoyed this as I did the others and recommend the series to all ...
This book as a great follow up to its predecessors as it too grasped the readers attention and holding it throughout the story.
I enjoyed this as I did the others and recommend the series to all ...
June 5, 2024
Another Excellent Story
Another excellent story in the DS Jack MacKinnon series. All the usual characters and a very good and unique storyline. Kept me gripped from start to finish.Looking forward to reading more in the series.
Another excellent story in the DS Jack MacKinnon series. All the usual characters and a very good and unique storyline. Kept me gripped from start to finish.Looking forward to reading more in the series.
August 20, 2026
Book four sees Jack investigate a series of suicides but he suspects it's murder.
I liked the way the past and present was mixed and showed how one always affects the other...sad, for sure.
Good characters that suited the plot with an easy writing style.
Engaging.
I liked the way the past and present was mixed and showed how one always affects the other...sad, for sure.
Good characters that suited the plot with an easy writing style.
Engaging.
September 3, 2026
Not her best
Normally I quite like her books but I found that this story lacked depth. I felt that one or two paragraphs were not required and just put in to fatten the story without adding to it.
Normally I quite like her books but I found that this story lacked depth. I felt that one or two paragraphs were not required and just put in to fatten the story without adding to it.
August 24, 2017
Great book
I really liked all the books in this series can't wait for the next one
Hopefully Charlotte and maybe her and Jack hook up :-)
I really liked all the books in this series can't wait for the next one
Hopefully Charlotte and maybe her and Jack hook up :-)
September 1, 2017
Murderer
This book held me in sixpence from start to finish and was quite a scary story. I didn't even guess who the murderer was.
This book held me in sixpence from start to finish and was quite a scary story. I didn't even guess who the murderer was.
January 29, 2019
Deadly Justice
Fantastic story.I liked most of the characters except the cafe owner and his awful mother. Juniors mother made me feel ill. A Great READ.
Fantastic story.I liked most of the characters except the cafe owner and his awful mother. Juniors mother made me feel ill. A Great READ.
June 16, 2019
Great plot
June 24, 2019
Excellent!!
Really enjoyed this story. The main character was written so well. Creepy as. Any lover of this genre will not be disappointed. Can't wait to read the next one.📕
Really enjoyed this story. The main character was written so well. Creepy as. Any lover of this genre will not be disappointed. Can't wait to read the next one.📕
June 26, 2019
B
yet another brilliant book in the series so if you like crime novels and not read any of d s butler's books then they are a must
yet another brilliant book in the series so if you like crime novels and not read any of d s butler's books then they are a must
June 28, 2019
Review
Like this character alot with excellent story line I will be looking forward to book three for my next read
Like this character alot with excellent story line I will be looking forward to book three for my next read
July 13, 2019
Easy read
Another good one from the Jack McKinnon series. The author keeps you guessing until the end with her red herrings.
Another good one from the Jack McKinnon series. The author keeps you guessing until the end with her red herrings.
October 11, 2019
This is brilliant kept you guessing right to the end can’t say too much in case I spoil it but it’s bloody brilliant
December 17, 2019
Brilliant
Loving this series of books can't get enough of them really gripping making you want to read on can't wait to reAd next one
Loving this series of books can't get enough of them really gripping making you want to read on can't wait to reAd next one
January 15, 2020
Slightly predictable
Unfortunately worked out the killer three quarter way through the book. Hopefully future books by the author won’t be. End
Unfortunately worked out the killer three quarter way through the book. Hopefully future books by the author won’t be. End
April 17, 2020
Good book- gave me the creeps a little though!
Read
May 16, 2020Another exciting episode in this series of unusual
tales with different subject matter than is usually
found in detective stories. A real leasure to read.
Beautifully written too.
tales with different subject matter than is usually
found in detective stories. A real leasure to read.
Beautifully written too.
March 4, 2021
Great series
Love the details and background into the science and protocol. Great series
Love it. I have binge read these this week!
Love the details and background into the science and protocol. Great series
Love it. I have binge read these this week!
April 11, 2021
Wonderful well written mystery set.
June 25, 2021
Enjoyed book but found it a struggle to get through. Seem to be averaging one brilliant one, followed by one still good not quite so good etc in this series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews