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DCI Harry McNeil #3
Back to Life
It looked like a simple murder case. But the victim’s false identity is just the beginning…
Edinburgh DCI Harry McNeil’s dangerous job wasn’t made for relationships. So when a female officer’s mutilated remains wash up in a canal, it feels like proof he was right to leave his long-time girlfriend. But the investigation takes an unexpected turn when he discovers the corpse was carrying a police ID belonging to a cop already dead and buried.
Digging deeper, McNeil learns the woman was actually a software engineer nosing around high-tech, classified projects and poking into murky government corners. So when a second body surfaces, he fears the truth lies in the darkest corners of greed and corruption. And someone is determined to make certain those secrets never come to light…
Can McNeil catch the killer before the deadly tables are turned on him?
BACK TO LIFE is the second book in the gritty DCI Harry McNeil Scottish crime thriller series. If you like hardboiled detectives, dark humor, and snappy banter, then you’ll love John Carson’s unputdownable tale.
Buy BACK TO LIFE to decode a treacherous conspiracy today!193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2019
1211 people are currently reading
286 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 40 reviews
May 17, 2020
I liked this book nearly as much as I liked the first one! (Can anyone say self-driving trains, planes, and automobiles?? Woo hoo!) The AI parts were so interesting and I'm still enjoying the humorous friendship between Harry and Alex. Just when I thought I had things figured out, there was a big and fantastic twist at the end. Mr. Carson has become one of my favorite authors!!
July 19, 2020
Great read and story pacing
Interesting characters and storyline. I am currently hooked on the Scottish police novels. Stuart mac bride and James Oswald are 2of my favorites and now I am adding John carson.
Interesting characters and storyline. I am currently hooked on the Scottish police novels. Stuart mac bride and James Oswald are 2of my favorites and now I am adding John carson.
December 7, 2021
I read this with hope because I am always looking for a decent police procedural or crime/detective series that possesses the qualities, strong characters, solid plots, good writing that carries the story well without drawing excessive attention to itself, to sustain itself over multiple books and thus sustain me over several weeks….Unhappily for me this book did not bear out my hopes. The story of a dead police officer whose identity card is found on a newly murdered woman’s body, and then more bodies - some with switched identities, which appear and disappear, is set against a background of a tech company specialising in making self driving cars. It is a private business set up by a man who has channelled his grief and anger against a car accident that destroyed his life into a new passion - to create a future in which an accident like his cannot happen. And of course he won’t say no to the money it’s going to make for him. This entrepreneur is perhaps the most interesting character in the book because most strongly drawn, which is not saying much. The main detective is practically invisible, it’s so hard to get a sense of who he is, and his sergeant/potential love interest is only slightly less so. It’s very hard to feel invested in them. The plot superficially complex but insufficiently well woven together so that in the end it all seems to fall apart into separate strands and the denouement and uncovering of the who in the whodunnit is unimpressive because it feels tacked on. Or perhaps it was always intended but the author ran out of space to write it in convincingly. Or couldn’t be bothered. There are too many operators and too little for them to be operating on, the stakes are big money and death and yet they feel curiously uncompelling. I think this is partly because of the flatness of the characters and the thinness of the development of relationships between the character and above all the poverty of thought in the plot. There are a few positives however, though they mostly consist of things the book is not. It’s not about serial killers, which signals (to me, obviously) poverty of imagination, and a penchant for sensation and cheap thrills over character and plot. It does not expend half of its bulk on romance or the psychological, emotional and other issues of the protagonists, which is a relief because if I wanted to read romance I’d read a book in the genre and if I wanted psychological depth I’d read Freud or Virginia Woolf or a contemporary textbook of psychology. I don’t expect detective stories to produce eternal truths about human nature, that’s not their function, nor should it be- though of course great writers exist in all genres, and their writing illuminates reality whether they intend to or not, but that is not what a detective book should be trying to do. I find detective stories that try to be profound infinitely boring and trite. This author is neither pretentious not sententious, thank heaven, he’s just not very good, but he may get better. I will try one more and hope for it!
August 12, 2021
I really enjoyed this second story featuring DCI Harry McNeil and DS Alex Maxwell. While there is an interesting and decent plotline surrounding a new Artificial Intelligence company involved in making driverless cars and the complicated murder of a police officer – Linda Smith, who oddly actually died more than three months ago yet her police warrant card was found on this new body – I actually mostly really enjoyed the growth in both Harry and Alex’s characters.
While both were enjoyable in the first story (Sticks and Stones) in this second outing I really feel the author had the time and space not just to allow us as the reader to spend more time with them, but also helped flesh out their working relationship to a greater degree. I admit that each character felt more three-dimensional this time around and I became a lot more attached to them both. Harry is dealing with his recent break-up and complications arising from extracting his life from his ex – who still lives just around the corner and they frequent many of the same places. I also feel Alex really comes out to be her own character, I got a better understating of who she is and enjoyed the fact her personality shone through a lot better and she wasn’t just the underling learning from a decent boss and trying to grow her career.
Readers looking for a strong romance in their mystery story probably won’t find this fits their needs. While there is certainly more dancing around Alex and Harry’s feelings in this story there is no overt motion on either side to instigate a romance. That said, there did feel to me like some chemistry might be bubbling away in the background and I feel the author might be leaving their options open in that regard as the next few stories progress.
What I did really enjoy though was the deepening of the working – and friendship – dynamic between Alex and Harry and by the end of this story they each felt a lot more “real” to me and I was committed to seeing a lot more of this series through. The plot was strong and well-woven, but in some respects I feel it actually took a back seat in this book to the relationship and character growth of the two main characters. And for a series like this, having a book where the focus is on the characters and their growth isn’t a bad thing. Particularly since I didn’t feel the plot suffered in any meaningful way.
For a well written police-procedural mystery with some deeper than usual and interesting character this is a great book to try.
While both were enjoyable in the first story (Sticks and Stones) in this second outing I really feel the author had the time and space not just to allow us as the reader to spend more time with them, but also helped flesh out their working relationship to a greater degree. I admit that each character felt more three-dimensional this time around and I became a lot more attached to them both. Harry is dealing with his recent break-up and complications arising from extracting his life from his ex – who still lives just around the corner and they frequent many of the same places. I also feel Alex really comes out to be her own character, I got a better understating of who she is and enjoyed the fact her personality shone through a lot better and she wasn’t just the underling learning from a decent boss and trying to grow her career.
Readers looking for a strong romance in their mystery story probably won’t find this fits their needs. While there is certainly more dancing around Alex and Harry’s feelings in this story there is no overt motion on either side to instigate a romance. That said, there did feel to me like some chemistry might be bubbling away in the background and I feel the author might be leaving their options open in that regard as the next few stories progress.
What I did really enjoy though was the deepening of the working – and friendship – dynamic between Alex and Harry and by the end of this story they each felt a lot more “real” to me and I was committed to seeing a lot more of this series through. The plot was strong and well-woven, but in some respects I feel it actually took a back seat in this book to the relationship and character growth of the two main characters. And for a series like this, having a book where the focus is on the characters and their growth isn’t a bad thing. Particularly since I didn’t feel the plot suffered in any meaningful way.
For a well written police-procedural mystery with some deeper than usual and interesting character this is a great book to try.
February 27, 2024
The story of a dead police officer whose identity card is found on a newly murdered woman’s body, and then more bodies - some with switched identities, which appear and disappear, is set against a background of a tech company specialising in making self driving cars. .
It started well, I was enjoying it and there was some humour.
But I quote:
To build machines that will have the power to think independently of us and one day take over. The people who do this stuff need to be stopped.
And:
The AI mafia....
And:
I think they have the technology already, but the big oil companies have been suppressing it for years. When the fossil fuels run out, they'll phase in the new technology....I think the car manufacturers are in cahoots with the oil companies. The whole oil game was just to screw the public.
Wow. Conspiracy theories anyone? This is his character the detective saying this, not some nut that is doing the murders.
There is another bit in the book where one character grabs her "go-bag", this is described as something everyone has now, for when the apocalypse comes, millions are ready to leave.
Really. And where do millions go exactly? Lets say some zombies invade, or whatever nut theory abounds, how and where do you have a city full of people go anywhere?
And when they get there, then what? They all sit down with their go bags and wait for what? The rubbish to pile up, water to run out, sewage to accumulate? And what of the people there already? or do they flee the other way?
Why is it people think AI means The Terminator. Let me reassure you, computers don't think. Much as some might like them to. AI might be called "intelligence" but it is not.
Nor is there any dark scary plots by oil companies, car makers or anyone else.
This completely trashed an otherwise quite good cop book, the author has put me right off them now.
Perhaps he should switch the the sort of stuff Michael Crichton wrote and let out all his inner fears there.
I think the author may have a few problems.
It started well, I was enjoying it and there was some humour.
But I quote:
To build machines that will have the power to think independently of us and one day take over. The people who do this stuff need to be stopped.
And:
The AI mafia....
And:
I think they have the technology already, but the big oil companies have been suppressing it for years. When the fossil fuels run out, they'll phase in the new technology....I think the car manufacturers are in cahoots with the oil companies. The whole oil game was just to screw the public.
Wow. Conspiracy theories anyone? This is his character the detective saying this, not some nut that is doing the murders.
There is another bit in the book where one character grabs her "go-bag", this is described as something everyone has now, for when the apocalypse comes, millions are ready to leave.
Really. And where do millions go exactly? Lets say some zombies invade, or whatever nut theory abounds, how and where do you have a city full of people go anywhere?
And when they get there, then what? They all sit down with their go bags and wait for what? The rubbish to pile up, water to run out, sewage to accumulate? And what of the people there already? or do they flee the other way?
Why is it people think AI means The Terminator. Let me reassure you, computers don't think. Much as some might like them to. AI might be called "intelligence" but it is not.
Nor is there any dark scary plots by oil companies, car makers or anyone else.
This completely trashed an otherwise quite good cop book, the author has put me right off them now.
Perhaps he should switch the the sort of stuff Michael Crichton wrote and let out all his inner fears there.
I think the author may have a few problems.
October 4, 2020
Back to Life the DCI McNeill series by John Carson is really good if you're a fan of police procedural's and good detective stories. DCI Harry McNeil heads up one of three Edinburgh MIT teams and they go wherever they're needed, ably assisted by DS Alex Maxwell and a few others they tackle anything that's thrown at them with aplomb. The character's are well written and there's a genuine warmth and plenty of humour between Harry and his team that make them likable and believable and I've been flying through the series reading the first 3 books at one a day. One thing I feel I need to point out is that the series doesn't start at book 1 there's a 0.5 which means that book 1 was probably written and Carson felt he needed to add more background on how the team got together therefore book 0.5 was written after book 1 in the series. So if you plan on reading them the first in the series is Return to Evil book 0.5, Sticks and Stones book 1, Back to Life book 2 Dead Before You Die book 3 which I'm currently reading. I hope that's not too confusing I just felt I had to point that out although they're all standalone novels I like to read a series in order as sometimes things can happen or characters appear or disappear and you're left wondering what happened there? I'm really enjoying this series I'd recommend these books to anyone.
June 8, 2020
Quick Read. Interesting premose
Harry and his Sergeant are a likeable pair. I only their banter and I hope this doesn't turn into the predictable cliché of a burgeoning romance. The plot was intriguing but felt a little thin and rushed. I am going to continue with the Harry McNel series as the books do hold my attention. John Carson doesn't seem to be interested in writing gruesome murder investigation books, which I have no interest in reading. Life itself can be gruesome enough on it's own. I want to be engrossed in a book. I want to have the book make me think. John Carson checks those boxes so far. I do recommend and I will continue to post reviews as I make my way through the series.Reviews are important to me as I regularly read what others post. I enjoy the commentary and it does give me a general feel as to if the book/series, Author is up my alley. Plus, Authors deserve to hear from their audience. I think they do. Reviews can cut both ways though. Which is why I take them into consideration and make my own decision. This series I believe was a good decision. Thank you John Carson.
Harry and his Sergeant are a likeable pair. I only their banter and I hope this doesn't turn into the predictable cliché of a burgeoning romance. The plot was intriguing but felt a little thin and rushed. I am going to continue with the Harry McNel series as the books do hold my attention. John Carson doesn't seem to be interested in writing gruesome murder investigation books, which I have no interest in reading. Life itself can be gruesome enough on it's own. I want to be engrossed in a book. I want to have the book make me think. John Carson checks those boxes so far. I do recommend and I will continue to post reviews as I make my way through the series.Reviews are important to me as I regularly read what others post. I enjoy the commentary and it does give me a general feel as to if the book/series, Author is up my alley. Plus, Authors deserve to hear from their audience. I think they do. Reviews can cut both ways though. Which is why I take them into consideration and make my own decision. This series I believe was a good decision. Thank you John Carson.
Read
February 8, 2020It looked like a simple murder case. But the victim’s false identity is just the beginning…
Edinburgh DCI Harry McNeil’s dangerous job wasn’t made for relationships. So when a female officer’s mutilated remains wash up in a canal, it feels like proof he was right to leave his long-time girlfriend. But the investigation takes an unexpected turn when he discovers the corpse was carrying a police ID belonging to a cop already dead and buried.
Digging deeper, McNeil learns the woman was actually a software engineer nosing around high-tech, classified projects and poking into murky government corners. So when a second body surfaces, he fears the truth lies in the darkest corners of greed and corruption. And someone is determined to make certain those secrets never come to light…
Can McNeil catch the killer before the deadly tables are turned on him?
BACK TO LIFE is the second book in the gritty DCI Harry McNeil Scottish crime thriller series. If you like hardboiled detectives, dark humor, and snappy banter, then you’ll love John Carson’s unputdownable tale.
Good.
Edinburgh DCI Harry McNeil’s dangerous job wasn’t made for relationships. So when a female officer’s mutilated remains wash up in a canal, it feels like proof he was right to leave his long-time girlfriend. But the investigation takes an unexpected turn when he discovers the corpse was carrying a police ID belonging to a cop already dead and buried.
Digging deeper, McNeil learns the woman was actually a software engineer nosing around high-tech, classified projects and poking into murky government corners. So when a second body surfaces, he fears the truth lies in the darkest corners of greed and corruption. And someone is determined to make certain those secrets never come to light…
Can McNeil catch the killer before the deadly tables are turned on him?
BACK TO LIFE is the second book in the gritty DCI Harry McNeil Scottish crime thriller series. If you like hardboiled detectives, dark humor, and snappy banter, then you’ll love John Carson’s unputdownable tale.
Good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2019
Better and better.
I read the first of this series over two days. This one I couldn't put down and read it in just a couple of hours. It was fabulous. I can't wait to read more . I hope the author can write as fast as I read. Outstanding plot with lots of twists and turns. I would love to be on his team of advance readers. Hint hint. John Carson is an exceptional author. One of the best I've read for a long time. I'm not going to compare him to anyone because there is no one. He's one of a kind.
I read the first of this series over two days. This one I couldn't put down and read it in just a couple of hours. It was fabulous. I can't wait to read more . I hope the author can write as fast as I read. Outstanding plot with lots of twists and turns. I would love to be on his team of advance readers. Hint hint. John Carson is an exceptional author. One of the best I've read for a long time. I'm not going to compare him to anyone because there is no one. He's one of a kind.
May 3, 2021
Gosh, I want to give this book four stars. I really do. It is like John Carson has these really good plots, but only sketches out the rough draft for a book. So much more could be done describing scenes, police procedure, etc. And, it is still hard to figure who is talking, at times. That being said, I love the camaraderie with Alex. I just wish Carson would flesh out the book. He has 5 star plots and characters.
November 9, 2021
Interesting and Fun
This book deals with murder committed by geeks who are developing computer driven cars with elaborate and effective safety protocols. McNeill is in charge of the investigate with Alex as his trusty side kicks. The interactions between Harry and his team members add an extra dimension to the story which kept my attention. I think this is an enjoyable mystery and I plan to continue reading them..
This book deals with murder committed by geeks who are developing computer driven cars with elaborate and effective safety protocols. McNeill is in charge of the investigate with Alex as his trusty side kicks. The interactions between Harry and his team members add an extra dimension to the story which kept my attention. I think this is an enjoyable mystery and I plan to continue reading them..
December 28, 2019
Brilliant comic interaction between characters,fascinating electric car material.I love the characterisation.
Love the personal and professional interaction. Didn't see the very last part coming. Looking forward to meeting the characters in the next book ,keep them coming .Thank you.
Love the personal and professional interaction. Didn't see the very last part coming. Looking forward to meeting the characters in the next book ,keep them coming .Thank you.
January 13, 2023
Back to life
This book was really informative. Wow you get a great explaining the technology of the new cars that were going to be build in McCallum Technology. I don't understand why someone would steal a corpse from a mortuary. Or why someone would do their own post mortem if there is no training or experience
This book was really informative. Wow you get a great explaining the technology of the new cars that were going to be build in McCallum Technology. I don't understand why someone would steal a corpse from a mortuary. Or why someone would do their own post mortem if there is no training or experience
October 5, 2024
Back to Life -
This is a fairly short book and at times the plot felt a little rushed. On saying that, I did quite enjoy the story and Harry and Alex came across as good characters. I read the first book in the series which was excellent. This one was good but not quite the same standard. 4.25 out of 5 - mainly down to the rushed plot.
This is a fairly short book and at times the plot felt a little rushed. On saying that, I did quite enjoy the story and Harry and Alex came across as good characters. I read the first book in the series which was excellent. This one was good but not quite the same standard. 4.25 out of 5 - mainly down to the rushed plot.
February 28, 2020
Back to Life
Really enjoyed this second Harry McNeil book also read the previous one Sticks and Stones.The main character is growing on me and good supporting cast.Good storyline thought I had it worked out but I was wrong.Looking forward to book 3.
Really enjoyed this second Harry McNeil book also read the previous one Sticks and Stones.The main character is growing on me and good supporting cast.Good storyline thought I had it worked out but I was wrong.Looking forward to book 3.
January 23, 2021
Another good read
Enjoyed this from start to finish but do get confused who is who & I never guess the murderer in the next book I’ll guess it’s the little girl down the street skipping haha
Enjoyed this from start to finish but do get confused who is who & I never guess the murderer in the next book I’ll guess it’s the little girl down the street skipping haha
March 14, 2021
A technical murder mystery
A little better than Book 1, but not by much. Again got very confusing as to who was playing what and nothing about the crimes apparently committed by the undercover agents. Not a bad read, nonetheless.
A little better than Book 1, but not by much. Again got very confusing as to who was playing what and nothing about the crimes apparently committed by the undercover agents. Not a bad read, nonetheless.
August 7, 2021
Brilliant,thrilling and clever
This was a real great to read, it was full of twists and turns along with some very clever research into the future of transport and technology. Thoroughly enjoying this detective series.
This was a real great to read, it was full of twists and turns along with some very clever research into the future of transport and technology. Thoroughly enjoying this detective series.
November 25, 2021
Hi tech murder..or is it?
Detective Harry McNeil had a new mystery murder to solve. Futuristic travel and safety feature in this one, with a few twists. I think I have found a new enjoyable series to read. Thanks John Carson....now book 4
Detective Harry McNeil had a new mystery murder to solve. Futuristic travel and safety feature in this one, with a few twists. I think I have found a new enjoyable series to read. Thanks John Carson....now book 4
January 16, 2023
A good book and nice to catch up with Harry again. This book was frustrating at times and had a few flaws but a compelling read. I look forward to reading more in this series. Would recommend this series.
January 27, 2020
Good stuff!
Compulsive read, good tech based background, ongoing character development. Once i started it i had to finish! Reccommended. Looking forward to next two in sdries
Compulsive read, good tech based background, ongoing character development. Once i started it i had to finish! Reccommended. Looking forward to next two in sdries
March 2, 2020
Ok
Didn’t enjoy this book rather scattered wording with no real statements. A lot of guesswork needed to read this book.
Didn’t enjoy this book rather scattered wording with no real statements. A lot of guesswork needed to read this book.
April 5, 2020
Another great story
Another great story in the DCI Harry McNeil series. Good strong characters and a fast moving story line. Read it in one sitting. More please
Another great story in the DCI Harry McNeil series. Good strong characters and a fast moving story line. Read it in one sitting. More please
September 27, 2020
i ended up a bit bored but will continue as i wanted to read one later in the series and reviews are good .
October 7, 2020
Great novel full of action
Another Harry McNeil novel that didn't disappoint me. I love the chemistry between Harry and his partner Alex. Now onto the next book
Another Harry McNeil novel that didn't disappoint me. I love the chemistry between Harry and his partner Alex. Now onto the next book
January 20, 2021
Did not enjoy this one as much as the first in the DCI Harry NcNeil series. I found the plot unconvincing and the story line seemed disjointed in places.
March 8, 2022
Another great book John Carson is an excellent author
April 13, 2022
4.25/5⭐: a really good techy read and funny too.
June 12, 2022
Back to life
I love DCI Harry. The characters are always good. The storyline is good too. I'm never disappointed with John Carlson books.
I love DCI Harry. The characters are always good. The storyline is good too. I'm never disappointed with John Carlson books.
October 13, 2022
Very good murder mystery story with a couple of wee twists in it. Will continue to read DCI Harry McNeil story's.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews