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A young woman’s body is discovered, propped up against a bin, discarded like a piece of rubbish, outside a Chinese Takeaway in the City of London.

DS Jack Mackinnon’s first outing as acting SIO on a prominent case is not for the faint-hearted. The young woman’s arms are covered with odd marks, and he is convinced they provide a clue to the killer’s identity.

But the pieces of the puzzle are slow to come together, and when another woman is abducted, the stakes are raised. There’s a method to the killer’s madness – but can Jack get to the truth before another life is lost?

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 11, 2019

588 people are currently reading
236 people want to read

About the author

D.S. Butler

35 books884 followers
Author of the Karen Hart series. Ex-biochemist turned crime-writer. Huge Queen fan. Loves to read crime fiction.

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5 stars
1,695 (56%)
4 stars
963 (32%)
3 stars
274 (9%)
2 stars
38 (1%)
1 star
17 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Gary.
3,012 reviews422 followers
January 30, 2022
This is the eighth book in the DS Jack Mackinnon series by author D.S Butler. Another solid book to this series that is growing on me with every book I read.

DS Jack Mackinnon’s is faced with a gruesome murder to investigate. A young woman’s body is discovered propped up against a bin, treated like household rubbish outside a Chinese Takeaway in London. Her arms are covered with odd marks, and Jack is convinced they provide a clue to the killer’s identity. With the case making slow progress a woman is abducted and the tension escalates. Can Jack uncover the truth before another woman is killed.

I feel that I am starting to get into DS Jack Mackinnon’s head which is making this series so much more enjoyable. Well written police procedural with lots of suspense make this a very good read.
Profile Image for Christine Ann.
199 reviews1 follower
September 3, 2019
Brilliant book only thing was all talk of bedbugs made me itch but definitely recommend this book
2 reviews
Read
November 21, 2021
Amazing Author

Compelling ! I could not put the book down Brilliant from book 1 to book 8. I want more D'S Jack MacKinnon
Profile Image for Joanna Butler.
23 reviews
August 11, 2019
Another Brilliant Read

An unusual type of crime makes this an input down able read unusual plot and crime makes this educational as well as darn good detective novel
Profile Image for Bob.
176 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2021
It sure was a Deadly Game

Another great read by this author ... maintained my interest 100% of the time. I would recommend this series of stories to everyone.
Profile Image for EcoBookWorm.
42 reviews
March 31, 2020
A compelling read!

This book had me itching (literally and figuratively lol), if you are a bit squeamish when it comes to creepy crawlies then read with caution.

Once again DS Butler stuns us with another stellar novel that focuses on everyday issues, from overworked detectives to mental health issues. Her Jack MacKinnon books get better and better, it’s refreshing to read a book that plays out like a TV drama as I read it.

DS Butler has a was of fleshing out her characters into individuals each with unique identities, unlike some authors who can make the lesser character seem all the same. I would like to see more of Chloe and the girls in the future (if there are more books to come ...), to maybe see MacKinnon settle down more with them and maybe expand the family?

Overall I will always rate DS Butlers books, she’s an amazing writer and I enjoy that her plots are too far fetched from real life. I can’t wait to read more of her work.

Would definitely recommend as a must read for all the detective novel buffs out there!
31 reviews
July 20, 2020
Another fast paced book from the Mackinnon series. The characters interact well as you would expect from the 8th book in the series, and they are all genuinely likeable.
The theme of the story was different, being based around bed bugs and the villain of the story isnt as malicious as previous book, to the extent that you had some sympathy with them by the end.
The only downside to the book is that it is currently the last with this character, although I hope DS Mackinnon gets revived in the future as his personal life and career feels that it still has legs for a few more books yet.
79 reviews
December 20, 2023
Very good read

I enjoyed it.

I’m not going to say more as I will probably get refused again from stating my actual thoughts on the story. Comes to something when one’s own thoughts and feelings are subjected to scrutiny by someone or something else and then to get told they aren’t suitable. Truth is a very subjective concept on goodreads - apparently. Oops I’ve said too much again. We’ll see.

So will just say it was good.
Profile Image for Vespasian.
165 reviews
March 21, 2025
As this is the last book in the series i thought it might end a bit different, it didn't really end good, just told you Jakes other half Chloe and her kids were doing ok and he just carried on with his work. The thriller side of it was good, about a man who thought his body had parasites from bedbugs, woke up itching in the night from dreaming about bedbugs. Still a good read and a good series. (L)
Profile Image for Kim.
426 reviews
July 21, 2020
This is a good detective/murder mystery series set in London. Some of the books on this series have some language but I was happy that this one didn’t! I really like these books because they’re keep my attention but the crimes aren’t graphic. I just wish there were more of them- I’m assuming she will write more but this is the last one right now in this series.
1 review
July 17, 2021
DS Jack MacKinnon crime series

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the whole series and was totally gripped with each be story line. The books were all so well written and it was really difficult to name the criminals until nearing the end of each book.

I am looking forward to beginning the next East London series of books.
Profile Image for Sarah.
104 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2025
So sad I’ve come to the end of this series! I have read all of DS Butler’s other books that I’ve been able to get, but I couldn’t find where to get the DS Jack books. Luckily I managed to eventually got this series from eBay. What a great series! I’ve loved all of them, can’t wait until DS Karen Hart’s next book in September 😊.
663 reviews6 followers
July 1, 2020
Another rivetting tale of menta l health concerns from this excellent author though reread

it was still as exciting. A must read forfans of money Ms Comley. Beautifully written with no
typos absolutely fabulous.
34 reviews
August 7, 2020
More more more.

I'm sad to say I'm going to miss the adventures with Jack MacKinnon. And what a great ending finally his home life might run smoothly for once. However I really liked reading this series and I will sad not to have the next one to read.
16 reviews
June 2, 2021
Would make a great TV series

Sad to have finished the DS Jack MacKinnon series of books. Extremely enjoyable read one after the other, now wondering what I can read that will be as good. Well done D. S. Butler an excellent read.
29 reviews
July 12, 2022
Deadly Intent book 8. DR Jack MacKinnon Crime Series

1 at time reading DR Butler
Enjoyed the book very interesting getting to know each character & their place within the Police Force. I will watch for more work from this author
Profile Image for Pauline Morgan.
65 reviews3 followers
September 25, 2022
Brilliant

I have read all the books in this series and find them well written and a gripping story line. I have also read her other books about Detective Karen Hart, they are brilliant to, I can't wait for another book in either series to be published.
Profile Image for M R B Davis.
695 reviews5 followers
November 18, 2022
A deluded culprit

A good story with successful detective work. The culprit makes a mistake that finally leads to his demise. A rant about the GP system and NHS that didn't add anything but point well made.
41 reviews
May 4, 2023
Another superb story in this series.

The detectives from Brook Street had a difficult time resolving this series of abductions as the perpetrator was virtually off the grid and unknown to the police. A great piece of writing showing the detail behind the scenes.
21 reviews
September 19, 2024
Excellent read

The last one in the series and even though a little slow at the start once it got going was hard to put down and finished off quick smart.

(Spoiler)

MacKinnon is bound to get injured well and truely one day - alas last book so maybe not.
92 reviews
April 9, 2025
Brilliant.

This is yet another brilliant book from D.S.Butler. Couldn't put it down. It had me hooked from the first page and it's fast pace means there's no chance of getting bored with the story. Get's straight to the point with no waffling.
13 reviews
January 15, 2020
Keeps the interest going

A very easy read as always. Looking forward to the next one. Plots good again as always. Characters easy to remember
10 reviews
May 23, 2020
Great story

A great page Turner, lots of human interest from beginning to end. Pity it's the last one. Great for the lock down
9 reviews
March 9, 2021
Great read

Would recommend this book as I thoroughly enjoyed it
I have read the whole series of Jack Mackinnon crime stories
18 reviews
March 9, 2021
Great story in the series

Keeps you entertained from the beginning to the end fits in with others in the series usual unexpected twists and turns
326 reviews4 followers
April 15, 2021
Deadly Intent

Absolutely fantastic book the characters are believable especially the police. The story grabs you and carries you along. The story leaves you itching. 😊
Profile Image for Kath.
1,066 reviews28 followers
April 18, 2021
Love this series. Great believable characters, and solider plots all along.
1 review
June 30, 2021
Interesting twist

Felt a little slow to start with, but once the story got going it was a great read, enjoyed the full series .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews

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