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Craig Hunter Police Thriller #3
The Black Isle
When a bungled raid leads DC Craig Hunter back to his old unit in Edinburgh, he has a chance to rebuild his career on a new high-profile case.
When he receives a mysterious message from his brother, Murray, indicating he might have been killed, Hunter must head up to the Scottish Highlands, desperate to pick up his brother’s trail in the Black Isle, the mysterious stretch just north of Inverness.
But the more Hunter digs, the less hope he has of learning Murray’s fate. What was Murray doing up there? Was it connected to his lucrative YouTube channel? Or worse, was it connected to the man housesitting for Murray — Hunter’s estranged father, Jock?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it kept me in suspence until the end." – Goodreads review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Another great read, once you start reading they get you gripped and can't [put] the book down" – Goodreads review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Couldn’t put it down. Great imagery of the Black Isle and Cromarty." – Goodreads review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Ed James delivered the goods in his latest Craig Hunter novel. His characters are crisply defined and the narrative is realistic. A lot of characters participate in this thriller and they all have a meaningful role." – Amazon review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I was captured by the story in the first 10 pages. I’m already ready for the next one! This is award quality." – Amazon review
The Police Scotland
When he receives a mysterious message from his brother, Murray, indicating he might have been killed, Hunter must head up to the Scottish Highlands, desperate to pick up his brother’s trail in the Black Isle, the mysterious stretch just north of Inverness.
But the more Hunter digs, the less hope he has of learning Murray’s fate. What was Murray doing up there? Was it connected to his lucrative YouTube channel? Or worse, was it connected to the man housesitting for Murray — Hunter’s estranged father, Jock?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it kept me in suspence until the end." – Goodreads review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Another great read, once you start reading they get you gripped and can't [put] the book down" – Goodreads review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Couldn’t put it down. Great imagery of the Black Isle and Cromarty." – Goodreads review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Ed James delivered the goods in his latest Craig Hunter novel. His characters are crisply defined and the narrative is realistic. A lot of characters participate in this thriller and they all have a meaningful role." – Amazon review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I was captured by the story in the first 10 pages. I’m already ready for the next one! This is award quality." – Amazon review
The Police Scotland
296 pages, Paperback
First published October 30, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 31, 2020
I liked the insight this book gave to Hunter's background. I'm not convinced of how realistic some of it is, but it was a very enjoyable read to distract me from world events.
February 19, 2020
Another good Scottish police novel, with Craig Hunter as the main character but featuring many of the characters from the Cullen series as well. Hunter is on a search for his missing brother
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May 26, 2025More about Craig Hunter's background. He's off to Perth to a job under the supervision of DI Cullen when he gets a message from his brother, Murray, that basically says if you've got this I'm probably dead. Craig and Chantal dash to Murray's house only to find Hunter's dad, Jock, there looking after the hens. Chantal isn't happy as Hunter told her house dad was dead. Craig isn't happy as his dad abandoned the family and is a shady character.
Murray has made a lot of money urbexing online. Hunter ends up having to track Murray up to the black isle along with his dad while Chantal goes to Perth.
Hunter finds out that his brother got a boatman to take him and one other out to a disused oil rig. From then on a number of people disappear and some end up dead. Then the invesitgation gets linked to Cullen's drug case.
Murray has made a lot of money urbexing online. Hunter ends up having to track Murray up to the black isle along with his dad while Chantal goes to Perth.
Hunter finds out that his brother got a boatman to take him and one other out to a disused oil rig. From then on a number of people disappear and some end up dead. Then the invesitgation gets linked to Cullen's drug case.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2021
Brilliant
I read all the Fenchurch books, then a few months later I came across the first Vicky Dodds book on my kindle. Since then I've devoured that series, the Cullen series and the Cullen and Bain books as well as these (I know that's not really the correct order)... what am I going to read now?!?!
I read all the Fenchurch books, then a few months later I came across the first Vicky Dodds book on my kindle. Since then I've devoured that series, the Cullen series and the Cullen and Bain books as well as these (I know that's not really the correct order)... what am I going to read now?!?!
February 25, 2024
I am still not sure about how I feel about this one after the previous few books by the author. After the advances in Heroes and Villains, I felt that this story takes a step backwards for plotting and delivery. The chronological order of books is only minimally impacted by reading these in order according to the author's own reading order but I felt this book has suffered in comparison.
May 20, 2020
Captivating
I am a fan of Di Fenchurch mainly because I know his patch, but the exploits of the Scottish force is really entertaining. Thank you Ed, love the books, have yet to try the supernatural!!!!
I am a fan of Di Fenchurch mainly because I know his patch, but the exploits of the Scottish force is really entertaining. Thank you Ed, love the books, have yet to try the supernatural!!!!
May 12, 2020
3.5 stars. Not as much DS Jain in this book so it gets a lower grade. This book is after the Scott Cullen #8 Heroes and Villains.
August 2, 2020
I enjoyed this book, but maybe not as much as some of the other books by Ed James. Also can anyone tell me what the hell is Violets train trip? 😂
February 4, 2021
A good read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it kept me in suspence until the end. Hope you will enjoy it as much as i have.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it kept me in suspence until the end. Hope you will enjoy it as much as i have.
April 8, 2021
Couldn’t put it down. Great imagery of the Black Isle and Cromarty. I’m just worried that Hunter is more of a cowboy than Cullen!
April 25, 2021
Fast moving story
This was a big improvement on Hunter the second one in the series just don't get why Hunter is always getting beaten up he's supposed to be a ex army strong man
This was a big improvement on Hunter the second one in the series just don't get why Hunter is always getting beaten up he's supposed to be a ex army strong man
May 24, 2021
A quick romp.
June 29, 2021
Another great read, once you start reading they get you gripped and can't pit the book down
August 21, 2025
rebus your sacked
These are by far the best I have read books by Ed James and should be on tv as good detective show/ drama
These are by far the best I have read books by Ed James and should be on tv as good detective show/ drama
August 9, 2026
The podcast was worth 5 stars by itself!
January 22, 2020
It was an Ed James so it was a good book. I like Craig Hunter but somehow I enjoy Cullen and Fenchurch more. This book does a good job of tying in with the other series with other characters integrated legitimately according to crime and rank. It is interesting to see these characters interact with new personnel.
And as for Ed James saying he won’t write any more of these series until sales reach a certain level
- what do you want? All your fans, like me, have everyone of your books already and potential new readers won’t want to start a series that’s not going to continue. And you promised us another Vicki Dodd!
I’m reading the new book you are writing instead that is set in America and I gotta say - stick to what you know. I was on page 18 and now I’m doing this instead. I hope it picks up as it goes along.
And as for Ed James saying he won’t write any more of these series until sales reach a certain level
- what do you want? All your fans, like me, have everyone of your books already and potential new readers won’t want to start a series that’s not going to continue. And you promised us another Vicki Dodd!
I’m reading the new book you are writing instead that is set in America and I gotta say - stick to what you know. I was on page 18 and now I’m doing this instead. I hope it picks up as it goes along.
December 2, 2019
Hunter is back
We are back with Hunter for this book and this time his brother is missing. With the help(?!) of his estranged father Hunter goes looking for him and with each discovery it is not looking good.....
What I love about all of Ed's books are the characters and in this book we are treated to many familiar faces (especially Cullen).
I enjoy all of Ed's series - Cullen, Hunter, Fenchurch and Dodds and I'm looking forward to his new series and character Max Carter.
We are back with Hunter for this book and this time his brother is missing. With the help(?!) of his estranged father Hunter goes looking for him and with each discovery it is not looking good.....
What I love about all of Ed's books are the characters and in this book we are treated to many familiar faces (especially Cullen).
I enjoy all of Ed's series - Cullen, Hunter, Fenchurch and Dodds and I'm looking forward to his new series and character Max Carter.
December 10, 2019
Welcome back, Craig Hunter!! It was great to see Hunters return in such fun fashion. We got introduced to his Dad, a real character. All his old friends came along for a really great ride. I can't wait to see DC Hunter again or maybe it will be DS Hunter by then.
It was a suspense-filled trip through Northern Scotland. The place of my Grandparent's birth, hopefully someday I'll get there, my daughter already has and says it is beautiful.
Thank You, Ed James, keep the books coming.
It was a suspense-filled trip through Northern Scotland. The place of my Grandparent's birth, hopefully someday I'll get there, my daughter already has and says it is beautiful.
Thank You, Ed James, keep the books coming.
December 28, 2019
The Black Isle featuring Detective Constable Craig Hunter is a great read. Busy author Ed James has at least four, if not five Scottish police series on the go. I am amazed he can produce such entertaining stories for so many characters. In the Black Isle, Craig Hunter's estranged and very eccentric father gets involved in the search for his missing younger son, Murray. It makes for a messy investigation for the detective. Enjoy! Lynda L. Lock (Isla Mujeres Mystery series).
December 2, 2019
This is a gripping and face-paced story which had a different feel to it. The story of Hunter’s missing brother and the hunt for him by Hunter and his father - trying to work through their fractured relationship at the same time, and stumbling into more than they had bargained for. Definitely worth reading.
February 1, 2020
Thrills galore!
This story felt quite different from the two previous Craig Hunter books. Of course, the setting was more dramatic than Edinburgh. The wild North of Scotland is a character all of it's own. Having a family member involved also softened the usual hardness of Ed James' stories. Still gritty though!
This story felt quite different from the two previous Craig Hunter books. Of course, the setting was more dramatic than Edinburgh. The wild North of Scotland is a character all of it's own. Having a family member involved also softened the usual hardness of Ed James' stories. Still gritty though!
December 17, 2019
Pact and readable
Lots of familiar faces in an unfamiliar setting. The finale is a little over the top - but this is fiction writing after all. As always the large amount of actual "speech" is a strong feature, and the plot does rattle along as usual.
Lots of familiar faces in an unfamiliar setting. The finale is a little over the top - but this is fiction writing after all. As always the large amount of actual "speech" is a strong feature, and the plot does rattle along as usual.
February 6, 2020
Fascinating
A slightly different twist to the other Hunter and Cullen books but still fast paced and very enjoyable. Further insight into the characters of Hunter, Cullen and Jain. Give me more!
A slightly different twist to the other Hunter and Cullen books but still fast paced and very enjoyable. Further insight into the characters of Hunter, Cullen and Jain. Give me more!
February 16, 2020
Good
After a botched operation DC Hunter and DS Jain get transferred to another branch one which they thought they had left for good. The story starts with DC Hunter’s brother going missing. That’s when it gets exiting and a page turner
After a botched operation DC Hunter and DS Jain get transferred to another branch one which they thought they had left for good. The story starts with DC Hunter’s brother going missing. That’s when it gets exiting and a page turner
December 6, 2019
Another Great Book
This is another good story. If you like thrillers all Ed James' books are great. Not come across a boring one yet. Have to keep reading to the end
This is another good story. If you like thrillers all Ed James' books are great. Not come across a boring one yet. Have to keep reading to the end
January 16, 2020
Cracking pace
Enjoyed this book much more than the last one. Felt as though I got to know the characters better and found out about Hunter's family. Well worth a read .
Enjoyed this book much more than the last one. Felt as though I got to know the characters better and found out about Hunter's family. Well worth a read .
January 23, 2020
The black isle
The black isle by ed James a Craig Hunter story great story and a great read vs t wait for next book bring it on
The black isle by ed James a Craig Hunter story great story and a great read vs t wait for next book bring it on
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews