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DI Alec McKay #1-3
The Inspector McKay Series Books One to Three: Candles and Roses, Death Parts Us, and Their Final Act
In these three crime thrillers set in the Scottish Highlands, DI Alec McKay hunts down killers and grapples with his own tragic past.
Candles and Roses
When bodies start appearing on the Scottish Black Isle--each with roses and candles placed around it--Det. Inspector Alec McKay search for a pattern behind the twisted killings.
Death Part Us
When a retired cop is murdered on a remote Scottish Isle, Det. Inspector Alec McKay must dig into the man's corrupt past--a past that involves McKay himself. Their Final Act
A killer is targeting washed-up entertainers--all of whom are connected to past allegations of sexual assault--and Det. Inspector Alec McKay believes there's one final victim to go.
Candles and Roses
When bodies start appearing on the Scottish Black Isle--each with roses and candles placed around it--Det. Inspector Alec McKay search for a pattern behind the twisted killings.
Death Part Us
When a retired cop is murdered on a remote Scottish Isle, Det. Inspector Alec McKay must dig into the man's corrupt past--a past that involves McKay himself. Their Final Act
A killer is targeting washed-up entertainers--all of whom are connected to past allegations of sexual assault--and Det. Inspector Alec McKay believes there's one final victim to go.
- GenresScotland
1011 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2018
141 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 30, 2022
I would give this series a 3.5. Reading the acknowledgements and notes from the last book the author addressed the main issues I had with books one and two. Basically he admitted that in reviewing book one he realized that there was unfinished business that needed to be addressed. He further developed the plot in books two and three. Once I finished book three, I was able to connect the dots (albeit with a lot of back checking characters and events that occurred earlier). Due to the amount of time it took to do the back checking I felt the book(s) lost some of the enjoyment. For those of you that enjoy a lot of characters and very complex relationships this book is perfect, for me a little too much.
June 30, 2025
Abuse of several kinds and levels. Plenty of psycopathology.
This is hard to review without spoilers.
Basically the third book, Their Final Act, is the sequel of the first, Candles and Roses, which seems to be a finished work. Maybe Mr Walters got to thinking about more horrible things after he finished?
The second book is weaker. Stuck in to make time pass? The plot is contrived and the timeline is weak. Unless you agree that a baby can be about seven years old and remember nothing about these seven years... The murdered are also too young in my opinion.
One person is completely superflous, but maybe that story will be told later.
This is hard to review without spoilers.
Basically the third book, Their Final Act, is the sequel of the first, Candles and Roses, which seems to be a finished work. Maybe Mr Walters got to thinking about more horrible things after he finished?
The second book is weaker. Stuck in to make time pass? The plot is contrived and the timeline is weak. Unless you agree that a baby can be about seven years old and remember nothing about these seven years... The murdered are also too young in my opinion.
One person is completely superflous, but maybe that story will be told later.
October 26, 2018
McKay hits the right notes
These are far better read as a series since the characters are filled out gradually in each book. Taking a leaf from Rebus the bleak Scottish humour is a good foil to the nature of the crimes committed. The Scottish landscapes are evocatively used with more than a passing nod to Rebus. However the denouement for all us signalled some chapters before the pieces are fitted together it isn't a tremendous surprise. Nonetheless enjoyable reads.
These are far better read as a series since the characters are filled out gradually in each book. Taking a leaf from Rebus the bleak Scottish humour is a good foil to the nature of the crimes committed. The Scottish landscapes are evocatively used with more than a passing nod to Rebus. However the denouement for all us signalled some chapters before the pieces are fitted together it isn't a tremendous surprise. Nonetheless enjoyable reads.
May 18, 2019
Nice twists
I’m loving the British crime dramas lately. The characters are believable and Alec McKay is gruff but loveable. The plots take some twists and turns but it all sorts out in the end. The side stories into the personal lives of McKay and others are a nice accompanying part of the book. I want to visit Scotland...Walters does a great job describing the countryside as the police investigate the murders.
I’m loving the British crime dramas lately. The characters are believable and Alec McKay is gruff but loveable. The plots take some twists and turns but it all sorts out in the end. The side stories into the personal lives of McKay and others are a nice accompanying part of the book. I want to visit Scotland...Walters does a great job describing the countryside as the police investigate the murders.
Read
December 15, 2019Not bad. Got better with each book. The crimes were similar. The plot somewhat predictable. Characters were appealing. Setting was amazing. I am glad that I bought this as set. it would have frustrating otherwise. The personal, family connections were interesting. Great to see the main character save his marriage. The emphasis on the "me too' theme got a trifle boring at times.
October 6, 2020
1-3 just fabulous!
A brilliant series that takes you up close and personal to the main characters and some dark crimes. Could not fault the writing and the way there were undercurrents in each story.
So good that I want more of McKay, Grant and Horton, so have already purchased the next book!
A brilliant series that takes you up close and personal to the main characters and some dark crimes. Could not fault the writing and the way there were undercurrents in each story.
So good that I want more of McKay, Grant and Horton, so have already purchased the next book!
May 7, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed these books, action from the start right through - great read. Thank you x
Great read thoroughly enjoyed it gripping from start to finish. A really good read -thank you very much please keep writing
Great read thoroughly enjoyed it gripping from start to finish. A really good read -thank you very much please keep writing
February 23, 2023
I'm giving it a 4.5
Very good writing. Great dialogue (which is very important to me) great sub-plots & well flushed out characters. My only hang up was way too much back-story and too much mental conjecture. Once a reader "gets it"...move on.
Very good writing. Great dialogue (which is very important to me) great sub-plots & well flushed out characters. My only hang up was way too much back-story and too much mental conjecture. Once a reader "gets it"...move on.
March 5, 2019
Black Isle Serial Killers
Not Shakespeare, not even Agatha Christie but enjoyable and humourous enough hokum. Who knew the Black Isle was quite so dark?
Not Shakespeare, not even Agatha Christie but enjoyable and humourous enough hokum. Who knew the Black Isle was quite so dark?
April 2, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed these books. McKay is totally believable and him and Horton work well together. The stories kept me intrigued until the end. A really good read.
January 18, 2024
A lot of padding interjected with a dialogue that is laden with profanity disguised as character.
Stopped reading after book 1.
Stopped reading after book 1.
July 18, 2022
Really enjoyed this series of books. Loved the characters as they developed and filled out over the course of the three books. Lots of twists and turns and a few red herrings on the way! Loved the characters and how they developed and became fuller as the series progressed. The descriptions of the scenery and the weather playing across the scenery was breathtaking! Absolutely loved this series with these believable characters with all their flaws.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews