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In the Blood
The bloated remains of a man are discovered bound to a derelict pier in Orkney and newly promoted DCI Lukas Mahler dispatches a team to investigate. But when the body is identified as Alex Fleming - Mahler's former colleague from his time in the Met - the case becomes personal.
Mahler's investigation takes him from his old stamping ground of London to the world of organised crime, and from sixteenth-century witch executions to Fleming's most notorious unsolved case: the 'Witchfinder' murders. Are the runic symbols found with Fleming's body proof the killer's struck again - or is there an even darker story to be uncovered?
With pressure mounting from all sides and demons from his own past surfacing, Mahler is faced with the most complex moral decision of his career.
Mahler's investigation takes him from his old stamping ground of London to the world of organised crime, and from sixteenth-century witch executions to Fleming's most notorious unsolved case: the 'Witchfinder' murders. Are the runic symbols found with Fleming's body proof the killer's struck again - or is there an even darker story to be uncovered?
With pressure mounting from all sides and demons from his own past surfacing, Mahler is faced with the most complex moral decision of his career.
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2021
9 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Kirk
9 books60 followersMargaret Kirk writes ‘Highland Noir’ Scottish crime fiction, set in and around her home town of Inverness.
Her debut novel, Shadow Man, won the Good Housekeeping First Novel Competition in 2016. Described as ‘a harrowing and horrific game of consequences’ by Val McDermid, it was published in 2017 by Orion.
Margaret is also the writer of several award-winning short stories, including The Seal Singers, which has been published in translation in Germany, and Switzerland.
Her debut novel, Shadow Man, won the Good Housekeeping First Novel Competition in 2016. Described as ‘a harrowing and horrific game of consequences’ by Val McDermid, it was published in 2017 by Orion.
Margaret is also the writer of several award-winning short stories, including The Seal Singers, which has been published in translation in Germany, and Switzerland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 3, 2021
This is the third in Margaret Kirk's DCI Lukas Mahler series set in Inverness and the Orkney Islands, I have read the first, but somehow missed the second. Mahler is covering as DCI with his boss, DCI June Wallace on sick leave. Detective Superintendent Chae Hunt has used June's absence to move the Major Incident Team from their old station to Divisional HQ at Inshes, there are clear lines of tension between Hunt and Mahler, particularly as Mahler finds it hard to purely oversee cases, he just cannot help being hands on. Mahler moved from the London Met to Inverness when his mother's health started to deteriorate, and his history at the Met allows him to identify a dead man tied to the posts of a disused jetty outside his home, the desolate, dark, dilapidated and gothic Sandisquoy House.
The reclusive man had been going under the name of William Spencer, but Mahler knows him as his old boss at the Met, DI Alex Fleming, who had taken early retirement after the lack of success in solving the notorious Witchfinder case where 3 women were murdered with signs of occult practices left either on the body or nearby. Fleming's murder suggests a link with the old case, stones and bones in his pocket, and whilst nominally acting DI Iain 'Fergie' Ferguson is in charge, Mahler cannot leave it alone. Fleming had provided him with crucial support in his early career, a man he had respected and admired, but perhaps Mahler had been too close to Fleming to see the wood for the trees. There are multiple threads in the story, interspersed in the narrative is Fleming's life prior to his death, the court appeal from a killer that upsets both Anna and Mahler, the involvement of DCI Harkness from Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism from Gartcosh in the drugs trade, and so much more.
Kirk's crime novel is jam packed with so much going on, and in addition there is the inclusion of old Viking folklore, myths and legends, selkies, seal bones, runes, the use of a witches 'flying' ointment and a macabre find in the grounds of Sandisquoy House. Mahler makes a fascinating protagonist, with his childhood traumas, his inability to open up to Anna, their relationship a precarious affair, the work overload that means he is not there for his mother and missing key emails, and his inability to see his old boss, Fleming clearly, there are often good reasons to not get too involved in cases where you have a personal connection. This is a darkly intense, gritty, and atmospheric addition to what is a great tartan noir crime series. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.
The reclusive man had been going under the name of William Spencer, but Mahler knows him as his old boss at the Met, DI Alex Fleming, who had taken early retirement after the lack of success in solving the notorious Witchfinder case where 3 women were murdered with signs of occult practices left either on the body or nearby. Fleming's murder suggests a link with the old case, stones and bones in his pocket, and whilst nominally acting DI Iain 'Fergie' Ferguson is in charge, Mahler cannot leave it alone. Fleming had provided him with crucial support in his early career, a man he had respected and admired, but perhaps Mahler had been too close to Fleming to see the wood for the trees. There are multiple threads in the story, interspersed in the narrative is Fleming's life prior to his death, the court appeal from a killer that upsets both Anna and Mahler, the involvement of DCI Harkness from Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism from Gartcosh in the drugs trade, and so much more.
Kirk's crime novel is jam packed with so much going on, and in addition there is the inclusion of old Viking folklore, myths and legends, selkies, seal bones, runes, the use of a witches 'flying' ointment and a macabre find in the grounds of Sandisquoy House. Mahler makes a fascinating protagonist, with his childhood traumas, his inability to open up to Anna, their relationship a precarious affair, the work overload that means he is not there for his mother and missing key emails, and his inability to see his old boss, Fleming clearly, there are often good reasons to not get too involved in cases where you have a personal connection. This is a darkly intense, gritty, and atmospheric addition to what is a great tartan noir crime series. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.
April 7, 2021
4 - 5 rounded up.
Orkney: Sandisquoy House. ‘William Spencer’ is discovered tied to a jetty and most definitely dead by the unfortunate postie. The case is investigated by the local Orcadian force in Kirkwall and by Inverness MIT, in particular DCI Lukas Mahler. Is this Mahler’s former Met boss Alex Fleming? This is a desolate, isolated place and almost completely off the grid, so why has Fleming been living here under an assumed name? This is a very disturbing tale which has links to previous investigations and plenty more besides!
This is a really good, darkly clever and extremely atmospheric Tartan Noir Thriller. The plot is complex and riveting and is well paced, full of action, tension and shocking discoveries. The settings especially in Orkney adds a very particular atmosphere which is almost Gothic in tone and the autumnal weather adds an extra dimension. The characters are really good and I find Lukas particularly fascinating. He’s so intriguing, carrying a ton of unresolved baggage, he’s intelligent, intuitive in investigations, a bit clumsy in his dealings with people and can be closed off. I do so like a central character with complexity and he has that in abundance! There is a lot going on in this, we have the Fleming investigation and storyline which takes is into the territory of Orcadian legends such as Selkies and healers and especially fascinating is a Viking rune element. There’s a link to a past case in London which is a very disturbing unsolved one, there’s an Organised Crime operation as well as a court appeal for a killer from a previous case which is particularly close to Lukas. Trust me, it all works extremely well and keeps you on the edge of your seat as you have absolutely no idea what’s going to happen next but you want to race on to find out! There’s a lot to admire here but the unpredictability is extremely good and the end is brilliant and I can’t wait for the next instalment! I hope we don’t have to wait too long!
Overall, this is a cracking book, it’s a little belter as we say in these here parts!! If you like gritty crime drama with a densely rich, intelligent plot line then this is for you!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Orion for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Orkney: Sandisquoy House. ‘William Spencer’ is discovered tied to a jetty and most definitely dead by the unfortunate postie. The case is investigated by the local Orcadian force in Kirkwall and by Inverness MIT, in particular DCI Lukas Mahler. Is this Mahler’s former Met boss Alex Fleming? This is a desolate, isolated place and almost completely off the grid, so why has Fleming been living here under an assumed name? This is a very disturbing tale which has links to previous investigations and plenty more besides!
This is a really good, darkly clever and extremely atmospheric Tartan Noir Thriller. The plot is complex and riveting and is well paced, full of action, tension and shocking discoveries. The settings especially in Orkney adds a very particular atmosphere which is almost Gothic in tone and the autumnal weather adds an extra dimension. The characters are really good and I find Lukas particularly fascinating. He’s so intriguing, carrying a ton of unresolved baggage, he’s intelligent, intuitive in investigations, a bit clumsy in his dealings with people and can be closed off. I do so like a central character with complexity and he has that in abundance! There is a lot going on in this, we have the Fleming investigation and storyline which takes is into the territory of Orcadian legends such as Selkies and healers and especially fascinating is a Viking rune element. There’s a link to a past case in London which is a very disturbing unsolved one, there’s an Organised Crime operation as well as a court appeal for a killer from a previous case which is particularly close to Lukas. Trust me, it all works extremely well and keeps you on the edge of your seat as you have absolutely no idea what’s going to happen next but you want to race on to find out! There’s a lot to admire here but the unpredictability is extremely good and the end is brilliant and I can’t wait for the next instalment! I hope we don’t have to wait too long!
Overall, this is a cracking book, it’s a little belter as we say in these here parts!! If you like gritty crime drama with a densely rich, intelligent plot line then this is for you!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Orion for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
May 30, 2022
This is part of a series, which became obvious with past events being referred back to and affecting the present story, and a postscript which makes it clear that a villain will be introduced in later books. However, that doesn't prevent it from being read as a standalone.
I won't go into the plot as it just wasn't for me for a number of reasons. The police characters, apart from the unpleasant superintendant, seemed mostly to have had abusive childhoods etc, and quite a few had drink problems, or were driving themselves into early graves due to stress, bad diet, and general burnout. This tends to be a trope with police procedurals, but was overused in my opinion. Lukas, the protagonist and acting Detective Chief Inspector, had constant misunderstandings with his love interest to an extent that became irritating.
The present tense was used throughout, which does occasionally work with a book, but in this I found it noticeable so that for me it got in the way of the story. And most tellingly, with one exception, all the murders were committed by people connected with law enforcement, which totally wrecked my suspension of disbelief. I didn't enjoy it and won't be reading any more of the series.
I won't go into the plot as it just wasn't for me for a number of reasons. The police characters, apart from the unpleasant superintendant, seemed mostly to have had abusive childhoods etc, and quite a few had drink problems, or were driving themselves into early graves due to stress, bad diet, and general burnout. This tends to be a trope with police procedurals, but was overused in my opinion. Lukas, the protagonist and acting Detective Chief Inspector, had constant misunderstandings with his love interest to an extent that became irritating.
The present tense was used throughout, which does occasionally work with a book, but in this I found it noticeable so that for me it got in the way of the story. And most tellingly, with one exception, all the murders were committed by people connected with law enforcement, which totally wrecked my suspension of disbelief. I didn't enjoy it and won't be reading any more of the series.
May 20, 2021
The mystery and intrigue of the Orkney Islands seep through the pages of “ In the Blood.” Viking legends, folklore, runes and seal skins swirl throughout the book. Margaret Kirk has transformed Orkney into an anthropomorphic character that is a looming presence as dominant as the flesh and blood dangers that Lucas Mahler and his team confront.
After serving in London’s Metropolitan Police Force, Mahler relocated to Inverness. His past connection with the Met has involved him in identifying a dead man living in an eerie house on the Orkney Islands. The man has been lashed to a jetty near his house and his pockets are filled with bones and artifacts reminiscent of old Norse rituals. Additionally, this reclusive man has been living under an assumed name. When Mahler views the body, he identifies the deceased as Alex Fleming. Alex was Mahler’s mentor at the Met and took an early retirement, haunted by his failure to solve a series of murders that had links to occult and ritualistic practices. The method of Fleming’s murder has echoes of these unresolved cases in London.
The investigation forces Mahler to discover why his former mentor has obscured his identity.In seeking this answer, Mahler must confront unresolved issues from his past, ponder his ability to form meaningful relationships and reevaluate how well one person can truly know another human being.Margaret Kirk has written an novel that swirls with atmosphere, is filled with interesting characters and has a crackling plot.
After serving in London’s Metropolitan Police Force, Mahler relocated to Inverness. His past connection with the Met has involved him in identifying a dead man living in an eerie house on the Orkney Islands. The man has been lashed to a jetty near his house and his pockets are filled with bones and artifacts reminiscent of old Norse rituals. Additionally, this reclusive man has been living under an assumed name. When Mahler views the body, he identifies the deceased as Alex Fleming. Alex was Mahler’s mentor at the Met and took an early retirement, haunted by his failure to solve a series of murders that had links to occult and ritualistic practices. The method of Fleming’s murder has echoes of these unresolved cases in London.
The investigation forces Mahler to discover why his former mentor has obscured his identity.In seeking this answer, Mahler must confront unresolved issues from his past, ponder his ability to form meaningful relationships and reevaluate how well one person can truly know another human being.Margaret Kirk has written an novel that swirls with atmosphere, is filled with interesting characters and has a crackling plot.
June 30, 2021
Gripping and complex plot. Loved the setting in Inverness and Orkney and a great cast of colourful characters. I listened to the audio and thought the narration was excellent. Highly recommend!
May 27, 2022
Though I enjoyed the Orkney setting of much of this novel, and though it was in general a pretty decent and competently put-together police procedural, it sorta missed the mark for similar reasons as the previous book in the series that I had read.
Maybe it was something to do with too many characters being introduced too quickly at the start, not easily distinguishable and not easy to follow in places. Maybe I didn’t warm to the supernatural/superstition aspects of the plot. Maybe it was too soap-opera at times, conversations about longer character arcs that didn’t really relate to the plot. A couple of strange geographical errors too about Orkney also grated.
For all this though, it was a decent read, just not an author who’s necessarily going to become a favourite.
Maybe it was something to do with too many characters being introduced too quickly at the start, not easily distinguishable and not easy to follow in places. Maybe I didn’t warm to the supernatural/superstition aspects of the plot. Maybe it was too soap-opera at times, conversations about longer character arcs that didn’t really relate to the plot. A couple of strange geographical errors too about Orkney also grated.
For all this though, it was a decent read, just not an author who’s necessarily going to become a favourite.
May 24, 2021
I’ve become a big fan of the Lukas Mahler series since I read both Shadow Man and What Lies Buried. For my money, In the Blood is yet another very strong addition to the series. One of the real benefits of setting this series in the Highlands is the huge range of magnificent locations that is available to the author. This time, the action moves between the magical, mystic islands of Orkney and Inverness.
Lukas hasn’t really got any better at handling his love life, but right now he has other things to worry about. Mahler’s boss, DCI June Wallace is on sick leave and Mahler is acting up while she is away. Mahler, already not a fan of Detective Superintendent Chae Hunt, is dismayed to find that Hunt has taken the opportunity of June’s absence to move the whole MIT team into the Inshes Divisional HQ; the better to take them under his control. And Mahler, a hands-on copper if ever there was one, is champing at the bit to get away from the endless paperwork of a D.C.I. and back into the field.
So when a dead body is found in a remote corner of Orkney, Lukas finds a way to attend the scene. And what a macabre scene it is. The remote and crumbling house that is Sandisquoy is far away from the beautiful Orkney beaches. It is sited in a secluded corner. Dark, a little dank and unwelcoming, Sandisquoy House is the essence of inhospitable. William Spencer, its reclusive owner, is found tied to a mooring post in the water at the house’s jetty.
Except that, as Mahler realises with a jolt, the body is not William Spencer but someone he knew and respected, his previous boss at the Met, DI Alex Fleming.
Fleming, as Mahler knows, took early retirement following a difficult and unresolved case which had run the Met team ragged. Three women had been brutally murdered and beside their bodies were objects suggestive of occult practices, so the case had been nicknamed The Witchfinder. Now Fleming, the lead investigator, is dead and Mahler finds the same ritualistic elements left behind in his pockets.
Knowing the victim, Mahler has no choice but to recuse himself from leading the team and put DI Iain Ferguson in charge. Yeah, right. Like Mahler was ever not going to investigate the death of a man he had known and respected.
Kirk’s stunning sense of place sets the tone for a novel that is rich in atmosphere. The wet, dank nature of Sandisquoy and the local legends that surround the house endow the chapters with a dark, eerie, supernatural feel. The air is full of secrets and even the house has secrets that it is unwilling to give up.
Mahler then has to sidestep Chae and keep Fergie in charge, all the while trying to work out what Fleming was doing in Orkney and whether his death has anything to do with the old cases that he worked on. It’s a delicate dance and not one he always does well. It’s good to see Fergie stepping up to the plate, though and bringing back the dodgy DI, Andy Black, who has lost none of his brazen approach. This is a great team of characters who are well realised and who grow with every book.
Meanwhile, back in Inverness, Anna is fretting as a killer appeals his sentence and Lukas is not where he should be, which is at her side. Kirk employs multiple threads to this story, layering it and bringing in the involvement of an officer from Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism which only adds to this complex and layered mystery.
Verdict: Kirk has produced a pacy, tense and thrilling novel which sheds a little more light on Lukas’ background while keeping the reader enthralled in a murder mystery with overtones of witchcraft, selkies and Norse gods. It’s thrilling, intriguing and unpredictable. What more do you need? Highly recommended.
Lukas hasn’t really got any better at handling his love life, but right now he has other things to worry about. Mahler’s boss, DCI June Wallace is on sick leave and Mahler is acting up while she is away. Mahler, already not a fan of Detective Superintendent Chae Hunt, is dismayed to find that Hunt has taken the opportunity of June’s absence to move the whole MIT team into the Inshes Divisional HQ; the better to take them under his control. And Mahler, a hands-on copper if ever there was one, is champing at the bit to get away from the endless paperwork of a D.C.I. and back into the field.
So when a dead body is found in a remote corner of Orkney, Lukas finds a way to attend the scene. And what a macabre scene it is. The remote and crumbling house that is Sandisquoy is far away from the beautiful Orkney beaches. It is sited in a secluded corner. Dark, a little dank and unwelcoming, Sandisquoy House is the essence of inhospitable. William Spencer, its reclusive owner, is found tied to a mooring post in the water at the house’s jetty.
Except that, as Mahler realises with a jolt, the body is not William Spencer but someone he knew and respected, his previous boss at the Met, DI Alex Fleming.
Fleming, as Mahler knows, took early retirement following a difficult and unresolved case which had run the Met team ragged. Three women had been brutally murdered and beside their bodies were objects suggestive of occult practices, so the case had been nicknamed The Witchfinder. Now Fleming, the lead investigator, is dead and Mahler finds the same ritualistic elements left behind in his pockets.
Knowing the victim, Mahler has no choice but to recuse himself from leading the team and put DI Iain Ferguson in charge. Yeah, right. Like Mahler was ever not going to investigate the death of a man he had known and respected.
Kirk’s stunning sense of place sets the tone for a novel that is rich in atmosphere. The wet, dank nature of Sandisquoy and the local legends that surround the house endow the chapters with a dark, eerie, supernatural feel. The air is full of secrets and even the house has secrets that it is unwilling to give up.
Mahler then has to sidestep Chae and keep Fergie in charge, all the while trying to work out what Fleming was doing in Orkney and whether his death has anything to do with the old cases that he worked on. It’s a delicate dance and not one he always does well. It’s good to see Fergie stepping up to the plate, though and bringing back the dodgy DI, Andy Black, who has lost none of his brazen approach. This is a great team of characters who are well realised and who grow with every book.
Meanwhile, back in Inverness, Anna is fretting as a killer appeals his sentence and Lukas is not where he should be, which is at her side. Kirk employs multiple threads to this story, layering it and bringing in the involvement of an officer from Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism which only adds to this complex and layered mystery.
Verdict: Kirk has produced a pacy, tense and thrilling novel which sheds a little more light on Lukas’ background while keeping the reader enthralled in a murder mystery with overtones of witchcraft, selkies and Norse gods. It’s thrilling, intriguing and unpredictable. What more do you need? Highly recommended.
March 28, 2021
I'd forgotten how much I like Lukas Mahler and the team in Inverness. He's far from perfect as a character - haunted by his past and prone to feelings of guilt - but he is very likeable and I find myself easily rooting for him and hoping that he is able to get to the bottom of whatever complex case Margaret Kirk has thrown his way. And believe me, when it comes to complex, this one is a doozy. Not only that but it has. very personal connections for Mahler, ones which may yet prove to be his undoing.
Now when it comes to unusual deaths, the murder that opens up this book is both simple and yet strangely stomach churning at the same time. It's a relatively straightforward case of drowning - after a fashion - but it is in a far from straightforward location, and with the victim residing in a place which is isolated, unwelcoming and the subject of real local legend, the case is anything but plain sailing for Mahler and the police team on Orkney where the victim, Alex Fleming, resides. When you add in the fact that Mahler knows and has worked with the victim and that last case they worked on was complex and unresolved, the list of suspects is both wide open and also very hard to pin down, especially when you add it he fact that no-one even knew. that he was living there.
This is part urban legend, part murder mystery and the way in which Margaret Kirk has combined a kind of gothic style setting and a supernatural undertone really drew me into the story. This is exactly the kind of mash-up of stories and genres that I love, never quite knowing if there is something slightly less corporeal behind the dastardly deeds that are being done. Everything, from the creepy old house that Fleming hid himself away in, to the macabre discoveries that they make in the wake of the investigation, adds that special layer of suspense and mystery to the story, and the atmospheric setting of a remote part of Orkney in the midst of some very changeable weather fronts adds to the tension that builds throughout the book.
There are several threads to the story, adn certainly exploring some of the case which Fleming and Mahler worked on in London helps readers to discover more about Mahler's past, as well as leading to some very chilling aspects in the current case. alongside this, Mahler's on-off relationship with Anna is sorely tested as they await the outcome of an appeal by a former foe. Whilst this won't necessarily be resolved to everyone's satisfaction in this book, it certainly sets up the promise of something very dark and menacing to come.
I tore through this book in pretty much one sitting, loving both the back and forth between the characters and the suspense filled storyline. The book sees Mahler in a temporary promotion, and that in itself is a source of some conflict as he cannot quite bring himself to step away from the investigation, much to the chagrin of his boss, Chae Hunt. There are other elements of conflict which are dotted throughout the book, covert operations into local drugs cartels, and the threat really does come from some very surprising places, keeping readers fully on their toes. I certainly didn't see what was coming until it hit me, and slightly more literally Mahler, square in the face. But I definitely loved it and cannot wait to see what the author serves up next.
Most definitely recommended, although if you've not read at least book one, I suggest you take a quick trip back to the start, one because you are missing a treat if you don't, but there are key scenes from this book that link back to Mahler's first case so you won't want to miss it. I am now off to make plans to travel to Orkney whenever covid and travel restrictions allow. Margaret Kirk has whetted my appetite for a visit.
Now when it comes to unusual deaths, the murder that opens up this book is both simple and yet strangely stomach churning at the same time. It's a relatively straightforward case of drowning - after a fashion - but it is in a far from straightforward location, and with the victim residing in a place which is isolated, unwelcoming and the subject of real local legend, the case is anything but plain sailing for Mahler and the police team on Orkney where the victim, Alex Fleming, resides. When you add in the fact that Mahler knows and has worked with the victim and that last case they worked on was complex and unresolved, the list of suspects is both wide open and also very hard to pin down, especially when you add it he fact that no-one even knew. that he was living there.
This is part urban legend, part murder mystery and the way in which Margaret Kirk has combined a kind of gothic style setting and a supernatural undertone really drew me into the story. This is exactly the kind of mash-up of stories and genres that I love, never quite knowing if there is something slightly less corporeal behind the dastardly deeds that are being done. Everything, from the creepy old house that Fleming hid himself away in, to the macabre discoveries that they make in the wake of the investigation, adds that special layer of suspense and mystery to the story, and the atmospheric setting of a remote part of Orkney in the midst of some very changeable weather fronts adds to the tension that builds throughout the book.
There are several threads to the story, adn certainly exploring some of the case which Fleming and Mahler worked on in London helps readers to discover more about Mahler's past, as well as leading to some very chilling aspects in the current case. alongside this, Mahler's on-off relationship with Anna is sorely tested as they await the outcome of an appeal by a former foe. Whilst this won't necessarily be resolved to everyone's satisfaction in this book, it certainly sets up the promise of something very dark and menacing to come.
I tore through this book in pretty much one sitting, loving both the back and forth between the characters and the suspense filled storyline. The book sees Mahler in a temporary promotion, and that in itself is a source of some conflict as he cannot quite bring himself to step away from the investigation, much to the chagrin of his boss, Chae Hunt. There are other elements of conflict which are dotted throughout the book, covert operations into local drugs cartels, and the threat really does come from some very surprising places, keeping readers fully on their toes. I certainly didn't see what was coming until it hit me, and slightly more literally Mahler, square in the face. But I definitely loved it and cannot wait to see what the author serves up next.
Most definitely recommended, although if you've not read at least book one, I suggest you take a quick trip back to the start, one because you are missing a treat if you don't, but there are key scenes from this book that link back to Mahler's first case so you won't want to miss it. I am now off to make plans to travel to Orkney whenever covid and travel restrictions allow. Margaret Kirk has whetted my appetite for a visit.
April 1, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for an advance copy of In the Blood, the third novel to feature Acting DCI Lucas Mahler of the Inverness Police.
A body is found tied to a post in the North Sea in Orkney. He is identified as Billy Spencer but Lukas knows him as Alex Fleming, his old boss at The Met. What was he doing, living in a remote house on a remote island? The more Lukas and the team dig, the more they don’t understand, especially the references to the mystical past and one of Alex’s old cases.
I thoroughly enjoyed In the Blood, which is a gripping police procedural, full of location, atmosphere and history. I have not read the previous novels in the series, as they are buried somewhere in my over extensive TBR, but I didn’t really feel the loss. There are references in this one to previous events, but they are well enough explained that prior knowledge isn’t required.
The novel is mostly told from Lukas’s point of view with other characters broadening the perspective from time to time, notably the victim’s thoughts and actions in the run up to his murder, which add a certain frisson to proceedings. I found the plot engrossing, although, whether it was my mood or not, I thought it sagged a little in the middle, diverting to other cases and spending too much time on occult practices. Don’t get me wrong, this latter is interesting but it distracts from the investigation. The finale, however, is suitably exciting with action and bombshell revelations.
I like the sense of place the author offers about the Orkneys, rubbish weather (only to be expected in Scotland) giving a sense of brooding and desolation and a culture steeped in history and legend that appears fey, if not supernatural at times. I also liked the occasional humour and dark cynicism that seem to imbue the Scots.
Lukas Mahler is an interesting character. He is obviously smart, but carries a lot of emotional baggage that gets in the way of his interpersonal relationships, like dealing with his potential girlfriend and overly controlling his mother. He’s quite strange in this respect.
In the Blood is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
A body is found tied to a post in the North Sea in Orkney. He is identified as Billy Spencer but Lukas knows him as Alex Fleming, his old boss at The Met. What was he doing, living in a remote house on a remote island? The more Lukas and the team dig, the more they don’t understand, especially the references to the mystical past and one of Alex’s old cases.
I thoroughly enjoyed In the Blood, which is a gripping police procedural, full of location, atmosphere and history. I have not read the previous novels in the series, as they are buried somewhere in my over extensive TBR, but I didn’t really feel the loss. There are references in this one to previous events, but they are well enough explained that prior knowledge isn’t required.
The novel is mostly told from Lukas’s point of view with other characters broadening the perspective from time to time, notably the victim’s thoughts and actions in the run up to his murder, which add a certain frisson to proceedings. I found the plot engrossing, although, whether it was my mood or not, I thought it sagged a little in the middle, diverting to other cases and spending too much time on occult practices. Don’t get me wrong, this latter is interesting but it distracts from the investigation. The finale, however, is suitably exciting with action and bombshell revelations.
I like the sense of place the author offers about the Orkneys, rubbish weather (only to be expected in Scotland) giving a sense of brooding and desolation and a culture steeped in history and legend that appears fey, if not supernatural at times. I also liked the occasional humour and dark cynicism that seem to imbue the Scots.
Lukas Mahler is an interesting character. He is obviously smart, but carries a lot of emotional baggage that gets in the way of his interpersonal relationships, like dealing with his potential girlfriend and overly controlling his mother. He’s quite strange in this respect.
In the Blood is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
May 3, 2021
It's only in the past week that I have 'discovered' Margaret Kirk's three books and, as luck would have it, the latest in the Lukas Mahler series, was published just a few days ago. So I have immersed myself in her world to the exclusion of any other books currently on the go, and enjoyed myself thoroughly.
I think I saw something on Twitter about her books and I was drawn to them because I like detective fiction; I rate Val McDermid who also happens to rate Margaret Kirk's writing; and they're set in and around Inverness. That was the real clincher because that region of the Highlands is where we have been going on holiday to every year since 2006. And it has to be one of my favourite places on this earth.
I started at the beginning with 'Shadow Man' and I had to check that this was the first book as we start as if in the middle of Lukas' story. But I realised that was deliberate as we rarely start at birth with a protagonist and certainly not with a detective! Margaret doesn't launch into lots of exposition setting out backstories...they are gradually dripped across the stories with each novel giving greater insight into her protagonist.
The storytelling is extraordinary, with a common set of characters, but with each novel standing alone but also forming part of a series with an overarching story arc as yet unresolved. In this one we travel to Orkney but it connects through Lukas to his life in London, prior to returning to Inverness to be closer to his mother. The novel draws on notions of witchcraft but in a credible way and never losing sight of the history that surrounds this part of Scotland - the same being true of the other novels.
I have really enjoyed stepping into Margaret Kirk's world and my only disappointment is that there are only three books...so far. I am looking forward to the next one already!
I think I saw something on Twitter about her books and I was drawn to them because I like detective fiction; I rate Val McDermid who also happens to rate Margaret Kirk's writing; and they're set in and around Inverness. That was the real clincher because that region of the Highlands is where we have been going on holiday to every year since 2006. And it has to be one of my favourite places on this earth.
I started at the beginning with 'Shadow Man' and I had to check that this was the first book as we start as if in the middle of Lukas' story. But I realised that was deliberate as we rarely start at birth with a protagonist and certainly not with a detective! Margaret doesn't launch into lots of exposition setting out backstories...they are gradually dripped across the stories with each novel giving greater insight into her protagonist.
The storytelling is extraordinary, with a common set of characters, but with each novel standing alone but also forming part of a series with an overarching story arc as yet unresolved. In this one we travel to Orkney but it connects through Lukas to his life in London, prior to returning to Inverness to be closer to his mother. The novel draws on notions of witchcraft but in a credible way and never losing sight of the history that surrounds this part of Scotland - the same being true of the other novels.
I have really enjoyed stepping into Margaret Kirk's world and my only disappointment is that there are only three books...so far. I am looking forward to the next one already!
April 21, 2021
The third outing for Margaret Kirk's Inverness-based DI Lukas Mahler, and perhaps the best so far in a very strong series. This begins with the gruesome and disturbing murder of a reclusive figure in a remote corner of Orkney. The victim turns out to be Mahler's former boss from his days in the Met, DI Alex Fleming, and Mahler finds himself drawn into a case with its roots deep in his past.
The books has all the trademarks of Kirk's work – a dramatic pace, a complex and unpredictable plot, a strong sense of place, credible procedural detail, and – above all – fully-rounded characters. Over the course of the series, Mahler has become in increasingly complex and fascinating figure, his integrity and professionalism constantly battling against his personal shortcomings. He's surrounded by a team of equally well-realised characters, from the ever-likeable Fergie to the compromised DI Andy Black.
Kirk's books always make excellent use of their Highland settings, and here she takes full advantage of the Orkney backdrop, drawing on folklore and myth to create a genuinely eerie atmosphere with suggestions of the supernatural. It's that touch of the fey that gives the book an extra dimension, taking into territory different from the usual police procedural.
Like all Kirk's books, In the Blood can be read enjoyably as a standalone. However, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the series is the continuity of the overarching narrative across the books, in terms of both character development and plot linkages, so there are benefits in reading the books in order. Wherever you start, though, In the Blood is a thoroughly gripping addition to the series.
The books has all the trademarks of Kirk's work – a dramatic pace, a complex and unpredictable plot, a strong sense of place, credible procedural detail, and – above all – fully-rounded characters. Over the course of the series, Mahler has become in increasingly complex and fascinating figure, his integrity and professionalism constantly battling against his personal shortcomings. He's surrounded by a team of equally well-realised characters, from the ever-likeable Fergie to the compromised DI Andy Black.
Kirk's books always make excellent use of their Highland settings, and here she takes full advantage of the Orkney backdrop, drawing on folklore and myth to create a genuinely eerie atmosphere with suggestions of the supernatural. It's that touch of the fey that gives the book an extra dimension, taking into territory different from the usual police procedural.
Like all Kirk's books, In the Blood can be read enjoyably as a standalone. However, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the series is the continuity of the overarching narrative across the books, in terms of both character development and plot linkages, so there are benefits in reading the books in order. Wherever you start, though, In the Blood is a thoroughly gripping addition to the series.
May 11, 2021
This was my favourite of the series so far. Wonderfully descriptive and full of suspense, I didn't want it to end. I love that these novels are set in my hometown, but I also really enjoyed the Orkney setting - it was bleak and dark and grim - full of atmosphere and just the place for all these dark deeds. Loved it.
August 12, 2021
Absolutely loved this series! I want to read more of (acting) DCI Lucas Mahler and the team. A very refreshing series so far! loved how different aspects of Inverness was added to each of the 3 books to bring about a love for the place! Also, reading these 3 books was like a movie playing in my head!
A must read for all crime/murder mystery fans!! I would give it 10 stars if I could. <3
A must read for all crime/murder mystery fans!! I would give it 10 stars if I could. <3
November 5, 2021
[4.5]
In the Blood is the third book in the DCI Lukas Mahler series and I will definitely be going back to read the first and second. This one can certainly be read as a standalone - I didn’t feel like there was a ton of information I was missing aside from not knowing the characters as well as if I had read the others. There’s a glossary at the end that’s super helpful in giving more back story for each.
Kirk’s writing will transport you to Inverness and the Orkney islands delivering unmatched atmospheric vibes - especially as the creepy Sandisquoy house Fleming was found at is depicted. Not surprisingly, as Mahler investigates you learn there were sinister happenings at the house and odd folklore mysteries dating back to the island’s Viking history.
The folklore was sprinkled in with just enough depth to understand the ties and give intrigue while staying true to the police procedural storytelling.
As you read you experience flashbacks with little glimpses into Lukas’ previous cases and childhood. You feel like you’re in his head getting those sparks of memory as he experiences them and pieces together more of the mystery that’s happening in present day.
I started to piece the mystery together along with Mahler, though I wasn’t entirely expecting each of the final details. The only reason this wasn’t a 5⭐️ for me is because I felt there were so many different storylines I wanted to explore and there wasn’t time to as they became intertwined.
The ending sets up nicely for the next Mahler book and I will definitely be picking it up! There are some loose ends left for the reader to ponder until then.
#readandsiprecommends: This book is perfect for someone who loves true crime, police procedurals and is excited by a dash of mysterious folklore.
Thank you to @orionbooks and @lovebookstours for this #gifted copy of In the Blood! #ad
In the Blood is the third book in the DCI Lukas Mahler series and I will definitely be going back to read the first and second. This one can certainly be read as a standalone - I didn’t feel like there was a ton of information I was missing aside from not knowing the characters as well as if I had read the others. There’s a glossary at the end that’s super helpful in giving more back story for each.
Kirk’s writing will transport you to Inverness and the Orkney islands delivering unmatched atmospheric vibes - especially as the creepy Sandisquoy house Fleming was found at is depicted. Not surprisingly, as Mahler investigates you learn there were sinister happenings at the house and odd folklore mysteries dating back to the island’s Viking history.
The folklore was sprinkled in with just enough depth to understand the ties and give intrigue while staying true to the police procedural storytelling.
As you read you experience flashbacks with little glimpses into Lukas’ previous cases and childhood. You feel like you’re in his head getting those sparks of memory as he experiences them and pieces together more of the mystery that’s happening in present day.
I started to piece the mystery together along with Mahler, though I wasn’t entirely expecting each of the final details. The only reason this wasn’t a 5⭐️ for me is because I felt there were so many different storylines I wanted to explore and there wasn’t time to as they became intertwined.
The ending sets up nicely for the next Mahler book and I will definitely be picking it up! There are some loose ends left for the reader to ponder until then.
#readandsiprecommends: This book is perfect for someone who loves true crime, police procedurals and is excited by a dash of mysterious folklore.
Thank you to @orionbooks and @lovebookstours for this #gifted copy of In the Blood! #ad
November 1, 2021
I was so pleased to be asked onto this book tour as I am a huge fan of Margaret’s work.
‘In The Blood’ is the third outing for DI Lukas Mahler but it can be read as a standalone. I would recommend reading the previous two books as it is a fantastic series. I think I raved about them enough on here for you to get the gist! ‘In The Blood’ was atmospheric and haunting from the get-go. The locus of the introductory murder site stood as a marker for the quality of this book and the author’s writing. The mythology and Viking history, interspersed with the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Orkney meant that this is a story that entices the reader and once you are hooked, well. It's a dark novel but it is punctured with light and hope for the main characters.
I loved how this outing looks at the background of Lukas and his time in England as a police officer. Lukas is a complex character and it was illuminating to see how some of his personality had been formed. Especially, the relationship with the victim, the reasons behind his new name and the cases that they worked on together.
Margaret has managed to produce the best outing in the series so far, it's dark, gritty, has a multi-layered narrative that is tense and gripping and showcases her love for the north of Scotland. I honestly can’t wait for the next in the series.
‘In The Blood’ is the third outing for DI Lukas Mahler but it can be read as a standalone. I would recommend reading the previous two books as it is a fantastic series. I think I raved about them enough on here for you to get the gist! ‘In The Blood’ was atmospheric and haunting from the get-go. The locus of the introductory murder site stood as a marker for the quality of this book and the author’s writing. The mythology and Viking history, interspersed with the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Orkney meant that this is a story that entices the reader and once you are hooked, well. It's a dark novel but it is punctured with light and hope for the main characters.
I loved how this outing looks at the background of Lukas and his time in England as a police officer. Lukas is a complex character and it was illuminating to see how some of his personality had been formed. Especially, the relationship with the victim, the reasons behind his new name and the cases that they worked on together.
Margaret has managed to produce the best outing in the series so far, it's dark, gritty, has a multi-layered narrative that is tense and gripping and showcases her love for the north of Scotland. I honestly can’t wait for the next in the series.
November 8, 2021
My first read by this author and I really enjoyed it. Great characterisations, beautifully described locations and a fabulous storyline. I didn’t realise it was book 3 in the DI Lucas Mahler as it read well as a stand-alone however I will go back and read the others as it was so good. A dark and atmospheric Tartan Noir I was totally engrossed by this book.
Briefly, when a body is discovered tied to a jetty, the only identification is a driving license, Mahler is insistent on travelling to Kirkwall, Orkney to see the body as he thinks he knows him. When he confirms it is his former Met boss Alex Fleming the question is why was he living in the middle of nowhere, under an assumed name? Although told he must stand away from the investigation, due to their personal connection, Mahler continues to search for answers, which lead him to Fleming's most notorious unsolved case: the 'Witchfinder' murders.
Quite a complex tale, including Viking and Orcadian folklore and past cases involving both Fleming and Mahler. I really liked the character of Mahler, he suffers from dreadful flashback to an earlier event and whilst not a great people pleaser he’s an intelligent and clever detective. A faced paced and exciting read and I loved the fact that I was kept guessing until the high octane ending. A fabulous read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Briefly, when a body is discovered tied to a jetty, the only identification is a driving license, Mahler is insistent on travelling to Kirkwall, Orkney to see the body as he thinks he knows him. When he confirms it is his former Met boss Alex Fleming the question is why was he living in the middle of nowhere, under an assumed name? Although told he must stand away from the investigation, due to their personal connection, Mahler continues to search for answers, which lead him to Fleming's most notorious unsolved case: the 'Witchfinder' murders.
Quite a complex tale, including Viking and Orcadian folklore and past cases involving both Fleming and Mahler. I really liked the character of Mahler, he suffers from dreadful flashback to an earlier event and whilst not a great people pleaser he’s an intelligent and clever detective. A faced paced and exciting read and I loved the fact that I was kept guessing until the high octane ending. A fabulous read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 9, 2021
In the Blood is a very well written and darkly atmospheric police investigation that starts with a bang from page one and kept me hooked until the end. In addition to the main storyline, there are several other intriguing and very different plot lines woven throughout the book. The author did a great job of keeping me guessing how they all connected, then tying all together beautifully at the end.
I must admit that I wasn’t aware that this was book three in the series when I started to read it, so I was a bit confused about one of the back stories which is obviously from one of the previous books, so I’d recommend that you read the books in order.
The characters in the book are really well written and I really liked Lukas as he’s such a complex and intriguing character. As a huge fantasy fan, I loved the addition of the Orcadian folklore aspects to the story. They were really insightful and gave the book a unusual and unique feel.
The finale of the book was brilliant and had my pulse racing and I can’t wait for the next instalment. If you like suspenseful, edgy, unpredictable crime thrillers with a twist, then you need to check this out!
I must admit that I wasn’t aware that this was book three in the series when I started to read it, so I was a bit confused about one of the back stories which is obviously from one of the previous books, so I’d recommend that you read the books in order.
The characters in the book are really well written and I really liked Lukas as he’s such a complex and intriguing character. As a huge fantasy fan, I loved the addition of the Orcadian folklore aspects to the story. They were really insightful and gave the book a unusual and unique feel.
The finale of the book was brilliant and had my pulse racing and I can’t wait for the next instalment. If you like suspenseful, edgy, unpredictable crime thrillers with a twist, then you need to check this out!
October 7, 2023
"In the blood" war für mich der dritte Teil der Lukas-Mahler-Reihe. Ich habe sie in der chronologischen Reihenfolge gelesen, was ich auch empfehle, da die Bücher aufeinander aufbauen, auch wenn es jedes Mal einen neuen Fall gibt.
Irgendwie werde ich aber nicht warm mit der Reihe, und auch wenn sie noch weitergehen sollte, werde ich wahrscheinlich das nächste Buch nicht mehr lesen.
Die Reihe ist zwar gut geschrieben, und das Orkney-Setting hat mir diesmal sehr gut gefallen, aber irgendwie ist alles trotzdem nur Durchschnitt. Alles schon mal da gewesen. Schottland-Krimis gibt es mittlerweile en masse; da muss man sich als Autor/in schon etwas einfallen lassen, um sich von der Masse abzuheben.
Auch wenn der Fall dieses Buchs sehr interessant ist, gibt es doch einige Durchhänger, was vor allem an dem zweiten, parallel laufenden Fall liegt, in dem es um organisierte Kriminalität gibt. Diese Ermittlungen sind verworren, weil wir viele verschiedene Personen mitmischen, die alle ein wenig zwielichtig sind.
Insgesamt ein solider Krimi, der sich aber meiner Meinung nach nicht vom Rest abhebt. Dafür fehlt irgendwie noch das gewisse Etwas.
Irgendwie werde ich aber nicht warm mit der Reihe, und auch wenn sie noch weitergehen sollte, werde ich wahrscheinlich das nächste Buch nicht mehr lesen.
Die Reihe ist zwar gut geschrieben, und das Orkney-Setting hat mir diesmal sehr gut gefallen, aber irgendwie ist alles trotzdem nur Durchschnitt. Alles schon mal da gewesen. Schottland-Krimis gibt es mittlerweile en masse; da muss man sich als Autor/in schon etwas einfallen lassen, um sich von der Masse abzuheben.
Auch wenn der Fall dieses Buchs sehr interessant ist, gibt es doch einige Durchhänger, was vor allem an dem zweiten, parallel laufenden Fall liegt, in dem es um organisierte Kriminalität gibt. Diese Ermittlungen sind verworren, weil wir viele verschiedene Personen mitmischen, die alle ein wenig zwielichtig sind.
Insgesamt ein solider Krimi, der sich aber meiner Meinung nach nicht vom Rest abhebt. Dafür fehlt irgendwie noch das gewisse Etwas.
April 17, 2021
”In The Blood” is a quiet start building up to a high-tension ending. The measured pace of the first few chapters allows the characterisation to develop as you read.. This is the first of Margaret Kirks stories I have read and the novel works as a stand alone, as well as part of a series.
She has created a compelling protagonist in Lukas, who leads a likeable team of police investigators, all of whom feel very real. There is a comedic touch with the Chief, Chae Hunt providing a foil for a little humour.
The Orkney Islands setting is absorbing and beautifully described- a land steeped in folk tales and local mythology, which provides an ideal location for the investigation.
At it’s heart, this is a true crime drama which I much enjoyed with a exciting climax and satisfying ending.
November 4, 2021
The third book in the DI Lukas Mahler series. This is my first introduction to Margaret Kirks writing and now I need the others, I enjoyed it that much. Known as 'Highland Noir' as it is set in the North of Scotland, this is a multi layered dark and extremely gritty book. I found it so gripping and tense I had moments in which I was sat on the edge of my seat!
The author has crafted a story that expertly weaves Viking history with mythology into the plot, which makes for an atmospheric read as well. The setting of Orkney is really detailed, enough for me to feel like I could see it if I closed my eyes and I have never even been to Scotland! Never mind Orkney.
I enjoyed discovering Lukas Mahlers back story of his time in England a a police officer. It did give me a glimpse into the life of this quite complex character, and left me wanting to read all the books in the series.
The author has crafted a story that expertly weaves Viking history with mythology into the plot, which makes for an atmospheric read as well. The setting of Orkney is really detailed, enough for me to feel like I could see it if I closed my eyes and I have never even been to Scotland! Never mind Orkney.
I enjoyed discovering Lukas Mahlers back story of his time in England a a police officer. It did give me a glimpse into the life of this quite complex character, and left me wanting to read all the books in the series.
February 18, 2022
Very good plotline and characters. There seems to be more in the series about Mahler and Anna. I could summarise the story but it would still take too long!
Mahler has been temporarily promoted to DCI with the Inverness police and his close friend Anna is an historian with an interest in witch trials in Scotland. Their worlds begin to collide with the tortured body of Mahler's old mentor, a man who had left the MET in London, and who ended up being snugly attached to a rotting jetty post by the house he had hidden away in and who had also changed his name.
The plot thickens with drug runs, hoodlums, more murders and finally events which almost cost Mahler his life. I thoroughly enjoyed this, it did plod a bit in the middle but then so do a lot of books, but even that didn't distract from the story as it moved along.
Mahler has been temporarily promoted to DCI with the Inverness police and his close friend Anna is an historian with an interest in witch trials in Scotland. Their worlds begin to collide with the tortured body of Mahler's old mentor, a man who had left the MET in London, and who ended up being snugly attached to a rotting jetty post by the house he had hidden away in and who had also changed his name.
The plot thickens with drug runs, hoodlums, more murders and finally events which almost cost Mahler his life. I thoroughly enjoyed this, it did plod a bit in the middle but then so do a lot of books, but even that didn't distract from the story as it moved along.
August 14, 2021
An atmospheric, dark and gripping crime thriller that kept on the edge till the end.
It's the first book I read in this series and bought the rest as I think it's very interesting.
It's a gothic novel with plenty of references to occult practices and great descriptions of the Orkneys.
The characters are interesting and fleshed, the mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
I found it compelling and entertaining.
Even if it's the third in a series it can be read as a stand-alone.
One note: there's plenty of references to the solution of previous cases and I think it would be better to read the books in order.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's the first book I read in this series and bought the rest as I think it's very interesting.
It's a gothic novel with plenty of references to occult practices and great descriptions of the Orkneys.
The characters are interesting and fleshed, the mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
I found it compelling and entertaining.
Even if it's the third in a series it can be read as a stand-alone.
One note: there's plenty of references to the solution of previous cases and I think it would be better to read the books in order.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
November 2, 2021
Do you like crime fiction? Do you enjoy reading about ritual murders? How about throwing in a little witchcraft? Then this book is for you!! This was a super quick read for me, but so hard to review without giving away the details. And that's just it - this story is so detailed and it twists and turns. This is the third book in the series, but it can definately be read as a stand alone. It was a solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐ for me and only because at times I felt overwhelmed with the detail. I think that could be resolved easily by reading the first two books. I loved the glossary explaining some of the terms as well. It was so helpful!
May 5, 2021
Very Disappointed
to have finished this book so speedily! Even more unputdownable than the previous books, it hooks you and keeps you hooked - and guessing - until the end.
I love this series. The stories are well written and engaging, full of details and firmly rooted in the places they’re set, which I always appreciate. There is a good dose of humour, psychology, foklore and realism. Not simply a murderous romp, but intelligent character driven plot. A joy, if something so dark can be called that.
Hope we don’t have to wait to long for the next instalment.....
to have finished this book so speedily! Even more unputdownable than the previous books, it hooks you and keeps you hooked - and guessing - until the end.
I love this series. The stories are well written and engaging, full of details and firmly rooted in the places they’re set, which I always appreciate. There is a good dose of humour, psychology, foklore and realism. Not simply a murderous romp, but intelligent character driven plot. A joy, if something so dark can be called that.
Hope we don’t have to wait to long for the next instalment.....
March 1, 2022
A murder with a patchwork of possibilities as to motive, as well as the perpetrator, in the vicinity of a creepily threatening house. Other casualties include the mental well-being of those investigating it, which impacts on relationships, followed by professional self-questioning. Neatly stitched and pattern well worked out.
May 2, 2021
I want to give this book way more than 5 stars. I don't want to give any spoilers so suffice to say the plot is much more complex than the blurb suggests. There were a few twists that I didn't see coming... but the ending!!!!! Cannot wait for the next instalment.
November 12, 2021
Another fab read.
Great to be back with Mahler and the team. Enjoyed the tales from Orkney about the selkies and the way they were woven into the story. It made for an interesting read and dimension to the book.
I would definitely recommend the book and look forward to the next book.
Great to be back with Mahler and the team. Enjoyed the tales from Orkney about the selkies and the way they were woven into the story. It made for an interesting read and dimension to the book.
I would definitely recommend the book and look forward to the next book.
May 26, 2024
The folklore made it interesting. The link of the serial murders which haunted Mahler since the first book. There are continued hints of the fourth book, this their book could easily be a stand-alone book.
June 4, 2021
A gripping read. Lukas goes from strength to strength with each outing.
November 2, 2021
Third book in the series. Loved the characters, locations and a brilliant story with plenty twists
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