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DCI Brendan Moran #7
When Stars Grow Dark
A fatal road traffic collision uncovers a bizarre murder when it transpires that an elderly passenger in one of the vehicles was dead before the accident. All indications point to the work of a serial killer – but with little forensic evidence, how can DCI Brendan Moran and his team run the killer to ground?
To add to Moran's problems, an unexpected discovery prompts the Irish Detective to undertake a dangerous and unscheduled journey to Rotterdam where he believes his former friend and MI5 agent, Samantha Grant, is being held. Can Moran succeed in his rescue mission whilst juggling the heavy demands of his most perplexing murder investigation to date? When Stars Grow Dark is number seven in the popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series
If you like Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, DCI Banks, Vera and the Shetland TV series, you'll love this tense and exciting crime novel from CWA-shortlisted author, Scott Hunter.
REVIEWS - The DCI Brendan Moran Crime Series
★★★★★ ‘…a sparkling mystery – the highlight of a strong series.’
★★★★★ '... a well-planned, well-written novel. The writer has a fertile imagination and an attractive narrative style.'
★★★★★ '... one of the best reads I have had this year. Gripped by the grizzled Irish detective.....plenty of twists and turns. Bravo!'
★★★★★ ‘The story rattles into action and concludes with two jaw-dropping climaxes and a final fraught decision. This series is destined for greatness.’
--Amazon
To add to Moran's problems, an unexpected discovery prompts the Irish Detective to undertake a dangerous and unscheduled journey to Rotterdam where he believes his former friend and MI5 agent, Samantha Grant, is being held. Can Moran succeed in his rescue mission whilst juggling the heavy demands of his most perplexing murder investigation to date? When Stars Grow Dark is number seven in the popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series
If you like Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, DCI Banks, Vera and the Shetland TV series, you'll love this tense and exciting crime novel from CWA-shortlisted author, Scott Hunter.
REVIEWS - The DCI Brendan Moran Crime Series
★★★★★ ‘…a sparkling mystery – the highlight of a strong series.’
★★★★★ '... a well-planned, well-written novel. The writer has a fertile imagination and an attractive narrative style.'
★★★★★ '... one of the best reads I have had this year. Gripped by the grizzled Irish detective.....plenty of twists and turns. Bravo!'
★★★★★ ‘The story rattles into action and concludes with two jaw-dropping climaxes and a final fraught decision. This series is destined for greatness.’
--Amazon
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2021
96 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Scott Hunter
23 books62 followersScott Hunter was born in Romford, Essex. His writing career was kick-started after he won first prize in the Sunday Express Short Story Competition. He divides his time between writing and drumming. He has recorded with internationally renowned rock band 'Jethro Tull' and appeared in concert with 70's popsters 'Mungo Jerry'.
He is currently working on his thirteenth novel and has recently published 'The Cold Light of Death', number eight in the very popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series. 'Black December', the first DCI Brendan Moran novel, has also been released in audiobook format.
He was long listed for the Times/Chicken House Children's Novel Competition for 'The Ley Lines of Lushbury' and won the Sunday Express Short Story Competition a few years back for his historical entry set in the English Civil War. His second novel, 'The Trespass' is a top 20 Amazon Bestseller. He has recently been shortlisted for the 2016 Crime Writers Association (CWA) Margery Allingham short story competition.
Scott Hunter lives in Berkshire with his wife Katherine and his two youngest children
He is currently working on his thirteenth novel and has recently published 'The Cold Light of Death', number eight in the very popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series. 'Black December', the first DCI Brendan Moran novel, has also been released in audiobook format.
He was long listed for the Times/Chicken House Children's Novel Competition for 'The Ley Lines of Lushbury' and won the Sunday Express Short Story Competition a few years back for his historical entry set in the English Civil War. His second novel, 'The Trespass' is a top 20 Amazon Bestseller. He has recently been shortlisted for the 2016 Crime Writers Association (CWA) Margery Allingham short story competition.
Scott Hunter lives in Berkshire with his wife Katherine and his two youngest children
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 18, 2024
I mentioned in my review of the 6th installment in this series ("The Enemy Inside") that I wish that novella had been expanded into a full book because I felt as if things were rushed and/or left up in the air. Little did I know when I wrote those words that Hunter's 7th novel would pick up right after "Enemy" ended, thereby completing much of what he began in that previous shorter work.
As you know, I stick to jacket descriptions/marketing blurbs in these reviews to avoid spoilers - so here's the one for this novel:
"A fatal road traffic collision uncovers a bizarre murder when it transpires that an elderly passenger in one of the vehicles was dead before the accident. All indications point to the work of a serial killer – but with little forensic evidence, how can DCI Brendan Moran and his team run the killer to ground?
To add to Moran's problems, an unexpected discovery prompts the Irish Detective to undertake a dangerous and unscheduled journey to Rotterdam where he believes his former friend and MI5 agent, Samantha Grant, is being held. Can Moran succeed in his rescue mission whilst juggling the heavy demands of his most perplexing murder investigation to date?"
Hunter's execution of this plot was spot on, although a number of plot developments did push the limits of suspended disbelief. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I look forward to continuing this wonderful series. And I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys well-written thriller series.
As you know, I stick to jacket descriptions/marketing blurbs in these reviews to avoid spoilers - so here's the one for this novel:
"A fatal road traffic collision uncovers a bizarre murder when it transpires that an elderly passenger in one of the vehicles was dead before the accident. All indications point to the work of a serial killer – but with little forensic evidence, how can DCI Brendan Moran and his team run the killer to ground?
To add to Moran's problems, an unexpected discovery prompts the Irish Detective to undertake a dangerous and unscheduled journey to Rotterdam where he believes his former friend and MI5 agent, Samantha Grant, is being held. Can Moran succeed in his rescue mission whilst juggling the heavy demands of his most perplexing murder investigation to date?"
Hunter's execution of this plot was spot on, although a number of plot developments did push the limits of suspended disbelief. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I look forward to continuing this wonderful series. And I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys well-written thriller series.
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November 8, 2022Omnibus Book #3 - Book 7 - When Stars Grow Dark by Scott Hunter - It’s raining, the highway has been ‘improved’ and there is no shoulder to pull off onto if car trouble. Two container trucks are rolling along at 50 MPH when a car has trouble and has its flashers on but it is in the highway (no shoulder). The first truck manages to turn away in time but the 2nd truck doesn’t see it in time and crashes into it. The accident causes the car to burn and the truck to explode. Forensics determines that the passenger in the car was murdered somewhere else and this sets up the investigation into who is killing elderly men and why. It involves Police Scotland, two such cases are on their books. There is a side mystery that Brendon can’t let go of. What happened to Samantha Grant. He is on the hunt. It is another gripping mystery with links to Brendon’s past, a connection to the present, and the continuing obsession by George for Tess, the DC injured in the last book. Great read. Books 8 and 9 reviewed here later.
January 5, 2021
Number 7 in the DCI Brendan Moran police procedural series, this volume caps all the others. When a car crash reveals the corpse of a man clearly dead before the accident, a serial killer seems to be on the loose. And Moran risks his life in Rotterdam pursuing an independent spy-related matter tied to his Garda days. Terrific plot, expert pacing, settings brought alive, an ensemble cast of police redolent of Garry Disher's Peninsula series ... When Stars Grow Dark receives my highest recommendation.
March 20, 2022
A catastrophic trucking accident that, at first, appeared to kill three persons catapulted DCI Brendan Moran into the path of a serial killer. Careful investigation by the team found answers. The investigation sent Charlie and Moran to Scotland for further knowledge and ended the story that began with the death of three Gardai decades before and finished the story that began with The Enemy Inside. A good police procedural.
July 6, 2022
Great story
Several intertwining plot lines keep this story moving. DCI Moran seems to have a more of less stable team now. None of them have been killed off recently at any rate. I hope I haven't jinxed them for the next book. Anyway, as usual, a complex mystery with interesting characters, well worth a read.
Several intertwining plot lines keep this story moving. DCI Moran seems to have a more of less stable team now. None of them have been killed off recently at any rate. I hope I haven't jinxed them for the next book. Anyway, as usual, a complex mystery with interesting characters, well worth a read.
April 2, 2025
One of the best series I have read in a long time. hits all the criteria for a good mystery. Great characters help the plot along and keep you turning the pages. There is enough suspense with a ton of plot twists and characters who turn out to not who they seem to be.
February 12, 2021
These endings leave you craving for the next book! Scott Hunter is fabulous!!
February 17, 2021
Another great book! Can't wait for the next one in this series!
August 23, 2021
Cold Light of Death
No simple cases for DCI Moran. He always finds the big picture. Love the characters and plot twists. A great read.
No simple cases for DCI Moran. He always finds the big picture. Love the characters and plot twists. A great read.
March 11, 2025
Like peeling and onion
Moran is a character with history and just when it seems like retirement is next, another book is waiting to be read. They are quite good. Just my style.
Moran is a character with history and just when it seems like retirement is next, another book is waiting to be read. They are quite good. Just my style.
January 13, 2021
A breathtaking story full of danger, intrigue and surprises. Highly Recommended.
Since reading the first book in the series, Black December, I have eagerly awaited every single Brendan Moran, Irish Detective, story and have never yet been disappointed.
When Stars Grow Dark is possibly my favourite so far. It was impossible to put down, and there were times I feared for Brendan's life. It felt as if I was actually there with him. This is a book you don't want to end. Now I cannot wait for the next in series. If you haven't read any of the series before, this is a fabulous place to start. And, once you read it, I am sure you will want to go back and read the whole series from the start, whilst you wait for the next book!
Since reading the first book in the series, Black December, I have eagerly awaited every single Brendan Moran, Irish Detective, story and have never yet been disappointed.
When Stars Grow Dark is possibly my favourite so far. It was impossible to put down, and there were times I feared for Brendan's life. It felt as if I was actually there with him. This is a book you don't want to end. Now I cannot wait for the next in series. If you haven't read any of the series before, this is a fabulous place to start. And, once you read it, I am sure you will want to go back and read the whole series from the start, whilst you wait for the next book!
July 30, 2024
Scott Hunter keeps getting better with each mystery. His style makes the characters and the crimes seems believable. As this book developed, I got nervous that the author might be cast too wide of a net with the potential villains. I found out that I was wrong. Great story! I can't wait to see where the series goes next.
January 4, 2021
Once again Scott takes us on another DCI Brendan adventure. A traffic accident investigation reveals that a passenger in the car was already dead before the fatal crash. From here the story takes off in into a fantastic murder mystery. Exceptional cast of characters, non stop action/intrigue/mystery and an awesome story line makes it impossible to put this book down !
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews