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DI Kelso Strang #4
Old Sins
On a clear, moonlit night, DCI Kelso Strang hears the unmistakable howl of a wolf. A disturbing sound, but not the only unsettling thing about the remote town of Inverbeg, where he is taking a break with an old army friend.
Sean Reynolds is obsessive about rewilding his Auchinglass estate and there are rumours that he has taken illicit steps to hurry that on, much to the anger of local farmers. There are other tensions too. An elderly lady died some months before, officially in a tragic stumble off a cliff path, but she was burdened with many secrets and her closest friend believes it was murder.
When horror strikes in Inverbeg, Strang fears further retribution is at work and as he gets closer to uncovering the ugly truth, he finds himself in more danger than ever before.
Sean Reynolds is obsessive about rewilding his Auchinglass estate and there are rumours that he has taken illicit steps to hurry that on, much to the anger of local farmers. There are other tensions too. An elderly lady died some months before, officially in a tragic stumble off a cliff path, but she was burdened with many secrets and her closest friend believes it was murder.
When horror strikes in Inverbeg, Strang fears further retribution is at work and as he gets closer to uncovering the ugly truth, he finds himself in more danger than ever before.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published November 18, 2021
263 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Aline Templeton
32 books121 followersAline Templeton grew up in the East Neuk of Fife and was educated at St Leonards School, St Andrews and Cambridge University. She has worked in education and broadcasting and has written numerous stories and articles for national newspapers and magazines. Templeton was a bench Justice of the Peace for ten years and is a former Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, now living in Edinburgh. She is married with a grown up family.
She has written nine crime novels, published by Hodder & Stoughton in Britain, and has also been published in the United States and several European countries. After writing seven stand-alone books, she started a series set in Galloway and featuring DI Marjory Fleming, the first of which – Cold In The Earth – was an Ottakar's Crime Novel of the Month and an Independent Best Summer Read. The second, The Darkness and the Deep, was published in July 2006, and there are now six books in the DI Fleming series.
She has written nine crime novels, published by Hodder & Stoughton in Britain, and has also been published in the United States and several European countries. After writing seven stand-alone books, she started a series set in Galloway and featuring DI Marjory Fleming, the first of which – Cold In The Earth – was an Ottakar's Crime Novel of the Month and an Independent Best Summer Read. The second, The Darkness and the Deep, was published in July 2006, and there are now six books in the DI Fleming series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 22, 2021
EXCERPT: The windless night was very still. She was used to the silence here, the sort of silence that was oddly unbroken by the gentle swishing of the waves below or the sudden cry of a startled bird, but tonight it almost seemed oppressive, as if it was waiting for something to shatter it. Nerves again, she told herself, but she did look back over her shoulder.
ABOUT 'OLD SINS': On a clear, moonlit night, DCI Kelso Strang hears the unmistakable howl of a wolf. A disturbing sound, but not the only unsettling thing about the remote town of Inverbeg, where he is taking a break with an old army friend.
Sean Reynolds is obsessive about rewilding his Auchinglass estate and there are rumours that he has taken illicit steps to hurry that on, much to the anger of local farmers. There are other tensions too. An elderly lady died some months before, officially in a tragic stumble off a cliff path, but she was burdened with many secrets and her closest friend believes it was murder.
When horror strikes in Inverbeg, Strang fears further retribution is at work and as he gets closer to uncovering the ugly truth, he finds himself in more danger than ever before.
MY THOUGHTS: Although Old Sins is #4 in the Kelso Strang series, it is easily read as a stand-alone, which is just as well really, as I haven't read any of the previous books.
Old Sins is an easy read and the plot compelling. The characters are well developed, and there's a good mix of mystery and police procedural. The outcome was not at all obvious, and suspicion is cast upon several characters before the vital piece of evidence is found that reveals the truth.
The title of the book 'Old Sins' is taken from the saying, 'Old sins cast long shadows,' and is wonderfully apt for this novel.
Templeton captures the atmosphere of this remote Scottish village brilliantly, bringing both the landscape and the characters to life, exposing the many tensions seething under the surface of the small town as people go about their ordinary lives.
My favourite character is Angus, a born and bred local who lived away for a bit but who has returned to his roots and his croft. It is Angus who has raised concerns over his friend Flora's death, sure that she would not have wandered off the path to stumble over the cliff edge to her death. Angus is aware that Flora had 'a bit of a rackety past,' but doesn't know the specifics.
Two local landowners had been trying to buy Flora out, each wanting her land for their own purpose, each prepared to go to great lengths to get it. On Flora's death the land passes to her niece and protege Danni, a young lass who 'could cause trouble in an empty house,' and the landowners turn their attentions on her, using whatever means available to try and pressure her to sell. Then, after a couple of unsettling incidents, Danni disappears....
An evenly-paced 'whodunit' that will keep you guessing to the end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#OldSins #NetGalley
I: #alinetempleton #allisonandbusby
T: @AlineTempleton
#contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #murdermystery #mystery #policeprocedural
THE AUTHOR: Aline Templeton grew up in the East Neuk of Fife and was educated at St Leonards School, St Andrews and Cambridge University. She has worked in education and broadcasting and has written numerous stories and articles for national newspapers and magazines. Templeton was a bench Justice of the Peace for ten years and is a former Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, now living in Edinburgh. She is married with a grown up family.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Allison and Busby via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Old Sins by Aline Templeton for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT 'OLD SINS': On a clear, moonlit night, DCI Kelso Strang hears the unmistakable howl of a wolf. A disturbing sound, but not the only unsettling thing about the remote town of Inverbeg, where he is taking a break with an old army friend.
Sean Reynolds is obsessive about rewilding his Auchinglass estate and there are rumours that he has taken illicit steps to hurry that on, much to the anger of local farmers. There are other tensions too. An elderly lady died some months before, officially in a tragic stumble off a cliff path, but she was burdened with many secrets and her closest friend believes it was murder.
When horror strikes in Inverbeg, Strang fears further retribution is at work and as he gets closer to uncovering the ugly truth, he finds himself in more danger than ever before.
MY THOUGHTS: Although Old Sins is #4 in the Kelso Strang series, it is easily read as a stand-alone, which is just as well really, as I haven't read any of the previous books.
Old Sins is an easy read and the plot compelling. The characters are well developed, and there's a good mix of mystery and police procedural. The outcome was not at all obvious, and suspicion is cast upon several characters before the vital piece of evidence is found that reveals the truth.
The title of the book 'Old Sins' is taken from the saying, 'Old sins cast long shadows,' and is wonderfully apt for this novel.
Templeton captures the atmosphere of this remote Scottish village brilliantly, bringing both the landscape and the characters to life, exposing the many tensions seething under the surface of the small town as people go about their ordinary lives.
My favourite character is Angus, a born and bred local who lived away for a bit but who has returned to his roots and his croft. It is Angus who has raised concerns over his friend Flora's death, sure that she would not have wandered off the path to stumble over the cliff edge to her death. Angus is aware that Flora had 'a bit of a rackety past,' but doesn't know the specifics.
Two local landowners had been trying to buy Flora out, each wanting her land for their own purpose, each prepared to go to great lengths to get it. On Flora's death the land passes to her niece and protege Danni, a young lass who 'could cause trouble in an empty house,' and the landowners turn their attentions on her, using whatever means available to try and pressure her to sell. Then, after a couple of unsettling incidents, Danni disappears....
An evenly-paced 'whodunit' that will keep you guessing to the end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#OldSins #NetGalley
I: #alinetempleton #allisonandbusby
T: @AlineTempleton
#contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #murdermystery #mystery #policeprocedural
THE AUTHOR: Aline Templeton grew up in the East Neuk of Fife and was educated at St Leonards School, St Andrews and Cambridge University. She has worked in education and broadcasting and has written numerous stories and articles for national newspapers and magazines. Templeton was a bench Justice of the Peace for ten years and is a former Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, now living in Edinburgh. She is married with a grown up family.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Allison and Busby via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Old Sins by Aline Templeton for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
November 6, 2021
I enjoyed this book. For some reason I never got into the 2nd book in the series but this one pulled me in immediately.
Interesting story with familiar characters - they just get better and better
Interesting story with familiar characters - they just get better and better
November 19, 2021
Old sins by Aline Templet.
Di Kelso Strang book 4.
This is a new author for me. Even though this is book 4 I was able to read it and get into it even though it was slow to begin with. I did like the cover and blurb. Will definitely look into the others in this series. 4*.
Di Kelso Strang book 4.
This is a new author for me. Even though this is book 4 I was able to read it and get into it even though it was slow to begin with. I did like the cover and blurb. Will definitely look into the others in this series. 4*.
October 18, 2025
This was a really good novel. Kelso and Livvy are great characters. The plot had a number of very different strands and I really enjoyed the way things came together. The settings in different parts of Scotland's countryside are brilliant and very different from most novels set in Scotland. Really looking forward to the next one.
June 24, 2025
For the first half of this book, I had a vague feeling that I wasn't that into the mystery, but the Scottish setting was really working for me and that was enough. For the last half that totally wore off and I was wholly fed up with the ludicrously, cartoonishly obnoxious 'bad' characters and the belaboured insecurities of the two female police officers. I was invested in the marital strife of the married couple Strang was staying with (I can never remember character's names half a second after I've finished a book), but it wasn't enough. I didn't care who did it. I will not continue the series.
November 4, 2021
Old Sins is the fourth installment in the police procedural series featuring DCI Kelsey Strang and the members of the All Scotland Regional Police Force. This force is called in to supplement local resources in smaller, more remote areas of Scotland no longer manned for serious crime investigations. I have enjoyed all the books in the series. These are well written police procedurals with a strong sense of place and was a quick read. I did feel the plot was a bit thin in this book, I figured out the motive early on, but it did not take away from my reading of the story. My one hope is that now that the background story of the major players has been well developed the author will let her characters become more secure in their roles. I recommend this series and look forward to reading future books in the series
October 21, 2021
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
I haven't read the first three instalments in this series, but this one stood alone fine. The writing and characterization were strong and I read it more or less in one sitting. I am a bit bemused as to why Flora chose to 'hide out' where she did - surely there was more than one person who might have recognized her... My other issue with this novel was the way the male police officers were a) perfect in every way (Strang) or unimaginative but reliable (Erskine), whereas the female officers were a) incapable of heading an investigation despite being ranked Inspector (French) or b) immature and stroppy (Murray).
I haven't read the first three instalments in this series, but this one stood alone fine. The writing and characterization were strong and I read it more or less in one sitting. I am a bit bemused as to why Flora chose to 'hide out' where she did - surely there was more than one person who might have recognized her... My other issue with this novel was the way the male police officers were a) perfect in every way (Strang) or unimaginative but reliable (Erskine), whereas the female officers were a) incapable of heading an investigation despite being ranked Inspector (French) or b) immature and stroppy (Murray).
November 9, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Allison & Busby for an advance copy of Old Sins, the fourth novel to feature DCI Kelso Strang of the Scottish Rural Crimes Unit.
Kelso Strang is on holiday in the North of Scotland when he thinks he hears a wolf howl. Rewilding is not the only hot topic in the village of Inverbeg, there is Flora Maitland’s deadly fall. An accident according to the authorities, murder according to her best friend. Kelso doesn’t know what to think until another death sharpens his focus.
I have not read this series before, so I didn’t know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the plot and the easy to read style. I thoroughly enjoyed Old Sins, which is a fairly standard police procedural with a good mystery attached. There is no way I could have guessed at the start where it would end up, and it does it in logical fashion, piece by piece.
As the title suggests the motive for much of the crime in the novel lies in Flora Maitland’s less than lily white past, but that is only the beginning. The team has to sort out who did what, when and why. I didn’t find it obvious and my need to know made the read compulsive, especially as there are several suspects and a lot of misdirection. It is well done. And then, of course, there is the wolf. Despite being Scottish I have little interest in rural affairs so, while I know that there is discussion about reintroducing wolves, this novel fills in the large gaps in my knowledge.
It is obvious that some of the team have worked together before, but the novel still works well as a stand-alone. Noticeably the friction is between the female detectives while the men just get on with the job. I’m not saying that it isn’t realistic, but the author makes it an integral part of the novel and the contrast between the sexes is stark. It’s not a particularly good look.
Old Sins is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Kelso Strang is on holiday in the North of Scotland when he thinks he hears a wolf howl. Rewilding is not the only hot topic in the village of Inverbeg, there is Flora Maitland’s deadly fall. An accident according to the authorities, murder according to her best friend. Kelso doesn’t know what to think until another death sharpens his focus.
I have not read this series before, so I didn’t know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the plot and the easy to read style. I thoroughly enjoyed Old Sins, which is a fairly standard police procedural with a good mystery attached. There is no way I could have guessed at the start where it would end up, and it does it in logical fashion, piece by piece.
As the title suggests the motive for much of the crime in the novel lies in Flora Maitland’s less than lily white past, but that is only the beginning. The team has to sort out who did what, when and why. I didn’t find it obvious and my need to know made the read compulsive, especially as there are several suspects and a lot of misdirection. It is well done. And then, of course, there is the wolf. Despite being Scottish I have little interest in rural affairs so, while I know that there is discussion about reintroducing wolves, this novel fills in the large gaps in my knowledge.
It is obvious that some of the team have worked together before, but the novel still works well as a stand-alone. Noticeably the friction is between the female detectives while the men just get on with the job. I’m not saying that it isn’t realistic, but the author makes it an integral part of the novel and the contrast between the sexes is stark. It’s not a particularly good look.
Old Sins is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
December 18, 2021
While taking a break visiting an old friend DCI Kelso Strang hears the sound of a wolf. The local laird is keen to re-wild his estate & introducing wolves is part of his plan although he needs more land. Whilst he is staying in the area an old man asks him to look into the death of his friend Flora- he is convinced she sis not go over the cliff unaided! She has left her croft & cottage to her niece who has come to stay in it & is causing quite a stir as the local young men vie for her attention & the local laid & Strang's host try to persuade her to sell her land. Things move quickly when her car is blown up & when shortly after there are signs of a struggle & blood in her cottage. Being close to the action Strang cannot be SIO of the case but tries to lend a hand.
I have not read any of the previous books in the series, but this worked well as a stand-alone. The author captured the area very well. I did get a bit tired of the younger detectives angst but that apart it was an enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
I have not read any of the previous books in the series, but this worked well as a stand-alone. The author captured the area very well. I did get a bit tired of the younger detectives angst but that apart it was an enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
November 7, 2024
This is the fourth book featuring Detective Chief Inspector Strang of the Serious Rural Crime Squad and Detective Constable Murray. It introduces a new character Detective Inspector Rachel French.
Most of the story is set in a small village in the north west of Scotland where Strang is visiting to take some leave. He learns that there had been some disquiet about the death of an old woman and after he leaves the niece who had inherited the old woman's cottage is subject to an attack when her car is blown up. French leads the investigation as Strang has a relationship with potential suspects. There are also some other crimes and more people die before the end of the book.
The author knows how to tell a story and her main characters are interesting and believable but somehow, as with the previous book this story did not quite work for me. However this is still a good and exciting read and I look forward to finding all the author's other books.
Most of the story is set in a small village in the north west of Scotland where Strang is visiting to take some leave. He learns that there had been some disquiet about the death of an old woman and after he leaves the niece who had inherited the old woman's cottage is subject to an attack when her car is blown up. French leads the investigation as Strang has a relationship with potential suspects. There are also some other crimes and more people die before the end of the book.
The author knows how to tell a story and her main characters are interesting and believable but somehow, as with the previous book this story did not quite work for me. However this is still a good and exciting read and I look forward to finding all the author's other books.
October 31, 2025
A mystery within a mystery
In the dreary confines of a rain-soaked hamlet, suspicion simmers beneath the surface after an elderly woman's death is hastily dismissed as an unfortunate accident. Her closest confidante harbors deep-seated doubts, sensing a sinister undercurrent that authorities have overlooked. The mystery darkens when the victim's niece vanishes without a trace, only to be discovered with a fatal wound that speaks of calculated violence. Because one of the suspects in the niece's murder is a personal friend, Detective Strang can't work that case and turns it over to a subordinate while he works the first case. There is no shortage of complex clues in this town but persistent police work wraps up a huge case. As usual in this series it is well written attention keeping story. Highly recommended.
In the dreary confines of a rain-soaked hamlet, suspicion simmers beneath the surface after an elderly woman's death is hastily dismissed as an unfortunate accident. Her closest confidante harbors deep-seated doubts, sensing a sinister undercurrent that authorities have overlooked. The mystery darkens when the victim's niece vanishes without a trace, only to be discovered with a fatal wound that speaks of calculated violence. Because one of the suspects in the niece's murder is a personal friend, Detective Strang can't work that case and turns it over to a subordinate while he works the first case. There is no shortage of complex clues in this town but persistent police work wraps up a huge case. As usual in this series it is well written attention keeping story. Highly recommended.
July 17, 2022
The premise of this was intriguing but the story got a bit too bogged down in the details to make it totally enjoyable: the pace was slow, there was way too much focus on police process, and I didn’t particularly care for any of the characters.
This is fourth in a series. I’ve not read any of the others but I didn’t feel I was missing anything from that perspective.
I love stories about wolves and reintroducing them to Scotland but this was too much police process and not enough, well, everything else.
This is fourth in a series. I’ve not read any of the others but I didn’t feel I was missing anything from that perspective.
I love stories about wolves and reintroducing them to Scotland but this was too much police process and not enough, well, everything else.
November 6, 2021
I have enjoyed previous books in this series featuring DCI Strang, but struggled to get into this one. It works well as a stand alone. The pace was very slow, the plot was a bit lacking in anything really and I figured it out early on. The characters are well developed but I failed to empathise with any of them and this detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book. Not the best in the series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
December 29, 2021
It's the first book I read in this series and I found it entertaining and compelling.
A good police procedural featuring interesting characters and a solid mystery.
I liked the descriptions, the sense of the place and the solution was satisfying.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
A good police procedural featuring interesting characters and a solid mystery.
I liked the descriptions, the sense of the place and the solution was satisfying.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 21, 2023
Another great read from Aline Templeton in this cracking series. Well written and atmospheric as usual with some great characters outside of the usual police. Kelso and Livvy are going from strength to strength and I liked the addition of Rachel - off setting the other two. Good storyline and nice twist at the end and as always it’s never who you think it is!
March 17, 2022
A well plotted mystery where everything is ultimately linked.
Excellent characterisation.
Still wish Livvy would grow up - how old is she? 12???
Kelso had a smaller role to play in this one but there was enough of him so as not to be missed.
Am looking forward to the next one.
Excellent characterisation.
Still wish Livvy would grow up - how old is she? 12???
Kelso had a smaller role to play in this one but there was enough of him so as not to be missed.
Am looking forward to the next one.
November 14, 2025
twists and turns to keep the reader riveted
I really like the team of Strang and Murray. They work well together, even if Murray’s impetuousness gets her in to trouble with Strang regularly. I am looking forward to the next instalment.
I really like the team of Strang and Murray. They work well together, even if Murray’s impetuousness gets her in to trouble with Strang regularly. I am looking forward to the next instalment.
November 16, 2025
Very,very good!
I love these characters, the beautiful settings and how fully realistic every person involved is.
The only concern I have is that I'm going to run out of books to read & will really miss Livvy, DCI Strange & everyone in the world.
MORE please
I love these characters, the beautiful settings and how fully realistic every person involved is.
The only concern I have is that I'm going to run out of books to read & will really miss Livvy, DCI Strange & everyone in the world.
MORE please
November 23, 2025
Brilliant read
Brilliant read had me hooked from the start full of twists and turns that keep you guessing almost to the end love the relationships between the characters can't wait to get started on the next one
Brilliant read had me hooked from the start full of twists and turns that keep you guessing almost to the end love the relationships between the characters can't wait to get started on the next one
February 17, 2023
A good mystery by an author that I’ve not read. Good characters and plot, I’ll read more books by this author.
May 11, 2023
A good mystery with lots of local atmosphere.
January 14, 2025
Excellent story, began reading this just at the time the Lynxes had been illegally released in an area near to the wolves in the book - makes you wonder. Onto book 5 later today!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2025
A great story
Really enjoyed this book. A really interesting story full of differing turns. Not really a straight forward murder mystery. Really good read.
Really enjoyed this book. A really interesting story full of differing turns. Not really a straight forward murder mystery. Really good read.
dnf
October 27, 2025Dislike the character of DC Murray to continue with the book and the series, a pity.
November 8, 2025
Getting better
Story's are getting better all the time topping the last which was very good and leaving you waiting for the next
Story's are getting better all the time topping the last which was very good and leaving you waiting for the next
October 17, 2025
Excellent!
This series is so good. I hope the author has a lot more planned to come. DCI Strang is a great character. I hope Livvie learns her lesson, they really make a great team.
This series is so good. I hope the author has a lot more planned to come. DCI Strang is a great character. I hope Livvie learns her lesson, they really make a great team.
November 1, 2025
Another winner!
Kelso Strang has his most unusual case yet: determining if a woman’s fall off a cliff was accidental or murder. A wolf added to a tree rewinding program becomes the center of attention as he pursues the case, aided by an inexperienced DI and the DC he’s mentored, whose mind he appreciates but not her tendency to go off on her own tangent.
And then the dead woman’s niece goes missing…
Atmospheric and well-plotted, there are huge secrets to be unearthed.
Kelso Strang has his most unusual case yet: determining if a woman’s fall off a cliff was accidental or murder. A wolf added to a tree rewinding program becomes the center of attention as he pursues the case, aided by an inexperienced DI and the DC he’s mentored, whose mind he appreciates but not her tendency to go off on her own tangent.
And then the dead woman’s niece goes missing…
Atmospheric and well-plotted, there are huge secrets to be unearthed.
May 17, 2022
I struggled to engage with the characters in this book, and the plot seemed slow to unfold.
May 28, 2022
I'm in this obsession with "tartan noir" authors and while none of them have really fit the "noir" definition IMHO, they've all been really great, fun reads and this is no exception. This was recommended in my Scots magazine and didn't disappoint even though I'd never read the earlier books in the series. Great characters, cracking plot and just a fun read.
September 26, 2024
good thriller
This was a well paced thriller with lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed the relationships between various characters and would certainly read another of the Kelso books
This was a well paced thriller with lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed the relationships between various characters and would certainly read another of the Kelso books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews