The Uniform

Detective Helen Carter #1

by Jodie Lawrance

It's not easy being a woman in the police force in the 1970s.

Introducing the first in a thrilling new Scottish crime series starring DS Helen Carter.

Sergeant Helen Carter is having trouble making her mark in the male-dominated Edinburgh CID, working under the difficult Inspector Jack Craven.

But then she’s landed with her first case: a murder in an old abandoned picture house. Whoever did it left a mysterious clock-like symbol on the wall . . . drawn in blood.

Stranger still, the killer has left a clue: the business card of an ex-cop.

Corpses keep turning up in the strangest of places. Can Helen prove herself and piece together the case before the body count rises?

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Scotland, Fiction, Procedural, Historical Fiction, Audiobook

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 22, 2021

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helen Carter was a sergeant when she transferred to CID in Edinburgh in the 70s, and although used to the treatment of the few women in the force, by the men, was over it. She thought the sex-discrimination act would have changed things – but no, it made no difference. A new case alongside Inspector Jack Craven saw Helen deep in a murder investigation which saw more deaths follow the first.

With each body having the card of an ex-cop with it, and Helen having trouble with Ted, her boyfriend and the drink which had taken him over when his father died, Helen found herself following clues without backup. What would happen to her when she got too close to the killer?

The Uniform is the 1st in the Detective Helen Carter series by Jodie Lawrence and is set in Edinburgh, Scotland in the 1970s. The main characters were easy to keep up with but there were many more, plus the Scottish language was broad and at times difficult to understand. (There is a glossary at the end but on the kindle, it’s not easy to access) Corruption was rife, alcohol a crutch (such an often used trope) and the male attitude eye-roll-able! I was looking forward to this one, but it didn’t work well for me.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up to3

DS Helen Carter #1

DS Helen Carter is having difficulty making her mark in the male-dominated Edinburgh CID, working under the difficult Inspector Jack Craven. But when she gets her first case: a murder in an old abandoned picture house. Whoever did it left a mysterious clock like symbol on the wall, drawn in blood. Stranger still, the killer has left a clue: the business card of an ex-cop. Corpses keep turning up in strange places.

Set in the 1970's, Edinburgh, Scotland: Helen Carter is the only woman in the CID. Her first case is to solve the murder of a body that was found in an old abandoned picture house. Then more bodies turn up in strange places. Helen has her work cut out to solve these murders and prove to her male dominated colleagues that she can do the job just as good as them.

Helen is engaged to Ted who I really didn't like and I didn't like her boss, Inspector Jack Craven either. There wasn't anything special about this book, it was just another run of the mill police procedural. There was a lot of scene setting that didn't seem relevant. I did like Helen and I will read the next book in the series. The ending was a bit of a let down and felt rushed.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #JodieLawrence for my ARC of #TheUniform in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This retro crime series, taking place in Edinburgh, features a new face, DS Helen Carter. It's the late 1970s and few women have been accepted into the male dominated CID. She's been accused of only being hired because she's a woman, because her father was who was a DI. Her supervisor, Jack Craven, rolls his eyes whenever she speaks, another calls her sweetheart instead of her name, yet another expects her to serve the tea and biscuits.

But Carter is a fighter. She has to work twice as hard as the men in order to prove herself ..and she's doing a bang-up job. Her personal life is a bit of a mess. Her fiancee recently lost his father and has turned to drink .... something that Carter can't abide. He doesn't like her job because it interferes with his plans with her. Red flag waving?

She's got her first case ... a murdered man is found in an abandoned movie theater. The killer has left clues .. one is a clock-like drawing on the wall, The other is the business card of an ex-cop, now working as a private investigator.

Unfortunately, that's not the only body that will be found .... all that connects them is the drawing and business card left at each crime scene.

Carter's going to have to dig deep to solve this case before anyone else dies ... and before she becomes the next target.

As this is a new author to me, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. What I found was a well-written story, a fully developed plot, twists and turns, and outstanding characters. There is plenty of action and it's fun to watch how police in the 70s solve crimes without use of cell phones, data bases, DNA testing ... instead, it takes sheer determination and a lot of door-knocking. I also liked how the professional blended so well with the personal lives. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead for DS Helen Carter.

Many thanks to the author / Joffe Books / Books n All Book Promotions / Netgalley for the digital copy of this British crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Uniform is the first instalment in the (Acting) Detective Sergeant Helen Carter series. Helen is currently working for the male-dominated Edinburgh CID, is the first female DS in her squad and with the year being 1977 unfortunately, sexism and misogyny are rife throughout the ranks. To make matters worse, her father, retired Detective Inspector Richard Carter, is less than happy about her following in his footsteps and her colleagues believe she only got the job due to her father’s status (classic nepotism). This means she must work twice as hard to prove she is worthy of her badge; luckily, she has thick skin. Helen and her DI Jack Craven are called in to investigate when a body is found in a four-storey abandoned and dilapidated art deco cinema. They find strange artwork on the wall resembling a clock drawn in what appears to be blood with its hands either indicating 7:25 or 4:35. The victim is sat tied to a chair in the front row and has a blunt force trauma injury to the back of his head and both of his arms are peppered with stab wounds. His face is also swollen and bruised, the side of his head has been caved in and there are ligature marks from a rope around his neck.

It is clear he has been tortured and killed, but with no ID, it'll take work to find out his identity. They find a business card at the scene belonging to private investigator and ex-policeman George Stanley and a small gold coloured watch had been rammed down his throat. Four days later, a scruffy, intoxicated vagrant is discovered face down in a puddle at the bottom of Arthur’s Seat in a possible case of accidental drowning. However, everything changes when the same business card and watch are also present thereby linking the victims. Can Helen help stop the murder spree before any more people get hurt? This is a compulsive and engrossing procedural where the lack of technology, forensics and DNA we have today meant much harder work for the police. There is a strong stench of toxic masculinity portraying the patriarchal culture of the time, but Helen can more than hold her own despite the constant digs and put-downs from male colleagues. It kept me guessing and held my attention from the very first page, and Lawrance spins some dizzying twists and red herrings. It moves at a decent pace and is told from multiple perspectives allowing you a wider view of proceedings. A riveting start to a new series. Highly recommended.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for an advance copy of The Uniform, the first novel to feature Acting DS Helen Carter, set in Edinburgh in 1977.

Helen has been recently promoted to detective and it’s not easy with the sexism and male culture, so she’s determined to make a success of her first murder enquiry, even if DI Craven doesn’t want her there. A body has been found tortured and murdered in a derelict cinema. The only clues are a watch stuffed in the victim’s mouth and the business card for a former police officer turned PI.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Uniform which is a good start to a new series. It has a multiple point of view narrative, not something I’m overly fond of, but in this case it works well, rounding out Helen’s narrative and giving the reader more information but still keeping the who and why a mystery. I liked guessing at this, but have to own up to failing miserably at getting anything right. It kept me glued to the pages, my curiosity overcoming my current poor attention span.

I think the novel is mostly well paced, although the ending feels a touch rushed and seems to just appear with no real lead-in. I like the gradual piecing together of clues and bits of information to build a credible whole. Of course, there was no DNA at the time and the forensics are rudimentary, so the case relies on witnesses, research and critical thinking. It is engaging for the reader.

I’m not quite sure about the period detail. Some of it is good, but it seems to be more early 70s than the era of punk. It’s a small niggle. I also think the author underplays the sexist culture of the era. Making the tea and being overlooked would have been the least of her problems.

The Uniform is a promising start to a new series, so I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edinburgh Scotland.
Book one in the Helen Carter series.
That takes us back to the 1970s when theres a few women officers and she finds it hard going working with detective Jack Craven. An excellent start to a new series and I sailed through the chapters as dead bodies keep turning up in unusual places and Helen is determined to track down the killer.
Her private life also with her partner Ted is very up and down who's very difficult doesn't help her tough day job. This book was excellent
the second time around from the forgotten but I still enjoyed even single page and the characters excellent giving the well deserved stars 🌟

[wendi wigham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting past returns

When Helen Carter decided to be a WPC in the Seventies, her father, already a policeman, wasn't impressed, he knew what she would go through as a female in a male dominated environment. Her degree would be wasted.
Helen got transferred to CID due to staff shortages, dealt with the misogynistic idiots and got the job done.
Men kept turning up dead, tortured and dumped like rubbish. There has to be a connection, and Helen is determined to find it. Little does she realise the danger and disallusion she is bringing to her door.
Very good read for first in a series.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A promising start from an exciting new author . Its a police procedural based in Scotland, set in the 1970's. Featuring newly promoted Detective Helen Carter, its well researched into attitudes towards women at that time. An addictive read, cleverly plotted. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for my digital copy.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick and enjoyable crime novel set in 1970s Edinburgh- it reminded me a bit of the Tv series Ashes to Ashes and Life on Mars both of which I loved.
Helen Carter is a police sergeant working for Detective Inspector Craven who is a bit of a dinosaur à la Gene Hunt from Life on Mars. Some of the other members of the squad appear to be quite misogynistic and she has to deal with a lot of personal comments and teasing because of her sex and the fact that her late father had been a Detective Inspector.
The team are asked to investigate a series of murders and the plot moves quite quickly implicating George Stanley, a former policeman who once worked for her father. Helen fears that her Dad may have been on the take like Stanley but she is determined to do her job and solve the case.
I liked Helen’s gritty character- she is not someone to give up easily and she certainly has to hold everything together to get through her work days when she feels that her colleagues are against her. Her inner strength shines through more and more as the novel progresses.
For me It was quite jarring to hear the language used when addressing women in the 1970s- pet, darling, sweetheart but unfortunately this is an accurate portrayal of the time and helped to create the period atmosphere! It definitely made me realise how much things have changed over the last 40 years.
The Scottish setting was well described and I was immediately transported back to Edinburgh in the 1970s.
I’m now looking forward to reading more about Helen, Di Jack Craven and DC Terry McKinley in the near future.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually like detective type novels but not so much this one. I thought it wandered around a bit and I couldn't get into the characters. They all seemed a bit wooden and I couldn't relate to them as people.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the synopsis for ‘The Uniform’ and I was immediately drawn in. It sounded right up my street as I love police procedural books that are set in the 1960s and 1970s. So I grabbed my book, grabbed a cup of tea and settled down for an interesting afternoon of reading. Oh boy, I absolutely loved reading ‘The Uniform’ but more about that in a bit.
The main character is Detective Sergeant Helen Carter and I warmed to her from the very start. In fact I began to feel as though she had become a friend of mine and I felt all protective towards her. She is trying to make her own way in a traditionally male dominated world, as the police service was in 1970s Britain. Helen tries not to let the mickey taking get to her and she rises above the inappropriate comments and actions by her colleagues. Helen knows that if she is to succeed, she needs to prove that she is just as good a detective as her colleagues. Helen puts a hell of a lot of effort into work and seems to work twice as hard as some of her colleagues.
To say that reading ‘The Uniform’ became addictive is a huge understatement. I would stupidly pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to fill in the odd half hour but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would still be sat there well over an hour and several chapters later. My book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I just couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. It didn’t take me long to get to race through the book. I found this to be a superb read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Uniform’ is superbly written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into what proves to be a compelling story. In Helen, Jodie has created one hell of a feisty character and it is extremely difficult to dislike her. I loved the era in which the story was set and some of Helen’s colleagues reminded me of a certain Gene Hunt from ‘Life On Mars’ fame. Reading this book felt like being on a very scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s thanks to Jodie’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Uniform’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Jodie’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very vivid 5* out of 5*.

[Alyson Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 1977 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Helen Carter has received promotion to Detective Sergeant. She likes to think she has got there on her own merits, rather than simply ticking a box for the top brass or due to the influence of her late father, a Detective Inspector. Her first case in CID is the torture and murder of a man found at a disused picture house. Tied to a chair with multiple stabs to his arms, the actual cause of death is a massive blow to his head. Two things stand out – a strange drawing on the wall made in blood and the business card of a police detective turned private investigator on the floor. The post mortem reveals something even more sinister and they still don’t have an identity for the victim yet. In those days forensics were much slower and it could take days for fingerprints to be matched up. They finally get an ID and also interview George Stanley, the PI who had met the victim and who seems to have problems of his own. Four days later a much loved sweet shop owner is found shot dead at his premises with marked similarities to their first victim, then the detectives are made aware of another murder, the very first death in this case. The various strands start to weave together and things begin to get very interesting indeed.
Together with a difficult supervisor in the form of DI Jack Craven and a boyfriend who has a drink problem while mourning the death of his father and who wants her to give up her job, life is not always easy for Helen but she’s a tough cookie and determined to succeed. Although it is a very male dominated environment, Helen does not seem to be unfairly treated by all her colleagues. She gets to go out on enquiries with the DI and her opinion is taken seriously. She certainly has a much better time than we hear a lot of women police officers receiving in the 70s. It made a refreshing change to read a story where there is much less reliance on technology and fast forensics, and more on good old-fashioned coppering, although maybe a little less “pc” tactics and methods of extracting evidence being used at times!! There are also lots of authentic references to the era – who from that time doesn’t remember the Bay City Rollers or “Clunk Click Every Trip”?!! Well written with an engrossing storyline and great characters, this is a very promising start to what I hope will become a very successful series. 4*

[Lauraloves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set in Scotland in the 1970s about a female detective called Helen Carter. I absolutely love crime and detective thrillers and this book was brilliant. It’s different to ones that I’ve read before because it’s set in the 1970s. This was brilliant because it clearly showed how times have changed - no technology, no internet and how much harder it would have been to be a detective back then. It was also very interesting seeing the everyday sexism that women faced back then - it was open with even the top bosses doing it. This book was written very well I really enjoyed the Scottish dialect in it, the plot was very good and I really enjoyed how it all came together in the end. I hope this series continues because I really enjoyed it

[Joyce · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dreadful. Badly written, poorly edited. So many repetitious phrases that grated on me. Three different characters “wrenched up the handbrake”. “The main courses arrived.” Next page, “the main courses arrived.”. Too many characters with too little depth.

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️
The Uniform follows sole female CID police officer Helen in 1970s Edinburgh. Lots of swearing and sexist behaviour and dialogue that you would expect from a book set in that period. The diagnose was written phonetically for the regional accent, which was a nice touch but took some getting used to. Lots of characters to keep track of, which at times was difficult. The ending was quick and the book left on a mini cliffhanger as a hook to draw readers into book 2. Unfortunately, I don’t think this series is for me.

[Cindy B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-1/2 stars A well-plotted story with shorter twists than most, that add to the texture of the tale. A fine narration. A little tired of the plot line of the women giving up everything for a uniform (of any kind), but this plays well and keeps interest. What kind of person wants to LIVE for the job, any job? Too sad for me.

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 1 in the DS Helen Carter series . A good start to the series. A police procedural based in the 1970’s shows a huge difference to the force today. Looking forward to seeing how the main character develops.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story

Enjoyed the story being set a few decades ago. I felt the use of Scottish words felt forced and did not read as natural so did not add anything.

[Donna Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is set in the late 1970s. It has a strong female protagonist. Women in the CID department were treated poorly. In the end, DS Helen Carter proves her worth and department opinions charge. The audio book was read by Angela Ness, who did a great job separating the various characters. This is a very good start to the series. I’ll be going on to book two.

[mrs marian caldwell · Rating 1 out of 5]

extremely Disappointing

The reason I purchased this book was based on reviews and the fact that it was based in Edinburgh in the 60’s, where I was born and grew up.
To say I was disappointed is an understatement, the language used was not consistent, almost as if a Scottish pronounciation was thrown in to make it more believable.
The story line was awful, the characters all unlikable, unfortunately I have nothing positive to say about this book.
First time reading this author and don’t think I will read any more of her books.
Sorry.

[loopyloulaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

1970s Edinburgh. Sergeant Helen Carter is seconded to a murder case. But as the victims start to pile up, an ex cop seems to be prime suspect and he used to work with her dad...
The Uniform is a police procedural and crime thriller novel set in the 1970s. Think Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes.
I really liked Helen's character. She is discriminated against in the police due to being a woman but also accused of nepotism as the daughter of a former police officer. She is also not respected by her boyfriend Ted who wants her to settle down and get a 'nice job'. I think he feels intimidated and that it threatens his masculinity to have Helen in the police, although I also think he genuinely loves her.
Helen has to work harder than her male colleagues to get the same recognition. She has defied convention and her family's wishes to join the police. She has held her father is great esteem but this case threatens her idealised view due to his connection with the prime suspect.
The other police characters are stereotyped but fab. Again, think Gene Hunt. Gruff but with a softer side. I think there is more to Jim Craven than we've see in this book and look forward to seeing how their professional relationship develops in future books.
Author Jodie Lawrance uses dialogue to get across the Edinburgh accents and I think this felt very authentic. The setting is well described and the Scottish landscape is a great backdrop to the plot.
The Uniform is a very enjoyable start to a new series and I look forward to seeing what happens for DS Carter next.

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the obligatories.

After a suspicious shaky start, this ended up being a tense and enjoyable read, one that I'd like to continue. Set in Edinburgh in 1977, a female sergeant investigates some odd serial murders and deals with toxic masculinity of a like I've rarely seen portrayed so banally. I'm no spring chicken, I've heard the same directed at myself and my peers, but it got so old so quickly in this book. I'm sure it was deliberate because as the story picks up pace, so does the respect Carter's male peers have for her. Because she's really smart and cool and she sees patterns where no one else does. Mind you, I don't know how small Edinburgh is at all, but if it's anything like Melbourne I will believe the coincidence that the plot hinges on. The world is a small place.

This is half written in (tamed down for its audience) Scots vernacular, half middle class diction. I usually dislike books written in vernacular, I'm an audio transcriber, I can write accents, but this somehow worked with the written English - I thought the dialogue was a bit stilted at first, but it can be put down to the characters themselves not being comfortable with each other. Really clever.

When's the next one?

#netgalley

[Yen Rickeard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jodie Lawrence makes a fine start to this series with The Uniform. Although a little heavy on the misogyny, my recollection of the 70s is that this was pretty much the norm back then, though Helen is more feisty than most of us were. She is obviously the brightest of the bunch in the office though, and on the streets, so with her attitude she should go far, unless she gets put in her place too firmly. On the other hand, some of the detectives around her are savvy enough to want her around so they can take the credit for her insights.
The plot is credible enough, and Helen's discoveries and thinking are good.
I'm guessing this is an early work by Jodie, as in her quest for a fast moving narrative moving to a strong climax, she has glossed over a few inconvenient difficulties in the last scenes. We can almost set them aside as time lapses in the midst of panic, but not quite.
However as a first foray this is a very good effort, and the back story and characters of the leading players are interesting enough for me to be eager to know what happens in the next book. Jodie Lawrance has the potential to be a rising star in this genre.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new series set in the late 1970`s takes place in Edinburgh where Helen Carter has just made promotion to Detective Sergeant.
This is her first case with C.I.D. and its one of murder.
A mans body has been found tied to a chair, he has been stabbed multiple times in the arms, though cause of death is found to be from a massive blow to his head.
At the crime scene they discover a strange clock like drawing made in blood on the wall and a business card of an ex police detective now turned private investigator on the floor.
As the investigation gets underway more bodies are found, there`s an obvious connection, the same business card turns up at each crime scene.
Helen is determined to focus on the case and prove to her DI Jack Craven that yes, she may be female but she is also worthy of her place in his team.
This one held my attention throughout, a plot with enough twists to keep me guessing and likeable characters I want to know more about.
Hopefully we wont have to long to wait for book 2 in the series.
Thanks to Joffe books for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read set in the 70s where Helen is a newly promoted hire into Edinburgh CID. It's an eye-opener regarding how things were like back then, in particular for a woman with the misogynistic attitudes in the workplace. Helen is accused of being there for various reasons and dismissed very easily and the target of unfunny pranks. I'm so glad I wasn't in the workplace in that era. It is also great to see how things were like back then without database access or the advances in forensics and see the amount of painstaking legwork involved in any investigation.

The story was well-written. I mainly liked the character of Helen and also liked how her colleagues were portrayed and an annoying and controlling boyfriend who wants her to change her profession. I enjoyed how the investigation progressed in finding the motive for several murders and eventually the killer. Despite the era and the dismal depiction of the city, I look forward to seeing how Helen gets on in future cases.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have long enjoyed reading mysteries set in Scotland so was very interested when this title came to my attention. Fans of police procedurals may also want to read this one.

The story is set in 1970s Edinburgh where Helen Carter is a women on the police force. Of course, given the time and culture, she is not always treated with respect. Nonetheless, Helen is assigned to a murder that took place in an old theater. There is an interesting calling card next to the victim. What will happen in solving the case? For one thing, more than one murder takes place as readers follow the investigation.

This is the first in a series. Keep an eye out for the following ones. Right now this book is just ninety-nine cents on Amazon so definitely worth a try.

This title can be contrasted with Val McDermid’s 1979. Both feature women in what was then called a “man’s world,” both are set in Scotland and both involve crimes.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Mrs J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing mystery

As an introduction to the Helen Carter series, it’s interesting and slightly frustrating as, set in the age of women police officers not being taken seriously, it is not all about the murders. Helen has a backstory, following in her father’s footsteps, and has to deal with accusations of nepotism as well as rumours of his corruption.
Murders, torture and a private investigator become entwined in the mystery. There are a few twists and various relationships along the way.
I didn’t feel Helen had the strongest voice in this novel - maybe as a young female officer trying to fit in , with a dubious boyfriend, the character wasn’t sure who she was and that came across. The main male characters didn’t have that issue and were stronger and clearer. I did feel the crime was solved in the periphery as suddenly we were sorted and some of the relationships seemed to have been resolved off the page, all ready for the next in the series.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

U is for "The Uniform" in my 2023 project of reading my way through the alphabet.

I enjoyed this mystery set in 1977 Edinburgh, with a female detective in a sexist environment. I am planning to read book 2 soon.

The book ends with a "Glossary of English Usage for U.S. Readers." The glossary isn't especially useful:

- It includes many words not used in this book, for example "mobile phone" (cell phone) which is completely irrelevant for a story set in 1977.

- It is missing words that WERE used in this book, like "hen" (according to the Oxford dictionary, "used as an affectionate term of address to a girl or woman" in Scotland) and "rag- and bone man" (collects rag cloth for shoddy and bones for glue and various other junk. The profession was declining but still existed in the 70s).

- It includes words that U.S. readers already know, like "Jane/John Doe," and even the name of a famous American oil rig firefighter for some unknown reason ("Red Adair").

[Hannelore Cheney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the eARC.
The premise of this book is 1970's Edinburgh and a young female (Detective Sergeant Helen Carter) as the only woman in the police team. Being a female officer in those days meant misogyny as a daily scourge,
I was really looking forward to the read since I love Edinburgh and the 1970's, but found it slightly confusing at times and was disappointed in the ending, as the' heroine caught by the killer(s) and rescued in the nick of time' is so predictable. Plus, her fiance is detestable, how can she stand him? Craven, who she works with closely, misogynist and curt, was my favorite character, he has promise.
Helen is likeable, I'm hoping she'll grow more on me in the next in the series.
All in all it was a decent book with a good mystery in a lovely setting with lots of Scottish dialect (my favorite!).

[Pascale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader's copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I honestly don't have much bad to say about this, honestly my biggest issue was keeping track of some of the secondary characters, but that might just be because I always have more than one book on the go.

Edinburgh in the 70s, perfect setting, dark, dirty, dingy, smoky and drenched in booze, just the right tone for the first in mystery series. Helen is a lovely character, works much better for me than Jane Tennyson, in and about the same era down south. She's smart, intuitive and doesn't act entitled.

This is a pretty quick read, it wraps up nicely, but I'd like to see Lawrence do more character building of Helen but also of DI Craven, and the rest of the crew at the nick. I'll definitely be following up with volume 2 of this series.