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DCI Brendan Moran #9
Closer to the Dead
A new cold case for DCI Brendan Moran coincides with the unexpected reappearance of a dangerous adversary.As Moran grapples with an ever-changing work culture and begins to get to grips with the forty-year old murder of a young RAF aircraftswoman, an unexpected complication arises in his personal life that threatens to sabotage a promising relationship before it even begins. Could his new friend really be involved in the shady financial dealings of a cold case murder victim?With this uncertainty playing on his mind, Moran throws himself into the new investigation, but as he digs deeper it becomes clear that the original case was sloppily handled, the interviews poorly conducted and critical evidence overlooked. Under the watchful eye of a newly-appointed Crime Investigations Manager, the team begin the painstaking process of tracing the original persons of interest.Progress, however, is glacial, and so, when presented with incontrovertible proof that their progress is being monitored with alarming accuracy by someone who seems to always be one step ahead of the official investigation, Moran begins to wonder if he can make an arrest before the perpetrator falls into the hands of an antagonist with a very different idea of justice…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.’★★★★★ ‘Couldn’t put it down - a brilliant crime mystery from the master’
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2022
86 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Scott Hunter
23 books63 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 4, 2024
After what I thought was a somewhat disappointing eighth entry in the Brendan Moran series ("Cold Light of Death"), Hunter responded with a brilliant ninth entry. Unlike that last novel - which suffered from a hard-to-believe plot - this one's plot was as well-executed as it was intriguing. From the jacket description:
"A new cold case for DCI Brendan Moran coincides with the unexpected reappearance of a dangerous adversary.
As Moran grapples with an ever-changing work culture and begins to get to grips with the forty-year-old murder of a young RAF aircraft woman, an unexpected complication arises in his personal life that threatens to sabotage a promising relationship before it even begins. Could his new friend really be involved in the shady financial dealings of a cold case murder victim?
With this uncertainty playing on his mind, Moran throws himself into the new investigation, but as he digs deeper it becomes clear that the original case was sloppily handled, the interviews poorly conducted and critical evidence overlooked. Under the watchful eye of a newly-appointed Crime Investigations Manager, the team begin the painstaking process of tracing the original persons of interest.
Progress, however, is glacial. And, so, when presented with incontrovertible proof that their progress is being monitored with alarming accuracy by someone who seems to always be one step ahead of the official investigation, Moran begins to wonder if he can make an arrest before the perpetrator falls into the hands of an antagonist with a very different idea of justice…"
While this plot was complicated, Hunter did a masterful job of keeping it believable. And, as always, he enticingly set up the next novel in the series with a cliffhanger involving one of the characters. So, I look forward to reading the next novel. And I highly recommend the entire series to anyone who enjoys well-written thrillers.
"A new cold case for DCI Brendan Moran coincides with the unexpected reappearance of a dangerous adversary.
As Moran grapples with an ever-changing work culture and begins to get to grips with the forty-year-old murder of a young RAF aircraft woman, an unexpected complication arises in his personal life that threatens to sabotage a promising relationship before it even begins. Could his new friend really be involved in the shady financial dealings of a cold case murder victim?
With this uncertainty playing on his mind, Moran throws himself into the new investigation, but as he digs deeper it becomes clear that the original case was sloppily handled, the interviews poorly conducted and critical evidence overlooked. Under the watchful eye of a newly-appointed Crime Investigations Manager, the team begin the painstaking process of tracing the original persons of interest.
Progress, however, is glacial. And, so, when presented with incontrovertible proof that their progress is being monitored with alarming accuracy by someone who seems to always be one step ahead of the official investigation, Moran begins to wonder if he can make an arrest before the perpetrator falls into the hands of an antagonist with a very different idea of justice…"
While this plot was complicated, Hunter did a masterful job of keeping it believable. And, as always, he enticingly set up the next novel in the series with a cliffhanger involving one of the characters. So, I look forward to reading the next novel. And I highly recommend the entire series to anyone who enjoys well-written thrillers.
January 31, 2022
A super and gripping, edge of the seat read. Highly Recommended.
Love this fantastic and totally gripping latest
book in THE IRISH DETECTIVE SERIES.
The story begins as DCI Brendan Moran now heads up the Cold Case Team at Reading Police. He and his loyal new team are investigating a missing person case from some years ago. However, all is not as clear as it first appears and one thing leads to another when he they discover a link between the current investigation and a resurgence of crimes that point in the direction of an old adversary who had disappeared some years ago.
All is, again, not as it seems and the sudden twist in this story is totally unexpected.
A humdinger of a story that, despite having its roots in the past, now has very clear connections to the here and now.
Although this book can be read as a stand alone, I am sure you will want to read this whole and fabulous series right from the beginning of the Series of The Irish Detective - ‘Black December’ - book one.
Love this fantastic and totally gripping latest
book in THE IRISH DETECTIVE SERIES.
The story begins as DCI Brendan Moran now heads up the Cold Case Team at Reading Police. He and his loyal new team are investigating a missing person case from some years ago. However, all is not as clear as it first appears and one thing leads to another when he they discover a link between the current investigation and a resurgence of crimes that point in the direction of an old adversary who had disappeared some years ago.
All is, again, not as it seems and the sudden twist in this story is totally unexpected.
A humdinger of a story that, despite having its roots in the past, now has very clear connections to the here and now.
Although this book can be read as a stand alone, I am sure you will want to read this whole and fabulous series right from the beginning of the Series of The Irish Detective - ‘Black December’ - book one.
November 9, 2022
Book 9 - Closer to the Dead - A cold case from 1981 has DCI Moran and his team investigating the murder of a young woman working at the RAF base. She was going to babysit the Air Commander’s baby when she disappeared only to be found dead. Upon investigating in 2021 they found the original investigation sloppy with lots of unanswered questions. Of course, they dug in. While this was going on, a believed murderer from an earlier book reappeared. She was one step ahead of the team. How was she getting her information? This is another exciting and very intriguing book. Lots of plots so be awake when you read it. All of these 9 books are worth a 2nd read so the Omnibus sets are worth the money. I hope there is a #10.
March 20, 2022
Moran works on a cold case, a murder that happened 40 years previously. At the same time a cruel assassin, threatens several of Moran’s friends. It’s a very complicated and unusual story that keeps you riveted to the very end—and then you aren’t sure you know the truth—but there is non-stop action all the way.
July 9, 2022
Great story
This one had a lot of twists and unexpected turns. DCI Moran and co. get two psycho killers for the price of one investigation. The team has to pull together to sort out another cold case while their favorite nemesis goes on the hunt. Great characters and a fast pace make this a fun read.
This one had a lot of twists and unexpected turns. DCI Moran and co. get two psycho killers for the price of one investigation. The team has to pull together to sort out another cold case while their favorite nemesis goes on the hunt. Great characters and a fast pace make this a fun read.
April 11, 2022
Brendan Moran never disappoints
The plot kept me challenged throughout the book. It’s so easy to get lost in the action with this group of officers and criminals. I’ll miss you Irish Dective. Happy Retirement.
The plot kept me challenged throughout the book. It’s so easy to get lost in the action with this group of officers and criminals. I’ll miss you Irish Dective. Happy Retirement.
March 31, 2025
#9 finished #10 waiting
I can't say I've enjoyed a series more! This is well worth reading from start to finish. And I am looking forward to the final book in the series. Hopefully Moran retires.
I can't say I've enjoyed a series more! This is well worth reading from start to finish. And I am looking forward to the final book in the series. Hopefully Moran retires.
April 4, 2025
There are so many plot twists in this book, hard to put it down because you need to see how it all comes together. The characters are very complex and their relationships are solidifying and add to the drama in the book. This has been a great series, sorry to be one book from the end.
January 26, 2022
This book was absolutely amazing without spoiling it for anyone else. It starts of with DCI Brendan Moran investigating a murder 40 yeas ago. The murder of Laura Whitney in RAF Brockford in 1981.
March 17, 2022
Great!
Another great read from Scott Hunter. The DCI Brendan Moran series is my favorite. Can't wait for the next one!
Another great read from Scott Hunter. The DCI Brendan Moran series is my favorite. Can't wait for the next one!
July 30, 2024
Scott Hunter wrapped up a lingering mystery in this story, of did he? A lot more violence than some of the other books, but the ride is well worth it. I am truly looking forward to book #10.
January 31, 2022
DCI Moran and his crew take on a 40 year old cold case. A young female working at the local military base was brutally kidnapped and killed. As old files were reviewed and old interviews done again the case became entangled with an old nemesis. No spoilers here, but with an awesome cast of characters, non stop intrigue/mystery and a superbly written story line you won’t be able to put this book done !
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews