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Logan McRae #4
Flesh House
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here
The 4th thriller in the Number One bestselling crime series from the award-winning Stuart MacBride. Panic grips The Granite City as DS Logan McRae heads up a manhunt for ‘The Flesher’ – one of the UK’s most notorious serial killers.
The case was closed. Until the killer walked free…
When an offshore container turns up at Aberdeen Harbour full of human meat, it kicks off the largest manhunt in the Granite City’s history.
Twenty years ago ‘The Flesher’ was butchering people all over the UK – turning victims into oven-ready joints – until Grampian’s finest put him away. But eleven years later he was out on appeal. Now he’s missing and people are dying again.
When members of the original investigation start to disappear, Detective Sergeant Logan McRae realizes the case might not be as clear cut as everyone thinks…
Twenty years of secrets and lies are being dragged into the light. And the only thing that’s certain is Aberdeen will never be the same again.
The 4th thriller in the Number One bestselling crime series from the award-winning Stuart MacBride. Panic grips The Granite City as DS Logan McRae heads up a manhunt for ‘The Flesher’ – one of the UK’s most notorious serial killers.
The case was closed. Until the killer walked free…
When an offshore container turns up at Aberdeen Harbour full of human meat, it kicks off the largest manhunt in the Granite City’s history.
Twenty years ago ‘The Flesher’ was butchering people all over the UK – turning victims into oven-ready joints – until Grampian’s finest put him away. But eleven years later he was out on appeal. Now he’s missing and people are dying again.
When members of the original investigation start to disappear, Detective Sergeant Logan McRae realizes the case might not be as clear cut as everyone thinks…
Twenty years of secrets and lies are being dragged into the light. And the only thing that’s certain is Aberdeen will never be the same again.
484 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
570 people are currently reading
2659 people want to read
About the author
Stuart MacBride
87 books2,719 followersAka Stuart B. MacBride
The life and times of a bearded write-ist.
Stuart MacBride (that's me) was born in Dumbarton -- which is Glasgow as far as I'm concerned -- moving up to Aberdeen at the tender age of two, when fashions were questionable. Nothing much happened for years and years and years: learned to play the recorder, then forgot how when they changed from little coloured dots to proper musical notes (why the hell couldn't they have taught us the notes in the first bloody place? I could have been performing my earth-shattering rendition of 'Three Blind Mice' at the Albert Hall by now!); appeared in some bizarre World War Two musical production; did my best to avoid eating haggis and generally ran about the place a lot.
Next up was an elongated spell in Westhill -- a small suburb seven miles west of Aberdeen -- where I embarked upon a mediocre academic career, hindered by a complete inability to spell and an attention span the length of a gnat's doodad.
And so to UNIVERSITY, far too young, naive and stupid to be away from the family home, sharing a subterranean flat in one of the seedier bits of Edinburgh with a mad Irishman, and four other bizarre individuals. The highlight of walking to the art school in the mornings (yes: we were students, but we still did mornings) was trying not to tread in the fresh bloodstains outside our front door, and dodging the undercover CID officers trying to buy drugs. Lovely place.
But university and I did not see eye to eye, so off I went to work offshore. Like many all-male environments, working offshore was the intellectual equivalent of Animal House, only without the clever bits. Swearing, smoking, eating, more swearing, pornography, swearing, drinking endless plastic cups of tea... and did I mention the swearing? But it was more money than I'd seen in my life! There's something about being handed a wadge of cash as you clamber off the minibus from the heliport, having spent the last two weeks offshore and the last two hours in an orange, rubber romper suit / body bag, then blowing most of it in the pubs and clubs of Aberdeen. And being young enough to get away without a hangover.
Then came a spell of working for myself as a graphic designer, which went the way of all flesh and into the heady world of studio management for a nation-wide marketing company. Then some more freelance design work, a handful of voiceovers for local radio and video production companies and a bash at being an actor (with a small 'a'), giving it up when it became clear there was no way I was ever going to be good enough to earn a decent living.
It was about this time I fell into bad company -- a blonde from Fife who conned me into marrying her -- and started producing websites for a friend's fledgling Internet company. From there it was a roller coaster ride (in that it made a lot of people feel decidedly unwell) from web designer to web manager, lead programmer, team lead and other assorted technical bollocks with three different companies, eventually ending up as a project manager for a global IT company.
But there was always the writing (well, that's not true, the writing only started two chapters above this one). I fell victim to that most dreadful of things: peer pressure. Two friends were writing novels and I thought, 'why not? I could do that'.
Took a few years though...
The life and times of a bearded write-ist.
Stuart MacBride (that's me) was born in Dumbarton -- which is Glasgow as far as I'm concerned -- moving up to Aberdeen at the tender age of two, when fashions were questionable. Nothing much happened for years and years and years: learned to play the recorder, then forgot how when they changed from little coloured dots to proper musical notes (why the hell couldn't they have taught us the notes in the first bloody place? I could have been performing my earth-shattering rendition of 'Three Blind Mice' at the Albert Hall by now!); appeared in some bizarre World War Two musical production; did my best to avoid eating haggis and generally ran about the place a lot.
Next up was an elongated spell in Westhill -- a small suburb seven miles west of Aberdeen -- where I embarked upon a mediocre academic career, hindered by a complete inability to spell and an attention span the length of a gnat's doodad.
And so to UNIVERSITY, far too young, naive and stupid to be away from the family home, sharing a subterranean flat in one of the seedier bits of Edinburgh with a mad Irishman, and four other bizarre individuals. The highlight of walking to the art school in the mornings (yes: we were students, but we still did mornings) was trying not to tread in the fresh bloodstains outside our front door, and dodging the undercover CID officers trying to buy drugs. Lovely place.
But university and I did not see eye to eye, so off I went to work offshore. Like many all-male environments, working offshore was the intellectual equivalent of Animal House, only without the clever bits. Swearing, smoking, eating, more swearing, pornography, swearing, drinking endless plastic cups of tea... and did I mention the swearing? But it was more money than I'd seen in my life! There's something about being handed a wadge of cash as you clamber off the minibus from the heliport, having spent the last two weeks offshore and the last two hours in an orange, rubber romper suit / body bag, then blowing most of it in the pubs and clubs of Aberdeen. And being young enough to get away without a hangover.
Then came a spell of working for myself as a graphic designer, which went the way of all flesh and into the heady world of studio management for a nation-wide marketing company. Then some more freelance design work, a handful of voiceovers for local radio and video production companies and a bash at being an actor (with a small 'a'), giving it up when it became clear there was no way I was ever going to be good enough to earn a decent living.
It was about this time I fell into bad company -- a blonde from Fife who conned me into marrying her -- and started producing websites for a friend's fledgling Internet company. From there it was a roller coaster ride (in that it made a lot of people feel decidedly unwell) from web designer to web manager, lead programmer, team lead and other assorted technical bollocks with three different companies, eventually ending up as a project manager for a global IT company.
But there was always the writing (well, that's not true, the writing only started two chapters above this one). I fell victim to that most dreadful of things: peer pressure. Two friends were writing novels and I thought, 'why not? I could do that'.
Took a few years though...
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January 19, 2021
EXCERPT: 'I've been waiting for you for fifteen minutes!' Dr Isobel MacAlister, Aberdeen's chief pathologist, wearing an expression that would freeze the balls off a brass gorilla at twenty paces. 'You might not have anything better to do, but I can assure you that I have. Now are you going to listen to my preliminary findings, or shall I just go home and leave you to whatever it is you feel is more important?'
Logan groaned. That was all they needed, Isobel winding Insch up even further. As if the grumpy fat sod wasn't bad enough already. The inspector turned on her, his face flashing angry scarlet in the IB spotlights. 'Thank you so much for waiting for me, Doctor. I'm sorry if my organising a murder enquiry has inconvenienced you. I'll try not to let something so trivial get in the way again.'
They stared at each other in silence for a moment. Then Isobel pulled on a cold, unfriendly smile. 'Remains are human: male. Dismemberment looks as if it occurred some time after death with a long, sharp blade and a hacksaw, but I won't be able to confirm that until after I've performed the post mortem.' She checked her watch. 'Which will take place at eleven am precisely.'
Insch bristled. 'Oh no it won't! I need those remains analysed now -'
'They're frozen, Inspector. They - need - to - defrost.' Emphasising each word as if she was talking to a naughty child, rather than a huge, bad tempered detective inspector. 'If you want, I suppose I could stick them in the canteen microwave for half an hour. But that might not be very professional. What do you think?'
Insch just ground his teeth at her. Face rapidly shifting from angry-red to furious-purple.
ABOUT 'FLESH HOUSE' (Logan McRae #4): Panic grips The Granite City as DS Logan McRae heads up a manhunt for 'The Flesher' - one of the UK's most notorious serial killers. The case was closed. Until the killer walked free When an offshore container turns up at Aberdeen Harbour full of human meat, it kicks off the largest manhunt in the Granite City's history. Twenty years ago 'The Flesher' was butchering people all over the UK - turning victims into oven-ready joints - until Grampian's finest put him away. But eleven years later he was out on appeal. Now he's missing and people are dying again.When members of the original investigation start to disappear, Detective Sergeant Logan McRae realizes the case might not be as clear cut as everyone thinks Twenty years of secrets and lies are being dragged into the light. And the only thing that's certain is Aberdeen will never be the same again
MY THOUGHTS: I took every possible opportunity to listen to Flesh House, but I have to admit to not eating much meat while I was doing so! If you don't have a strong stomach and a love of gore, I strongly suggest that you bypass this. But me? I loved every minute of it.
I don't know why, but everyone seems to pick on Logan; he's everyone's whipping boy. He is treated abominably by all his superiors and his ex-girlfriend. And yet he has good ideas, sees possibilities that no one else recognizes.
Flesh House is grim, but has flashes of (dark) humor in unexpected places. It is needed. Be prepared for the eating of human flesh, torture, imprisonment and graphic descriptions of the killing of people.
I had the identity of the killer worked out a little ahead of the police, which pleased (and surprised) me no end. The ending was completely unexpected, and I laughed, which was probably highly inappropriate, but I did.
Definitely the pinnacle of this series thus far. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THE AUTHOR: Stuart MacBride is a Scottish writer, most famous for his crime thrillers set in the "Granite City" of Aberdeen and featuring Detective Sergeant Logan McRae.
DISCLOSURE: I listened to the audiobook of Flesh House written by Stuart MacBride, brilliantly narrated by Steve Worsley and published by Harper Collins Audio, via Overdrive. 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 and others are also published on Twitter, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Logan groaned. That was all they needed, Isobel winding Insch up even further. As if the grumpy fat sod wasn't bad enough already. The inspector turned on her, his face flashing angry scarlet in the IB spotlights. 'Thank you so much for waiting for me, Doctor. I'm sorry if my organising a murder enquiry has inconvenienced you. I'll try not to let something so trivial get in the way again.'
They stared at each other in silence for a moment. Then Isobel pulled on a cold, unfriendly smile. 'Remains are human: male. Dismemberment looks as if it occurred some time after death with a long, sharp blade and a hacksaw, but I won't be able to confirm that until after I've performed the post mortem.' She checked her watch. 'Which will take place at eleven am precisely.'
Insch bristled. 'Oh no it won't! I need those remains analysed now -'
'They're frozen, Inspector. They - need - to - defrost.' Emphasising each word as if she was talking to a naughty child, rather than a huge, bad tempered detective inspector. 'If you want, I suppose I could stick them in the canteen microwave for half an hour. But that might not be very professional. What do you think?'
Insch just ground his teeth at her. Face rapidly shifting from angry-red to furious-purple.
ABOUT 'FLESH HOUSE' (Logan McRae #4): Panic grips The Granite City as DS Logan McRae heads up a manhunt for 'The Flesher' - one of the UK's most notorious serial killers. The case was closed. Until the killer walked free When an offshore container turns up at Aberdeen Harbour full of human meat, it kicks off the largest manhunt in the Granite City's history. Twenty years ago 'The Flesher' was butchering people all over the UK - turning victims into oven-ready joints - until Grampian's finest put him away. But eleven years later he was out on appeal. Now he's missing and people are dying again.When members of the original investigation start to disappear, Detective Sergeant Logan McRae realizes the case might not be as clear cut as everyone thinks Twenty years of secrets and lies are being dragged into the light. And the only thing that's certain is Aberdeen will never be the same again
MY THOUGHTS: I took every possible opportunity to listen to Flesh House, but I have to admit to not eating much meat while I was doing so! If you don't have a strong stomach and a love of gore, I strongly suggest that you bypass this. But me? I loved every minute of it.
I don't know why, but everyone seems to pick on Logan; he's everyone's whipping boy. He is treated abominably by all his superiors and his ex-girlfriend. And yet he has good ideas, sees possibilities that no one else recognizes.
Flesh House is grim, but has flashes of (dark) humor in unexpected places. It is needed. Be prepared for the eating of human flesh, torture, imprisonment and graphic descriptions of the killing of people.
I had the identity of the killer worked out a little ahead of the police, which pleased (and surprised) me no end. The ending was completely unexpected, and I laughed, which was probably highly inappropriate, but I did.
Definitely the pinnacle of this series thus far. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THE AUTHOR: Stuart MacBride is a Scottish writer, most famous for his crime thrillers set in the "Granite City" of Aberdeen and featuring Detective Sergeant Logan McRae.
DISCLOSURE: I listened to the audiobook of Flesh House written by Stuart MacBride, brilliantly narrated by Steve Worsley and published by Harper Collins Audio, via Overdrive. 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 and others are also published on Twitter, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
October 17, 2016
Stuart MacBride teeters on the edge of being totally gross with this one! I have seen several reviews where the writers advise not to eat whilst reading this book. I totally agree!
Nevertheless it is an excellent book, so grim and dark and yet frequently laugh out loud funny. The police procedural aspects are very well done and I really enjoyed working out the killer's identity at the same time as the police did using the same clues. There was still a degree of surprise at the end but it was not totally out of left field as sometimes happens.
Best of all was the character development. Over four books all the main characters have grown on me in particular of course Logan McCrae. It is so nice to see him getting a bit tougher and standing up for himself (to a degree anyway).
I am now really looking forward to #5:)
Nevertheless it is an excellent book, so grim and dark and yet frequently laugh out loud funny. The police procedural aspects are very well done and I really enjoyed working out the killer's identity at the same time as the police did using the same clues. There was still a degree of surprise at the end but it was not totally out of left field as sometimes happens.
Best of all was the character development. Over four books all the main characters have grown on me in particular of course Logan McCrae. It is so nice to see him getting a bit tougher and standing up for himself (to a degree anyway).
I am now really looking forward to #5:)
August 19, 2020
Well, that was a particularly gruesome read and definitely not for the faint hearted!! Be warned this may put you off eating meat for a while.
Twenty years ago, 'The Flesher' was the nickname given to an Aberdeen serial killer who butchered and ate his victims. A suspect was charged and convicted, but later released on appeal, despite the police believing they had caught the right man. Now the Flesher is back! People have been disappearing and victims are being hacked into choice cuts after death. Yes, this is dark and macabre but somehow didn't totally gross me out. Maybe because the writing is so good, the plot so well thought out and the characters all so well drawn or maybe it's because there is a good dose of humour and laugh out loud moments throughout to defuse the ickyness of the subject matter.
DS Logan McRae is assigned to the case with first DI Insch as his boss and then DI Steel. Overweight and grumpy Insch is just as given to fits of anger as ever. His fights with DI Steel are legendary and his team take bets on when he's going to hit someone, provided he doesn't blow a fuse first. DI Steel provides lighter moments with comments on her malfunctioning underwear, her relationship with her clucky girlfriend and her ability to relegate all work down the line. As before, Logan is the one who makes connections and looks outside the box, as any good detective should, and provides many of the breakthroughs in the case. Adding lightness and humour to the plot is Alec, a BBC reporter attempting to follow the police around with his camera for a documentary on real policing. There are some sad moments too when McBride is not afraid to sacrifice one of his characters for the sake of a good plot. This is proving to be an excellent, if somewhat gritty, series and I can't wait to read the next book.
Twenty years ago, 'The Flesher' was the nickname given to an Aberdeen serial killer who butchered and ate his victims. A suspect was charged and convicted, but later released on appeal, despite the police believing they had caught the right man. Now the Flesher is back! People have been disappearing and victims are being hacked into choice cuts after death. Yes, this is dark and macabre but somehow didn't totally gross me out. Maybe because the writing is so good, the plot so well thought out and the characters all so well drawn or maybe it's because there is a good dose of humour and laugh out loud moments throughout to defuse the ickyness of the subject matter.
DS Logan McRae is assigned to the case with first DI Insch as his boss and then DI Steel. Overweight and grumpy Insch is just as given to fits of anger as ever. His fights with DI Steel are legendary and his team take bets on when he's going to hit someone, provided he doesn't blow a fuse first. DI Steel provides lighter moments with comments on her malfunctioning underwear, her relationship with her clucky girlfriend and her ability to relegate all work down the line. As before, Logan is the one who makes connections and looks outside the box, as any good detective should, and provides many of the breakthroughs in the case. Adding lightness and humour to the plot is Alec, a BBC reporter attempting to follow the police around with his camera for a documentary on real policing. There are some sad moments too when McBride is not afraid to sacrifice one of his characters for the sake of a good plot. This is proving to be an excellent, if somewhat gritty, series and I can't wait to read the next book.
January 24, 2016
"DI Steel yawned, stretched, then said, 'What's green and smells of pork?'
Logan didn't look up from the copy of yesterday's Evening Express he'd found on the back seat. 'No idea'.
She grinned at him. 'Kermit's willy!' Pause for laughter. Nothing. 'Miserable sods.'"
Logan and crew are back in Flesh House, the fourth installment of the Logan McRae series. This one was a lot darker and gorier than previous books (seriously, don’t eat while reading this), but it also contained a nice dose of humor, suspense, and moments that actually made me teary-eyed. The crime solving was also great, with the case keeping me guessing right until the end.
This installment was a little different than previous books in that Logan was entirely focused on solving solely one case. Another difference is that for the first time in this series Logan didn’t miss some obvious clues, which he sometimes tends to do.
Stuart MacBride really knocks it out of the park with Flesh House. It is now my official favorite of the series so far. Can't recommend it enough.
Final rating: 5 stars
Logan didn't look up from the copy of yesterday's Evening Express he'd found on the back seat. 'No idea'.
She grinned at him. 'Kermit's willy!' Pause for laughter. Nothing. 'Miserable sods.'"
Logan and crew are back in Flesh House, the fourth installment of the Logan McRae series. This one was a lot darker and gorier than previous books (seriously, don’t eat while reading this), but it also contained a nice dose of humor, suspense, and moments that actually made me teary-eyed. The crime solving was also great, with the case keeping me guessing right until the end.
This installment was a little different than previous books in that Logan was entirely focused on solving solely one case. Another difference is that for the first time in this series Logan didn’t miss some obvious clues, which he sometimes tends to do.
Stuart MacBride really knocks it out of the park with Flesh House. It is now my official favorite of the series so far. Can't recommend it enough.
Final rating: 5 stars
September 16, 2022
Σίγουρα όχι κατάλληλο για όσους δεν αντέχουν τη βία, σίγουρα πολλοί θα φάμε κρέας μετά από πολύ πολύ καιρό. Μην ξεγελιέστε από το άφθονο μαύρο χιούμορ που διαπνέει όλο το βιβλίο-είναι εξαιρετικά άγριο ακόμα και για τους πιο σκληρούς αναγνώστες.
5/5⭐
5/5⭐
August 23, 2024
DS Logan McRae returns for a 4th outing in this grisly thriller that just about ensures meat is off the menu for the foreseeable future. Aberdeen, Scotland is being terrorised by a serial killer who is a whizz with the knife and has a tendency to butcher his victims…literally.
The case begins strangely right out of the gate. Meat used to supply an oil rig was found not to be pork but was, in fact, human. Tracing it back to a specific butcher, it’s discovered that there’s actually quite a bit of human meat being sold as pork or beef. The city of Aberdeen is in uproar and virtually no-one wants to eat locally sourced meat products.
The finger of blame points directly at a serial killer known as The Flesher. Twenty years earlier he had been charged, tried and convicted for murdering women by butchering and eating them. It was a conviction that was overturned on appeal and the man had walked free. DI David Insch was one of the detectives involved in that case and he’s still adamant the man was guilty and had gotten away with it.
The Flesher has returned, people are being attacked in their own homes and the human meat is starting to show up around the city of Aberdeen.
DS Logan McRae is assigned to the case under the watchful, and very pissed off eye of DI David Insch. Insch is on a diet and he’s not handling it particularly well. Also, given that he’s now convinced the man he arrested all those years ago is back and up to his old tricks, he’ll move heaven and earth to get him again.
Providing many of the more humorous moments is DI Steel. As has become expected, she operates on another level to the rest of the police force and it’s not necessarily the right level. She plays her usual tug-of-war with Logan, dragging him onto her own investigations and generally taking the credit for any of his good work.
This is a confronting thriller in many ways. The murders come frequently and, at times, are graphically described. But it is also nicely structured so that the tension builds at a steady rate. Possible suspects are hinted at allowing you to make your own judgements and the twists come from nowhere to turn you on your head.
Stuart MacBride has created another solid addition to the DS Logan McRae series and Aberdeen has never been a more dark, dreary and dangerous setting. I was rapt through the entire ordeal.
Readers with a low tolerance to blood and guts, gore, vomit, cannibalism, trawling septic tanks and the like will want to steer clear of Flesh House. It’s graphic and some might find it confronting. I’ve got to say, though, I really enjoyed it - as I have with the other books in the series to date.
The case begins strangely right out of the gate. Meat used to supply an oil rig was found not to be pork but was, in fact, human. Tracing it back to a specific butcher, it’s discovered that there’s actually quite a bit of human meat being sold as pork or beef. The city of Aberdeen is in uproar and virtually no-one wants to eat locally sourced meat products.
The finger of blame points directly at a serial killer known as The Flesher. Twenty years earlier he had been charged, tried and convicted for murdering women by butchering and eating them. It was a conviction that was overturned on appeal and the man had walked free. DI David Insch was one of the detectives involved in that case and he’s still adamant the man was guilty and had gotten away with it.
The Flesher has returned, people are being attacked in their own homes and the human meat is starting to show up around the city of Aberdeen.
DS Logan McRae is assigned to the case under the watchful, and very pissed off eye of DI David Insch. Insch is on a diet and he’s not handling it particularly well. Also, given that he’s now convinced the man he arrested all those years ago is back and up to his old tricks, he’ll move heaven and earth to get him again.
Providing many of the more humorous moments is DI Steel. As has become expected, she operates on another level to the rest of the police force and it’s not necessarily the right level. She plays her usual tug-of-war with Logan, dragging him onto her own investigations and generally taking the credit for any of his good work.
This is a confronting thriller in many ways. The murders come frequently and, at times, are graphically described. But it is also nicely structured so that the tension builds at a steady rate. Possible suspects are hinted at allowing you to make your own judgements and the twists come from nowhere to turn you on your head.
Stuart MacBride has created another solid addition to the DS Logan McRae series and Aberdeen has never been a more dark, dreary and dangerous setting. I was rapt through the entire ordeal.
Readers with a low tolerance to blood and guts, gore, vomit, cannibalism, trawling septic tanks and the like will want to steer clear of Flesh House. It’s graphic and some might find it confronting. I’ve got to say, though, I really enjoyed it - as I have with the other books in the series to date.
June 27, 2019
If you like your police procedurals dark and gory, you most likely will love Stuart McBride’s Flesh House . The fourth installment of McBride’s Logan McRae series is about as grisly as they come. Twenty years prior, Aberdeen, Scotland was plagued by a serial killer known as “the Flesher,” whose victims were found brutally slain. Some were never found at all. Ken Wiseman was arrested and convicted. Now, however, Wiseman is free, and the slayings have begun anew.
Detective Sergeant McRae becomes involved after human body parts are found in a container, and before long, “mystery meat” in the butcher shops and stores has a whole new meaning. The killer appears to be picking up speed, as the number of missing persons seems to be growing. From time to time, we get an up-close-and-personal look at one victim, who, for some reason, is only being held captive rather than being butchered.
Despite the stomach-lurching descriptions, there is some humor. As in previous books in the series, much of it is raunchy and crude, but I managed a chuckle or two nonetheless. The relationships are interesting and well developed. And the mystery itself is riveting. However, the violence and decadence are too over-the-top for my taste. The modus operandi is consistent, I suppose, with the killer’s mindset and psyche, but it was far too extreme for me. I have to add that the ending was quite unexpected indeed.
There are a few questions up in the air for Logan and also for Jackie. At this juncture, I have not decided whether or not to continue with the series, but I might be curious to know how these two end up.
3 stars
July 28, 2020
There's still a lot to like in this book - particularly if you've got a strong stomach, because you're going to need it - but Flesh House veered too far away from the plausible for me.
When I say you'll need a strong stomach, I'm going to put some things behind a spoiler tag, because it's not mentioned in the synopsis: .
But if that's not enough to put you off, there's definitely still solid writing here; the writing is nothing fancy, but it's good and pulls you through the books in no time. There's humour, here and there, though it's got a hell of a lot of dark to lighten, and I'm not sure Stuart MacBride hit the balance he normally does. There's some major developments in here for the series as a whole, too, so if you're continuing the series I wouldn't skip this one.
When I say you'll need a strong stomach, I'm going to put some things behind a spoiler tag, because it's not mentioned in the synopsis: .
But if that's not enough to put you off, there's definitely still solid writing here; the writing is nothing fancy, but it's good and pulls you through the books in no time. There's humour, here and there, though it's got a hell of a lot of dark to lighten, and I'm not sure Stuart MacBride hit the balance he normally does. There's some major developments in here for the series as a whole, too, so if you're continuing the series I wouldn't skip this one.
December 9, 2017
The fourth Logan McRae novel, and Stuart MacBride is slowly working himself higher up my list of favourite authors.
Since picking up the first Logan McRae novel, Cold Granite, I knew I was onto something good with Stuart MacBride. I love crime thrillers, adore police procedurals, and he was offering me all that I wanted and then some. He offers great mystery. He keeps you guessing throughout. There are plot twists. There are great characters. The humour is dark. The story is grizzly. He has it all, and to make it all better I actually know the locations in the stories. The final point, knowing the locations, doesn’t really influence my love of the stories (I would love them even if I was oblivious to Aberdeen) but it does make it that little bit easier to enjoy.
With Flesh House, Stuart MacBride gave us another great story. Book three, Broken Skin, was my favourite of the first three books. It had every single tiny thing that I could ask for. It really did, in my opinion, have it all. I fangirled so hard, to the point where it was no longer funny. Coming after such a thing, I was worried Flesh House would not be as good. At the same time, however, the synopsis had me believing it would be even better. It was a tough place to be, but I was excited any way.
Compared to many crime books I have read, this one sits quite high up there. Compared to the first three Logan McRae books, it is not the best. It is at Stuart MacBride’s usual high standard, but it sits in the four star category rather than the five star category. A wonderful read, but not my favourite in the series. Wonderful, as I had hoped, but it was coming after a stronger read.
With Flesh House, I feel as though the story was a bit slower. This isn’t to say the story was slow throughout, but it seemed to take longer before the action really started. A lot more time was spent focusing upon the past aspects of the case, of what happened twenty years ago, and rehashing details pertaining to that aspect of the story rather than moving things forwards.
Of course, they did move forward in the end. When things started moving it was great – there were so many aspects to the story, and it was all a lot of fun – but I felt as though I waited longer than usual for the action to truly start. As so much happened, towards the end, I felt as though the story had made up for the slow start, but it still wasn’t quite there. I would have liked all the wonderful aspects of the story, and a little more speed at the start.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a brilliant story. I did have a lot of fun with it, as I do with all of the Logan McRae novels. I’ve already listed all of the things Stuart MacBride has to offer, and all is apparent in this novel. Hell, the humour continues to increase with every novel and I was once again getting into trouble for laughing at the most inopportune of times. I simply had my hopes set a little bit higher after reading Broken Skin.
Overall, a wonderful read. It is a brilliant addition to the series. Unfortunately, despite hoping otherwise, it wasn’t a new favourite.
Since picking up the first Logan McRae novel, Cold Granite, I knew I was onto something good with Stuart MacBride. I love crime thrillers, adore police procedurals, and he was offering me all that I wanted and then some. He offers great mystery. He keeps you guessing throughout. There are plot twists. There are great characters. The humour is dark. The story is grizzly. He has it all, and to make it all better I actually know the locations in the stories. The final point, knowing the locations, doesn’t really influence my love of the stories (I would love them even if I was oblivious to Aberdeen) but it does make it that little bit easier to enjoy.
With Flesh House, Stuart MacBride gave us another great story. Book three, Broken Skin, was my favourite of the first three books. It had every single tiny thing that I could ask for. It really did, in my opinion, have it all. I fangirled so hard, to the point where it was no longer funny. Coming after such a thing, I was worried Flesh House would not be as good. At the same time, however, the synopsis had me believing it would be even better. It was a tough place to be, but I was excited any way.
Compared to many crime books I have read, this one sits quite high up there. Compared to the first three Logan McRae books, it is not the best. It is at Stuart MacBride’s usual high standard, but it sits in the four star category rather than the five star category. A wonderful read, but not my favourite in the series. Wonderful, as I had hoped, but it was coming after a stronger read.
With Flesh House, I feel as though the story was a bit slower. This isn’t to say the story was slow throughout, but it seemed to take longer before the action really started. A lot more time was spent focusing upon the past aspects of the case, of what happened twenty years ago, and rehashing details pertaining to that aspect of the story rather than moving things forwards.
Of course, they did move forward in the end. When things started moving it was great – there were so many aspects to the story, and it was all a lot of fun – but I felt as though I waited longer than usual for the action to truly start. As so much happened, towards the end, I felt as though the story had made up for the slow start, but it still wasn’t quite there. I would have liked all the wonderful aspects of the story, and a little more speed at the start.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a brilliant story. I did have a lot of fun with it, as I do with all of the Logan McRae novels. I’ve already listed all of the things Stuart MacBride has to offer, and all is apparent in this novel. Hell, the humour continues to increase with every novel and I was once again getting into trouble for laughing at the most inopportune of times. I simply had my hopes set a little bit higher after reading Broken Skin.
Overall, a wonderful read. It is a brilliant addition to the series. Unfortunately, despite hoping otherwise, it wasn’t a new favourite.
April 24, 2019
This is the fourth Logan McRae thriller and is definitely not for the faint hearted.
Twenty years ago, a serial killer, named ‘The Flesher,’ was arrested. Now, he’s on the loose and McRae, and his colleagues, are determined to track him down. D.I. Inch was involved in that original case and, having been told he needs to go on a diet, he is most definitely not in a good mood. Adding to his annoyance is the fact that a BBC film crew are following the case, while making a documentary.
This is a violent novel, which often makes for uncomfortable reading. We have the eating of human flesh, people imprisoned, gory killings, torture scenes and lots of death. MacBride does not flinch was killing familiar characters, or tackling really difficult subjects. However, this series of also full of dark humour and characters that you really care about.
I will certainly be continuing this series, even though I did find myself flinching at times! As always, Steve Worsley read this wonderfully – I love his audio versions of these books, as he really makes the characters come alive.
Twenty years ago, a serial killer, named ‘The Flesher,’ was arrested. Now, he’s on the loose and McRae, and his colleagues, are determined to track him down. D.I. Inch was involved in that original case and, having been told he needs to go on a diet, he is most definitely not in a good mood. Adding to his annoyance is the fact that a BBC film crew are following the case, while making a documentary.
This is a violent novel, which often makes for uncomfortable reading. We have the eating of human flesh, people imprisoned, gory killings, torture scenes and lots of death. MacBride does not flinch was killing familiar characters, or tackling really difficult subjects. However, this series of also full of dark humour and characters that you really care about.
I will certainly be continuing this series, even though I did find myself flinching at times! As always, Steve Worsley read this wonderfully – I love his audio versions of these books, as he really makes the characters come alive.
August 21, 2019
Hold on to your stomach and avoid eating while reading as this one takes some truly gory turns.
Protagonist DS Logan McRae returns in the 4th instalment of the series. Macbride’s dry, witty humour is as strong as ever however there is only one major crime in this novel. McRae’s dogged determination and indomitable perseverance permeates the entire plot, which I found fast-paced and all engrossing.
Nothing like an excellent Scottish detective series (even though slightly different to the first three) to keep the mind guessing to the very end!
Protagonist DS Logan McRae returns in the 4th instalment of the series. Macbride’s dry, witty humour is as strong as ever however there is only one major crime in this novel. McRae’s dogged determination and indomitable perseverance permeates the entire plot, which I found fast-paced and all engrossing.
Nothing like an excellent Scottish detective series (even though slightly different to the first three) to keep the mind guessing to the very end!
March 20, 2020
Logan McRae #4: As per usual I pick up a book in the middle of a series, where I haven't read any of the previous books, in this case it's not a bad thing; this is a very dark, yet at times frank and comedic crime thriller set in an Aberdeen being plagued by a manic serial killer! Complete with newspaper cuttings this book packs a nice punch. 6 out of 12.
January 6, 2018
Flesh House by Stuart MacBride.
Alert: This book is not for the faint of heart.
DS Logan McRae is on the trail of a serial killer known as The Flesher. He's not the only Detective that's been on this manhunt. It's been going on for over 20 years. Then the complications begin and they begin with Detective Inspector Insch. Apparently it's come to Logan's attention protocol has not been followed and that's putting it mildly. Has the wrong man been in prison for all these years because of a major foul up?
This book is beyond a mystery and more of a thriller, in my opinion. It was over the top(my opinion) but the characters/the story were and continue to be worth the read.
Alert: This book is not for the faint of heart.
DS Logan McRae is on the trail of a serial killer known as The Flesher. He's not the only Detective that's been on this manhunt. It's been going on for over 20 years. Then the complications begin and they begin with Detective Inspector Insch. Apparently it's come to Logan's attention protocol has not been followed and that's putting it mildly. Has the wrong man been in prison for all these years because of a major foul up?
This book is beyond a mystery and more of a thriller, in my opinion. It was over the top(my opinion) but the characters/the story were and continue to be worth the read.
August 21, 2019
This was one of the strangest books I've read in a while. I'm not sure what to make of it. First of all, I'm beginning to suspect that the Keystone Cops have come back in the form of this series. There's a lot of zaniness throughout, and lots of laughs. Kind of strange considering the crimes are so gruesome - people being butchered and cut up into meat packages that make their way into stores. Lots of laughs - seriously.
Then there was the ending. That got complicated and strange, and I can't help thinking I missed something. I'm not 100% sure who did what, or who was real, or even what happened to some of the people. Part of the problem was that there were so many characters spread out over many years, and it was hard to keep up with them. But it was confusing even knowing the characters. But lots of fun to read, nevertheless.
Then there was the ending. That got complicated and strange, and I can't help thinking I missed something. I'm not 100% sure who did what, or who was real, or even what happened to some of the people. Part of the problem was that there were so many characters spread out over many years, and it was hard to keep up with them. But it was confusing even knowing the characters. But lots of fun to read, nevertheless.
December 16, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
Aš neįsivaizduoju, kodėl kankinuosi su šia serija, kai nei viena serijos knyga manęs nesužavėjo, tik priešingai- jaučiuosi veltui sugaišus laiką, kai aplinkui- tiek daug knygų, kurias noriu perskaityti.
Neįtikinantys bei silpni veikėjai, kurie net neįsivaizduoju kaip gali dirbti policininkais. Siužetas tiktai intriguojantis, bet vėlgi, viską gadina pragariškas policininkų darbas. Tačiau verta pripažinti, kad ši dalis žymiai geresnė už prieš tai buvusias, taip kad vilties dar yra😅
Aš neįsivaizduoju, kodėl kankinuosi su šia serija, kai nei viena serijos knyga manęs nesužavėjo, tik priešingai- jaučiuosi veltui sugaišus laiką, kai aplinkui- tiek daug knygų, kurias noriu perskaityti.
Neįtikinantys bei silpni veikėjai, kurie net neįsivaizduoju kaip gali dirbti policininkais. Siužetas tiktai intriguojantis, bet vėlgi, viską gadina pragariškas policininkų darbas. Tačiau verta pripažinti, kad ši dalis žymiai geresnė už prieš tai buvusias, taip kad vilties dar yra😅
June 27, 2024
My copy of flesh house had 595 page's not 480 that it quoted on here.
Brilliant as always I really need to slow down on this series but I can't help myself.
Brilliant as always I really need to slow down on this series but I can't help myself.
September 19, 2018
I read about 20% of Flesh House and chose not to invest any more time in a book that I found uninteresting. The portion that I read focussed on McRae's corpulent, obnoxious, abusive boss, DI Insch. There were so many references to Insch's size as well as the size and appearance of his head that, frankly (or Georgely, if you prefer), that the story, if indeed there was one buried in all that crap, faded into nothingness.
The only break in Insch's abusiveness was when McRae was similarly abused by his ex-girlfriend, the current pathologist. This treatment simply added to my frustration.
It was also enormously frustrating to see McRae's unwillingness to stand up to Insch or his ex. He could and should have done so effectively and politely. His acquiescence made him seem very weak-willed and cowardly.
I loved the first Logan McRae novel but the quality of the books has steadily eroded, to me, since then. Thus, this is the last of MacBride's novels that I will read, at least for the next year or two.
The End
The only break in Insch's abusiveness was when McRae was similarly abused by his ex-girlfriend, the current pathologist. This treatment simply added to my frustration.
It was also enormously frustrating to see McRae's unwillingness to stand up to Insch or his ex. He could and should have done so effectively and politely. His acquiescence made him seem very weak-willed and cowardly.
I loved the first Logan McRae novel but the quality of the books has steadily eroded, to me, since then. Thus, this is the last of MacBride's novels that I will read, at least for the next year or two.
The End
October 27, 2014
I've read a few of the Logan McRae novels now, and I have enjoyed each one immensely. I like the fact that it doesn't matter if I read them in the order they were published or not, I can pick one up and fall straight into Logan's hectic life. I started reading this book one night when I couldn't sleep, and I found myself reading until 5am until I literally couldn't keep my eyes open any more, and after I'd had some sleep I started reading again and finished it soon after.The characterisation is fantastic, particularly Logan and Steel. I'm a huge fan of gory crime stories, and this satisfied my craving for something gritty. The plot was fantastic and kept me guessing right up until the end, which in itself is a shock as I usually have the killer figured out really early on. I am going to get MacBrides other books that I haven't read yet as I know they will be awesome too.
September 28, 2021
Ši knyga yra jau ketvirtoji serijos dalis, kurioje pagrindinis personažas - Loganas Makrėjus.
Kitos trys dalys :
1. Šaltas granitas
2. Gęstanti šviesa
3. Atvira žaizda
Aberdyno uoste aptinkamas jūrinis konteineris, kuris yra pilnas.. žmogienos.
Vos prieš dvidešimt metų "Mėsinėtojas" be gailesčio skerdė visus, kas pasitaikydavo jo kelyje. Tuomet serijinis žudikas buvo sulaikytas Grampiano policijos bei praleido ilgus metus kalėjime.. Tačiau po apeliacinio teismo jis paleidžiamas į laisvę.. "Mėsinėtojas" dingsta lyg į vandenį ir vėl pasipila žmonių lavonai.
Pradėjus dingti be žinios ankstesniojo tyrimo pareigūnams, Loganas pradeda suvokti, jog nusikaltimų motyvas slypi kažkur giliau..
Kai pradėjau skaityti šią seriją, pamenu, jog "Šaltas granitas" manęs smarkiai nesužavėjo, tačiau pajutau, jog istorija tikrai turinti cinkelį. Suteikiau jai antrą šansa ir likau maloniai nustebinta. Papirko mane autoriaus humoro jausmas, o ir širdžiai mielų veikėjų taip pat aptikau. Taip po truputį susidraugavau su Loganu Makrėjumi bei jo kolegomis bei kartu leidomės į žudiko paieškas.
Ši istorija tikrai buvo kitokia ir truputį šiurpoka. Vietomis skaityti tikrai buvo nejauku.. 🤯 Iki pat kūrinio pabaigos neatspėjau "Mėsinėtojo" tapatybės, tad autorius mane ir šį kartą maloniai nustebino. Rekomenduočiau šią knygą perskaityti detektyvinių romanų mylėtojams, net neabejoju, jog šiose knygose Jūs ir sau atrasite šį tą artimo.
Taip pat leidykla jau yra išleidusi ir penktąją šios serijos knygą "Tuščios akiduobės".
Kitos trys dalys :
1. Šaltas granitas
2. Gęstanti šviesa
3. Atvira žaizda
Aberdyno uoste aptinkamas jūrinis konteineris, kuris yra pilnas.. žmogienos.
Vos prieš dvidešimt metų "Mėsinėtojas" be gailesčio skerdė visus, kas pasitaikydavo jo kelyje. Tuomet serijinis žudikas buvo sulaikytas Grampiano policijos bei praleido ilgus metus kalėjime.. Tačiau po apeliacinio teismo jis paleidžiamas į laisvę.. "Mėsinėtojas" dingsta lyg į vandenį ir vėl pasipila žmonių lavonai.
Pradėjus dingti be žinios ankstesniojo tyrimo pareigūnams, Loganas pradeda suvokti, jog nusikaltimų motyvas slypi kažkur giliau..
Kai pradėjau skaityti šią seriją, pamenu, jog "Šaltas granitas" manęs smarkiai nesužavėjo, tačiau pajutau, jog istorija tikrai turinti cinkelį. Suteikiau jai antrą šansa ir likau maloniai nustebinta. Papirko mane autoriaus humoro jausmas, o ir širdžiai mielų veikėjų taip pat aptikau. Taip po truputį susidraugavau su Loganu Makrėjumi bei jo kolegomis bei kartu leidomės į žudiko paieškas.
Ši istorija tikrai buvo kitokia ir truputį šiurpoka. Vietomis skaityti tikrai buvo nejauku.. 🤯 Iki pat kūrinio pabaigos neatspėjau "Mėsinėtojo" tapatybės, tad autorius mane ir šį kartą maloniai nustebino. Rekomenduočiau šią knygą perskaityti detektyvinių romanų mylėtojams, net neabejoju, jog šiose knygose Jūs ir sau atrasite šį tą artimo.
Taip pat leidykla jau yra išleidusi ir penktąją šios serijos knygą "Tuščios akiduobės".
January 25, 2015
This was book 4 in the Logan McRae series, and possibly not one for the squeamish. 20 years ago there was a spate of gruesome killings in Aberdeen. One man was arrested and imprisoned, now his appeals have been upheld and he has been released. The killings have started again, and Logan finds himself as part of the large task force engaged in capturing the Flesher. Had the right man been imprisoned originally, did he have an accomplice, or were they barking up the wrong tree the entire time.
Then some of the original investigating team go missing, and then turning up dead. This book has more twists and turns than you can shake a big stick at. A read that is guaranteed to keep you turning the pages,
The only thing I didn't like were the pseudo press clippings used throughout the book.
Then some of the original investigating team go missing, and then turning up dead. This book has more twists and turns than you can shake a big stick at. A read that is guaranteed to keep you turning the pages,
The only thing I didn't like were the pseudo press clippings used throughout the book.
January 19, 2019
Flesh House sees our hapless hero, DS Logan McRae, wading through the relentless and monstrous after effects of the murderous Flesher - of Margaret Thatcher face mask and striped butcher apron fame!
Logan reminds me of Eeyore (A. A. Milne.) He’s basically depressed after his break up with DC Jackie Watcher and burnt out by a massive workload pressed upon him by the oblivious DI Insch and DI Steele. A morass of blood, gore and guts seeps through every page making it impossible not to be impacted by the overarching gruesomeness. We are spared nothing, right up to the last supper, er, page.
Stuart MacBride’s dialogue ensnares and his descriptions have you trudging the grim streets of Aberdeen with Logan sensing the increasing desperation and longing for the nightmare to end.
Logan reminds me of Eeyore (A. A. Milne.) He’s basically depressed after his break up with DC Jackie Watcher and burnt out by a massive workload pressed upon him by the oblivious DI Insch and DI Steele. A morass of blood, gore and guts seeps through every page making it impossible not to be impacted by the overarching gruesomeness. We are spared nothing, right up to the last supper, er, page.
Stuart MacBride’s dialogue ensnares and his descriptions have you trudging the grim streets of Aberdeen with Logan sensing the increasing desperation and longing for the nightmare to end.
September 25, 2017
I'm really getting into these now. A serial killer from the past had just been released due to an appeal. Human bodies have just washed up in a shipping container. The past catches up to the group in Aberdeen in this episode. Gruesome fast paced and very funny. Im enjoying the characterisation as we now slowly learn more about each one. The growth of Logan is also really good, as he's now standing up for himself aand not holding back. Some scenes were a little horrific but thats what youd expect from MacBride.
December 17, 2020
Το τέταρτο βιβλίο της σειράς με πρωταγωνιστή τον αρχιφύλακα Λόγκαν ΜακΡέι (το πρώτο που διαβάζω εγώ), χωρίς όμως αυτό να μου δημιουργήσει οποιοδήποτε πρόβλημα κατανόησης αφού είναι αυτοτελές.
Η ιστορία γενικά έχει ως εξής. Κάποιος παρανοϊκός δολοφονεί ανθρώπους, τους τεμαχίζει και (εχμμμ, δεν υπάρχει διακριτικός τρόπος να το πω αυτό) αφού κόψει το κρέας τους σε κομμάτια το προωθεί για πώληση ώστε να μαγειρευτεί και να καταναλωθεί. Από άλλους ανθρώπους. Ναι. Μάλιστα, τον είχαν πιάσει και τον είχαν φυλακίσει στο παρελθόν αφού το είχε ξανακάνει, αλλά αποφυλακίστηκε. Και για όσους αναρωτιέστε: ναι, υπάρχουν κάποιες περιγραφές της διαδικασίας που ακολουθεί ο δολοφόνος, αλλά είναι δοσμένες με τρόπο που εμένα δεν με αηδίασαν.
Ο Λόγκαν ΜακΡέι ανήκει στην ομάδα των αστυνομικών που καλείται να εντοπίσει και να συλλάβει τον δολοφόνο. Μου άρεσε που στο βιβλίο περιγράφει τον τρόπο δράσης μιας αστυνομικής ομάδας, με την υπάρχουσα ιεραρχία και την υποχρέωση να υπακούν τους ανωτέρους, αλλά και το δέσιμο μεταξύ τους. Όλοι είναι ενδιαφέροντες ως χαρακτήρες, κάποιοι από αυτούς κερδίζουν ακόμη και τον τίτλο του αντιπαθητικού. Ο Λόγκαν όμως είναι εξαιρετικά συμπαθής, ανήκει στο σπάνιο για τη λογοτεχνία είδος των αστυνομικών που δεν έχουν "προσωπικούς δαίμονες" να τους κυνηγούν από το παρελθόν, τίποτα ασυνήθιστο δηλαδή, είναι ένας κανονικός άνθρωπος που απλά προσπαθεί να κάνει τη δουλειά του όσο καλύτερα μπορεί.
Μου άρεσε πολύ ο τρόπος που έδεσε το παρελθόν με το παρόν, χωρίς να αφήσει κενά. Εξίσου πολύ μου άρεσε και το χιούμορ του συγγραφέα, η αλήθεια είναι ότι πάντα το εκτιμώ όταν σε ένα βιβλίο υπάρχουν σκηνές που με κάνουν να ευθυμήσω. Γενικά, έχει αρκετή ένταση, σε κάποιες σκηνές σίγουρα περισσότερη από άλλες, αλλά δεν εντόπισα σημείο που να κάνει κοιλιά στην πλοκή και να είναι βαρετό ή υποτονικό. Θετικό είναι ακόμη και το ότι οι αναφορές στις προσωπικές ιστορίες των αστυνομικών είναι λίγες και δεν με αποσπούσαν από την πλοκή.
Νομίζω ότι τελικά, ο συγγραφέας απέκτησε μια οπαδό στην Ελλάδα, θα κοιτάξω να βρω και τα προηγούμενα βιβλία της σειράς και ελπίζω ότι θα κυκλοφορήσουν και τα επόμενα.
https://thematofylakes.gr/
https://kiallovivlio.blogspot.com/
Η ιστορία γενικά έχει ως εξής. Κάποιος παρανοϊκός δολοφονεί ανθρώπους, τους τεμαχίζει και (εχμμμ, δεν υπάρχει διακριτικός τρόπος να το πω αυτό) αφού κόψει το κρέας τους σε κομμάτια το προωθεί για πώληση ώστε να μαγειρευτεί και να καταναλωθεί. Από άλλους ανθρώπους. Ναι. Μάλιστα, τον είχαν πιάσει και τον είχαν φυλακίσει στο παρελθόν αφού το είχε ξανακάνει, αλλά αποφυλακίστηκε. Και για όσους αναρωτιέστε: ναι, υπάρχουν κάποιες περιγραφές της διαδικασίας που ακολουθεί ο δολοφόνος, αλλά είναι δοσμένες με τρόπο που εμένα δεν με αηδίασαν.
Ο Λόγκαν ΜακΡέι ανήκει στην ομάδα των αστυνομικών που καλείται να εντοπίσει και να συλλάβει τον δολοφόνο. Μου άρεσε που στο βιβλίο περιγράφει τον τρόπο δράσης μιας αστυνομικής ομάδας, με την υπάρχουσα ιεραρχία και την υποχρέωση να υπακούν τους ανωτέρους, αλλά και το δέσιμο μεταξύ τους. Όλοι είναι ενδιαφέροντες ως χαρακτήρες, κάποιοι από αυτούς κερδίζουν ακόμη και τον τίτλο του αντιπαθητικού. Ο Λόγκαν όμως είναι εξαιρετικά συμπαθής, ανήκει στο σπάνιο για τη λογοτεχνία είδος των αστυνομικών που δεν έχουν "προσωπικούς δαίμονες" να τους κυνηγούν από το παρελθόν, τίποτα ασυνήθιστο δηλαδή, είναι ένας κανονικός άνθρωπος που απλά προσπαθεί να κάνει τη δουλειά του όσο καλύτερα μπορεί.
Μου άρεσε πολύ ο τρόπος που έδεσε το παρελθόν με το παρόν, χωρίς να αφήσει κενά. Εξίσου πολύ μου άρεσε και το χιούμορ του συγγραφέα, η αλήθεια είναι ότι πάντα το εκτιμώ όταν σε ένα βιβλίο υπάρχουν σκηνές που με κάνουν να ευθυμήσω. Γενικά, έχει αρκετή ένταση, σε κάποιες σκηνές σίγουρα περισσότερη από άλλες, αλλά δεν εντόπισα σημείο που να κάνει κοιλιά στην πλοκή και να είναι βαρετό ή υποτονικό. Θετικό είναι ακόμη και το ότι οι αναφορές στις προσωπικές ιστορίες των αστυνομικών είναι λίγες και δεν με αποσπούσαν από την πλοκή.
Νομίζω ότι τελικά, ο συγγραφέας απέκτησε μια οπαδό στην Ελλάδα, θα κοιτάξω να βρω και τα προηγούμενα βιβλία της σειράς και ελπίζω ότι θα κυκλοφορήσουν και τα επόμενα.
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April 17, 2012
Gruesome is not the word for this book. At times i had to put it down it was so graphic and i havent ate meat the whole time i was reading it and im not sure ill ever be able too again so this book is for all those wanna be veggies out there - after reading this book your never eat meat again.
Was a good book though and i was hooked from the start. Was nice to read a book where the local police were not super heros like they normally are. They came across as everyday people and the story lines on the sides about their personal lives were really interesting.
Not sure i would read Stuart Macbride again ... not sure my stomach is strong enough!!
Was a good book though and i was hooked from the start. Was nice to read a book where the local police were not super heros like they normally are. They came across as everyday people and the story lines on the sides about their personal lives were really interesting.
Not sure i would read Stuart Macbride again ... not sure my stomach is strong enough!!
September 29, 2020
A very gruesome addition to this excellent police procedural series. This was a horror novel by the end it was so grim, seriously more disturbing than any "horror" labeled book I've read recently. Don't pick it up if you are turned off by gore, or if you want to eat meat again without a second thought....
This is my favorite series of the police procedural genre at the moment and the strength of the characters shines through what could be considered an over the top storyline for this normally very grimly down to earth series. The humor that gets interspersed really works well and I just want more.
This is my favorite series of the police procedural genre at the moment and the strength of the characters shines through what could be considered an over the top storyline for this normally very grimly down to earth series. The humor that gets interspersed really works well and I just want more.
November 7, 2011
It was such a frustrating read. It seems like Logan is the only sensible cop who actually knows how to do his job. Everybody else is either too busy whining or doing something annoying. At some point, I thought, are these people really cops? Are they even qualified to be cops? They let too many people die that in the end I didn't even know how many people were actually murdered throughout the book. Some parts are disturbing with very gruesome and violent scenes. And the ending left me frustrated even more. Definitely my least favorite of the series so far.
August 12, 2015
The 4th book in the Logan McRae series by Stuart MacBride.
After reading 3 books in this series consecutively I felt a little disappointed with this one, maybe I need to have a rest from this series.
I found this book very patchy and at times lacked the interest and excitement reached in previous books in the series.
I intend to take a break and revisit the series later on in the year.
After reading 3 books in this series consecutively I felt a little disappointed with this one, maybe I need to have a rest from this series.
I found this book very patchy and at times lacked the interest and excitement reached in previous books in the series.
I intend to take a break and revisit the series later on in the year.
January 6, 2015
Good, but an ordeal to finish. After awhile it seemed like the gore was inserted to make the book longer, but it didn't necessarily make it better.
August 2, 2025
A band of misfits and officers of the law collide again in this wonderful series that MacBride offers us with humor and poignant remarks. This book is chilling, with graphic violence, multidimensional characters and hilarious, not a lot of books can make these claims.
In this installment “We are not at home to Mr. Fuckup!” is an understatement, they all almost got killed trying to solve the murders and find the criminal. The newspaper articles were a nice addition but knowing that the photos of victims and criminals were the author’s immediate family was priceless.
As always MacBride offer us multiple plots and as always they converge in a wonderful, hair raising finale.
In this installment “We are not at home to Mr. Fuckup!” is an understatement, they all almost got killed trying to solve the murders and find the criminal. The newspaper articles were a nice addition but knowing that the photos of victims and criminals were the author’s immediate family was priceless.
As always MacBride offer us multiple plots and as always they converge in a wonderful, hair raising finale.
January 8, 2013
This is one of my favourites of the Logan McRae series.
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