The Murder Stones

Dania Gorska #4

by Hania Allen

The latest gripping novel in the Polish detective series featuring DI Dania Gorska.Polish-born DS Dania Gorska is called upon to investigate a seemingly straightforward case of an RTA - a car has crashed into a tree, having first hit a deer on an icy road. But a witness has come forward to say he saw someone fleeing the scene and then the autopsy reveals vicious marks on the head of the dead man. Suddenly Dania is looking at murder.The dead man, Eddie Sangster, has had an intriguing past - the youngest of three brothers, he inherited the family estate after the oldest committed suicide and the other simply disappeared. But decades on it would seem someone is out for vengeance as murder stones - carved headstones attesting to the brutal murders of both brothers - start to appear on the grounds of the estate. Clearly the key to the puzzle of the murder stones lies at Sangster Hall, where a calamitous incident in the past is now shaping the present, and it is up to Dania to discover the murderous secret of the Sangster family.Praise for Hania Allen'Nicely nasty in all the right places . . . The story rattles along until bringing the curtain down with an unnerving twist' Craig Robertson'A fresh new find for crime fans ... the plot is intriguing, the characters are well drawn, and the end comes with an unnerving twist. Extremely readable' Sunday Post'Captivating characters and an intriguing plot. A great new find for crime fans' Lin Anderson'Pitch-perfect . . . a witty, tense crime novel written in a highly readable style' Russel D McLean

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime

383 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2022

About the author

Hania Allen was born in Liverpool of Polish refugees. She always wanted to go into space and came a fair way (but not far enough) in the Project Juno competition to find Britain's first astronaut. Her career in education culminated in information management at the University of St Andrews, a post she left to write full-time. When not writing, she plays the piano with her musically gifted godchildren, making up for in enthusiasm what she lacks in talent. Hania has lived in Scotland longer than anywhere else and loves the country and its people, despite the nine months of rain and three months of bad weather. She currently resides in a fishing village in Fife.

Reviews

[Ekj · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sooooo slow!

Started reading but it was hard going, so set it aside and read two other books before I decided I really should finish it given that I had paid for the book. Finally, around page 260-something (of 378), the pace picked up and a murder/murderer was uncovered. But instead of ending with the reappearance of Sgt. Fairbairn, which would have brought the story full circle, the author included another two chapters to tie up two of the multiple subplots that were so irrelevant they would have (should have!!) been left untied. But the author never bothered to explain why the Scottish detective was Polish. Obviously, I was not impressed!

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read another novel by this author but this is the first I've read in this series.

I liked the lead character, and I felt that having a Polish DI solving crime in Scotland added an extra layer of complexity to the story. Supporting characters, both in the police force and DI Gorska's private life were also well drawn.

I felt the story was too slow to get going, there was a fair bit of repetition, and some of the 'big reveal' moments were actually pretty obvious. I was also ambivalent about the ending, as I prefer crime novels to have clear cut finishes. Having said that, I did enjoy the story and will definitely try others in the same series.

[Alexander Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining. Dania and her brother Marek are appealing characters, but it would have helped if the author had included some information on the recurring secondary characters. Several of them - Hamish, for instance - don't even have surnames! A problem I have with a number of modern writers; they assume the reader will have read all the previous novels in a series. However, I will certainly try to catch up on Dania's past, and future, cases. I forgot to mention, because of my job - in the 'hospitality' industry -I have a lot of Polish friends here in Scotland, and they're by far my favourite people!

[John Hardy · Rating 3 out of 5]

DI Dania Gorska #4.The cover has been updated to reflect that she is no longer a DS. The main problem with this book is that it runs to more than 370 pages. The plot is not hugely believable, and sub-plots just drag the action out. The ending is not very satisfactory. Although "justice" is served, it's not in the way a police officer should like. Dania's brother is just a distraction, another excuse to waste some words.
I was determined to finish this one, but I doubt if I will look for any more from the series.
Rating 3.1.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thrilling journey to Dundee

Dania & her brother Marek are both in danger as Dania investigates the death of the head of a family estate, whose two brothers mysteriously disappeared 35 years ago & Marek’s latest piece exposes a local gangster.

Another thrilling book set around a Magic event on an estate just outside a snowy Dundee. Danger, thrills and tension from page one with entertaining stories.

A must read.

[Sandra McCourt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the previous 2 books from this author but although the story was good and I could see where the plot was going it just didn’t seem to run at all. It was a little bit of a chore to read but could have been a lot better. I’ve got the ice house to read next so will see how that one goes but not hugely impressed by this one at all I’m afraid

[Jill Stirling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually enjoy these book. This one though had an interesting plot but it struggles to be convincing. The unresolved ending was disappointing. The last bit made no sense and was as I said intensely disappointing and unnecessary.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the gripping Ice Hotel. Dania Gorska, a Detective Inspector, is the main character in this not very interesting murder mystery. She is surrounded by some one-dimensional stock characters as well as a brother.
Not a great read.

[Eydie sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I thought I was going to chuck it aside. I'm very glad I didn't. Honestly, the book gets off to a boring, clunky start. But I promise if you stick with it, it just smooths out and soon it turns into a wonderful book.

[BookAddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mystery and while this is #4 in the series and I hadn't read any others, it didn't matter - the sign of a very good mystery writer. Wonderful characters and situated in gloomy Scotland - just the thing to help me get through a bout of the flu.

[Jessica Tollison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Murder Stones by Hania Allen:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an interesting read. An excellent choice for the mystery lover. The content reminds me of Karin Slaughter. I would definitely recommend for anyone beginning detective fiction.

[Alison J Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, definitely going to read the first 3 Polish Detective books by Hania Allen. Well crafted story, great characters & a few twists. Excellent.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one sitting - could not put it down!!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down
Consistently enjoyable series with the usual (but less annoying) crossover between Dania and her brother's investigations.