What do you think?
Rate this book
The DI Jack Knox Mysteries #0.5-3
The DI Jack Knox Mysteries, Books #0.5 to #3
Four books in The DI Jack Knox Mysteries series
This volume comprises the prequel and the first three books in the bestselling series of Scottish murder mysteries featuring Edinburgh-based Detective Inspector Jack Knox by Robert McNeill.
Book #0.5, Prequel: THE LABYRINTH
After the body of an attractive young woman is found in woodland on Edinburgh’s iconic Calton Hill, DI Jack Knox quickly establishes that she had worked as a prostitute. For this reason, getting people who knew her to come forward will prove difficult. Knox will have to cut through their lies, establish a motive and collar the killer.
Book #1: THE INNOCENT AND THE DEAD
One girl is found dead – strangled in the woods. Another, the daughter of a rich, well-connected businessman, is kidnapped. Unassuming detective, Jack Knox, must solve these two cases. But the Edinburgh crime-solver will have a hard time getting his superiors to accept his unconventional methods. Will he gamble too much?
Book #2: MURDER AT FLOOD TIDE
When a young woman’s body is found, the nature of her killing leads detectives to believe the murderer may strike again soon. The race is on to find him, but he has covered his tracks well. And DI Jack Knox’s investigation is impeded by a disgruntled officer from another force. Can the veteran detective solve the case and collar the culprit?
Book #3: DEAD OF NIGHT
When a philandering French college lecturer is killed and unceremoniously dumped in a canal, DI Jack Knox soon discovers there is no shortage of spurned lovers and jealous husbands who might have done it. He sets about collaring the culprit, but will his efforts be thwarted by unfair complaints made about the investigation?
Each of the novels in this series can also be enjoyed as a standalone.
This volume comprises the prequel and the first three books in the bestselling series of Scottish murder mysteries featuring Edinburgh-based Detective Inspector Jack Knox by Robert McNeill.
Book #0.5, Prequel: THE LABYRINTH
After the body of an attractive young woman is found in woodland on Edinburgh’s iconic Calton Hill, DI Jack Knox quickly establishes that she had worked as a prostitute. For this reason, getting people who knew her to come forward will prove difficult. Knox will have to cut through their lies, establish a motive and collar the killer.
Book #1: THE INNOCENT AND THE DEAD
One girl is found dead – strangled in the woods. Another, the daughter of a rich, well-connected businessman, is kidnapped. Unassuming detective, Jack Knox, must solve these two cases. But the Edinburgh crime-solver will have a hard time getting his superiors to accept his unconventional methods. Will he gamble too much?
Book #2: MURDER AT FLOOD TIDE
When a young woman’s body is found, the nature of her killing leads detectives to believe the murderer may strike again soon. The race is on to find him, but he has covered his tracks well. And DI Jack Knox’s investigation is impeded by a disgruntled officer from another force. Can the veteran detective solve the case and collar the culprit?
Book #3: DEAD OF NIGHT
When a philandering French college lecturer is killed and unceremoniously dumped in a canal, DI Jack Knox soon discovers there is no shortage of spurned lovers and jealous husbands who might have done it. He sets about collaring the culprit, but will his efforts be thwarted by unfair complaints made about the investigation?
Each of the novels in this series can also be enjoyed as a standalone.
599 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2022
400 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Robert McNeill
14 books35 followersRobert McNeill was born Edinburgh, Scotland. He took up freelance journalism in 1990, after spending many years in direct sales. His feature articles have appeared in many publications worldwide. He has also written several westerns and WWII novels.
Since 2018, however, Robert, an avid reader of crime fiction (and a particular admirer of the works of Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Peter James and Lawrence Block) has concentrated on his own police procedural crime series featuring Edinburgh detective Jack Knox.
There are currently seven books in the series: THE INNOCENT AND THE DEAD, MURDER AT FLOOD TIDE, DEAD OF NIGHT, NOUGHTS AND CROSSES, A VIEW TO MURDER, CONFESSION TO MURDER AND DON'T CRY DARLING.
‘As a native of Edinburgh, I’m particularly interested in the history of the city as a setting for crime,’ Robert says. ‘In the late eighteenth century, well-heeled citizenry of the medieval Old Town began moving across the Nor Loch (the area where Princes Street Gardens is now situated) to the Georgian New Town, where they lived in comparative splendour,’ he adds.
‘A villain who took advantage of these changes was Deacon William Brodie, a cabinet-maker and much-respected city councillor by day, who maintained a secret life as a housebreaker by night. Brodie was caught stealing from one of those elegant new mansions and hanged at the Old Tolbooth on the city’s High Street in October, 1788.
‘Brodie was also the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde,’ Robert explains. ‘And a character with traits not dissimilar to the people Knox runs into in his investigations.’
Since 2018, however, Robert, an avid reader of crime fiction (and a particular admirer of the works of Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Peter James and Lawrence Block) has concentrated on his own police procedural crime series featuring Edinburgh detective Jack Knox.
There are currently seven books in the series: THE INNOCENT AND THE DEAD, MURDER AT FLOOD TIDE, DEAD OF NIGHT, NOUGHTS AND CROSSES, A VIEW TO MURDER, CONFESSION TO MURDER AND DON'T CRY DARLING.
‘As a native of Edinburgh, I’m particularly interested in the history of the city as a setting for crime,’ Robert says. ‘In the late eighteenth century, well-heeled citizenry of the medieval Old Town began moving across the Nor Loch (the area where Princes Street Gardens is now situated) to the Georgian New Town, where they lived in comparative splendour,’ he adds.
‘A villain who took advantage of these changes was Deacon William Brodie, a cabinet-maker and much-respected city councillor by day, who maintained a secret life as a housebreaker by night. Brodie was caught stealing from one of those elegant new mansions and hanged at the Old Tolbooth on the city’s High Street in October, 1788.
‘Brodie was also the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde,’ Robert explains. ‘And a character with traits not dissimilar to the people Knox runs into in his investigations.’
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 27, 2022
I enjoyed the books. They are simple, read easily, characters are normal without any "gifts" or "special powers", simply police doing what police do: policing and doing it well. Could have liked the stories more without the usual romance, even if lightly told. They interrupt the flow of the story, without necessity, but that is what the author thinks will be interesting to put in his works. And that is why I usually take off one star from my reviews. I like police stories and these were very entertaining.
April 9, 2022
Fast paced dramas with super plots and characters!
The way Mr. McNeill tells a story makes him one of my favorite reads, and I’ve read hundreds and hundreds of police procedurals. He doesn’t get dogged down in minutia but keeps the events moving back and forth from story line to story line. The characters are vivid and not over the top. I love these books! Highly recommend to any murder mystery fans or fans of the police. I’m both, and these books check all my boxes and more.
The way Mr. McNeill tells a story makes him one of my favorite reads, and I’ve read hundreds and hundreds of police procedurals. He doesn’t get dogged down in minutia but keeps the events moving back and forth from story line to story line. The characters are vivid and not over the top. I love these books! Highly recommend to any murder mystery fans or fans of the police. I’m both, and these books check all my boxes and more.
August 14, 2022
unchallenging
Novels are simplistic and written like a formula. Seems the author has read numerous good detective stories and applied the “formula” to his work! Certainly not “gripping “ as promo states. I’m an avid reader of true “gripping detective mysteries “ by other authors and was able to solve the murders before the end. Wouldn’t recommend if you like truly challenging mystery.
Novels are simplistic and written like a formula. Seems the author has read numerous good detective stories and applied the “formula” to his work! Certainly not “gripping “ as promo states. I’m an avid reader of true “gripping detective mysteries “ by other authors and was able to solve the murders before the end. Wouldn’t recommend if you like truly challenging mystery.
March 18, 2023
Jack "in the box" Knox
I enjoyed these Robert McNeill, DI Jack Knox stories. Knox and his team are a great mix of characters, old & experienced, young and adventurous, and Knox leads them all with a great team spirit, strong leadership, and a sure touch. Great stories, believable, easy to read, and threaded throughout the tales a great insight into the city of Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside. Great read
I enjoyed these Robert McNeill, DI Jack Knox stories. Knox and his team are a great mix of characters, old & experienced, young and adventurous, and Knox leads them all with a great team spirit, strong leadership, and a sure touch. Great stories, believable, easy to read, and threaded throughout the tales a great insight into the city of Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside. Great read
July 29, 2022
Oul Jacks take 2
started to think it's a bit same as same as but changed my mind as plot/s developed
If I had to be critical I would suggest you blend in more words specific to Scotland
Not suggesting along TV programme Still Game letter but maybe just cherry pick a couple of sisters
Good luck
started to think it's a bit same as same as but changed my mind as plot/s developed
If I had to be critical I would suggest you blend in more words specific to Scotland
Not suggesting along TV programme Still Game letter but maybe just cherry pick a couple of sisters
Good luck
December 30, 2022
Unknown Author to me.
I was reading a book which was getting very predictable.So l started on THE DI JACK KNOX MYSTERIES by Robert McNeill,l could not put the book down,they are four stories all different cases.Absolutely a truly very good read.
I was reading a book which was getting very predictable.So l started on THE DI JACK KNOX MYSTERIES by Robert McNeill,l could not put the book down,they are four stories all different cases.Absolutely a truly very good read.
April 25, 2022
Fast paced and easy reading police procedurals set in the fantastic city of Edinburgh.
May 6, 2022
An interesting series.
Jack Knox and his associates team up to solve various mysteries including multiple victims. I enjoyed the novels. More novels in the series follow.
Jack Knox and his associates team up to solve various mysteries including multiple victims. I enjoyed the novels. More novels in the series follow.
August 4, 2022
Very Good indeed
DI Jack Knox and His Team are very Believable and Here is 4 very Good Fast moving Stories. Just the right amount of Description and easy reading..
DI Jack Knox and His Team are very Believable and Here is 4 very Good Fast moving Stories. Just the right amount of Description and easy reading..
September 7, 2022
Nice simple bedtime reading, never been Scotland but Edinburgh sounds interesting, would like to visit, but without the murders!
October 15, 2022
DI Jack Knox
Good stories but the characters were a bit two-dimensional in the first three books. Still need some development but I wouldn't say no to trying more.
Good stories but the characters were a bit two-dimensional in the first three books. Still need some development but I wouldn't say no to trying more.
November 8, 2022
Storyline s
Great stories. Keep your interests in the characters and t he entire story. Great read.
Looking forward to more of the sa.me
H
Great stories. Keep your interests in the characters and t he entire story. Great read.
Looking forward to more of the sa.me
H
February 10, 2023
Mystery in Scotland
DI Knox is a very capable detective, but is learning how to navigate his feelings. I really enjoyed these first four books in the series.
DI Knox is a very capable detective, but is learning how to navigate his feelings. I really enjoyed these first four books in the series.
April 30, 2023
Ok, passed a few hours.
May 4, 2023
True to life.
What's not to like, great characters in a gripping story..
I really enjoyed it and I shall be reading more hopefully in the future.
Thank you Robert McNeill.
What's not to like, great characters in a gripping story..
I really enjoyed it and I shall be reading more hopefully in the future.
Thank you Robert McNeill.
August 26, 2023
enjoyable read
Nice easy read I found all four books enjoyable will look out for more love reading about my home town.
Nice easy read I found all four books enjoyable will look out for more love reading about my home town.
December 19, 2023
Good storylines
The story lines were good. I wish he would drop the “Uh-Huhs.” So annoying. A yup or yeah would do
The story lines were good. I wish he would drop the “Uh-Huhs.” So annoying. A yup or yeah would do
March 11, 2024
Fun short reads
I enjoy a good detective story and the DI Jack Knox novels are the perfect fit for me. Not too long, not too gory, not too “cozy.” They are just right.
I enjoy a good detective story and the DI Jack Knox novels are the perfect fit for me. Not too long, not too gory, not too “cozy.” They are just right.
July 26, 2024
Excellent
A really great read bringing back fond memories of my youth most of which were spent in and around porty and mopa
A really great read bringing back fond memories of my youth most of which were spent in and around porty and mopa
August 28, 2024
Good
Four really decent stories. I like the characters and found them well written. I especially liked the descriptions of the places in Edinburgh.
Four really decent stories. I like the characters and found them well written. I especially liked the descriptions of the places in Edinburgh.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews