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Detective Shona Oliver #2
Dead Man Deep
When lifeboat volunteer DI Shona Oliver receives a Mayday call coming from Kilcatrin Island, she soon faces a major incident. Upon the shore is the badly burned body of a man, and a boy lies gravely injured nearby. Strewn around them on the beach are scores of WWII incendiary bombs, presumably washed up by the tide from Beaufort’s Dyke, an offshore arms dump deep in the Irish Sea.
The victim turns out to be a local fisherman – his son the other victim – and it rocks the tight knit community on the shores of the Solway Firth. Shona has to distance herself from the family, due to her friendship with Laura Carlin, the widow. But she can’t ignore the hardship many of her neighbours are experiencing, as fishing quotas and closed cockle beds take their toll.
Anger is directed at the MOD, who are assumed to be covering up a PR scandal. As the beaches are shut, livelihoods, including Shona’s own family B&B business, are under threat. Arguments erupt at home when a journalist comes to stay and Shona’s 16-year-old daughter Becca joins an eco-campaign group, run by an idealistic young woman named Willow.
As further deaths occur and suspicious behaviour seems to be found at every turn Shona makes, it’s impossible for her to get to the truth. She must work with her team to follow the evidence and earn the trust of those who know more than they’ve been willing to reveal. But blind loyalty may mean she’s too late to save those still in danger – including herself.
The victim turns out to be a local fisherman – his son the other victim – and it rocks the tight knit community on the shores of the Solway Firth. Shona has to distance herself from the family, due to her friendship with Laura Carlin, the widow. But she can’t ignore the hardship many of her neighbours are experiencing, as fishing quotas and closed cockle beds take their toll.
Anger is directed at the MOD, who are assumed to be covering up a PR scandal. As the beaches are shut, livelihoods, including Shona’s own family B&B business, are under threat. Arguments erupt at home when a journalist comes to stay and Shona’s 16-year-old daughter Becca joins an eco-campaign group, run by an idealistic young woman named Willow.
As further deaths occur and suspicious behaviour seems to be found at every turn Shona makes, it’s impossible for her to get to the truth. She must work with her team to follow the evidence and earn the trust of those who know more than they’ve been willing to reveal. But blind loyalty may mean she’s too late to save those still in danger – including herself.
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2022
98 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Lynne McEwan
7 books82 followersGlasgow-born Lynne McEwan is a former national newspaper photographer turned crime author. She's covered stories including the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the first Gulf War in addition to many high profile murder cases.
She currently lives in Lincoln and is in the final year of an MA in Crime Fiction at the University of East Anglia.
She currently lives in Lincoln and is in the final year of an MA in Crime Fiction at the University of East Anglia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
July 6, 2022
This is the second in Lynne McEwan's Scottish crime series set on the Solway Firth, featuring Dumfries and Galloway police officer and lifeboat volunteer DI Shona Oliver, receiving a Mayday call coming from Kilcatrin Island, a bird sanctuary. Under skipper Tommy McCall, they set off on the Margaret Wilson, and upon the beach, badly burned by phosphorus, is the dead body of a man, and a 12 year old boy lies gravely injured nearby, he is taken to hospital. Strewn all around them are scores of WW2 incendiary bombs, presumably washed up by the tide from Beaufort’s Dyke, an offshore arms dump deep in the Irish Sea. If you are thinking this is pure fiction, think again, this terrifying historical dangerous practice is an all too true grim reality.
This results in Shona having to work with MOD Inspector Simon Wallace, their wary relationship develops into a much stronger one once it becomes apparent both want nothing but the truth. The dead man is Tony Carlin, a local fisherman, his son, Jamie, the child victim, Laura Carlin is a friend of Shona's, raising the question whether she will be able to be objective in an investigation that attracts an intense media focus. These nightmare events put an unbearable economic strain on locals, deterring tourists, in a despairing community already suffering hardships from the decline of the fishing industry whilst triggering environmental protests about the hazards below the waves. Once again, there is cross border co-operation with the able DC Dan Ridley of Cumbria Police that yields vital leads for Shona and her hardworking team of DS Murdo O'Halloran, DC Kate Irving, and DC Ravi Sarwar in an complex case that takes in illegal cockle operations, and the suspicious death of Emma Johnstone, blogger and journalist who Shona had thrown out of their B&B.
Shona's marriage to Rob continues to be problematic and her almost 16 year old rebellious daughter, Becca, is pushing boundaries making it difficult to protect her, wanting a nose piercing, threatening not to take her GCSE exams, and with her worrying relationship with 23 year old political activist, Willow Moon. These are not the only pressures Shona faces in this dark, intense, engaging and suspenseful addition to this terrific Scottish crime series with its wonderful sense of the beautiful Solway Firth coastal location. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
This results in Shona having to work with MOD Inspector Simon Wallace, their wary relationship develops into a much stronger one once it becomes apparent both want nothing but the truth. The dead man is Tony Carlin, a local fisherman, his son, Jamie, the child victim, Laura Carlin is a friend of Shona's, raising the question whether she will be able to be objective in an investigation that attracts an intense media focus. These nightmare events put an unbearable economic strain on locals, deterring tourists, in a despairing community already suffering hardships from the decline of the fishing industry whilst triggering environmental protests about the hazards below the waves. Once again, there is cross border co-operation with the able DC Dan Ridley of Cumbria Police that yields vital leads for Shona and her hardworking team of DS Murdo O'Halloran, DC Kate Irving, and DC Ravi Sarwar in an complex case that takes in illegal cockle operations, and the suspicious death of Emma Johnstone, blogger and journalist who Shona had thrown out of their B&B.
Shona's marriage to Rob continues to be problematic and her almost 16 year old rebellious daughter, Becca, is pushing boundaries making it difficult to protect her, wanting a nose piercing, threatening not to take her GCSE exams, and with her worrying relationship with 23 year old political activist, Willow Moon. These are not the only pressures Shona faces in this dark, intense, engaging and suspenseful addition to this terrific Scottish crime series with its wonderful sense of the beautiful Solway Firth coastal location. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
July 11, 2022
#2 Detective Shona Oliver, Dumfries and Galloway Force and a local lifeboat volunteer.
A nighttime mayday call from Kilcatrin Island in the Solway Firth summons the lifeboat where they find a badly burned man’s body and a seriously injured boy nearby. Shona quickly realises that their horrific injuries are from a World War II phosphorus bomb and that there are numerous other bombs bobbing near the sea shore. Later, Shona is informed that they have probably washed ashore from Beauforts Dyke a deep trench in the Irish Sea where they have been dumped many years ago. More grenades wash up on the local beaches forcing a public safety ban. What was the victim doing there and how did they get to the island as no boat or vehicle are found? Does the death have any links to local protests about the armament dumps in the trench? Kilcatrin Island is an MOD site, what do they use the island for?
First of all, the Beaufort trench is real as is the submerging of ordinance there since 1945 and so I really like the focus of this, raising awareness of something that environmentally should concern us all. Kudos to the author for this as I for one had no idea about it!
The plot is a good one, it’s solid and meaty with plenty of things to think about. The MOD involvement via inspector Wallace is a really good angle making this just a bit different from other police procedurals. His character is a good one and I really like the changes he undergoes, he really is an interesting guy!
The Shona family dynamics are interesting, frankly Shona, ditch the husband! Her daughter Becca and her teen rebelliousness as well as her understandable environmental concerns are really good as is the characterisation. There’s a diverse police team too, all of whom are well portrayed. There is tension and suspense and it twists its way to a good ending.
I’ve just one small quibble, I’m not 100% convinced Shona would be allowed to investigate the death because of personal connections but it is fiction and it is a good storyline so I’ll let it go!!
Overall, I enjoyed this one which keeps you entertained from beginning to end as well as dealing with pertinent issues.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Canelo for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
A nighttime mayday call from Kilcatrin Island in the Solway Firth summons the lifeboat where they find a badly burned man’s body and a seriously injured boy nearby. Shona quickly realises that their horrific injuries are from a World War II phosphorus bomb and that there are numerous other bombs bobbing near the sea shore. Later, Shona is informed that they have probably washed ashore from Beauforts Dyke a deep trench in the Irish Sea where they have been dumped many years ago. More grenades wash up on the local beaches forcing a public safety ban. What was the victim doing there and how did they get to the island as no boat or vehicle are found? Does the death have any links to local protests about the armament dumps in the trench? Kilcatrin Island is an MOD site, what do they use the island for?
First of all, the Beaufort trench is real as is the submerging of ordinance there since 1945 and so I really like the focus of this, raising awareness of something that environmentally should concern us all. Kudos to the author for this as I for one had no idea about it!
The plot is a good one, it’s solid and meaty with plenty of things to think about. The MOD involvement via inspector Wallace is a really good angle making this just a bit different from other police procedurals. His character is a good one and I really like the changes he undergoes, he really is an interesting guy!
The Shona family dynamics are interesting, frankly Shona, ditch the husband! Her daughter Becca and her teen rebelliousness as well as her understandable environmental concerns are really good as is the characterisation. There’s a diverse police team too, all of whom are well portrayed. There is tension and suspense and it twists its way to a good ending.
I’ve just one small quibble, I’m not 100% convinced Shona would be allowed to investigate the death because of personal connections but it is fiction and it is a good storyline so I’ll let it go!!
Overall, I enjoyed this one which keeps you entertained from beginning to end as well as dealing with pertinent issues.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Canelo for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
August 1, 2022
This is the second book in the series, I have read the first one but this one can be read as a standalone book if you wanted.
In the series we have Shona Oliver, she is a lifeboat volunteer and when she gets a mayday call she never knows what she is going to find, but she could never have thought this was what she was going to find! I don't want to say too much about the storyline as I don't want to spoil it but it's full of intrigue, mystery, secrets, twists and turns.
The characters in the book are great to read about , brilliantly described and perfect to go through this book with. Where better to set a book like this than in bonny Scotland , the atmosphere that creates by itself builds the book up perfectly. This was a great crime thriller that kept me hooked throughout it.
In the series we have Shona Oliver, she is a lifeboat volunteer and when she gets a mayday call she never knows what she is going to find, but she could never have thought this was what she was going to find! I don't want to say too much about the storyline as I don't want to spoil it but it's full of intrigue, mystery, secrets, twists and turns.
The characters in the book are great to read about , brilliantly described and perfect to go through this book with. Where better to set a book like this than in bonny Scotland , the atmosphere that creates by itself builds the book up perfectly. This was a great crime thriller that kept me hooked throughout it.
December 29, 2024
DEAD MAN DEEP is the second novel in Lynn McEwan’s DI Rhona Oliver series, and is as well-written as the first one. Yet I’ve had it on my kindle for over two years (purchased on a 99 cents sale), unread, because other books were promoted more actively.
This time the plot involves a potential environmental disaster. As a member of a volunteer search and rescue RNLI crew, Rhona discovers the body of a local fisherman on Kilcatrin Island, a bird sanctuary, lying beside his seriously injured son. Both have been badly burned by phosphorus, and bobbing in the ocean nearby are several WW2 incendiary bombs, washed from Beaufort’s Dyke, a deep trench in the Irish Sea where armaments were dumped after the war ended.
It is a complex plot, involving the possibility of using the dumped armaments to make dirty bombs, illegal fishing, and marital strife. Again Shona’s husband, Rob, gets into trouble, this time by flirting with one of their B & B guests.
The only problem I had with this one is that the solution seemed to be wrapped up too fast, almost incidentally, to give us a surprise ending.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My review for the first book in the series:
In Deep Water (Detective Shona Oliver, #1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This time the plot involves a potential environmental disaster. As a member of a volunteer search and rescue RNLI crew, Rhona discovers the body of a local fisherman on Kilcatrin Island, a bird sanctuary, lying beside his seriously injured son. Both have been badly burned by phosphorus, and bobbing in the ocean nearby are several WW2 incendiary bombs, washed from Beaufort’s Dyke, a deep trench in the Irish Sea where armaments were dumped after the war ended.
It is a complex plot, involving the possibility of using the dumped armaments to make dirty bombs, illegal fishing, and marital strife. Again Shona’s husband, Rob, gets into trouble, this time by flirting with one of their B & B guests.
The only problem I had with this one is that the solution seemed to be wrapped up too fast, almost incidentally, to give us a surprise ending.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My review for the first book in the series:
In Deep Water (Detective Shona Oliver, #1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
August 5, 2022
Well, Shona has her hands full in this book! She is juggling an errant husband, a rebellious daughter and a murder case where all is not what it seems. There are also environmental protestors to be careful of and all of this combines in this book.
This was a good police procedural set in Scotland (one of my favourite places in the world) and I really enjoyed the Scots peppered throughout. I could just "hear" some of the characters speaking to me. What happened with regard to the dumping of munitions after WWII made me shiver, it has to be said.
I really liked this book, although the plot wasn't quite as tight as it could have been. I did like the interactions of Shona with Becca - such a typical teenager! Glad I am not going through it all anymore, either as the teen or as the mother, lol. I hope we will get to see more of Dan in future books and I liked Simon too, the MoD fella.
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo.
This was a good police procedural set in Scotland (one of my favourite places in the world) and I really enjoyed the Scots peppered throughout. I could just "hear" some of the characters speaking to me. What happened with regard to the dumping of munitions after WWII made me shiver, it has to be said.
I really liked this book, although the plot wasn't quite as tight as it could have been. I did like the interactions of Shona with Becca - such a typical teenager! Glad I am not going through it all anymore, either as the teen or as the mother, lol. I hope we will get to see more of Dan in future books and I liked Simon too, the MoD fella.
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo.
July 31, 2022
The second instalment of the crime thriller series following DI Shona and her team. There are plenty action packed moments, twists, turns and suspense.
Some new characters introduced such as Wallace from the MDP, I think he could be a really interesting addition and I'm intrigued to see if he will be in book 3. DC Dan from Cumbria returned though didn't play as big a part as in book 1, I'm holding out hope for more of him in book 3 as I really like his character.
For Rob, Becca and Shona, their personal lives are becoming more complicated, this drama has me clinging to the edge of my seat!
Roll on book 3!
Some new characters introduced such as Wallace from the MDP, I think he could be a really interesting addition and I'm intrigued to see if he will be in book 3. DC Dan from Cumbria returned though didn't play as big a part as in book 1, I'm holding out hope for more of him in book 3 as I really like his character.
For Rob, Becca and Shona, their personal lives are becoming more complicated, this drama has me clinging to the edge of my seat!
Roll on book 3!
March 2, 2024
The 2nd book in the DI Shona Oliver series.
Gripping and well written! Looking forward to the next one.
Gripping and well written! Looking forward to the next one.
January 1, 2025
Decent police procedural, but spoiled by countless typos.
July 4, 2022
This is second book in the series featuring Shona Oliver, I was interested to see how the series progressed so was very glad to be given a chance to read this book before it was published. Thank you NetGalley
First off I will say this wasn’t for me, usually I love police procedural but there was something lacking here, there is a feel of Val McDermid and Cara Hunter but it doesn’t follow though.
The character of Shona is extremely annoying, I couldn’t take to her at all. The way she is written as some sort of rebel with a heart makes her come across as utter pain in the bum who is far up own backside. The story while interesting and unusual for me is over shadowed by dislike of the main character I also felt there was a lot mixed message with the writing of this characters McEwan I think is trying to be “woke” but actually times comes across as bigoted and sexist.
The story is good and is fairly well paced, I did find some points of the story going off in different tangents or focused too long on one section or things that were not relevant at all but there was plenty of substance in the story and some good twists however, I felt the ending was a bit too neat as was the case in the first book also .Throughout the story, the drama built up very slowly and speeded up considerably towards the end, I like in this a novel but here I found it did get tiresome in places.
The continuing story from the first book felt drawn out and boring here, the cast of characters felt very stereotypical and there was a bit of what I like to call cut and paste writing these flaws can be common in series as they progress but to see them book 2 puts me right off.
Not for me but I liked the idea of the book, writing needs vastly improved and characters need to be developed
Won’t be reading the next instalment but thanks for the ARC
First off I will say this wasn’t for me, usually I love police procedural but there was something lacking here, there is a feel of Val McDermid and Cara Hunter but it doesn’t follow though.
The character of Shona is extremely annoying, I couldn’t take to her at all. The way she is written as some sort of rebel with a heart makes her come across as utter pain in the bum who is far up own backside. The story while interesting and unusual for me is over shadowed by dislike of the main character I also felt there was a lot mixed message with the writing of this characters McEwan I think is trying to be “woke” but actually times comes across as bigoted and sexist.
The story is good and is fairly well paced, I did find some points of the story going off in different tangents or focused too long on one section or things that were not relevant at all but there was plenty of substance in the story and some good twists however, I felt the ending was a bit too neat as was the case in the first book also .Throughout the story, the drama built up very slowly and speeded up considerably towards the end, I like in this a novel but here I found it did get tiresome in places.
The continuing story from the first book felt drawn out and boring here, the cast of characters felt very stereotypical and there was a bit of what I like to call cut and paste writing these flaws can be common in series as they progress but to see them book 2 puts me right off.
Not for me but I liked the idea of the book, writing needs vastly improved and characters need to be developed
Won’t be reading the next instalment but thanks for the ARC
July 11, 2022
Set in beautifully evocative Scotland, aptly-entitled Dead Man Deep is the second in the series with a focus on DI and lifeboat volunteer Shona Oliver, the cases she is in charge of and her family life. A man is discovered dead with an injured boy near by. What makes this so unusual is the discovery of hundreds of dangerous WWII phosphorous bombs in the water, not something encountered every day. The dead man is local and known by Shona as he was married to her friend. The impact on tourism and the environment is an important factor amid protests.
Shona's personal life is on the rocks as her young daughter is rebelling and her relationship with her husband could be better. He runs their struggling B&B but Shona's absence is a bone of contention. Shona's team of police and Inspector Wallace dig for answers and are met with a bevvy of secrets including illegal activity.
Local angst and suspicion cast long shadows. Neighbours, friends and spouses may think they know each other...but do they really?
My favourite aspects are the historical WWII incendiary information and the atmospheric sea setting which is almost a character in its own right. Shona's personality is irritating in my view but a good book needn't be full of likeable people. The political correctness felt a bit unnatural.
Police procedurals don't usually float my boat as much as other thrillers but the blurb on this one was irresistible. If you seek something a bit different, do add this to your to be read list.
My sincere thank you to Canelo and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this worthwhile book. I'm curious about what the author has in store for us next?
Shona's personal life is on the rocks as her young daughter is rebelling and her relationship with her husband could be better. He runs their struggling B&B but Shona's absence is a bone of contention. Shona's team of police and Inspector Wallace dig for answers and are met with a bevvy of secrets including illegal activity.
Local angst and suspicion cast long shadows. Neighbours, friends and spouses may think they know each other...but do they really?
My favourite aspects are the historical WWII incendiary information and the atmospheric sea setting which is almost a character in its own right. Shona's personality is irritating in my view but a good book needn't be full of likeable people. The political correctness felt a bit unnatural.
Police procedurals don't usually float my boat as much as other thrillers but the blurb on this one was irresistible. If you seek something a bit different, do add this to your to be read list.
My sincere thank you to Canelo and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this worthwhile book. I'm curious about what the author has in store for us next?
July 3, 2022
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
It's the second in a series, but I had forgotten most of the first and it didn't matter. This starts with Shona being called out as a lifeboat volunteer in response to an emergency signal and discovering the dead body of her friend's husband on what is meant to be out of limits MoD land. The man's son is near him, horribly burned by a WWII phosphorus bomb. The fact that millions of military ordinances have been dumped in (or near) a trench in the ocean between Scotland and Northern Ireland seemed so appalling to me that I knew it must be true. I looked it up, and it is...
It was refreshing to read a novel where the MoD and army were reasonably helpful and co-operative, and I liked Shona's team. Her home life was more problematic to me: there is another police procedural series I read where the officer is a woman and her husband continually drags her down and lets her down and she goes on trying to make the marriage work, saying things to herself like, 'he's a good father'. I hate Rob and think she should leave him.
My only other issue with this novel was the way the community is so small that everyone knows every one and their business, Shona is allowed to investigate her own friends and the death of a woman who has been staying in B&B accommodation in her own home, and yet it has a sizeable police department.
It's the second in a series, but I had forgotten most of the first and it didn't matter. This starts with Shona being called out as a lifeboat volunteer in response to an emergency signal and discovering the dead body of her friend's husband on what is meant to be out of limits MoD land. The man's son is near him, horribly burned by a WWII phosphorus bomb. The fact that millions of military ordinances have been dumped in (or near) a trench in the ocean between Scotland and Northern Ireland seemed so appalling to me that I knew it must be true. I looked it up, and it is...
It was refreshing to read a novel where the MoD and army were reasonably helpful and co-operative, and I liked Shona's team. Her home life was more problematic to me: there is another police procedural series I read where the officer is a woman and her husband continually drags her down and lets her down and she goes on trying to make the marriage work, saying things to herself like, 'he's a good father'. I hate Rob and think she should leave him.
My only other issue with this novel was the way the community is so small that everyone knows every one and their business, Shona is allowed to investigate her own friends and the death of a woman who has been staying in B&B accommodation in her own home, and yet it has a sizeable police department.
August 7, 2022
4.5 rounded up - Shona Oliver is as close as I've found to Aline Templeton's Marjory Fleming. Well crafted Scottish crime mysteries/police procedurals with complex, interesting, flawed but strong, compassionate, thoughtful women leads. Love it, can't wait for book three!
August 5, 2022
‘Dead Man Deep’ is the second book in Lynne McEwan’s series set on the Scottish coast of the Solway Firth. I had read the first book ‘In Dark Water’ last year and loved it, so it was a pleasant surprise to see that this one had been published. However, you can read this very easily as a standalone as all past events when alluded to have enough details provided to pick up the threads. I would recommend reading the first one though as I think this is a series that will only get better and better, so getting in the from the start would give you brownie points!
‘Dead Man Deep’ is intensely dark in places, brilliantly plotted, and highly addictive! I devoured it in one day. I know I say that a lot but I was hooked as soon as the bodies were found to the final revelations. The story revolves around DI Shona Oliver, her team at the police station, her personal life and also her role as a lifeguard volunteer. I think this is what makes the series unique and exciting in the tartan noir landscape, that added element of being in dangerous situations on the sea. It certainly makes for a heart-stopping read at times.
When a mayday call is received from Kilcatrin Island Shona and the lifeboat team jump into action! They find the body of a badly burnt man and a young boy lying nearby and the detritus of phosphorus material on the beach. These are remnants of bombs from WWII which have drifted up from Beaufort’s Dyke! Cue the MOD sending their own men in to work with Shona - Simon Wallace and its safe to say the relationship between the two branches of government is rocky. It turns out the dead man is local fisherman Tony Carlin and the injured boy is his son. This makes it personal for Shona, as she is close friends with Laura Carlin, Tony’s wife. She is now determined to find out the truth about what happened on Kilcatrin Island…
Once again I learnt something this week and that is all about Beaufort Dyke which I knew nothing about. It's not just leftover ammunition and bombs from WWII but also nuclear waste!!! Flaming Nora! I loved that Shona’s daughter Becca was so involved in the green movement as it ties in very neatly with this branch of the narrative and her relationship with Willow was a good example of hero worship.
I really enjoyed returning to these characters and I can't wait to read more! Please let Dan be able to move into Police Scotland as I can see some interesting dynamics happening if he does. The plot in this book was excellent, I may have guessed the resolution but the process of getting there was entertaining and I was enthralled throughout.
Roll on the next book!
‘Dead Man Deep’ is intensely dark in places, brilliantly plotted, and highly addictive! I devoured it in one day. I know I say that a lot but I was hooked as soon as the bodies were found to the final revelations. The story revolves around DI Shona Oliver, her team at the police station, her personal life and also her role as a lifeguard volunteer. I think this is what makes the series unique and exciting in the tartan noir landscape, that added element of being in dangerous situations on the sea. It certainly makes for a heart-stopping read at times.
When a mayday call is received from Kilcatrin Island Shona and the lifeboat team jump into action! They find the body of a badly burnt man and a young boy lying nearby and the detritus of phosphorus material on the beach. These are remnants of bombs from WWII which have drifted up from Beaufort’s Dyke! Cue the MOD sending their own men in to work with Shona - Simon Wallace and its safe to say the relationship between the two branches of government is rocky. It turns out the dead man is local fisherman Tony Carlin and the injured boy is his son. This makes it personal for Shona, as she is close friends with Laura Carlin, Tony’s wife. She is now determined to find out the truth about what happened on Kilcatrin Island…
Once again I learnt something this week and that is all about Beaufort Dyke which I knew nothing about. It's not just leftover ammunition and bombs from WWII but also nuclear waste!!! Flaming Nora! I loved that Shona’s daughter Becca was so involved in the green movement as it ties in very neatly with this branch of the narrative and her relationship with Willow was a good example of hero worship.
I really enjoyed returning to these characters and I can't wait to read more! Please let Dan be able to move into Police Scotland as I can see some interesting dynamics happening if he does. The plot in this book was excellent, I may have guessed the resolution but the process of getting there was entertaining and I was enthralled throughout.
Roll on the next book!
August 13, 2023
*Should Read as 4.75 STARS!*
This captivating book is the 2nd volume of the amazing "DI Shona Oliver" series, from the female Scottish author, Lynne McEwan.
Storytelling is wonderful, all characters are once again very believable and lifelike in the dealings with life, emotions, joy and hardship, while the Solway firth and its surrounding environment is now at the heart of this crime thriller.
In this crime thriller Di Shona Oliver i called to a Mayday at Kilcatrin Island, and together will Tommy McCall and Callum Stewart they will response to that call, and to find a badly burned man who goes by the name of, Tony Carlin, and his gravely injured son, Jamie.
Both are burned by Second World War incendiary bombs, which were dumped at a near place called Beaufort's Dyke, and now somehow coming to the surface polluting the environment and killing people, but before Tony Carlin was burned to death, he was stabbed beforehand, something that will be concluded at the post-mortem by Slasher Sue Kitchen.
This Tony Carlin is/was a fisherman, which is a close-knit community, but also a man who was having domestic problems, and in this secret environment DI Shona Oliver and her team with DS Murdo, DC Kate Irving, DC Ravi Sharwar, and south of the border from the Cumbria CID in Carlisle, DC Dan Ridley, and from the MDP, Simon Wallace, together they will have to go the bottom of this case to find the truth about this killing and the discovery of this lethal war waste.
What is to follow as a whole is a splendid crime thriller, where fishing rights and environmental issues will collide and intertwine, and in this dangerous environment DI Shona Oliver, while having some serious domestic problems of her own, she and her team will have to follow Scottish police procedures, and while doing great detective work accompanied by excellent forensic science, they will be able to solve these cases of murder and deceit in a most comprehensive and convincing manner.
Very much recommended, for this is another gripping addition to this great crime series, and that's why I like to call this second episode: "Another Excellent DI Shona Oliver Thriller"!
This captivating book is the 2nd volume of the amazing "DI Shona Oliver" series, from the female Scottish author, Lynne McEwan.
Storytelling is wonderful, all characters are once again very believable and lifelike in the dealings with life, emotions, joy and hardship, while the Solway firth and its surrounding environment is now at the heart of this crime thriller.
In this crime thriller Di Shona Oliver i called to a Mayday at Kilcatrin Island, and together will Tommy McCall and Callum Stewart they will response to that call, and to find a badly burned man who goes by the name of, Tony Carlin, and his gravely injured son, Jamie.
Both are burned by Second World War incendiary bombs, which were dumped at a near place called Beaufort's Dyke, and now somehow coming to the surface polluting the environment and killing people, but before Tony Carlin was burned to death, he was stabbed beforehand, something that will be concluded at the post-mortem by Slasher Sue Kitchen.
This Tony Carlin is/was a fisherman, which is a close-knit community, but also a man who was having domestic problems, and in this secret environment DI Shona Oliver and her team with DS Murdo, DC Kate Irving, DC Ravi Sharwar, and south of the border from the Cumbria CID in Carlisle, DC Dan Ridley, and from the MDP, Simon Wallace, together they will have to go the bottom of this case to find the truth about this killing and the discovery of this lethal war waste.
What is to follow as a whole is a splendid crime thriller, where fishing rights and environmental issues will collide and intertwine, and in this dangerous environment DI Shona Oliver, while having some serious domestic problems of her own, she and her team will have to follow Scottish police procedures, and while doing great detective work accompanied by excellent forensic science, they will be able to solve these cases of murder and deceit in a most comprehensive and convincing manner.
Very much recommended, for this is another gripping addition to this great crime series, and that's why I like to call this second episode: "Another Excellent DI Shona Oliver Thriller"!
July 29, 2022
This was a gripping read that I just couldn't put down. It becomes clear very quickly that there is a link to World War Two and the military as grenades and a badly burned body of a male wash up on the shore. Was it something to do with the MOD, something to do with the protestors protesting about armaments in the Beauforts Dyke trench in the Irish sea or was it all just a coincidence.
I had never heard of this Trench before but as Google is my friend - although not really this time - I looked it up and not only is it real but following WW2, two tonnes of nuclear waste was dumped into this trench, what this waste was or the quantities of each material is still unknown, which is quite frankly terrifying.
The author uses this is the story in an incredible way, really bringing into focus the environmental issues affecting this area and it has definitely made me want to look more into it. The writing is really good with a compelling plot that was full of action, twists and mystery and well developed characters. There were several things within the character development that I loved - I loved the MOD involvement in the case and I found Inspector Wallace to be very likeable, relatable and believeable. I also really liked Becca who I found to be incredibly believable as a teenager who is full of angst, rebellion but also really feels passionate about the environmental concerns of the trench.
It was twisty, unpredictable and lept me guessing until the end, I loved it.
I had never heard of this Trench before but as Google is my friend - although not really this time - I looked it up and not only is it real but following WW2, two tonnes of nuclear waste was dumped into this trench, what this waste was or the quantities of each material is still unknown, which is quite frankly terrifying.
The author uses this is the story in an incredible way, really bringing into focus the environmental issues affecting this area and it has definitely made me want to look more into it. The writing is really good with a compelling plot that was full of action, twists and mystery and well developed characters. There were several things within the character development that I loved - I loved the MOD involvement in the case and I found Inspector Wallace to be very likeable, relatable and believeable. I also really liked Becca who I found to be incredibly believable as a teenager who is full of angst, rebellion but also really feels passionate about the environmental concerns of the trench.
It was twisty, unpredictable and lept me guessing until the end, I loved it.
August 6, 2022
This is the 2nd DI Shona Oliver police procedural thriller and a really good one too. I’m definitely going to go back and read the first one. Set on the Solway Firth Shona is a Dumfries and Galloway police officer and lifeboat volunteer with the Kirkness Lifeboat Station. This is a real page turner, well written, fast paced and with a thrilling storyline, and I loved the main character.
Briefly, on a lifeboat call-out Shona finds a father and son on an island both suffering serious, and in one case fatal, chemical burns. At first it is assumed the victims had handled phosphorous shells which were drifting in the water but once the investigation gets going more details emerge about the family of the victims and the town they lived in. Meantime Shona is dealing with family issues and the arrival of a female reporter further complicates matters. As more deaths occur can Shona and her colleagues get to the bottom of this baffling case.
However the overwhelming thing I took from this book is the real issue of The Beaufort Dyke. This is an area of the Irish Sea, some 35 miles off Scotland, where the MOD have, for decades, dumped tonnes of munitions including phosphorus shells and even 2 tonnes of radioactive waste! None of this is safe and shells regularly float ashore. The book was really good and I applaud the inclusion of this little known fact. Great twists and turns and some surprising discoveries by a forensic botanist lead to a shocking climax. A brilliant read, I really enjoyed this one.
Briefly, on a lifeboat call-out Shona finds a father and son on an island both suffering serious, and in one case fatal, chemical burns. At first it is assumed the victims had handled phosphorous shells which were drifting in the water but once the investigation gets going more details emerge about the family of the victims and the town they lived in. Meantime Shona is dealing with family issues and the arrival of a female reporter further complicates matters. As more deaths occur can Shona and her colleagues get to the bottom of this baffling case.
However the overwhelming thing I took from this book is the real issue of The Beaufort Dyke. This is an area of the Irish Sea, some 35 miles off Scotland, where the MOD have, for decades, dumped tonnes of munitions including phosphorus shells and even 2 tonnes of radioactive waste! None of this is safe and shells regularly float ashore. The book was really good and I applaud the inclusion of this little known fact. Great twists and turns and some surprising discoveries by a forensic botanist lead to a shocking climax. A brilliant read, I really enjoyed this one.
September 10, 2022
Dead Man Deep by Lynne McEwan is the second book in the excellent Detective Shona Oliver Scottish crime series set on the Solway Firth, and I was gripped from the beginning till the end just like the first book called In Dark Water.
Detective Shona Oliver, for Dumfries and Galloway Police Force and lifeboat volunteer when she gets spare time. When a mayday call from Kilcatrin Island in the Solway Firth and summons the lifeboat where they find a badly burned man’s body and a seriously injured young boy nearby. Detective Shona Oliver, soon realises that these injuries are not a normal burn but from a World War II phosphorus bombs, and there are other numerous bombs that are bobbing near the sea shore. These may of been washed ashore from Beaufort's Dyke a deep trench which is in the Irish Sea, they where dumped many years ago and no-one had done anything about.
Everyone around her, maybe in danger and have the same result as their victims they have just found. Quick action is needed by everyone, before there are more casualties.
These victim's are a local fisherman and his son is the other victim that are from a tight knit community on the shores of the Solway Firth.
How did they get there and why were they there?
This book was full of great twists and turns and I loved it. Looking forward to Lynne's next book.
Big thanks to NetGalley and especially to Canelo for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Detective Shona Oliver, for Dumfries and Galloway Police Force and lifeboat volunteer when she gets spare time. When a mayday call from Kilcatrin Island in the Solway Firth and summons the lifeboat where they find a badly burned man’s body and a seriously injured young boy nearby. Detective Shona Oliver, soon realises that these injuries are not a normal burn but from a World War II phosphorus bombs, and there are other numerous bombs that are bobbing near the sea shore. These may of been washed ashore from Beaufort's Dyke a deep trench which is in the Irish Sea, they where dumped many years ago and no-one had done anything about.
Everyone around her, maybe in danger and have the same result as their victims they have just found. Quick action is needed by everyone, before there are more casualties.
These victim's are a local fisherman and his son is the other victim that are from a tight knit community on the shores of the Solway Firth.
How did they get there and why were they there?
This book was full of great twists and turns and I loved it. Looking forward to Lynne's next book.
Big thanks to NetGalley and especially to Canelo for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
September 19, 2022
DI Shona Oliver is busy. In addition to her police duties, she is also part of the Lifeboat Rescue team. When the rescue team answers to a ‘shout’ they find themselves going to an island belonging to the Ministry of Defense that is used as a live shooting range. There, they find a dead man with severe chemical burns, along with a boy with severe burns. They also find find phosphorus shells floating in the water, and they could be deadly.
When Shona returns the the police station, she starts the investigation. Was it a military ‘screw-up’ or part of a terrorist plot? Shona has to work with a military representative, and when more details become known the investigation becomes a murder inquiry. As Shona balances all her duties along with the usual family issues, she is on a timer to solve the case.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read and review this book. I really liked the characters, the storyline, and the resolution, giving me reason to read more books in the series.
When Shona returns the the police station, she starts the investigation. Was it a military ‘screw-up’ or part of a terrorist plot? Shona has to work with a military representative, and when more details become known the investigation becomes a murder inquiry. As Shona balances all her duties along with the usual family issues, she is on a timer to solve the case.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read and review this book. I really liked the characters, the storyline, and the resolution, giving me reason to read more books in the series.
August 12, 2025
Shona Oliver, our Detective Inspector and also local lifeboat volunteer, is involved in a lifeboat call to Kilcatrin Island in the Solway Firth. A badly burned, but dead, man is discovered along with his son, who is unconscious and burned, but alive. They are surrounded by phosphorus bombs, seemingly washed up on the beach from deep sea dumping sites.
It transpires that the man has been stabbed, and his wife is a personal friend of Shona. Virtually everyone in the man’s family emerges as a potential suspect. And distrust amongst many of the community, coupled with anger directed at the Ministry of Defence, makes the investigation more difficult.
Shona also has to cope with personal and professional challenges. Personal with her husband who continues to face suspicion over his previous employment in the City of London, and also the growing pains associated with their 16 year old daughter, Becca. Professional with her superiors, and also with an at times awkward partnership with a MoD detective.
A fast read, enjoyable, and set in bleak but scenic countryside.
It transpires that the man has been stabbed, and his wife is a personal friend of Shona. Virtually everyone in the man’s family emerges as a potential suspect. And distrust amongst many of the community, coupled with anger directed at the Ministry of Defence, makes the investigation more difficult.
Shona also has to cope with personal and professional challenges. Personal with her husband who continues to face suspicion over his previous employment in the City of London, and also the growing pains associated with their 16 year old daughter, Becca. Professional with her superiors, and also with an at times awkward partnership with a MoD detective.
A fast read, enjoyable, and set in bleak but scenic countryside.
August 5, 2022
🔍🛶
What a rollercoaster! This book had so many twists and turns, you didn't know what the outcome was going to be, until BAM, there was another bombshell right around the corner! (No pun intended 🤣🤣)
Crime thriller books are always my go to reads, so when I got the oppurtunity to read and write a review I jumped at it.
Boy, did it not disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed the journey I went on with this books, as well as the development of each character. Despite at times feeling like Shona could be a little more empathetic towards Lauras plight. I did love Shona's straightforwardness, courage and ingenuity throughout the story.
The final moments of the plot were unexpected and finally answered all of the questions I had, leaving it to the very last few pages - my favourite style of crime thriller writing😏. Overall, a well written crime thriller story, that left you wanting more.
What a rollercoaster! This book had so many twists and turns, you didn't know what the outcome was going to be, until BAM, there was another bombshell right around the corner! (No pun intended 🤣🤣)
Crime thriller books are always my go to reads, so when I got the oppurtunity to read and write a review I jumped at it.
Boy, did it not disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed the journey I went on with this books, as well as the development of each character. Despite at times feeling like Shona could be a little more empathetic towards Lauras plight. I did love Shona's straightforwardness, courage and ingenuity throughout the story.
The final moments of the plot were unexpected and finally answered all of the questions I had, leaving it to the very last few pages - my favourite style of crime thriller writing😏. Overall, a well written crime thriller story, that left you wanting more.
July 21, 2022
I just know Jamie is a good kid. Call it a hunch or merely me reading too many mystery novels lol
The police procedural in this story is not really logical. And dare I say, quite irresponsible. I'm scared if that's how police officers conclude who the perpetrators are over there.
And the solicitor of that guy is super bad lol
There's barely anything new here.
I like Jamie even before getting confirmed about the conclusion. I read on mostly to be sure that he will pull through.
The art class incident is similar to a case I know before. I do think the author should have made the details clear.
Jamie is the only reason I give this a five-star.
Hope Tony rest in peace.
Lots of misspellings. I hope it will get corrected soon when it's only about 2 weeks from publication.
Thank you for sending me this e-ARC. Opinions are my own.
The police procedural in this story is not really logical. And dare I say, quite irresponsible. I'm scared if that's how police officers conclude who the perpetrators are over there.
And the solicitor of that guy is super bad lol
There's barely anything new here.
I like Jamie even before getting confirmed about the conclusion. I read on mostly to be sure that he will pull through.
The art class incident is similar to a case I know before. I do think the author should have made the details clear.
Jamie is the only reason I give this a five-star.
Hope Tony rest in peace.
Lots of misspellings. I hope it will get corrected soon when it's only about 2 weeks from publication.
Thank you for sending me this e-ARC. Opinions are my own.
August 27, 2023
What’s a great read!
This second instalment is even better than the previous one as we meet the same investigation team and the story hits close to home for Shona as her daughter and her supposed best friend are mixed in her investigation.
I like how the author portrays Shona and her team without falling in the drinking more than is reasonable pit that so many authors seem to fall into. I also like that everyone is shown with their flaws as well as their good sides.
My peeve is with Shona’s daughter and husband that are so self centered that there’s nothing much to like in them, especially the daughter who seems to be a catastrophe waiting to happen.
Overall, I loved this book and I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment.
This second instalment is even better than the previous one as we meet the same investigation team and the story hits close to home for Shona as her daughter and her supposed best friend are mixed in her investigation.
I like how the author portrays Shona and her team without falling in the drinking more than is reasonable pit that so many authors seem to fall into. I also like that everyone is shown with their flaws as well as their good sides.
My peeve is with Shona’s daughter and husband that are so self centered that there’s nothing much to like in them, especially the daughter who seems to be a catastrophe waiting to happen.
Overall, I loved this book and I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment.
July 16, 2022
The second book in the series to feature DI Shona Oliver is set in the Solway Firth. Shona and her team are under pressure to find the killer of a local man found dead on an island off shore. The writing is good with some lovely descriptions and the book has a steady pace throughout. Shona's personal life is a bit up and down due to her errant husband and teenage daughter but I like how Shona is determined to overcome her personal problems. She really has to ditch Rob though! The plot was different, featuring MOD land and environmental issues. Overall, this is another very good read from the author. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
August 2, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. So much so I read it in one sitting.
When the coastguard responds to a mayday call they discover the badly burned body of a man and nearby a badly injured boy.
DI Shona Oliver is the volunteer who found them and she is tasked with finding out what happened. Things turn personal when the victim is identified.
I loved the mix of police work and personal life in the story. The twists kept the pages turning and left me shocked at the end.
I will definitely recommend this series to all crime fiction fans.
When the coastguard responds to a mayday call they discover the badly burned body of a man and nearby a badly injured boy.
DI Shona Oliver is the volunteer who found them and she is tasked with finding out what happened. Things turn personal when the victim is identified.
I loved the mix of police work and personal life in the story. The twists kept the pages turning and left me shocked at the end.
I will definitely recommend this series to all crime fiction fans.
March 31, 2023
It was a real struggle to finish this one. I thought it lacked pace and was badly written. Virtually every chapter starts "Shona ..." . The author credits her editor and proof reader but in my edition they had done a really poor job; I know when I am not enjoying a book as the typos etc really grate. In addition, I really disliked the main character, Shona, who seemed smug and self righteous.
An author to avoid for me.
An author to avoid for me.
April 4, 2023
2 stars
There are too many books out there that have a good start and decent ending but nothing in between. That is not a good book, that's a few decent chapters, that's it. And this book is one of them.
Lifeboat volunteer DI Shona Oliver receives a Mayday call and she ends up rescuing a boy who is the son of one of her friends. And basically nothing significant happens apart of some unnecessary family drama, until the end when the big reveal was not so big as it was predictable.
There are too many books out there that have a good start and decent ending but nothing in between. That is not a good book, that's a few decent chapters, that's it. And this book is one of them.
Lifeboat volunteer DI Shona Oliver receives a Mayday call and she ends up rescuing a boy who is the son of one of her friends. And basically nothing significant happens apart of some unnecessary family drama, until the end when the big reveal was not so big as it was predictable.
June 13, 2023
This was another decent read, although there now seem to be more similarities with Lin Anderson's books.
On a shout with the lifeboat Shona finds a dead body and an injured child. They are so badly burned that she doesn't recognise them. It soon comes to light that they are the husband and child of one of her friends.
Environment protests, MOD involvement and family issues are the mainstay of the book.
On a shout with the lifeboat Shona finds a dead body and an injured child. They are so badly burned that she doesn't recognise them. It soon comes to light that they are the husband and child of one of her friends.
Environment protests, MOD involvement and family issues are the mainstay of the book.
January 7, 2024
When I started this book I didn't realise that it was no2 in the series but apart from a few comments about the previous book you wouldn't know it was the second one. I really liked this book and will looked for the others in the series, I know the area it was set in and wasn't put off by the various references to places as they are where they should be, (in other books I have been put off when places that are 10mins away are actually 1 hour away). Well done Lynne McEwan.
July 1, 2025
I like the 2nd Shona Oliver detective story.
A potential enviromental desaster.
Beaches closed do to that and the pressure on Shona who took the decisaion.
Not many suspects.
A disfonctional family. Miseries of being a fisherman and how to make ends meet.
A rebelious daughter who befriends an enviromental group and a charismatic leader.
Trouble on the home front.
Biguring ut who did it with the help of her team.
All adds up to a great read and a twist murderer.
Enjoy!
A potential enviromental desaster.
Beaches closed do to that and the pressure on Shona who took the decisaion.
Not many suspects.
A disfonctional family. Miseries of being a fisherman and how to make ends meet.
A rebelious daughter who befriends an enviromental group and a charismatic leader.
Trouble on the home front.
Biguring ut who did it with the help of her team.
All adds up to a great read and a twist murderer.
Enjoy!
March 10, 2023
Another brilliant read and second i the series. A sad ending and hoping for good nrws in Book 3! Shona is a great character and detective leaving no stone unturned. I of course highly recommend this book. It can be read independently but better to start with book 1 for more clatity. The setting really adds to the brilliance of this series!
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