Life has been slowly improving for DCI Jack Logan lately. Happily settled down with the woman of his dreams and a dog he begrudgingly tolerates, things are finally going Jack’s way.
But, could all that be about to change?
When a sadistic killer begins picking off victims on the streets of Inverness, Jack’s boss decides to bring in some outside help. But the new team member is an old flame from Jack’s past who isn’t quite ready to let him go.
And, as the dead bodies rack up, the Happily Ever After that Jack has been building for himself might just be the next victim to fall…
City of Scars is the 14th books in the multi-million selling DCI Logan Scottish crime fiction series. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, LJ Ross, and Stuart MacBride.
JD Kirk is the pen name of multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, and writer of comics, Barry Hutchison.
JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. Despite writing from a young age, 'A Litter of Bones' is his first novel, and combines his love of the Highlands, crime thrillers, and cats.
Another action packed brilliantly written, fast paced plot sprinkled heavily with Scottish humour. I always look forward to reading the next book in this series as I find them very satisfying, funny but also serious and sympathetic when it needs to be.
Kirk does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life, and also continuously developing the MC and supporting cast without it feeling stale. I have come to appreciate the way he writes about police work and the many difficulties they face.
Overall a very realistic story with a strong sense of place and characters. There’s a very strong, likeable MC, bags of Scottish humour and a mystery that will keep you turning the pages to figure out who did it. Really great reading..
Characters just keep growing and evolving-brilliant.
I’m finally up to the instalments that have DCI Heather Filson (his new spin-off series which I read prior to reaching Book 14). The crime, humour and inter-collegial banter are writing genius.
My Rating System: 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ticked all the boxes LOVED IT!!!!
DCI Jack Logan’s life is going along nicely, he has happily settled down with the woman of his dreams, has a dog (albeit begrudgingly) and things seem to finally be turning a corner. Speak to soon and you will get smacked back down to earth. Jack’s life is about to get complicated….
Jack falls ill with the flu and his boss decides to bring in outside help, in the form of someone from his past, who has intimate knowledge of Jack Logan and who is about to make things… let’s say interesting. With a sadistic killer on the loose hacking up people’s well…. Bits! 😳 it’s not really all going to plan. The happily ever after that Jack has been building up so nicely might be read to fall like a house of cards. 🃏
This is the 14th Novel in this series and while you could read as a standalone they are not really written that way so you will miss ‘in jokes’ and not necessarily know who all the characters are… but if you are not keen to go back 14 books give it a crack.
I am pleased as punch that this was a 5 star read but I am not in the least surprised. I have not done justice to the other books in this series with a big long review but I am going to ‘crack on’ as the team would say and get into this one. 🤩
As I said further up this is the 14th book and really to get the most out of the humour, character backstories and such, you would do well to go right back to book one. However, we aren’t here to talk about book one… that is just my little recommendation. 📚
J.D. Kirk has done a fantastic job of creating a Police Procedural that not only packs a punch, has some grit but also gets your stomach aching with the good old fashioned Scottish humour. I cannot stress enough how funny I find these books. The jokes may not be to everyone’s taste and if you aren’t a fan of swearing well…. Definitely don’t read the Robert Hoon books but these may not be for you either, I’ll leave that up to you. 🤬 😂
DCI Logan and team turn up to a particularly grisly murder and Jack is ill with the flu, barely holding on and eventually has to go home for some rest. In the meantime, Superintendent Mitchell decides with Jack on ‘leave’ she needs to call in reinforcements - Jack is not happy when he drags his sick dog’s body back into work later that day to find out a former flame 🔥 has been put at the helm and boy is she pissing everyone right off - most of all Jack’s current girlfriend. It is gonna get ugly. 😬
The writing style in these books I feel has gotten better - I imagine this is how J.D would talk to us and how he would talk with his mates, the way these characters interact and I love that. I always feel like I am right there in the room when Tyler does something stupid and everyone groans, or Ben is scarfing shortbread dishing out worldly wisdom and when DCI Jack Logan growls his untamed anger at the team but really they love him cause he’s can be such a big softie. 🫶⭐️
Every time I see another book is coming out in this series I get really excited but then I get worried - is it going to be as good as the last? Will it live up to the standard… the answer is always yes!!! I actually think the humour has gotten even better… I was sniggering, giggling and even laughing out loudly throughout this whole book. Definitely do yourself a favour and get these books onto your TBR list. 🤣👌
Also, J.D. Kirk has another spin off series with Robert Hoon, (the first being Northwind) he is a rough lout of a character who was booted unceremoniously out of this series as a regular only to land on the pages of his very own series. He is a foul mouthed man and not for the faint of heart… if you loved these books though and you don’t mind some serious swearing those are definitely worth a look. 👀
I will also give a plug to J.D’s new YouTube show Tea with J.D. Tea with JD not for any other reason than I found it funny and interesting and worth a look. So check that out as well. 👩💻
Overall, I loved this book, I love them all and I would love to go back and do my dues and write proper reviews for all of them but for now you will have to make do with this one… and take my word on it that the others are brilliant. 🤗
SCENE SETTING - outside a crime scene with the Scene of the Crime crew, Pathologist and Police Officer.
EXERPT: (rude language) “Oh, Fuck off, Geoff!” Shona said, then she looked horrified by her outburst and slapped a hand over her mouth to stop anything else offensive slipping out. Heather, on the other hand, had no such qualms. “Yeah Fuck off, Geoff,” she said. “Go and dust some grass for fingerprints or something.”
“You can’t talk to me like that….” He began, then he recoiled when Heather clapped her hands together right in his face, and pointed to somewhere far, far off on her left. “Yes, I can. I just did. We all heard it. Now, go. When we’re looking for some light misogyny, we’ll give you a shout. Alright?”
Series - DCI Jack Logan Thrillers (1-14 all on Kindle Unlimited).
It was with a little sadness that I finished this novel. I have been reading a book by J.D. Kirk a week for a few months now, and after this I only have one left and I will be all caught up. It is another great read in an excellent series! This is the eighteenth volume from J.D. Kirk that I have read in the last few months. I have enjoyed all that I have now read to date, the first 14 in the DCI Logan series and also the first 3 in the Robert Hoon series, as well as stand alone VIP exclusive short story. I picked the first for a few reasons, but mainly because authors Alex Smith and JE Mayhew have both recommended the author and series. I am a big fan of Smith’s DCI Kett novels and Mayhew’s DCI Will Blake Series. I had no idea how addictive Kirk’s books would be or that like Mayhew and Smith, Kirk publishes under three different names. Kirk publishes children books as Barry Hutchison, and other adult fiction as Barry J. Hutchison. He is coming up on 175 books across the three pen names. If I had known that or I might not have picked up this first one. Friends call me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author I like, I try to read everything they have published. Unfortunately I only have 1 left to be caught up to those published under this pen name. For now I will try and read the remaining books published as Kirk.
The description of this novel is:
“Some scars never truly heal.
Life has been slowly improving for DCI Jack Logan lately. Happily settled down with the woman of his dreams and a dog he begrudgingly tolerates, things are finally going Jack’s way.
But, could all that be about to change?
When a sadistic killer begins picking off victims on the streets of Inverness, Jack’s boss decides to bring in some outside help. But the new team member is an old flame from Jack’s past who isn’t quite ready to let him go.
And, as the dead bodies rack up, the Happily Ever After that Jack has been building for himself might just be the next victim to fall…
City of Scars is the 14th books in the multi-million selling DCI Logan Scottish crime fiction series. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, LJ Ross, and Stuart MacBride.”
In these stories often the murders are often gruesome, and as a guy this time particularly so. I know few men who could read the murder scenes and not wince at least a little. This story starts with Jack out of commission with the flu. To fill in during his illness the boss calls in DCI Heather Filson. She happens to be Logan’s old flame. And she appears to be doing everything she can to reignite that, and if not then to break up Logan and Shona. Something is off with Sinead and both Filson and Maguire have it figured out before the officer herself. DCI Logan once on the mend is back at it. He is struggling to play referee between Heather and Shona and Heather and the rest of the team. Though he does appreciate how well the two of them can work together, especially working a witness. There are a few different suspects but things take a wicked turn and twist and soon one of the team is at risk again.
Another great read in an excellent series. I love the two series written under the pen name J.D. Kirk are definitely Scottish Mysteries, and I can see the comparisons with Smith’s and Mayhew’s works, as well as several other more mainstream names. Each time I finish a book by Kirk it takes willpower not to just pick up the next one and keep going. I will be reading all the books published buy this author under this name, and I am looking forward to that new series. Once I read the remaining 1 DCI Logan books to get caught up, I will be branching out into his other works. I love that the stories are set in Scotland! This book and series would be great reads for fans of Jack Reacher, Jack Ryan, or Temperance Brennan. I state it again it is a great read in an excellent series!
Where do you get your imagination from? And how do you get your characters to be so loveable? YES, LOVEABLE! I've got pictures in my mind of all of them, and I can barely wait for the next book in the series.
But how about City Of Scars? Well, a new character joins the team. She brings all sorts of feelings out of Jack, Shona and Sinead especially. You'll have to buy the book and find out who she is and how she interacts with the team. I'm not spoiling it for you. And Sinead, well, she's got a surprise in store for her, too.
The crimes themselves are, I have to say, gruesome. More so than any others I can think of in the series. But of course there's plenty of laugh-out-loud moments too. Watch out for one very early on.
Oh yes, you're a very strange man, J.D.Kirk! And long may you stay that way. A great book again.
Excellent, as ever. Spoiler review because I just want to comment on one thing: The author didn't make Sinead miscarry and I appreciate that. There's this trope in crime fiction where there's just one disaster or tragedy after another in the characters' personal lives, and it feels so hack-y and cheap, like, you can't figure out a solid mystery so you resort to torturing your leads to try to add interest. Ugh. And there's the added element of misogyny. Pregnancy and miscarriage are often used as an easy way to add drama and pathos. Miscarriage is especially handy because the character is left with at least a few more books' worth of emotional conflict, but there's no inconvenient baby character to write in. (And because you can't very well be both a cop and a mom- at least not a good one! I digress, but that trope bugs me, too. It's nice to see a detective, Hamza, in this case, who isn't a useless parent!) Anyway, I admit to being shocked when the author decided to have the excruciating and terrifying pain not be miscarriage but... gas. Perfectly in keeping with the tone of the series, but it was still a surprise. I was so pleased that Sinead (and Tyler) caught a break, and the fact that it's twins promises even more future comic relief.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
All I can say about this series of books is 'keep them coming' Throughly enjoy delving into a new Jack Logan book and City of Scars is no exception. The characters, over the series have become like friends and Kirk's ability to allow each of the team their little moment in the spotlight whilst never taking away from the overall investigation is second to none. One of the resons I read this series so quickly is because of the wonderfully paced dialogue which has me laughing out loud one minute and almsot in tears the next. The developing realtionships is entertaining and the introduction of a bolast from Logan's past brough another complex character to the mix and one who i hope we'll met again. Right from the start we're involved in a gritty and sadistic kill which takes us to places and investigative strands at a breakneck speed. This is another pacy, well plotted read and I throughly recommend it.
A great book. The characters are so likeable and the way it is written makes you laugh as well as see the serious side. Great to see DCI Heather Filson character emerging as a person that you hate to a person that you actually end up liking. The story was excellent with all the reasons for the killings coming out at the end of the book.
The author seems to rattle out this DCI Logan books out at a tremendous pace, but the quality of the read never seems to suffer. This was another fab read. The characters continue to develop and in this book the reappearance of Heather Filson adds a bit of intrigue and banter to some situations!! The DI Forde dating scenario is also a fun distraction.
Another excellent mystery! I really enjoy the growth of the characters, the relationships they have and the humour, along with the mystery. I am so glad I stumbled upon this series. Waiting now for the next in the series to be released. Definitely recommend for those who also like Stuart MacBride's books. This particular series is now on my automatic buy list.
As usual J D Kirk has written a really good book. The interactions between the characters is wonderful. Although this is a crime novel there are times when he makes you laugh out loud.
Listening to this series makes it even better. Lots of funny moments and I like how all the characters have their own little side stories. The narrator was brilliant, doing all the voices for the characters. I will definitely be listening to more audios from this series!
Another brilliant crime thriller in one of my favourite series. Heather Filson arrives as Jack is suffering with the flu but she’s not a welcome addition to the team. Jack soon drags himself back to work as there’s a murder to solve, but Heather sticks around. There’s some great humour as always in this book, and a few shocks in store.
Oh how I love the DCI Logan series. This one was brilliant - it’s the story lines around the periphery of a case that make a great detective series. It’s never just the main detective but the way you connect to the supporting characters, the intricacies of the cases and the way they all work to build. You could read this story and enjoy it, but when you’re on number 14 of a series you’ve built such a deep connection to their lives of the characters that it almost becomes secondary whatever case they are on! Another outstanding one for me.
Of course I loved it!! I've loved them all! JD never fails. As much as I love the crimes and the guessing, I love the characters. I'm so invested in their lives now and I'm loving seeing thier relationships progress. JD could write the stupidest, easiest to guess crime and I would still love his books 🤷♀️🤣 lucky for us though he doesn't! I literally only guessed who the murderer was at the last minute, which I love! Cannot wait to see what's in store for Jack and Shona next 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Another good one. The only thing I am bit tired of is the profanity and swaying -I get in dialogue -if the characters have such poor vocabulary. But in the paragraphs -Someone F'd off.... etc. The personal details make these books very appealing. The plot was interesting and sad. The throw away comment about grooming gangs obsession by "right wing people" was unfortunate. Maybe if there had been bit more obsession by police and social workers of all persuasions the grooming, rape and exploitation of white girls by Asian men could have been stopped. Quite enjoyable.
City of Scars is book fourteen in the DCI Logan Crime Thrillers series by J. D. Kirk. DCI Jack Logan thought his life was changing for good when he fell in love with Shona Maguire. When the team caught a new case of a local Inverness man and Jack being ill, Detective Superintendent Mitchell brought in a new DCI to help Jack's crew. However, the new DCI might put a dent in his happy life. The readers of City of Scars will continue to follow DCI Jack Logan and his team to discover what happens.
DCI Logan Crime Thrillers is an excellent series that ensures that I have a lovely and enjoyable time forgetting about the day's stress. City of Scars continues the tradition of engaging and laughing with the characters of this book. City of Scars is well-written and researched by J. D. Kirk. I love J. D. Kirk's portrayal of his characters and how they interact throughout this book. I like J. D. Kirk's description of the settings of City of Scars which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of City of Scars will learn about the consequences that can happen when children suffer from sexual assault has a child. Also, the readers of City of Scars will understand the problems for families of law enforcement officers.
I don't think JD Kirk can write a bad book! Or even a mediocre one! He is great with thrillers, great with the comic relief, and great for throwing in something that had nothing to do with the storyline, but does with his characters! And thankfully the second one is always good! (Almost). There were so many twists and turns, so much humor, so much happiness in this book I didn't want it to be over! But, it's not really over is it? At the end, Logan gets a call from am old friend, and there is an order point for the 15th book in this series, so we're all good on that point. If you haven't already gathered, I highly recommend this book!
City of Scars is good, but its not the same without Bob Hoon - he brought so much humour to the books. However it does look like we might see him again in the DCI Logan stories. This book does give us plenty of background and information about the personal lives of the team which is good. The crime, the investigation and the police procedure is well written as usual.