What do you think?
Rate this book
DCI Daley #10
The Death of Remembrance
The ghosts of the past will not be silenced.
Glasgow, 1983, and a beat constable walks away from a bar where he knows a crime is about to be committed. It is a decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life.
In the present, an old fisherman is found dead by Kinloch's shoreline and a stranger with a deadly mission moves into town.
As past and present collide, D.C.I. Jim Daley must confront old friends, new foes and ghosts who will not be silenced.
Glasgow, 1983, and a beat constable walks away from a bar where he knows a crime is about to be committed. It is a decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life.
In the present, an old fisherman is found dead by Kinloch's shoreline and a stranger with a deadly mission moves into town.
As past and present collide, D.C.I. Jim Daley must confront old friends, new foes and ghosts who will not be silenced.
Audible Audio
Published June 2, 2022
67 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Denzil Meyrick
37 books529 followersDenzil Meyrick was a Scottish bestselling novelist. Prior to that, he served as a police officer with Strathclyde Police then a manager with Springbank Distillery in Campbeltown, Argyll. Since 2012 Denzil Meyrick had worked as a writer of Scottish crime fiction novels. He was also an executive director of media production company Houses of Steel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
July 5, 2022
The Death of Remembrance is something of a landmark, being the tenth book in Denzil Meyrick's DCI Daley series. It's also the first I have read and while I acknowledge that starting a series this far into it means I will inevitably have missed much of the ongoing development, I also think it's fascinating to see how an author brings any new readers into the fold. If you're the sort of person who prefers to avoid even the merest suggestion of a spoiler then my recommendation would be to start at the beginning because there are obviously references to past events here. However, I can confidently state that I absolutely loved this book and not only will I be the first in line to read subsequent instalments in the series, I'm planning a Daleython to catch up with the previous novels!
The menacing prologue set fourteen years ago sets the scene perfectly for an immersive storyline that alternates between present day Kinloch and gangland Glasgow in the 1980s, with Brian Scott a pivotal figure throughout. My introduction to DS Brian Scott finds him an alcoholic who brawls in local bars and seems to be throwing what's left of his career away. However, thanks to Denzil Meyrick's empathetic, nuanced portrayal of the man, I was soon able to understand the reasons behind his addiction and crucially, to care about what happened to him. The long-standing friendship between Scott and Jim Daley is one of the most important themes within the book and was a real highlight for me. Troubled detectives are a consistent feature within crime writing and so it's a topic that needs to be handled with care. Denzil Meyrick absolutely nails it and this never feels like a mere plot device; Scott's issues reflect the hard-drinking culture that led to scores of men like his father winding up in an early grave and as much as this is a gripping thriller, it's also a perceptive, believable character study, full of light and shade.
Looming over everything is a long-dead character whose influence continues to poison those he came into contact with. The chapters set in the past paint a picture of a ruthless psychopath who uses whatever means necessary to control those who may be useful to him. He's a despicable character but utterly compelling and even though he only makes sporadic appearances in the book, he's a memorably intimidating antagonist. Meanwhile, the sudden death of a local fisherman is less of a mystery to readers than it is to Daley and Scott but nevertheless, there's a movingly fraught scene after his body has been discovered. This is followed by a passage soon afterwards where the locals discuss the possible identity of the man. They're completely different in tone but together emphasise the warm authenticity infused throughout The Death of Remembrance. The subject matter might often be grim but Denzil Meyrick interjects darkly humorous interludes which expose the quirks and absurdities of life, especially in a small community. One of the funniest moments in the book occurs at a dinner party when alcohol, jealousy and flirtatious spite results in one of the guests remarking it's the best fun they've had in years...
Three newer faces in Kinloch are of particular interest; Ian Macmillan is shunned by the town who hold him responsible for a recent tragedy, DS Sheya Dhar is brought in to covertly investigate the suspect hotelier and a third character has a deadly plan in mind – but limited time to carry it out. What this all means for Daley and Scott is gradually revealed in a plot which never loses focus and becomes increasingly nerve-racking as it seamlessly moves from past to present. There might be a stark contrast between now and then but while it's clear that life has changed, it's perhaps more striking to note how it's the same things that bring out the best and worst in people. Love, family, power and revenge are inexorably intertwined as Daley responds to all leads, even those that might not be easily explained, and the chilling final reckoning that reveals everything is almost unbearably tense.
The Death of Remembrance is one of those books that I raced through but didn't want to end; it's a masterclass in character and plot development, where both complement the other perfectly and the result is an exceptional novel full of drama, suspense and heart. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
The menacing prologue set fourteen years ago sets the scene perfectly for an immersive storyline that alternates between present day Kinloch and gangland Glasgow in the 1980s, with Brian Scott a pivotal figure throughout. My introduction to DS Brian Scott finds him an alcoholic who brawls in local bars and seems to be throwing what's left of his career away. However, thanks to Denzil Meyrick's empathetic, nuanced portrayal of the man, I was soon able to understand the reasons behind his addiction and crucially, to care about what happened to him. The long-standing friendship between Scott and Jim Daley is one of the most important themes within the book and was a real highlight for me. Troubled detectives are a consistent feature within crime writing and so it's a topic that needs to be handled with care. Denzil Meyrick absolutely nails it and this never feels like a mere plot device; Scott's issues reflect the hard-drinking culture that led to scores of men like his father winding up in an early grave and as much as this is a gripping thriller, it's also a perceptive, believable character study, full of light and shade.
Looming over everything is a long-dead character whose influence continues to poison those he came into contact with. The chapters set in the past paint a picture of a ruthless psychopath who uses whatever means necessary to control those who may be useful to him. He's a despicable character but utterly compelling and even though he only makes sporadic appearances in the book, he's a memorably intimidating antagonist. Meanwhile, the sudden death of a local fisherman is less of a mystery to readers than it is to Daley and Scott but nevertheless, there's a movingly fraught scene after his body has been discovered. This is followed by a passage soon afterwards where the locals discuss the possible identity of the man. They're completely different in tone but together emphasise the warm authenticity infused throughout The Death of Remembrance. The subject matter might often be grim but Denzil Meyrick interjects darkly humorous interludes which expose the quirks and absurdities of life, especially in a small community. One of the funniest moments in the book occurs at a dinner party when alcohol, jealousy and flirtatious spite results in one of the guests remarking it's the best fun they've had in years...
Three newer faces in Kinloch are of particular interest; Ian Macmillan is shunned by the town who hold him responsible for a recent tragedy, DS Sheya Dhar is brought in to covertly investigate the suspect hotelier and a third character has a deadly plan in mind – but limited time to carry it out. What this all means for Daley and Scott is gradually revealed in a plot which never loses focus and becomes increasingly nerve-racking as it seamlessly moves from past to present. There might be a stark contrast between now and then but while it's clear that life has changed, it's perhaps more striking to note how it's the same things that bring out the best and worst in people. Love, family, power and revenge are inexorably intertwined as Daley responds to all leads, even those that might not be easily explained, and the chilling final reckoning that reveals everything is almost unbearably tense.
The Death of Remembrance is one of those books that I raced through but didn't want to end; it's a masterclass in character and plot development, where both complement the other perfectly and the result is an exceptional novel full of drama, suspense and heart. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
November 20, 2022
I don’t know what to say about this book other than it was for me, terrible. I’m mystified at the amount of 5 star reviews for this installment of Denzil Meyrick’s DCI Daley series, (or should I say DS Scott series as this was a book about him) especially after the disappointment that was ‘For Any Other Truth’. Much of this story was meandering down memory lane where we got to witness the start of DS Scott’s career in law enforcement which took up the majority of the book leaving the goings-on in the present appearing completely irrelevant. What this story and For Any Other Truth has done was take a character that I enjoyed and turned him into someone who I utterly dislike. Over the course of these 2 books and maybe even before Meyrick has turned Scott into a buffoon where we witness him becoming more and more or an idiot in nearly every conversation he has with Daley he interprets at least one word wrong. In fact the only character I disliked more was Liz Daley who I wish would take a run and jump off a short pier.
This is the 10th book in this series and at the beginning I thought that Meyrick was potentially bringing in another character to change the one dimensional feeling that is beginning to be a prominent thing among the main characters in this series but that was not to be and by the time I got to the end of this book I was angry, disappointed and just tired of Kinloch and its inhabitants. I very much doubt that I will be venturing there again.
This is the 10th book in this series and at the beginning I thought that Meyrick was potentially bringing in another character to change the one dimensional feeling that is beginning to be a prominent thing among the main characters in this series but that was not to be and by the time I got to the end of this book I was angry, disappointed and just tired of Kinloch and its inhabitants. I very much doubt that I will be venturing there again.
June 16, 2022
Another cracking episode in the life of DCI Daley & Co, really at least a 4.5 score.
August 31, 2022
This is the latest and most welcome addition to Denzil Meyrick's marvellous and atmospheric Scottish crime series featuring DCI Jim Daley and the now demoted DS Brian Scott, set in Kinloch and its small tight knit community of unforgettable characters. Kinloch is still reeling after the death of Annie in the previous book, no-one will work at or go in the County Hotel run by Ian Macmillan, whom they blame for her demise. Hamish feels the loss deeply as he sinks into a state of melancholy, despair and loneliness that he cannot lift himself out of, and Brian finds himself in a world of trouble. He is unable to resist the lure of the demonic drink as he finds himself suspended after a complaint is made about his drunk behaviour getting out of hand on a karaoke night that ends up in a brawl in the Douglas Arms, shocked when he glimpses a face from a long ago past.
This time there appears to be no possibility of a comeback for Brian as PIRC (Police Investigations Review Commissioner) is tasked with investigating him. Even Daley finds himself struggling to support a Brian who seems to have given up any thoughts of remaining in a police force that has never found it easy to accept the flawed yet brilliant police officer that he is. Daley's ongoing problems with his wife, Liz, continue, and are there for all to observe at a dinner party organised to show his support of Brian, there with Ella, his wife, and the new DS Sheya Dhar from Gartcosh. The events that transpire there are just simply priceless. Dhar is in Kinloch to help cover for Brian, whilst conducting a below the radar exploratory inquiry looking into Macmillan. The narrative goes back and forth in time, the late 1970s to the early 1990s, covering Brian's early police career and many events that will be familiar to fans of the series, remembering and including characters such as the psychopath James Machie, his father, Hugh, Frank MacDougall and the loathsome John Donald.
Hanging over the proceedings is the presence of the past in the form of a sick man, now a shadow of who he used to be, intent on one final act before he succumbs to the strong grip that death has on him. This is a strong addition to the series, with its emphasis on memory and remembrance, and oodles of suspense and tension, surprising twists, Hamish's otherworldly gifts playing a central role and we have a Brian that gives every appearance of being down and out, but it never does to write him off. This has the trademark grit, warmth, humour, banter and wit, that has enchanted the legions of fans of this wonderful Scottish crime series, with a Meyrick who effortlessly and stylishly juggles the darkness of the story with the requisite strands of light. Highly recommended!
This time there appears to be no possibility of a comeback for Brian as PIRC (Police Investigations Review Commissioner) is tasked with investigating him. Even Daley finds himself struggling to support a Brian who seems to have given up any thoughts of remaining in a police force that has never found it easy to accept the flawed yet brilliant police officer that he is. Daley's ongoing problems with his wife, Liz, continue, and are there for all to observe at a dinner party organised to show his support of Brian, there with Ella, his wife, and the new DS Sheya Dhar from Gartcosh. The events that transpire there are just simply priceless. Dhar is in Kinloch to help cover for Brian, whilst conducting a below the radar exploratory inquiry looking into Macmillan. The narrative goes back and forth in time, the late 1970s to the early 1990s, covering Brian's early police career and many events that will be familiar to fans of the series, remembering and including characters such as the psychopath James Machie, his father, Hugh, Frank MacDougall and the loathsome John Donald.
Hanging over the proceedings is the presence of the past in the form of a sick man, now a shadow of who he used to be, intent on one final act before he succumbs to the strong grip that death has on him. This is a strong addition to the series, with its emphasis on memory and remembrance, and oodles of suspense and tension, surprising twists, Hamish's otherworldly gifts playing a central role and we have a Brian that gives every appearance of being down and out, but it never does to write him off. This has the trademark grit, warmth, humour, banter and wit, that has enchanted the legions of fans of this wonderful Scottish crime series, with a Meyrick who effortlessly and stylishly juggles the darkness of the story with the requisite strands of light. Highly recommended!
June 1, 2022
June is National Crime Reading Month and tomorrow we also celebrate the publication of the 10th book in the million copy selling D.C.I. Daley series from the titan of Scottish crime fiction, Denzil Meyrick. This is a series I have really taken to my heart – so much so that I have bought it in audiobook as well as reading it from the page. I’m delighted that it is to be televised and can’t wait to see it on the screen, too.
This is a series that really does offer everything. A wonderful sense of place in the beautifully atmospheric Kinloch where there are terrific characters who leap off the page and plant themselves firmly in your heart and mind. These are people you get to know and love so that when something happens to one of them you feel the pain as if it were part of you. Tension and darkness, death and evil walk among us – mixed together with humour, light and a sense that there’s an order to this world that will not let evil prevail.
So what has Meyrick given us to celebrate his decade of Daley and Scott? It’s quite straightforward really – a brilliant blockbuster that delivers all of the above while revealing more of what lies in the past of both Brian Scott and Jim Daley and showing us how that past has come back to haunt them.
The Death of Remembrance places its emphasis on DS Brian Scott who we find still struggling with the demon drink. Indeed, there’s a kind of pall hanging over the whole of Kinloch at the moment. Since the events of the previous book, the County Hotel is a shadow of its former self. None of the locals want to drink there anymore and the new proprietor, Ian McMillan, is finding that there are not even enough passers-by to sample his new menu.
Meyrick takes us back to Brian Scott’s early days in the force and gives us glimpses into his life as a bobby on the streets and his entry into CID, showing us the pressures he was under and some of the reasons his penchant for the drink has always had such a strong hold on him.
This is harsh stuff and as ever, Meyrick mingles it with laughter as Brian’s mangling of language, seemingly not enhanced by his fine choice of reading material, creates brilliant moments of laughter amid some dark and deadly moments.
As a reader you do get a real sense of the myriad difficulties that the young Scott struggled with and of the bravery that he showed when faced with difficult choices. But now, as the narrative shifts between past and present, we have a better understanding of how much the past has influenced him and just why he and Daley have stuck together through thick and thin.
Now though, the past is coming back to haunt both men and there’s a reckoning coming. Who will be standing in the aftermath is the question we are desperate to know the answer to as we frantically turn the pages of this tense and exciting book.
As ever, the setting is rich in atmosphere and Meyrick’s portrayal of Kinloch and its people is warm and inviting as he shows us just how stupid incomers can be when they underestimate the best of Kinloch’s inhabitants.
The seeds of previous novels come to full growth in this 10th novel and for some characters it is very much a case of ‘reap what you sow’. Meyrick gives us exactly what we want – the deeply personal mixed with the professional and even as we feel for Jim Daley in his increasingly difficult marriage, we laugh at some of the more hilarious antics of Ella and Liz as a dinner party takes an unexpected turn.
The Death of Remembrance is a story that brings a number of previous threads in the series to fruition and fills in some of the blanks that we’ve all been wondering about. It’s a dark story filled with everything that makes this series so special and it gives due deference to those outstanding characters we have come to know and love. In particular, the very special Hamish shows us once again that there’s more to heaven and earth than is dreamt of in our philosophy.
Proust said that ‘Remembrance of things past is not necessarily remembrance of things as they were’, and it seems that there’s one vital piece of knowledge that has lain long forgotten and which is now back to bite our protagonists.
Verdict: The Death of Remembrance is a taut tale full of death, intensity and some startling revelations. It is a novel that fixes your attention from the beginning and keeps you fastened to the page right until the gripping, breathtaking end. I can only hope there is another decade of Daley and Scott to follow.
This is a series that really does offer everything. A wonderful sense of place in the beautifully atmospheric Kinloch where there are terrific characters who leap off the page and plant themselves firmly in your heart and mind. These are people you get to know and love so that when something happens to one of them you feel the pain as if it were part of you. Tension and darkness, death and evil walk among us – mixed together with humour, light and a sense that there’s an order to this world that will not let evil prevail.
So what has Meyrick given us to celebrate his decade of Daley and Scott? It’s quite straightforward really – a brilliant blockbuster that delivers all of the above while revealing more of what lies in the past of both Brian Scott and Jim Daley and showing us how that past has come back to haunt them.
The Death of Remembrance places its emphasis on DS Brian Scott who we find still struggling with the demon drink. Indeed, there’s a kind of pall hanging over the whole of Kinloch at the moment. Since the events of the previous book, the County Hotel is a shadow of its former self. None of the locals want to drink there anymore and the new proprietor, Ian McMillan, is finding that there are not even enough passers-by to sample his new menu.
Meyrick takes us back to Brian Scott’s early days in the force and gives us glimpses into his life as a bobby on the streets and his entry into CID, showing us the pressures he was under and some of the reasons his penchant for the drink has always had such a strong hold on him.
This is harsh stuff and as ever, Meyrick mingles it with laughter as Brian’s mangling of language, seemingly not enhanced by his fine choice of reading material, creates brilliant moments of laughter amid some dark and deadly moments.
As a reader you do get a real sense of the myriad difficulties that the young Scott struggled with and of the bravery that he showed when faced with difficult choices. But now, as the narrative shifts between past and present, we have a better understanding of how much the past has influenced him and just why he and Daley have stuck together through thick and thin.
Now though, the past is coming back to haunt both men and there’s a reckoning coming. Who will be standing in the aftermath is the question we are desperate to know the answer to as we frantically turn the pages of this tense and exciting book.
As ever, the setting is rich in atmosphere and Meyrick’s portrayal of Kinloch and its people is warm and inviting as he shows us just how stupid incomers can be when they underestimate the best of Kinloch’s inhabitants.
The seeds of previous novels come to full growth in this 10th novel and for some characters it is very much a case of ‘reap what you sow’. Meyrick gives us exactly what we want – the deeply personal mixed with the professional and even as we feel for Jim Daley in his increasingly difficult marriage, we laugh at some of the more hilarious antics of Ella and Liz as a dinner party takes an unexpected turn.
The Death of Remembrance is a story that brings a number of previous threads in the series to fruition and fills in some of the blanks that we’ve all been wondering about. It’s a dark story filled with everything that makes this series so special and it gives due deference to those outstanding characters we have come to know and love. In particular, the very special Hamish shows us once again that there’s more to heaven and earth than is dreamt of in our philosophy.
Proust said that ‘Remembrance of things past is not necessarily remembrance of things as they were’, and it seems that there’s one vital piece of knowledge that has lain long forgotten and which is now back to bite our protagonists.
Verdict: The Death of Remembrance is a taut tale full of death, intensity and some startling revelations. It is a novel that fixes your attention from the beginning and keeps you fastened to the page right until the gripping, breathtaking end. I can only hope there is another decade of Daley and Scott to follow.
December 7, 2022
Always interesting yo pick up a series when it's already established, can be a bit hit and miss and I try not to do it but The Death Of Remembrance is easily read as a standalone, even if there's obviously stuff you've missed.
I thoroughly enjoyed this - atmospheric with engaging characters and a really great plot that keeps you involved all the way through.
Gritty and entertaining I think I'll add the rest to my endless reading list.
I thoroughly enjoyed this - atmospheric with engaging characters and a really great plot that keeps you involved all the way through.
Gritty and entertaining I think I'll add the rest to my endless reading list.
February 6, 2025
Another Daley and Scott tale - this one had darker feel as demons of the past come back to haunt the duo
As ever, fast paced , tightly plotted and the customary dark humour and word play
Luckily Hamish is always on hand to cut to the chase and see what’s really happening through his sixth sense
A great series - but so start from book one
As ever, fast paced , tightly plotted and the customary dark humour and word play
Luckily Hamish is always on hand to cut to the chase and see what’s really happening through his sixth sense
A great series - but so start from book one
June 28, 2022
Another great listen.
September 11, 2024
Audio book: as always brilliantly read by David Monteath. Complicated plot with some very entertaining episodes. I hope Scott and Daley can end the personal tragedies now, but somehow I don’t think all is as resolved as it seemed and there are more challenges to come for them both.
January 18, 2023
The Death of Remembrance is the tenth in the DCI Daley series and although I haven’t read any of the previous books, it turned out to be a perfect introduction to DCI Daley and his right-hand man, DS Brian Scott, as the book delves into their past alongside a contemporary storyline. There are also brief references to events in previous books.
Daley and Scott have a close but occasionally turbulent relationship. They are both ‘old school’ detectives. At one point Scott remarks to Daley, ‘Face it. Me and you – we’re relics’. And both have struggled with alcohol problems. Scott still is struggling, much to the exasperation of his wife, Ella, and to Daley who is running out of options for saving Brian from the consequences of his actions, actions which may threaten his career. Daley’s problems are closer to home. His marriage to Liz is under strain, the demands of his job means he spends too little time with his family and his lifestyle – long hours and junk food – is taking a toll on his health. The depth of characterisation is part of what made The Death of Remembrance such a compelling read for me. I also absolutely loved Hamish, the old fisherman whose instincts shouldn’t be ignored.
Other characters were equally memorable but definitely not in a good way. The sections of the book set in 1980s Glasgow transport the reader into a murky world of violence, intimidation, corruption and cruelty. We learn that the actions of the past cast a long shadow and a settling of scores is inevitable. As one character remarks, ‘The accounts must be reconciled, the books balanced’. There are some gripping and dramatic scenes towards the end of the book.
The partnership between Daley and Scott is in the tradition of great detective duos. I loved the moments of humour that acted as flashes of light amidst the darker aspects of the book. The humour is chiefly provided by Brian. The references to films and books that go over his head, and his frequent malapropisms made me chuckle. For example, when Daley reflects that although Brian is often trouble they have different strengths, Brian replies, ‘It’s that Jim and Jan thing’.
The Death of Remembrance has all the ingredients needed for a great crime thriller: a skilfully crafted plot, an authentic sense of place, moments of drama and compelling characters. I may be late to the party, but DCI Daley has acquired a new fan.
Daley and Scott have a close but occasionally turbulent relationship. They are both ‘old school’ detectives. At one point Scott remarks to Daley, ‘Face it. Me and you – we’re relics’. And both have struggled with alcohol problems. Scott still is struggling, much to the exasperation of his wife, Ella, and to Daley who is running out of options for saving Brian from the consequences of his actions, actions which may threaten his career. Daley’s problems are closer to home. His marriage to Liz is under strain, the demands of his job means he spends too little time with his family and his lifestyle – long hours and junk food – is taking a toll on his health. The depth of characterisation is part of what made The Death of Remembrance such a compelling read for me. I also absolutely loved Hamish, the old fisherman whose instincts shouldn’t be ignored.
Other characters were equally memorable but definitely not in a good way. The sections of the book set in 1980s Glasgow transport the reader into a murky world of violence, intimidation, corruption and cruelty. We learn that the actions of the past cast a long shadow and a settling of scores is inevitable. As one character remarks, ‘The accounts must be reconciled, the books balanced’. There are some gripping and dramatic scenes towards the end of the book.
The partnership between Daley and Scott is in the tradition of great detective duos. I loved the moments of humour that acted as flashes of light amidst the darker aspects of the book. The humour is chiefly provided by Brian. The references to films and books that go over his head, and his frequent malapropisms made me chuckle. For example, when Daley reflects that although Brian is often trouble they have different strengths, Brian replies, ‘It’s that Jim and Jan thing’.
The Death of Remembrance has all the ingredients needed for a great crime thriller: a skilfully crafted plot, an authentic sense of place, moments of drama and compelling characters. I may be late to the party, but DCI Daley has acquired a new fan.
April 13, 2024
I normally love Jim and Brian but this one felt like it dragged on a bit too long. The back and forth had me spending too much time on trying to place the relationship with DI Donald and Brian from the other books into this one and I felt a little off kilter from it.
I liked the centering on Jim and Brian's relationship and I'm glad Brian is going to get the help he needs. But, is Brian getting sillier as the series goes along? And getting the sayings wrong so many times through out the book is getting a bit annoying.
I really wish Jim would cut Lizzy, she is toxic. Oh Annie !
I liked the centering on Jim and Brian's relationship and I'm glad Brian is going to get the help he needs. But, is Brian getting sillier as the series goes along? And getting the sayings wrong so many times through out the book is getting a bit annoying.
I really wish Jim would cut Lizzy, she is toxic. Oh Annie !
July 15, 2022
I love the characters in this series so much! Especially Brian and Ella Scott, they're amazing. I was happy this book centred on them so much, particularly Brian, and I hope we get more of them. The story wasn't as good as some previous ones but still not bad by any means.
June 9, 2022
Hopefully we get a book 11 in this great series
May 15, 2022
I can't quite believe this is book ten. And I say that as someone who came to the series very late and had a mammoth catch up read last year. I picked up on the series a couple of years ago when Mandie bought the first few books, and again when we saw Denzil Meyrick at Bute Noir a few years back. It's exactly my kind of series - police thriller, good humour, brilliantly memorable characters and a setting that stands almost as character in it's own right. I have mixed reading and listening to this series, including the spin off series Tales from Kinloch and all of the short stories and I have loved every last minute of it. This was no exception. I ate it up, finishing in disappointingly quick time. Disappointing for me that is - I have a long wait now for more news from Kinloch.
Now if you haven't read this series at all (and why not?) then I would definitely recommend that you read the books in order, including the short stories, to get the full benefit of the backstory as this is the perfect tenth anniversary tale. It pulls together many threads and characters from past and present in a way that will elicit a whole gamut of emotions - from anger, to shock, to melancholy, right through to laughter and just damn fine satisfaction in the whole story. The action flits back and forth between past and present, setting up what is about to happen and giving us as readers a reminder of some of Scott and Daley's old nemeses. It also brings back to mind one of the most shocking tragedies to befall the residents of Kinloch in any of the books, not that anyone who read book nine really needs a reminder. Still reeling.
I have really grown to love the characters of Jim Daley and Brian Scott. Both are flawed, and both bear battle scars, mentally and literally. it's fair to say that it's the psychological scars that are troubling Brian the most this time around, as readers of the series will understand, and he is in a really dark place at the start of the book. It adds a layer of conflict to an already tense story, and puts Brian in a tough position both professionally and personally. There is still a good amount of humour throughout the darkness, and his malapropisms continue to amuse as does a particularly awkward dinner over at the Daley's. As for Daley, he is under pressure to help Brian, do his duty as a copper and navigate the murky waters of a troubled relationship with his wife Liz ... Situation normal for him there then.
This book is so multi layered that it would be remiss of me to say too much more about the plot for fear of giving something crucial away. Needless to say, the joy is in the reading. Lots of unspoken questions finally answered and perhaps one or two very unexpected revelations through the course of the book. There is a small element of the author's Tales from Kinloch series bleeding into this book, and the otherworldliness of Hamish and his gift of understanding, as well as a nod or two to other elements of the book that you really need to read to understand. The series are, afterall, two sides of the same coin. Set in the same locale just a few decades apart. It was a beautiful touch, one that left a smile on my face. It was a just conclusion to a certain story arc, but one which has also left a raft of new questions in its wake, the main one being - how the hell do you follow those last two books?
Intense, emotional and with the authors unique blend of humour and experience, all wrapped up in a wonderful sense of place that springs so vividly to mind you can almost feel the fog wrap itself around you as it rolls across the shore. It's everything I didn't know I wanted from the series and more and most definitely recommended. Can I say it's a 'happy' anniversary? Yes, and no. Justice is served in a truly satisfactory and often pulse pounding way and who could ask for anything more than that?
Now if you haven't read this series at all (and why not?) then I would definitely recommend that you read the books in order, including the short stories, to get the full benefit of the backstory as this is the perfect tenth anniversary tale. It pulls together many threads and characters from past and present in a way that will elicit a whole gamut of emotions - from anger, to shock, to melancholy, right through to laughter and just damn fine satisfaction in the whole story. The action flits back and forth between past and present, setting up what is about to happen and giving us as readers a reminder of some of Scott and Daley's old nemeses. It also brings back to mind one of the most shocking tragedies to befall the residents of Kinloch in any of the books, not that anyone who read book nine really needs a reminder. Still reeling.
I have really grown to love the characters of Jim Daley and Brian Scott. Both are flawed, and both bear battle scars, mentally and literally. it's fair to say that it's the psychological scars that are troubling Brian the most this time around, as readers of the series will understand, and he is in a really dark place at the start of the book. It adds a layer of conflict to an already tense story, and puts Brian in a tough position both professionally and personally. There is still a good amount of humour throughout the darkness, and his malapropisms continue to amuse as does a particularly awkward dinner over at the Daley's. As for Daley, he is under pressure to help Brian, do his duty as a copper and navigate the murky waters of a troubled relationship with his wife Liz ... Situation normal for him there then.
This book is so multi layered that it would be remiss of me to say too much more about the plot for fear of giving something crucial away. Needless to say, the joy is in the reading. Lots of unspoken questions finally answered and perhaps one or two very unexpected revelations through the course of the book. There is a small element of the author's Tales from Kinloch series bleeding into this book, and the otherworldliness of Hamish and his gift of understanding, as well as a nod or two to other elements of the book that you really need to read to understand. The series are, afterall, two sides of the same coin. Set in the same locale just a few decades apart. It was a beautiful touch, one that left a smile on my face. It was a just conclusion to a certain story arc, but one which has also left a raft of new questions in its wake, the main one being - how the hell do you follow those last two books?
Intense, emotional and with the authors unique blend of humour and experience, all wrapped up in a wonderful sense of place that springs so vividly to mind you can almost feel the fog wrap itself around you as it rolls across the shore. It's everything I didn't know I wanted from the series and more and most definitely recommended. Can I say it's a 'happy' anniversary? Yes, and no. Justice is served in a truly satisfactory and often pulse pounding way and who could ask for anything more than that?
May 3, 2022
Reading the DCI Daley series has been such a pleasure for me over the last couple of years when I came across them, and with every book I eagerly await it and try to let it sit without being read for a while, as I know, once read I will be in a deep depression, as I never want them to end!
This the 10th in the series is an epic, gritty, realistic book, the storyline moves from the 1980' s to the present and utterly brilliantly for me, my favourite ever sidekick DS Brian Scott is featured heavily in The Death of Remembrance.
You all know, I read a lot, but every time I read a Denzil Meyrick novel, I'm amazed at how easy they are to read, I'm sure this is not the case in writing them, but I really think Denzil is one of THE best crime fiction authors of my time.
Not only are the descriptions of the fictional Kinloch utterly believable and sublime, but the tangible feeling of actually being there whilst reading the book is also fabulous, I could almost feel the misty, cool air whilst reading!
The other thing that I adore about the DCI Jim Daley series is the wealth of locals, it's almost like putting on a favourite warm jumper, all the characters just wrap me up into the storyline. From the frosty Liz (Jim Daley's Wife) to the strong, quick-witted Ella (Brian Scott,s Wide), and Hamish the all-seeing old Fisherman, the cast of characters never loses its way. We meet some old ones in The Death of Remembrance, in surprising ways, but I welcomed them!
The plot is easy to follow and draws on the vast past of Jim Daley and Brians Scott's lives, with the main storyline involving my favourite ever written character DS Brian Scott who is having some issues with the drink, the descriptions of him fighting his demons are really wonderfully observed. And the reason Brian is my favourite is because he is such an old school copper, with a razor-sharp wit and a penchant for getting the wrong end of the stick with hilarious consequences when talking to Jim Daley or any of his superiors! I really LOVE him, I don't think I've ever said that about a fictional character! The banter between him and Jim Daley and their working relationship is amazing, a force to be reckoned with and such a realistic description of what the Police family is like, and in The Death of Remembrance, there is much to laugh about at as well as tension!
Another triumphant novel in the DCI Jim Daley series, enthralling, spellbinding, gripping, hilarious, tense, witty, sharp and the epitome of Tartan Noir.
I saw something the other day that said 'Which Author would you give eternal life to?" Well, it would have to be Denzil Meyrick for me!
Another superb 5 Star read.
Now I'm off to sit and weep in a dark corner whilst I await book 11!!
This the 10th in the series is an epic, gritty, realistic book, the storyline moves from the 1980' s to the present and utterly brilliantly for me, my favourite ever sidekick DS Brian Scott is featured heavily in The Death of Remembrance.
You all know, I read a lot, but every time I read a Denzil Meyrick novel, I'm amazed at how easy they are to read, I'm sure this is not the case in writing them, but I really think Denzil is one of THE best crime fiction authors of my time.
Not only are the descriptions of the fictional Kinloch utterly believable and sublime, but the tangible feeling of actually being there whilst reading the book is also fabulous, I could almost feel the misty, cool air whilst reading!
The other thing that I adore about the DCI Jim Daley series is the wealth of locals, it's almost like putting on a favourite warm jumper, all the characters just wrap me up into the storyline. From the frosty Liz (Jim Daley's Wife) to the strong, quick-witted Ella (Brian Scott,s Wide), and Hamish the all-seeing old Fisherman, the cast of characters never loses its way. We meet some old ones in The Death of Remembrance, in surprising ways, but I welcomed them!
The plot is easy to follow and draws on the vast past of Jim Daley and Brians Scott's lives, with the main storyline involving my favourite ever written character DS Brian Scott who is having some issues with the drink, the descriptions of him fighting his demons are really wonderfully observed. And the reason Brian is my favourite is because he is such an old school copper, with a razor-sharp wit and a penchant for getting the wrong end of the stick with hilarious consequences when talking to Jim Daley or any of his superiors! I really LOVE him, I don't think I've ever said that about a fictional character! The banter between him and Jim Daley and their working relationship is amazing, a force to be reckoned with and such a realistic description of what the Police family is like, and in The Death of Remembrance, there is much to laugh about at as well as tension!
Another triumphant novel in the DCI Jim Daley series, enthralling, spellbinding, gripping, hilarious, tense, witty, sharp and the epitome of Tartan Noir.
I saw something the other day that said 'Which Author would you give eternal life to?" Well, it would have to be Denzil Meyrick for me!
Another superb 5 Star read.
Now I'm off to sit and weep in a dark corner whilst I await book 11!!
May 2, 2024
This amazing Scottish crime novel is the 10th volume of the wonderful "DCI Daley" series.
At the beginning of the book you'll notice a meaningful short phrase by Winston Churchill.
Storytelling is superb, all characters are very believable and lifelike, and the places and surroundings on the peninsula of Kintyre are beautifully depicted by the author.
In this tale DCI Jim Daley and DS Brian Scott, the latest being demoted again due to heavy drinking and bad decisions, are on their next case that will entwine present and past police procedures, and these are mostly involving Brian Scott as a young policeman in Glasgow during the 1970s until the 1990s, and they will be assisted by a shrewd young woman called, DS Shreya Dhar, and she will shake little Kinloch with her presence.
Like I said past occurrences in the life and work of Brian Scott in Glasgow as a young policeman will be the main focus, and his conflicts with local gangsters James Machie and Frank MacDougall, and these will connect with this present case, and this present case will involve the old and dying Hugh Machie, father of James from Glasgow.
This same old and dying Hugh Machie is in Kinloch to end his son's legacy once and for all by killing the last person who's still alive and who has a connection with James Machie, and DCI Daley and DS Scott will have their hands full to discover the reason behind this action and the person intended to be killed.
What is to follow is an intriguing and captivating crime thriller, in which DCI Jim Daley and DS Brian Scott will be in serious trouble of their own, but with the far seeing mind and help from their old friend Hamish and DS Alasdair Shaw, they will be able to save themselves and turn this nasty situation by capturing this problematic and sinister person in the end.
Highly recommended, for this is another sublime addition to this superb series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Terrific Remembrance"!
At the beginning of the book you'll notice a meaningful short phrase by Winston Churchill.
Storytelling is superb, all characters are very believable and lifelike, and the places and surroundings on the peninsula of Kintyre are beautifully depicted by the author.
In this tale DCI Jim Daley and DS Brian Scott, the latest being demoted again due to heavy drinking and bad decisions, are on their next case that will entwine present and past police procedures, and these are mostly involving Brian Scott as a young policeman in Glasgow during the 1970s until the 1990s, and they will be assisted by a shrewd young woman called, DS Shreya Dhar, and she will shake little Kinloch with her presence.
Like I said past occurrences in the life and work of Brian Scott in Glasgow as a young policeman will be the main focus, and his conflicts with local gangsters James Machie and Frank MacDougall, and these will connect with this present case, and this present case will involve the old and dying Hugh Machie, father of James from Glasgow.
This same old and dying Hugh Machie is in Kinloch to end his son's legacy once and for all by killing the last person who's still alive and who has a connection with James Machie, and DCI Daley and DS Scott will have their hands full to discover the reason behind this action and the person intended to be killed.
What is to follow is an intriguing and captivating crime thriller, in which DCI Jim Daley and DS Brian Scott will be in serious trouble of their own, but with the far seeing mind and help from their old friend Hamish and DS Alasdair Shaw, they will be able to save themselves and turn this nasty situation by capturing this problematic and sinister person in the end.
Highly recommended, for this is another sublime addition to this superb series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Terrific Remembrance"!
April 23, 2024
This is the first book I've read in this series. Maybe it would have been more enjoyable if I'd read the previous nine. Or maybe I've been spared nine equally grim experiences!
The book centres on DCI Daley and his sidekick Sergeant Scott. There are frequent time hops between the 1980s and today, which did make it a bit harder to keep track of what was going on, but wasn't a huge issue in itself.
The biggest problem for me was the unbelievability of the characters. Scott is so dim it's hard to understand how he's survived this long in the police force, not to mention his frequent violence and drunken outbursts. At a dinner party to welcome a new police officer, Scott and Daley's wives argue and end up in a physical brawl on the floor, which their husbands don't seem to regard as particularly unusual - really?! Daley is repeatedly referred to as being predatory towards women yet most of the characters seem very critical of his wife and feel that he is hard done by. Perhaps if I'd read earlier books, this might have made more sense, but I really dislike it when a guy who is so notorious that people keep warning his junior female officers to be wary of him ends up getting pitied for having an unsympathetic wife!
There were also a lot of vague references to hauntings and one character with some kind of second sight who keeps getting dreams which solve the mystery. I'm not really a fan of crime fiction which uses supernatural events to solve the crimes. I also found it very distasteful that
The book centres on DCI Daley and his sidekick Sergeant Scott. There are frequent time hops between the 1980s and today, which did make it a bit harder to keep track of what was going on, but wasn't a huge issue in itself.
The biggest problem for me was the unbelievability of the characters. Scott is so dim it's hard to understand how he's survived this long in the police force, not to mention his frequent violence and drunken outbursts. At a dinner party to welcome a new police officer, Scott and Daley's wives argue and end up in a physical brawl on the floor, which their husbands don't seem to regard as particularly unusual - really?! Daley is repeatedly referred to as being predatory towards women yet most of the characters seem very critical of his wife and feel that he is hard done by. Perhaps if I'd read earlier books, this might have made more sense, but I really dislike it when a guy who is so notorious that people keep warning his junior female officers to be wary of him ends up getting pitied for having an unsympathetic wife!
There were also a lot of vague references to hauntings and one character with some kind of second sight who keeps getting dreams which solve the mystery. I'm not really a fan of crime fiction which uses supernatural events to solve the crimes. I also found it very distasteful that
February 7, 2023
Down in Kinloch a body has been found on the beach and DCI Jim Daley is called to action. Fearing it may be the body of a friend, Jim calls upon his (suspended) DS to help him survey the scene.
DS Brian Scott is known for his alcohol consumption, his loyalty to Daley and his unconventional and ballsy policing (having been shot twice in recent years), however this book sees secrets from Brian’s past resurfacing putting his friendships, marriage and job under threat.
I absolutely love spending time in Kinloch. Set in the Kintyre peninsula, I have spent a lot of time in the area of the years and have a real fondness for the landscape, the people and the way of life up there. I almost feel like I know some of these characters - the wise old fisherman, the middle aged drunk, the bored and neglected police wife- they are at once familiar and so well constructed that they couldn’t be anyone but Hamish, Scott and Liz. I’ve seen these books described as Taggart meets Hamish Macbeth and it’s a great point. It definitely has the dark humour and grittiness of Taggart with the humour and small town mentality of Hamish.
Trigger warning for alcoholism. It’s wonderfully handled giving a really sympathetic view of how the character got to this point and how hard it is to see you have a problem and then how it is harder still to make a change no matter how much you need/want to.
DS Brian Scott is known for his alcohol consumption, his loyalty to Daley and his unconventional and ballsy policing (having been shot twice in recent years), however this book sees secrets from Brian’s past resurfacing putting his friendships, marriage and job under threat.
I absolutely love spending time in Kinloch. Set in the Kintyre peninsula, I have spent a lot of time in the area of the years and have a real fondness for the landscape, the people and the way of life up there. I almost feel like I know some of these characters - the wise old fisherman, the middle aged drunk, the bored and neglected police wife- they are at once familiar and so well constructed that they couldn’t be anyone but Hamish, Scott and Liz. I’ve seen these books described as Taggart meets Hamish Macbeth and it’s a great point. It definitely has the dark humour and grittiness of Taggart with the humour and small town mentality of Hamish.
Trigger warning for alcoholism. It’s wonderfully handled giving a really sympathetic view of how the character got to this point and how hard it is to see you have a problem and then how it is harder still to make a change no matter how much you need/want to.
September 2, 2025
The terrible past has caught up with Brian Scott; he’s constantly drowning his sorrows and he’s been bumped back down to Detective Sergeant. While worse for wear from a drinking binge, he recognises an old face from the past but no one believes him. Worse, he starts a brawl with a couple in a pub which results in his suspension. As Brian contemplates the smouldering ruins of his career, the old foe he’s seen sets about to implement his final agenda. Meanwhile, DCI Jim Daley, at a loss with how to help Brian, must contend with Brian’s temporary replacement.
I liked the concept of this a lot and it had some gripping and fun scenes, but I found the jumping back and forth in time a bit disruptive and I felt the vignettes of the past didn’t always help explain the present. I also felt the ending was too abrupt and left a lot of questions unanswered. I guess we’ll get more answers in the next book, but it felt unsatisfying. I haven’t minded local fisherman Hamish’s dream premonitions in previous books, but to make the showdown scene hinge on one was a bit too much for what has ostensibly been a police procedural series. 🎧 Scottish voice actor David Monteath gives another good performance on the audio.
I liked the concept of this a lot and it had some gripping and fun scenes, but I found the jumping back and forth in time a bit disruptive and I felt the vignettes of the past didn’t always help explain the present. I also felt the ending was too abrupt and left a lot of questions unanswered. I guess we’ll get more answers in the next book, but it felt unsatisfying. I haven’t minded local fisherman Hamish’s dream premonitions in previous books, but to make the showdown scene hinge on one was a bit too much for what has ostensibly been a police procedural series. 🎧 Scottish voice actor David Monteath gives another good performance on the audio.
June 8, 2022
It was so good to meet up with the team from Kinloch again. Following the events in book 9, Brian Scott has fallen back into alcoholism and is in danger of his job. He sees a face from the past and feels the old fear. Daley is also having his own personal problems. Since the County Hotel changed ownership, it isn't doing well. The atmosphere is of a growing sense of foreboding. I enjoyed the way the chapters move from past to present and we learn of how old events have left their mark on both Scott and Daley. I loved the backstory of another of my favourite characters, Hamish. His 'feelings' and dreams add to the feeling of apprehension and trepidation. A new DS Shreya Dhar arrives in Kinloch to fill in for DS Scott but with the added task of investigating what is happening at the County Hotel. All is in place for certain things to play out. This is a straightforward plot but one which had me gripped from the start. I was willing everything to work out for Scott and Daley - Hamish too of course. Tense, fast paced with that undercurrent of destiny working out - what a cracking addition this is to the series! I do hope there will be another
November 4, 2024
So many dysfunctional families, terrible childhoods, head scratching decisions! Alcoholism, abuse on so many levels, parental decisions that haunt everyone until their death. Adoption, revenge, misplaced loyalty, misplaced trust and the classic description of insanity….repeatedly doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. The perfect description of Jim Daley and his dealings with Liz Daley. She’s a master manipulator and narcissist. No surprise she uses James junior as a weapon to keep Jim Daley grasped by her claws while she sees nothing amiss with her many affairs. The affairs were not her fault though she sought them out. One has to think what Liz’s master plan was with Jim Daley. Defiance of her father and mother’s wishes seems the only answer. Hate, manipulation, a new detective, and past deeds haunt every action. Health issues! Of course health issues. Meyrick set this scenario up from day 1 back in the 80’s,
September 5, 2022
This series just gets better! More a DS Scott story than a DCI Daley story, it weaves from gang controlled Glasgow in the 70s and 80s to present day Kinloch where the past is catching up. The books are becoming a little more introspective but it works very well.
The death of Annie hangs over everyone with Hamid and Scott suffering the most, Hamish is convinced she was murdered and Scott has hit the bottle, becoming too like his old man for his wife’s liking.
As always it’s an interesting plot, you care about the characters and while it wasn’t a complete surprise, you are kept guessing until the end.
I sense the end is nigh for the series although I hope not…there’s certainly at least another one to be written I’m sure. Frankly I could read this series for as long as they are written. Excellent.
The death of Annie hangs over everyone with Hamid and Scott suffering the most, Hamish is convinced she was murdered and Scott has hit the bottle, becoming too like his old man for his wife’s liking.
As always it’s an interesting plot, you care about the characters and while it wasn’t a complete surprise, you are kept guessing until the end.
I sense the end is nigh for the series although I hope not…there’s certainly at least another one to be written I’m sure. Frankly I could read this series for as long as they are written. Excellent.
October 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this one although it was a bit different. In some ways it focused on Brian Scott in the 1980’s when he was first a policeman and was mentor to Jim Daley. Scott was born and brought up in the East End of Glasgow where a lot of his classmates became murderers and one in particular, James Machie was the head honcho. Scott was catch up in being his grass. The story goes backwards and forwards between Scott and Daleys past and present. It turns out that the detective from Gartcosh sent to investigate MacMillian (owner of the hotel) but eventually it emerges she was related to James Machie (he had escaped and gone to the Far East and supported Dhar and her mother brining them to the UK and brining her up). She was seeking revenge on Scott and Daley which I didn’t suspect until the last few chapters. Excellent.
January 7, 2023
Wonderful book in this series. The writing is sublime and characters believable Daley on another case with his wonderful side kick sergeant who has a way with words. Brian is in trouble again and this time it really could be the end of his career, but his guile and courage see him battling to find a man who is supposed to be long dead. The style of writing as well as the pace of the story is very good.
What is real truth about hotel owner. Somehow after sacking his well loved barmaid/manager suicide, he seems to keep going in a business that has no customers.
Something is very amiss and Hamish and is "seeing" eyes is great in the mix of detecting.
Meyrick's writing is more masterful than many may think. IMHO he is very good indeed.
What is real truth about hotel owner. Somehow after sacking his well loved barmaid/manager suicide, he seems to keep going in a business that has no customers.
Something is very amiss and Hamish and is "seeing" eyes is great in the mix of detecting.
Meyrick's writing is more masterful than many may think. IMHO he is very good indeed.
March 19, 2023
A friend of mine bought this book but did not like it so gave up after forty pages and passed it to me. I did not think I was familiar with this author but apparently I read the fourth book in this series "The rat stone serenade" back in September 2016. In my review of that book I wrote that I did not intend to read any more of the author's books. So much for my memory!
The story is set in Kinloch which is a fictional town on the west coast of Scotland though there are numerous chapters relating events which took place decades earlier in Glasgow. It is a pretty silly story and the main characters do not come across as real people. Hopefully I will remember that I do not care for this author's books so won't read another one.
The story is set in Kinloch which is a fictional town on the west coast of Scotland though there are numerous chapters relating events which took place decades earlier in Glasgow. It is a pretty silly story and the main characters do not come across as real people. Hopefully I will remember that I do not care for this author's books so won't read another one.
May 5, 2023
Vol 10 of the DCI Daley saga has a very transitional feel to it. Meyrick takes on the battleground that is Daley’s toxic marriage, the backstory that contextualises Brian Scott’s alcoholism, the truth behind the demise of a fan favourite character in the previous volume, and the central theme to the novel, viz. that the past can never be escaped. It’s only Meyrick’s trademark facility for dark humour that prevents the whole enterprise from being depressing as all hell. Instead, he fashions a thriller that runs on low-octane for much of its running time only for everything to snap into place with gut-wrenching clarity in the latter stages and the stakes suddenly take on life or death intensity.
December 4, 2024
I read the first of the D.C.I. Daley series and loved it. In this story, about the middle of the series, we continue the thread of his unstable marriage with a good mixture of murder and crime. Plus the Kinloch village, again the setting almost becomes a character.
But the star of this book in my opinion, is Daley's Sergeant Shaw. A great character with a strong Scottish accent. I've always wondered about using an accent and, in some instances, I almost had to read it out loud to understand what he was saying, but it actually added to his character. He has taken the art of malapropism to a whole new level.
Again, we regret only buying three of his books while on holiday. We'll be chasing the whole series.
But the star of this book in my opinion, is Daley's Sergeant Shaw. A great character with a strong Scottish accent. I've always wondered about using an accent and, in some instances, I almost had to read it out loud to understand what he was saying, but it actually added to his character. He has taken the art of malapropism to a whole new level.
Again, we regret only buying three of his books while on holiday. We'll be chasing the whole series.
June 27, 2022
Another excellent book in this fantastic series. This one focuses more of DS Brian Scott who is battling his alcohol addiction and his struggles are brilliantly and realistically observed. We go right back to when Scott was a beat bobby and his entry to CID, and the past comes back to haunt him.
The book is tough to read in places but is interspersed with the humour I have come to love with this series. Daley and Scott, and also Hamish seem like old friends to me now and I am always happy to catch up with their lives. Kinloch is, as always, beautifully portrayed. Can't wait for the next book!
Brilliantly narrated by David Monteath.
The book is tough to read in places but is interspersed with the humour I have come to love with this series. Daley and Scott, and also Hamish seem like old friends to me now and I am always happy to catch up with their lives. Kinloch is, as always, beautifully portrayed. Can't wait for the next book!
Brilliantly narrated by David Monteath.
April 12, 2024
If I thought Scott was bad in the last book, this one was BAD. I’m so sick of him “misunderstanding” or mispronounce words in every other sentence. I know we should root for unorthodox investigators, and it certainly makes crime fiction more entertaining, but Scott’s behaviour in this book was way over the top, with literally no self reflection, and Jim just coddling along. I’m so disappointed because in book 8 I finally thought we were getting there, but then these two last instalments have been a mess. Mostly just reading for Hamish at this point (and to see if Jim finally get a backbone and kicks Liz to the curb)
March 14, 2023
A novel tracing Brian Scott's history
This book jumps between the present and the 1980's and 1990's showing the early career and background of Brian Scott, his roots in Glasgow and relationships with some of the gangsters portrayed in earlier books in the series.
The present day narrative turns on the personal pressures on DS Scott following the events at the end of the 9th novel in the series and Jim Daley's efforts to help his long time friend. The novel proceeds at a good pace throughout as there is an interesting twist at the end.
This book jumps between the present and the 1980's and 1990's showing the early career and background of Brian Scott, his roots in Glasgow and relationships with some of the gangsters portrayed in earlier books in the series.
The present day narrative turns on the personal pressures on DS Scott following the events at the end of the 9th novel in the series and Jim Daley's efforts to help his long time friend. The novel proceeds at a good pace throughout as there is an interesting twist at the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews