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DCI Lomond #1

The Bonnie Dead

A stolen child. A killer stalking the streets of Glasgow. A troubled detective running out of time.

Five years ago, DCI John Lomond led the search for notorious Glasgow child-killer ‘The Sandman’, until personal tragedy forced him off the case.

In Lomond’s absence, the killer was never found.

Now, with nothing but work left in his life, Lomond remains obsessed with the case – despite the nightmares it brings.

When a child is abducted in similar Sandman fashion from an affluent Glasgow suburb, Lomond is brought in to find them before it’s too late.

But the only forensic evidence belongs to a little girl who was abducted and murdered twenty years ago.

Could the Sandman’s identity lie buried in the coldest of cold cases? Or is a new killer about to claim their first victim?

376 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2022

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About the author

Andrew Raymond

15 books289 followers
I've been a fan of thrillers ever since watching All the President's Men when I was far too young to understand what was going on. Now every day I get to indulge in my passion for fast-paced stories, characters you really care about, and to bring you behind the scenes of the intelligence agencies and the most secretive parts of the political world (the parts they don't want you to know about).

It's often said that I write cinematically, which isn't a coincidence, as my influences are as much in cinema as literature: Daniel Craig's Bond films, Glengarry Glen Ross, Spartan. TV has also been a major factor in my writing. From the original BBC miniseries State of Play, David Simon's The Wire, and Aaron Sorkin, writer of The West Wing; and the US version of House of Cards.

I have worked in the book industry since I was 21.

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5 stars
4,862 (55%)
4 stars
2,893 (32%)
3 stars
838 (9%)
2 stars
136 (1%)
1 star
43 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 368 reviews
Profile Image for Kathy.
3,943 reviews301 followers
May 9, 2024
3.5 Stars
Well written Scottish police procedural that manages to have well rounded characters, brutal crime but presented in a sensitive manner and good developing relationships in the cop shop.
A serial killer is sought. Brutal scenes are made digestible with careful writing.

Kindle Unlimited
1,730 reviews33 followers
September 3, 2022
I have previously read and loved this author's other books and was eager to see what this, the first book in a new series, would be like. As expected, it is a total winner.

DCI Lomond is brought back into the fold when a young child is abducted and some sand is left behind, reminiscent of the Sandman abductions and murders some years before. From that thrilling start, it never lets up. I enjoyed the different characters in the investigation team and the interactions and banter. It felt quite real like you're there with the team and part of the ongoing events.

I thought I had it figured out and was so wrong! If you haven't read anything by this author before, grab this and make a start. You won't be disappointed. Hope there's not too long to wait for the next in this series.
Profile Image for Lavins.
1,456 reviews85 followers
February 11, 2024
2 stars

On top of being a very depressive book, the ending makes no sense. They chaise the entire time a person to do an 180 at the end, without even having an explanation for WHY all the murders happen. Very confusing and frustrating.
Profile Image for Maddie.
901 reviews275 followers
November 6, 2025
The Bonnie Dead is the first book in DCI Lomond series and it's a fantastic first outing for the Scottish detective.
Andrew Raymond writes with ease and competency bringing a story that's utterly gripping, gritty and impossible to put down.
I absolutely loved it and can't wait to read the next Lomond book.
Profile Image for Read, Read, No Sleep, Repeat.
364 reviews7 followers
October 20, 2022
Five years ago, DCI John Lomond led the search for the ‘Sandman’, a serial killer who abducted and murdered young children. Despite Lomond’s best efforts, the killer was never found. When a child is abducted in a similar fashion after a long period of calm, Lomond is brought back in to investigate.

I haven’t read any of Andrew Raymond’s books before, so I was excited to read The Bonnie Dead, the first novel in the DCI Lomond Crime Thrillers series and it was brilliant! I sometimes find it hard to get into thrillers, but I couldn’t put it down and read it within a day.

The story bowls along at a fast pace with loads of twists and turns that had me guessing until the finale. And what a finale!

The book is set between the gritty inner city background of Glasgow and the contrasting beautiful, calm island of Arran. I know both places well and the author did a great job of bringing these landscapes to life.

The author created very relatable and engaging characters that I instantly became invested in. The Glasgow team gathered along with Lomond make up a colourful and interesting group of varied personalities who were unlike the usual crime thriller police stereotypes. Their interactions felt very authentic and I loved their banter. I particularly liked Donna and look forward to seeing more of her in the future books.

The Bonnie Dead is fresh, exciting, unpredictable and gripping thriller that had me hooked from the first page. I can’t wait for book 2!
Profile Image for Jo Lee.
1,297 reviews35 followers
February 3, 2025
Such a hard review for me to write. I was so distracted by all the places I knew that I kept forgetting about the plot, and I found the content extremely distressing, so my review may seem a little unfair but I review on enjoyment basis.

The narration was pretty good!

Currently included with audible 🎧
Profile Image for Hitesh.
584 reviews26 followers
June 19, 2026
The Bonnie Dead is a solid, no-nonsense crime thriller that gets straight to what matters—the mystery.

The premise is compelling, with a child abduction that bears eerie similarities to an unsolved series of murders from five years earlier. From there, the story moves at a steady pace without getting bogged down in unnecessary detours. I had my suspicions about the culprit at different points, but I was never completely certain, which kept me invested until the reveal.

What I appreciated most was the author's restraint. So many modern crime novels spend a significant amount of time exploring the detectives' personal lives or adding relationship drama. Here, while DCI John Lomond's past provides enough motivation for his obsession with the case, the narrative never loses sight of the investigation itself. It remains focused on solving the crime, and I found that refreshing.

The police procedural elements also felt grounded. While they may not be as painstakingly detailed as those found in Japanese detective fiction—which I particularly enjoy—they were believable and gave the investigation an authentic feel. It's evident that Andrew Raymond did his research.

This was my first book by Andrew Raymond and, I believe, my first crime novel set in Glasgow. I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the city and its surroundings, which added a distinct atmosphere without overwhelming the story.

A special thanks to my friend for recommending this one. She has a knack for pointing me toward books that perfectly match my taste, and this was yet another excellent recommendation.

If you enjoy crime fiction that prioritizes the investigation over melodrama, offers enough twists to keep you guessing, and delivers a satisfying mystery, The Bonnie Dead is definitely worth picking up.
Profile Image for Sandra Leivesley.
1,122 reviews18 followers
February 23, 2023
Andrew Raymond is a new author to me, and I really enjoyed this first book in a new series set in Glasgow and narrated by the wonderful Angus King. It is very well written and expertly plotted with a chilling storyline and moves along at a steady pace. DCI Lomond is an interesting, relatable character with a backstory that is gradually revealed throughout the book. I look forward to seeing what is next for him in this series.
Profile Image for Lauren Rea.
197 reviews6 followers
October 13, 2022
Glasgow - when a young boy Jack Ferguson is abducted from his home whilst his parents are paralysed after being drugged witnessing the whole thing but unable to stop it, all DCI Jack Lomond’s fears are confirmed. After 5 years The Sandman is back. Suffering a personal trendiest after the loss of his wife and newborn son, this is the one case he was unable to solve, with other children taken and Turing up dead 5 days later, the clock is ticking. It’s up to DCI Lomond and the team to find the missing boy before it’s too late. But as dark secrets come to the surface, is The Sandman back or is there a copycat killer on the loose, and what is the link to the cold case of a missing girl 20 years ago?

This was the first book in what promises to be an absolutely brilliant series. The characters in this book that we were introduced to were deep in their own ways as well as relatable. The storyline was dark and chilling with plenty of twists along the way, with the conclusion finishing the story off brilliant at the end. This book was right up my street, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I can’t wait for the next instalment!

Thank you so much for letting me pre-read this book before release, and hopefully I’ll have the opportunity again to read and review the next one in the series!
Profile Image for Jenny.
2,489 reviews82 followers
January 4, 2025
The Bonnie Dead is book one in the new series by Andrew Raymond called DCI Lomond. Most law enforcement officers always have a case that is always on their mind, and DCI Lomond's case was the murder of five children in Glasgow called the Sandman. The personal tragedy made him leave the case when, five years later, another boy was taken and evidence saying the Sandman was back, DCI Lomond asked his boss to be involved with the investigation. The readers of The Bonnie Dead will continue to follow DCI Lomond's investigation to discover what happens.

I found this book and its author while searching Goodreads for a book to fulfil a challenge. For this reason, I am excited to continue following this series. I love Andrew Raymond's writing style, which ensures I engage with the plot and the characters from the first page. I also love the way Andrew Raymond highlights social issues that affect communities. I love Andrew Raymond's portrayal of his characters and how they interact with each other throughout this book. The Bonnie Dead is well-written and researched by Andrew Raymond. I like Andrew Raymond's description of the settings of The Bonnie Dead, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.

I recommend this book.
6 reviews
January 23, 2023
Twist

Great Characters, Great Story. Well written, humerous at times, thrilling nerve jangling. Will look forward to reading more by the author.
229 reviews
February 19, 2024
As the first in a series it was OK. Obviously there is a lot of character introduction. The storyline was good and moved at a reasonable pace. There were one or two passages that diverted from the story and characters. I was a bit confused as to why they were included. Will I continue with the series, not sure.
Profile Image for David Ward.
Author 2 books18 followers
February 16, 2023
Disappointing. Very thin characters and run-of-the-mill dialogue. I'd had enough by Chapter 8. Sorry, but it will appeal to some readers.
Profile Image for Piu Reads.
437 reviews
January 7, 2026
2.5 Stars

KU suggested this book to me, and the high ratings on GR convinced me to give this series a try. Mostly, the Glasgow setting of the story was a big pull for me. I love stories based on new countries as it gives glimpses into the urban life there as well as into their cultural nuances, especially the language. Plus, it is about a serial killer, so yeah, I was sold.

The main plot is about a police team headed by CSI Lomond, racing against time, trying to catch a serial killer and rescue a small kid, the latest victim of the killer. The main victims of the ‘sandman’ serial killer are children, who are abducted from their homes and then killed after 5 days. The signature of the killer is sand left on the bed after the kids are taken, and then sand left on the eyes of the kids’ bodies later. 5 years before, the killings had stopped, so the police had assumed that the killer may have died. But now, suddenly, another kid has been snatched from his bed while his parents were given paralytic agents. They were helpless as their son, Jack, was kidnapped in front of their own eyes without being able to do anything.

The main lead for the team emerges when a stuffed animal found with Jack’s things turns out to be linked to the first supposed victim of the ‘Sandman’. The team scrambles to chase the lead and capture the culprit before the 5-day period runs out.

The premise is fine. It was a rush to read the story. It has the element of urgency, so everything developed quickly. They start with a single lead, which leads to more, and then, through some good investigative work, many aspects of the truth come out, which altogether reveal the culprit. The investigative part of the book was really well written, and the best thing was the team effort. Every officer in the team had a role to play, which I really liked reading. There wasn’t a boring moment. The story is fast-paced, and the reveals are evenly spread out, so I was hooked till the end. So, yeah, the execution of the story was great.

UNPOPULAR OPINION ALERT

But then came the plot-holes that ruined the overall story for me. They were quite obvious. I will list them out after this, so SPOILERS AHEAD….



There were a lot more minor ones, but these were the ones that left me feeling unsatisfied with the read at the end. As I said before, the execution was good, but the plot itself was not foolproof or tight enough to become a successful thriller. All the t’s and I’s need to be dotted, which the author failed to do here.

With respect to the character development and execution, the book was aces, but the plot lacked a lot IMO, it overall wobbled terribly for me.

It was a decent read, and if you are not a picky mystery reader like me, then you will like this book. But it was a bust for me. I was excited about a new thriller series, but now I am not sure if I will be continuing with it in the future.
Profile Image for Dee (readaholic_dee).
333 reviews16 followers
April 17, 2024
This is this first book I have read by this author, and I am so impressed. I thoroughly enjoy The Bonnie Dead so much so, that as soon as I had finished, I went straight onto the next in the series.

Brilliant story, excellent characters, so glad I took the plunge and read this book.

Highly recommend.

Happy Reading.
Profile Image for Elinor.
311 reviews2 followers
August 29, 2025
felt a bit derivative and too similar to JD Kirk's DCI Jack Logan series. enjoyable but I'll stick with one Scottish police procedural with the DCI having JL initials for now
24 reviews
October 24, 2024
Couldn’t finish it. It has the novelty of being set where I’m from, but that wore off fast. Reads like a first draft.
Profile Image for Ross Cumming.
777 reviews26 followers
June 20, 2025
I think this was a Kindle recommendation that popped up in my timeline and I decided to give it a go as the character of the protagonist DCI Lomond quite appealed to me.
He has been hunting the serial child abductor and murderer for several years and although there have been no recent crimes, Lomond carries on his investigation in his own time. However a child is abducted and the crime bears all the hallmarks of it being the work of the Sandman. Lomond, despite some resistance from his senior officers, eventually heads up the investigation, in which the team has five days to locate the missing child before he is murdered.
As a retired Scottish Police Officer, I must admit that I do try and avoid Scottish Police procedural novels as I tend to be put off, by apparent errors in the procedure. However I’ve got to admit that I didn’t find that with this novel and I found it highly enjoyable. Lomond is a pretty dour character mainly due to a tragedy that he suffered in his past and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Despite this he does manage to form a bond with his colleagues in the Major Investigation Team and his dedication seems to rub off and inspire his young colleagues. The plot takes many twists and hits a few dead ends before climaxing on the Isle of Arran.
There are several other books in this series and I think I’ll be returning to them in the not too distant future.
Profile Image for Liz.
539 reviews41 followers
June 3, 2024
This reads (listens?) just like a binge-worthy crime series. Think Broadchurch with a Glaswegian flair - in fact, David Tennant’s character would fit right in as the cranky but loveable MC with the tragic backstory. Loved the team dynamic of the other detectives, especially Ross - so glad it wasn’t a one-man-super-detective show. As you can imagine, a story like this is filled with content warnings, but it dealt with them in a restrained way at least, so it never got too dark in the way that Scandi noirs usually are.

Overall, I binged this in about 2 days straight, and I’m already 20% into the sequel. Worth checking out as an audio, since the narrator does a fantastic job and the Scottish quips and sarcastic humour really shine (but my advice is to listen to it on 1.5 speed otherwise he speaks WAY too slow).

4 stars
Profile Image for Maria.
1,293 reviews25 followers
March 13, 2026
Ehh... I will confess that I mostly listened to this book because Angus King narrates it.

The fact that he also narrates the DS Max Craigie books (which also has a Ross in them) made my poor, fatigued, and sorely dyslexic brain very confused.

I did like the story and the crime, but neither it, nor the characters, really stuck with me. Me being pretty preoccupied with life matters at the moment surely didn't improve things though, so I won't rate the book too harshly.

I might return for book 2 sooner rather than later, anyway, because this kind of series usually improve when you get further into them.
Profile Image for Fee.
129 reviews
November 3, 2025
I listened to this after searching up other audiobooks read by Angus King as he is brilliant! Unfortunately this book was not brilliant. Another review has hit the nail on the head that I don't think the author even knew who they wanted the killer to be and it was as if they were trying to throw twists and turns but I just couldn't keep track or make sense of the reasoning. Glasgow references were cool and I might listen to another one but only because I like the narrator.
Profile Image for Amina (ⴰⵎⵉⵏⴰ).
1,660 reviews305 followers
December 5, 2025
That was one hell of a ride and a series I'm surely gonna keep reading!
The plot was solid and got me hooked up from page one, the cast of characters was diverse and as close to us, humans, as possible. Each had his/her personality and faults which made the story quite realistic and relatable. Yes, I had my suspicions, but not many clues were delivered throughout the investigation, for me to draw a definite conclusion. But overall, I highly enjoyed the rollercoaster and will be back for more!
Profile Image for Hayley .
247 reviews2 followers
July 28, 2026
Five years after a tragedy forced DCI Lomand off the hunt for Glasgow’s child killer, The Sandman, a new abduction draws him back. Is The Sandman back, or is it a new killer? Great start to a new series. Detailed, tense and kept me guessing till the final twist!
Profile Image for Adele Shea.
751 reviews22 followers
July 26, 2025
Simply brilliant. Lots going on throughout the book. Murders, kidnapping, revenge and a lot more.

Edge of your seat read
Profile Image for Holly Chapman.
32 reviews
January 14, 2026
Really enjoyed this one! Had me wanting to read more from the 2nd chapter. Held my attention for the entire book. Finished in a day!

Will absolutely explore more from this author
Displaying 1 - 30 of 368 reviews