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Anderson & Costello #2
Singing to the Dead
It's Christmas, and half the Partickhill police squad is down with flu. Not good timing, with a series of cyanide poisonings in the area, plus two small boys reported missing in the space of a few days. And then there's the monumental task of providing concert security for rock legend Rogan O'Neill . . . But for Detective Inspector Colin Anderson, the nightmare is about to get terrifyingly close to home. For a third boy has now gone missing - Colin's own son, Peter. The team race to find the boys before it is too late. But how long will it be before they realize the key is hidden in the lyrics of a rock song ? 'Tambourine Girl' by Rogan O'Neill?
528 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
400 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
Caro Ramsay
34 books203 followersCaro Ramsay was born and educated in Glasgow. She has been writing stories since she was five years old, developing a keen interest in crime fiction and a passion for the genre that lead her to write Absolution, her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
June 27, 2022
Five full, unalterable, and perfect stars to Singing to the Dead, a mystery that is tricky to sub-categorise. I went in not expecting anything, and I am going in this review without preparing anything clever or piquing to say.
This book should be read by mystery lovers around the world. But it will not be read by many. It will be a quiet group of fans that will swear by the author, Caro Ramsay. With books like this I am glad I did not pick a different hobby other than reading.
Reading a book like this will give you enjoyment for hours without respite. Imagining gardening without rest for hours with no abatement in strength. Or skateboarding with no accidents, for 4 or 5 hours. Reading this book made me ultra happy for these 4 hours.
When I see people lining up to pick their books that are dictated by flavours of the month, or by a BookTuber guru, I say screw the hype. I have my own perfectly suitable handpicked books that are rarely in NYT lists, or hosted by the Oprah Club or some other lower key mod.
So yeah, I enjoyed this book like I devoured a tub of ice cream, without the ailment of excess calories. And I loved the book without stop. If Caro Ramsay writes a similar book in her Anderson and Costello series, I will be amazed and happy.
This book has skyrocketed into my top 20 best books list. Either Plum Island will disappear, the book by Nelson Demille, or The Greek Coffin Mystery, by Ellery Queen. Singing to the Dead is better than these two. Plum Island had one thing that Singing does not. Humour. But Singing is relentless in its quality.
All I am saying is, there are many ways of choosing your books. Why pick the ones that do the entire work for you? Reading is supposed to be a solitary activity. Since what precise point in history has it reared, butchered and offered individuality to the altar of society. At one point, people have decided that discussing about reading is a lucrative business, and a healthy activity. It is not. Not when you come across books like this one.
People say, choose this way of selecting books. Or that one. The most idiotic book list is the 1001 Books to Read before you DIE one. It is a con job that combines the musky fear of dying with herd behaviour. Who the hell wants to read books that everyone reads? Do you want to live a life that is the copy of thousand other drones?
That was a tangent. Point is, I have a trajectory that is influenced by the desire to share, and that to hoard. If the book doesn't garner many more readers - which is what is certain to happen - then I'm very happy too. I am going to close my eyes tonight with the characters, especially the cops, of this book sharing space in my head.
Finally, I think that books will get better with age as each author recycles the best devices in books with better colours. Books have improved over with age. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Books are the ultimate high for the mind. The best ones are those that set our imagination afire, and keep us aglow.
This book should be read by mystery lovers around the world. But it will not be read by many. It will be a quiet group of fans that will swear by the author, Caro Ramsay. With books like this I am glad I did not pick a different hobby other than reading.
Reading a book like this will give you enjoyment for hours without respite. Imagining gardening without rest for hours with no abatement in strength. Or skateboarding with no accidents, for 4 or 5 hours. Reading this book made me ultra happy for these 4 hours.
When I see people lining up to pick their books that are dictated by flavours of the month, or by a BookTuber guru, I say screw the hype. I have my own perfectly suitable handpicked books that are rarely in NYT lists, or hosted by the Oprah Club or some other lower key mod.
So yeah, I enjoyed this book like I devoured a tub of ice cream, without the ailment of excess calories. And I loved the book without stop. If Caro Ramsay writes a similar book in her Anderson and Costello series, I will be amazed and happy.
This book has skyrocketed into my top 20 best books list. Either Plum Island will disappear, the book by Nelson Demille, or The Greek Coffin Mystery, by Ellery Queen. Singing to the Dead is better than these two. Plum Island had one thing that Singing does not. Humour. But Singing is relentless in its quality.
All I am saying is, there are many ways of choosing your books. Why pick the ones that do the entire work for you? Reading is supposed to be a solitary activity. Since what precise point in history has it reared, butchered and offered individuality to the altar of society. At one point, people have decided that discussing about reading is a lucrative business, and a healthy activity. It is not. Not when you come across books like this one.
People say, choose this way of selecting books. Or that one. The most idiotic book list is the 1001 Books to Read before you DIE one. It is a con job that combines the musky fear of dying with herd behaviour. Who the hell wants to read books that everyone reads? Do you want to live a life that is the copy of thousand other drones?
That was a tangent. Point is, I have a trajectory that is influenced by the desire to share, and that to hoard. If the book doesn't garner many more readers - which is what is certain to happen - then I'm very happy too. I am going to close my eyes tonight with the characters, especially the cops, of this book sharing space in my head.
Finally, I think that books will get better with age as each author recycles the best devices in books with better colours. Books have improved over with age. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Books are the ultimate high for the mind. The best ones are those that set our imagination afire, and keep us aglow.
October 30, 2023
‘We didn’t have coppers like you when I was a wee lad. They were big blokes, took you up a close and kicked yer arse, told yer dad, and if you were really unlucky they told yer mam and ye got yer arse kicked again.’
If there is an antithesis to the cosy mystery, then Caro Ramsey’s police procedurals fit the bill. Set in contemporary Glasgow at the Partickhill Station, Singing to the Dead follows on from Absolution, which introduced DI Anderson and DS Costello, staunchly covering for their then boss, Alan McAlpine, a barely functioning alcoholic. On McAlpine’s death DCI Quinn has taken over, a difficult task with such a tight-knit group, including ‘fast-tracked for promotion’ Viktor Mulholland, the aging Littlewood and newbie brought in by Quinn, the glamorous airhead Kate Lewis. Up against Costello, feathers are sure to fly.
As Christmas approaches the understaffed station is hit by a virus plus, is called in to offer security to local boy made good, fading rock star, Rogan O’Neill, accompanied by his Canadian supermodel girlfriend. They are in Glasgow for a charity concert with the proceeds of one of Rogan’s remastered greatest hits going to the victims of a Pakistani earthquake. The earthquake appeal has a ‘mascot’, created by wheelchair-bound Eve, a foul-mouthed artist living with her svelte sister Lynne, who is secretly seeing a married lawyer.
All of this sets to obscure / deflect from two crimes – a poisoner tampering with headache tablets, and the disappearance of two seven year old boys, both from impoverished homes.
It was OK to say airports and ferries were being watched, but the truth was you didn’t have to smuggle a kid out of Scotland, most of the country was empty.
It is only when a third child disappears from pre-Christmas celebrations - DI Anderson’s own five-year-old son, Peter that efforts are ramped up.
This reader was stunned at the complexity of the three intertwining themes, the dark secrets, personal agendas and emotional stress as tragedy unfolds. And the final twist…wicked.
Verdict: Scottish crime at its best.
If there is an antithesis to the cosy mystery, then Caro Ramsey’s police procedurals fit the bill. Set in contemporary Glasgow at the Partickhill Station, Singing to the Dead follows on from Absolution, which introduced DI Anderson and DS Costello, staunchly covering for their then boss, Alan McAlpine, a barely functioning alcoholic. On McAlpine’s death DCI Quinn has taken over, a difficult task with such a tight-knit group, including ‘fast-tracked for promotion’ Viktor Mulholland, the aging Littlewood and newbie brought in by Quinn, the glamorous airhead Kate Lewis. Up against Costello, feathers are sure to fly.
As Christmas approaches the understaffed station is hit by a virus plus, is called in to offer security to local boy made good, fading rock star, Rogan O’Neill, accompanied by his Canadian supermodel girlfriend. They are in Glasgow for a charity concert with the proceeds of one of Rogan’s remastered greatest hits going to the victims of a Pakistani earthquake. The earthquake appeal has a ‘mascot’, created by wheelchair-bound Eve, a foul-mouthed artist living with her svelte sister Lynne, who is secretly seeing a married lawyer.
All of this sets to obscure / deflect from two crimes – a poisoner tampering with headache tablets, and the disappearance of two seven year old boys, both from impoverished homes.
It was OK to say airports and ferries were being watched, but the truth was you didn’t have to smuggle a kid out of Scotland, most of the country was empty.
It is only when a third child disappears from pre-Christmas celebrations - DI Anderson’s own five-year-old son, Peter that efforts are ramped up.
This reader was stunned at the complexity of the three intertwining themes, the dark secrets, personal agendas and emotional stress as tragedy unfolds. And the final twist…wicked.
Verdict: Scottish crime at its best.
December 17, 2016
I'm slightly at a loss as to why this fell slightly short for me, why I feel (on balance) that three stars is a bit more of a reflection on my overall feelings than four stars might be.
This had a lot going for it - a well-conceived and competently-written police procedural set in Glasgow, the plot interesting, a cast of colourful and believable characters, some descriptions which really painted a picture.. it basically ticked all the boxes as far as sharing many of the qualities that many of my favourite reads over the last five years have had.
However, it took quite a while to get in to, and quite a while to finish. Maybe the plot was just a bit too complex and maybe there was just a few too many characters - at times I found it hard to keep up with exactly who was who and what was happening where/when. Maybe the handling of the storyline had a little too much detail, meaning it stretched the reader over an extra hour or two. Maybe aspects covered in the preceding book were touched on in a way that would've added to my enjoyment of this book, had I read that first in the series.
Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this, I'm just a little aware that it didn't hit the mark in the same way that Stuart MacBride, Craig Robertson, Denise Mina etc. have often done for me.
This had a lot going for it - a well-conceived and competently-written police procedural set in Glasgow, the plot interesting, a cast of colourful and believable characters, some descriptions which really painted a picture.. it basically ticked all the boxes as far as sharing many of the qualities that many of my favourite reads over the last five years have had.
However, it took quite a while to get in to, and quite a while to finish. Maybe the plot was just a bit too complex and maybe there was just a few too many characters - at times I found it hard to keep up with exactly who was who and what was happening where/when. Maybe the handling of the storyline had a little too much detail, meaning it stretched the reader over an extra hour or two. Maybe aspects covered in the preceding book were touched on in a way that would've added to my enjoyment of this book, had I read that first in the series.
Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this, I'm just a little aware that it didn't hit the mark in the same way that Stuart MacBride, Craig Robertson, Denise Mina etc. have often done for me.
January 2, 2026
Christmas Day and I'm reading a thriller? Just a bit of context. My son and grandson were both sick with the flu and they didn't want to infect me, so I'm alone, with just my cat for company (the same one in my profile picture but now ten years older, as am I.) Consequently, I wanted to read something with plenty of action to keep me aroused but not a book that required deep thinking. SINGING TO THE DEAD met that criteria. Hence the three-star rating. It isn't outstanding, but it hit the mark. It kept my mind engaged all day.
It starts with the disappearance with a seven-year-old boy, that soon turns into an investigation of two missing boys, both from impoverished homes in Glasgow. Soon the search for the missing boys becomes entangled with a serial killer case that appears somehow tied in with a visiting rock star (a former local) and his Canadian supermodel girlfriend. Then, seemingly separate from both these cases, the police find themselves searching for another serial killer, this one guilty of tampering with headache tablets. We know, although the police don't, that somehow this third case is tied into the relationships between wheelchair-bound, whining Eve, her angry sister Lynne, and Lynne's married boyfriend.
Three intertwined themes, and the police team headed by DI Anderson and DS Costello are exhausted running down the leads. Plenty of action to keep my mind engaged trying to untangle all the threads. The bad guys get their just deserts in the end, although the police team doesn't actually figure out all the complex details. It was a good read until near the conclusion, when things seemed to happen too quickly. At least one of the threads was not "solved", although it was resolved.
I discovered after reading this book that it was #2 in author Caro Ramsay's Anderson and Costello series, and that I hadn't read #1 in the series.
Rating 3.5 stars. This is carried by Kindle Unlimited for those of you who subscribe to KU.
It starts with the disappearance with a seven-year-old boy, that soon turns into an investigation of two missing boys, both from impoverished homes in Glasgow. Soon the search for the missing boys becomes entangled with a serial killer case that appears somehow tied in with a visiting rock star (a former local) and his Canadian supermodel girlfriend. Then, seemingly separate from both these cases, the police find themselves searching for another serial killer, this one guilty of tampering with headache tablets. We know, although the police don't, that somehow this third case is tied into the relationships between wheelchair-bound, whining Eve, her angry sister Lynne, and Lynne's married boyfriend.
Three intertwined themes, and the police team headed by DI Anderson and DS Costello are exhausted running down the leads. Plenty of action to keep my mind engaged trying to untangle all the threads. The bad guys get their just deserts in the end, although the police team doesn't actually figure out all the complex details. It was a good read until near the conclusion, when things seemed to happen too quickly. At least one of the threads was not "solved", although it was resolved.
I discovered after reading this book that it was #2 in author Caro Ramsay's Anderson and Costello series, and that I hadn't read #1 in the series.
Rating 3.5 stars. This is carried by Kindle Unlimited for those of you who subscribe to KU.
November 24, 2018
Very complex plot which requires the reader to keep their wits about them with a number of interconnected story lines. I enjoy the style and the characters are interesting. Highly recommend if you enjoy murders in freezing Scotland.
October 27, 2009
Caro Ramsay's second book - SINGING TO THE DEAD - has a lot to live up to. ABSOLUTION was just a fantastic book, with a particularly brave ending. That ending means SINGING TO THE DEAD starts out looking back to some of that story, and with a need to shift the focus to many of the lesser characters from the first book, as well as introduce new ones.
The disappearance of two seven-year-old boys starts an investigation which finds itself stretched to the limit when a house fire turns into a full-scale murder hunt as well. Then another seven-year-old boy disappears and this time it's the son of DI Colin Anderson.
ABSOLUTION was undoubtedly one of my favourite debut books from last year, so SINGING TO THE DEAD was always going to be interesting reading - particularly as I was keen to see if Ramsay would continue to be as bold as she had been first time around. The start of SINGING TO THE DEAD did seem to be a little unfocused, and there was a rather hefty concentration on the personal aspects of some of the team members - but once a lot of the setup is cleared away, and Ramsay gets down to the core of the investigations the pace picks up markedly.
Ramsay handles the multiple threads of these investigations - and ultimately - the team members really well. She also addresses their reactions to the events at the end of ABSOLUTION well, solidly giving the book a sense of history, without dwelling on the past. I don't think you would have to read the first book to understand events in SINGING TO THE DEAD - it's probably enough to realise that there is history for many of this team and that each of them is reacting to that history in varying ways. The chacterisations are great, the police procedural aspects of the book solid, and there's a real skill to the way that the various threads are interwoven. SINGING TO THE DEAD threw me a little at the start, but I ended up liking this as much as I did the author's first book.
The disappearance of two seven-year-old boys starts an investigation which finds itself stretched to the limit when a house fire turns into a full-scale murder hunt as well. Then another seven-year-old boy disappears and this time it's the son of DI Colin Anderson.
ABSOLUTION was undoubtedly one of my favourite debut books from last year, so SINGING TO THE DEAD was always going to be interesting reading - particularly as I was keen to see if Ramsay would continue to be as bold as she had been first time around. The start of SINGING TO THE DEAD did seem to be a little unfocused, and there was a rather hefty concentration on the personal aspects of some of the team members - but once a lot of the setup is cleared away, and Ramsay gets down to the core of the investigations the pace picks up markedly.
Ramsay handles the multiple threads of these investigations - and ultimately - the team members really well. She also addresses their reactions to the events at the end of ABSOLUTION well, solidly giving the book a sense of history, without dwelling on the past. I don't think you would have to read the first book to understand events in SINGING TO THE DEAD - it's probably enough to realise that there is history for many of this team and that each of them is reacting to that history in varying ways. The chacterisations are great, the police procedural aspects of the book solid, and there's a real skill to the way that the various threads are interwoven. SINGING TO THE DEAD threw me a little at the start, but I ended up liking this as much as I did the author's first book.
April 26, 2024
I'm happy to have finally read one of the earlier books in this series, because it gave me more background information about Anderson, Costello and their colleagues. I suddenly understood better why they interact as they do in the later books I've read.
The plot was very good, with several storylines coming together in the end. It has some heart-breaking scenes, a lot of action, the usual banter among people who work closely together and some humour - which is good because our heroes need that during this gruelling investigation.
It's almost Christmas and the time of the year is not festive for some people, especially not for the two - later three - young boys that go missing. And the weather isn't helping because its cold, rainy, freezing and even lots of snow.
I snuggled up with this book and enjoyed reading it.
The plot was very good, with several storylines coming together in the end. It has some heart-breaking scenes, a lot of action, the usual banter among people who work closely together and some humour - which is good because our heroes need that during this gruelling investigation.
It's almost Christmas and the time of the year is not festive for some people, especially not for the two - later three - young boys that go missing. And the weather isn't helping because its cold, rainy, freezing and even lots of snow.
I snuggled up with this book and enjoyed reading it.
October 27, 2022
A good read. About to read her next book in the series.
October 31, 2024
A really good suspense novel.
October 9, 2021
Wanted to like this as enjoy Scottish based crime thrillers, but this one didn’t quite hit the mark. A decent idea, not the worst I’ve read by any means, but definitely had writing issues that pulled it down from being enjoyable.
Overall, below average.
About halfway through, started thinking the author had done an initial brainstorming of ideas for the story, and then done her best to try and cram every one of them into the story.
Firstly, it’s never a good sign if halfway through a story you start thinking about how the author’s written it. Clearly, something’s not right with the story if that happens.
And secondly, this “throw the kitchen sink at it” approach lead to it being a long read, which lacked real pace. Felt like a lot of padded out scenes, dialogue and descriptions that didn’t move the story forward. If these had been cut down and it had been more tightly written, could have lost about a third of this book and fixed the pacing.
Didn’t mind too much that there were multiple plot lines and multiple characters.
But the narrative switched around so much that only one of the story-lines (young boys going missing) was all that engaging, and though it looked like it was building towards a thrilling resolution, that storyline ending up fizzling out in a very fudged and underwhelming outcome.
Then there’s all the secondary plots.
We’ve got a returning Scottish music star with a shady past and an even shadier road crew.
There’s new office politics and dynamics with the arrival of a new DCI and her DS side-kick (both of whom seem quite one-dimensional characters and don’t add much to the story).
There’s two different romantic sub-plots.
One involves DS Vik Mulholland and a mysterious lady who may be linked to one or more of the crimes they investigate. Another involves the widow of the DCI who died at the end of first book.
That’s a lot of pol “balls” for the reader to keep juggling. And not convinced the writer’s skill was enough on this book to keep all those balls in the air. Some of these could easily have been left out.
On the plus side, there’s clearly some good writing skills in terms of bringing Glasgow to life. There’s also some good writing on the dialogue, so the author clearly has a good ear for that. I found the two main characters Anderson and Costello fairly likeable, but wish they’d been give more page time to develop, and less time given to the other characters.
Overall, it felt like there was a good book in here that just got overwhelmed by including too much. Less would definitely have been more.
Having read the first in the series and thought it was just about a pass, this wasn’t an improvement. I’ll probably give the series one more go, and if the next one doesn’t pick up, then I’ll be done with the series.
Overall, below average.
About halfway through, started thinking the author had done an initial brainstorming of ideas for the story, and then done her best to try and cram every one of them into the story.
Firstly, it’s never a good sign if halfway through a story you start thinking about how the author’s written it. Clearly, something’s not right with the story if that happens.
And secondly, this “throw the kitchen sink at it” approach lead to it being a long read, which lacked real pace. Felt like a lot of padded out scenes, dialogue and descriptions that didn’t move the story forward. If these had been cut down and it had been more tightly written, could have lost about a third of this book and fixed the pacing.
Didn’t mind too much that there were multiple plot lines and multiple characters.
But the narrative switched around so much that only one of the story-lines (young boys going missing) was all that engaging, and though it looked like it was building towards a thrilling resolution, that storyline ending up fizzling out in a very fudged and underwhelming outcome.
Then there’s all the secondary plots.
We’ve got a returning Scottish music star with a shady past and an even shadier road crew.
There’s new office politics and dynamics with the arrival of a new DCI and her DS side-kick (both of whom seem quite one-dimensional characters and don’t add much to the story).
There’s two different romantic sub-plots.
One involves DS Vik Mulholland and a mysterious lady who may be linked to one or more of the crimes they investigate. Another involves the widow of the DCI who died at the end of first book.
That’s a lot of pol “balls” for the reader to keep juggling. And not convinced the writer’s skill was enough on this book to keep all those balls in the air. Some of these could easily have been left out.
On the plus side, there’s clearly some good writing skills in terms of bringing Glasgow to life. There’s also some good writing on the dialogue, so the author clearly has a good ear for that. I found the two main characters Anderson and Costello fairly likeable, but wish they’d been give more page time to develop, and less time given to the other characters.
Overall, it felt like there was a good book in here that just got overwhelmed by including too much. Less would definitely have been more.
Having read the first in the series and thought it was just about a pass, this wasn’t an improvement. I’ll probably give the series one more go, and if the next one doesn’t pick up, then I’ll be done with the series.
August 1, 2016
I enjoyed this tremendously.
Second in the series. Perhaps not quite up to Absolution but let's not nit pick. I feel that Costello and Anderson are developing nicely as characters, and the supporting cast, while necessarily two dimensional (eg we don't see much of their lives outside work), they are credible and contain a fair amount of contradictions. The prose style is of a high standard, which makes the reading itself very pleasant.
The book is strongly plot driven. In some ways a standard police procedural, but well above average. There are two plots, or cases, running through, with some overlaps. I like how the story unfolds. It's not so much that new evidence is revealed but that new events occur. There are some red herrings and leads that or hypotheses that turn out to be dead ends. It's a relatively long book, and in some senses you might feel that it takes a while to get going. On the other hand, there's a lot being described in the early stages eg the appeal for Pakistani earthquake victims, the return of pop superstar to Glasgow, Squidgy the Midge, or whatever he's called, the school fair, the lead up to Christmas, not to mention the mourning of DCI McAlpine. I don't really know Glasgow except for a few fleeting visits over the years, so I don't know how well it captures the city, but it works for me.
I appreciated two aspects in this book. Unlike too many (excellent) police procedures I have read recently (including in this series), there isn't actually the death of a police officer, which is noteworthy. And it isn't really about the usual 'lowlife' suspects that, admittedly in reality, do make up a major part of police work. I enjoyed it tremendously; although it would probably stand on its own, I do feel it's worthwhile to have read Absolution first. Authors write series for several reasons; among them is the opportunity for characters to develop over a longer time and through more cases than would be possible in a standalone.
Looking forward to reading Dark Water sooner rather than later.
Second in the series. Perhaps not quite up to Absolution but let's not nit pick. I feel that Costello and Anderson are developing nicely as characters, and the supporting cast, while necessarily two dimensional (eg we don't see much of their lives outside work), they are credible and contain a fair amount of contradictions. The prose style is of a high standard, which makes the reading itself very pleasant.
The book is strongly plot driven. In some ways a standard police procedural, but well above average. There are two plots, or cases, running through, with some overlaps. I like how the story unfolds. It's not so much that new evidence is revealed but that new events occur. There are some red herrings and leads that or hypotheses that turn out to be dead ends. It's a relatively long book, and in some senses you might feel that it takes a while to get going. On the other hand, there's a lot being described in the early stages eg the appeal for Pakistani earthquake victims, the return of pop superstar to Glasgow, Squidgy the Midge, or whatever he's called, the school fair, the lead up to Christmas, not to mention the mourning of DCI McAlpine. I don't really know Glasgow except for a few fleeting visits over the years, so I don't know how well it captures the city, but it works for me.
I appreciated two aspects in this book. Unlike too many (excellent) police procedures I have read recently (including in this series), there isn't actually the death of a police officer, which is noteworthy. And it isn't really about the usual 'lowlife' suspects that, admittedly in reality, do make up a major part of police work. I enjoyed it tremendously; although it would probably stand on its own, I do feel it's worthwhile to have read Absolution first. Authors write series for several reasons; among them is the opportunity for characters to develop over a longer time and through more cases than would be possible in a standalone.
Looking forward to reading Dark Water sooner rather than later.
July 26, 2021
More a 3.5 than a four, really, because for an as-yet-undefinable reason this did not knock me out as 'Absolution' did.
Costello was the stand-out character, her determination to do her own thing more believable, grounded than some go-it-alone female DS characters, Lewis slightly less-than-believable, and Anderson definitely one to watch. Plot strands multiple and well-woven.
Not at all sure why these are classified as DS McAlpine though - he's long dead.
Second read - felt meatier, and although dead Alan McAlpine played his part.
Costello was the stand-out character, her determination to do her own thing more believable, grounded than some go-it-alone female DS characters, Lewis slightly less-than-believable, and Anderson definitely one to watch. Plot strands multiple and well-woven.
Not at all sure why these are classified as DS McAlpine though - he's long dead.
Second read - felt meatier, and although dead Alan McAlpine played his part.
November 9, 2020
I'm really conflicted on this one. The mystery and setting are excellent, I didn't realize who the "criminals" were until past the halfway point. The characters, though, are nuts! I kind of like them but I also want to smack them around. And I can't believe how a couple of the officers are still employed, they seem to do nothing but sit around gossiping and watching the clock.
I do hope the author doesn't have another mystery girl that drives a man crazy in the next book. Just a bit too nauseating.
I do hope the author doesn't have another mystery girl that drives a man crazy in the next book. Just a bit too nauseating.
April 11, 2021
This is second Anderson and Costello book, but the protagonists have not yet been fully fleshed out - and there were too many side characters & minor plot themes (new boss, work collegue jealousis, collegue's partner/relationships) plus two separate crime threads ... just too confusing for readers (especially if not reading in single sitting) and too short mini chapters with change of focus.
There are 10 already in series, so perhaps they get better but at moment its not one of better scotland crime series i have read- and the lack of twist/reveal at the end made it rather unsatisfying.
There are 10 already in series, so perhaps they get better but at moment its not one of better scotland crime series i have read- and the lack of twist/reveal at the end made it rather unsatisfying.
May 22, 2014
4 stars is probably a bit high, maybe 3.5. This book has a few issues. There are way too many characters. Almost all of the police characters and many of the others are having issues (some never explained). But it is a good story despite the plot hole at the end. I had to buy this and book 4 since there don't seem to be any copies available for ILL in the US.
May 14, 2017
The second installment in the series is just as excellent as the first - Caro Ramsay tells good and interesting human stories around the cases, and all based on the humans, their interactions, emotions and actions good or bad - so theres no need for too much gore or random psycho killers. Well this story has a few that might be viewed that way, but they have very human reasons for their actions.
April 25, 2022
It takes a bit of getting to know the characters in this Glasgow murder squad book but it is worth trudging through the confusion of who is who, as underneath there is a good story. Although at first the storyline appears muddled, it all comes together well at the end and I will certainly read more of these Anderson and Costello stories.
July 22, 2021
Riveting, gripping and emotional!
I can't understand why I haven't read this authors work before, my eternal gratitude to Joffe Books for their recommendations, its truly an amazing read!
The wonderful cast of characters are inspirational their diversity and individual personalities pull you into several threads running through this storyline. So many twists, turns, false leads and red herrings all set in the atmospheric Scottish city of Glasgow, dark days and an even darker undercurrent of sinister goings on along with disappearing children all played out to the tune of 'Tambourine Girl' a song with history!
It's impossible to ignore the tension rippling through the pages as you turn them, the characters pulling you into their own personal space escalating your emotions in many directions!
This story is beautifully written, totally grabbing your attention and imagination all held perfectly together by wonderful realistic characters. One to fall in love with has to be DCI Colin Anderson focused, efficient and approachable with two young children and a wife I want to smack!
DS Winifred (Freddie) Costello tenacious and isn't afraid to break the rules to get to the truth, though she does go off on her own tangent when she should be elsewhere, I'd trust her with my life though, gut instinct drives her!
That's only two of the fabulous cast of characters this author has put through their paces for the pure enjoyment of crime reader's.
I didn't realise this was book two of a series, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment except I needed to know more of the characters back stories so I'm now a couple of chapters into book one - oooh,and it's another one impossible to put down!
I can't recommend this book highly enough, Scottish crime writing at it's best!!
I can't understand why I haven't read this authors work before, my eternal gratitude to Joffe Books for their recommendations, its truly an amazing read!
The wonderful cast of characters are inspirational their diversity and individual personalities pull you into several threads running through this storyline. So many twists, turns, false leads and red herrings all set in the atmospheric Scottish city of Glasgow, dark days and an even darker undercurrent of sinister goings on along with disappearing children all played out to the tune of 'Tambourine Girl' a song with history!
It's impossible to ignore the tension rippling through the pages as you turn them, the characters pulling you into their own personal space escalating your emotions in many directions!
This story is beautifully written, totally grabbing your attention and imagination all held perfectly together by wonderful realistic characters. One to fall in love with has to be DCI Colin Anderson focused, efficient and approachable with two young children and a wife I want to smack!
DS Winifred (Freddie) Costello tenacious and isn't afraid to break the rules to get to the truth, though she does go off on her own tangent when she should be elsewhere, I'd trust her with my life though, gut instinct drives her!
That's only two of the fabulous cast of characters this author has put through their paces for the pure enjoyment of crime reader's.
I didn't realise this was book two of a series, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment except I needed to know more of the characters back stories so I'm now a couple of chapters into book one - oooh,and it's another one impossible to put down!
I can't recommend this book highly enough, Scottish crime writing at it's best!!
February 4, 2019
Having not read the previous book, it took time to get settled. There's a large cast of characters with their own storylines to juggle, so if I didn't read a chapter the previous night then I was totally lost when I picked up the book again. However, once I had time to commit to reading, I found myself engrossed in the three-dimensional characters' lives and in solving the two cases.
Costello was my favourite character to follow with her straight-to-the-point attitude and her focus in solving the case. All of her interactions with the other characters were the most engaging, especially with O'Hare and Anderson. I liked Anderson's character as well, but I think I would've liked him more if I had read the first book as his family life always seems messy in this book but I was a bit slow in caring. Also wasn't too sure about Mulholland's character. I got the sense his relationship with the team was love/hate, but I think it could've been more grounded. He's a complicated guy maybe, although I also get the sense he doesn't think too deeply about things.
Mulholland's love interest was a far more interesting character and one to keep an eye on. Overall, they seemed like people you'd meet in your every day life.
The case takes a while to progress, but as the clues come forward and the twists start making you double-guess characters, I felt very satisfied by the end of it all. I also really needed the time to learn about the characters in the slow start. Since I've come to grips with the current cast I may not look at the first book. However, I might read the third one in the future as I'm so fond of Costello.
Costello was my favourite character to follow with her straight-to-the-point attitude and her focus in solving the case. All of her interactions with the other characters were the most engaging, especially with O'Hare and Anderson. I liked Anderson's character as well, but I think I would've liked him more if I had read the first book as his family life always seems messy in this book but I was a bit slow in caring. Also wasn't too sure about Mulholland's character. I got the sense his relationship with the team was love/hate, but I think it could've been more grounded. He's a complicated guy maybe, although I also get the sense he doesn't think too deeply about things.
Mulholland's love interest was a far more interesting character and one to keep an eye on. Overall, they seemed like people you'd meet in your every day life.
The case takes a while to progress, but as the clues come forward and the twists start making you double-guess characters, I felt very satisfied by the end of it all. I also really needed the time to learn about the characters in the slow start. Since I've come to grips with the current cast I may not look at the first book. However, I might read the third one in the future as I'm so fond of Costello.
August 17, 2023
I picked up this book at a book fair and i didn't know that this was the 2nd book in this detective series. Even though I haven't read the 1st book in this series, I didn't face any difficulty in understanding the different characters and their relationships. The author has done a good job with detailed character description but it is too lengthy. Almost the first 300 pages of the book was just delving in to different characters and the plot remained almost the same without any twists and anything interesting to keep the reader hooked. I felt the entire story was stuffed in the last 200 pages and the ending was rushed without proper explanation.
I still don't know why Frances kidnapped the 2 boys. There is no proper explanation for this plot. All we get is the theories of the detectives (Costello, Quinn and O'Hare) on why Frances MIGHT have kidnapped but no solid evidence or conclusion. This bothered me a lot.
The 2nd plot of the medicine tamperer was good initially but then it felt dragged with no connection to the rest of the story. I understand these were 2 different investigations but I hoped for these 2 stories to sync in someway. When it did sync, it didn't have an impact. I don't think 509 pages was justified for this story when all of the important parts were stuffed at the very end.
The only part where I felt that the story got interesting was when DI Anderson's son Peter goes missing. That's when I thought that the story was getting interesting but that plot also ended abruptly with vague explanation. I am glad i finished the book, I am not going to pickup the next one or the previous one from this series.
I still don't know why Frances kidnapped the 2 boys. There is no proper explanation for this plot. All we get is the theories of the detectives (Costello, Quinn and O'Hare) on why Frances MIGHT have kidnapped but no solid evidence or conclusion. This bothered me a lot.
The 2nd plot of the medicine tamperer was good initially but then it felt dragged with no connection to the rest of the story. I understand these were 2 different investigations but I hoped for these 2 stories to sync in someway. When it did sync, it didn't have an impact. I don't think 509 pages was justified for this story when all of the important parts were stuffed at the very end.
The only part where I felt that the story got interesting was when DI Anderson's son Peter goes missing. That's when I thought that the story was getting interesting but that plot also ended abruptly with vague explanation. I am glad i finished the book, I am not going to pickup the next one or the previous one from this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2020
Book No two in the series by Caro Ramsay, and I read it hot on the heels of Atonement. See my review here
This time the main characters are known to me and we are introduced to a whole lot more, many of whom I am sure, will feature in the following books.
Two young boys are abducted from the streets of Glasgow and Anderson and Costello along with the rest of the team are tasked to find them and the abductor. But the city of Glasgow is huge and there are so many places to hide two little boys.
Now, extra pressure is put on the team of Partickhill Police. As well as the abduction, there is a number of deaths linked to a range of headache tablets and on top of all that, one of Scotland and Glasgow's favourite high flying musicians is back. home... And then another young boy is missing.
How does the team cope with this and the introduction of a new boss? Read the book. You won't be disappointed.
This time the main characters are known to me and we are introduced to a whole lot more, many of whom I am sure, will feature in the following books.
Two young boys are abducted from the streets of Glasgow and Anderson and Costello along with the rest of the team are tasked to find them and the abductor. But the city of Glasgow is huge and there are so many places to hide two little boys.
Now, extra pressure is put on the team of Partickhill Police. As well as the abduction, there is a number of deaths linked to a range of headache tablets and on top of all that, one of Scotland and Glasgow's favourite high flying musicians is back. home... And then another young boy is missing.
How does the team cope with this and the introduction of a new boss? Read the book. You won't be disappointed.
July 3, 2021
This is the second book in a series of 4. I really have enjoyed reading the authors work. This book is well thought out and planned. The characters are believable and the reader given enough depth to understand them. This is my favourite type of reading genre as I suffer from brain fogging so anything too taxing means I have to keep re reading to remember.. but I do like enough complexity for the story not to be bland. Many books available on kindle unlimited have a formula feel to them where the story is the same, this author has written two very different stories using the same characters as well as developing both reader and main leads as to background and emerging storylines. I don’t think a reader would be disappointed with these books, I am starting the next in the series and added this author to my list of favourites which include Val McDermid, Ian Rankin and Stuart McBride but have downgraded LJ Ross for her latest 4 books as they are not equal to her Holy Island story
August 12, 2021
The past returns.
Two boys taken, two different mothers - one a neglectful drunk, the other an epileptic. Neither able to care for a child.
A death from cyanide, the smell recognised by some. A second death, a third, a fourth.....
A product tamperer was at work - hiding a murder amongst collateral damage.
An ageing pop star returning to his birth country, watched by many following the trail of dead young boys left in the wake of his tour.
A ridiculously popular cartoon character making a fortune for the creator, a woman crippled in a car crash, not a pleasant front person for a children's toy - her obese body on par with her behaviour.
Her sister, the front person, enjoying the fame and popularity.
With a hidden agenda, she makes a play she cannot win.
Will the tamperer be caught?
Will the boys be found alive?
Another boy has to go missing before the threads come together, his name is Peter and his father is a DI.
Two boys taken, two different mothers - one a neglectful drunk, the other an epileptic. Neither able to care for a child.
A death from cyanide, the smell recognised by some. A second death, a third, a fourth.....
A product tamperer was at work - hiding a murder amongst collateral damage.
An ageing pop star returning to his birth country, watched by many following the trail of dead young boys left in the wake of his tour.
A ridiculously popular cartoon character making a fortune for the creator, a woman crippled in a car crash, not a pleasant front person for a children's toy - her obese body on par with her behaviour.
Her sister, the front person, enjoying the fame and popularity.
With a hidden agenda, she makes a play she cannot win.
Will the tamperer be caught?
Will the boys be found alive?
Another boy has to go missing before the threads come together, his name is Peter and his father is a DI.
Read
August 1, 2021Seven-year-old Troy McEwan was only wearing leggings and a thin fleece. It’s down to minus three at night and the snow is falling. His mum doesn’t know where he is.
Then little Luca Scott goes missing as well.
Someone is snatching boys from the streets of Glasgow. And the boys look just like one of the detectives' own sons.
Now with time running out to find them alive, the squad has been decimated by flu. Not to mention they have a nit-picking new boss and the media more is interested in the return of a local pop star.
It’s going to take everything Detectives Anderson and Costello have to find these missing kids.
A Scottish police procedural that will keep your pulse racing from electrifying opening to heart-stopping finish.
Good.
Then little Luca Scott goes missing as well.
Someone is snatching boys from the streets of Glasgow. And the boys look just like one of the detectives' own sons.
Now with time running out to find them alive, the squad has been decimated by flu. Not to mention they have a nit-picking new boss and the media more is interested in the return of a local pop star.
It’s going to take everything Detectives Anderson and Costello have to find these missing kids.
A Scottish police procedural that will keep your pulse racing from electrifying opening to heart-stopping finish.
Good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2022
This second book in the series of Detectives Anderson and Costello was a slower start for me. I wasn't really sure where anything was going at first. These books set in Scotland however, do take off. This had more than one mystery to solve.
I think what I like about the characters, all of them, not just Anderson and Costello, is that they are multi dimensional. They are like real people and you do not always know their motivations, but they are slowly revealed and I presume that will continue.
I am thrilled that I found this author and that these books in this series are a Kindle Unlimited feature. Yippee for me!
I think what I like about the characters, all of them, not just Anderson and Costello, is that they are multi dimensional. They are like real people and you do not always know their motivations, but they are slowly revealed and I presume that will continue.
I am thrilled that I found this author and that these books in this series are a Kindle Unlimited feature. Yippee for me!
July 5, 2020
After a slow start this became a propulsive read with suspense, character, and all the goods of a classic police procedural. The Scots setting is a plus, although the sense of place is weak. I want to know more about Glasgow. The emphasis seems to be cultural more than physical. I want both.
This story centers on child abduction, and a potential pedophilia ring becomes a side issue in the story. I think it’s interesting that, just as in real life, this loose end never gets tied up. Maybe in a future novel?
This story centers on child abduction, and a potential pedophilia ring becomes a side issue in the story. I think it’s interesting that, just as in real life, this loose end never gets tied up. Maybe in a future novel?
March 29, 2022
After losing their leader in the series opener (which I'm still not happy about) Costello and Anderson have to carry on... A new station Chief, a new detective whose so far does nothing but cause problem, Mulholland in love not paying attention to anything but his lady.... the inner working at the office has to get worked out while the detectives try to break a possible pedophile team, find 3 missing boys and find out who has tampered w headache medicine at a shop lacing it with Cyanide! Satisfying ending a good 2nd book in the series.
May 12, 2024
Caro Ramsey is not one of the best police procedural writers. Her tales are complex and sprawling and have too many characters and in this one two mysteries to solve, or three. I like the leads in any case, which saves her ability to keep me reading. But this book just ends there's no real resolution to either mystery and you would think she could write a diabolical woman who isn't so needy. For all the time put into reading this book you would think there would be a much better resolution to wrap it up. It will be a while before I tackle book number three.
July 31, 2025
This is a terrific mystery. I find some faults but it still deserves 5 stars. It is a continuation of 'Absolution' which was excellent but this followup is better. Missing boys, murders from a drug tamperer, many other facets to a Christmas investigation keep this story lively. It ends so abruptly I can only hope it continues in the next installment. Within a chapter the narrative will change action and characters with just a new paragraph which I find unnerving but I suppose it's a small criticism.
November 15, 2020
Having discovered Caro Ramsay's work midway through her Anderson/Costello series, I'm catching up by going backwards. Not always the best way to read a set of novels and of course this one helps explains material going forward. But regardless, this is a solid piece of imaginative writing and the first scene with the young boy was stunning its simplicity. A good police-procedural with interesting characters and a well crafted story line.
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