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DI Rob Marshall #1
The Turning of our Bones
The Serial Killer he couldn’t catch is dead…
Can DI Rob Marshall save his last victim before she dies too?
Met cop DI Rob Marshall is hot on the trail of the serial killer known as the Chameleon, who has abducted, tortured and killed a series of young women in north-west London. As they close in, the Chameleon - who switches identity to get close to his victims - shoots Marshall’s partner and escapes.
But when the Chameleon’s body is found two years later, Marshall must return to his home town of Melrose in the Scottish Borders and face the tragedy that’s haunted him for twenty years, which made him leave in the first place.
The Chameleon’s final victim is still missing – can Marshall unpick the Chameleon’s latest identity in time to save her from a lonely death?
The Turning of our Bones is the first book in the DI Rob Marshall series, starring a haunted detective who masks his trauma with biting humour. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart MacBride, JD Kirk and LJ Ross.
Can DI Rob Marshall save his last victim before she dies too?
Met cop DI Rob Marshall is hot on the trail of the serial killer known as the Chameleon, who has abducted, tortured and killed a series of young women in north-west London. As they close in, the Chameleon - who switches identity to get close to his victims - shoots Marshall’s partner and escapes.
But when the Chameleon’s body is found two years later, Marshall must return to his home town of Melrose in the Scottish Borders and face the tragedy that’s haunted him for twenty years, which made him leave in the first place.
The Chameleon’s final victim is still missing – can Marshall unpick the Chameleon’s latest identity in time to save her from a lonely death?
The Turning of our Bones is the first book in the DI Rob Marshall series, starring a haunted detective who masks his trauma with biting humour. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart MacBride, JD Kirk and LJ Ross.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
February 22, 2023
The Turning of Our Bones is the first book in a new series for Ed James. A perfect time to discover an author you may not have read in the past and for returning fans it is a chance to get to know some new characters and know this is an author who will put these characters through the emotional turmoil we seem to love to read about.
The story starts in London, a woman returning home late at night after a long shift finds her path is bloked by a large van. As she navigates her way around it she is attacked and becomes the next victim of a serial killer who has, thus far, managed to elude the police.
One of the key investigators is DI Rob Marshall. He has been working on a profile of the killer and believes he may have made a breakthrough but while a surveillance operation is underway the killer confronts Marshall and his partner. He draws a gun on the pair and opens fire. Faced with the choice of saving his partner’s life or chasing down the gunman Marshall has no real time to weigh up the options he makes his choice and has to live with the consequences of his actions.
Spin forward two years and Marshall is no longer working on apprehending killers for the Met Police. He has been moved to a role in traffic collisions and is counting down the days until he leaves the force. But an unexpected development sees Marshall leaving London to head to the Scottish Borders – the killer has been found. Despite escaping capture in London the man who haunted Marshall’s dreams has turned up in Scotland. Dead.
Marshall is heading to the Borders, he is heading home to confirm the body the police recovered is indeed that of the killer he had been hunting. When he arrives Marshall finds himself drawn into the world he thought he had left behind years ago. Old friends and family are all around him and new colleagues, challenging new colleagues, need to be won over if Marshall is to have any involvement in wrapping up the loose ends of his long-running investigation before he heads back to London.
I’d been enjoying the story while it was a London tale but when the action shifted to the Scottish Borders (a much overlooked location in crime fiction) I loved this book even more. Places I have visited but don’t really know came to life as Ed James thrust Marshall into the land of his childhood. Towns I’d considered to be part of a sleepy, rugby country suddenly took on life and a dynamic feel that I’d not associated with the area. Even better there was a frantic race against time predicament for the police to solve and a hidden enemy for the readers to puzzle over.
The crimes which are committed in The Turning of Our Bones are firmly in the dark and gritty side of crime fiction – this is the type of story I enjoy the most so it absolutely ticked all my boxes and I’ve already been recommending it to other readers.
I can’t wrap up the review without first giving the audiobook narrator, Angus King, the plaudits he deserves for his role in my enjoyment of The Turning of Our Bones. I’ve heard a fair few books which Mr King has worked on and he always delivers an enagaging performance. One of the most trusted names in my Audible Library, seeing Angus’s name on an audiobook will help sway me towards buying it. In the case of The Turning of Our Bones he has already shaped the characters for me and given them the life outwith the page, he is a joy to listen to when the action ramps up. And it ramped up to great effect in this book.
As I said at the outset of this review – a great opportunity to get into a brand new series. You can read The Turning of Our Bones and you’ll be ready for more DI Marshall stories as soon as they become available. Fabulous listening and a cracking read.
The story starts in London, a woman returning home late at night after a long shift finds her path is bloked by a large van. As she navigates her way around it she is attacked and becomes the next victim of a serial killer who has, thus far, managed to elude the police.
One of the key investigators is DI Rob Marshall. He has been working on a profile of the killer and believes he may have made a breakthrough but while a surveillance operation is underway the killer confronts Marshall and his partner. He draws a gun on the pair and opens fire. Faced with the choice of saving his partner’s life or chasing down the gunman Marshall has no real time to weigh up the options he makes his choice and has to live with the consequences of his actions.
Spin forward two years and Marshall is no longer working on apprehending killers for the Met Police. He has been moved to a role in traffic collisions and is counting down the days until he leaves the force. But an unexpected development sees Marshall leaving London to head to the Scottish Borders – the killer has been found. Despite escaping capture in London the man who haunted Marshall’s dreams has turned up in Scotland. Dead.
Marshall is heading to the Borders, he is heading home to confirm the body the police recovered is indeed that of the killer he had been hunting. When he arrives Marshall finds himself drawn into the world he thought he had left behind years ago. Old friends and family are all around him and new colleagues, challenging new colleagues, need to be won over if Marshall is to have any involvement in wrapping up the loose ends of his long-running investigation before he heads back to London.
I’d been enjoying the story while it was a London tale but when the action shifted to the Scottish Borders (a much overlooked location in crime fiction) I loved this book even more. Places I have visited but don’t really know came to life as Ed James thrust Marshall into the land of his childhood. Towns I’d considered to be part of a sleepy, rugby country suddenly took on life and a dynamic feel that I’d not associated with the area. Even better there was a frantic race against time predicament for the police to solve and a hidden enemy for the readers to puzzle over.
The crimes which are committed in The Turning of Our Bones are firmly in the dark and gritty side of crime fiction – this is the type of story I enjoy the most so it absolutely ticked all my boxes and I’ve already been recommending it to other readers.
I can’t wrap up the review without first giving the audiobook narrator, Angus King, the plaudits he deserves for his role in my enjoyment of The Turning of Our Bones. I’ve heard a fair few books which Mr King has worked on and he always delivers an enagaging performance. One of the most trusted names in my Audible Library, seeing Angus’s name on an audiobook will help sway me towards buying it. In the case of The Turning of Our Bones he has already shaped the characters for me and given them the life outwith the page, he is a joy to listen to when the action ramps up. And it ramped up to great effect in this book.
As I said at the outset of this review – a great opportunity to get into a brand new series. You can read The Turning of Our Bones and you’ll be ready for more DI Marshall stories as soon as they become available. Fabulous listening and a cracking read.
May 10, 2023
Interesting new line that the author is starting with this book. Not award winning stuff, but eminently readable. The author's best work, however, remains the DI Simon Fenchurch series.
January 7, 2025
The Turning of Our Bones is book one in the DI Rob Marshall series by Ed James. After the death of a young woman and his partner was hurt, DI Rob Marshall blamed himself, so he accepted a transfer to the traffic investigation team. When his previous supervisor contacted him saying, he was seconded to Police Scotland due to the death of the serial killer who shot his partner in his hometown. On arrival in DI, Rob Marshall learned that before Chameleon died, he kidnapped another young woman. Will Di Rob Marshall find the young woman alive or dead? The readers of The Turning of Our Bones will continue to follow DI Rob Marshall to discover what happened.
I was so pleased to find this series. I was engaged with The Turning of Our Bones from the first page and had trouble putting it down. I enjoy how Ed James highlights the issues law enforcement officers face when wounded or failing to close a case has on them. Ed James has a writing style that keeps his readers engaged with the plot and the characters. I love Ed James' portrayal of his characters and how they interacted with each other throughout this book. The Turning of Our Bones was well-written and researched. I like Ed James' description of the settings of The Turning of Our Bones, which allowed me to engage more with the characters and the plot.
I recommend this book.
I was so pleased to find this series. I was engaged with The Turning of Our Bones from the first page and had trouble putting it down. I enjoy how Ed James highlights the issues law enforcement officers face when wounded or failing to close a case has on them. Ed James has a writing style that keeps his readers engaged with the plot and the characters. I love Ed James' portrayal of his characters and how they interacted with each other throughout this book. The Turning of Our Bones was well-written and researched. I like Ed James' description of the settings of The Turning of Our Bones, which allowed me to engage more with the characters and the plot.
I recommend this book.
January 14, 2026
Outstanding for Book One!
Phenomenal characters - broken and bent, but I could still connect with each of them. An excellent (but horrific) case that had blind-siding twist.
The overall winner for me is Angus King as narrator - pure gold.
Phenomenal characters - broken and bent, but I could still connect with each of them. An excellent (but horrific) case that had blind-siding twist.
The overall winner for me is Angus King as narrator - pure gold.
August 12, 2023
A little predictable - I guessed the accomplice about half way through the book. However, I really liked the character of Marshall and was intrigued by the relationships he had with other characters in the book so would definitely read the next one in the series to see how these relationships develop.
February 20, 2024
I really liked this book. Good storyline which flowed nicely and it was great having a book set in the Scottish Borders. I enjoyed the depth of the MMC and some of the supporting characters. However, sometimes the dialogue felt slightly wooden and I did guess who the killer was before I read it which kind of ruined the surprise element. Looking forward to reading more in this series though!
February 1, 2023
Some cases stay with you, solved or not. They have the ability to invade your dreams and colour your life, but never in a good way. DI Rob Marshall is a criminal profiler turned cop for the Metropolitan Police and his nemesis is a serial killer known as the Chameleon because while his MO stays the same his appearance definitely doesn't.
Two years after a devastating face to face encounter Rob gets word that a body found in Melrose could be the killer he's still searching for. Twenty years ago the eighteen-year-old Marshall called the small town in the Scottish Borders home but after tragedy struck he left and has had no inclination to return until now. Will the case be solved at last or will one final, desperate, situation destroy Rob and the career he's worked so hard for?
A new series by one of my favourite authors, Ed James, and what a start! By writing an associated short story, False Start, released on 01/11/22, the busy and distracting introductions aren't required and the book gets straight down to it immediately and draws you right in. Mr James is very open with his readers and details his writing practices in regular emails and blog posts. With this series he has changed his approach by writing himself a series bible so he knows his characters intimately from the start and not only does it show but it works. The main protagonists are raring to go, which meant I felt I already knew these characters almost as well as his other very familiar detectives, one of whom gets a sneaky mention! .
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to the author and publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in what I am sure will be another successful series for this talented and prolific favourite.
Two years after a devastating face to face encounter Rob gets word that a body found in Melrose could be the killer he's still searching for. Twenty years ago the eighteen-year-old Marshall called the small town in the Scottish Borders home but after tragedy struck he left and has had no inclination to return until now. Will the case be solved at last or will one final, desperate, situation destroy Rob and the career he's worked so hard for?
A new series by one of my favourite authors, Ed James, and what a start! By writing an associated short story, False Start, released on 01/11/22, the busy and distracting introductions aren't required and the book gets straight down to it immediately and draws you right in. Mr James is very open with his readers and details his writing practices in regular emails and blog posts. With this series he has changed his approach by writing himself a series bible so he knows his characters intimately from the start and not only does it show but it works. The main protagonists are raring to go, which meant I felt I already knew these characters almost as well as his other very familiar detectives, one of whom gets a sneaky mention! .
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to the author and publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in what I am sure will be another successful series for this talented and prolific favourite.
July 11, 2024
I picked up a copy at the 2024 Capital Crime festival and found myself a completely addictive new series to read. In the first instalment, DI Rob Marshall used to be a criminal profiler, but joined the police force as he wanted to do the catching of the criminals. When his partner is shot during the hunt for a London-based serial killer, Marshall blames himself and moves to a different section of the Met. Two years later the body of the killer is found, himself murdered, and Marshall is asked to support the police in the Scottish Borders to find the killer. Marshall finds himself back in his home town which he had left 20 years ago after a terrible tragedy and must confront not only another killer who may be about to kill another woman, but the demons of his own past. I enjoyed the cast of characters and am very happy to have an excuse to visit the area in the next month as the landscape is very much part of the plot. I have already read the next in the series as I enjoyed this one so much.
July 24, 2023
OK but that's about it. Just lacks the polish and flow of books in the same genre I'm used to. The ingredients of what makes a good crime or investigation novel are mostly there just but it just get lost along the way. I can see how sections have potential to be built upon in additional works however the delivery in this first book doesn't inspire me to read any more. Sorry, only 2 stars from me.
October 20, 2025
Oh, I really do not care for Rob Marshall, too needy for my taste and the incessant whining was a disaster. He embodies political correctness to the point of obsession, then treat other ethnic minorities the way they should not be treated, the way he is criticizing others for doing.
The other characters were caricatures of what they should be like, no depth, no nuances. Elliot have a chip on her shoulders, Marshall is lazy and the rest were useless as police officers or forensic investigators. The book lacked substance. At times it felt like Marshall did not want to do any work, everything was taxing, a bother. He complained about the hotel room, the car they gave him, the coffee, the food and even his family but on top of all this he was pretentious.
A police procedural with so much political correctness was a disappointment, I hated the bullies in the police force but man the guys and gals doing the PC education sounded overly sensitive and forced. The oversimplification that bullies are ignorant and well educated people are not racist or bullies drove me to tears. Remember elitism is a form of bullying.
No more of this petulant police officer for me.
The other characters were caricatures of what they should be like, no depth, no nuances. Elliot have a chip on her shoulders, Marshall is lazy and the rest were useless as police officers or forensic investigators. The book lacked substance. At times it felt like Marshall did not want to do any work, everything was taxing, a bother. He complained about the hotel room, the car they gave him, the coffee, the food and even his family but on top of all this he was pretentious.
A police procedural with so much political correctness was a disappointment, I hated the bullies in the police force but man the guys and gals doing the PC education sounded overly sensitive and forced. The oversimplification that bullies are ignorant and well educated people are not racist or bullies drove me to tears. Remember elitism is a form of bullying.
No more of this petulant police officer for me.
June 29, 2023
Rating: 4 stars.
A well-done police detective novel that made for a fast-paced, enjoyable read. Nothing set it apart specifically, but nothing was done poorly either.
There was a bit of an undercurrent of 'young people mean well but are a touch too soft/sensitive these days' that didn't thrill me, though it's definitely believable that cops would feel that way.
A well-done police detective novel that made for a fast-paced, enjoyable read. Nothing set it apart specifically, but nothing was done poorly either.
There was a bit of an undercurrent of 'young people mean well but are a touch too soft/sensitive these days' that didn't thrill me, though it's definitely believable that cops would feel that way.
November 2, 2024
Marking as a spoiler incase any of the book club read this… I did enjoy it but also, I guessed who the accomplice was which for me removes a star.
A solid 3/3.5⭐️. Your typical police procedural thriller, nothing life changing.
A solid 3/3.5⭐️. Your typical police procedural thriller, nothing life changing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2023
a few overly used cliches but glad I stuck with it
December 5, 2024
Found it really slow and boring
December 13, 2025
Audio version of this book 📕- A great start to the series looking forward to the next one !
December 17, 2025
First book I’ve read from this author. It was a bit of a slow burner but went on to be more thrilling. It became a page turner with me hooked to read on quickly. An interesting main character in Marshall. The Scottish turn of phrase was at times annoying( I’m Scottish) - too many “ayes” at odd intervals and inconsistent others such as “wee” and more. I’d like to read another though!
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July 28, 2023Mix feelings about this one. I liked it a lot most of the way through. It lost credibility.
February 27, 2024
Great start to a series, interesting main character, great plot, kept me guessing till the end.
March 15, 2023
Wow I enjoyed this book, with great characters and kept me guessing right to the end, I was late getting ready to go shopping as I didn't want to put it down, If you like a book with twists and turns you will love this.
October 22, 2023
Recommended to me by my wife and found this to be a great new character and new author. I shall seek out more from Mr. James.
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire
Julian Tremayne, Pocklington, East Yorkshire
March 18, 2023
This is the first book I have read by Ed James (I have no idea why!) but it certainly won't be the last. What a page turner it was. Profiler turned policeman D.I Rob Marshall of the Met. was on the case of a serial killer who tortured and raped young women. He was almost caught but shot and seriously injured Marshall's partner. In saving his partner's life the killer known as the Chameleon escapes. move on two years and the Chameleon's body has been discovered in the Scottish Borders near Melrose. Marshall is seconded back to his home town to investigate his possible murder and to track down his latest victim who may still be alive. Fast paced and totally gripping I really didn't want to put this down till the case was solved! It had me on the edge of my seat. The tension was maintained right to the end. Brilliant stuff, I have already pre ordered the next in the series.
March 8, 2023
good start to series
Really liked this book, subject matter notwithstanding. I’m looking forward to book 2 already. Rob seems to be over the worst of his backstory, only hope he develops and heals from here on. Would be nice if our main man could enjoy a happy relationship!
Really liked this book, subject matter notwithstanding. I’m looking forward to book 2 already. Rob seems to be over the worst of his backstory, only hope he develops and heals from here on. Would be nice if our main man could enjoy a happy relationship!
November 15, 2024
Maybe 2 and a half would be fairer. But I had to force myself to get to the end of the crime novwl. Loved that it was set in the Scottish Borders and described places I'm so familiar with and the characters were all well drawn and likeable and the plot was , well, clunky but ok. It was just too long, too wordy and in comparison to say, Val McDermid, too stilted somehow. Not very enjoyable to read
February 26, 2023
This is not a short listen, but I completed this audiobook in two days because, unfortunately, I had to be getting on with other things.
Ed James in recent years has become one of my go-to crime and thrillers authors; with this new series, he did not let me down.
Di Rob Marshall is a passionate detective and criminal profiler. However, he is not too much of a maverick as he seems to be able to bring others along with where his mind takes him.
Set in his home town which he has not visited for a number of years and this time not out of choice we get insight into border town Scotland, Rob's back story which is part of the main story and is clearly revealed as the past meets the present.
I am ready for book two.
Ed James in recent years has become one of my go-to crime and thrillers authors; with this new series, he did not let me down.
Di Rob Marshall is a passionate detective and criminal profiler. However, he is not too much of a maverick as he seems to be able to bring others along with where his mind takes him.
Set in his home town which he has not visited for a number of years and this time not out of choice we get insight into border town Scotland, Rob's back story which is part of the main story and is clearly revealed as the past meets the present.
I am ready for book two.
October 5, 2023
Very enjoyable read
Good old Scottish crime thriller. Good plot with few twists and turns. Kept my interest from the very beginning. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good detective story. I look forward to reading more of Ed James' books.
Good old Scottish crime thriller. Good plot with few twists and turns. Kept my interest from the very beginning. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good detective story. I look forward to reading more of Ed James' books.
October 6, 2023
Great read
Enjoyed from start to finish. Couldn't put it down and read it in a day now ordered the next book
Enjoyed from start to finish. Couldn't put it down and read it in a day now ordered the next book
February 10, 2023
This could so easily have been a straight up tick-box crime novel
Copper with issues from his past ✔️
Doesn't always play by the rules ✔️
Gaffer who can be a bit of a dick ✔️
Slightly estranged from family ✔️
But thankfully it's Ed James telling the story and a bloody good job he does of it too.
Rob Marshall punishes himself every day because he chose to save his partner's life and a serial killer escaped to kill again . . . and again.
But now the serial killer himself has been murdered and Marshall is seconded from London back to his home town in the Scottish Borders to investigate and try to find his last victim who may be still alive.
This was one that kept me reading late into the night, one I really didn't want to end (but thankfully there's more on the way). As is often the case with good crime fiction it's as much about the team as the lead and these work well and don't just feel like side characters. The only downside for me was the police chief who has a way of trying to be funny when he talks to others but really just came across as an annoying tool (and now I'm away from the book it's come to me who he reminded me of - Colin Hunt from The Fast Show)
But even he can't spoil what is a great start to a series I'm going to be keeping an eye out for.
5/5* - Highly Recommended
Copper with issues from his past ✔️
Doesn't always play by the rules ✔️
Gaffer who can be a bit of a dick ✔️
Slightly estranged from family ✔️
But thankfully it's Ed James telling the story and a bloody good job he does of it too.
Rob Marshall punishes himself every day because he chose to save his partner's life and a serial killer escaped to kill again . . . and again.
But now the serial killer himself has been murdered and Marshall is seconded from London back to his home town in the Scottish Borders to investigate and try to find his last victim who may be still alive.
This was one that kept me reading late into the night, one I really didn't want to end (but thankfully there's more on the way). As is often the case with good crime fiction it's as much about the team as the lead and these work well and don't just feel like side characters. The only downside for me was the police chief who has a way of trying to be funny when he talks to others but really just came across as an annoying tool (and now I'm away from the book it's come to me who he reminded me of - Colin Hunt from The Fast Show)
But even he can't spoil what is a great start to a series I'm going to be keeping an eye out for.
5/5* - Highly Recommended
February 13, 2023
DI Rob Marshall
A Brilliant read Di Rob Marshall brought back to a case after many years of the killer getting away . He’s back to where it began and finally puts the killers away ,
A Brilliant read Di Rob Marshall brought back to a case after many years of the killer getting away . He’s back to where it began and finally puts the killers away ,
February 10, 2023
Funny to find Marcus Trescothick named in this crime thriller so will Douglas Law be in the next one?
A great new crime thriller based around the Scottish Borders, Carlisle & Longtown which are areas I know well. Great characters as the story builds & builds.
A great new crime thriller based around the Scottish Borders, Carlisle & Longtown which are areas I know well. Great characters as the story builds & builds.
April 8, 2023
This is an excellent book and I can see it being a TV series. However, there are a few irks that took away from the story - for me at least. I'm a stickler for accuracy when it comes to spelling & grammar so the use of 'alright' rather than the correct 'all right' grated every time it occured.
Also the American spellings of "license" and "defense" instead of "licence" and "defence" is all too common now too - again not just in this book.
Easily checked facts are wrong - Police Scotland does not have a direct entry scheme at any rank so while Marshall could enter at DI in The Met, Shunty would have to start his career as a uniformed constable and be promoted to DS via exam & interview. If it's a vehicle for "character exploration" then, like the story and the characters, make the force fictional as happens in popular TV shows e.g. Scotland Police.
All of that said, this was a great read and it's an interesting twist to have a former profiler as a detective even if it puts some pressure on him to solve every case.
Also the American spellings of "license" and "defense" instead of "licence" and "defence" is all too common now too - again not just in this book.
Easily checked facts are wrong - Police Scotland does not have a direct entry scheme at any rank so while Marshall could enter at DI in The Met, Shunty would have to start his career as a uniformed constable and be promoted to DS via exam & interview. If it's a vehicle for "character exploration" then, like the story and the characters, make the force fictional as happens in popular TV shows e.g. Scotland Police.
All of that said, this was a great read and it's an interesting twist to have a former profiler as a detective even if it puts some pressure on him to solve every case.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews