What do you think?
Rate this book
DI Kelso Strang #5
Blind Eye
The fifth in the DI Kelso Strang series from the author of the DI Marjory Fleming novels
DCI Kelso Strang is led to believe that something very odd is going on around the prosperous fishing port of Tarleton on Scotland's south-east coast.
Firstly, a young detective inspector is traumatised after witnessing a doctor throwing herself off a cliff, and accusations of extortion have riven the local community. When the ugly death of a young farmer sets off a murder investigation, Strang finds himself caught in a spider's web of criminality.
He is entirely unprepared when he is struck by the worst tragedy of his career, even though it has connected him with an advocate's assistant, Catriona, daughter of DI Marjory Fleming.
DCI Kelso Strang is led to believe that something very odd is going on around the prosperous fishing port of Tarleton on Scotland's south-east coast.
Firstly, a young detective inspector is traumatised after witnessing a doctor throwing herself off a cliff, and accusations of extortion have riven the local community. When the ugly death of a young farmer sets off a murder investigation, Strang finds himself caught in a spider's web of criminality.
He is entirely unprepared when he is struck by the worst tragedy of his career, even though it has connected him with an advocate's assistant, Catriona, daughter of DI Marjory Fleming.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2023
198 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Aline Templeton
32 books121 followersAline Templeton grew up in the East Neuk of Fife and was educated at St Leonards School, St Andrews and Cambridge University. She has worked in education and broadcasting and has written numerous stories and articles for national newspapers and magazines. Templeton was a bench Justice of the Peace for ten years and is a former Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, now living in Edinburgh. She is married with a grown up family.
She has written nine crime novels, published by Hodder & Stoughton in Britain, and has also been published in the United States and several European countries. After writing seven stand-alone books, she started a series set in Galloway and featuring DI Marjory Fleming, the first of which – Cold In The Earth – was an Ottakar's Crime Novel of the Month and an Independent Best Summer Read. The second, The Darkness and the Deep, was published in July 2006, and there are now six books in the DI Fleming series.
She has written nine crime novels, published by Hodder & Stoughton in Britain, and has also been published in the United States and several European countries. After writing seven stand-alone books, she started a series set in Galloway and featuring DI Marjory Fleming, the first of which – Cold In The Earth – was an Ottakar's Crime Novel of the Month and an Independent Best Summer Read. The second, The Darkness and the Deep, was published in July 2006, and there are now six books in the DI Fleming series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 29, 2023
EXCERPT: As he had reached the spot where he was standing now, a car had driven up the path and parked not far in front of him - a sporty yellow Cooper S. He remembered feeling irritated - what was wrong with people? They had legs, didn't they? If everyone started bringing cars up here it wouldn't be long before it was all a churned up mess.
The car door opened and a young woman jumped out. The wind snatched at her long blonde hair, sweeping it back from her face. She slammed the car door behind her and took off, running with a springing step straight to the cliff edge twenty feet away.
Then she jumped.
ABOUT 'BLIND EYE': DCI Kelso Strang is led to believe that something very odd is going on around the prosperous fishing port of Tarleton on Scotland’s south-east coast. Firstly, a young Detective Inspector is traumatised after witnessing a doctor throwing herself off a cliff, and accusations of extortion have riven the local community.
And when the ugly death of a young farmer sets off a murder investigation, Strang finds himself caught in a spider’s web of criminality. He is entirely unprepared when he is struck by the worst tragedy of his career, even though it has also brought him into contact with a young advocate’s assistant called Catriona, daughter of DI Marjory Fleming.
MY THOUGHTS: Although Blind Eye is #5 in the Kelso Strang series, it is easily read as a stand-alone. I have read, and did enjoy the previous book in this series, Old Sins.
And like Old Sins, Blind Eye is an easy read and the plot compelling. The characters are well developed, and there's a good mix of mystery and police procedural.
Templeton captures the atmosphere of this seaside Scottish village brilliantly, bringing both the landscape and the characters to life, exposing the many tensions seething under the surface of the small town as people go about their ordinary lives, including an extortion racket and the unrelenting harassment of the mother of the doctor who leapt from the cliff.
Templeton has expertly woven many different threads into this rich tapestry of a story - the difficulties of making a living from a small-holding, organic vs traditional farming, and the insular nature of small villages where newcomers are treated with suspicion and would never be regarded as locals until the second or third generation. They also turn a 'Blind Eye' to many of the goings on and activities of other villagers, forming a protective circle of silence around anyone being enquired about.
The DI Kelso Strang series is a good solid one, and I am adding the earlier books to read. I see the author has also written a series featuring DI Marjorie Fleming, who makes an appearance in Blind Eye. An interesting woman, so I'm also adding that series to my reading list.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.2
#BlindEye #NetGalley
I: #alinetempleton @allisonandbusby
T: @alinetempleton @AllisonandBusby
#contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #murdermystery #mystery #policeprocedural #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Aline Templeton grew up in the fishing village of Anstruther, in the East Neuk of Fife. She has worked in education and broadcasting and was a Justice of the Peace for ten years. Married, with a son and daughter and four grandchildren, she lived in Edinburgh for many years but now lives in Kent.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Allison & Busby via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Blind Eye by Aline Templeton for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The car door opened and a young woman jumped out. The wind snatched at her long blonde hair, sweeping it back from her face. She slammed the car door behind her and took off, running with a springing step straight to the cliff edge twenty feet away.
Then she jumped.
ABOUT 'BLIND EYE': DCI Kelso Strang is led to believe that something very odd is going on around the prosperous fishing port of Tarleton on Scotland’s south-east coast. Firstly, a young Detective Inspector is traumatised after witnessing a doctor throwing herself off a cliff, and accusations of extortion have riven the local community.
And when the ugly death of a young farmer sets off a murder investigation, Strang finds himself caught in a spider’s web of criminality. He is entirely unprepared when he is struck by the worst tragedy of his career, even though it has also brought him into contact with a young advocate’s assistant called Catriona, daughter of DI Marjory Fleming.
MY THOUGHTS: Although Blind Eye is #5 in the Kelso Strang series, it is easily read as a stand-alone. I have read, and did enjoy the previous book in this series, Old Sins.
And like Old Sins, Blind Eye is an easy read and the plot compelling. The characters are well developed, and there's a good mix of mystery and police procedural.
Templeton captures the atmosphere of this seaside Scottish village brilliantly, bringing both the landscape and the characters to life, exposing the many tensions seething under the surface of the small town as people go about their ordinary lives, including an extortion racket and the unrelenting harassment of the mother of the doctor who leapt from the cliff.
Templeton has expertly woven many different threads into this rich tapestry of a story - the difficulties of making a living from a small-holding, organic vs traditional farming, and the insular nature of small villages where newcomers are treated with suspicion and would never be regarded as locals until the second or third generation. They also turn a 'Blind Eye' to many of the goings on and activities of other villagers, forming a protective circle of silence around anyone being enquired about.
The DI Kelso Strang series is a good solid one, and I am adding the earlier books to read. I see the author has also written a series featuring DI Marjorie Fleming, who makes an appearance in Blind Eye. An interesting woman, so I'm also adding that series to my reading list.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.2
#BlindEye #NetGalley
I: #alinetempleton @allisonandbusby
T: @alinetempleton @AllisonandBusby
#contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #murdermystery #mystery #policeprocedural #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Aline Templeton grew up in the fishing village of Anstruther, in the East Neuk of Fife. She has worked in education and broadcasting and was a Justice of the Peace for ten years. Married, with a son and daughter and four grandchildren, she lived in Edinburgh for many years but now lives in Kent.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Allison & Busby via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Blind Eye by Aline Templeton for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
January 29, 2023
Things to know about me.
1. I read over 200 books per year.
2. I am always on Goodreads looking for new books.
3. I love crime fiction
4. I am Scottish.
So why have I never heard of Aline Templeton before? I thought at first that this might be a debut novel given she had never come across my radar before so I was surprised to see she has a number of books written previously.
In this one, Kelso Strang is investigating some low level crime a small, Scottish coastal town. That all changes when a body is found and the stakes get much higher. With little confidence in the local police, Strang takes charge of the investigation and uncovers far more complex goings-on than is first apparent.
What I did enjoy about this novel was that the storyline wasn't far fetched, suspension of disbelief nonsense but was instead a great description of what could reasonably be happening in such a local place.
She does a great job of bringing to life the town and it's inhabitants whilst wrapping up the story nicely with a very satisfying ending.
Although I haven't heard of this author before, I am glad I have now.
Thanks to Netgalley and Allison & Busby for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
1. I read over 200 books per year.
2. I am always on Goodreads looking for new books.
3. I love crime fiction
4. I am Scottish.
So why have I never heard of Aline Templeton before? I thought at first that this might be a debut novel given she had never come across my radar before so I was surprised to see she has a number of books written previously.
In this one, Kelso Strang is investigating some low level crime a small, Scottish coastal town. That all changes when a body is found and the stakes get much higher. With little confidence in the local police, Strang takes charge of the investigation and uncovers far more complex goings-on than is first apparent.
What I did enjoy about this novel was that the storyline wasn't far fetched, suspension of disbelief nonsense but was instead a great description of what could reasonably be happening in such a local place.
She does a great job of bringing to life the town and it's inhabitants whilst wrapping up the story nicely with a very satisfying ending.
Although I haven't heard of this author before, I am glad I have now.
Thanks to Netgalley and Allison & Busby for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
February 20, 2023
I read a few Aline Templeton books a number of years ago and enjoyed then, but this is the first one I've read in a long while. I did have a vague memory of the police detective from those books, Marjorie Fleming - "Big Marge" and it's nice to see her pop up here, now retired, as the mother of another character.
This story is the fifth in the Kelso Strang series, but the first I've read. It concerns a small Scottish coastal town where, post-pandemic, a certain lawlessness appears to have become the norm, people turning a "blind eye" and the hapless local police officer unable to make anything stick. Murder, though, is another matter, and when a man is found hanged, DI Strang is called in to investigate.
I liked Strang and his DS, Livvy Murray - I do love a police procedural and this was a very good one, the setting and characters engaging and believable. I'll definitely look out for more in the series.
This story is the fifth in the Kelso Strang series, but the first I've read. It concerns a small Scottish coastal town where, post-pandemic, a certain lawlessness appears to have become the norm, people turning a "blind eye" and the hapless local police officer unable to make anything stick. Murder, though, is another matter, and when a man is found hanged, DI Strang is called in to investigate.
I liked Strang and his DS, Livvy Murray - I do love a police procedural and this was a very good one, the setting and characters engaging and believable. I'll definitely look out for more in the series.
February 17, 2023
Set in the small harbour town of Tarleton in Scotland where the local police station is only manned part time, it has become a place where crimes don’t stick, leaving stressed DI Gunn unable to do much about it.
When DCI Kelso Strang and DS Murray from the Rural Crime Squad are called to Tarleton to investigate the murder of a farmer who runs a small organic farm, DCI Strang discovers the partner of which was involved in one of his previous cases.
Centred around the farming community, the story is dotted with plenty of town history, ‘hush-hush’ going’s on and interesting characters all interweaved to the murder enquiry and I read eagerly to find if and how they were all connected.
Blind Eye is the first book I’ve read written by Aline Templeton and it will not be my last - It is the fifth in a series involving DCI Kelso Strang so I will be adding his previous cases to my TBR pile!
I’d like to say ‘Thank you’ to NetGalley and Allison and Busby for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.
When DCI Kelso Strang and DS Murray from the Rural Crime Squad are called to Tarleton to investigate the murder of a farmer who runs a small organic farm, DCI Strang discovers the partner of which was involved in one of his previous cases.
Centred around the farming community, the story is dotted with plenty of town history, ‘hush-hush’ going’s on and interesting characters all interweaved to the murder enquiry and I read eagerly to find if and how they were all connected.
Blind Eye is the first book I’ve read written by Aline Templeton and it will not be my last - It is the fifth in a series involving DCI Kelso Strang so I will be adding his previous cases to my TBR pile!
I’d like to say ‘Thank you’ to NetGalley and Allison and Busby for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.
February 19, 2023
Great story with a lovely ending.
February 16, 2023
Leaving court after losing a case DCI Kelso Strang is dismayed as he watches the guilty man exit the court surrounded by his delighted family. Not so delighted is DC Moore just out of her probationary year whom QC Vincent Dunbar had reduced to tears in the witness box. Skirting the celebratory group outside the court he sees the QC’s attractive assistant and says bitterly ‘nothing was planted on your client’. She smiles brightly and says, ‘You don’t think Vincent Dunbar would stoop so low as to defend an innocent man, do you?’ Having a coffee with Kelso she tells him she is Cat Fleming, an unpaid advocate for the devil master and beggars can’t be choosers and if you get an offer you don’t turn it down.
Sarah Lindsay and Niall Richie in the first lockdown had been stuck in a one-bedroom flat and they were miserable. In the second lockdown with most people working from home they decided it was an opportunity to move out of the city. So they bought a small farm, and with the future of the planet in mind got into organic farming. Initially they were fired with enthusiasm when they bought their first 40 sheep, but it’s not going well.
Sarah had a home decorating consultancy, so to supplement their income she took a cheap lease on a little shop in the nearby prosperous fishing port of Tarleton. She was astonished when she was asked by Doddie Muir of the criminal fraternity for a ‘retainer’ to keep an eye on the shop and protect it from trouble. She laughed, but was not laughing when the next day her shop front had been vandalised. She spoke to the quiet lady who ran a small convenience store next door, who said, ‘easier to pay’.
On a routine visit from DCI Strang asking if they had problems with any farm machinery being stolen Sarah had told him about the protection, she had to pay to avoid her shop being vandalised. But rather than being pleased that she was taking a stand her neighbours were antagonistic towards her now. Even Niall thought she was wrong.
Although mainly concerned with the theft of Farm machinery following his chat with Sarah Lindsay, Kelso is
concerned that something odd is going on in Tarleton and sends DS Livvy Murray, who has now passed her
Sergeant’s exam and is feeling pretty chipper, to have a further chat with Sarah. But the shop is closed, so Livvy calls in at the local cop shop and has a chat with DI Matthew Gunn. He seems downhearted and says he can't put his finger on it but something is going on. He shares with Livvy that on his day off he took a walk up to St Abb’s head and witnessed a young woman drive up, jump out of her car and run to the cliff edge and jump.
Then the death of a young farmer sets off a murder investigation. When there is a second death, this one is too close to home and a huge blow to the team. But help for Kelso comes from an unexpected source.
Kelso has a strong team, but I cannot warm to Livvy Murray. I feel she is a loose cannon, if things don’t go her way or Kelso praises someone other than her, she sulks. If Kelso does praise her, she starts thinking they could be friends or even something more. She gives me the heebee jeebees. I suspect she could become a stalker, particularly as there could there be romance in the air for Kelso, and it’s unlikely to be with her. Methinks, she is not going to cope with that well.
This story is rich in characters, Rose Moncrief, potter, who has stood out against the criminals in Tarleton and reaped having her house doused with red paint several times, and who befriends Sarah. Ken Blackford, who owns the neighbouring farm, but is he friend or foe?
This is an intricately plotted story that twists and turns. A compelling read, I couldn’t put down.
Highly recommended.
-----
Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
Sarah Lindsay and Niall Richie in the first lockdown had been stuck in a one-bedroom flat and they were miserable. In the second lockdown with most people working from home they decided it was an opportunity to move out of the city. So they bought a small farm, and with the future of the planet in mind got into organic farming. Initially they were fired with enthusiasm when they bought their first 40 sheep, but it’s not going well.
Sarah had a home decorating consultancy, so to supplement their income she took a cheap lease on a little shop in the nearby prosperous fishing port of Tarleton. She was astonished when she was asked by Doddie Muir of the criminal fraternity for a ‘retainer’ to keep an eye on the shop and protect it from trouble. She laughed, but was not laughing when the next day her shop front had been vandalised. She spoke to the quiet lady who ran a small convenience store next door, who said, ‘easier to pay’.
On a routine visit from DCI Strang asking if they had problems with any farm machinery being stolen Sarah had told him about the protection, she had to pay to avoid her shop being vandalised. But rather than being pleased that she was taking a stand her neighbours were antagonistic towards her now. Even Niall thought she was wrong.
Although mainly concerned with the theft of Farm machinery following his chat with Sarah Lindsay, Kelso is
concerned that something odd is going on in Tarleton and sends DS Livvy Murray, who has now passed her
Sergeant’s exam and is feeling pretty chipper, to have a further chat with Sarah. But the shop is closed, so Livvy calls in at the local cop shop and has a chat with DI Matthew Gunn. He seems downhearted and says he can't put his finger on it but something is going on. He shares with Livvy that on his day off he took a walk up to St Abb’s head and witnessed a young woman drive up, jump out of her car and run to the cliff edge and jump.
Then the death of a young farmer sets off a murder investigation. When there is a second death, this one is too close to home and a huge blow to the team. But help for Kelso comes from an unexpected source.
Kelso has a strong team, but I cannot warm to Livvy Murray. I feel she is a loose cannon, if things don’t go her way or Kelso praises someone other than her, she sulks. If Kelso does praise her, she starts thinking they could be friends or even something more. She gives me the heebee jeebees. I suspect she could become a stalker, particularly as there could there be romance in the air for Kelso, and it’s unlikely to be with her. Methinks, she is not going to cope with that well.
This story is rich in characters, Rose Moncrief, potter, who has stood out against the criminals in Tarleton and reaped having her house doused with red paint several times, and who befriends Sarah. Ken Blackford, who owns the neighbouring farm, but is he friend or foe?
This is an intricately plotted story that twists and turns. A compelling read, I couldn’t put down.
Highly recommended.
-----
Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
February 3, 2023
I would like to thank Netgalley and Allison & Busby for an advance copy of Blind Eye, the fifth novel to feature DCI Kelso Strang of Police Scotland’s Rural Crime Squad.
Kelso is sent to Tarleton, a small town in southeast Scotland, to investigate the murder of a young farmer. It’s not the first time he’s visited as he has been investigating the theft of farm equipment and a case of extortion. This time he finds a DI traumatised by a suicide he witnessed and a feeling of toxicity and lawlessness in the town.
I thoroughly enjoyed Blind Eye, which is an engrossing read, full of surprising turns and a certain amount of helplessness as it’s hard to investigate when nobody will provide pointers.
The novel is quite slow to start with a fair amount of scene setting and character introduction. The author, however, has a way with words so I didn’t find it boring or feel impatient to get to the main event, rather it whetted my appetite to learn more. The murder investigation is also slow, due to a lack of witnesses and information, but there’s many other things going on that keep the reader focused, not least a meeting between Kelso and DI Marjory Fleming, the protagonist of Ms Templeton’s other series. I’m intrigued to see where the author takes this as they are a formidable duo in this novel alone. As ever in a police procedural the novel ends in a flurry of activity and arrests. I was impressed by the way it comes about, dramatic but realistic.
I really like this series, although I have only read one other novel in it. It has its feet firmly planted on the ground and in reality. In this case criminality seems to have set in like rot in the town and despondency in the officers trying to stop it. What with budget cuts and part time policing it seems all too likely. Apart from the murder it seems like low level crime only, but it’s endemic and permeating, and who knows what lies beneath. I found it fascinating, wondering whose will was stronger, like a low key battle between good and bad.
Blind Eye is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Kelso is sent to Tarleton, a small town in southeast Scotland, to investigate the murder of a young farmer. It’s not the first time he’s visited as he has been investigating the theft of farm equipment and a case of extortion. This time he finds a DI traumatised by a suicide he witnessed and a feeling of toxicity and lawlessness in the town.
I thoroughly enjoyed Blind Eye, which is an engrossing read, full of surprising turns and a certain amount of helplessness as it’s hard to investigate when nobody will provide pointers.
The novel is quite slow to start with a fair amount of scene setting and character introduction. The author, however, has a way with words so I didn’t find it boring or feel impatient to get to the main event, rather it whetted my appetite to learn more. The murder investigation is also slow, due to a lack of witnesses and information, but there’s many other things going on that keep the reader focused, not least a meeting between Kelso and DI Marjory Fleming, the protagonist of Ms Templeton’s other series. I’m intrigued to see where the author takes this as they are a formidable duo in this novel alone. As ever in a police procedural the novel ends in a flurry of activity and arrests. I was impressed by the way it comes about, dramatic but realistic.
I really like this series, although I have only read one other novel in it. It has its feet firmly planted on the ground and in reality. In this case criminality seems to have set in like rot in the town and despondency in the officers trying to stop it. What with budget cuts and part time policing it seems all too likely. Apart from the murder it seems like low level crime only, but it’s endemic and permeating, and who knows what lies beneath. I found it fascinating, wondering whose will was stronger, like a low key battle between good and bad.
Blind Eye is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
December 18, 2025
Once again, a most enjoyable book. Good plot and both Strang and Murray are growing as characters. The setting was - as usual - an integral part of the narrative. It's great to have different parts of Scotland as the backdrop to each of the novels.
Always easy to read with interesting ideas and twists and turns throughout.
Always easy to read with interesting ideas and twists and turns throughout.
February 11, 2023
Set in the small harbour town of Tarleton in Scotland where the local police station is only manned part time, it has become a place where crimes don’t stick, leaving stressed DI Gunn unable to do much about it.
When DCI Kelso Strang and DS Murray from the Rural Crime Squad are called to Tarleton to investigate the murder of a farmer who runs a small organic farm, DCI Strang discovers the partner of which was involved in one of his previous cases.
Centred around the farming community, the story is dotted with plenty of town history, ‘hush-hush’ going’s on and interesting characters all interweaved to the murder enquiry and I read eagerly to find if and how they were all connected.
Blind Eye is the first book I’ve read written by Aline Templeton and it will not be my last - It is the fifth in a series involving DCI Kelso Strang so I will be adding his previous cases to my TBR pile!
I’d like to Thank you to NetGalley and Allison and Busby for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.
When DCI Kelso Strang and DS Murray from the Rural Crime Squad are called to Tarleton to investigate the murder of a farmer who runs a small organic farm, DCI Strang discovers the partner of which was involved in one of his previous cases.
Centred around the farming community, the story is dotted with plenty of town history, ‘hush-hush’ going’s on and interesting characters all interweaved to the murder enquiry and I read eagerly to find if and how they were all connected.
Blind Eye is the first book I’ve read written by Aline Templeton and it will not be my last - It is the fifth in a series involving DCI Kelso Strang so I will be adding his previous cases to my TBR pile!
I’d like to Thank you to NetGalley and Allison and Busby for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.
December 29, 2025
Death at St Abb’s Head has not been my favourite in the DI Kelso Strang series. It fell felt as if some of the characters were left unformed and some story lines were wrapped up only because the book was coming to the end. One example of that was Myrna Muir. She started out as a woman that had the potential of true villainy but that led only to a few unkind words and a splash of red paint.
Another is Michelle Gresham who is only explained as the criminal mastermind of the town by the memories of her stepson. Ken Blackstone was another possible but incomplete villain.
The central characters were good and the plots were interesting and made for a good read. Sarah was both a sympathetic character and a heroic one. I enjoyed the trials she was forced to contend with and the strength she showed while doing so. Briony was poisonous!
Kelso and Murray were less used in the main story because their roles were meant to be dealing with only part of a bigger problem. It was almost too much to add more characters into Kelso’s life story because they seemed superfluous. Perhaps they were added to be part of his life’s story in the next book. Livvy is difficult to see as a polis officer or a woman. It would be nice to know more about her and not just about her possible jealous feelings towards Kelso.
Another is Michelle Gresham who is only explained as the criminal mastermind of the town by the memories of her stepson. Ken Blackstone was another possible but incomplete villain.
The central characters were good and the plots were interesting and made for a good read. Sarah was both a sympathetic character and a heroic one. I enjoyed the trials she was forced to contend with and the strength she showed while doing so. Briony was poisonous!
Kelso and Murray were less used in the main story because their roles were meant to be dealing with only part of a bigger problem. It was almost too much to add more characters into Kelso’s life story because they seemed superfluous. Perhaps they were added to be part of his life’s story in the next book. Livvy is difficult to see as a polis officer or a woman. It would be nice to know more about her and not just about her possible jealous feelings towards Kelso.
November 9, 2024
This is the fifth book featuring Detective Chief Inspector Strang of the Serious Rural Crime Squad and his assistant Murray who is now a Detective Sergeant. No sign of Detective Inspector Rachel French who appeared in the previous book however characters from the author's previous police procedural series reappear in this book..
Most of the story is set in a fishing port in the south east of Scotland which Strang had his eye on as he suspected stolen agricultural equipment may be being exported from there. It seems bad things happen in this town as earlier a young doctor had committed suicide and now a protection racket case has fallen apart due to a clever defence lawyer. A young farmer is found dead but the local police suspect that this is not the suicide it first appeared to be and Strang is called in. It's a clever story and I found it more satisfying than the previous two books.
The author knows how to tell a story and her main characters are interesting and believable which makes for a good and exciting read. I look forward to finding all the author's other books.
Most of the story is set in a fishing port in the south east of Scotland which Strang had his eye on as he suspected stolen agricultural equipment may be being exported from there. It seems bad things happen in this town as earlier a young doctor had committed suicide and now a protection racket case has fallen apart due to a clever defence lawyer. A young farmer is found dead but the local police suspect that this is not the suicide it first appeared to be and Strang is called in. It's a clever story and I found it more satisfying than the previous two books.
The author knows how to tell a story and her main characters are interesting and believable which makes for a good and exciting read. I look forward to finding all the author's other books.
September 4, 2023
The fifth outing for Kelso Strang, and from promising beginnings this book rather disappointed. The general premise was fine but things developed in a rather predictable way. Further the author could not resist the temptation to revert back to Marjory Fleming and family from the previous (and slightly more successful) series, and incorporate them into this tale. So characters zipping round Scotland, but the intensity and anguish of the original set-up had been largely lost...
November 10, 2025
A Twisty Very Intriguing Mystery!
Thoroughly enjoyable. Kept me entertained and guessing who was responsible for all of the chaos, criminal activity and strange things happening in one small village. Powerful individuals, convoluted characters with hidden agendas and more secrets than you could shake a stick at. Excellent series with a very likable DCI who may be on the verge of some much needed happiness. Eagerly looking forward to the next book!
Thoroughly enjoyable. Kept me entertained and guessing who was responsible for all of the chaos, criminal activity and strange things happening in one small village. Powerful individuals, convoluted characters with hidden agendas and more secrets than you could shake a stick at. Excellent series with a very likable DCI who may be on the verge of some much needed happiness. Eagerly looking forward to the next book!
November 27, 2025
A great read
I love how Murray is maturing but still wanting to stomp him foot and sweet "its not fair!"
I love all of the different places to visit & the moody atmosphere of this last area. But best of all is seeing DCI Strange start to have a lighter heart & a bit of a smile on his face.
I love how Murray is maturing but still wanting to stomp him foot and sweet "its not fair!"
I love all of the different places to visit & the moody atmosphere of this last area. But best of all is seeing DCI Strange start to have a lighter heart & a bit of a smile on his face.
October 2, 2023
This is a gem of a series and getting stronger by the book. Kelso is a wonderful character backed up by the strong willed Livvy. Great storyline again, utterly believable and the setting is beautifully described. Lots of twists and turns which all culminate to give a great ending. Addictive read
January 21, 2024
Reasonable crime. I am beginning to like Kelso Strang, he’s getting more human. The relationship between him and his sergeant is developing well too. The crime had an interesting solution too which I didn’t see coming. Readable and I would read more.
November 7, 2025
Competent.
Decent story, written well enough. Characters you can visualise. And written with plot lines that are at least in the same time/space. Within shouting distance you might say.
Decent story, written well enough. Characters you can visualise. And written with plot lines that are at least in the same time/space. Within shouting distance you might say.
November 18, 2025
I love the way this book was written,it was never stagnante,never repetative and just moved on. The characters were very likeable and interesting.Starting book number 2 in this series and hopefully just as enjoyable as book 1
April 22, 2023
Okay potboiler is the verdict. Unconvincing plot. Usual writing mistakes. Attempt at giving the main protagonist a love life also unconvincing. Overall a bit of a yawn.
October 25, 2023
Another great read from aline templeton
August 25, 2024
Lots of characters to get your head round to begin with, but was fine after 1/3 of the way through. Cute scenery vibes with farmers etc., and some twists!
November 14, 2025
Brilliant read.
I devoured this book in one day. Great storyline that kept you guessing. I was so sorry to finish it!
I devoured this book in one day. Great storyline that kept you guessing. I was so sorry to finish it!
November 30, 2025
I think this series is interesting & well-written.
February 14, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery.
There's a solid plot that kept me guessing, the story of a small town, and an excellent storytelling.
The sense of place and the fleshed out characters are a plus in this well plotted mystery.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
There's a solid plot that kept me guessing, the story of a small town, and an excellent storytelling.
The sense of place and the fleshed out characters are a plus in this well plotted mystery.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews