review to follow..

Ok...so I’m giving this book 2 stars even though I’m not finishing it. I managed to get to page 213 of 458 pages (47%) and just hit the point in the story where it seems like it’s going from a very typical Tartan noir to a very supernatural bent. I was so excited when the author introduced the character “Stuart Macbride.” I have long been a fan of the real SM and quickly paused my reading to see what the connection, if any. Turns out they are friends and SM encouraged the author to try his hand at mystery stories. Sadly, I won’t be adding this author to my list of regulars. The writing wasn’t bad, though it was clumsy in parts. The continual reminder that the main character’s phone was never holding a charge grew to be sigh inducing, the boss who was always piling on more cases to an already overworked detective (to the point where the boss doesn’t even blink an eye when he finds out the main character’s gran had just died) and the list continues. Once it became clear, though, that there was a supernatural element here, I decided it wasn’t for me. I did read some reviews that let me know I was correct in figuring out the spirit element, I ended my reading. I don’t mind supernatural novels but definitely not when I’m reading what I believe is a police procedural. Too bad. I think the author has potential but the genre just isn’t for me. Looks like I’ll be sticking to Rankin and Macbride.

Awful and too long. 1.5

This started well and I really enjoyed it until the bizarre genre change at the end from crime fiction to fantasy! I can also see the influence that Stuart McBride has had on the way he develops his characters

I am going to give this book 3 out of 5 stars.... why? Might you ask... well I will start off with the positives. I love the fact it feels real and the characters feel alive and not just lifeless... I love the use of supernatural aspects but it’s not obvious and neither is it unbelievable. But and there’s a few... I wasn’t happy with how MANY deaths ( I mean don’t get me wrong I have read plenty of crime books with more deaths) until he got to the answers because half way through I KNEW WHO THE KILLER was... I got bored with bumbling detective trope and just thought the leap of intuition could have come much earlier. All in all it was a good first novel and a good introduction to a series ( though I know this may sound a bit odd but I would have preferred the previous first chapter it would have set it up so much better) I don’t like it when the author intends to shock and introduce what happens then has to change it due to sensitive people it’s a murder thriller book what do people expect? Anyway a good start.

I like McLean. The supernatural is kind of 'take it or leave it' fashion which is different, not something I had read before. I like it, supernatural was there for me. The reviewers that left it and still enjoyed the book I am not sure why.

It is now being advertised at a local train station I see in my commute. I consider myself impressed to have got it for free :)

I am interested in what people that actually believe in ghosts and spirits and things like that would make of books like this. Perhaps they treat it like reality television.

DNF efter 45%.
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This is a 2.5 star book for me. Repetitive. Predictable. Both contrived and unbelievable. But an easy read that did not demand much except to keep reading to the end. Won't pursue is series though.