I think the reason I can give this book 3 stars is Daley. He's a very likeable character, realistic most of the time, and full of flaws that just make him even more appealing. His wife on the other hand is honest-to-goodness a bimbo. Airheaded and kinda stupid, although she changes over the course of the novel. She needs a job and some purpose besides being a pleasure seeker. The violence of the deaths was a little over the top, as was the villainy of the murderer (and also the "slow burn" up to the climax). Also felt a little cheated when Hamish stepped in and saved the day.

May continue just to see if it gets any better.