At present I’m sharing my overview of In A Place of Darkness, the model new novel from Stuart MacBride which takes us again to the streets of Oldcastle. My due to publishers Transworld/Bantam for the early copy through Netgalley. Right here’s what it’s all about:
Launch Date: 20 June 2024
Writer: Bantam/Transworld
Concerning the Guide
THE CLOCK IS TICKING…
Detective Constable Angus MacVicar has simply landed his dream job – transferred out of uniform and assigned to Oldcastle’s largest ongoing homicide investigation: Operation Telegram, looking the ‘Fortnight Killer’.
Each two weeks one other couple is focused. One sufferer is left on the scene, their corpse used as a twisted message board. The second physique is rarely seen once more.
This ought to be the right probability for Angus to show himself, however as a substitute of engaged on the investigation’s entrance line, he’s lumbered with the forensic psychologist from hell. A sarcastic know-it-all American, on mortgage from the FBI, who appears decided to alienate everybody whereas dragging Angus right into a shadowy world of conspiracies, lies, and violence.
It’s been twelve days because the Fortnight Killer final struck, and the investigation’s working out of time. Angus’s shiny new job may simply be the dying of him…
My Ideas
Stuart MacBride is again, delivering his trademark mix of darkish humour and twisted murders and characters who keep lengthy within the thoughts. Main readers again to Oldcastle, it’s a far cry from the darkness that enveloped the world of Ash Henderson, or the gritty depth of the early Logan McRae novels, however don;t let that idiot you. While this newest e-book could include a greater than wholesome dose of chunterings from it’s lead protagonist, DC Angus MacVicar, it’s nonetheless darkish. Or, as Mr M may put it, darkety darkish darkish. There are some very tousled murders, dedicated by a really tousled assassin, and it’s the type of story that may take you to the very fringe of your seat, leaving you balanced there proper by way of to the final pages.
This e-book options an entire new staff and it did take me a little bit of time to get all of them straight in my head. That claims extra about my ageing and overworked mind than is does the e-book, however the actually vital folks we have to know on this outing are Angus and imported Forensic Psychologist, Dr Jonathan Fife. Dr Fife has an sudden attribute that isn’t initially obvious, however doesn’t hinder his capacity to make use of his tremendous energy – winding up actually each member of the investigative staff along with his sarcasm and intolerance. For some purpose, he appears to make an exception for Angus – not that it’s at all times apparent. They really make for an efficient staff regardless of their personalities and behaviours being nearly diametrically opposed.
I preferred Angus. He means nicely, even when he doesn’t at all times take precisely the fitting step. He’s model new to Oldcastle’s CID and doesn’t make the best first impression when assembly his new boss at a really new crime scene. I’ll be trustworthy, had I began in amongst the staff that Angus meets, I’d in all probability be asking for a right away switch again out. They’re of the Roberta Steele faculty of man- administration, so evidently that bigger than your common copper, Angus, goes to get a little bit of a troublesome time. As for Fife, it’s like he goes out of his strategy to be objectionable and trigger offence. He’s humorous, I’ll give him that, but it surely’s the type of persona solely a mom might love. Possibly. If she had the center of a saint … What he does have going for him is a really astute mind and while there are occasions after I wished to present my kindle a slap, I did type of like him. And there’s a vulnerability there, very nicely hidden behind a torrent of dismissive put downs.
This e-book is filled with thriller – the motive for the murders by the all too aptly monikered “Fortnight Killer’ for a begin – and Stuart MacBride has loaded it with misdirection. There may be such a broad forged of characters, and we’re additionally given the chance to get to know among the killers victims. Maybe not sufficient for it to at all times make an emotional impression, however actually sufficient to make me very curious to know what they might probably have achieved to deserve their wrath. The case comes exceedingly near residence for one of many staff, and with our two protagonists positioned in mortal hazard by the top of the novel we’re set for a break neck, excessive jeopardy race to a really dramatic decision. Don’t imagine every little thing you learn – nothing is sort of because it appears. And while I did begin to query the honesty and motives of sure folks fairly early, a judgment which proved to be bang on the cash, it didn’t have an effect on my enjoyment of the e-book in any respect.
In the event you like some conventional Stuart MacBride darkish depravity, with a well being dose of that hallmark humour, then this may undoubtedly be the e-book for you. Was it the darkest I’ve learn? Most likely not. Did it make me go ewww sometimes? Sure. Did I like the characters? Largely, sure, even when Fife was irritatingly smug once in a while. Would I prefer to see this pairing once more? what? I feel I’d, and the ending to this e-book makes it a definite risk. Felony Minds this isn’t, but it surely was a recent and witty tackle the artwork of forensic psychology and I actually quite preferred it.
Concerning the Writer
Stuart MacBride is the bestselling writer of many Logan McRae and Ash Henderson novels. He’s additionally printed standalones, novellas, and brief tales, in addition to a barely twisted youngsters’s image e-book for barely twisted youngsters.
Stuart lives within the wilds of northeast Scotland along with his spouse Fiona; cats Gherkin, Onion, and Beetroot; a number of hens; some horses; and a really staggering assortment of weeds.
Copyright © Jen Med’s Guide Evaluations and jenmedsbookreviews.com, (2016-2024).
