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Customer Review
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 February 2024
Oh how I have missed this series. I am, as people who know anything about me know, somewhat of a lover of the McLean books, Mr Oswald’s crime fiction in general to be fair, and each time I get hold of a new title I am always itching to read it. This was no exception and, shocking I know, I set aside the book I was reading to dive right in. What a brilliant decision as it turns out as I devoured it. Well … I say brilliant but, at the time of prepping this review, it means I likely have around 16 months to wait for the next one. Ah well.
It is so nice to be able to say that Inspector Tony McLean, and his strange but wonderful associates – both friends and colleagues – are back with him. Mostly. And it’s really a case of saying ‘sort of’ when talking about McLean being back, for reasons long term readers will understand and which can become obvious from reading the blurb. With a few exceptions, Angus Cadwallader being one of note – enjoying semi retirement in a way that McLean seemingly can’t – all of our favourites are here, with a few new faces to get to know too – some friendly, some less so. And I love this brilliant cast of characters, from McLean’s long suffering, in every sense of the word, partner, Emma, to Madame Rose, Janie Harrison, Grumpy Bob (in an all too brief cameo) and all the other wonderful and varied personalities that the author has brought into his world. I include in that Edinburgh, a city carefully mapped out, that many can recognise, but given that special James Oswald twist, using the history, legend and almost gothic sensibility that leeches from much of the architecture and lends itself to the slight off kilter investigations that we know and love.
The reason I say that McLean is ‘sort of’ back is because this, in truth, is probably more Janie Harrison’s story. Her investigation. Yes, McLean finds himself embroiled in it, as you would probably expect, although not initially through official channels. But Janie is SIO, temporarily elevated to a senior role that she’s not entirely sure she is ready for or even wants, but placed front and centre in leading the team to find a vicious killer whose motives are not entirely clear, even if the link between victims is almost blindingly obvious. I liked how, in this book in particular, James Oswald has given a definite nod to ‘girl power’, aloowing Janie to shine amongst a vast cast of strong female characters. In fact, all but one of the Senior Officers in this investigation, McLean aside, is female. That’s not to say that the author has gone too far towards promoting feminism, old school misogyny making its presence felt on more than one occasion, although deftly dealt with by all concerned.
I really like Janie as a character, always have done since she was first introduced, and she has come a long way since then. McLean’s protege to some extent, she is coming well and truly out of his shadow now and I’m loving seeing that progression. She is more sceptical than her mentor, no matter the things she has witnessed, and whilst McLean has learned to accept that not everything is as it seems, and open himself up to the idea of less corporeal explanations, Janie still hasn’t quite made that leap. But their partnership is great to watch, even if somewhat limited in this book, and if on more of an even footing this time around than any of their previous cases. She is strong, more capable than she believes, and I think this could mark the start of a real change for her.
As for the case, it’s both perplexing and not. Perplexing for the police, for sure, as the killers M.O. seems to have no link to the victims, at least none they can understand. I liked that we have that gangland element to the story which serves to distract us, but at the same time the author touches on some very emotive, and relevant issues, both from present day and of a time which is very pertinent to the story. None of it is used in a gratuitous way and, to a degree, it’s perhaps a touch more PG rated than some of his earlier books (anyone recall a certain post mortem in The Damage Done?), but there is no mistaking what has happened and it is no less uncomfortable read. As readers we are privy to some, shall we say, background info, that helps us put two and two together, perhaps a little quicker than Janie and her team, but we still don’t necessary make a sum of four, at least not until a certain point in the book, just the right time to see the tempo and the investigation, take a very swift turn.
I love what James Oswald has done here, and he has used it to great effect. I’d made a couple of assumptions, one being somewhat closer to the truth than the other, but for some reason had not even contemplated what comes to pass. I love a book that can do that. Yes, I was missing that vital clue, but it made the ‘reveal’, if you want to call it that, all the more satisfying. It tapped right into the reason I fell in love with this series in the first place. The fact that the truth often defies explanation, certainly not by people who see in black and white and perhaps aren’t quite so quick to accept that the ghoulies and ghosties of Edinburgh aren’t just something made up by walking guides for their gullible, spook seeking tourists. If you have come looking for a straight-laced Detective fiction story, this is probably not quite the right place for you. The books have many of the hallmarks of classic Detective/Police based fiction, but always played on an angle. Right up my straight.
I have absolutely loved being back in McLean, and Harrisons’s, world and am so excited by the ending and the world of opportunities it opens up for us as readers and fans of the series. Just as long as Mr O wants to keep writing that is. Much like Police Scotland to Inspector McLean, can’t see any of us letting him slip away into retirement any time soon. Most definitely recommended and a very happy return.
It is so nice to be able to say that Inspector Tony McLean, and his strange but wonderful associates – both friends and colleagues – are back with him. Mostly. And it’s really a case of saying ‘sort of’ when talking about McLean being back, for reasons long term readers will understand and which can become obvious from reading the blurb. With a few exceptions, Angus Cadwallader being one of note – enjoying semi retirement in a way that McLean seemingly can’t – all of our favourites are here, with a few new faces to get to know too – some friendly, some less so. And I love this brilliant cast of characters, from McLean’s long suffering, in every sense of the word, partner, Emma, to Madame Rose, Janie Harrison, Grumpy Bob (in an all too brief cameo) and all the other wonderful and varied personalities that the author has brought into his world. I include in that Edinburgh, a city carefully mapped out, that many can recognise, but given that special James Oswald twist, using the history, legend and almost gothic sensibility that leeches from much of the architecture and lends itself to the slight off kilter investigations that we know and love.
The reason I say that McLean is ‘sort of’ back is because this, in truth, is probably more Janie Harrison’s story. Her investigation. Yes, McLean finds himself embroiled in it, as you would probably expect, although not initially through official channels. But Janie is SIO, temporarily elevated to a senior role that she’s not entirely sure she is ready for or even wants, but placed front and centre in leading the team to find a vicious killer whose motives are not entirely clear, even if the link between victims is almost blindingly obvious. I liked how, in this book in particular, James Oswald has given a definite nod to ‘girl power’, aloowing Janie to shine amongst a vast cast of strong female characters. In fact, all but one of the Senior Officers in this investigation, McLean aside, is female. That’s not to say that the author has gone too far towards promoting feminism, old school misogyny making its presence felt on more than one occasion, although deftly dealt with by all concerned.
I really like Janie as a character, always have done since she was first introduced, and she has come a long way since then. McLean’s protege to some extent, she is coming well and truly out of his shadow now and I’m loving seeing that progression. She is more sceptical than her mentor, no matter the things she has witnessed, and whilst McLean has learned to accept that not everything is as it seems, and open himself up to the idea of less corporeal explanations, Janie still hasn’t quite made that leap. But their partnership is great to watch, even if somewhat limited in this book, and if on more of an even footing this time around than any of their previous cases. She is strong, more capable than she believes, and I think this could mark the start of a real change for her.
As for the case, it’s both perplexing and not. Perplexing for the police, for sure, as the killers M.O. seems to have no link to the victims, at least none they can understand. I liked that we have that gangland element to the story which serves to distract us, but at the same time the author touches on some very emotive, and relevant issues, both from present day and of a time which is very pertinent to the story. None of it is used in a gratuitous way and, to a degree, it’s perhaps a touch more PG rated than some of his earlier books (anyone recall a certain post mortem in The Damage Done?), but there is no mistaking what has happened and it is no less uncomfortable read. As readers we are privy to some, shall we say, background info, that helps us put two and two together, perhaps a little quicker than Janie and her team, but we still don’t necessary make a sum of four, at least not until a certain point in the book, just the right time to see the tempo and the investigation, take a very swift turn.
I love what James Oswald has done here, and he has used it to great effect. I’d made a couple of assumptions, one being somewhat closer to the truth than the other, but for some reason had not even contemplated what comes to pass. I love a book that can do that. Yes, I was missing that vital clue, but it made the ‘reveal’, if you want to call it that, all the more satisfying. It tapped right into the reason I fell in love with this series in the first place. The fact that the truth often defies explanation, certainly not by people who see in black and white and perhaps aren’t quite so quick to accept that the ghoulies and ghosties of Edinburgh aren’t just something made up by walking guides for their gullible, spook seeking tourists. If you have come looking for a straight-laced Detective fiction story, this is probably not quite the right place for you. The books have many of the hallmarks of classic Detective/Police based fiction, but always played on an angle. Right up my straight.
I have absolutely loved being back in McLean, and Harrisons’s, world and am so excited by the ending and the world of opportunities it opens up for us as readers and fans of the series. Just as long as Mr O wants to keep writing that is. Much like Police Scotland to Inspector McLean, can’t see any of us letting him slip away into retirement any time soon. Most definitely recommended and a very happy return.
