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Logan McRae #5
Blind Eye
The new Logan McRae thriller set in gritty Aberdeen, from the bestselling author of Cold Granite and Flesh House. It's summer in the Granite City, but even the sunshine can't improve the mood at Grampian Police Headquarters. Aberdeen's growing Polish community is under attack from a serial offender who leaves mutilated victims to be discovered on building sites -- eyes gouged out and the sockets burned. Detective Sergeant Logan McRae is assigned to the investigation, codenamed Operation Oedipus, but with the victims too scared to talk, it's going nowhere fast. When the next victim turns out to be not a newly arrived eastern european, but Simon McLeod, owner of the Turf n' Track bookies, Logan suddenly finds himself caught up in a world of drug wars, prostitution rings and gun-running courtesy of Aberdeen's oldest and most vicious crime lord.
496 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2009
424 people are currently reading
2520 people want to read
About the author
Stuart MacBride
82 books2,691 followersAka Stuart B. MacBride
The life and times of a bearded write-ist.
Stuart MacBride (that's me) was born in Dumbarton -- which is Glasgow as far as I'm concerned -- moving up to Aberdeen at the tender age of two, when fashions were questionable. Nothing much happened for years and years and years: learned to play the recorder, then forgot how when they changed from little coloured dots to proper musical notes (why the hell couldn't they have taught us the notes in the first bloody place? I could have been performing my earth-shattering rendition of 'Three Blind Mice' at the Albert Hall by now!); appeared in some bizarre World War Two musical production; did my best to avoid eating haggis and generally ran about the place a lot.
Next up was an elongated spell in Westhill -- a small suburb seven miles west of Aberdeen -- where I embarked upon a mediocre academic career, hindered by a complete inability to spell and an attention span the length of a gnat's doodad.
And so to UNIVERSITY, far too young, naive and stupid to be away from the family home, sharing a subterranean flat in one of the seedier bits of Edinburgh with a mad Irishman, and four other bizarre individuals. The highlight of walking to the art school in the mornings (yes: we were students, but we still did mornings) was trying not to tread in the fresh bloodstains outside our front door, and dodging the undercover CID officers trying to buy drugs. Lovely place.
But university and I did not see eye to eye, so off I went to work offshore. Like many all-male environments, working offshore was the intellectual equivalent of Animal House, only without the clever bits. Swearing, smoking, eating, more swearing, pornography, swearing, drinking endless plastic cups of tea... and did I mention the swearing? But it was more money than I'd seen in my life! There's something about being handed a wadge of cash as you clamber off the minibus from the heliport, having spent the last two weeks offshore and the last two hours in an orange, rubber romper suit / body bag, then blowing most of it in the pubs and clubs of Aberdeen. And being young enough to get away without a hangover.
Then came a spell of working for myself as a graphic designer, which went the way of all flesh and into the heady world of studio management for a nation-wide marketing company. Then some more freelance design work, a handful of voiceovers for local radio and video production companies and a bash at being an actor (with a small 'a'), giving it up when it became clear there was no way I was ever going to be good enough to earn a decent living.
It was about this time I fell into bad company -- a blonde from Fife who conned me into marrying her -- and started producing websites for a friend's fledgling Internet company. From there it was a roller coaster ride (in that it made a lot of people feel decidedly unwell) from web designer to web manager, lead programmer, team lead and other assorted technical bollocks with three different companies, eventually ending up as a project manager for a global IT company.
But there was always the writing (well, that's not true, the writing only started two chapters above this one). I fell victim to that most dreadful of things: peer pressure. Two friends were writing novels and I thought, 'why not? I could do that'.
Took a few years though...
The life and times of a bearded write-ist.
Stuart MacBride (that's me) was born in Dumbarton -- which is Glasgow as far as I'm concerned -- moving up to Aberdeen at the tender age of two, when fashions were questionable. Nothing much happened for years and years and years: learned to play the recorder, then forgot how when they changed from little coloured dots to proper musical notes (why the hell couldn't they have taught us the notes in the first bloody place? I could have been performing my earth-shattering rendition of 'Three Blind Mice' at the Albert Hall by now!); appeared in some bizarre World War Two musical production; did my best to avoid eating haggis and generally ran about the place a lot.
Next up was an elongated spell in Westhill -- a small suburb seven miles west of Aberdeen -- where I embarked upon a mediocre academic career, hindered by a complete inability to spell and an attention span the length of a gnat's doodad.
And so to UNIVERSITY, far too young, naive and stupid to be away from the family home, sharing a subterranean flat in one of the seedier bits of Edinburgh with a mad Irishman, and four other bizarre individuals. The highlight of walking to the art school in the mornings (yes: we were students, but we still did mornings) was trying not to tread in the fresh bloodstains outside our front door, and dodging the undercover CID officers trying to buy drugs. Lovely place.
But university and I did not see eye to eye, so off I went to work offshore. Like many all-male environments, working offshore was the intellectual equivalent of Animal House, only without the clever bits. Swearing, smoking, eating, more swearing, pornography, swearing, drinking endless plastic cups of tea... and did I mention the swearing? But it was more money than I'd seen in my life! There's something about being handed a wadge of cash as you clamber off the minibus from the heliport, having spent the last two weeks offshore and the last two hours in an orange, rubber romper suit / body bag, then blowing most of it in the pubs and clubs of Aberdeen. And being young enough to get away without a hangover.
Then came a spell of working for myself as a graphic designer, which went the way of all flesh and into the heady world of studio management for a nation-wide marketing company. Then some more freelance design work, a handful of voiceovers for local radio and video production companies and a bash at being an actor (with a small 'a'), giving it up when it became clear there was no way I was ever going to be good enough to earn a decent living.
It was about this time I fell into bad company -- a blonde from Fife who conned me into marrying her -- and started producing websites for a friend's fledgling Internet company. From there it was a roller coaster ride (in that it made a lot of people feel decidedly unwell) from web designer to web manager, lead programmer, team lead and other assorted technical bollocks with three different companies, eventually ending up as a project manager for a global IT company.
But there was always the writing (well, that's not true, the writing only started two chapters above this one). I fell victim to that most dreadful of things: peer pressure. Two friends were writing novels and I thought, 'why not? I could do that'.
Took a few years though...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 430 reviews
September 20, 2017
Book number five in this great series.
As usual the police play outside the rules, the murders are gross and the interactions between most of the characters are pretty antisocial. On the other hand the humour is terrific and a few of the characters are just amazing. DI Steel is one of the best female cops in print and I also have a soft spot for Logan. Their relationship has developed beautifully and I especially like to see Logan standing up for himself on the few occasions that he tries it.
I must admit to seriously hoping that the police are not really the way they are presented in this book. On occasion they are as bad as the criminals they are chasing, but it is all good entertainment and Blind Eye is a very enjoyable read.
As usual the police play outside the rules, the murders are gross and the interactions between most of the characters are pretty antisocial. On the other hand the humour is terrific and a few of the characters are just amazing. DI Steel is one of the best female cops in print and I also have a soft spot for Logan. Their relationship has developed beautifully and I especially like to see Logan standing up for himself on the few occasions that he tries it.
I must admit to seriously hoping that the police are not really the way they are presented in this book. On occasion they are as bad as the criminals they are chasing, but it is all good entertainment and Blind Eye is a very enjoyable read.
August 28, 2021
Another terrific read in this great series. It's violent, gritty, infused with dark humour and so very good!
It's summer in Aberdeen, so for once it's not raining. Someone is targeting the Polish population, removing their eyes and leaving them in abandoned buildings. Everyone is too terrified to say who attacked them and the only eyewitness is a pedophile who's gone into hiding. When the latest attack is on a criminal underworld figure, the police also realise there is more going on, possibly a new gang moving in on Aberdeen.
DS Logan McRae is on the case with my favourite detective, the acerbic, foul mouthed DI Roberta Steele. Logan has some very traumatic brushes with death and danger in this novel, including in Krakow where he is sent to follow up on some historical cases of blinding. He also seems to be everyone's whipping boy and spends significant time being interviewed by Professional Standards. His relationship with DI Steele provides much of the humour in the novel, particularly as she has him earmarked to provide a very specific service for her. Logan's character is developing well as he hones his skills as a detective and learns to stand up for himself. I hope he gets some treatment for his PTSD and his heavy drinking before the next episode.
It's summer in Aberdeen, so for once it's not raining. Someone is targeting the Polish population, removing their eyes and leaving them in abandoned buildings. Everyone is too terrified to say who attacked them and the only eyewitness is a pedophile who's gone into hiding. When the latest attack is on a criminal underworld figure, the police also realise there is more going on, possibly a new gang moving in on Aberdeen.
DS Logan McRae is on the case with my favourite detective, the acerbic, foul mouthed DI Roberta Steele. Logan has some very traumatic brushes with death and danger in this novel, including in Krakow where he is sent to follow up on some historical cases of blinding. He also seems to be everyone's whipping boy and spends significant time being interviewed by Professional Standards. His relationship with DI Steele provides much of the humour in the novel, particularly as she has him earmarked to provide a very specific service for her. Logan's character is developing well as he hones his skills as a detective and learns to stand up for himself. I hope he gets some treatment for his PTSD and his heavy drinking before the next episode.
October 9, 2024
The Logan McRae series continues with the Aberdeen police sergeant fronting up for a 5th go around in Blind Eye. And once again, the crimes are confronting, gross even, the police work is slapdash at best and there’s a surprisingly high level of humour emanating from the likes of DI Roberta Steel who remains a crowd favourite.
One of the constants in the series is that no matter how effective Logan is at his job, he’ll always cop a high level of abuse and ridicule by the Inspectors inside the 4 walls of the Grampian police station. DCI Finnie is on the scene in place of DI Insch and, as far as total dicks go, he takes the cake. And he’s got it in for Logan.
Someone is blinding people around Aberdeen. The victims are Polish or eastern European, the crimes are particularly gruesome and this has the effect of ensuring silence from any potential witnesses. Then Simon McLeod becomes another victim. He doesn’t appear to conform to the other victims’ backgrounds. He’s the owner of the Turf ‘n’ Track bookies. He’s also the brother of Creepy Colin McLeod, one of the city’s more violent gangsters.
There’s enough Polish-related evidence about the case to warrant a police officer be sent to Krakow and it turns out that Logan’s the man for the job. But it also turns out that the criminals of Poland are more than capable of dealing with pesky police detectives. McRae returns home in a traumatised state and not a lot to show for his trip.
This is yet another outstanding police procedural that combines grim violence with whip smart humour. From a slowish start things really take off in the second half of the book. Gangsters, former Eastern bloc enforcers and suspected crooked cops ensure there’s no end of intrigue.
Logan McRae remains a bit of an enigma. He’s far from fallible, prone to making numerous mistakes and having to front Professional Standards yet again, but he’s also blessed with keen insight. It’s just the dithering and kowtowing that tends to hold him back.
But it’s DI Steel who tends to steal every scene she’s in. The swearing, the bawdy comments, the unreasonable demands and general inappropriate behaviour is a constant delight.
The series continues to deliver consistently brutal crimes, whip sharp dialogue, some of the most acerbic characters imaginable and humour that’s bang on the money.
One of the constants in the series is that no matter how effective Logan is at his job, he’ll always cop a high level of abuse and ridicule by the Inspectors inside the 4 walls of the Grampian police station. DCI Finnie is on the scene in place of DI Insch and, as far as total dicks go, he takes the cake. And he’s got it in for Logan.
Someone is blinding people around Aberdeen. The victims are Polish or eastern European, the crimes are particularly gruesome and this has the effect of ensuring silence from any potential witnesses. Then Simon McLeod becomes another victim. He doesn’t appear to conform to the other victims’ backgrounds. He’s the owner of the Turf ‘n’ Track bookies. He’s also the brother of Creepy Colin McLeod, one of the city’s more violent gangsters.
There’s enough Polish-related evidence about the case to warrant a police officer be sent to Krakow and it turns out that Logan’s the man for the job. But it also turns out that the criminals of Poland are more than capable of dealing with pesky police detectives. McRae returns home in a traumatised state and not a lot to show for his trip.
This is yet another outstanding police procedural that combines grim violence with whip smart humour. From a slowish start things really take off in the second half of the book. Gangsters, former Eastern bloc enforcers and suspected crooked cops ensure there’s no end of intrigue.
Logan McRae remains a bit of an enigma. He’s far from fallible, prone to making numerous mistakes and having to front Professional Standards yet again, but he’s also blessed with keen insight. It’s just the dithering and kowtowing that tends to hold him back.
But it’s DI Steel who tends to steal every scene she’s in. The swearing, the bawdy comments, the unreasonable demands and general inappropriate behaviour is a constant delight.
The series continues to deliver consistently brutal crimes, whip sharp dialogue, some of the most acerbic characters imaginable and humour that’s bang on the money.
March 23, 2018
Wow this book packs a huge punch - it's a big detective mystery, violent, sweary, drunken, chaotic mess...and I loved it!
This is always going to be a marmite book because it lives in the extremes of black humour - if you don't like swearing, violence and gore this is never going to be palatable let alone funny.
Not that I enjoy these things...ahem...but I appreciate their fictional worth when trying to portray people living on the fringes of right and wrong in extreme circumstances.
I was going to give it 4.5 stars because it's a bit too long and maybe a bit too messy but fuck it I really, really enjoyed it so let's give it all the entertainment stars it deserves!
I enjoyed the audio version which was narrated by the author - I had as many laugh out loud moments as wanting to be sick in a bag moments (is that a good thing??).
DO NOT READ WHEN EATING - THANK YOU
I love this series :)
This is always going to be a marmite book because it lives in the extremes of black humour - if you don't like swearing, violence and gore this is never going to be palatable let alone funny.
Not that I enjoy these things...ahem...but I appreciate their fictional worth when trying to portray people living on the fringes of right and wrong in extreme circumstances.
I was going to give it 4.5 stars because it's a bit too long and maybe a bit too messy but fuck it I really, really enjoyed it so let's give it all the entertainment stars it deserves!
I enjoyed the audio version which was narrated by the author - I had as many laugh out loud moments as wanting to be sick in a bag moments (is that a good thing??).
DO NOT READ WHEN EATING - THANK YOU
I love this series :)
March 11, 2016
"Logan walked over to the window, rubbing a clear patch in the dusty glass. Looked like another beautiful day to be a police officer, with outbreaks of infighting, sulking, and recriminations."
In Blind Eye, Book 5 of the Logan McRae series, Logan and Co. are back with bacon butties, hangovers, and all-around police investigation shenanigans. But it's not all fun and games--Logan has a bit of a tough time in this, and has to deal some serious demons. It was a new side to Logan's character that was interesting to watch.
DI Steel is more brilliant than usual. MacBride adds another dimension to her here, including allowing us to see her life outside of HQ, making her even more human and likable. It was a pleasure to see these other facets of her character, all of which made me adore that much more.
In terms of the case they worked on, it was great and what I've come to expect from this series. My only issue is that Logan sometimes tends to miss obvious clues. This has been an issue in previous books, with the exception of Book 4, but here this trait was at an all-time high. It drove me nuts because it almost verged into stupid territory. But, ultimately it didn't matter since I still loved the story. I stayed up later than I should have on numerous nights because I couldn't put it down.
So, would I recommend this to fans of the series? Yes, definitely. Blind Eye is another great installment of the Logan McRae series.
Final rating: 4 stars
In Blind Eye, Book 5 of the Logan McRae series, Logan and Co. are back with bacon butties, hangovers, and all-around police investigation shenanigans. But it's not all fun and games--Logan has a bit of a tough time in this, and has to deal some serious demons. It was a new side to Logan's character that was interesting to watch.
DI Steel is more brilliant than usual. MacBride adds another dimension to her here, including allowing us to see her life outside of HQ, making her even more human and likable. It was a pleasure to see these other facets of her character, all of which made me adore that much more.
In terms of the case they worked on, it was great and what I've come to expect from this series. My only issue is that Logan sometimes tends to miss obvious clues. This has been an issue in previous books, with the exception of Book 4, but here this trait was at an all-time high. It drove me nuts because it almost verged into stupid territory. But, ultimately it didn't matter since I still loved the story. I stayed up later than I should have on numerous nights because I couldn't put it down.
So, would I recommend this to fans of the series? Yes, definitely. Blind Eye is another great installment of the Logan McRae series.
Final rating: 4 stars
July 6, 2024
My copy had 547 pages loved everyone of them, I have told myself that I am reading the next book and then something else but when I finish a book, I really can't help myself and I have to read the next one.
Absolutely brilliant bone dry humour with character's that you really believe in.
Absolutely brilliant bone dry humour with character's that you really believe in.
April 28, 2022
Blind Eye had pretty much everything that one could want in a thriller: suspense, twists, maimings, murders, good guys, bad guys, gore, subplots, etc. In fact, it may have had a bit too much of some.
I very much enjoyed the book but felt that it could have gone on a bit too long. I was ready for it to end at least 100 pages earlier than it did. That aside, it was a very enjoyable, albeit a bit grisly, book. It's been a while since I picked up a Stuart Macbride book because I found his previous effort very disappointing.
Intrepid screwup but occasionally brilliant Detective Sargeant Logan McRae has returned from leave due to injury yet again - he is clearly after the record for the most nearly incapacitating injuries suffered while being a cop. Male members of the Aberdeen Polish community are being maimed for no apparent reason. These maimings take the form of having their eyes removed and the then empty sockets being burned. If that´s too gory for you, then you might not want to read this book.
Simultaneously, the more conventional elements of the Aberdeen underworld are bashing in knees with a claw hammer, burning down businesses and generally wreaking havoc on themselves as well as the more innocent citizenry. Logan injects himself into this mess and chaos, including a trip to Poland, ensues.
MacBride´s plot is well done with, as much earlier, a number of significant twists and quite clever threads. His characters are, for the most part, quite believable and well developed and his prose is straightforward and well-written. This is not a quick read but I was fully engaged from beginning to end.
I am comfortable recommending Blind Eye to those who enjoy well-written, convoluted, police procedurals with a bit of gore.
Fini
I very much enjoyed the book but felt that it could have gone on a bit too long. I was ready for it to end at least 100 pages earlier than it did. That aside, it was a very enjoyable, albeit a bit grisly, book. It's been a while since I picked up a Stuart Macbride book because I found his previous effort very disappointing.
Intrepid screwup but occasionally brilliant Detective Sargeant Logan McRae has returned from leave due to injury yet again - he is clearly after the record for the most nearly incapacitating injuries suffered while being a cop. Male members of the Aberdeen Polish community are being maimed for no apparent reason. These maimings take the form of having their eyes removed and the then empty sockets being burned. If that´s too gory for you, then you might not want to read this book.
Simultaneously, the more conventional elements of the Aberdeen underworld are bashing in knees with a claw hammer, burning down businesses and generally wreaking havoc on themselves as well as the more innocent citizenry. Logan injects himself into this mess and chaos, including a trip to Poland, ensues.
MacBride´s plot is well done with, as much earlier, a number of significant twists and quite clever threads. His characters are, for the most part, quite believable and well developed and his prose is straightforward and well-written. This is not a quick read but I was fully engaged from beginning to end.
I am comfortable recommending Blind Eye to those who enjoy well-written, convoluted, police procedurals with a bit of gore.
Fini
January 15, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Pagaliau galiu pasakyti, kad šios serijos knyga man patiko! Nors ir nepamėgau personažų, tačiau tas ir nebūtina, jei siužetas geras😜 vietomis tikrai raukiausi, šlykštėjausi ir bandžiau "atmatyti" mano vaizduotės piešiamus vaizdus, kitomis vietomis nesupratau, kaip šita prasigėrusių neišmanėlių gauja sugeba tirti nusikaltimus. Nes didžiausi nuopelnai dažniausiai atitenka ne sunkiam darbui ar išmonei, o tiesiog netikėtai aplankius sėkmei. Bet pagaliau ledai pajudėjo ir tikiuosi, kad toliau bus tik geriau!
Pagaliau galiu pasakyti, kad šios serijos knyga man patiko! Nors ir nepamėgau personažų, tačiau tas ir nebūtina, jei siužetas geras😜 vietomis tikrai raukiausi, šlykštėjausi ir bandžiau "atmatyti" mano vaizduotės piešiamus vaizdus, kitomis vietomis nesupratau, kaip šita prasigėrusių neišmanėlių gauja sugeba tirti nusikaltimus. Nes didžiausi nuopelnai dažniausiai atitenka ne sunkiam darbui ar išmonei, o tiesiog netikėtai aplankius sėkmei. Bet pagaliau ledai pajudėjo ir tikiuosi, kad toliau bus tik geriau!
July 16, 2009
DI Steele deserves her own fan club. It would have to be a club where swearing, drinking, smoking and fiddling with your bra strap were perfectly acceptable behaviours of course. You've also got a ready made slogan as fans of the wonderful Logan McRae series from Scottish author Stuart MacBride will be aware.
BLIND EYE is the 5th book in this funny, gruesome, funny, ferocious, unflinching, funny series featuring DS Logan McRae and a passing parade of DIs and DCIs. DI Steele makes a very high profile return in BLIND EYE, in fact she's in danger of completely stealing the show, although McRae also has to deal with the considerably more prickly DCI Finnie as well.
In true MacBride style, not only are the characterisations vivid, unflinching and frequently decidedly unflattering, the subject matter of this book is confrontational. Somebody is preying on Aberdeen's Polish community - not killing, but dreadfully maiming a series of men. Gouging out their eyes and burning the sockets, the crime seems inexplicably cruel and utterly and totally ruthless. The victim's are understandably too scared to talk, and the only witness - a paedophile on the run - doesn't exactly inspire anybody's hope in being able to sort this.
As the investigation grinds on, and the maiming take a particularly startling turn, McRae finds himself having to deal with Finnie's increasing sarcasm and what seems like antagonism, as well as Steele's glorious excess - which now includes a rather personal component, making McRae increasingly squeamish.
Undoubtedly the subject matter that MacBride touches on in all his books is going to be unpleasant reading for some people. He balances that beautifully with humour - sometimes gallows style, frequently black and downright hilarious in other places. He writes gruesome but highly realistic plots which don't shilly shally around with your sensibilities. You'll often come out of one of these books feeling a little like you've been slapped around the head and shoulders with something quite quite icky. MacBride also writes fantastic police characters - McRae's increasing dithering around nicely balanced by the iron wit and will of DI Steele, both of them up against the sarcasm and terseness of Finnie. Settling in with these characters is rapidly becoming more and more like a visit with favourite friends. Sure you've heard the stories before. Sure you've seen them when they have a few too many before. Who cares - good mates are extremely hard to find.
BLIND EYE is the 5th book in this funny, gruesome, funny, ferocious, unflinching, funny series featuring DS Logan McRae and a passing parade of DIs and DCIs. DI Steele makes a very high profile return in BLIND EYE, in fact she's in danger of completely stealing the show, although McRae also has to deal with the considerably more prickly DCI Finnie as well.
In true MacBride style, not only are the characterisations vivid, unflinching and frequently decidedly unflattering, the subject matter of this book is confrontational. Somebody is preying on Aberdeen's Polish community - not killing, but dreadfully maiming a series of men. Gouging out their eyes and burning the sockets, the crime seems inexplicably cruel and utterly and totally ruthless. The victim's are understandably too scared to talk, and the only witness - a paedophile on the run - doesn't exactly inspire anybody's hope in being able to sort this.
As the investigation grinds on, and the maiming take a particularly startling turn, McRae finds himself having to deal with Finnie's increasing sarcasm and what seems like antagonism, as well as Steele's glorious excess - which now includes a rather personal component, making McRae increasingly squeamish.
Undoubtedly the subject matter that MacBride touches on in all his books is going to be unpleasant reading for some people. He balances that beautifully with humour - sometimes gallows style, frequently black and downright hilarious in other places. He writes gruesome but highly realistic plots which don't shilly shally around with your sensibilities. You'll often come out of one of these books feeling a little like you've been slapped around the head and shoulders with something quite quite icky. MacBride also writes fantastic police characters - McRae's increasing dithering around nicely balanced by the iron wit and will of DI Steele, both of them up against the sarcasm and terseness of Finnie. Settling in with these characters is rapidly becoming more and more like a visit with favourite friends. Sure you've heard the stories before. Sure you've seen them when they have a few too many before. Who cares - good mates are extremely hard to find.
September 28, 2017
This wasnt as strong at the previous novels in the series. I love the characters so they seen to keep me wanting more. The main crime didn't seem as strong in this one or as thrilling. The side stories seemed to keep my interest more.
November 5, 2016
Blind Eye, the fifth Logan McRae novel, simply highlights why Stuart MacBride is one of my favourite authors.
Whilst Blind Eye is not my favourite of the Logan McRae novels – that title is currently held by Broken Skin – it is certainly a great read. Having recently read MacBride’s Ash Henderson novels and finding them less enjoyable than his McRae novels (they’re still fun, but they’re not the same), it was great to go back to what I know and truly love.
After many novels depicting the terrible Aberdonian winters, we’re finally being given one set in summer. I argued in the prior books that Aberdeen winters are not as dreary as MacBride makes them seem… Well, having now read his summer book whilst dealing with winter, I realised he captured Aberdeen perfectly. It is cold as hell. It is wet and windy all the time. However, it really isn’t the terrible place MacBride would have you believing. If nothing else, it’s a much better city than where I grew up. The whole crime aspect – he could have shoved it into any city, he simply picked the windy one he knew so well. That’s a tangent, though – just know we finally have that summer book he kept promising!
Straight away we’re thrown into this wonderful story, with the first chapter throwing us straight into the action. Despite how we’re thrown in within a couple of pages, I felt as though it did take a while for things to really start coming together. As always, MacBride has multiple storylines existing at the same time. We never deal with just one crime. There are always many things occurring, usually with these things being connected in some way or the other.
For me, though, what I really loved about this one was the way in which the characters developed. They’re just as amusing as always – even more so in certain cases (hell, this one has left me wishing for a Steel spinoff series; the woman is wonderful, and I could write for hours about how great she is) – but there is more than just the usual. In particular, we get to see Logan as more human. We get to see how everything has been building up for him; we get to see the way things impact upon his life.
Basically, we get to see the breakdown.
It was so different to the prior books, allowing us to see Logan in a new light. Oddly enough, I loved this Logan even more. Perhaps that just me, though, being weird and loving it when characters are forced into the darkest corners of their mind. The way in which he changes throughout the book, the way in which things playout – whilst not my favourite in the series, I loved the way this one had a somewhat different feel to it.
Overall, it was another brilliant read. I really need to get my hands on book six. I have the rest of the series sitting on my bookshelf, but because I’m a rather silly human being I’m missing number six. As soon as I get my hands on it, though, I’ll be sure to see what else is in store for one of my favourite police officers.
Whilst Blind Eye is not my favourite of the Logan McRae novels – that title is currently held by Broken Skin – it is certainly a great read. Having recently read MacBride’s Ash Henderson novels and finding them less enjoyable than his McRae novels (they’re still fun, but they’re not the same), it was great to go back to what I know and truly love.
After many novels depicting the terrible Aberdonian winters, we’re finally being given one set in summer. I argued in the prior books that Aberdeen winters are not as dreary as MacBride makes them seem… Well, having now read his summer book whilst dealing with winter, I realised he captured Aberdeen perfectly. It is cold as hell. It is wet and windy all the time. However, it really isn’t the terrible place MacBride would have you believing. If nothing else, it’s a much better city than where I grew up. The whole crime aspect – he could have shoved it into any city, he simply picked the windy one he knew so well. That’s a tangent, though – just know we finally have that summer book he kept promising!
Straight away we’re thrown into this wonderful story, with the first chapter throwing us straight into the action. Despite how we’re thrown in within a couple of pages, I felt as though it did take a while for things to really start coming together. As always, MacBride has multiple storylines existing at the same time. We never deal with just one crime. There are always many things occurring, usually with these things being connected in some way or the other.
For me, though, what I really loved about this one was the way in which the characters developed. They’re just as amusing as always – even more so in certain cases (hell, this one has left me wishing for a Steel spinoff series; the woman is wonderful, and I could write for hours about how great she is) – but there is more than just the usual. In particular, we get to see Logan as more human. We get to see how everything has been building up for him; we get to see the way things impact upon his life.
Basically, we get to see the breakdown.
It was so different to the prior books, allowing us to see Logan in a new light. Oddly enough, I loved this Logan even more. Perhaps that just me, though, being weird and loving it when characters are forced into the darkest corners of their mind. The way in which he changes throughout the book, the way in which things playout – whilst not my favourite in the series, I loved the way this one had a somewhat different feel to it.
Overall, it was another brilliant read. I really need to get my hands on book six. I have the rest of the series sitting on my bookshelf, but because I’m a rather silly human being I’m missing number six. As soon as I get my hands on it, though, I’ll be sure to see what else is in store for one of my favourite police officers.
June 15, 2010
Set in Aberdeen, where I live, this book made interesting reading, particularly the Scottish police humour that permeates the narrative. The star of the story is Detective Inspector Steel, a lesbian with ‘wife’ Susan, who is desperate for a child from a sponsor.
Page 398 really made me laugh with the following paragraph:
‘Steel dropped her vodka and poured more for everyone. ‘I ever tell you about the Sperminator, Susan? Goes about smearing his spunk on handrails in shopping centres. All you’d have to do is take your knickers off and slide down every banister in Aberdeen – probably get pregnant somewhere between Markies and John Lewis’s.’
Page 398 really made me laugh with the following paragraph:
‘Steel dropped her vodka and poured more for everyone. ‘I ever tell you about the Sperminator, Susan? Goes about smearing his spunk on handrails in shopping centres. All you’d have to do is take your knickers off and slide down every banister in Aberdeen – probably get pregnant somewhere between Markies and John Lewis’s.’
July 8, 2020
I thoroughly enjoy the dark humour and tongue-in-cheek wit of MacBride and again it is abundant in this novel. DI Steel and Logan McRae are the highlights of the series.
Unfortunately, instalment number five is just not as good as the previous ones. I found books one to three absolutely brilliant and maybe the bar is set so high I cant quite meet the expectations and anticipation.
Looking forward to having some time to read No.6.
Unfortunately, instalment number five is just not as good as the previous ones. I found books one to three absolutely brilliant and maybe the bar is set so high I cant quite meet the expectations and anticipation.
Looking forward to having some time to read No.6.
September 11, 2011
3.5 stars
I'm taking a break from Logan McRae, not because this is a bad book, but because it started slipping into abuse of the main character. There is only so many times you can screw up your protagonist and make me really care: the constant abuse of his superiors and crazy girlfriends, the beating, explosions and now alcoholism... I hope this will not become a trend for the rest of the series. While I recognize Logan can't be the same as at the beginning of the series - this is becoming too much. So, a little break it is.
I'm taking a break from Logan McRae, not because this is a bad book, but because it started slipping into abuse of the main character. There is only so many times you can screw up your protagonist and make me really care: the constant abuse of his superiors and crazy girlfriends, the beating, explosions and now alcoholism... I hope this will not become a trend for the rest of the series. While I recognize Logan can't be the same as at the beginning of the series - this is becoming too much. So, a little break it is.
September 10, 2018
good crime novel. great plot in dark Aberdeen.
January 20, 2015
This was the most suspenseful book in the Logan McRae series yet! Polish mafia, crooked police officers, Aberdeen criminals trying to protect their territory, and DS McRae caught right in the middle of this mess. I'm wondering how much more he can take before he completely snaps and goes off the deep end!
August 31, 2025
Gruesome as ever. I hated Finnie from the moment he was introduced, okay, how can I describe the book in two words; gruesome and hilarious. If you want to read something funny wait until Rory is a guest at DI Steel’s house, it reminded me of the series Frasier, when Martin pretended he was gay in order to get away from a woman that wanted to date him, long story short Frasier’s date brought his best friend who is also gay to see if they get along but Martin pretended to have a boyfriend…Niles.
Logan with PTSD is more believable than what I have read so far in other characters, in other detectives. The need to soothe his pain, the inability to cope with mundane tasks was right on the money. This series gets better and better with each book and I am sorry to say that by the time the author gets to write another book I will be done with everything MacBride has written. It is not only that his books are well written but he is offering us a glimpse of a police department that needs help, the corruption does not stop this investigator, he still tries to do good and not look the other way, he is the hero in a comedy of errors.
Logan with PTSD is more believable than what I have read so far in other characters, in other detectives. The need to soothe his pain, the inability to cope with mundane tasks was right on the money. This series gets better and better with each book and I am sorry to say that by the time the author gets to write another book I will be done with everything MacBride has written. It is not only that his books are well written but he is offering us a glimpse of a police department that needs help, the corruption does not stop this investigator, he still tries to do good and not look the other way, he is the hero in a comedy of errors.
July 11, 2023
4.5* Another thrilling instalment in Stuart MacBride's excellent Logan McRae / Roberta Steel series. I'm a latecomer to the series, and I must say I've been gobbling them up all year as my "go-to" books when I want something enthralling that I know I'm going to love.
Blind Eye is high on "ick-factor", not really surprising, as the follow-up to the stomach-churning Flesh House (Logan McRae #4). Someone is gouging out the eyes of members of Aberdeen's Polish immigrant community, apparently in reprisal or warning. There is a nationalistic element at play, according to a series of letters received by Aberdeen police, purporting to be written by the perpetrator. The disfigured and traumatised victims are unwilling to talk and police are struggling to find leads, as the press clamours for justice. When the latest blinded victim is Aberdeen criminal king-pin Simon McLeod, the stakes escalate and DS Logan McRae must also keep an eye on the younger McLeod brother, Colin, who is set on exercising a private vengeance.
This instalment in the McRae series is remarkable for two reasons: firstly, the sun is shining and the weather is warm in usually bleak Aberdeen, which somehow seems to make the unfolding violence even more obscene; secondly, McRae leaves Aberdeenshire for the central part of the novel, to travel to Krakow in Poland, investigating a previous series of similar crimes which occurred there in the 1980s and 90s. Following his return to sunny Aberdeen, events unfold towards a dramatic climax in which McRae and his colleagues finally come eye-to-eye (sorry) with a deadly foe.
McRae is characteristically put-upon by the majority of his senior colleagues in this instalment, and again has to front up to Professional Standards on a couple of occasions. He feels particularly under the spotlight, as a vacancy has recently opened for an Inspector and there is fierce competition among the sergeants at HQ to impress. It's far from the best time for McRae to develop a suspicion that the DCI is taking bribes from an Aberdeen crime lord. Meanwhile, DI Roberta Steel is pursuing an embarrassed and hesitant McRae as a sperm donor, after she and her wife are turned down for both IVF and adoption.
I felt that the thriller aspect of the McRae series has stepped up a notch with Blind Eye, while the novel has consolidated upon the strong character development and setting of the previous instalments. Stuart MacBride is building Logan McRae as a character with some pretty serious baggage in terms of near-death experiences. Will his hard work and tenacity ever be recognised by the hierarchy or is he destined to always be DI Steel's preferred sidekick and Professional Standards' whipping boy?
My appreciation for this series grows with each book I read - highly recommended.
Blind Eye is high on "ick-factor", not really surprising, as the follow-up to the stomach-churning Flesh House (Logan McRae #4). Someone is gouging out the eyes of members of Aberdeen's Polish immigrant community, apparently in reprisal or warning. There is a nationalistic element at play, according to a series of letters received by Aberdeen police, purporting to be written by the perpetrator. The disfigured and traumatised victims are unwilling to talk and police are struggling to find leads, as the press clamours for justice. When the latest blinded victim is Aberdeen criminal king-pin Simon McLeod, the stakes escalate and DS Logan McRae must also keep an eye on the younger McLeod brother, Colin, who is set on exercising a private vengeance.
This instalment in the McRae series is remarkable for two reasons: firstly, the sun is shining and the weather is warm in usually bleak Aberdeen, which somehow seems to make the unfolding violence even more obscene; secondly, McRae leaves Aberdeenshire for the central part of the novel, to travel to Krakow in Poland, investigating a previous series of similar crimes which occurred there in the 1980s and 90s. Following his return to sunny Aberdeen, events unfold towards a dramatic climax in which McRae and his colleagues finally come eye-to-eye (sorry) with a deadly foe.
McRae is characteristically put-upon by the majority of his senior colleagues in this instalment, and again has to front up to Professional Standards on a couple of occasions. He feels particularly under the spotlight, as a vacancy has recently opened for an Inspector and there is fierce competition among the sergeants at HQ to impress. It's far from the best time for McRae to develop a suspicion that the DCI is taking bribes from an Aberdeen crime lord. Meanwhile, DI Roberta Steel is pursuing an embarrassed and hesitant McRae as a sperm donor, after she and her wife are turned down for both IVF and adoption.
I felt that the thriller aspect of the McRae series has stepped up a notch with Blind Eye, while the novel has consolidated upon the strong character development and setting of the previous instalments. Stuart MacBride is building Logan McRae as a character with some pretty serious baggage in terms of near-death experiences. Will his hard work and tenacity ever be recognised by the hierarchy or is he destined to always be DI Steel's preferred sidekick and Professional Standards' whipping boy?
My appreciation for this series grows with each book I read - highly recommended.
July 16, 2014
Finally, having finished the 5th book of the series, I discovered what kept bothering me about it:
I love the dialogue, I love the cases, I love the comic relief and the suspense, all well done, but I just can't over the fact that police these days don't use guns but pepper spray when storming homes of serial killers/cannibals/rapists etc, then just fall all over themselves like the three stooges and fail.
You might not think much of it but the stupidity of untrained and unarmed cops running amok IS what creates the whole story in the books - every event literally depends on it and grows from this. Many circumstances and situations happen simply for this reason alone - criminals get away all the time, serial killers make a run for it, mafia thugs beat the swat team cops to pulps and while those slip on their own blood and fall on their asses, simply get into their car and start driving. I mean...come on! I don't want to be the cliche American who thinks a gun is the solution for every problem but I don't see how you can defend or explain unarmed cops.
There is also the quite odd trauma Logan goes through for shooting someone in pure self defense. I mean would YOU feel bad if you were being shot at, backed into a corner, injured, about to die and managed to nail the other guy? Would you feel remorse and worry about whether or not the criminal actually made it to a hospital? Mind you, this is not an innocent baby we're talking about, it's a thug who killed probably a lot of people and meant to add you to his collection.
I love everything about these books but the Laurel Hardy cartoonish ineptitude of the police department grows simply exhausting and annoying after a while. If you're writing a comedy, you're doing a marvelous job but if this is supposed to be a real life criminal thriller (and the violence of the crimes suggests that it is) then please don't do us readers the disservice of suggesting that police dealing with violent crimes run around with pepper spray bottles which, by the way, half the time they don't even get to use because they can't retrieve it fast enough, or they mistakenly spray all over themselves while trying to hit the perpetrator. It is simply not realistic, just frustratingly stupid.
I love the dialogue, I love the cases, I love the comic relief and the suspense, all well done, but I just can't over the fact that police these days don't use guns but pepper spray when storming homes of serial killers/cannibals/rapists etc, then just fall all over themselves like the three stooges and fail.
You might not think much of it but the stupidity of untrained and unarmed cops running amok IS what creates the whole story in the books - every event literally depends on it and grows from this. Many circumstances and situations happen simply for this reason alone - criminals get away all the time, serial killers make a run for it, mafia thugs beat the swat team cops to pulps and while those slip on their own blood and fall on their asses, simply get into their car and start driving. I mean...come on! I don't want to be the cliche American who thinks a gun is the solution for every problem but I don't see how you can defend or explain unarmed cops.
There is also the quite odd trauma Logan goes through for shooting someone in pure self defense. I mean would YOU feel bad if you were being shot at, backed into a corner, injured, about to die and managed to nail the other guy? Would you feel remorse and worry about whether or not the criminal actually made it to a hospital? Mind you, this is not an innocent baby we're talking about, it's a thug who killed probably a lot of people and meant to add you to his collection.
I love everything about these books but the Laurel Hardy cartoonish ineptitude of the police department grows simply exhausting and annoying after a while. If you're writing a comedy, you're doing a marvelous job but if this is supposed to be a real life criminal thriller (and the violence of the crimes suggests that it is) then please don't do us readers the disservice of suggesting that police dealing with violent crimes run around with pepper spray bottles which, by the way, half the time they don't even get to use because they can't retrieve it fast enough, or they mistakenly spray all over themselves while trying to hit the perpetrator. It is simply not realistic, just frustratingly stupid.
October 5, 2016
Логан МакРей даёт Джеймса Бонда и эффектно побеждает польских гангстеров, параллельно влюбляя в себя девушку с татуировкой (не дракона, но тоже страшного существа) и ещё пару-тройку блондинок с пистолетом.
June 12, 2021
This audiobook was narrated by the author, who did an excellent job in my opinion. He also has done an excellent job in writing this series so far, and it is one of my favorites (but my favorites changes every year or two). It's pretty dark, but with enough humor to keep it light. In this one, there is someone who cuts out his victim's eyes and then burns the sockets, leaving them alive but blind. There is also some crippling by smashing the person's kneecaps with a hammer. Much of the recent blindings have been done to Polish immigrants and letters were sent blaming them for taking away jobs, etc - the usual hatred against immigrants by poor citizens.
The main character, Detective Sergeant Logan McRae, is a cop in Aberdeen, Scotland that means well, but somehow things always go wrong no matter how hard he tries. Usually this is because he's just too nice a guy, or he tries too hard, etc. But in many ways, he's his own worst enemy. When things go wrong, he often follows along by doing more wrong because of it, usually drinking too much. He had to go to Poland for a case, where he shot someone and then almost got blown up, causing him to have bad dreams and other PTSD symptoms. So, instead of taking up offers of help from a psychologist, he starts smoking again (which he doesn't really like), and drinking a lot.
In one instance, he's encouraged to stay overnight and his reply is:
But to give him his due, he usually has impossible instructions, or clear instructions but he gets in trouble for following them. He's constantly being told things like "Don't do anything without clearing it with me first!", and then he comes back and is asked why he didn't do something about a problem. Or he gets suspended and then has to work or meet with someone while suspended (without pay of course).
As bad as things get, it's hard not to laugh every few pages. I'm going to be disappointed when I finish this series, I think.
The main character, Detective Sergeant Logan McRae, is a cop in Aberdeen, Scotland that means well, but somehow things always go wrong no matter how hard he tries. Usually this is because he's just too nice a guy, or he tries too hard, etc. But in many ways, he's his own worst enemy. When things go wrong, he often follows along by doing more wrong because of it, usually drinking too much. He had to go to Poland for a case, where he shot someone and then almost got blown up, causing him to have bad dreams and other PTSD symptoms. So, instead of taking up offers of help from a psychologist, he starts smoking again (which he doesn't really like), and drinking a lot.
In one instance, he's encouraged to stay overnight and his reply is:
‘But I've got plans.’ Which was true – he was going to go home and sit in the dark drinking vodka until he passed out. Same as he'd done every night since getting back from Poland.
‘I don't care: you're sodding well staying!’
But to give him his due, he usually has impossible instructions, or clear instructions but he gets in trouble for following them. He's constantly being told things like "Don't do anything without clearing it with me first!", and then he comes back and is asked why he didn't do something about a problem. Or he gets suspended and then has to work or meet with someone while suspended (without pay of course).
As bad as things get, it's hard not to laugh every few pages. I'm going to be disappointed when I finish this series, I think.
February 21, 2023
Bookish Books Reading Challenge & #LibraryLoveChallenge
September 19, 2021
I love this series, i love the character of Logan MacRae, but he's such a doormat at this point in the story. This book is narrated by the author, and he does an excellent job of it. DI Steele is such a vile character I wondered, while I was listening, whether I could put up with anymore of her in the next books. I'll try one more and see if she improves.
December 8, 2009
‘Well ... He’s definitely unhinged. No sane person uses so many exclamation marks.’
Someone is preying on Aberdeen’s growing Polish community. Men are found abandoned, barely alive, on building sites with their eyes gouged out and the sockets burned. Threatening letters arriving at police headquarters make it clear that the attacks will continue.
The victims are too scared to talk to police, and the only witness is a paedophile on the run. Grampian Police are not making much progress in capturing the offender they have tagged Oedipus. There is another big case happening at the same time (involving firearms) and Detective Sergeant Logan (‘Lazarus’ or ‘Laz’) McRae has his hands full. McRae is also hoping for a promotion: one of the Detective Inspectors is about to retire, and catching Oedipus could only enhance his chances.
This is an interesting, and at times brutal, police procedural. There is plenty of action, mostly in Aberdeen but also in Poland. There are also some juicy red herrings, some fascinating personal challenges (especially for DS McRae and Detective Inspector Roberta Steel). This is not a novel for the squeamish, but it does have some delightful humour.
I am reading this series out of order, and this is my first exposure to DS McRae and his superior officer, DI Roberta Steel. It won’t be the last: these are characters worth exploring and I’ll be tracking down the earlier four novels.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Someone is preying on Aberdeen’s growing Polish community. Men are found abandoned, barely alive, on building sites with their eyes gouged out and the sockets burned. Threatening letters arriving at police headquarters make it clear that the attacks will continue.
The victims are too scared to talk to police, and the only witness is a paedophile on the run. Grampian Police are not making much progress in capturing the offender they have tagged Oedipus. There is another big case happening at the same time (involving firearms) and Detective Sergeant Logan (‘Lazarus’ or ‘Laz’) McRae has his hands full. McRae is also hoping for a promotion: one of the Detective Inspectors is about to retire, and catching Oedipus could only enhance his chances.
This is an interesting, and at times brutal, police procedural. There is plenty of action, mostly in Aberdeen but also in Poland. There are also some juicy red herrings, some fascinating personal challenges (especially for DS McRae and Detective Inspector Roberta Steel). This is not a novel for the squeamish, but it does have some delightful humour.
I am reading this series out of order, and this is my first exposure to DS McRae and his superior officer, DI Roberta Steel. It won’t be the last: these are characters worth exploring and I’ll be tracking down the earlier four novels.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
January 27, 2015
This was book 5 in the Logan McRae series, and as I have come to expect it is packed with various plotlines as Aberdeen seems to suffer a crime explosion in the sunshine. There is a possible drugs war looming, a cache of weapons are found, and various criminal empires are being exposed. As if that wasn't enough the local Polish community are living in fear as someone is going round and cutting their eyes out. Plus there is the added problem of a policeman on the take, so who can be trusted.
This time the story takes Logan out of Aberdeen and across to Poland as he tries to make sense of what is happening. There is also a DIs position looking to be filled, will Logan's name be put forward or will his luck run true to form? On the upside it seems as though he has now got himself a new girlfriend.
Now for the downside. For me it seems as though the author is turning two of the main characters into pastiches or stereotypes. Logan seems to be becoming the hard drinking Scottish Policeman, often at odds with his superiors and Policing Standards. DI Steel is slowly becoming an almost comedic character with a soft spot for Logan and virtually nobody else.
Having said all of that it is still a good read, and more believable than many other crime novels.
This time the story takes Logan out of Aberdeen and across to Poland as he tries to make sense of what is happening. There is also a DIs position looking to be filled, will Logan's name be put forward or will his luck run true to form? On the upside it seems as though he has now got himself a new girlfriend.
Now for the downside. For me it seems as though the author is turning two of the main characters into pastiches or stereotypes. Logan seems to be becoming the hard drinking Scottish Policeman, often at odds with his superiors and Policing Standards. DI Steel is slowly becoming an almost comedic character with a soft spot for Logan and virtually nobody else.
Having said all of that it is still a good read, and more believable than many other crime novels.
February 25, 2018
Blind Eye by Stuart MacBride.
Reading this series and other series' with books over 500 pages + I've discovered something about myself. I haven't been choosing books that are a quick read or an overnight fun read. I've been engrossed in books that bring me into another country-another culture. In the case of Blind eye it's into Aberdeen, Scotland. The life in every aspect of the Detective Sargeant Logan McRae.
The Polish section of Aberdeen is growing fast and it's not meeting the acceptance of the native population. Victims of Polish descent have been turning up with their eyes gouged out. Logan's attempts in finding the brains behind these heinous crimes is going nowhere. But Logan is going somewhere. Logan is traveling to Poland to meet with a top Police Detective to find the reasoning behind it all where it first started.
In closing let me just say that one day I was reading this book in the public library when a person asked me, "How do you like that book?" He was another fan of the Detective Logan McRae series. He had read them all and all of Ian Rankin's Scottish mysteries as well. It's a small world when it comes to book lovers.
Reading this series and other series' with books over 500 pages + I've discovered something about myself. I haven't been choosing books that are a quick read or an overnight fun read. I've been engrossed in books that bring me into another country-another culture. In the case of Blind eye it's into Aberdeen, Scotland. The life in every aspect of the Detective Sargeant Logan McRae.
The Polish section of Aberdeen is growing fast and it's not meeting the acceptance of the native population. Victims of Polish descent have been turning up with their eyes gouged out. Logan's attempts in finding the brains behind these heinous crimes is going nowhere. But Logan is going somewhere. Logan is traveling to Poland to meet with a top Police Detective to find the reasoning behind it all where it first started.
In closing let me just say that one day I was reading this book in the public library when a person asked me, "How do you like that book?" He was another fan of the Detective Logan McRae series. He had read them all and all of Ian Rankin's Scottish mysteries as well. It's a small world when it comes to book lovers.
March 7, 2015
Well, it will be redundant, but again, each book by Stuart MacBride featuring Logan McRae and company just gets better than the last.
Some may suggest that MacBride follows a similar formula in each book by use of multiple threads going on at the same time, but that is okay. There's nothing wrong with sticking with a formula that works.
Along with his other books, this book is violent, but not in an exploitative way.
Also, in this book MacBride has the return of villains in past books, while introducing new, nastier villains.
Another thing that has evolved is the relationship between McRae and DI Steele. Previously, their relationship tended to loom on being one-sided, but as the novel goes on, the reader finds Steele has more layers than once thought.
Still, though, MacBride really needs to move way from characters with weak stomachs when it comes to the gore.
Some may suggest that MacBride follows a similar formula in each book by use of multiple threads going on at the same time, but that is okay. There's nothing wrong with sticking with a formula that works.
Along with his other books, this book is violent, but not in an exploitative way.
Also, in this book MacBride has the return of villains in past books, while introducing new, nastier villains.
Another thing that has evolved is the relationship between McRae and DI Steele. Previously, their relationship tended to loom on being one-sided, but as the novel goes on, the reader finds Steele has more layers than once thought.
Still, though, MacBride really needs to move way from characters with weak stomachs when it comes to the gore.
May 12, 2022
Bel thriller, come al solito pieno di colpi di scena e di intrecci ben riusciti.
Anche in questo quinto capitolo MacBride attraverso l’ironia riesce a trovare un perfetto equilibrio che smorza le parte più crude e macabre.
Era evidente che alla fine Logan non
Temo, perché le sue scelte sembrano metterlo sempre nei casini.
Ma l’ispettore Insch che fine ha fatto?
EDIT 12/5/22
rilettura
Anche in questo quinto capitolo MacBride attraverso l’ironia riesce a trovare un perfetto equilibrio che smorza le parte più crude e macabre.
Era evidente che alla fine Logan non
Temo, perché le sue scelte sembrano metterlo sempre nei casini.
Ma l’ispettore Insch che fine ha fatto?
EDIT 12/5/22
rilettura
January 1, 2023
This used to be my favorite detective/thriller series, but this installment made me want to ditch MacBride's books completely.
The main problem - characters were so overdone that they felt like caricatures. Every stereotype you can think of cops/Eastern Europeans/mafia talk/goths is in this book. So many mc's decisions were unrealistic, so many chapters didn't contribute to the story at all, which made this 500 page book even longer.
Buuuuuut, as always, I loved the writing style and pages were flying by, so overall it's a 3 star read.
I really wanted something more special for my first book of 2023 tho :'(
The main problem - characters were so overdone that they felt like caricatures. Every stereotype you can think of cops/Eastern Europeans/mafia talk/goths is in this book. So many mc's decisions were unrealistic, so many chapters didn't contribute to the story at all, which made this 500 page book even longer.
Buuuuuut, as always, I loved the writing style and pages were flying by, so overall it's a 3 star read.
I really wanted something more special for my first book of 2023 tho :'(
October 9, 2024
Setting: Aberdeen, Scotland; modern day.
In this fifth book in the series, Detective Sergeant Logan McRae is tasked with investigating several violent attacks on Polish men in the city, in which the victims have been blinded. In addition, the police detectives are also involved with drugs feuds, attacks on prostitutes, paedophiles and gun-running. As Logan's investigation continues, he ends up travelling to Poland to look into links between historical blindings in Poland and the current series of attacks in Aberdeen....
This is a particularly gritty series with quite graphic scenes of violence, so be warned! There is lots of hard drinking by the main characters, perhaps a bit too much as I started to find it quite annoying as the book progressed - anything goes wrong, oh let's just down another bottle of vodka or two!! Despite this reservation, it was still a good crime read and I am looking forward to reading more of this series - 8.5/10.
In this fifth book in the series, Detective Sergeant Logan McRae is tasked with investigating several violent attacks on Polish men in the city, in which the victims have been blinded. In addition, the police detectives are also involved with drugs feuds, attacks on prostitutes, paedophiles and gun-running. As Logan's investigation continues, he ends up travelling to Poland to look into links between historical blindings in Poland and the current series of attacks in Aberdeen....
This is a particularly gritty series with quite graphic scenes of violence, so be warned! There is lots of hard drinking by the main characters, perhaps a bit too much as I started to find it quite annoying as the book progressed - anything goes wrong, oh let's just down another bottle of vodka or two!! Despite this reservation, it was still a good crime read and I am looking forward to reading more of this series - 8.5/10.
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