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Logan McRae #7
Shatter The Bones
A bestseller from the award-winning Stuart MacBride. The seventh DS Logan McRae thriller is a gripping page-turner in which fame and fortune crash head-on with crime and punishment.
448 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2011
349 people are currently reading
2440 people want to read
About the author
Stuart MacBride
87 books2,722 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 347 reviews
January 7, 2018
Another entertaining outing with Logan McRae and the Aberdeen police force.
I really enjoy the way Stuart MacBride writes. These books are all action packed, full of blood and gore and yet frequently really funny. Logan and Steel always get the best lines. Steel is the most amazing character!
A lot is going on with Logan in this book. He thinks he is going to get fired and is promoted instead. He seems to be settling down with Samantha but events get in the way. And then he feels that he has had enough of the police force altogether. It will be interesting to see which way all this develops in the next book.
I really enjoy the way Stuart MacBride writes. These books are all action packed, full of blood and gore and yet frequently really funny. Logan and Steel always get the best lines. Steel is the most amazing character!
A lot is going on with Logan in this book. He thinks he is going to get fired and is promoted instead. He seems to be settling down with Samantha but events get in the way. And then he feels that he has had enough of the police force altogether. It will be interesting to see which way all this develops in the next book.
September 16, 2021
Aberdonians Alison McGregor and her young daughter Jenny are semi-finalists on the reality talent show ‘Britain’s Next Big Star’. Adored by the viewing public their mother and daughter singing act is tipped to win and their faces are all over the magazines and social media. So when they are kidnapped and the public is given two weeks to raise a ransom of millions for them, public displays of grief and support reach fever pitch.
DS Logan has been charged with finding Alison and Jenny, but the kidnappers have left not a single clue and all avenues of investigation have been fruitless so far, with DI Steel and DCI Finnie breathing down his neck as the media demands results from Grampian Police. As usual Logan has a host of other troubles on his hands. A drug raid has let Shuggie Webster, a particularly aggrieved felon escape, and now he is calling Logan to demand the drugs back or else there will be ‘consequences.’ Shuggie’s drug addled partner, Trisha is also causing Logan no end of trouble.
I alternated between reading and listening to this. The narration by Steve Worsley combined seamlessly with the text and the voices were perfectly rendered, particularly that of DI Steel. She’s such a great creation. A potty mouthed lesbian who bullies and harasses Logan, but is also his biggest supporter. When a personal disaster hits him, we actually see that she does have a caring side, even if it is hidden deep under her tough façade. MacBride wonderful cast of supporting characters continue to grow as favourites as we get to know them better and they provide much of the humour in what is otherwise a pretty dark and gritty plot.
DS Logan has been charged with finding Alison and Jenny, but the kidnappers have left not a single clue and all avenues of investigation have been fruitless so far, with DI Steel and DCI Finnie breathing down his neck as the media demands results from Grampian Police. As usual Logan has a host of other troubles on his hands. A drug raid has let Shuggie Webster, a particularly aggrieved felon escape, and now he is calling Logan to demand the drugs back or else there will be ‘consequences.’ Shuggie’s drug addled partner, Trisha is also causing Logan no end of trouble.
I alternated between reading and listening to this. The narration by Steve Worsley combined seamlessly with the text and the voices were perfectly rendered, particularly that of DI Steel. She’s such a great creation. A potty mouthed lesbian who bullies and harasses Logan, but is also his biggest supporter. When a personal disaster hits him, we actually see that she does have a caring side, even if it is hidden deep under her tough façade. MacBride wonderful cast of supporting characters continue to grow as favourites as we get to know them better and they provide much of the humour in what is otherwise a pretty dark and gritty plot.
April 3, 2024
3.5⭐️
Jau 7 Logano Makrėjaus dalis! Septynios didžiulės, storos, nenuspėjamos ir pilnos pamiltų veikėjų knygos. Seriją skaitau nuo pat jos leidimo pradžios ir kas kartą imdama naują dalį į rankas jaučiuos lyg pas senus pažįstamus grįždama. Gudrusis Loganas, žodžio kišenėje neieškanti, netvarkingoji inspektorė Styl, jaunieji policininkai vis įsiveliantys į žioplus nutikimus. Viskas taip sava. O kur dar dovanojama mįslinga byla.
Šį kartą autorius skaitytoją įmeta grynai į vidury jos. Nei aiškina aplinkybių, nei kas kaip nutiko, tiesiog jau žinom, kad pagrobtos mama ir dukra, staiga tapusios garsenybėmis, nes dalyvauja televizijos talentų šou. Mielasis šeimyninis duetas pavergė visos šalies širdis, o dabar tos širdys kraujuoja, nes daininkės neaišku kur ir neaišku kas su jomi daroma. Pagrobimas sukelia didžiulę sumaištį, gauna dėmėsio tiek, kad ima trukdyti tyrimui. Spauda ir žurnalistai eina iš proto, pakvaišę gerbėjai noru padėti irgi kiša koją, o tyrėjai neturi ką pasakyti, nes užsikabinti praktiškai nėra už ko.
Ir įsisukęs veiksmas dovanoja vis naujų detalių, atsiranda įtariamieji ir skaitytojas pagaliau gali spėlioti kas ir kodėl nutiko. Geriausia knygos dalis - pažįstami veikėjai ir greta visko įdomiai pateikiamas jų asmeninis gyvenimas. Retai tai mėgstu, bet kai jau draugauju su serija, visad įdomu ne tik tyrimai ir žudikai. Čia tų asmeniškumų nemažai, yra nuorodų į ankstesnes knygas. Nors ir būtų galima skaityti kaip atskirą, tačiau primygtinai patariu pradėti skaityti nuo pirmos ir pažinti Logano seriją iš pagrindų - tikrai verta. Vienos dalys itin žiaurios, kitos švelnesnės. Šioji iš tų švelnesnių. Knygos minusas - per ilga. Tikrai buvo vietų, be kurių ir taip stora knyga nebūtų nieko praradusi. Viską susumavus, labai man Loganas ir jo bylos patinka. Laukiu naujų dalių.
Jau 7 Logano Makrėjaus dalis! Septynios didžiulės, storos, nenuspėjamos ir pilnos pamiltų veikėjų knygos. Seriją skaitau nuo pat jos leidimo pradžios ir kas kartą imdama naują dalį į rankas jaučiuos lyg pas senus pažįstamus grįždama. Gudrusis Loganas, žodžio kišenėje neieškanti, netvarkingoji inspektorė Styl, jaunieji policininkai vis įsiveliantys į žioplus nutikimus. Viskas taip sava. O kur dar dovanojama mįslinga byla.
Šį kartą autorius skaitytoją įmeta grynai į vidury jos. Nei aiškina aplinkybių, nei kas kaip nutiko, tiesiog jau žinom, kad pagrobtos mama ir dukra, staiga tapusios garsenybėmis, nes dalyvauja televizijos talentų šou. Mielasis šeimyninis duetas pavergė visos šalies širdis, o dabar tos širdys kraujuoja, nes daininkės neaišku kur ir neaišku kas su jomi daroma. Pagrobimas sukelia didžiulę sumaištį, gauna dėmėsio tiek, kad ima trukdyti tyrimui. Spauda ir žurnalistai eina iš proto, pakvaišę gerbėjai noru padėti irgi kiša koją, o tyrėjai neturi ką pasakyti, nes užsikabinti praktiškai nėra už ko.
Ir įsisukęs veiksmas dovanoja vis naujų detalių, atsiranda įtariamieji ir skaitytojas pagaliau gali spėlioti kas ir kodėl nutiko. Geriausia knygos dalis - pažįstami veikėjai ir greta visko įdomiai pateikiamas jų asmeninis gyvenimas. Retai tai mėgstu, bet kai jau draugauju su serija, visad įdomu ne tik tyrimai ir žudikai. Čia tų asmeniškumų nemažai, yra nuorodų į ankstesnes knygas. Nors ir būtų galima skaityti kaip atskirą, tačiau primygtinai patariu pradėti skaityti nuo pirmos ir pažinti Logano seriją iš pagrindų - tikrai verta. Vienos dalys itin žiaurios, kitos švelnesnės. Šioji iš tų švelnesnių. Knygos minusas - per ilga. Tikrai buvo vietų, be kurių ir taip stora knyga nebūtų nieko praradusi. Viską susumavus, labai man Loganas ir jo bylos patinka. Laukiu naujų dalių.
May 16, 2021
A yet-to-be-read MacBride is something I consider a rare and special treat - I'm eking out the series at the rate of 2-3 per year, as I don't want it to come to an end! Shatter The Bones certainly fulfilled my expectations.
Detective Sergeant Logan McRae is caught in his familiar pattern of being overworked and underappreciated at Grampian Police Force HQ, Aberdeen. The team are investigating the recent disappearance of Aberdeen's latest reality television sensation, mother-and-daughter duo Alison and Jenny McGregor. The book opens mid action sequence, with McRae in a frantic dash, accompanied by DC Rennie, to meet a rendezvous demand police have received from the abductors. However they're caught up in Aberdeen's nightmare traffic and, by the time they arrive at the designated telephone box, all they find is a padded envelope containing the amputated toe of a child...
McRae is subjected to the usual unreasonable demands and casual abuse of his police superiors, especially the irascible DCI Finnie, who is in turn under pressure from the relentless media. The Aberdeen team is working under the constant threat that the investigation will be taken over by a specialist unit from the Serious Organised Crime Agency, headed by the smug Superintendent Green. The whole population of Aberdeen seems in a state of heightened tension as the likelihood of finding Alison and Jenny alive slips away, day by day, hour by hour.
Things go from bad to worse when a drug bust goes wrong and McRae finds himself on the receiving end of a spurious rape allegation by local junkie Trisha Brown, whose dealer partner "Shuggie" Webster has escaped and gone to ground. Shuggie begins pursuing McRae, seeking the return of the drugs seized during the bust, fearing the wrath of his criminal suppliers. After violence overtakes McRae in his own home, leaving his partner, forensic technician Samantha fighting for her life, he seeks the assistance of his gangster acquaintance "Wee" Hamish Mowatt. But is he right about who's responsible?
Detective Inspector Roberta Steel treads her usual fine line between infuriating McRae and being the closest friend he has. She maintains the bewildering use of language readers have come to expect of her, providing the light relief in what is otherwise a pretty dark storyline. The supporting cast of officers include several familiar faces - PC Guthrie, DC Rennie, DS "Biohazard" Bob Marshall, DS Doreen Taylor, Acting DI Mark MacDonald, and McRae's omnipresent nemesis - Superintendent Napier of Professional Standards.
Shatter The Bones is another tautly plotted, wonderfully characterised and satisfyingly complex read, worthy of its place in this excellent series. I sense that Logan McRae was never destined for an easy life, and events in this instalment foreshadow a challenging new phase in his personal life. It will take some discipline not to launch immediately into the next book in the series, but I'll try to stay strong...
Detective Sergeant Logan McRae is caught in his familiar pattern of being overworked and underappreciated at Grampian Police Force HQ, Aberdeen. The team are investigating the recent disappearance of Aberdeen's latest reality television sensation, mother-and-daughter duo Alison and Jenny McGregor. The book opens mid action sequence, with McRae in a frantic dash, accompanied by DC Rennie, to meet a rendezvous demand police have received from the abductors. However they're caught up in Aberdeen's nightmare traffic and, by the time they arrive at the designated telephone box, all they find is a padded envelope containing the amputated toe of a child...
McRae is subjected to the usual unreasonable demands and casual abuse of his police superiors, especially the irascible DCI Finnie, who is in turn under pressure from the relentless media. The Aberdeen team is working under the constant threat that the investigation will be taken over by a specialist unit from the Serious Organised Crime Agency, headed by the smug Superintendent Green. The whole population of Aberdeen seems in a state of heightened tension as the likelihood of finding Alison and Jenny alive slips away, day by day, hour by hour.
Things go from bad to worse when a drug bust goes wrong and McRae finds himself on the receiving end of a spurious rape allegation by local junkie Trisha Brown, whose dealer partner "Shuggie" Webster has escaped and gone to ground. Shuggie begins pursuing McRae, seeking the return of the drugs seized during the bust, fearing the wrath of his criminal suppliers. After violence overtakes McRae in his own home, leaving his partner, forensic technician Samantha fighting for her life, he seeks the assistance of his gangster acquaintance "Wee" Hamish Mowatt. But is he right about who's responsible?
Detective Inspector Roberta Steel treads her usual fine line between infuriating McRae and being the closest friend he has. She maintains the bewildering use of language readers have come to expect of her, providing the light relief in what is otherwise a pretty dark storyline. The supporting cast of officers include several familiar faces - PC Guthrie, DC Rennie, DS "Biohazard" Bob Marshall, DS Doreen Taylor, Acting DI Mark MacDonald, and McRae's omnipresent nemesis - Superintendent Napier of Professional Standards.
Shatter The Bones is another tautly plotted, wonderfully characterised and satisfyingly complex read, worthy of its place in this excellent series. I sense that Logan McRae was never destined for an easy life, and events in this instalment foreshadow a challenging new phase in his personal life. It will take some discipline not to launch immediately into the next book in the series, but I'll try to stay strong...
May 9, 2021
DS Logan McRae continues to be a favourite!
My hoarding and holding out on reading this series continues because I just don't want the series to end.
The highs and lows of McRae, Steel and colleagues continue in this instalment with the usual intricate story-telling and black humour that backdrops carnage, guts and gore. Told in only the way MacBride can - shocking one second to laughing out loud the next.
Crime in Aberdeen does not abate, and this time reality TV is the focus of McRae's investigations. Running out of time, no forensic evidence, crazy characters, caustic-as-ever DI Steele, and Logan's dogged determination had me flying through the read.
An outstanding twist at the end sealed the deal for me! Now, I have to pace myself before I read the next one!
My hoarding and holding out on reading this series continues because I just don't want the series to end.
The highs and lows of McRae, Steel and colleagues continue in this instalment with the usual intricate story-telling and black humour that backdrops carnage, guts and gore. Told in only the way MacBride can - shocking one second to laughing out loud the next.
Crime in Aberdeen does not abate, and this time reality TV is the focus of McRae's investigations. Running out of time, no forensic evidence, crazy characters, caustic-as-ever DI Steele, and Logan's dogged determination had me flying through the read.
An outstanding twist at the end sealed the deal for me! Now, I have to pace myself before I read the next one!
January 30, 2014
This was the only book of the Logan McRae I hadn’t read and is now the only one I have in a paper copy (the rest being on the iPad) but after doing a Masterclass with the author I felt I needed a signed copy. The Master class was on research for crime fiction, a topic he had been given and was unimpressed by: he answered it with typical Scottish dour tongue in cheek in one sentence: talk to a cop. But then (after a cop in the audience looked a little taken aback) he proceeded to fill three hours with lots of information and exercises so we got our money worth! I also grew to appreciate the Logan McRae even more. Firstly, I hadn’t noticed but in the last three the author has used NO dialogue tags. Promptly reedited my book of genius and though I still have some, was amazed at how many I could get rid of. I have to say I find it a little hard work at times- much of the book is told in conversation and MacBride doesn’t mince his words when saying he’s only interested in improving his writing and writing for an intelligent audience. The second thing about having met him is I realised how much humour I was missing. Logan is a train wreck and if something bad can happen to him (or in this case his girlfriend) it probably will. Low lifes mix in with well, other low lifes in the guise of reality TV and Logan is up to his armpits in shit. An intelligent and drolly amusing cop yarn. God knows what Aberdeen police are still talking to the author….
September 12, 2012
Here's the thing. You hoard a book because it's a favourite series, and there's no sign of the next one yet. But then there are noises about the next one, but that's not out for ages, but you can't wait any longer so you read the one you've had tucked away. Then you've not got that little thing of joy hidden away in the bookcases anymore. So now you're stuck in that horrible no man's land, because the next book's not out for ages, and you've given into temptation. It's a nightmare.
Mind you, that's about the only complaint I can come up with about SHATTER THE BONES. But then I'm a huge fan of Stuart MacBride's Logan McRae series. He's one of those writers that combine violence, brutality and some truly shocking story lines with absolute laugh out loud moments, a heap of creative swearing, some terrific insights into human nature and, in this case, social commentary into the bargain. There's a sense of urgency, lunacy and hurtling madness about most of the investigations in the McRae books that feels real. There are believable, fantastic characters performing over and above the call of duty, desperately hanging onto family and personal in the middle of an absolute storm of crazy.
In SHATTER THE BONES MacBride is also taking a wee shufty at the madness of reality TV - the way that a frenzy of interest and concern whips up when a mother and daughter are kidnapped, an interest that seems unlikely to have occurred without their TV profile. In amongst the kidnapping, the reactions, an investigation hampered by a total lack of forensic information, and some very cunning acts on the part of the kidnappers, further hinderance comes from closer to home. When the serious crimes squad sends in an "expert" you just know that things are going to get complicated, but the level of idiocy of this bloke is beyond the pale.
Whilst a lot of the madness, and the characters and their personal situations are carrying forward from the earlier books (thank goodness DI Steele remains a standout as frankly I'd be spitting the dummy well hard if she backed off), there are things that are moving forward. McRae's actually in danger of developing a personal life of his own, the relationships between the team are expanding a little, and ranks are progressing. There's also more than a few smacks around the head at the end of this book, and there's a final scene that's an absolute kicker.
CLOSE TO THE BONE is out in January 2013. I might ... just ... last ... until ... then.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
Mind you, that's about the only complaint I can come up with about SHATTER THE BONES. But then I'm a huge fan of Stuart MacBride's Logan McRae series. He's one of those writers that combine violence, brutality and some truly shocking story lines with absolute laugh out loud moments, a heap of creative swearing, some terrific insights into human nature and, in this case, social commentary into the bargain. There's a sense of urgency, lunacy and hurtling madness about most of the investigations in the McRae books that feels real. There are believable, fantastic characters performing over and above the call of duty, desperately hanging onto family and personal in the middle of an absolute storm of crazy.
In SHATTER THE BONES MacBride is also taking a wee shufty at the madness of reality TV - the way that a frenzy of interest and concern whips up when a mother and daughter are kidnapped, an interest that seems unlikely to have occurred without their TV profile. In amongst the kidnapping, the reactions, an investigation hampered by a total lack of forensic information, and some very cunning acts on the part of the kidnappers, further hinderance comes from closer to home. When the serious crimes squad sends in an "expert" you just know that things are going to get complicated, but the level of idiocy of this bloke is beyond the pale.
Whilst a lot of the madness, and the characters and their personal situations are carrying forward from the earlier books (thank goodness DI Steele remains a standout as frankly I'd be spitting the dummy well hard if she backed off), there are things that are moving forward. McRae's actually in danger of developing a personal life of his own, the relationships between the team are expanding a little, and ranks are progressing. There's also more than a few smacks around the head at the end of this book, and there's a final scene that's an absolute kicker.
CLOSE TO THE BONE is out in January 2013. I might ... just ... last ... until ... then.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
March 22, 2017
В Шотландии вдруг хорошая погода, а преступники украли маленькую девочку и требуют выкуп! Личная жизнь Логана по-прежнему так себе, зато у инспектора Стил есть дочь (и нет секса).
February 6, 2017
Whilst I enjoyed book six, Dark Blood, I wasn’t overly crazy about it. I’m not quite sure what my issue was, but I didn’t quite enjoy it as much as I’d enjoyed the prior books. Fortunately, Shatter The Bones is back to the wonderful standard of the other Logan McRae novels. Not that the standard had dropped by much in Dark Blood, but I certainly enjoyed Shatter The Bones a lot more.
Things start off with a real bang, pulling us into the action instantly. In fact, we’re pulled into the action before we really know what is going on. Due to this, we have a massive dose of action at the very start and then things slow down ever so slightly for a short while. This allows us to come to terms with all that is going on, to really understand what is happening. Whilst things have slowed down, though, we still have a lot of action. Things are constantly moving, with new things always appearing to add more to the story.
As always, MacBride brings us a story made up of many wonderful smaller aspects. Individually each criminal aspect is a lot of fun, but bringing them all together and adding more layers to the story makes it even more enjoyable. I say this every time, and I stand by it: MacBride does a wonderful job of interweaving stories. There are so many aspects that you’re trying to work out, so many things link in to others, and everything comes together wonderfully in the end.
I will admit, however, that I wasn’t quite as satisfied with this ending as I was with some of the other books in the series. So much seemed to happen in this one, and yet the ending didn’t feel as though it was quite the bang it could have been. Considering how some of the events in this one have an effect on characters for the future books, I would have expected a like bit more. So, whilst I wasn’t disappointed by the ending I did feel as though it was lacking in some ways.
As always, though, it was a wonderful read. I didn’t giggle as much in Dark Blood as I usually do, but I was back to my chuckling in Shatter The Bones. As ever, the dark humour is intermingled with many emotions on the other end of the spectrum, resulting in a rollercoaster of emotions as you work your way through the book. Without a doubt, you’ll be unable to put this one down.
All in all, it’s a wonderful addition to the Logan McRae series.
Things start off with a real bang, pulling us into the action instantly. In fact, we’re pulled into the action before we really know what is going on. Due to this, we have a massive dose of action at the very start and then things slow down ever so slightly for a short while. This allows us to come to terms with all that is going on, to really understand what is happening. Whilst things have slowed down, though, we still have a lot of action. Things are constantly moving, with new things always appearing to add more to the story.
As always, MacBride brings us a story made up of many wonderful smaller aspects. Individually each criminal aspect is a lot of fun, but bringing them all together and adding more layers to the story makes it even more enjoyable. I say this every time, and I stand by it: MacBride does a wonderful job of interweaving stories. There are so many aspects that you’re trying to work out, so many things link in to others, and everything comes together wonderfully in the end.
I will admit, however, that I wasn’t quite as satisfied with this ending as I was with some of the other books in the series. So much seemed to happen in this one, and yet the ending didn’t feel as though it was quite the bang it could have been. Considering how some of the events in this one have an effect on characters for the future books, I would have expected a like bit more. So, whilst I wasn’t disappointed by the ending I did feel as though it was lacking in some ways.
As always, though, it was a wonderful read. I didn’t giggle as much in Dark Blood as I usually do, but I was back to my chuckling in Shatter The Bones. As ever, the dark humour is intermingled with many emotions on the other end of the spectrum, resulting in a rollercoaster of emotions as you work your way through the book. Without a doubt, you’ll be unable to put this one down.
All in all, it’s a wonderful addition to the Logan McRae series.
January 20, 2015
Not really sure I liked this one, but the end was fast and furious with retribution doled out to the bad guys.
The first half of the book was very slow, and the Aberdeen police looked more like the Keystone Kops, running around trying to find clues to the missing singing sensation and her daughter. It got worse when a higher-up gets involved. About halfway through, though, things got better and started falling into place, and lots of bad guys get their comeuppance, all through the work of DS Logan McRae.
Looking forward to the next one, which is the last in this series (so far, anyway).
The first half of the book was very slow, and the Aberdeen police looked more like the Keystone Kops, running around trying to find clues to the missing singing sensation and her daughter. It got worse when a higher-up gets involved. About halfway through, though, things got better and started falling into place, and lots of bad guys get their comeuppance, all through the work of DS Logan McRae.
Looking forward to the next one, which is the last in this series (so far, anyway).
September 29, 2017
I remember enjoying this more than the previous novel but also thinking to myself 2 things. One Logan really should be expired as the ideas are getting too similar and predictable. And two, I dont understand but I feel comfortable when reading these. I found the conclusion of this to be so so. The dialogue becomes the attraction but even that is becoming a little repetitive.
April 16, 2020
I keep forgetting how much I enjoy the Logan McRae crime series so each time I pick one up I wonder why I have left it a year since the last outing into the world of Aberdonian cops and villains. Here an instant celebrity mother and daughter (think Britain's got talent) are kidnapped and Macrae faces a race to catch them before the promise to kill the child is completed. Facing villains who seem to be always one step ahead of him , and personal risk he combines with a great supporting cast , including the brilliantly funny DI Steel to keep me turning the pages.
February 25, 2023
Bookish Books Reading Challenge & #LibraryLoveChallenge
June 29, 2021
I like this series, but it's starting to get a little old. I've read the 6 previous books, so maybe I just need a break, and your mileage may vary. The humor is good, but it's losing its appeal, and the fact that the protagonist is basically an incompetent clown who somehow manages to solve crimes through persistent but crazy investigation gets to me sometimes. How many times can he try to arrest someone, often the same person, and get beat up and lose the guy through being dumb or inattentive before it gets old? I find myself saying "Not again!" too often.
The crimes are pretty gruesome, so humor is appreciated, though; it just needs more variety. And the plots were good in this one; neither I nor the characters in the book guessed who the villains were. They only figured it out by chance, and McRae was as surprised as I was.
I'm sure I'll read more, but not right away. Besides, I have lots of other books in my pile.
The crimes are pretty gruesome, so humor is appreciated, though; it just needs more variety. And the plots were good in this one; neither I nor the characters in the book guessed who the villains were. They only figured it out by chance, and McRae was as surprised as I was.
I'm sure I'll read more, but not right away. Besides, I have lots of other books in my pile.
October 24, 2012
I had a really rough time getting into this book. Really rough. As in, if I hadn't been reading this as one half of a joint review, I probably would have stopped at the 15% mark. But I soldiered on. Or something. My issues were twofold. Or maybe three. Let's see...
Part 1: I had a really hard time believing that a police force could be THAT incompetent. I mean... HOLY SMOKES! Between the genuinely stupid mistakes some of the police dudes made (err... I can't remember where all the DIs and DSs get applied, so I'm just going to call them "police dudes" and move along.) and the circles the dude from SOCA had them running in (literally retreading ground they'd already covered in some instances, on top of being very close-minded about the direction of the investigation), I came to the conclusion that having a crime committed against you in Aberdeen basically means you're screwed.
Part 2: Holy regional uses of words, Batman! Not being from Scotland, I had a tough time deciphering what was being said in many instances. Add this to the police jargon (which tends to make me have crazy eyes, anyway) and I was lost on more than one occasion. Yes, I could figure it out... eventually... but it took more time and patience than I was happy with.
Part 3: After all the build up with the kidnapping and the torture of Jenny and Alison, I was disappointed in how quickly the ending played out. I feel like the other crimes Logan was investigating gave us more closure than that one. I wanted more. I wanted the person who masterminded everything to suffer a little more. I wanted the people who tortured a little girl for shits and giggles to be brought down slowly, with much pain and public jeering. The only ones who ended up really suffering are the victims and the children of the victims. Frankly, that sucks.
This isn't a terrible book, despite what all my griping implies. The last half of the book moved along nicely -- I don't know if that was because I was getting into the flow of the speech patterns or what -- and there were some genuinely interesting characters. However, I don't recommend starting this series with book 7. Maybe... book 1. You know, just for kicks.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Part 1: I had a really hard time believing that a police force could be THAT incompetent. I mean... HOLY SMOKES! Between the genuinely stupid mistakes some of the police dudes made (err... I can't remember where all the DIs and DSs get applied, so I'm just going to call them "police dudes" and move along.) and the circles the dude from SOCA had them running in (literally retreading ground they'd already covered in some instances, on top of being very close-minded about the direction of the investigation), I came to the conclusion that having a crime committed against you in Aberdeen basically means you're screwed.
Part 2: Holy regional uses of words, Batman! Not being from Scotland, I had a tough time deciphering what was being said in many instances. Add this to the police jargon (which tends to make me have crazy eyes, anyway) and I was lost on more than one occasion. Yes, I could figure it out... eventually... but it took more time and patience than I was happy with.
Part 3: After all the build up with the kidnapping and the torture of Jenny and Alison, I was disappointed in how quickly the ending played out. I feel like the other crimes Logan was investigating gave us more closure than that one. I wanted more. I wanted the person who masterminded everything to suffer a little more. I wanted the people who tortured a little girl for shits and giggles to be brought down slowly, with much pain and public jeering. The only ones who ended up really suffering are the victims and the children of the victims. Frankly, that sucks.
This isn't a terrible book, despite what all my griping implies. The last half of the book moved along nicely -- I don't know if that was because I was getting into the flow of the speech patterns or what -- and there were some genuinely interesting characters. However, I don't recommend starting this series with book 7. Maybe... book 1. You know, just for kicks.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
July 22, 2024
Brilliant as always giving this series a break because I will finish it to soon.
July 4, 2011
So much fun to read, the pages just fly by! Do wish McBride would give poor Logan a bit of a break though! Still, great story, good twist at the end with plenty of funny interludes, especially from Steel, who I've grown to like more and more over the series. Looking forward to the next installment already.
October 22, 2017
I love how MacBride is constantly raising the stakes for his main character DS Logan McRae.
The case this time is truly insane: a mother-daughter duo who are leading a televised American Idol-style reality show are kidnaped and the public is being extorted for the ransom. To goose the pot the kidnapers are releasing videos and bits and pieces (I.e toes) of their hostages every few days.
Meanwhile Logan is making VERY bad decisions as he works on other cases that eventually ends up producing life-changing consequences for him and his current girl friend Samantha (who works in the Coroner's office).
Logan is not one to follow the rules and the ways that he forges his own path while solving every case he faces is lots of fun.
Especially since the author does a very effective job of injecting humor and near-farce into Logan's professional interactions with his nominal boss, the morally questionable DI Roberta Steel and his amusing sidekick, DC Simon Rennie. If it takes a village to solve a crime, Rennie is the idiot. As usual there is someone from a rival police force who is brought in to assist Aberdeen's Finest with their attempts to solve this high-profile case and the jostling and office intrigue are a wonder to behold.
Overall, the Logan McRae mysteries are some of the most enjoyable British police procedurals in the mystery crime-thriller genre: amusing, action-packed and very clever.
The case this time is truly insane: a mother-daughter duo who are leading a televised American Idol-style reality show are kidnaped and the public is being extorted for the ransom. To goose the pot the kidnapers are releasing videos and bits and pieces (I.e toes) of their hostages every few days.
Meanwhile Logan is making VERY bad decisions as he works on other cases that eventually ends up producing life-changing consequences for him and his current girl friend Samantha (who works in the Coroner's office).
Logan is not one to follow the rules and the ways that he forges his own path while solving every case he faces is lots of fun.
Especially since the author does a very effective job of injecting humor and near-farce into Logan's professional interactions with his nominal boss, the morally questionable DI Roberta Steel and his amusing sidekick, DC Simon Rennie. If it takes a village to solve a crime, Rennie is the idiot. As usual there is someone from a rival police force who is brought in to assist Aberdeen's Finest with their attempts to solve this high-profile case and the jostling and office intrigue are a wonder to behold.
Overall, the Logan McRae mysteries are some of the most enjoyable British police procedurals in the mystery crime-thriller genre: amusing, action-packed and very clever.
October 11, 2023
Sena gera policijos nuovada. Po skandinaviškų ir amerikietiškų - visiškai kitokia. Nežinau ar dar yra nesėkmingesnis ir tuo pačiu visiškai nemokantis bendraut su kolegom veikėjas, kaip Loganas. Visada viskas tik blogai, bet tuo pačiu visada ištiria rimtas bylas. Toks klaustukas. Ką daryt su tokiu? Nei paaukštint, nei atleist. Taip ir keliaujam jau kelinta knyga :) 4,8->5
December 12, 2019
So although I wasn't over enamored with the last Logan Macrae book I immediately jumped into this, book 7, and I am so glad I did. It's impossible to not judge books in a series against each other and this was so much better. This is Macbride back on top form and back at his dark and rather disturbing best.
For once the thing that really stood out to me was the case. The way the book begins made for a very fast and frantic pace that really emphasised the importance and the book benefited from it. No slow burn, just bang, this is what we're up against, all hands on deck.
In a way I'm surprised that I found the case so compelling because I find the existence of talent shows that make people "famous" to be mind numbing but the way the price of fame gained from these shows was indeed very interesting. How people perceive you, how it effects your life, things that most people won't anticipate (obviously cranked up to an 11 on the exaggerated level). I had theories all the way through and although I wasn't right it was fun actually wanting to guess and hope I'd solved the case first.
At times this book was one of Macbride's most disturbing I've read. There were a couple of chapters that really went showed how sick some people can be and at one point I had to take a break because I was so grossed out. This isn't a negative because if you weren't disturbed then there's something wrong with you. So it did what it was meant to do, I just needed a time out for a few hours before moving on.
The core cast of mainstay characters continue to be wonderfully written. None get a huge section dedicated to them but each do feel like real people I end up knowing and wanting to see reappear. And as for Logan, as I said in an update one evening, if he ever became self aware that he was a fictional character (like in Last Action Hero) then Macbride would have to go into hiding because he puts him through the ringer. He once said in an interview that in his upcoming book (Dark Blood at the time) he may have pushed Logan too far. No. This right here, this has pushed him to the edge. I've never come across an author who enjoys torturing their main character so much to the point I'm amazed they haven't broken both physically and mentally.
The ending, I didn't predict. There were parts I got and I thought the way the cops caught on was a bit convenient but not to the point that it took me out of the book. And the last couple of twists... Damn!!
I love this series. Macbride is one of my favourite authors. I own all of this series on paperback and will be back playing catch-up very soon.
For once the thing that really stood out to me was the case. The way the book begins made for a very fast and frantic pace that really emphasised the importance and the book benefited from it. No slow burn, just bang, this is what we're up against, all hands on deck.
In a way I'm surprised that I found the case so compelling because I find the existence of talent shows that make people "famous" to be mind numbing but the way the price of fame gained from these shows was indeed very interesting. How people perceive you, how it effects your life, things that most people won't anticipate (obviously cranked up to an 11 on the exaggerated level). I had theories all the way through and although I wasn't right it was fun actually wanting to guess and hope I'd solved the case first.
At times this book was one of Macbride's most disturbing I've read. There were a couple of chapters that really went showed how sick some people can be and at one point I had to take a break because I was so grossed out. This isn't a negative because if you weren't disturbed then there's something wrong with you. So it did what it was meant to do, I just needed a time out for a few hours before moving on.
The core cast of mainstay characters continue to be wonderfully written. None get a huge section dedicated to them but each do feel like real people I end up knowing and wanting to see reappear. And as for Logan, as I said in an update one evening, if he ever became self aware that he was a fictional character (like in Last Action Hero) then Macbride would have to go into hiding because he puts him through the ringer. He once said in an interview that in his upcoming book (Dark Blood at the time) he may have pushed Logan too far. No. This right here, this has pushed him to the edge. I've never come across an author who enjoys torturing their main character so much to the point I'm amazed they haven't broken both physically and mentally.
The ending, I didn't predict. There were parts I got and I thought the way the cops caught on was a bit convenient but not to the point that it took me out of the book. And the last couple of twists... Damn!!
I love this series. Macbride is one of my favourite authors. I own all of this series on paperback and will be back playing catch-up very soon.
October 23, 2022
The story is a good one, as they usually are...but most of the characters do my head in.
Why are Grampian police force so unprofessional, unorganised, hapless and hopeless all the time? Is this really what they're like? I'd hate to think so but with the recent real life news of mass investigations of The Met police force I'm starting to think that maybe it's not far off the truth.
Secondly, Finnie and any other person in command of any given situation - why do they have to be such pricks all the time? Logan's out there doing his job (and occasionally he's actually doing it well) and Finnie (or similar) comes on the phone shouting and snapping, "Where are you ya' lazy, good for nothing, idiot, waste of breath, no-good, useless, blah, blah, blah?". And then they never listen to the answer and explaination they get and they never have a good word to say about anyone. Cliche heaped upon stereotype. It's all crap and it puts me off.
I'm going to keep going because by this point I'm invested and add to that I have a long history with the setting and the familiarity keeps drawing me back in. It's just as well the stories are good though because the people are awful.
Why are Grampian police force so unprofessional, unorganised, hapless and hopeless all the time? Is this really what they're like? I'd hate to think so but with the recent real life news of mass investigations of The Met police force I'm starting to think that maybe it's not far off the truth.
Secondly, Finnie and any other person in command of any given situation - why do they have to be such pricks all the time? Logan's out there doing his job (and occasionally he's actually doing it well) and Finnie (or similar) comes on the phone shouting and snapping, "Where are you ya' lazy, good for nothing, idiot, waste of breath, no-good, useless, blah, blah, blah?". And then they never listen to the answer and explaination they get and they never have a good word to say about anyone. Cliche heaped upon stereotype. It's all crap and it puts me off.
I'm going to keep going because by this point I'm invested and add to that I have a long history with the setting and the familiarity keeps drawing me back in. It's just as well the stories are good though because the people are awful.
August 17, 2017
Another in the Logan McRae series, including a temporary promotion to DI - with a drugs raid the secondary story behind a kidnapping of a reality TV star and her daughter. The Aberdonian banter is as vivid as ever and although the narrative sags a little bit around the halfway mark, this is another strong police procedural
August 19, 2020
4.5 stars.
The best in the series for me, so far.
The best in the series for me, so far.
January 20, 2019
This was such a great read the character of Logan McRae is simply wonderful and Stuart MacBride has to be one of my favourite authors
November 13, 2023
Oh my....this series just keeps getting better & better! A real gripping & gritty tale in which the tension builds beautifully to an ending that has me itching to get hold of "Close to the Bone".
Logan's actions in this tale are bound to have serious consequences for him somewhere down the line, ones that even DI Steel (I found her a bit more bearable than in "Dark Blood") won't be able to save him from. I'm looking forward to seeing which path he choses ...
EDIT: November 2023
Listened to on audio book & once again things seemed more shocking hearing them this time around! Excellent narration & I was on the edge of my seat once again. I've listened to it with hubby & have had to bite my lip, knowing what I know about what faces Logan in the next instalment....
>
Logan's actions in this tale are bound to have serious consequences for him somewhere down the line, ones that even DI Steel (I found her a bit more bearable than in "Dark Blood") won't be able to save him from. I'm looking forward to seeing which path he choses ...
EDIT: November 2023
Listened to on audio book & once again things seemed more shocking hearing them this time around! Excellent narration & I was on the edge of my seat once again. I've listened to it with hubby & have had to bite my lip, knowing what I know about what faces Logan in the next instalment....
>
September 19, 2017
Seventh in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it, with all the misgivings and delights offered by the previous 6.
As ever with series, I would strongly recommend reading them in order. By the time you get to Number 7, you shouldn't need a review from me to make up your mind whether or not to go for it!
This acts as a commentary on the false 'instant' fame afforded by TV 'talent' shows, where the 'talent' is less important than the sobby back story.
As ever with series, I would strongly recommend reading them in order. By the time you get to Number 7, you shouldn't need a review from me to make up your mind whether or not to go for it!
This acts as a commentary on the false 'instant' fame afforded by TV 'talent' shows, where the 'talent' is less important than the sobby back story.
August 12, 2011
The Logan McRae books are a series which someone should make into a TV series, there must be talks ongoing already, if not it's criminal.
June 20, 2021
Was not so keen on this one .... good storyline thou (didnot read this in an hour forgot to mark it as currently reading)
September 5, 2022
Logan McRae and the Grampian Police are up to their usual antics while investigating a kidnapping and drug deals. The focus of this event is a media-wild kidnapping of a mother-daughter who are winners of a TV-celebrity singing contest. The plot delves into the bitter, mesmerizing blight of celebrity culture and how some people will do just about anything to get noticed.
Logan McRae has had a strong series, and while easily listenable, the plot lines are a bit repetitive. The most fantastic part of the book is the foul-mouthed, yet incredibly savvy DI Roberta Steel, arguably one of the best serial fictional characters I have read.
Logan McRae has had a strong series, and while easily listenable, the plot lines are a bit repetitive. The most fantastic part of the book is the foul-mouthed, yet incredibly savvy DI Roberta Steel, arguably one of the best serial fictional characters I have read.
June 24, 2018
*3.5* Think I need to take a break from the series as I felt myself slogging through this installment. The gallows humor continues to entertain me (especially Steele) but the blatant ineptness of the police force is becoming tiresome.
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