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Anderson & Costello #1
Absolution
Caro Ramsay's Absolution is the first in her much-loved Anderson and Costello series.
The Crucifixion Killer is stalking Glasgow ... leaving victims' mutilated bodies in a Christ-like pose. DCI Alan McAlpine - a renowned and successful police officer - is drafted in to lead the hunt, supported by local officers DI Anderson and DS Costello.
But the past holds horrific memories for McAlpine. He last worked this beat some twenty years earlier, when he was assigned to guard a woman - nameless and faceless after a sadistic acid attack - at a Glasgow hospital. An obsession was born at that hospital room that has never quite left McAlpine . . . and now it seems to be resurfacing. For a reason.
As the chase to halt the gruesome murders intensifies, so Anderson and Costello find chilling cause for concern uncomfortably close to home . . .
Reissued with a stunning new package, Caro Ramsay's Anderson & Costello thrillers have been widely recognised as one of the most significant new series in the genre in recent years and Ramsay's utterly unique investigators are ready to become the nation's favourite Scottish cop duo. Absolution is the amazing opening to this stunning series. Subsequent titles include Dark Water and Singing to the Dead. Fans of Ian Rankin and Val McDermid will love this series.
Praise for Caro 'Brilliant in twisting the tension tauter with each page' Guardian'Ramsay handles her characters with aplomb, the dialogue crackles and the search for the killer has surprising twists and turns' Observer'Many shivers in store for readers, followed by a shattering climax' The Times
Caro Ramsay was born in Glasgow and now lives in a village on the west coast of Scotland. Absolution is her first novel, which was shortlisted for the CWA's New Blood Dagger for best debut of the year. This success was followed by two further DI Anderson and DS Costello novels, Singing to the Dead and Dark Water. The fourth book in the same series, The Blood of Crows, is also released this summer.
The Crucifixion Killer is stalking Glasgow ... leaving victims' mutilated bodies in a Christ-like pose. DCI Alan McAlpine - a renowned and successful police officer - is drafted in to lead the hunt, supported by local officers DI Anderson and DS Costello.
But the past holds horrific memories for McAlpine. He last worked this beat some twenty years earlier, when he was assigned to guard a woman - nameless and faceless after a sadistic acid attack - at a Glasgow hospital. An obsession was born at that hospital room that has never quite left McAlpine . . . and now it seems to be resurfacing. For a reason.
As the chase to halt the gruesome murders intensifies, so Anderson and Costello find chilling cause for concern uncomfortably close to home . . .
Reissued with a stunning new package, Caro Ramsay's Anderson & Costello thrillers have been widely recognised as one of the most significant new series in the genre in recent years and Ramsay's utterly unique investigators are ready to become the nation's favourite Scottish cop duo. Absolution is the amazing opening to this stunning series. Subsequent titles include Dark Water and Singing to the Dead. Fans of Ian Rankin and Val McDermid will love this series.
Praise for Caro 'Brilliant in twisting the tension tauter with each page' Guardian'Ramsay handles her characters with aplomb, the dialogue crackles and the search for the killer has surprising twists and turns' Observer'Many shivers in store for readers, followed by a shattering climax' The Times
Caro Ramsay was born in Glasgow and now lives in a village on the west coast of Scotland. Absolution is her first novel, which was shortlisted for the CWA's New Blood Dagger for best debut of the year. This success was followed by two further DI Anderson and DS Costello novels, Singing to the Dead and Dark Water. The fourth book in the same series, The Blood of Crows, is also released this summer.
501 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
1266 people are currently reading
1414 people want to read
About the author
Caro Ramsay
34 books203 followersCaro Ramsay was born and educated in Glasgow. She has been writing stories since she was five years old, developing a keen interest in crime fiction and a passion for the genre that lead her to write Absolution, her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
January 23, 2022
This is basically two stories, the first a diamond heist from over twenty years ago and the hunt for the Crucifix Killer in the present. The common link is DCI McAlpine, a PC in the earlier timeline. I found this an absolute slog for the first quarter and nearly gave up but thanks to a GR friend I kept going. It definitely improves and I enjoyed the search for the modern day serial killer. There were a lot of characters to get your head around and it’s only towards the end they became easier to ‘see’. The portrayal of McAlpine felt over the top, to describe him as a mess just touched the surface. I couldn’t understand a lot of his motivation either. The stories merged towards the end but it felt artificial, coincidental and definitely too much. I didn’t care for the ending which also felt rushed. I think the plotting overall was simply trying too hard as it’s two in one with the end result that one wasn’t done very well. I will read the next just to see if the series gets into its stride. I loved the Glasgow and Ayrshire coast setting - that was a winner!!
November 10, 2022
Twenty two years after an uncertain, grieving police cadet - Alan McAlpine - had been tasked with watching over a young woman who had acid thrown over her, McAlpine was back at the place his career had started. Joining the team at Partickhill station, McAlpine was heading an investigation into vicious and brutal murders of young women. Now a DCI, his return wasn't going the best as the past and present kept colliding. But his offsiders, Costello and Anderson, were well able to take the reins. With Mulholland joining them, they dug deeply into what was happening. But would they find the killer who had no remorse, not an ounce of caring?
Absolution is the 1st in the Anderson and Costello series by Caro Ramsay, and I wondered - was the author trying too hard? McAlpine had so many issues, he was much more than the typical boozing cop, so much more. Anderson and Costello are a great team, and I can see the series going ahead in leaps and bounds under their care. Recommended to fans of the genre.
Absolution is the 1st in the Anderson and Costello series by Caro Ramsay, and I wondered - was the author trying too hard? McAlpine had so many issues, he was much more than the typical boozing cop, so much more. Anderson and Costello are a great team, and I can see the series going ahead in leaps and bounds under their care. Recommended to fans of the genre.
October 2, 2020
A gripping story from the first pages. First, an attack on a young pregnant woman that leaves her fighting for her life. Twenty-two years later, the violent deaths of three women by a single killer.
Alan McAlpine was a 20-year-old constable when the first crime took place. He was assigned to stay at the hospital to get answers from the victim when she was able to talk.
Fast forward 22 years; Alan McAlpine is now Detective Chief Inspector with a 100% solve rate in his investigations. He has been called back to the Patrickhill Station to take over for an ailing colleague. This is the first time McAlpine has been back to Patrickhill since his assignment to try to talk to the critically-injured young woman. McAlpine's return does not bode well for him or for his wife, Helena, who loves him despite some bad habits.
While McAlpine is dealing with personal issues -- ghosts from his past -- the killer is still at large and has left few, if any, forensic clues for the investigative team to follow. McAlpine begins to go into a tailspin while the crimes take on a personal turn.
Plenty of suspense to go around while also an emotional tempest.
Alan McAlpine was a 20-year-old constable when the first crime took place. He was assigned to stay at the hospital to get answers from the victim when she was able to talk.
Fast forward 22 years; Alan McAlpine is now Detective Chief Inspector with a 100% solve rate in his investigations. He has been called back to the Patrickhill Station to take over for an ailing colleague. This is the first time McAlpine has been back to Patrickhill since his assignment to try to talk to the critically-injured young woman. McAlpine's return does not bode well for him or for his wife, Helena, who loves him despite some bad habits.
While McAlpine is dealing with personal issues -- ghosts from his past -- the killer is still at large and has left few, if any, forensic clues for the investigative team to follow. McAlpine begins to go into a tailspin while the crimes take on a personal turn.
Plenty of suspense to go around while also an emotional tempest.
January 21, 2015
A thoroughly good mystery!
Alan McAlpine is a young rookie when he's given the 'babysitting' job of a young, once-beautiful, very pregnant woman who had the misfortune of being the target of someone with a vat of acid. The baby is delivered, but the woman who has not been identified cannot speak and thanks to the acid she has no face. Alan spends a lot of time with her, knows she is dying, and falls forever in love.
Skip forward 22 years later, DCI McAlpine is called in to head the investigation into the deaths of two young women, stabbed, brutally butchered and left in a crucifixion pose.
How these murders are connected to the young woman he once loved is a heart-breaking journey for McAlpine.
I thought it was very good .... I really liked all the characters. They ran true to form throughout the book. Lots of clues to follow. I cannot say I was happy with the ending, but the ending was the right one.
5 stars in my book!
Alan McAlpine is a young rookie when he's given the 'babysitting' job of a young, once-beautiful, very pregnant woman who had the misfortune of being the target of someone with a vat of acid. The baby is delivered, but the woman who has not been identified cannot speak and thanks to the acid she has no face. Alan spends a lot of time with her, knows she is dying, and falls forever in love.
Skip forward 22 years later, DCI McAlpine is called in to head the investigation into the deaths of two young women, stabbed, brutally butchered and left in a crucifixion pose.
How these murders are connected to the young woman he once loved is a heart-breaking journey for McAlpine.
I thought it was very good .... I really liked all the characters. They ran true to form throughout the book. Lots of clues to follow. I cannot say I was happy with the ending, but the ending was the right one.
5 stars in my book!
July 7, 2023
‘My mum always said you get more fun at a Glasgow stabbing than an Edinburgh wedding.’
Absolution opens in Glasgow, 1984, with cadet detective Alan McAlpine, reeling at the deaths of his brother and mother, investigating the vicious acid attack on a beautiful young woman, leading to her eventual death that will haunt him always. Twenty two years later, now DCI McAlpine with a high-profile wife, returns to the same police station to head the investigation(s) into 3 young women, all doped before being ritually sliced open, in a similar manner to Jack the Ripper (never mentioned). What connects the three women and the motive behind the killings is the crux of this dark, engaging crime thriller.
The characters are all well-drawn, even the minor ones. McAlpine is a barely-functioning drunk, protected by his longest serving officers, Anderson and Costello, who only appear a quarter of the way through. Cue the slick profiler; a young officer fast-tracked to the detectives; the inevitable techo and a tough Highlander whose aunt knows more about the comings and goings than crime scene investigators ever will. Add a brilliant piece of misdirection, echoes from the past, and you have a first-rate crime mystery. Though some elements were predictable/inevitable, I enjoyed the slight gothic edge to it, and look forward to reading more.
Absolution opens in Glasgow, 1984, with cadet detective Alan McAlpine, reeling at the deaths of his brother and mother, investigating the vicious acid attack on a beautiful young woman, leading to her eventual death that will haunt him always. Twenty two years later, now DCI McAlpine with a high-profile wife, returns to the same police station to head the investigation(s) into 3 young women, all doped before being ritually sliced open, in a similar manner to Jack the Ripper (never mentioned). What connects the three women and the motive behind the killings is the crux of this dark, engaging crime thriller.
The characters are all well-drawn, even the minor ones. McAlpine is a barely-functioning drunk, protected by his longest serving officers, Anderson and Costello, who only appear a quarter of the way through. Cue the slick profiler; a young officer fast-tracked to the detectives; the inevitable techo and a tough Highlander whose aunt knows more about the comings and goings than crime scene investigators ever will. Add a brilliant piece of misdirection, echoes from the past, and you have a first-rate crime mystery. Though some elements were predictable/inevitable, I enjoyed the slight gothic edge to it, and look forward to reading more.
February 12, 2018
Absolution was a good fast read with a wide ranging cast of characters that the author fleshed out well. However a day after finishing it, I’m left with more dissatisfaction than pleasure ruminating over the ending. In addition, I feel that some of the characters’ back stories were a little over the top and perhaps not believable. I think my 4 star rating is more like a 3.5. I will read book #2 in the series to see how the two main detectives, Anderson and Costello, forge on.
July 11, 2017
Caro Ramsay is a new author for me, her series was recommended to me by a member of my bookclub and I am very happy about that!
Detective Alan McAlpine is a seasoned police officer but one of his very earliest cases has haunted him for over two decades, since he was a young and inexperienced cop, and for some reason there is a connection between that case and one of his current cases.
I really liked the character of Alan McAlpine, he is not some sort of hero cop, he is a flawed man who does the best he can. I really like the characterisations of his co-workers and his wife as well and the author's descriptions of Glasgow and surrounds made me wish I could take a plane and go there straight away (although without the murders etc, of course).
This was a very solid read and it took me no time at all to get through because it was very gripping indeed. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
A 4.5 star read for me and highly recommended.
Detective Alan McAlpine is a seasoned police officer but one of his very earliest cases has haunted him for over two decades, since he was a young and inexperienced cop, and for some reason there is a connection between that case and one of his current cases.
I really liked the character of Alan McAlpine, he is not some sort of hero cop, he is a flawed man who does the best he can. I really like the characterisations of his co-workers and his wife as well and the author's descriptions of Glasgow and surrounds made me wish I could take a plane and go there straight away (although without the murders etc, of course).
This was a very solid read and it took me no time at all to get through because it was very gripping indeed. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
A 4.5 star read for me and highly recommended.
August 10, 2021
ABSOLUTION has two major themes. One is the hunt for a serial killer (the Crucifixion Killer) that is rather a dud. I spotted him the first time he appeared on the page. So there was no mystery; the killer was simply too obvious.
The other theme is far more interesting, the development and consequences of “obsession”. While a young intern, 22 years prior to the “Crucifixion” killings, DCI McAlpine developed an obsessive fantasy about a young woman he was assigned to guard. She had been splashed with acid, and so had no face and could not talk. But McAlpine, emotionally drained by recent deaths in his family, spent hours talking to her. He knew she could hear him; they communicated in a primitive way but not about anything that showed what she was really thinking. Soon she committed suicide in order to protect her newborn baby girl. Later, after her death, he saw a photo of the now dead woman and fell hopelessly in love with a beautiful fantasy.
Nonetheless he marries Helena, a practical and accomplished woman whom he met around the same time that his fantasy woman died. Helena was a substitute mother; periodically McAlpine uses prostitutes who look like the dead woman to act out his sexual fantasies, but these activities did not interfere with his practical marriage to Helena. However, the Crucifixion killings reawakened memories relating to his obsession with his fantasy woman and, as the case proceeds, McAlpine psychologically disintegrates — his behaviour becomes very erratic. The killings are connected in a roundabout way to the long-dead woman. McAlpine and his colleagues solve the case, but McAlpine loses his gripe on reality in the process.
This story of psychological obsession is definitely worth four stars, but the mystery part of the novel, which is worth only one star, is too drawn out, and so overall I felt this was a three-star read.
The other theme is far more interesting, the development and consequences of “obsession”. While a young intern, 22 years prior to the “Crucifixion” killings, DCI McAlpine developed an obsessive fantasy about a young woman he was assigned to guard. She had been splashed with acid, and so had no face and could not talk. But McAlpine, emotionally drained by recent deaths in his family, spent hours talking to her. He knew she could hear him; they communicated in a primitive way but not about anything that showed what she was really thinking. Soon she committed suicide in order to protect her newborn baby girl. Later, after her death, he saw a photo of the now dead woman and fell hopelessly in love with a beautiful fantasy.
Nonetheless he marries Helena, a practical and accomplished woman whom he met around the same time that his fantasy woman died. Helena was a substitute mother; periodically McAlpine uses prostitutes who look like the dead woman to act out his sexual fantasies, but these activities did not interfere with his practical marriage to Helena. However, the Crucifixion killings reawakened memories relating to his obsession with his fantasy woman and, as the case proceeds, McAlpine psychologically disintegrates — his behaviour becomes very erratic. The killings are connected in a roundabout way to the long-dead woman. McAlpine and his colleagues solve the case, but McAlpine loses his gripe on reality in the process.
This story of psychological obsession is definitely worth four stars, but the mystery part of the novel, which is worth only one star, is too drawn out, and so overall I felt this was a three-star read.
April 29, 2022
I had real trouble getting through this book. I am not sure why, too many characters, rather unlikeable main character, another main character who seemed to hardly appear in the book and contribute much to the story.....I almost gave up! I have part two on my kindle, so I have to read that as well! Hopefully it will be better.
July 21, 2017
Two stories, one involving a diamond heist and McAlpine's infatuation with the woman who died because of it, and the other involving a police search for a serial killer...they didn't mesh very well in my opinion. A lot of details were unexplained or just hinted at, and I found this frustrating.
March 30, 2021
My first book by Caro Ramsay, and it won't be the last. DCI Alan McAlpine is haunted by a case 20 years ago when he was a rookie PC. Now he has been called in to lead the investigation into the deaths of two young women, stabbed, butchered and left in a crucifixion pose.
The book is well written and plotted. The opening chapters hooked me straight in, and the story was intriguing and held my attention and kept me guessing throughout. I liked the characters of McAlpine, more broken than flawed, and his wife, Helena, though I was mystified by how accepting she was of his obsession for a long dead woman.
Excellent narration by James Macpherson.
The book is well written and plotted. The opening chapters hooked me straight in, and the story was intriguing and held my attention and kept me guessing throughout. I liked the characters of McAlpine, more broken than flawed, and his wife, Helena, though I was mystified by how accepting she was of his obsession for a long dead woman.
Excellent narration by James Macpherson.
May 29, 2010
RATING: 4.75
I think most readers are on a universal quest to find books that are exceptional and in which they can completely immerse themselves. On average, I read ten books per month and although I may enjoy many of them, very few knock my socks off. So imagine my surprise when I found that a debut novel by an unknown Scottish writer did exactly that.
Alan McAlpine is a police detective who has been unable to put away the ghosts of his past. Almost twenty years earlier, he was involved in a case where a woman was completely disfigured when someone threw acid in her face. Although she is unable to speak or move other than her fingers, Alan tries to find ways to communicate with her. In so doing, he creates a beautiful fantasy woman, a woman with whom he falls deeply in love. Even after she dies, he cannot let go of her memory, in spite of the fact that he has married an equally incredible woman of beauty and spirit.
The memories return in full force when Alan is assigned to the Patrickhill station in Glasgow. He's heading the investigation of a killer known as the "Crucifixion Killer", who thus far has murdered at least two women. Forget about the "Dreaded Serial Killer Syndrome" – Ramsay puts together a narrative that is chilling with several surprising twists. Alan begins to behave erratically; he is drinking too much and treating his wife and colleagues poorly. Although the focus of the book is largely on the investigation, Ramsay pays significant attention to Alan's psychological state and its impact on those around him. But that doesn't mean that the other characters aren't fully developed, most especially two of the police detectives who have to deal with Alan the most.
It's hard to believe that this is a debut novel. Ramsay's writing is remarkably assured; it seems as if this could be her tenth book rather than her first. She's excelled in each of the main writing elements of plot, characterization, pace, dialog and setting. I haven't had a reaction like this to a first book since Black Dog by Stephen Booth. I am sure that I will be listing this on my Anthony Award ballot as a candidate for Best First Novel.
Given how much I liked this book, you may be wondering why I did not assign it the highest rating, 5 quills. Some parts of the characterization such as Alan's undying love for a woman he didn't really know and his wife's unwavering acceptance of his eccentricities weren't plausible to me; and the killer seemed obvious. However, I do feel that the book merits more than 4.5 quills. So do me a favor—take your pen and add a few more lines to the last quill until it almost reaches the top.
I think most readers are on a universal quest to find books that are exceptional and in which they can completely immerse themselves. On average, I read ten books per month and although I may enjoy many of them, very few knock my socks off. So imagine my surprise when I found that a debut novel by an unknown Scottish writer did exactly that.
Alan McAlpine is a police detective who has been unable to put away the ghosts of his past. Almost twenty years earlier, he was involved in a case where a woman was completely disfigured when someone threw acid in her face. Although she is unable to speak or move other than her fingers, Alan tries to find ways to communicate with her. In so doing, he creates a beautiful fantasy woman, a woman with whom he falls deeply in love. Even after she dies, he cannot let go of her memory, in spite of the fact that he has married an equally incredible woman of beauty and spirit.
The memories return in full force when Alan is assigned to the Patrickhill station in Glasgow. He's heading the investigation of a killer known as the "Crucifixion Killer", who thus far has murdered at least two women. Forget about the "Dreaded Serial Killer Syndrome" – Ramsay puts together a narrative that is chilling with several surprising twists. Alan begins to behave erratically; he is drinking too much and treating his wife and colleagues poorly. Although the focus of the book is largely on the investigation, Ramsay pays significant attention to Alan's psychological state and its impact on those around him. But that doesn't mean that the other characters aren't fully developed, most especially two of the police detectives who have to deal with Alan the most.
It's hard to believe that this is a debut novel. Ramsay's writing is remarkably assured; it seems as if this could be her tenth book rather than her first. She's excelled in each of the main writing elements of plot, characterization, pace, dialog and setting. I haven't had a reaction like this to a first book since Black Dog by Stephen Booth. I am sure that I will be listing this on my Anthony Award ballot as a candidate for Best First Novel.
Given how much I liked this book, you may be wondering why I did not assign it the highest rating, 5 quills. Some parts of the characterization such as Alan's undying love for a woman he didn't really know and his wife's unwavering acceptance of his eccentricities weren't plausible to me; and the killer seemed obvious. However, I do feel that the book merits more than 4.5 quills. So do me a favor—take your pen and add a few more lines to the last quill until it almost reaches the top.
December 4, 2022
I'm not sure if my expectations for crime fiction have changed in the 16 years between when this was written and now that I've read it, but this book was a mess! It possibly didn't help that the Kindle edition I read started on the first page of chapter 1, but didn't mention the '20 years earlier' thing (I think Kindle tries to skip what it considers to be 'non book' at the start, like title and copyright pages, but that's not always helpful as it often misses things like the 'Part 1' or date pages!) so I was a bit caught out when it went to 20 years later and took me to 2006 (for some reason when I picked it up on Kindle Unlimited I thought it was a recent publication too, so that threw me further)
Anywho, I had a number of issues with the story:
1. The author was very clearly in love with her DCI. Her obsession with his 'almond eyes' and his good looks was weird and unnecessary, and frankly he was a self-centred arsehole who didn't do his job, and broke the law with impunity while his fellow officers and wife indulged him. His DS was also apparently meant to be obsessed with him, but other than a couple of looks his way, there was no more mention of it, and again his DI was apparently obsessed with his wife, with the same lack of evidence, which made both plot points entirely superfluous.
2. The detectives who should have been under the DCI's command seemingly did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, with or without whoever they wanted. The beat polis at least got briefings and seemed more organised in the background.
3. Vik Mulholland went through a range of ranks throughout the book, from DC to DI, and regardless of rank, apparently got paid a lot more than his colleagues either then or now, given that he had a BMW and expensive suits.
4. It was kind of obvious who the serial killer was near the start of the modern day section, but the author carried gaily on casting loose ends to the wind, which really just slowed the whole thing down. I kept waiting for the 'thriller' part though. I'm still waiting.
I don't think I'll bother revisiting any more of this series.
Anywho, I had a number of issues with the story:
1. The author was very clearly in love with her DCI. Her obsession with his 'almond eyes' and his good looks was weird and unnecessary, and frankly he was a self-centred arsehole who didn't do his job, and broke the law with impunity while his fellow officers and wife indulged him. His DS was also apparently meant to be obsessed with him, but other than a couple of looks his way, there was no more mention of it, and again his DI was apparently obsessed with his wife, with the same lack of evidence, which made both plot points entirely superfluous.
2. The detectives who should have been under the DCI's command seemingly did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, with or without whoever they wanted. The beat polis at least got briefings and seemed more organised in the background.
3. Vik Mulholland went through a range of ranks throughout the book, from DC to DI, and regardless of rank, apparently got paid a lot more than his colleagues either then or now, given that he had a BMW and expensive suits.
4. It was kind of obvious who the serial killer was near the start of the modern day section, but the author carried gaily on casting loose ends to the wind, which really just slowed the whole thing down. I kept waiting for the 'thriller' part though. I'm still waiting.
I don't think I'll bother revisiting any more of this series.
June 12, 2016
Excellent police procedural, interesting cast and an unexpected (and very brave) conclusion.
May 15, 2024
This gets 4 stars more because of the characters - who seem so alive and realistic - rather than because of the story. It is actually 2 stories that somehow merges together - not even in a very organic way. The characters held the story together though. The DCI was an alcoholic mess but the rest were superb. I would love to see how they continue to work together.
February 8, 2022
Bellissimo, un tripudio di azioni, sensazioni e crimini con lo sfondo di Glasgow.
August 15, 2022
Twenty-two years have passed since Alan McAlpine, now a DCI, has entered Partickhill police station. Now he is there to lead his team in the investigation of the death of two females. But can he ever forget the events of 22 years ago.
An entertaining modern mystery.
An entertaining modern mystery.
October 16, 2022
Really good read will certainly read more of her books.
February 13, 2024
Some connections seem a bit far fetched but it's gripping to the end.
April 15, 2024
A good read full of twists and turns.
May 1, 2024
This is the first time I've read this author and I loved the book. Looking forward to reading more of hers.
February 6, 2011
ABSOLUTION is the first book from this Scottish author, with the second - Tambourine to be released 2008. There's obviously something in the water in Scotland - or maybe it's all that time stuck indoors in the long cold winters, but the number of assured, confident books coming out of that place is getting to the startling stage. ABSOLUTION is definitely assured, with a story-telling style that is absolutely enthralling.
The main component of the book is the hunt for the serial killer - the 'Crucifixion Killer'. To be honest it's a pretty standard serial killer plot, with a perpetrator that's not difficult to spot, but the point of the book seems less to do with the crime and a whole lot more to do with the impact of crime on the investigators. McAlpine is a truly tortured soul. In the 1984 incident, he was already a fragile man, emotionally drained by events in his own family, and with hindsight, what seemed like an easy job - guarding a dreadfully injured, unknown young woman backfired badly. He becomes so involved in who she is and what happened to her that he is never able to forget, never really recovers.
In the 2006 investigation, his personal fragility is starting to get on top of him - badly. As his team continue the investigation, and try, out of friendship for him and genuine feeling for his wife; to continue the investigation, to compensate for McAlpine; to understand - he falls apart in front of them. His behaviour becomes more and more erratic, his distress less and less controlled.
And it's impact of crime that becomes the main point of ABSOLUTION. The serial killer has victims - those victims have friends and families and associates. And victims aren't necessarily good, or nice, or as ideal as people perhaps think. And investigators can sometimes become victims as well. Whether that's psychological or physical, well we've all seen what happens when investigators put themselves into jeopardy. Only in ABSOLUTION the jeopardy is not what you think, and whilst it might not be hard to work out where the past has leaked into the present, it sometimes ends in ways that you may not expect.
The main component of the book is the hunt for the serial killer - the 'Crucifixion Killer'. To be honest it's a pretty standard serial killer plot, with a perpetrator that's not difficult to spot, but the point of the book seems less to do with the crime and a whole lot more to do with the impact of crime on the investigators. McAlpine is a truly tortured soul. In the 1984 incident, he was already a fragile man, emotionally drained by events in his own family, and with hindsight, what seemed like an easy job - guarding a dreadfully injured, unknown young woman backfired badly. He becomes so involved in who she is and what happened to her that he is never able to forget, never really recovers.
In the 2006 investigation, his personal fragility is starting to get on top of him - badly. As his team continue the investigation, and try, out of friendship for him and genuine feeling for his wife; to continue the investigation, to compensate for McAlpine; to understand - he falls apart in front of them. His behaviour becomes more and more erratic, his distress less and less controlled.
And it's impact of crime that becomes the main point of ABSOLUTION. The serial killer has victims - those victims have friends and families and associates. And victims aren't necessarily good, or nice, or as ideal as people perhaps think. And investigators can sometimes become victims as well. Whether that's psychological or physical, well we've all seen what happens when investigators put themselves into jeopardy. Only in ABSOLUTION the jeopardy is not what you think, and whilst it might not be hard to work out where the past has leaked into the present, it sometimes ends in ways that you may not expect.
January 7, 2009
ABSOLUTION (Pol. Proc-Alan McAlpine-Glasgow, Scotland-Cont) – Okay
Ramsey, Caro – 1st book
Michael Joseph, 2007, UK Hardcover - ISBN: 9780718150020
First Sentence: White.
In 1984, PC Alan McAlpine, working out of Partickhill station, was assigned to stand guard over a young woman who had been attacked with acid. McAlpine becomes obsessed with the young woman and devastated when she commits suicide.
Now in 2006, is a Detective Chief Inspector and back at Partickill. He and his team are faced with a killer who chloroforms woman, lays them out as though crucified and eviscerates them. McAlpine’s past obsession becomes linked with his current case.
I had seriously mixed feelings about this book. The writing was strong and I enjoyed the book being set in Glasgow, which is somewhat different.
I liked McAlpine, his wife Helena and some of his fellow detectives. But as I think about it, I was put off by the feeling that huge pieces of information relating to the characters was missing and that there was very little actual character development.
The story kept me turning the pages in spite of the fact that I had identified both the killer and the motive very soon into the book. But it was the fact that I hated the ending that really clinched my rating. It felt as though it were a cheat.
So while the book held me for a straight-through read, I don’t know that I shall read another by Ms. Ramsey.
Ramsey, Caro – 1st book
Michael Joseph, 2007, UK Hardcover - ISBN: 9780718150020
First Sentence: White.
In 1984, PC Alan McAlpine, working out of Partickhill station, was assigned to stand guard over a young woman who had been attacked with acid. McAlpine becomes obsessed with the young woman and devastated when she commits suicide.
Now in 2006, is a Detective Chief Inspector and back at Partickill. He and his team are faced with a killer who chloroforms woman, lays them out as though crucified and eviscerates them. McAlpine’s past obsession becomes linked with his current case.
I had seriously mixed feelings about this book. The writing was strong and I enjoyed the book being set in Glasgow, which is somewhat different.
I liked McAlpine, his wife Helena and some of his fellow detectives. But as I think about it, I was put off by the feeling that huge pieces of information relating to the characters was missing and that there was very little actual character development.
The story kept me turning the pages in spite of the fact that I had identified both the killer and the motive very soon into the book. But it was the fact that I hated the ending that really clinched my rating. It felt as though it were a cheat.
So while the book held me for a straight-through read, I don’t know that I shall read another by Ms. Ramsey.
April 19, 2015
I tried this out on the recommendation of a friend, who I recommended Stuart MacBride to :).
Another Scottish crime novel, this time based in my home town of Glasgow. I'm really pleased I tried it out. Looking at it now, it's advertised as book 1 of Anderson and Costello, although while reading it, it looks like book 1 of McAlpine.
All 3 are detectives searching for a serial killer stalking the west end, seemingly randomly slaughtering women, in a manner reminiscent of Jack the Ripper.
At the same time, we go back to one of the very early cases McAlpine was involved in, back as a cadet 20 years previously, which still effects him. It's this storyline that knocks it down a bit, the effects still being felt to the extent portrayed, and over that length of time is slightly difficult to swallow.
As much as this is a detective novel, it's also a psychological thriller, and is such is beautifully done. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel. I think I have a new author to follow
Another Scottish crime novel, this time based in my home town of Glasgow. I'm really pleased I tried it out. Looking at it now, it's advertised as book 1 of Anderson and Costello, although while reading it, it looks like book 1 of McAlpine.
All 3 are detectives searching for a serial killer stalking the west end, seemingly randomly slaughtering women, in a manner reminiscent of Jack the Ripper.
At the same time, we go back to one of the very early cases McAlpine was involved in, back as a cadet 20 years previously, which still effects him. It's this storyline that knocks it down a bit, the effects still being felt to the extent portrayed, and over that length of time is slightly difficult to swallow.
As much as this is a detective novel, it's also a psychological thriller, and is such is beautifully done. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel. I think I have a new author to follow
November 7, 2018
Just when I think I've already got enough authors books to read, I picked this up and loved it. Grabbed my attention from the first page and it was hard to put down.
The story spans 22 years, starting with a very young cop in 1984 who rises through the ranks to DCI for the main part of the story set in 2006.
The characters were very real, DCI McAlpine is damaged from the 1984 incident and his wife and colleagues struggle to know what's going on in his head. The DI working with McAlpine is just a little in love with his boss's wife and can't understand his boss and his attitude at all.
Of course this is a crime book so there's murders to solve and the investigation leads the cops in many directions, keeping the reader guessing right along with the cops involved.
The complex twists and turns were like trying to find my way through a labyrinth and I loved every one of them.
I'll definitely be reading the rest of this series written by Caro Ramsay.
The story spans 22 years, starting with a very young cop in 1984 who rises through the ranks to DCI for the main part of the story set in 2006.
The characters were very real, DCI McAlpine is damaged from the 1984 incident and his wife and colleagues struggle to know what's going on in his head. The DI working with McAlpine is just a little in love with his boss's wife and can't understand his boss and his attitude at all.
Of course this is a crime book so there's murders to solve and the investigation leads the cops in many directions, keeping the reader guessing right along with the cops involved.
The complex twists and turns were like trying to find my way through a labyrinth and I loved every one of them.
I'll definitely be reading the rest of this series written by Caro Ramsay.
January 28, 2013
Absolution was one of the most brilliant character driven novels I've ever read. The pacing is perfect with ever increasing tension and twists and turns exposing new questions to be answered. I had never heard of this author before but I will certainly be looking for more of his work.
July 6, 2012
story had a lot of potential but found everything very confusing and not well structured. the constant moaning of the police and many repetitions were getting on my nerves.
July 1, 2023
k heb n crush op Sean
January 3, 2023
SPOILER ALERT
A complicated tale of obsession. DCI Alan's slow disintegration stems from an early case when he was a PC. Assigned to protect an unknown woman who has been attacked with acid, he is unable to follow orders and goes into her room, talks to her, places her baby in her arms, and sets up a method for communicating with her, and gives her the name of "Anna", for Anastasia (even after they determine her identity). Her face is burned off, the front of her chest was burned and her hands are severely damaged. He gets her to move her thumb and index finger to answer questions. She was 8 1/2 months pregnant, and the baby was delivered by Caesarean. He falls in love with her. Takes her ring, and when found out is reassigned to another task. When he goes back to see her, she has managed to get out of her restraints, there to her from pulling at her wounds, and commit suicide. Alan never forgets her. He meets his future wife at Anna's gravesite, Helena Farrell, a successful artist, giving her Anna's ring. She will learn over the years that he has a secret and a love that he never reveals, and that in pursuit of that obsession, he sleeps with other women (ones that resemble Anna, blonde, blue eyed). Agnes (Anna) was with Pieter vander Kerkhof, aboard a yacht. They steal diamonds and Anna runs to Glasgow where she hides the diamonds in a safety deposit box, and sets up a trust for her daughter, before the men who want the diamonds back find her. Pieter, ironically, aboard his yacht Fluisteraar collides with MNS Alba, and goes into the water. Robbie McAlpine, Alan's brother, goes in after Pieter, and they both drown. With the suicide of his mother soon after, Alan is unable to cope with his life, and falls into the obsession with "Anna".
When there is a series of murders that are related, he is unable to adequately attend to the case. Anderson and Costello take over. They are looking at a number of suspects, affiliated with a shelter/refuge, Phoenix. George Leask is a minister and Father Tom O'Keefe is the founder of the refuge. All of the women had a connection to the refuge: Arlene Haggerty, a prostitute, Lynzi Traill, and Elizabeth Hane Fulton. Each of them is disemboweled and their feet are crossed much as a Crucifixion Killings. The killer is given the name Christopher Robin. Another man suspected is Sean McTiernan. He is connected to a beautiful blonde girl that he was in a foster home with. She is named Trudi "Truli" Swann, and they stay in Shiprid's cottage on the beach. Keeper's Cottage houses Nan, a woman who will save Alan's life when he drives out to the beach drunk, in his wife's car, and crashes. He also remembers an angel saving him. It is is Trudi, who is Anna's daughter.
Rev Leask, who is an intolerant rigid religious leader turns out to be the killer, and Alan will go to Shiprid's cottage to find Anna, his angel, and end up saving her, Anna having been stabbed by Leask. Alan dies saving her. This loss of man's soul as the main thread of the story was a surprise. It was almost as if the murders were an afterthought. It seems inevitable that he would die saving Trudi, who is with Sean in the end, barely able to function, but alive.
We know that Anderson and Costello solved the murder, and Helena reconciled to Alan's inability to give "Anna" up. Nevertheless, it was a strange and unusual police procedural. Well written, suspenseful and with a couple of intriguing twists, it was a masterful study of a character. I look forward to the next installment.
A complicated tale of obsession. DCI Alan's slow disintegration stems from an early case when he was a PC. Assigned to protect an unknown woman who has been attacked with acid, he is unable to follow orders and goes into her room, talks to her, places her baby in her arms, and sets up a method for communicating with her, and gives her the name of "Anna", for Anastasia (even after they determine her identity). Her face is burned off, the front of her chest was burned and her hands are severely damaged. He gets her to move her thumb and index finger to answer questions. She was 8 1/2 months pregnant, and the baby was delivered by Caesarean. He falls in love with her. Takes her ring, and when found out is reassigned to another task. When he goes back to see her, she has managed to get out of her restraints, there to her from pulling at her wounds, and commit suicide. Alan never forgets her. He meets his future wife at Anna's gravesite, Helena Farrell, a successful artist, giving her Anna's ring. She will learn over the years that he has a secret and a love that he never reveals, and that in pursuit of that obsession, he sleeps with other women (ones that resemble Anna, blonde, blue eyed). Agnes (Anna) was with Pieter vander Kerkhof, aboard a yacht. They steal diamonds and Anna runs to Glasgow where she hides the diamonds in a safety deposit box, and sets up a trust for her daughter, before the men who want the diamonds back find her. Pieter, ironically, aboard his yacht Fluisteraar collides with MNS Alba, and goes into the water. Robbie McAlpine, Alan's brother, goes in after Pieter, and they both drown. With the suicide of his mother soon after, Alan is unable to cope with his life, and falls into the obsession with "Anna".
When there is a series of murders that are related, he is unable to adequately attend to the case. Anderson and Costello take over. They are looking at a number of suspects, affiliated with a shelter/refuge, Phoenix. George Leask is a minister and Father Tom O'Keefe is the founder of the refuge. All of the women had a connection to the refuge: Arlene Haggerty, a prostitute, Lynzi Traill, and Elizabeth Hane Fulton. Each of them is disemboweled and their feet are crossed much as a Crucifixion Killings. The killer is given the name Christopher Robin. Another man suspected is Sean McTiernan. He is connected to a beautiful blonde girl that he was in a foster home with. She is named Trudi "Truli" Swann, and they stay in Shiprid's cottage on the beach. Keeper's Cottage houses Nan, a woman who will save Alan's life when he drives out to the beach drunk, in his wife's car, and crashes. He also remembers an angel saving him. It is is Trudi, who is Anna's daughter.
Rev Leask, who is an intolerant rigid religious leader turns out to be the killer, and Alan will go to Shiprid's cottage to find Anna, his angel, and end up saving her, Anna having been stabbed by Leask. Alan dies saving her. This loss of man's soul as the main thread of the story was a surprise. It was almost as if the murders were an afterthought. It seems inevitable that he would die saving Trudi, who is with Sean in the end, barely able to function, but alive.
We know that Anderson and Costello solved the murder, and Helena reconciled to Alan's inability to give "Anna" up. Nevertheless, it was a strange and unusual police procedural. Well written, suspenseful and with a couple of intriguing twists, it was a masterful study of a character. I look forward to the next installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2021
Took a little bit of a chance on this one based on positive comments about the writer on some forums and social groups I follow.
It’s a decent first novel, but like many first novels, it’s a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to the writing.
On the positive side, the Glasgow setting works well. The main plot - a series of murders of women by someone the press has dubbed The Crucifixion Killer - isn’t especially original, but it moves along at a decent pace. It ticks the boxes for what you’d expect in a police procedural novel. The main two cops - Anderson and Costello - are believable characters, and the dialogue on the whole feels well-written.
However, it feels like the author tried to cram too much into this book.
There’s a secondary plot which starts back in the 1980s involving the aftermath of a diamond heist. It takes up the first 10% of the plot where Anderson and Costello’s boss, Alan McAlpine is a young policeman sent to look after a woman in hospital who’s been scarred in a horrific acid attack.
This almost feels like an entirely different book.
The way he falls for this woman in a coma (including a weird section where he strokes her feet) just didn’t ring very true. Nor did this part of the story’s connection to the murders which we hear about when it flashes forward 20 years or so to the main story.
Found the character of McAlpine and his actions hard to believe in, as he does some crazy things.
There’s also a large amount of overwriting in places, which a stronger edit could have improved. Lots of adverbs on how people say things, and lots of descriptions that don’t move the plot forward or add to the atmosphere.
All that being said, there was enough of interest to make we want to try another by this author, as much out of curiosity as to whether she managed to get rid of those first novel bad habits.
It’s a decent first novel, but like many first novels, it’s a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to the writing.
On the positive side, the Glasgow setting works well. The main plot - a series of murders of women by someone the press has dubbed The Crucifixion Killer - isn’t especially original, but it moves along at a decent pace. It ticks the boxes for what you’d expect in a police procedural novel. The main two cops - Anderson and Costello - are believable characters, and the dialogue on the whole feels well-written.
However, it feels like the author tried to cram too much into this book.
There’s a secondary plot which starts back in the 1980s involving the aftermath of a diamond heist. It takes up the first 10% of the plot where Anderson and Costello’s boss, Alan McAlpine is a young policeman sent to look after a woman in hospital who’s been scarred in a horrific acid attack.
This almost feels like an entirely different book.
The way he falls for this woman in a coma (including a weird section where he strokes her feet) just didn’t ring very true. Nor did this part of the story’s connection to the murders which we hear about when it flashes forward 20 years or so to the main story.
Found the character of McAlpine and his actions hard to believe in, as he does some crazy things.
There’s also a large amount of overwriting in places, which a stronger edit could have improved. Lots of adverbs on how people say things, and lots of descriptions that don’t move the plot forward or add to the atmosphere.
All that being said, there was enough of interest to make we want to try another by this author, as much out of curiosity as to whether she managed to get rid of those first novel bad habits.
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