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Borders Mysteries #1
No Stranger to Death
A Scottish village. A burning corpse. Some very dark secrets.
Recently-widowed Dr Zoe Moreland moves to the Scottish Borders for a fresh start among strangers unaware of her tragic past. However, her hopes of a quiet life are dashed when she finds the grisly remains of a body in the village’s Guy Fawkes bonfire and gets caught up in the resulting murder investigation.
Then someone else dies unexpectedly and Zoe herself narrowly escapes death. Determined not to become the killer’s next victim, she digs beneath the tranquil surface of the close knit community to find out who is committing these horrible acts. And discovers that some secrets can be deadly.
Recently-widowed Dr Zoe Moreland moves to the Scottish Borders for a fresh start among strangers unaware of her tragic past. However, her hopes of a quiet life are dashed when she finds the grisly remains of a body in the village’s Guy Fawkes bonfire and gets caught up in the resulting murder investigation.
Then someone else dies unexpectedly and Zoe herself narrowly escapes death. Determined not to become the killer’s next victim, she digs beneath the tranquil surface of the close knit community to find out who is committing these horrible acts. And discovers that some secrets can be deadly.
363 pages, ebook
First published November 18, 2013
19 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Janet O'Kane
4 books38 followersJanet O’Kane went straight from Enid Blyton to what her Mum liked reading: crime novels. And despite occasional dalliances with other types of fiction, that’s where she has happily stayed.
Her career before turning to writing full-time included selling underpants to Roger Moore in Harrods and marketing nappies for Boots the Chemist. It was when she helped run a GP surgery that she decided a doctor would make an excellent main character for a series of crime novels.
Janet lives in the Scottish Borders with her stonemason husband and two cats, two dogs and far too many chickens. She is now working on the sequel to No Stranger to Death and learning to tap-dance.
Her career before turning to writing full-time included selling underpants to Roger Moore in Harrods and marketing nappies for Boots the Chemist. It was when she helped run a GP surgery that she decided a doctor would make an excellent main character for a series of crime novels.
Janet lives in the Scottish Borders with her stonemason husband and two cats, two dogs and far too many chickens. She is now working on the sequel to No Stranger to Death and learning to tap-dance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 12, 2015
I enjoyed this book. Set in a village on the Scottish Borders, it reminded me of Peter Robinson’s books set in the Yorkshire Dales and Ann Cleeves’ novels set in Shetland. Obviously, there is a limit to the amount of mayhem you can have in such a setting compared to a big city and the danger is that many would consider a setting like this ‘cosy’. In Robinson’s ‘A Dedicated Man’ the murder victim is an industrial archaeologist and in Cleeves’ ‘Blue Lightning’ it is a bird-watcher. You can’t imagine Lee Child using such a setting: ‘Reacher alone in the night. Armed and dangerous. A pair of Zeiss Victory SFs in his hands’. I remember walking through a rough part of Manchester a few years ago and seeing the outline of a body freshly painted on the street outside a row of shops. No-one seemed particularly bothered yet the shoot-out between rival gangsters had only happened the day before. So, if as a crime writer you are using such a setting, you would have to throw in car chases, explosions, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades before anyone would notice. Not to mention torture, rape and burned bodies everywhere. Cleeves has recently criticised the tendency towards the use of increasingly graphic violence by crime writers, particularly against female characters. You read Jo Nesbo and you find yourself stifling a yawn at yet another anal rape of a young woman. You almost feel ashamed for reading it. Not good.
In Janet O’Kane’s book the violence is there but understated. The protagonist is a GP who is an outsider to the community and with her own secrets in her past. The interesting bit is that GPs are under a contract of secrecy concerning their patients, like priests taking confession, which adds spice to the story. In any village there are always lots of secrets and skeletons tucked away in cupboards and in this book you get to know the community with all its little intrigues. The book is well written and plotted and I would recommend it. Sometimes cosy is better.
In Janet O’Kane’s book the violence is there but understated. The protagonist is a GP who is an outsider to the community and with her own secrets in her past. The interesting bit is that GPs are under a contract of secrecy concerning their patients, like priests taking confession, which adds spice to the story. In any village there are always lots of secrets and skeletons tucked away in cupboards and in this book you get to know the community with all its little intrigues. The book is well written and plotted and I would recommend it. Sometimes cosy is better.
December 22, 2015
oh god. I need to read the next one. Janet when is it due.
I'd like to thank the Author Janet O'Kane for sending me a signed copy of this book. However it was far to nice to spoil or get grubby reading it, as I wanted to put it with my signed book collection.. (lol... I now have 2) So I also purchased the kindle edition, so i could take it out and about to read, because once i started this book I just didn't want to put it down. i feel privileged to have been asked to read this book. And i'm hoping beyond hope that there will be a lot more books to come from this author. Janet has written a great book, and sometimes as a reader you have to be glad that certain authors took the time to write a bloody good book. For a first book, it was fantastic.
It was a great change for the main character to be a Dr, rather than the norm - detective-.
Zoe Moreland, is a GP she has recently moved to a village in the Borders region of Scotland, hoping for a fresh start and a quiet life. But Unfortunately for her, that's not what she gets! Early one morning while out walking her dog, Zoe finds a body in the remains of the previous nights bonfire, But Zoe doesn't want to get involved, and is reluctant to report it. But she does, and then things start to move, village gossip, police questions and people not being what they seem to be helps this story progress, with its twists and turns it certainly makes you want to keep reading.
I really did like some of the other characters in this book, and especially Kate, Zoe's friend. I think this could be a life long friendship made. Zoe seems to be quite a private person only really opening up to Kate. Which is where you begin to get a proper look into Zoe's past.
I really do think this could be the start of a fantastic series of books, and look forward to reading more.
I'd like to thank the Author Janet O'Kane for sending me a signed copy of this book. However it was far to nice to spoil or get grubby reading it, as I wanted to put it with my signed book collection.. (lol... I now have 2) So I also purchased the kindle edition, so i could take it out and about to read, because once i started this book I just didn't want to put it down. i feel privileged to have been asked to read this book. And i'm hoping beyond hope that there will be a lot more books to come from this author. Janet has written a great book, and sometimes as a reader you have to be glad that certain authors took the time to write a bloody good book. For a first book, it was fantastic.
It was a great change for the main character to be a Dr, rather than the norm - detective-.
Zoe Moreland, is a GP she has recently moved to a village in the Borders region of Scotland, hoping for a fresh start and a quiet life. But Unfortunately for her, that's not what she gets! Early one morning while out walking her dog, Zoe finds a body in the remains of the previous nights bonfire, But Zoe doesn't want to get involved, and is reluctant to report it. But she does, and then things start to move, village gossip, police questions and people not being what they seem to be helps this story progress, with its twists and turns it certainly makes you want to keep reading.
I really did like some of the other characters in this book, and especially Kate, Zoe's friend. I think this could be a life long friendship made. Zoe seems to be quite a private person only really opening up to Kate. Which is where you begin to get a proper look into Zoe's past.
I really do think this could be the start of a fantastic series of books, and look forward to reading more.
November 26, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and I really enjoyed it - I loved the plot as it developed and it was a real good 'who dunnit' mystery. The main character is strong and the story develops well around her as she becomes involved in a series of murders and attempted murders in the small village she has recently relocated to in the Scottish Borders. I'm already looking forward to the sequel.
February 23, 2020
I enjoyed getting to meet Zoe, and all the other characters in this cozy mystery set in the borders area of Scotland. Zoe is the new doctor in town. Leaving behind an upsetting death of her husband, she's moved to a small cottage with her rescued mutt, Mac, and a desire for a quiet respite as she looks forward into moving into the community and a large steakhouse she is having renovated. She's found a new friend, Kate, and a dishy but annoying renovator. Following the villages large Guy Fawkes bonfire, Zoe discovers a burnt corpse in the bonfire remains. Someone in the village has done away with a notorious busybody. Suspects are plenty, but Marti down when another body is found in a river. Zoe and Kate set out to figure out who the killer is as Zoe herself is threatened. The characters are very likeable and it is enjoyable spending time with Zoe and Kate as they put the pieces together. I enjoyed this first in a series, and look forward to reading Zoe's and Kate's and Mac's further adventures in number two in the series.
November 14, 2014
This books main character is a GP that has relocated from England to Scotland after the death of husband and has taken on a new role in the local practise. Zoe, the main character, is slowly making new friends while renovating a house she has brought locally as well as adapting to life in a small village environment
One morning while walking her dog she stumbles on a dead body buried in the depths of the previous nights bonfire and this is the story of what happens next. It has twists and turns are softly and delicately written into it and I am finding it a refreshing read after reading quite a hard hitting novel from same Genre.
I am finding this novel intriguing and the plot isn't going the way I have been expecting, which to me is the sign of a good book and a story that is being told well! I also found the ending is not what I expected, to a degree, in terms of the plot. I found the tone changed slightly, but this was ore to heighten the tension of what happened and leading us onto the next book.
This books comes highly recommended!
One morning while walking her dog she stumbles on a dead body buried in the depths of the previous nights bonfire and this is the story of what happens next. It has twists and turns are softly and delicately written into it and I am finding it a refreshing read after reading quite a hard hitting novel from same Genre.
I am finding this novel intriguing and the plot isn't going the way I have been expecting, which to me is the sign of a good book and a story that is being told well! I also found the ending is not what I expected, to a degree, in terms of the plot. I found the tone changed slightly, but this was ore to heighten the tension of what happened and leading us onto the next book.
This books comes highly recommended!
December 21, 2014
Really enjoyed this.
In the interests of transparency, blah, blah, blah... I do know the author. However, this is an objective review.
I am bored, bored, bored by so much crime writing these days. This was a bit different. Which is probably why Janet had to self-publish. It doesn't fit a niche crime sub-genre. It's kind of cozy-crime, but it's not. Also, Janet has bravely written this from one point of view (third person) where many better selling writers would have head jumped all over the place to make the writing easier for themselves, but alienated this reader in the process.
I really liked the protagonist. I have to say that I anticipated every twist bar one, which I'm not entirely convinced by, but I did expect there to be something weird about that character. Only not quite this!
Looking forward to the next one... I think I know who Zoe will end up living with/marrying. If not, I shall be disappointed.
In the interests of transparency, blah, blah, blah... I do know the author. However, this is an objective review.
I am bored, bored, bored by so much crime writing these days. This was a bit different. Which is probably why Janet had to self-publish. It doesn't fit a niche crime sub-genre. It's kind of cozy-crime, but it's not. Also, Janet has bravely written this from one point of view (third person) where many better selling writers would have head jumped all over the place to make the writing easier for themselves, but alienated this reader in the process.
I really liked the protagonist. I have to say that I anticipated every twist bar one, which I'm not entirely convinced by, but I did expect there to be something weird about that character. Only not quite this!
Looking forward to the next one... I think I know who Zoe will end up living with/marrying. If not, I shall be disappointed.
April 28, 2017
A Compelling Whodunit
I was given a copy of the this book in exchange for an honest review.
The pace and the plot of this story is compelling and sweeps you right along. The dialogue is a little formal in the beginning but once the author finds her voice and gets comfortable, all the characters really come alive. Chrissie (the deceased) was a horrible person and the reader can really feel the anger and dislike she inspired. Everyone in this Scottish border town has a secret, even the main character. I think the main joy of this novel was watching Zoe tease out the secrets and then, finally , reveal her own. This was a satisfying mystery that kept me guessing until the end.
Read
July 26, 2020Romance, new fitted kitchens, dog walking and murder in the Scottish Borders.
The story meanders along nicely with two pleasant sleuths: Zoe, an English doctor new to the area, and her friend Kate, whose lip reading skills come in handy as they snoop around their fellow villagers, unearthing some pretty dark secrets.
This is cosy crime until the closing stages which become unexpectedly violent. The last chapter sets up for the sequel and there are hints that the past Zoe left behind in England might be about to catch up with her. I would read another book by this author.
The story meanders along nicely with two pleasant sleuths: Zoe, an English doctor new to the area, and her friend Kate, whose lip reading skills come in handy as they snoop around their fellow villagers, unearthing some pretty dark secrets.
This is cosy crime until the closing stages which become unexpectedly violent. The last chapter sets up for the sequel and there are hints that the past Zoe left behind in England might be about to catch up with her. I would read another book by this author.
January 24, 2016
I stayed up way past my usual bed-time to read this book. It's a slow starter, but the tensions builds & builds, until the story gripped me and I couldn't work out who had 'done it' until the very end. It also turns from something that has the feel of a 'cosy' crime to something more sinister and scary. As a debut outing, I was impressed and hope to read more from this writer. Am pleased to read her latest has just been released, will be downloading that soon.
February 19, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! A well written murder mystery as good as any other I've read. The Borders setting only added to my enjoyment - it's a bit weird seeing your small home town mentioned in a novel !! Looking forward to reading the sequel!!
March 13, 2016
I enjoyed this book,a doctor involved in investigation of a killer.
February 26, 2016
Described as 'cosy crime meets tartan noir' and it's hard to argue with that description. A good read and just enough of a hook at the end to make sure you will want to read book 2.
April 26, 2018
The main characters in this book are compelling and kept me turning the page. The author's style is modern and crisp, and the elements of storytelling for the murder mystery genre are all present and correct. This is certainly not a cozy mystery, and the plot takes the reader to dark places. While the resolution of the mystery is not my personal favourite way for the reveal of the criminal to take place in a detective story, No Stranger to Death is worth the read.
November 16, 2017
3.5 rounded up. It was an enjoyable read, and I quite liked the heroine and her friend, but I felt I required a substantial suspension of disbelief, in the number and quality of mysteries in the village, in the characters of two of the men, and in the romance into which the heroine seems to tumble helplessly. I wanted to like it more, and may try another one.
May 5, 2018
Interesting, Engaging Mystery With a Kick
At first, I thought this was going to be a typical cozy mystery. But the main character is no pushover. I really like her. There are so many twists and turns in the book that it captures your interest and makes you wonder “Who did it?” all the way until the end. I’m ready to read the sequel now.
At first, I thought this was going to be a typical cozy mystery. But the main character is no pushover. I really like her. There are so many twists and turns in the book that it captures your interest and makes you wonder “Who did it?” all the way until the end. I’m ready to read the sequel now.
January 5, 2018
Really enjoyed this book. Several twists and turns and a little extra right at the end to make you want to read the next one.
Read
February 5, 2020James
August 14, 2018
Excellent book. I grew to care about the people in the story. I didn't have a clue about who most of the "bad guys" were, too. It was also set in a part of the world that I love.
October 26, 2021
Review of No Stranger to Death by Janet O’Kane © 2013
No Stranger to Death is the first in the Borders Mysteries series, written by Janet O’Kane. The protagonist in the story is a General Practitioner (a medical doctor) working in a fictional town in the Scottish Borders, not far from the Scotland/England line. Zoe Moreland is no stranger to either death or suffering. She deals with it in her profession and has faced both in her personal life, enough so she is not inclined to investigate when she and her dog stumble across a body in the remains of a Guy Fawkes bonfire (a traditional English celebration akin to the fireworks enjoyed by Americans on July the fourth each year).
Zoe is in a position of trust in the village, which means she must talk to the police, within the bounds of professional ethics, but not to the highly traditional small town gossips. Keeping secrets is part of her stock-in-trade and secrets are at the heart of the story.
No Stranger to Death is an example of the excellent work being done by some self-published authors. When compared to several would-be murder mysteries issued by traditional publishing houses and written by (it is claimed) New York Times best-selling authors, Ms. O’Kane’s work beats them hands down. Her characters are vivid, the dialogue believable, the settings evocative.
Authors from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction would recognize the blameless young woman who gets caught up in crime through no fault of her own. Modern readers, trained in modern investigation methods, may fault the heroine for her lack of activity. Dr. Moreland has information thrust upon her throughout the book, but it is not until she is running from something at the end of the book that she runs into the guilty party and realizes her mistake.
Golden Age authors (and some more modern writers) would also have found the descriptions of immoral behavior on the part of several of the characters to be unnecessarily specific and not helpful to the plot.
The author is adept at handling the culture she depicts, aided, no doubt, by the fact that she actually lives in the area. I especially admired her handling of the Scots dialect scattered throughout the manuscript. It caught the flavor of the people and added authenticity to the dialogue.
The strongest dyad in the story (in my personal opinion) is the relationship between the heroine and the deaf friend who supports her. The friend plays the role of sidekick, but she is a strong, charismatic person who sees life very clearly, a trait Zoe Moreland needs and comes to rely on.
Excerpt:
“I know what you’re up to, Doctor.”
Zoe looked around. Luckily, no one was nearby. She did not want to be seen arguing out on the pavement.
“You’ve misunderstood my intentions.”
“I don’t think so.” Brian took a few steps forward, delivering a blast of bad breath which reminded Zoe of their encounter some days earlier. “I’ve only got one thing to say to you.”
“And what’s that?”
“Stop interfering in other people’s lives.”
“I’m a doctor, Brian. If someone asks for my advice on a medical matter, I’ll try to help them.”
I found No Stranger to Death to be an engaging read, with a clear resolution and enough mystery to keep me wondering what Zoe was thinking until the very end. It goes on my keeper shelf.
Maggie Foster - http://www.lochlonach.com
No Stranger to Death is the first in the Borders Mysteries series, written by Janet O’Kane. The protagonist in the story is a General Practitioner (a medical doctor) working in a fictional town in the Scottish Borders, not far from the Scotland/England line. Zoe Moreland is no stranger to either death or suffering. She deals with it in her profession and has faced both in her personal life, enough so she is not inclined to investigate when she and her dog stumble across a body in the remains of a Guy Fawkes bonfire (a traditional English celebration akin to the fireworks enjoyed by Americans on July the fourth each year).
Zoe is in a position of trust in the village, which means she must talk to the police, within the bounds of professional ethics, but not to the highly traditional small town gossips. Keeping secrets is part of her stock-in-trade and secrets are at the heart of the story.
No Stranger to Death is an example of the excellent work being done by some self-published authors. When compared to several would-be murder mysteries issued by traditional publishing houses and written by (it is claimed) New York Times best-selling authors, Ms. O’Kane’s work beats them hands down. Her characters are vivid, the dialogue believable, the settings evocative.
Authors from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction would recognize the blameless young woman who gets caught up in crime through no fault of her own. Modern readers, trained in modern investigation methods, may fault the heroine for her lack of activity. Dr. Moreland has information thrust upon her throughout the book, but it is not until she is running from something at the end of the book that she runs into the guilty party and realizes her mistake.
Golden Age authors (and some more modern writers) would also have found the descriptions of immoral behavior on the part of several of the characters to be unnecessarily specific and not helpful to the plot.
The author is adept at handling the culture she depicts, aided, no doubt, by the fact that she actually lives in the area. I especially admired her handling of the Scots dialect scattered throughout the manuscript. It caught the flavor of the people and added authenticity to the dialogue.
The strongest dyad in the story (in my personal opinion) is the relationship between the heroine and the deaf friend who supports her. The friend plays the role of sidekick, but she is a strong, charismatic person who sees life very clearly, a trait Zoe Moreland needs and comes to rely on.
Excerpt:
“I know what you’re up to, Doctor.”
Zoe looked around. Luckily, no one was nearby. She did not want to be seen arguing out on the pavement.
“You’ve misunderstood my intentions.”
“I don’t think so.” Brian took a few steps forward, delivering a blast of bad breath which reminded Zoe of their encounter some days earlier. “I’ve only got one thing to say to you.”
“And what’s that?”
“Stop interfering in other people’s lives.”
“I’m a doctor, Brian. If someone asks for my advice on a medical matter, I’ll try to help them.”
I found No Stranger to Death to be an engaging read, with a clear resolution and enough mystery to keep me wondering what Zoe was thinking until the very end. It goes on my keeper shelf.
Maggie Foster - http://www.lochlonach.com
August 1, 2016
As a doctor, Zoe Moreland is certainly no stranger to death as the title of this book says. However, even she is unprepared for finding a body under the smouldering remains of a Guy Fawkes night bonfire. Clearly the body didn't get there by chance and another unexpected death, followed closely by Zoe being involved in a suspicious car accident, suggests further foul play. Zoe had recently moved to the Scottish Borders following the death of her husband and had thought it would be a peaceful area for her to deal with her feelings following her bereavement. Involved in the investigation, however unwillingly, she begins to find out all kinds of secrets being concealed by the villagers with the help of her friend Kate. Kate is deaf and her lip-reading skills prove very useful. It seems the more the two friends find out, the more danger Zoe could be in.
I really enjoyed this book, finding the protagonist Zoe, a very engaging character. Although it was a murder investigation and the police were obviously involved, it was Zoe who was the main focus and who uncovered most of the secrets. The story unfolded well as Zoe began to find out the many secrets almost all the villagers seemed to be keeping. Being a GP meant Zoe was in a position to find out things about her patients that even the police couldn't find out - but with confidentiality issues, how much could she actually reveal? In this small rural community where you'd think everyone would know everything about everyone else, it was amazing just what people was hiding. Zoe too had issues she was keeping to herself and it's not until later in the book that she finally opens up to her friend Kate. The friendship between the two women was well written as Zoe began to be more trusting of Kate and their friendship grew stronger. There were plenty of twists in the book, keeping the reader engaged in the plot. So many of the villagers would appear to have had motive to be involved in the crimes and Janet O'Kane skilfully makes her reader suspicious of so many of them.
I must admit to being rather surprised when what was really going on was revealed. I'd never have guessed in a million years and yet, with hindsight, there were some subtle hints throughout the novel. The final chapter ended the book in a very intriguing way meaning that I will of course have to read the sequel! A well paced, satisfying crime thriller with strong characters who I look forward to meeting again in the lovely Borders setting. Although the beautiful Borders countryside does not seem so peaceful after reading this book!
My thanks to the author for giving me a copy of her book to review.
I really enjoyed this book, finding the protagonist Zoe, a very engaging character. Although it was a murder investigation and the police were obviously involved, it was Zoe who was the main focus and who uncovered most of the secrets. The story unfolded well as Zoe began to find out the many secrets almost all the villagers seemed to be keeping. Being a GP meant Zoe was in a position to find out things about her patients that even the police couldn't find out - but with confidentiality issues, how much could she actually reveal? In this small rural community where you'd think everyone would know everything about everyone else, it was amazing just what people was hiding. Zoe too had issues she was keeping to herself and it's not until later in the book that she finally opens up to her friend Kate. The friendship between the two women was well written as Zoe began to be more trusting of Kate and their friendship grew stronger. There were plenty of twists in the book, keeping the reader engaged in the plot. So many of the villagers would appear to have had motive to be involved in the crimes and Janet O'Kane skilfully makes her reader suspicious of so many of them.
I must admit to being rather surprised when what was really going on was revealed. I'd never have guessed in a million years and yet, with hindsight, there were some subtle hints throughout the novel. The final chapter ended the book in a very intriguing way meaning that I will of course have to read the sequel! A well paced, satisfying crime thriller with strong characters who I look forward to meeting again in the lovely Borders setting. Although the beautiful Borders countryside does not seem so peaceful after reading this book!
My thanks to the author for giving me a copy of her book to review.
August 21, 2021
Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include NO STRANGER TO DEATH by JANET O’KANE in the library of Awesome Indies'
Badge of Approval
recipients.
Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (4 stars):
A grisly murder in a sleepy Scottish Borders village opens this debut novel by Janet O'Kane. The body is discovered by a relative newcomer to the village, who has joined the local surgery as a GP.
Doctor Moreland is the central character and the novel, written in the third person, is told from her point of view. However, it is a distant, almost clinical POV, and given that she survives two attempts on her life, is involved in three suspicious deaths, and is just starting a relationship, I would like to have seen some more intimate third person perspective apart from her doubts about her prospective boyfriend.
There is a good range of characters, with many of the supporting ones well portrayed, revealing more about them gradually as the novel progresses. The atmosphere of a small village is well created through the use of dialogue and characterisation.
The plot is not just a whodunit but manages to weave different sub-plots neatly into the main story without being distracting and there are some interesting red herrings and twists. The beginning is paced more slowly to set context, and pauses slightly at times with some minor insignificant detail, but as more is revealed later in the book, the pace picks up considerably, and through a number of red herrings and twists, builds up to an unexpected climax.
Strengths of this book were characterisation, thoughtful plot (and sub-plots), and the way the story played out. A lot of the story was conveyed through dialogue and was well-written and credible. When the immediate action happened it was very good. There were few literal errors.
Recommended to anyone who likes a mystery/crime novel that focuses on thinking, and one that—in its favour—isn't full of unnecessary gore. It's a good first novel.
I received this book free of charge from the author in return for an honest review.
Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (4 stars):
A grisly murder in a sleepy Scottish Borders village opens this debut novel by Janet O'Kane. The body is discovered by a relative newcomer to the village, who has joined the local surgery as a GP.
Doctor Moreland is the central character and the novel, written in the third person, is told from her point of view. However, it is a distant, almost clinical POV, and given that she survives two attempts on her life, is involved in three suspicious deaths, and is just starting a relationship, I would like to have seen some more intimate third person perspective apart from her doubts about her prospective boyfriend.
There is a good range of characters, with many of the supporting ones well portrayed, revealing more about them gradually as the novel progresses. The atmosphere of a small village is well created through the use of dialogue and characterisation.
The plot is not just a whodunit but manages to weave different sub-plots neatly into the main story without being distracting and there are some interesting red herrings and twists. The beginning is paced more slowly to set context, and pauses slightly at times with some minor insignificant detail, but as more is revealed later in the book, the pace picks up considerably, and through a number of red herrings and twists, builds up to an unexpected climax.
Strengths of this book were characterisation, thoughtful plot (and sub-plots), and the way the story played out. A lot of the story was conveyed through dialogue and was well-written and credible. When the immediate action happened it was very good. There were few literal errors.
Recommended to anyone who likes a mystery/crime novel that focuses on thinking, and one that—in its favour—isn't full of unnecessary gore. It's a good first novel.
I received this book free of charge from the author in return for an honest review.
January 28, 2015
A nice story – I thought about four stars, but in the end I am marking it down to three.
The story begins with a gruesome discovery. Fortunately the discoverer is a doctor, and therefore at least partly hardened to such things. The mystery grows from there. The scenes are carefully set – the author knows the Scottish Borders, and has made use of suitable locations (excellent fish-and-chips at Eyemouth – I agree!). Characters are introduced with sensible spacings to avoid the reader becoming overwhelmed, and most of those characters are reasonably well-developed and sympathetic. The backstories are told with care, relationships develop . . .
And there is the first problem. One particular relationship develops rather fast to be entirely credible. Desirable, at that stage of the book it seems inevitable – but under the circumstances, too fast to be entirely credible.
Once over that narrative hump, the story goes well and holds the reader’s interest – various crimes and relationships are discovered and explained – but the final denoument is also a little disappointing. Too many things are revealed too fast, leaving a feeling that there was more to be written – and I mean written as development in this book rather than as a sequel.
Never mind. Perhaps there actually is more to be written. This author will remain on my ‘watch out for this one’ list. If/when I find a sequel, or other work by this author, it will go on my TBR list – but will not jump to the top of it. A good book, though it fell short of ‘brilliant’.
The story begins with a gruesome discovery. Fortunately the discoverer is a doctor, and therefore at least partly hardened to such things. The mystery grows from there. The scenes are carefully set – the author knows the Scottish Borders, and has made use of suitable locations (excellent fish-and-chips at Eyemouth – I agree!). Characters are introduced with sensible spacings to avoid the reader becoming overwhelmed, and most of those characters are reasonably well-developed and sympathetic. The backstories are told with care, relationships develop . . .
And there is the first problem. One particular relationship develops rather fast to be entirely credible. Desirable, at that stage of the book it seems inevitable – but under the circumstances, too fast to be entirely credible.
Once over that narrative hump, the story goes well and holds the reader’s interest – various crimes and relationships are discovered and explained – but the final denoument is also a little disappointing. Too many things are revealed too fast, leaving a feeling that there was more to be written – and I mean written as development in this book rather than as a sequel.
Never mind. Perhaps there actually is more to be written. This author will remain on my ‘watch out for this one’ list. If/when I find a sequel, or other work by this author, it will go on my TBR list – but will not jump to the top of it. A good book, though it fell short of ‘brilliant’.
December 5, 2014
3 1/3 stars
I was attracted to the title and the cover, two very important things to me, first get my attention, then I will read the blurb, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this or not, and after some thought requested it as a free copy in exchange for an honest review and I am glad. This is a cozy murder mystery set on the Scottish borders, in a small town where everyone knows everyone and their business and when the local Dr. (Zoe) finds a body she is suddenly the centre of attention. Zoe is a great character, with a past, and that is the reason she is now in a small town in Scotland, her best friend, Mac, her dog is a huge part of the book, which I enjoyed, I can relate to the things Zoe and Mac do together. My worst character was Neil, a very irritating person, Zoe has much more patience than I would have
i wasn't sure what to expect when I started this, but i enjoyed it. Details, descriptions, relationships, murder, mystery, secrets.What a surprising ending, I didn't see that coming,
The author also writes occasionally in a scottish accent, which add to the characters in the book and at 363 pages long you can get your teeth into it.
This is the first in a series. Debut from indie published author. This is the first in a series.
I was attracted to the title and the cover, two very important things to me, first get my attention, then I will read the blurb, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this or not, and after some thought requested it as a free copy in exchange for an honest review and I am glad. This is a cozy murder mystery set on the Scottish borders, in a small town where everyone knows everyone and their business and when the local Dr. (Zoe) finds a body she is suddenly the centre of attention. Zoe is a great character, with a past, and that is the reason she is now in a small town in Scotland, her best friend, Mac, her dog is a huge part of the book, which I enjoyed, I can relate to the things Zoe and Mac do together. My worst character was Neil, a very irritating person, Zoe has much more patience than I would have
i wasn't sure what to expect when I started this, but i enjoyed it. Details, descriptions, relationships, murder, mystery, secrets.What a surprising ending, I didn't see that coming,
The author also writes occasionally in a scottish accent, which add to the characters in the book and at 363 pages long you can get your teeth into it.
This is the first in a series. Debut from indie published author. This is the first in a series.
February 27, 2015
I expected this book to be a Scottish Borders version of Midsomer Murders but I quickly realised it was to be a far darker and more gripping experience.
"A Scottish village. A burning corpse. And a doctor who must discover who’s killing her patients before she becomes the next victim."
There are several intricate plot strands running through the story and the author skilfully knits them into a credible and shocking tale. The main character is an intriguing figure - we are drip fed clues to her background that explain the defensive barriers she has built up around herself. I enjoyed the way she stood up for herself in spite of her doubts and insecurities and this meant I was rooting for her 100% throughout the book.
Most of the plot was tied up satisfactorily by the end of the book but with one of the best cliffhanger endings I've read recently the author has me eagerly awaiting the sequel.
I recommend No Stranger To Death to fans of crime fiction with a difference - a main character unconnected to the police - and readers who enjoy trying to solve an intricate puzzle.
My copy was purchased from Amazon Kindle store.
"A Scottish village. A burning corpse. And a doctor who must discover who’s killing her patients before she becomes the next victim."
There are several intricate plot strands running through the story and the author skilfully knits them into a credible and shocking tale. The main character is an intriguing figure - we are drip fed clues to her background that explain the defensive barriers she has built up around herself. I enjoyed the way she stood up for herself in spite of her doubts and insecurities and this meant I was rooting for her 100% throughout the book.
Most of the plot was tied up satisfactorily by the end of the book but with one of the best cliffhanger endings I've read recently the author has me eagerly awaiting the sequel.
I recommend No Stranger To Death to fans of crime fiction with a difference - a main character unconnected to the police - and readers who enjoy trying to solve an intricate puzzle.
My copy was purchased from Amazon Kindle store.
June 13, 2016
Dr Zoe Moreland has just moved to the Borders to escape from her past. She thinks life will be quieter and calmer here in this small village however, one morning whilst taking her dog Mac out for a walk she discovers a body which has been badly burnt in a bonfire. As reluctant as she is to get involved in the case circumstances begin to dictate to her that she start doing a little investigation of her own.
I loved the characters in this story and the relationships that exist between them all. It is a well written story with some interesting twists and turns. I will definitely be hunting out the next book in the series. A very good read which I would recommend to anyone enjoying crime books without too much gore!
I loved the characters in this story and the relationships that exist between them all. It is a well written story with some interesting twists and turns. I will definitely be hunting out the next book in the series. A very good read which I would recommend to anyone enjoying crime books without too much gore!
December 13, 2013
No Stranger to Death is another self published novel that I have really enjoyed. The main character is a GP, an outsider in a village where it seems that everybody has a secret including herself. The chapters are very short and I found that through most of the book I told myself 'just one more chapter'
I did guess who it was, but it wasn't long before the end and it wasn't exactly like I thought it would be.
This book is the start of a series that has great potential and I can't wait for book two, especially after the very last sentence.
I did guess who it was, but it wasn't long before the end and it wasn't exactly like I thought it would be.
This book is the start of a series that has great potential and I can't wait for book two, especially after the very last sentence.
December 9, 2013
"Some secrets can be deadly . . . "
And this book is filled with them!
Recently widowed GP Zoe Moreland may have moved to the Scottish Borders for a fresh start, and have a wonderful dog and a great best friend in what at first sight appears to be a quaint village, but appearances are deceptive and O'Kane moves between threads of the plots and characters seamlessly, keeping the idyllic feeling intact as some dark subjects are explored. It's brilliantly assured for a debut novel and I look forward to reading the next in the series.
And this book is filled with them!
Recently widowed GP Zoe Moreland may have moved to the Scottish Borders for a fresh start, and have a wonderful dog and a great best friend in what at first sight appears to be a quaint village, but appearances are deceptive and O'Kane moves between threads of the plots and characters seamlessly, keeping the idyllic feeling intact as some dark subjects are explored. It's brilliantly assured for a debut novel and I look forward to reading the next in the series.
February 10, 2014
I really enjoyed Janet O'Kane's first novel, about a GP who moves to a Scottish Borders village for a quiet life. Needless to say, that's not what she gets, after she discovers a charred body in the remains of a bonfire. The GP, Zoe Moreland, is a likeable heroine, and I am looking forward to learning more about her as this series progresses. Many of the locals in Zoe's new home have something to hide, and the plot moves quickly to a very surprising conclusion, which I certainly didn't see coming! Looks like this will be a fun series and I'll be looking out for the next book.
November 16, 2014
This is what I would call a 'cosy with bite'. Set in the Borders area between Scotland and England, the author does not shy away from a little local dialect (just enough to make things interesting), but also political comment. A great alternative setting to Glasgow and Edinburgh for Scottish crime, not quite so urban, noir and grim. However, this is not the cosiest of reads either, from the charred corpse in the opening chapter right down to some other surprises throughout...
An intriguing debut, a stalwart effort from a self-published author and I hope the start of a long-running series.
An intriguing debut, a stalwart effort from a self-published author and I hope the start of a long-running series.
May 17, 2014
As soon as I started reading I felt involved in the characters' lives. I was eager to know about Zoe's life before her arrival in Westerlea and to find out about the new people in her life. The short chapters and well constructed plot make this a fast moving story to the very last page. Looking forward to the sequel.
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