What do you think?
Rate this book
Jamie Brodie Mystery #8
Stoned to Death
In 1915, farmer and amateur archaeologist Robert Thomson disappeared from Scotland’s Orkney Islands with a priceless Stone Age artifact. A century later, his great-great-grandson, Pete Ferguson, is coming to Scotland with boyfriend Jamie Brodie to meet his distant cousins and investigate Robert’s disappearance. But the homophobia of the Thomson patriarch threatens to derail their quest - and a chance meeting in a pub in Oxford brings Pete and Jamie’s relationship to a turning point.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2015
6 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Meg Perry
42 books78 followersI started reading mysteries where a lot of us started - with Nancy Drew. I graduated to Agatha Christie, then P.D. James. My new favorite is Peter Lovesey.
I've had the characters of Jamie Brodie and Pete Ferguson in my head for a long time, but just recently figured out how to tell their stories. Jamie is an academic librarian because I'm an academic librarian and it's the world I know best.
Thanks for reading!
I've had the characters of Jamie Brodie and Pete Ferguson in my head for a long time, but just recently figured out how to tell their stories. Jamie is an academic librarian because I'm an academic librarian and it's the world I know best.
Thanks for reading!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 27, 2016
I think it's time we do a list.
This series in itself has rated between 2-3 and the author seems to churn these out like nobody's business. I feel like it should be said...please stop it's getting ridiculous now.
The Good
The research was done well as was the trip to Scotland and Ireland was lovely to read (as a Scot).
The Bad
If I have to read anymore about Pete and Jamie's sexual life I'm going to scream. I get it. Jamie likes a lot of sex. Pete doesn't need it as much and he also has a history of sexual abuse which makes it that he may never be able to have a "normal" sex life.
What I did not appreciate was reading a relationship like a tick box. It was so boring. This relationship feels a bit toxic to me. Pete in this book meets a guy in a pub and suddenly it's like "OMG lust at first sight and I've never felt like this and it felt amazing" - call me a cynic but other than thinking something is attractive and hell even drop dead goregous that whole scene was a pile of piss.
Then we have Jamie whose sitting there and nodding a long saying he has a right to feel that we he does. NO JAMIE HE DOES NOT...he's you boyfriend not some sap you have with you. I'm sorry but what partner in a monogomous relationship says "sure you met this guy for an hour and he revved you so up that it was fine for you to think of him whilst doing me" NO.
Honestly WTF was that even about...I just wonder honestly. I like Jamie I really do and I feel like Pete could genuinely not miss Jamie if he left. Pete honestly makes me feel cold. I don't like Pete. I get it he was abused. I get it but his trauma does not eclipse anyone eles's. He's so wrapped up in himself and he's suppose to be a Psychology professor. He's just crap honestly.
I mean the whole series is bollocks but the above just made me see red.
This series in itself has rated between 2-3 and the author seems to churn these out like nobody's business. I feel like it should be said...please stop it's getting ridiculous now.
The Good
The research was done well as was the trip to Scotland and Ireland was lovely to read (as a Scot).
The Bad
If I have to read anymore about Pete and Jamie's sexual life I'm going to scream. I get it. Jamie likes a lot of sex. Pete doesn't need it as much and he also has a history of sexual abuse which makes it that he may never be able to have a "normal" sex life.
What I did not appreciate was reading a relationship like a tick box. It was so boring. This relationship feels a bit toxic to me. Pete in this book meets a guy in a pub and suddenly it's like "OMG lust at first sight and I've never felt like this and it felt amazing" - call me a cynic but other than thinking something is attractive and hell even drop dead goregous that whole scene was a pile of piss.
Then we have Jamie whose sitting there and nodding a long saying he has a right to feel that we he does. NO JAMIE HE DOES NOT...he's you boyfriend not some sap you have with you. I'm sorry but what partner in a monogomous relationship says "sure you met this guy for an hour and he revved you so up that it was fine for you to think of him whilst doing me" NO.
Honestly WTF was that even about...I just wonder honestly. I like Jamie I really do and I feel like Pete could genuinely not miss Jamie if he left. Pete honestly makes me feel cold. I don't like Pete. I get it he was abused. I get it but his trauma does not eclipse anyone eles's. He's so wrapped up in himself and he's suppose to be a Psychology professor. He's just crap honestly.
I mean the whole series is bollocks but the above just made me see red.
November 3, 2020
Better for Jamie and Pete finally having a grown-up conversation, although theirs is still a far from healthy relationship.
The British dialect is...odd (closer than Hollywood comes). I'd be surprised if a single person in the UK puts cream in tea (milk, yes, but not cream), and salad with shepherd's pie is absurd (try cooked peas and carrots).
This series frustrates me, yet I keep reading.
The British dialect is...odd (closer than Hollywood comes). I'd be surprised if a single person in the UK puts cream in tea (milk, yes, but not cream), and salad with shepherd's pie is absurd (try cooked peas and carrots).
This series frustrates me, yet I keep reading.
October 28, 2021
Mystery in this one was just okay, and I really didn't like Pete's actions here. Judging from reviews of the next one, I wont like Jamie too much there, so maybe it'll help even them both out.
April 25, 2015
I don't often post reviews on books but I felt that my two star rating needed an explanation. The mystery part of the story was interesting and the locals were as well but the relationship between the 2 main characters made me want to have a strongly worded conversation with both of them. I agree with the other poster that Jamie has practically snapped in half from bending over backwards. I guess I could maybe buy more into Pete's line of thinking if I didn't have a really good understanding of what he had gone through. I don't know if I plan to read anymore of these books or not. I have to say I expected them to be a bit closer to HEA by now. All I can say about their relationship is sometimes loving someone is just not enough...
February 6, 2015
Love these books
I really love this series. Jamie is this wonderful human being who has had issues with his boyfriend Pete but works on it. They get to visit Pete's distant relatives in Scotland and discover a mystery. The only thing that bothers me in this book is that I want for Jamie to have a great relationship but Pete seems sort of selfish. I don't think that was the author's intention but it has gotten to that point throughout this series. Jamie just gives to the point of bleeding and then has a hard time saying anything to Pete when it becomes too much. Hopefully Pete will somewhere stop coming of as selfish.
I really love this series. Jamie is this wonderful human being who has had issues with his boyfriend Pete but works on it. They get to visit Pete's distant relatives in Scotland and discover a mystery. The only thing that bothers me in this book is that I want for Jamie to have a great relationship but Pete seems sort of selfish. I don't think that was the author's intention but it has gotten to that point throughout this series. Jamie just gives to the point of bleeding and then has a hard time saying anything to Pete when it becomes too much. Hopefully Pete will somewhere stop coming of as selfish.
June 28, 2018
I really liked the mystery, Jamie and Pete feel like old friends, but I am getting a bit tired about their sexual problems. I guess that what makes this series so real to me, because Jamie and Pete have problems, just like flesh-and-blood real life couples do. I am just a bit fed-up with it. But I love the series, so I will still continue with it. Anycase, the mystery was interesting, and their tour of Scotland was fascinating.
June 17, 2024
disappointing despite some good elements
Rating: 3🌈
Stoned to Death is book 8 and I’ve already bought two more, but based on this, and the reviews I just read yesterday for book 22 , released oddly enough in 2022, I think I can say I’m done with this series and probably Meg Perry.
And that’s a shame because I’ve really enjoyed the mystery aspects of the series, the dynamics between the Brody family, and getting to see the interesting inactions of the various librarians and libraries that they work for. That had been where Meg Perry, herself a librarian, has excelled.
Perry’s research on different subjects and depth of knowledge has been a huge key part in making each plot so compelling and wanting me to go forward with the rest of the series.
However, for me, the larger issues are ones that have always come from the relationship between librarian Jamie Brodie and ex cop, now professor of psychology, Pete Ferguson. Jamie himself is a fine character, with some interesting emotional baggage and ex’s in his background. His brother is a detective, he’s close to his father, it’s a wonderful, close knit family with strong bonds.
It’s Pete who’s the issue and his relationship with Jamie. And honestly the strange way in which this author has approached their romance (or strong lack of), the flags it waves for a toxic relationship despite that these books are simply full of therapy and a shared therapist who is determined for Jamie to stick by Pete. Plus there’s just zero sense of connection, or chemistry, or love between them. For books and books and books.
We are told that Jamie has feelings. And in what would be very similar to what is being categorized as “love bombing” now Pete repeatedly tells Jamie he loves him, pressuring him on various aspects of their lives when Pete feels threatened including, pressing him to get married. All while not wanting to have sexual relations with him.
There’s a very good reason for this. It’s due to his traumatic experiences with a priest in his childhood. And he’s been in therapy since then. Pete is a character you could empathize with, if he wasn’t in a relationship with Jamie. Because here he’s a toxic person. It’s everything his way , he uses fear to keep Jamie in the relationship. Pressure, money, he moved a homeless Jamie immediately into his house after Jamie and his brother has lost theirs to arson. It’s flag and more. But the author is writing about him as though he’s not a problem.
I had thought maybe it was due to the fact that this was published in 2015 and perspectives about relationships dynamics had changed since then. But reviews in 2022 show that no, the dynamics between them are still very much the same. So the writer has kept them there in their roles for 23 books. Unfortunately.
Stoned to Death has the potential to change so much here. And it comes up lacking. This sees Jamie and Pete at a critical moment again because of their lack of a sexual relationship. Or an uneven one. Jamie has given up trying for one that satisfies him and it’s showing in his face and physical condition. And Peter hasn’t noticed. They’ve brought it up to their therapist who has, again, told Jamie to proceed with their plan.
This here has a ton of flaws. From every angle. The plot and author’s intent.
The storyline is one of an archaeological mystery involving one of Pete’s Scottish relatives. It’s got bog bodies, upper crust ladies with shovels, homophobic relatives, intrigue amongst old archaeological sites, and a lot of personal struggles between Pete and Jamie. That only goes nowhere when it could have served to launch a change into the status quo.
While I’m listing issues, here’s another example:
“No. There are even popular reality shows about archaeology on British TV because there’s so much history to dig up. We don’t have that.”
That’s a quote that just serves how dated the story is, that two American highly educated men, one a librarian and the other a professor, would utter these Anglo-Saxon phrases or perspectives, especially Jamie , a librarian who has been such a great proponent for different cultures and races in the stories. That’s indigenous culture erasure and it would be very hard to imagine that statement being made today. But I still find it hard to believe that Perry, as a librarian, had it as a viable thought from her main character even in 2015. That’s very disappointing.
And that’s primarily how I view the whole story. Disappointing. From every angle. There’s a good couple of elements, such as the old memoirs interspersed with the current events that lets us see into the past vividly. But , again the potential is lost as the mystery is not really explored thoroughly.
No recommendations. I have two books I bought to complete and then my journey here is complete. Shame.
Rating: 3🌈
Stoned to Death is book 8 and I’ve already bought two more, but based on this, and the reviews I just read yesterday for book 22 , released oddly enough in 2022, I think I can say I’m done with this series and probably Meg Perry.
And that’s a shame because I’ve really enjoyed the mystery aspects of the series, the dynamics between the Brody family, and getting to see the interesting inactions of the various librarians and libraries that they work for. That had been where Meg Perry, herself a librarian, has excelled.
Perry’s research on different subjects and depth of knowledge has been a huge key part in making each plot so compelling and wanting me to go forward with the rest of the series.
However, for me, the larger issues are ones that have always come from the relationship between librarian Jamie Brodie and ex cop, now professor of psychology, Pete Ferguson. Jamie himself is a fine character, with some interesting emotional baggage and ex’s in his background. His brother is a detective, he’s close to his father, it’s a wonderful, close knit family with strong bonds.
It’s Pete who’s the issue and his relationship with Jamie. And honestly the strange way in which this author has approached their romance (or strong lack of), the flags it waves for a toxic relationship despite that these books are simply full of therapy and a shared therapist who is determined for Jamie to stick by Pete. Plus there’s just zero sense of connection, or chemistry, or love between them. For books and books and books.
We are told that Jamie has feelings. And in what would be very similar to what is being categorized as “love bombing” now Pete repeatedly tells Jamie he loves him, pressuring him on various aspects of their lives when Pete feels threatened including, pressing him to get married. All while not wanting to have sexual relations with him.
There’s a very good reason for this. It’s due to his traumatic experiences with a priest in his childhood. And he’s been in therapy since then. Pete is a character you could empathize with, if he wasn’t in a relationship with Jamie. Because here he’s a toxic person. It’s everything his way , he uses fear to keep Jamie in the relationship. Pressure, money, he moved a homeless Jamie immediately into his house after Jamie and his brother has lost theirs to arson. It’s flag and more. But the author is writing about him as though he’s not a problem.
I had thought maybe it was due to the fact that this was published in 2015 and perspectives about relationships dynamics had changed since then. But reviews in 2022 show that no, the dynamics between them are still very much the same. So the writer has kept them there in their roles for 23 books. Unfortunately.
Stoned to Death has the potential to change so much here. And it comes up lacking. This sees Jamie and Pete at a critical moment again because of their lack of a sexual relationship. Or an uneven one. Jamie has given up trying for one that satisfies him and it’s showing in his face and physical condition. And Peter hasn’t noticed. They’ve brought it up to their therapist who has, again, told Jamie to proceed with their plan.
This here has a ton of flaws. From every angle. The plot and author’s intent.
The storyline is one of an archaeological mystery involving one of Pete’s Scottish relatives. It’s got bog bodies, upper crust ladies with shovels, homophobic relatives, intrigue amongst old archaeological sites, and a lot of personal struggles between Pete and Jamie. That only goes nowhere when it could have served to launch a change into the status quo.
While I’m listing issues, here’s another example:
“No. There are even popular reality shows about archaeology on British TV because there’s so much history to dig up. We don’t have that.”
That’s a quote that just serves how dated the story is, that two American highly educated men, one a librarian and the other a professor, would utter these Anglo-Saxon phrases or perspectives, especially Jamie , a librarian who has been such a great proponent for different cultures and races in the stories. That’s indigenous culture erasure and it would be very hard to imagine that statement being made today. But I still find it hard to believe that Perry, as a librarian, had it as a viable thought from her main character even in 2015. That’s very disappointing.
And that’s primarily how I view the whole story. Disappointing. From every angle. There’s a good couple of elements, such as the old memoirs interspersed with the current events that lets us see into the past vividly. But , again the potential is lost as the mystery is not really explored thoroughly.
No recommendations. I have two books I bought to complete and then my journey here is complete. Shame.
January 28, 2023
I have a feeling that Stoned to Death is the book where the Jamie Brodie series jumped the shark. Finally, after book after book describing individual therapy, couple's therapy, angst, jealousy, childhood trauma, and page after page of talk of personal feelings - much of this tied to their sexual incompatibility - Jamie and Pete . On the surface this makes sense: if you're not sexually compatible, you don't have all that many options. But when you actually think about it for a moment, you realize that it took these two 8 books and countless on- (and off-) page therapy sessions to solve the big stressor in their relationship. And all it took was one rather large concession - not on the part of Pete, but of Jamie, yet again. Yet every single bit of angst up until this point is tied to Jamie's desire for equitable (so called "non-heteronormative") sex! If having penetrative sex was so important to Jamie, why all of this hullabaloo? I just don't get it.
Also, can we just talk about Jamie's obsession with not being heteronormative for a minute? I get that these books were written a decade ago, but the heternormative talk strikes me as having aged like milk. If anything, the one with the issues regarding heteronormativity is Jamie. Moreover, Jamie and Pete are basically (Western) homonormativity personified. They're both masculine, tall, white, highly attractive, highly educated, employed, muscular, athletic, go for hikes on the regular... if that's not the very definition of a homonormative SoCal gay then I don't know what is (and I live here). Note that one's sexual position has nothing to do with one's sexuality or where one fits in the normative/non-normative spectrum. Hell, if Jamie really didn't want to be heteronormative he'd stop with the marriage talk and stop with the monogamy... but he's obviously too full of his own internalized homophobia to ever get there.
I dunno. I'm going to finish the series eventually, but I need a break. Here's hoping that this book doesn't mark the end of my enjoyment of this series.
Also, can we just talk about Jamie's obsession with not being heteronormative for a minute? I get that these books were written a decade ago, but the heternormative talk strikes me as having aged like milk. If anything, the one with the issues regarding heteronormativity is Jamie. Moreover, Jamie and Pete are basically (Western) homonormativity personified. They're both masculine, tall, white, highly attractive, highly educated, employed, muscular, athletic, go for hikes on the regular... if that's not the very definition of a homonormative SoCal gay then I don't know what is (and I live here). Note that one's sexual position has nothing to do with one's sexuality or where one fits in the normative/non-normative spectrum. Hell, if Jamie really didn't want to be heteronormative he'd stop with the marriage talk and stop with the monogamy... but he's obviously too full of his own internalized homophobia to ever get there.
I dunno. I'm going to finish the series eventually, but I need a break. Here's hoping that this book doesn't mark the end of my enjoyment of this series.
July 3, 2023
Stoned to Death (Jamie Brody 8)
Plus “Low Country,” bonus short
By Meg Perry
Published by the author, 2015
Five stars
I am enjoying this entire series, but I really liked this one. The murder mystery is unexpected, and while central to the plot, it’s not for the reasons you might expect. Peter and Jamie are traveling to Scotland in a shared quest to find their roots. Jamie wants to show Peter the Oxford he remembers; but they both are interested in understanding more about where their families came from—originally.
A really strong aspect of this book is what I like most about this series—the centrality of Peter and Jamie’s relationship, which continues to present challenges to both of them. It is fascinating that Perry has chosen this course, and I am a little surprised at the solid credibility she brings to the issues she raises. She takes great care to present this couple with sensitivity and insight.
The bonus story, “Low Country,” was a welcome treat, dealing with Jamie’s long estrangement from his grandfather in a way that was both logical and heart-warming. I had wondered where this was going to finally appear, and welcomed the resolution it offers.
Plus “Low Country,” bonus short
By Meg Perry
Published by the author, 2015
Five stars
I am enjoying this entire series, but I really liked this one. The murder mystery is unexpected, and while central to the plot, it’s not for the reasons you might expect. Peter and Jamie are traveling to Scotland in a shared quest to find their roots. Jamie wants to show Peter the Oxford he remembers; but they both are interested in understanding more about where their families came from—originally.
A really strong aspect of this book is what I like most about this series—the centrality of Peter and Jamie’s relationship, which continues to present challenges to both of them. It is fascinating that Perry has chosen this course, and I am a little surprised at the solid credibility she brings to the issues she raises. She takes great care to present this couple with sensitivity and insight.
The bonus story, “Low Country,” was a welcome treat, dealing with Jamie’s long estrangement from his grandfather in a way that was both logical and heart-warming. I had wondered where this was going to finally appear, and welcomed the resolution it offers.
February 5, 2024
After the optimism by both Pete and Jamie at the end of the last book regarding their relationship, this one took a bit of a turn.
The much vaunted Scotland trip has arrived and whilst all is well on the surface, murky waters are stirring below the surface.
A lot of Pete's relatives to keep a track of, including a very curmudgeonly great uncle. The disappearance of Pete's Great-great-grandfather prompted the trip and the boys use their sleuthing skills to plot what did actually happen to him.
The much vaunted Scotland trip has arrived and whilst all is well on the surface, murky waters are stirring below the surface.
A lot of Pete's relatives to keep a track of, including a very curmudgeonly great uncle. The disappearance of Pete's Great-great-grandfather prompted the trip and the boys use their sleuthing skills to plot what did actually happen to him.
December 6, 2025
I'm getting really turned off about this series, the relationship is getting more and more toxic by the book, if in the First three it was really good, I liked it, it was realistic, now it goes only downhill, I really hope that it doesn't become abusive in the next ones.
August 8, 2015
2.5 stars. Until now, the series has steadily rated a solid three star due to its interesting mysteries and the 'down-to-earth' or realistic take on a romantic relationship. Although this book has an engaging mystery, there are some rather unfortunate developments which make me very sad for Jamie in particular.
I am starting to think that Pete only pursued a relationship with Jamie because it was a 'safe option'. Jamie is a genuinely nice guy who had the potential to look beyond Pete's sexual limitations. Pete probably felt that they could have a good relationship based on trust, friendship and the occasional sex. And this situation was fine for Pete because he never felt an intense physical attraction towards Jamie, only an emotional one. On the other hand, Jamie has always felt very attracted to Pete, both physically and emotionally. And now their feelings are clearly not mutual.
The author's approach to solving this key discrepancy was rushed and not believable. Quitting Pete's therapy and how he suddenly wanted to have sex with Jamie all the time felt forced and artificial. And Pete suggesting for them to become partners officially is quite irresponsible, in my opinion, considering what happened recently. I hope Jamie will be more rational and stop to think things through. For me, it is obvious that their problem goes far beyond sexual incompatibility. So it would be grossly unfair for both of them to continue such an unstable romance.
What if, in the near or distant future, Pete finds someone to whom he is intensely drawn from all points of view. He might not physically cheat on Jamie, but it will inevitably lead to resentment, unhappiness and eventual breakup. Another reviewer said that love is not always enough. I would conclude by saying that a long-term romantic relationship requires both partners to feel the same type and depth of love.
I am starting to think that Pete only pursued a relationship with Jamie because it was a 'safe option'. Jamie is a genuinely nice guy who had the potential to look beyond Pete's sexual limitations. Pete probably felt that they could have a good relationship based on trust, friendship and the occasional sex. And this situation was fine for Pete because he never felt an intense physical attraction towards Jamie, only an emotional one. On the other hand, Jamie has always felt very attracted to Pete, both physically and emotionally. And now their feelings are clearly not mutual.
The author's approach to solving this key discrepancy was rushed and not believable. Quitting Pete's therapy and how he suddenly wanted to have sex with Jamie all the time felt forced and artificial. And Pete suggesting for them to become partners officially is quite irresponsible, in my opinion, considering what happened recently. I hope Jamie will be more rational and stop to think things through. For me, it is obvious that their problem goes far beyond sexual incompatibility. So it would be grossly unfair for both of them to continue such an unstable romance.
What if, in the near or distant future, Pete finds someone to whom he is intensely drawn from all points of view. He might not physically cheat on Jamie, but it will inevitably lead to resentment, unhappiness and eventual breakup. Another reviewer said that love is not always enough. I would conclude by saying that a long-term romantic relationship requires both partners to feel the same type and depth of love.
January 28, 2016
In this book of the mystery series we have our intrepid librarian on a month long R&R with his live in partner Peter.Peter is in fact going on a fact finding mission to find out his roots.Having reestablished a relationship with his previously estranged sister,Peter wants to connect with relatives that live in Scotland and also research what happened to a relative that was supposedly absconded with a relic long, long ago.Also, we discover that Jamie & Peter's sexual incompatibility is still a big problem.This is a quick read and a good read also!
April 10, 2015
I really enjoy this series and I will definitely be buying more of the books as the author writes them. Meg Perry has indicated that there are still quite a few books to come.
These are the types of stories that I can curl up with on a rainy afternoon and they are also stories that I am happy to reread. The writing is good and I was kept engaged throughout the book.
Definitely recommended.
These are the types of stories that I can curl up with on a rainy afternoon and they are also stories that I am happy to reread. The writing is good and I was kept engaged throughout the book.
Definitely recommended.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews