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DCI Harry McNeil #2
Sticks and Stones
From the author of the DI Frank Miller Scottish Crime series comes the first in a spin-off series.
Fifteen years ago, a man brutally murdered his wife, before taking his own life.
Now, DCI Harry McNeil is heading up a Major Investigation Team and he is called to a small town in the Scottish Highlands. A bride has gone missing from the hotel on her wedding night, and despite a search, there is no sign of her.
McNeil and his team are there to back-up a local MIT along with a team from Glasgow. The bride and groom are from very powerful families from the east and west coasts, and the police need to be seen to be doing something.
While hunting for the bride, somebody turns up dead, murdered in a similar way to the woman from fifteen years ago.
McNeil and the others are pressured into getting a quick result, but how do you catch a killer who is one step ahead and watching your every move? It is going to take all they have to bring him to justice.
Until then, he's going to keep on killing...
Sticks and Stones is the first novel in a new series featuring DCI Harry McNeil.
Fifteen years ago, a man brutally murdered his wife, before taking his own life.
Now, DCI Harry McNeil is heading up a Major Investigation Team and he is called to a small town in the Scottish Highlands. A bride has gone missing from the hotel on her wedding night, and despite a search, there is no sign of her.
McNeil and his team are there to back-up a local MIT along with a team from Glasgow. The bride and groom are from very powerful families from the east and west coasts, and the police need to be seen to be doing something.
While hunting for the bride, somebody turns up dead, murdered in a similar way to the woman from fifteen years ago.
McNeil and the others are pressured into getting a quick result, but how do you catch a killer who is one step ahead and watching your every move? It is going to take all they have to bring him to justice.
Until then, he's going to keep on killing...
Sticks and Stones is the first novel in a new series featuring DCI Harry McNeil.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2019
1815 people are currently reading
532 people want to read
About the author
John Carson
103 books161 followersJohn Carson is the author of the DI Frank Miller detective series. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and lived there most of his life. In 2006, he emigrated to New York State with his American wife and two daughters. They now live in a small town in the Hudson Valley where his wife was brought up, with a German Shepherd, a Beagle mix and four cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
December 29, 2019
I think the author pulled this whole book out of his bumhole. While the banter was very typical Scottish the characters were definitely too flippant for the subject matter. As for detecting if these guys are supposedly a crack team they must find out the answers psychically cause they barely do any detecting. Lots of talking about getting drunk, eating breakfast, drinking coffee and asking people where people are instead of getting off their backsides to go look for them themselves.
I think this dynamic duo tried to pin the murders on ever character that was at the wedding.
If you want to learn how to banter like a Scot then this is the book for you. If its a mystery you’re after with some excellent banter try Stuart MacBride.....although he’s not available on KindleUnlimited.
I think this dynamic duo tried to pin the murders on ever character that was at the wedding.
If you want to learn how to banter like a Scot then this is the book for you. If its a mystery you’re after with some excellent banter try Stuart MacBride.....although he’s not available on KindleUnlimited.
December 9, 2019
Not particularly impressed
A ludicrously complex plot poorly strung together and police who don't seem to do any real detective work. It all seems rather old fashioned and doesn't suggest that reading other books in this series is worth the bother.
A ludicrously complex plot poorly strung together and police who don't seem to do any real detective work. It all seems rather old fashioned and doesn't suggest that reading other books in this series is worth the bother.
May 14, 2020
I. Loved. This. Book.
Wow! Sticks and Stones grabbed me from the very beginning to the very end! I'm so grateful to my friend, Rosy, for telling me about this author. I found the book to not only be enthralling but when the dialog was witty, it totally worked! I think that sometimes authors try too hard to be funny but I didn't feel that at all with this book. I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series!!
Wow! Sticks and Stones grabbed me from the very beginning to the very end! I'm so grateful to my friend, Rosy, for telling me about this author. I found the book to not only be enthralling but when the dialog was witty, it totally worked! I think that sometimes authors try too hard to be funny but I didn't feel that at all with this book. I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series!!
February 19, 2023
Bookish Books Reading Challenge
May 25, 2020
This book just didn’t grab my attention at all. Unrealistic storyline (for a start are expected to believe police from 3 areas - Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness - all travel to remote highlands to investigate someone who has been missing for just a few hours). Despite there being numerous detectives, very little detective work seems to get done. It just screamed amateurish and unbelievable. Some of the plot made absolutely no sense. Thank goodness real police are not as useless or we would all be in trouble...
August 31, 2021
Sticks and stones is the first in this series of books and although an okay read I found the number of characters confusing and felt it could have been trimmed down to one team of investigating officers. The premise was a good one which may have benefited from fewer characters getting in the way of the plot.
February 17, 2020
Real page turner
This book had me guessing from the first page. Enjoyed it immensely. Just downloaded the next DCI McNeil book in the series.
This book had me guessing from the first page. Enjoyed it immensely. Just downloaded the next DCI McNeil book in the series.
January 11, 2022
Good Start
Yes.. I enjoyed reading it. I liked
DCI Harry Mcneil and his sidekick. The story moved along at a steady pace and is a good easy read.. I will look for Book No. 2
Yes.. I enjoyed reading it. I liked
DCI Harry Mcneil and his sidekick. The story moved along at a steady pace and is a good easy read.. I will look for Book No. 2
January 3, 2021
This book was not only very disjointed in areas, but considering how bumbling the entire police force was portrayed, it was a miracle they were able to find the bodies, much less solve the crime.
Seriously, it seems like they spent more time bantering with each other (or being borderline insulting to their partners) , drinking in the hotel bar, and asking where a specific person was (both potential suspects and fellow officers) instead of doing solid police work and tracking the person down themselves. Even when evidence seems to point to a killer, they do next to nothing to actually track the person down. And when two civilians actually do find something, they are hauled off to the police station and questioned? In what world does that make sense?
Even when the "twist" is revealed and potential case breaking information comes to them, it is through no police work of their own. Oh no, somehow despite this information being publicly available, every single officer assigned to the case does no research, searches for any kind of motive except the one handed to them. Instead they have to wait until one of the locals clues them into the tragic past of the area (and coincidentally the location of an old building that could have changed the entire story).
Sadly, even the aforementioned plot twist did not make up for the rest of this seemingly rushed story. In fact, it made even less sense than anything else. I'm all for a good revenge plot, when it is well executed, and sadly this was not. However, because this was the first book in a new series, and the others are also available on KU, I will give this author one more chance to impress me before I give them up for good.
Seriously, it seems like they spent more time bantering with each other (or being borderline insulting to their partners) , drinking in the hotel bar, and asking where a specific person was (both potential suspects and fellow officers) instead of doing solid police work and tracking the person down themselves. Even when evidence seems to point to a killer, they do next to nothing to actually track the person down. And when two civilians actually do find something, they are hauled off to the police station and questioned? In what world does that make sense?
Even when the "twist" is revealed and potential case breaking information comes to them, it is through no police work of their own. Oh no, somehow despite this information being publicly available, every single officer assigned to the case does no research, searches for any kind of motive except the one handed to them. Instead they have to wait until one of the locals clues them into the tragic past of the area (and coincidentally the location of an old building that could have changed the entire story).
Sadly, even the aforementioned plot twist did not make up for the rest of this seemingly rushed story. In fact, it made even less sense than anything else. I'm all for a good revenge plot, when it is well executed, and sadly this was not. However, because this was the first book in a new series, and the others are also available on KU, I will give this author one more chance to impress me before I give them up for good.
December 28, 2019
Bought this book when I saw it on offer (mistaking it for another one with the same title). It was OK for 99p and I did not actually put it down so that is something. But I would have been disappointed if I'd paid full price. I have just started reading Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz and there is just no comparison!
The over all plot is OK, but none of the characters have any depth, and a lot of the dialogue feels very wooden.
Another reviewer comments that the book is full of Scottish slang. I'd say there is not enough, the slang appears in dialogue of many characters, but it just does not seem consistent. If this were a film some characters would sound like they had a broad Scottish accent one minute and the next a genteel English accent.
The over all plot is OK, but none of the characters have any depth, and a lot of the dialogue feels very wooden.
Another reviewer comments that the book is full of Scottish slang. I'd say there is not enough, the slang appears in dialogue of many characters, but it just does not seem consistent. If this were a film some characters would sound like they had a broad Scottish accent one minute and the next a genteel English accent.
February 1, 2021
Not good
The sample was interesting enough for is to buy the book. After that a disappointment. Few good and interesting ideas, but the style is very choppy and not particularly interesting. The main characters are mainly involved in quite pathetic banter and all development of the crime story is rather insulting to anyone with half of the brain. Unfortunately the whole is glaringly predictable and tiring. Can't honestly recommended it to any person as a entertaining read.
The sample was interesting enough for is to buy the book. After that a disappointment. Few good and interesting ideas, but the style is very choppy and not particularly interesting. The main characters are mainly involved in quite pathetic banter and all development of the crime story is rather insulting to anyone with half of the brain. Unfortunately the whole is glaringly predictable and tiring. Can't honestly recommended it to any person as a entertaining read.
December 17, 2019
A quick read
I enjoyed this book, a quick page turner with good description of characters you can imagine in situ. Downloaded the next already
I enjoyed this book, a quick page turner with good description of characters you can imagine in situ. Downloaded the next already
December 8, 2020
Awful . Unbelievable plot and unrealistic characters .
May 31, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised by this Scottish mystery novel. Not as dark and gritty as some UK crime/mystery novels can be I nevertheless found the tone of the book to be similar to many other British crime novels. With a small number of main characters that I could easily keep a handle on this helped me feel pretty quickly like I knew the characters and the energy between DCI Harry McNeil and his work partner DC Alex Marshall. I was really pleased that – for me at least – the banter and friendliness between Harry and Alex didn’t seem to have an undertow of romance or chemistry. I feel for now at least their professional, working relationship was a good blend of boss and co-worker and the two of them being genuine friends. I’m not sure I’d want Harry or Alex to muddy that with sex or complications between them.
Indeed, for the most part I found this a refreshing, enjoyable Scottish mystery with a good – albeit slowly moving – plot. Readers looking for an action based, fast-paced mystery might find this one moves a bit slower than they’d prefer. Personally I was pleased to find since this was the first book in a series a decent amount of time was spent showing me Harry, Alex and the other main characters and setting the scene of the crime. A good portion of the start of the book was spent with the missing bride, the wedding guests and searching the massive grounds for clues and trying to piece together what had occurred. I was left a little bewildered, since I couldn’t seem to slot the prologue into what was occurring in the main part of the book, but I was really pleased with how everything wrapped up neatly, and a little over half way through the story there were a few plot-twists that I found particularly satisfying and felt really helped both move the plot along and give the book a taste of individualism which made me pleased I’d kept on with it.
Readers looking for an enjoyable, not too gritty mystery with good characters and a solid – though at times slow-ish – plot should really enjoy this book. I found it easy to stick with the book since the characters and writing style really appealed to me and especially around the half way mark when things started to really come together I was pretty chuffed that I’d stuck with it. I enjoyed this book enough I’ve ordered the second in the series and I might even look into the author’s other works since I really did enjoy his writing style and tone.
A good, enjoyable and interesting mystery book and a new-to-me author I’ll happily read again.
Indeed, for the most part I found this a refreshing, enjoyable Scottish mystery with a good – albeit slowly moving – plot. Readers looking for an action based, fast-paced mystery might find this one moves a bit slower than they’d prefer. Personally I was pleased to find since this was the first book in a series a decent amount of time was spent showing me Harry, Alex and the other main characters and setting the scene of the crime. A good portion of the start of the book was spent with the missing bride, the wedding guests and searching the massive grounds for clues and trying to piece together what had occurred. I was left a little bewildered, since I couldn’t seem to slot the prologue into what was occurring in the main part of the book, but I was really pleased with how everything wrapped up neatly, and a little over half way through the story there were a few plot-twists that I found particularly satisfying and felt really helped both move the plot along and give the book a taste of individualism which made me pleased I’d kept on with it.
Readers looking for an enjoyable, not too gritty mystery with good characters and a solid – though at times slow-ish – plot should really enjoy this book. I found it easy to stick with the book since the characters and writing style really appealed to me and especially around the half way mark when things started to really come together I was pretty chuffed that I’d stuck with it. I enjoyed this book enough I’ve ordered the second in the series and I might even look into the author’s other works since I really did enjoy his writing style and tone.
A good, enjoyable and interesting mystery book and a new-to-me author I’ll happily read again.
Read
February 8, 2020From the author of the DI Frank Miller Scottish Crime series comes the first in a spin-off series.
Fifteen years ago, a man brutally murdered his wife, before taking his own life.
Now, DCI Harry McNeil is heading up a Major Investigation Team and he is called to a small town in the Scottish Highlands. A bride has gone missing from the hotel on her wedding night, and despite a search, there is no sign of her.
McNeil and his team are there to back-up a local MIT along with a team from Glasgow. The bride and groom are from very powerful families from the east and west coasts, and the police need to be seen to be doing something.
While hunting for the bride, somebody turns up dead, murdered in a similar way to the woman from fifteen years ago.
McNeil and the others are pressured into getting a quick result, but how do you catch a killer who is one step ahead and watching your every move? It is going to take all they have to bring him to justice.
Until then, he's going to keep on killing...
Sticks and Stones is the first novel in a new series featuring DCI Harry McNeil. (less)
Good.
Fifteen years ago, a man brutally murdered his wife, before taking his own life.
Now, DCI Harry McNeil is heading up a Major Investigation Team and he is called to a small town in the Scottish Highlands. A bride has gone missing from the hotel on her wedding night, and despite a search, there is no sign of her.
McNeil and his team are there to back-up a local MIT along with a team from Glasgow. The bride and groom are from very powerful families from the east and west coasts, and the police need to be seen to be doing something.
While hunting for the bride, somebody turns up dead, murdered in a similar way to the woman from fifteen years ago.
McNeil and the others are pressured into getting a quick result, but how do you catch a killer who is one step ahead and watching your every move? It is going to take all they have to bring him to justice.
Until then, he's going to keep on killing...
Sticks and Stones is the first novel in a new series featuring DCI Harry McNeil. (less)
Good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2021
Can't make up my mind
When I saw this book on my kindle I thought,brilliant another Scottish detective series of which I love,the likes of Rankin,Kirk and McBride,I read some of the reviews which didn't bode well but I will always make my own mind up,after the first few chapters though I could see why they were such poor reviews,the writing seemed amateurish ,the story line didn't seem to flow and the banter was a little tedious at best but I read it through and the characters did begin to grow on me to the point that I wanted to find out the ending but sadly that seemed to be a little rushed,will I buy the next book in the series,possibly just to see if it improves although I would be surprised if it does,would I recommend it,well if you have nothing else to read for a while then give it a go but sadly there are far better detective stories out there.
When I saw this book on my kindle I thought,brilliant another Scottish detective series of which I love,the likes of Rankin,Kirk and McBride,I read some of the reviews which didn't bode well but I will always make my own mind up,after the first few chapters though I could see why they were such poor reviews,the writing seemed amateurish ,the story line didn't seem to flow and the banter was a little tedious at best but I read it through and the characters did begin to grow on me to the point that I wanted to find out the ending but sadly that seemed to be a little rushed,will I buy the next book in the series,possibly just to see if it improves although I would be surprised if it does,would I recommend it,well if you have nothing else to read for a while then give it a go but sadly there are far better detective stories out there.
September 27, 2020
Excellent debut for Harry McNeil
What should be the best day in their lives turned out to be the worst for a newly wed couple. The scene was set in a beautiful hotel, the bride and groom went missing. What could have happened to them and who would want to kidnap them?
There were plenty of twists in the plot of this novel. Very easy to read by a new author in my reading collection. Highly recommended to fans of Ian Rankin and Lee Child.
What should be the best day in their lives turned out to be the worst for a newly wed couple. The scene was set in a beautiful hotel, the bride and groom went missing. What could have happened to them and who would want to kidnap them?
There were plenty of twists in the plot of this novel. Very easy to read by a new author in my reading collection. Highly recommended to fans of Ian Rankin and Lee Child.
November 14, 2021
Awful. Truly awful.
Terrible 'dialogue'. No real detection going on. Dipping into huge detail about some child wanting ice cream, but we have no real clue about the main characters. Unbelievable 'plot'. 2-d characters. Cliche-ridden.
Basic abuse of the english language.
I finished it only to prove to myself that I could bear to tolerate the total waste of time it took to read it.
It cost me £1.75 and I feel ripped off.
I won't be reading any more of this series.
Terrible 'dialogue'. No real detection going on. Dipping into huge detail about some child wanting ice cream, but we have no real clue about the main characters. Unbelievable 'plot'. 2-d characters. Cliche-ridden.
Basic abuse of the english language.
I finished it only to prove to myself that I could bear to tolerate the total waste of time it took to read it.
It cost me £1.75 and I feel ripped off.
I won't be reading any more of this series.
January 9, 2020
Good quick read
This book kept interest all the way although at times I found myself struggling with the number of names and who was who. There were a number of police and two families involved as well as several other characters. It was still a very good to read and was difficult to put down.
This book kept interest all the way although at times I found myself struggling with the number of names and who was who. There were a number of police and two families involved as well as several other characters. It was still a very good to read and was difficult to put down.
January 16, 2020
Wow!
Terrific murder mystery! This is non-stop adventure for murder squads from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness as they investigate a case of the missing bride and groom and bride's sister and former fiancee! The bodies and excitement just escalate. The characters are enjoyable, real people and the plot is very well developed
Terrific murder mystery! This is non-stop adventure for murder squads from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness as they investigate a case of the missing bride and groom and bride's sister and former fiancee! The bodies and excitement just escalate. The characters are enjoyable, real people and the plot is very well developed
May 23, 2020
The bride of a wealthy publisher disappears on her wedding night, and police from all over Scotland assemble at the posh resort to find her. There is a lack of diligent police work here, as disappearances and dead bodies pile up before Harry and his female DS (in never-ending flirtatious bantering) finally stumble upon the key to the crimes. A quite serviceable whodunnit. The first in a series.
August 22, 2020
A good book, Sticks and Stones was gripping from the start, easy to read, and full of plot twists. The characters are likable and share a good spirit of camaraderie as they work to solve a murder (or five). I recommend this book and have already purchased the next couple in the DCI Harry McNeil book series by John Carson.
October 30, 2020
Better than the last book. But still gets confusing.
Why put so many people into a story. Leads to confusion. Maybe less people in the story would enable the reader to concentrate on the story. Instead of trying to figure out who belongs where, and with whom. I am ready for the next story. Last chance.
Why put so many people into a story. Leads to confusion. Maybe less people in the story would enable the reader to concentrate on the story. Instead of trying to figure out who belongs where, and with whom. I am ready for the next story. Last chance.
March 13, 2021
A bit of a mystery
I found this a bit bland. Lots of excitement and easy to read but difficult to follow the detective work as most appeared blind intuition. Many opportunities were missed, I feel. Couldn't understand how the police weren't concerned about the location of the groom early on
I found this a bit bland. Lots of excitement and easy to read but difficult to follow the detective work as most appeared blind intuition. Many opportunities were missed, I feel. Couldn't understand how the police weren't concerned about the location of the groom early on
June 18, 2021
Fast Paced Book
Enjoyable characters and storyline. I’ve read other books by this author and love the banter between the characters and like the descriptions of where in Scotland the stories take place. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and see where DCI McNeil and his team, take us.
Enjoyable characters and storyline. I’ve read other books by this author and love the banter between the characters and like the descriptions of where in Scotland the stories take place. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and see where DCI McNeil and his team, take us.
November 4, 2021
Lots of Action
This mystery has continual surprises. It begins with a bride who goes missing immediately after being married. The incidence happens on a very large estate being set up to be a vacation retreat for hunters. I won't say more just that the action never stops till the very end with many surprising twists.
This mystery has continual surprises. It begins with a bride who goes missing immediately after being married. The incidence happens on a very large estate being set up to be a vacation retreat for hunters. I won't say more just that the action never stops till the very end with many surprising twists.
November 23, 2021
Not for me
Shame about the swearing and profanity as the storyline was proving to be a good one. However, I won’t know what happens next as 23% in the bad language wasn’t letting up so I gave up reading more. It would have been interesting to follow it to the end but that’s not going to happen now.
Shame about the swearing and profanity as the storyline was proving to be a good one. However, I won’t know what happens next as 23% in the bad language wasn’t letting up so I gave up reading more. It would have been interesting to follow it to the end but that’s not going to happen now.
December 28, 2021
it was ok
Started off really gripping but the story went on a bit for me and I got bored. Too many characters for me to keep track of though which put me off.
I really like Harry and Alex’s work relationship and the way it’s developing, they seem to have a good rapport building.
Solid 3 stars but not sure if I’ll read any more
Started off really gripping but the story went on a bit for me and I got bored. Too many characters for me to keep track of though which put me off.
I really like Harry and Alex’s work relationship and the way it’s developing, they seem to have a good rapport building.
Solid 3 stars but not sure if I’ll read any more
February 24, 2025
slightly less confusing. fewer characters!
He tells a good story. His characters seem true to me, especially the conversations between and among men. Slightly less so the smart female sergeant interactions with her boss. I’m pretty nervy but would balk at saying some of that to a boss
He tells a good story. His characters seem true to me, especially the conversations between and among men. Slightly less so the smart female sergeant interactions with her boss. I’m pretty nervy but would balk at saying some of that to a boss
January 16, 2020
Great Story
This is the first book that I have read by this author and it will be the last.Great story with good characters and a plot that rolls at a fast pace.Looking forward to reading more.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and it will be the last.Great story with good characters and a plot that rolls at a fast pace.Looking forward to reading more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews