Next in Line (DI Clare Mackay Crime Series, book 5) by Marion Todd

A murder victim with celebrity connections spells trouble for DI Clare Mackay…

Book blurb

Gaby Fox is known to many due to her successful TV career, so when her brother and his pals hire the salubrious Lamond Lodge for his birthday celebrations, it is noted by the St Andrews locals. A ripple of shock goes round the town when Russell Fox is gunned down on the premises.

DI Clare Mackay is attending a wedding when she sees Gabrielle receive a phone call then flee. Soon after, Clare learns why when the news of the shooting reaches her. Instead of trying to enjoy the day – not easy when the groom is her ex-boyfriend – Clare is preoccupied. 

Clare gets to work on uncovering the facts surrounding Russell Fox’s death. The guests at the lodge have secrets to hide, but even when Clare begins to unravel the deceit, it doesn’t bring the answers. The detective can’t help but wonder why no one who knew Russell seems capable of telling the truth, and whether there is more than one person with a reason to want him dead…

My thoughts

Clare is attending her ex’s wedding with Alastair (her boss DCI Alastair Gibson) when she is called to a murder scene.

Yes, there is more of Clare and Alastair’s relationship in the book and it in no way deters from the main storyline of the murder investigation.

Gabrielle Fox, the victim’s sister, is a TV celebrity so there is plenty of interest in the case. She and her husband were at the same wedding as Clare and Alastair.

As Clare investigates she meets and questions the friends who were with Russell Fox celebrating his birthday along with Gaby and her husband. She has to break down a lot of defensive barriers which are raised by these friends, family and staff which makes her wonder if any of them can speak truthfully about what happened at Lamond Lodge.

The deeper she digs the more untrustworthy they become but Clare is bright and tenacious and it’s not too long before the pieces of what actually happened fall into place. Will she be able to sort out what the truth really is, who committed this crime and be able to catch the murderer before it’s too late and they disappear for good?

Marion Todd has come up trumps once again in this well written and terrific series with another great story and characters. I continue to enjoy this wonderful series and would most certainly recommend this book and it’s predecessors.

Book: Purchased

Previously read: See Them Run | In Plain Sight | Lies to Tell | What They Knew

Information

Published: Canelo Crime (21 Oct. 2021)

Buy: AmazonSmileUK | Hive | Bookshop.org | Your local bookshop

Author: A native of Dundee, Marion Todd studied music with the Open University and worked for many years as a piano teacher and jobbing accompanist. A spell as a hotel lounge pianist provided rich fodder for her writing and she began experimenting with a variety of genres. Early success saw her winning first prize in the Family Circle Magazine short story for children national competition and she followed this up by writing short stories and articles for her local newspaper. Life (and children) intervened and, for a few years, Marion’s writing was put on hold. During this time, she worked as a college lecturer, plantswoman and candle-maker. But, as a keen reader of crime fiction, the lure of the genre was strong, and she began writing her debut crime novel. Now a full-time writer, Marion lives in North-east Fife, overlooking the River Tay. She can often be found working out plots for her novels while tussling with her jungle-like garden and walking her daughter’s unruly but lovable dog.

Twitter: @MarionETodd | Website: mariontodd.com

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