DI Clare Mackay is about to face a test of her loyalty…

Book blurb

When a report comes in that a van containing two prison officers and a convicted jewel thief is missing, the police in St Andrews work quickly to locate the vehicle. Their efforts prove in vain when no trace is found and they realise the wives of both officers also appear to have left the area. Is this a case of corrupt guards springing a felon, or innocent people caught in the crossfire?

DI Clare Mackay leads the team but has to do without her right hand man; DS Chris West is a cousin to one of the missing prison officers and must not be involved in the case. With a new sergeant at her side plus a previously unencountered DCI, Clare’s people skills are pushed to the limit. Especially once she realises her boss is keeping her on the sidelines. Just what is it that Clare doesn’t know? And if she has to choose between keeping secrets from a friend, or letting slip something that could see a culprit go free, which path will she take?

A compelling addition to the bestselling series by a much-loved Scottish crime author

My thoughts

Well here’s another great book in the D I Mackay series. It’s a fascinating storyline that the reader will feel they know what’s happening with just one or two questions regarding bad penny’s or real victims. When the full story get revealed it’s quite a shocking thing to take in.

D I Mackay feels locked out from an investigation that was initially hers and she still feels is linked to her ongoing investigation by the SIO. Things, however, are not what they seem and Clare battles to ensure that both investigations are resolved successfully.

It’s quite revealing and a bit shocking with regards to the way in which the police operate but, I suppose, great lengths have to be gone to in order to get the ‘big fish’ of dangerous gangs. It is totally captivating. Marion Todd is a wonderful storyteller and obviously does some fascinating research which make them very believable.

I couldn’t resist getting to this one, the sixth in the series, as soon as it arrived and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I enjoy the setting, the interesting angles Marion Todd comes up with for her storyline, the characters and the pace which ensures it thoroughly keeps your attention from start to finish.

Lovers of this series will not be disappointed and newcomers I’m sure will want to get – and be so happy to have – all the back episodes in the series.

A pleasure to read and, of course, I happily recommend to everyone who enjoys crime fiction. This is a wonderful series and one that I automatically order when I know a new one is on it’s way.

Another of my #20Booksofsummer is finished. You can check out my list here. Cathy from 746Books is the mastermind and host behind this annual event do take a look at her excellent blog.

Information

Published: Canelo Crime (7 July 2022)

Buy: AmazonSmileUK (currently each ebook in the series is 99p!) |KOBO (many of the ebook series is 99p) |Hive | Your favourite bookshop

Author: Marion grew up in the City of Dundee, now home to the magnificent V&A Museum. Always a keen writer, she has had point-of-view pieces published in the Dundee Courier and short stories in My Weekly magazine. She won first prize in the Family Circle Magazine Short Story for Children Competition in 1987.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Marion worked as a lecturer, candle-maker and hotel lounge pianist, a job which provided rich material for her novels.  

In 2018 Marion was long-listed for the Sunstory Award and the Scottish Arts Council Short Story Award and in 2019 was short-listed for Dundee Rep’s Stripped programme.

More recently, Marion has turned her hand to crime fiction and in 2020 was shortlisted for the prestigious Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year award with her novel See Them Run, the first in the DI Clare Mackay crime series.

Marion lives in North East Fife overlooking the River Tay and is a sometime babysitter for her daughter’s unruly but lovable dog.

Marion Todd website | Marion Todd on Twitter