I have paid the penalty of not starting on this series early enough, and I'll certainly be reading some more. I spent quite a bit of my reading time working out who the main characters are and what the relationships between them are.

The plot was intriguing and full of red herrings, and it wasn't until the final chapters that the identity of the killer becomes clear. Before that there were plenty of suspects. ( )

The Rhona MacLeod series of crime novels set in Glasgow and featuring a forensic scientist are well established. This is the first book in the series that I have read. I thought this to be a very good book with plenty of varied and colourful characters who all have real lives and contribute to the overall action and evolution of the story.

Rhona is talented, but clearly not omniscient, and displays a deeply felt personal life often missing from other crime heroes. The action reads true to life and the various potential candidates for the crime all seem plausible at the time. It was a little disappointing that the actual murderer, when revealed, was one of the more peripheral characters who we had never really had a chance to get to know.

Overall, very good and I would not be averse to reading others in the series. ( )

I picked this up on a whim, so jumped right in at instalment 13. There were references to the previous 12 books throughout, but not in too intrusive a way. I enjoyed this for the most part, although the main female characters, Ellie and Rhona, often behaved in bafflingly foolish ways. (If Rhona had gone on drinking and eating things that magically appeared in her kitchen and then feeling very ill afterwards without making the connection for one more day I might have had to stop reading!) It was perhaps a little slow and a little too long, and the identity of the murderer, while logical, was not particularly emotionally satisfying. I'm going to try the first instalment and see how that is. ( )

So today’s post is kind of a doubleheader. First up is my review then I’ll close with a short rant which may stray close to spoilerish territory so just a heads up.

When forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod gets called, it’s rarely good news. This time a body has been found in one of Glasgow’s tunnels. And it’s immediately clear the killer has gone to great lengths to get their message across. The second body turns up near Rhona’s home. Same careful display, same props, same lack of forensics……there’s no doubt it’s related to the first.

Rhona does her best to provide clues for the police but it’s slim pickings. And maybe that’s a clue in itself. Everything points to someone with superior forensic knowledge. When one clue is tied to Rhona they all have to wonder. Is the killer taunting her or stalking her?

The gang is all back including DS Michael McNab. He & Rhona have a complicated history. They fell out after their last case which also resulted in a demotion for McNab. He’s been trying to keep his head down but when this case is assigned to DS Janice Clark, he can’t resist pushing his way into the investigation.

Just to amp up the creep factor, in alternate chapters we listen in as the killer makes their plans. There are also side stories dealing with the personal lives of the MC’s. The author does a great job of keeping you guessing. When it comes to suspects, you’re spoiled for choice. I had it narrowed down to three & kept looking for any hint that would sway me one way or the other.

One little niggle was a lack of information about the killer. Even after they’re revealed, we’re no wiser as to their background, motive or why they became fixated on Rhona. But that wasn’t the issue for me. Warning: mini-rant ahead.

I was all in on this story. Loved the Glasgow setting & got swept up in the investigation & the characters’ personal story lines. Then I hit the 90% mark. At this point Rhona makes a decision that can only be described as monumentally boneheaded. You know those slasher movies where a frisky couple looking for privacy come across an abandoned house? It’s usually isolated, has no electricity & one pipes up with something akin to “Hey, I’m going inside to check out that noise in the cellar by myself. You wait out here all alone in the dark. No worries, I’m sure it’s nothing to do with that serial killer who recently escaped.” Yup, that.

I realize authors take license to create suspense. My problem is when a character who has been portrayed as smart & experienced is dumbed down in order to create that suspense. It’s a personal peeve that yanks me out of the story & leaves me shaking my head. Maybe I lack the ability to suspend my disbelief that far but surely there are other ways to create the desired tension that allow the character to remain consistent. So that’s where my rating took a hit.

There you have it. The bulk of the story is a well paced, twisty tale that will keep you turning the pages. As a bonus, you also get a peek at the hidden history of Glasgow. If the above doesn’t bother you, go for it as there’s a reason this popular series has reached book #13. ( )

Sins of the Dead – Keeps you on edge.

Rhona MacLeod is back and gives us a thrilling ride that keeps the reader on edge all the way to the end. The blurb calls this the best Scottish Crime series since Rebus, personally I think it is better. For a start we do not have to put up with a drink addled defective detective, and it is not in Edinburgh. So, win, win in my book!

Lin Anderson knows how to hook a reader, from the opening sentence, through every chapter there is something to keep you reading. One of the great things about this writing, is that it is not male heavy, they are there, but not in your face. Again, with the leading females again they are in your face, so there is a perfect blend of characters.

Opening in a closed up old railways tunnel under Glasgow, four female Harley Davidson riders are having an illegal street race. What they discover a dead body they split, scared to say or do anything. Especially as one of the riders Ellie is dating DS McNab, who would not be very happy.

Rhona who had examined the body and cannot understand her findings or the reasons for the death, she does not realise she will be placing herself in danger. As other are drawn into the mystery, the danger to Rhona gets great, little does she realise this. She carries on regardless.

When another body is found, this time in the grounds of Glasgow University, and worse in view of her lab, do they think they are dealing with a forensically aware killer. It is when he turns his sights to Rhona then her life is in danger, but she just wants to get on with her work. With Rhona being targeted it becomes a race against time before she could become a victim.

Once again Lin Anderson has written a thriller that ticks all the right boxes. Her writing, her characters and her descriptive narrative are beautifully constructed. This book proves why Lin Anderson is not only the best female Scottish writer, but one of the best in Britain. I hope Lin does not mind but she is as great as Val McDermid ( )