This is the 7th and most recent book in this very good series by Scottish author James Oswald. I was offered the chance to read the 1st book in this series a short while ago and after reading the first couple of chapters I was already thinking about reading the other six books in the series.
I have enjoyed this series so much I have read them consecutively due to my enjoyment of the characters, sub plots and quirky story lines. I would strongly recommend anyone wishing to read the series read them in the order they were written to really appreciate the full package.
In this latest book in the series a body is found in a tree in The Meadows, Edinburgh's scenic parkland and the forensics suggest the corpse has fallen from a great height.
Detective Inspector Tony McLean wonders whether it was an accident, or a murder designed to send a chilling message? The dead man had led quite a life, a disgraced ex-policeman turned criminal who reinvented himself as a celebrated philanthropist.

I really enjoyed the book and the series generally and looking forward to future books in this series and by this author overall.

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin UK for supplying this series in exchange for an honest review.

As McLean traces the victim's journey, it takes him back to Edinburgh's past, and through its underworld - crossing paths with some of its most dangerous and most vulnerable people.

Written in Bones by James Oswald is the seventh in the Inspector McLean series, somehow I read the first and then skipped to the seventh by mistake (I will have to go back and work my way through these as they are very good).

A body is found impaled on the top of a tree, how did it get there? Why was it placed there? As McLean teases out leads it becomes apparent that the case is in someway linked to the murky past of some of his senior officers who are keen to distance themselves from the investigation.

Oswald has been described as being in the style of Ian Rankin which is a somewhat simplistic comparison of another dark crime set in Edinburgh, and McLean is certainly not yet as absorbing or well rounded a character as Rebus but if you like Rankin then this is well worth reading.

A well-structured novel with a likeable main character and a spectacularly-written opening scene. I haven't read the other books in this series (there are seven) which put me at a slight disadvantage as there were several references to past events and characters that other readers would recognise but these weren't enough to spoil my enjoyment of the story. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves procedural crime novels.

This is the first book I've read in the Inspector McLean series and it works pretty well as a standalone novel, there were some references to previous books but I was able to make sensible assumptions that did not affect my enjoyment.

The story is set in Scotland and I have often thought that where some writers have their characters speaking with an accent that it spoils the flow as I am busy trying to work out how to read their speech but Oswald does it in such a natural way that it only added to the story.

This is a typical police/crime novel which includes horrific scenes, corruption, murder and a wide variety of characters, some of which are more believable than others. I was most perplexed regarding Mrs Scaifre, she didn't ring true somehow and I do find it annoying when I don't know how to pronounce a name!

All in all in good read that keeps you guessing and I will make it my business to become reacquainted with Tony McLean, a wholly likeable hero.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

So I've not read any of the previous books in the series, but having body drop from the sky seemed like an interesting idea and therefore a good place to start. The plot is tight and leaves you wanting to know the answers to some pointed questions- where did the body come from? Who is it? And who is Mrs Scaifre?
It's an easy read and the characters which after six previous books are well developed, the author knows his audience and how to pace without rushing. Being Scottish, the Edinburgh setting is familiar but the plot being different it felt like I was in an unfamiliar place!
It's a really well written book with a really great plot and the only reason it doesn't get the full five stars is that if you had read the other books in the series you would perhaps get more out the book! It is however highly readable as a stand alone and has made me look at reading the other books in the series!

Written in Bones by James Oswald
4 stars
A slow burner
Detective Inspector Tony McLean is not popular. He seems to be able to upset his superiors without trying too hard. When early one morning an ex crooked cop-turned charity boss is impaled in the top branches of a tree Tony is passed the poison chalice as investigating officer. It’s a case with which no senior management seems to want to be associated. Colleagues who might have been of use are seconded on dubious duties. Something stinks.
This is the 7th in the series. Often it makes little difference as to whether the previous novels have been read first and, although this is a excellent story, at times I felt a little like an outsider. I did not understand the nuances of many of the relationships so in this particular case I would thoroughly recommend that any reader takes the time to start at the beginning of the series. Fortunately, if this advice is taken it will by no means be time wasted. The writing is pithy and to the point. The characters are very well drawn and stand up as individuals. The reader can almost recognise any of the main characters from his or her actions.
The plot is a slow burner. Salient facts are discovered on a regular basis and the tension builds to an almost catastrophic denouement. I do take issue with the author’s constant commenting on the merits or otherwise of McLean’s Alfa which is also conflicting at times but this did not detract from the enjoyment. It’s a great read and I shall now work backwards and look forward to enjoying the others in the series.
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

Written in Bones opens dramatically with the gruesome murder of Bill Chalmers, an ex-policeman turned drug kingpin who is found dead high up in a tree in the Meadows, Edinburgh.

Detective Inspector McLean is called in to investigate the murder and the more immediate question of how the body ended up being dropped from the sky.

This is the 7th book in the McLean series and after I enjoyed Natural Causes and The Book of Souls so much I was really looking forward to the latest instalment.

I somehow missed a few of the series though and if you have missed any books before Written in Bones then I'd really recommend catching up with them first because the book is full of flashback references and characters referring obliquely back to 'that incident' or 'the fire' (which I knew nothing about).

Regardless, I carried on with the story and largely enjoyed it, although the final section with the reveal of the main plot (and the bond-esque super villain) did stretch the grounds of plausibility a little too far for me.

The character of McLean also seemed to be lapsing into your typical grizzled detective persona in this story, whereas my recollection of the earlier books was that he was quite a refreshing change from the norm.

After seven outings it is now easy to play detective character trait bingo with McLean and/or compare him with other famous fictional detectives:

Often goes against management orders when investigating crimes
Drives unusual/noteworthy car
Carries lots of emotional baggage
Finds it difficult to sleep, constantly thinking of case
Lots of musing with Whisky/other alcoholic drink in darkened rooms
This was an enjoyable crime thriller with a satisfying end. I will be sure to read the McLean novels in order going forward.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t realise that this book was a sequel when I started reading it. I thought James Oswald dealt with this really well, establishing the setting and the characters in a way that I could follow as a new reader.

I really liked the Edinburgh setting and I felt it came to life in the book. I enjoyed the different range of locations visited and characters interviewed.

The plot was very innovative and gripped my intention from the first gruesome death. Subtle clues were planted about the final outcome of the case and I enjoyed trying to unpick them.

The only downside of this book for me was linked to the characters. I didn’t become massively invested in their fates, possibly because I hadn’t read previous books in the series. I also would have liked to try to work out who was responsible for the crimes but I felt like there weren’t a lot of alternative suspects.

I enjoyed this book and I will definitely try reading this series from the beginning!

This is another excellent thriller in a series based in the same police station in Glasgow. We are drawn into the story without the need to have read previous episodes. Somehow, though, there is something less gripping about this novel than the other one that I have read. The lead character, DI Tony McLean, is more erratic and, cavalier, therefore, seeming less plausible. I know that there always has to be a loophole in the plot but why does it always revolve around one policeman doing something dangerous without backup?? A good read, but not very different from many other police procedural novels despite the unusual murder circumstances.

This is a fantastic police crime thriller which grabs the reader and puts them right in the heart of the action from the very start! The author is skilled at bringing everything to life in the imagination of the reader - I could imagine most of the events unfolding before my very eyes, as if I actually witnessed them.

When a ten year old boy out walking his dog, runs home claiming that a body has been dropped from the sky and into a tree his Mum doesn’t believe him. When she checks, she reluctantly calls the police. Interviewed by DI Tony McLean, the boy is adamant that it was dropped but he couldn’t see what by, but it sounded like giant wings flapping- like a dragon! It turns out the boy is the son of a deceased leading figure in the criminal underworld. When the body that almost dropped on him turns out to be an ex-cop turned criminal mastermind turned local philanthropist Tony needs to investigate the deceased man’s past, venturing deeper into the dangerous underworld where secrets, deception and more will be uncovered in this fast paced plot. When the media discover the circumstances of the murder, the pressure is on to solve the case - especially once the identity of the body is confirmed.

This is a murder with a difference. The investigation is filled with intrigue, misdirection, deception and drama - and there’s even romance! I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone who enjoys reading well written murder mysteries with great characters and filled with a plethora of twists to keep you guessing just how and why the initial murder was committed.

Many thanks to the publishers for gifting me a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review.

I finished this book today. Hats off to James Oswald for another brilliant story in the on-going saga of Detective Inspector MacLean. Woven throughout with the connecting threads from previous novels, the re-introduction of the devilish Mrs Saifre makes for a gripping read that builds the characters and brings Edinburgh to life! I love these stories, and this latest book added to my enjoyment. Thank you, James Oswald!

A well written detective story. I had not read the previous ones in this series but I do not believe it interfered with my enjoyment of the book. The first chapter gets you straight into an intriguing story which soon becomes a page turner. I also like the fact that the tale is told in the real life world of public sector cuts ,mergers and outsourcing.
My thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity of reading the book.

Having read all the other books in James Oswald's series about Tony McLean, I was delighted to receive an ARC of the latest from NetGalley. This is a superb novel, well up to the standard of the rest of the series; it refers back to previous incidents and accidents in Tony's career, brings in interesting new colleagues and deals nicely with some of the less appealing aspects of Police Scotland! In this case he is battling to solve a current crime as well as a cold case, and meeting resistance from his superiors. In addition he is having to cope with difficulties in his relationship with Emma. A great read, highly recommended.

Another cracking Inspector McLean book. This one is an odd but great start when a body is found in the tree tops that looks like it can only have got there by dropping it from the sky. Just how have they done that? Enough of a problem for McClean until they discover the dead body is an ex-cop turned bad. Now they have a body that they have to figure out how it got there and have a boat load of people who would want him dead including current members of the force in high ranking positions.
The story then follows McClean as he tries to fathom just who did it and how and dealing with the policemen who perhaps don't want to help him or have him find out and numerous criminals and oddities along the way.
It is written superbly and the style with Oswald as ever leaves you wanting more. He tantalises you on the journey as you live the book and sit alongside McClean as he unpicks the mystery and deals with he fellow officers.
I can't wait for the next McClean book as these just seem to get better with each one.

DI Tony Mclean and his new assistant Kate Harrison investigate the murder of a local man who seemingly fell from the sky. The victim used to be a policeman who went to prison. Since his release he appears reformed and runs a local charity. He was found spread-eagled in a tree near the home of a murdered local gangster and was found by the gangsters 10 year old son who claims it was a dragon that dropped him into the tree. Mclean continues to battle with his superiors whilst on the domestic front Emma has health problems resulting from a previous investigation. This latest in a series works as a stand alone albeit with plenty of references to previous cases. This investigation leads Mclean into the dangerous drug underworld of Edinburgh. Meanwhile someone seems intent on preventing past truths from being uncovered. Enough intrigue and plotting to keep the reader turning the pages. A very enjoyable read.

I love reading books based in locations I know - and I know Edinburgh very well. It was fortuitous that I was visiting the city at the same time I was reading this book...or was it?

Every time we were near The Meadows my eyes were searching the sky. Thankfully I was not driving!

This is a great book with a twist guaranteed to cause headaches to detectives and forensic teams.

Thanks to Netgalley for this un-proofed copy.

As regular readers will have come to expect, James Oswald's latest DI McLean novel quickly sets the scene in Edinburgh and Fife for an intriguing story with the usual unexpected twists and turns as McLean works to solve a particularly bizarre murder. Oswald's characters will be old friends to many readers, although new members of the investigating team are introduced so skilfully that they quickly feel familiar. Strengths of Oswald's writing include an ability to convey a sense of place and the sometimes anarchic elements to be found within an apparently hierarchical police service. His stories also have a welcome contemporary feel. This reviewer, however, struggles to see the need to tease the reader with odd supernatural themes - it was a relief to find that the few red herrings that threatened a wholly unbelievable ending that had been scattered by Oswald early in the narrative did not spoil the plot development too much. James Oswald is much too skilful an author to require such an occult-themed deus ex machina in his otherwise supremely excellent novels..

This is book number 7 in the DI Tony McLean series and the first that I have read and it was a very competent and well written police procedural novel. It has an attention grabbing start in that a body is found impaled in the top of a tree on the Meadows in Edinburgh. The only witness is a young 6 year old boy who believes he saw a Dragon that morning or at least heard its wings.
When the body is identified as a corrupt copper, drug user turned drug supplier, the question has to be, was it an accident or murder and if the latter, what was the motive?
There are some lovely characters in this story, the stand out person being Police Officer Harrison. She is keen, motivated and goes beyond the call of duty and I know she will return in other stories.
I need to read the other books in this series as there are so many questions not answered about previous incidents involving Mrs Saifre, his girlfriend Emma and why Tony was suspended from duty immediately before this book opens.
Tony doggedly persues the truth despite a huge personal risk to himself and Emma and manages to annoy and irritate all the top brass whilst doing so. I thought this book is a very modern take on police work and the petty jealousies and rivalries that coexist in real life.
I have left a copy of my review on Goodreads.

It's always difficult to jump into a series, and this is the seventh Inspector McLean novel. Reference to previous events can be confusing in such as case, but not in this book. The writing is clear, with enough information to make sense of these references.

The plot is intriguing - how did a man end up in a tree? How is he connected to a dead club owner? and why isn't McLean getting help from senior officers? I really enjoyed the plot twists and the characters. There were some minor errors - a character changes names for a chapter - from Ruth to Joan and back again.