It’s a while since I read this book and have just discovered I had never left feedback.
My only real complaint about James Oswald is the supernatural element which is a complete turn off for me but as I’ve said before that is just a personal thing so I no longer request his books.

Book 5 and Tony is still 'making things complicated' for Duguid( Dagwood) and the other lazy OIC's in this hugely readable series of detective novels. There is still a fantastic mixture of police procedure and paranormal experiences, my favourite characters of Grumpy Bob and Angus Cadwallader are backing up Tony as more inventive murders are discovered, dialysis machine? Seriously?!
We see more of Madame Rose and understand that Tony has a very powerful protector, which compensates for the negativity that comes his way from his bosses, pluralised, as Duguid is due to retire soon.
The humour is pure gallows and the sense of exhaustion and team work is still apparent, alongside the usual sense of frustration and schoolboy humour that is prevalent in every police station in the UK, Potter and Scar, being a good example.
Well, this series will roll on quite nicely because the stories are engrossing and the fight between good and evil is ceaseless. Tony is a one man army against evil, he is destined to remain single as he won't put a loved one into danger and he feels too guilty of his good fortune to abandon his work colleagues. The books just don't get boring, they continue to think of ever new inventive ways to kill people and we all need a good policeman at the end of the day. Marvellous!! I have posted this review on Goodreads.

Have really enjoyed the previous books in this series, but this is slightly disappointing. The plot seems a little loser, much is unexplained and the motive for the killings is a little too weird. The other characters don't seem as developed as in the other books. Don't start with this one.

Another great installment of this compelling police drama

This was a real page turner from the beginning. Will definitely look for this author in future.

This series just continues to pull me in and refuses to let go!

I want to know what happens with everyone and to see what trouble Tony finds himself thrown into and will not let something silly like sleep get in the way of that!

Loved this book, they get better with each one. 5 stars. Would highly recommend

I enjoyed this book for the most part and quite a lot of it was a good page turner for me. Very good continuity but as with all his other books I cannot into the supernatural element and the ending was just surreal and left the reader wanting more explanation

This is the fifth of the DI Tony McLean series and it has an interesting set of storylines. Jo Dalgliesh has not seen her colleague, Ben Stevenson, a reporter for some time and reports him missing to Tony who reluctantly agrees to help. He is called out to the underground caves and passages beneath Edinburgh where there has been ritualistically killed dead body that has undergone gruesome purification acts. Oddly, there is absolutely no forensics. It is, of course, Ben Stevenson, and then more bodies turn up. Despite Tony's antagonism to Jo Dalgleish, who published a book on his fiancee, the two forge an unlikely alliance to investigate. We get glimpses into Tony's childhood with his grandmother which later turn out to have connections with the case. The transgender fortune teller, Madam Rose, is being harrassed and her beloved cat has been killed, and a lovely relationship develops between Tony and her. Developers, the McClymonts, pressure Tony to sell his burnt out flat to them. There is the requisite police conflicts. A great read. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.

I have previously read and reviewed this book, possibly an earlier edition

'Prayer for the dead' is the 5th book in the Inspector McLean series by author James Oswald.
Another good book in this series that continues to satisfy everything I enjoy in a Detective series.

In this book a body is found at the scene of a carefully staged murder. In a sealed chamber deep in the heart of Gilmerton Cove the victim has undergone a macabre ritual of purification.

Inspector Tony McLean knew the dead man, and can't shake the suspicion that there is more to this case than meets the eye. The lack of forensics at the crime scene is not the only thing that McLean will find beyond belief.

Teamed with the most unlikely and unwelcome of allies, McLean must track down a killer with the darkest compulsions, who answers only to a higher power.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Penguin UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A man's body I sound in some underground caves on the outskirts of Edinburgh and DI Tony McLean is assigned the case. It results in him having to work closely with a journalist he really doesn't like as she worked with the victim. Two further bodies are discovered and Tony is sure that all three are connected although he can't persuade his superiors that this is the case. While the investigation is underway Tony is always helping out an old friend. The NCO have also asked for his input on an investigation into two developers who just happen to be developing his old building. Another great book in this series by James Oswald.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

'Are you ready to be reborn?'
The search for a missing journalist Ben Stevenson is called off as a body is found at the scene of a carefully staged murder. In a sealed chamber, deep in the heart of Gilmerton Cove, a mysterious network of caves and passages sprawling beneath Edinburgh. Inspector Tony McLean knew the dead man, and can't shake off the suspicion that there is far more to this case than meets the eye. The baffling lack of forensics at the crime scene seems impossible. But it is not the only thing about this case that McLean will find beyond belief.
Teamed with the most unlikely and unwelcome of allies journalist Jo Dalgliesh, he must track down a killer driven by the darkest compulsions.
Tony’s also being pushed by a Development Company owned by Jock & Joe McClymont to sell his share in burnt out shell of the tenement that housed his flat. Madame Rose is also having problems & stays with Tony for a while.
This is the fifth McLean book & again I found it hard to put down. The relationship between Tony & Dagwood has mellowed but likely to the fact Dagwood is to retire at the end of the year. Another tale of a serial killer, stolen cars & harassment, whilst the book could be a standalone there are threads going through the series which would lead to some bafflement for example Emma & her quest, the Alfa’s return, his old flat & his relationship with his Grandmother. I’d recommend reading the series from the start as the more books you read the more you become engrossed in the dogged detective

Prayer for the dead by James Oswald is a mystery and thriller and general fiction (adult) read.
A body is found at the scene of a carefully staged murder. In a sealed chamber deep in the heart of Gilmerton Cove. The victim has undergone a macabre ritual of purification.
Absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. I loved the story and the characters. McLean is still my favourite character. Can't wait for next part. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley