This is a procedural with supernatural elements. When a man with dementia seems to provide clues to a child’s murder, a Community Officer gets involved trying to solve it to prevent more bloodshed. Don is a local cop working on a string of vandalism cases. His friend Alyson asks him to look into the resident of a retirement facility who called 999 to rant about a monster, revealing details that are not public knowledge. He’s obviously not a suspect so how does he know? He also called weeks in advance, so it must be a coincidence. Don starts developing a relationship with the staff and residents of the facility and realizes that there’s something to it, even if he doesn’t know what. The novel worked well for me and I enjoyed following Alyson and the official team, as well as Don with his own investigation. The author used to be a Police Officer and it shows, which was my problem with this book. He knows too much and adds too many procedural details that are interesting, but slow down the rhythm in general. I don’t want to hear the whole caution to a suspect, just what they have to say. Other than this, I enjoyed this novel.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Allison & Busby!

352 Pages

5 stars

Sergeant Don Colyear works at the Edinburgh detachment of Police Scotland. He is a Community Liaison Officer, so he doesn’t normally investigate big cases like murder. However, he gets involved with his old pal Alison “Aly” in the murder of a young boy. His eyes have been removed. The team from Glasgow is in charge, and along with them comes a hard driving, territorial, foul-mouthed DCI - a woman no less. There has always been tension between the two teams.

The police chase several leads, but seemingly to no avail. They are at a loss until a telephone call to “999” has Don and Aly interviewing an elderly man with dementia. Martin has his “dark days” according to his caretaker Vicki. But the old man reported the murder three weeks before it occurred.

Don becomes involved in a very interesting and caring relationship with Martin. It was perhaps my favorite part of the book.

Another murder occurs, this time of an elderly priest. Are the cases connected? What is going on?

This is a great book. It is both well written and plotted. I liked Don a great deal. He seems warm and friendly - until pushed into confrontations. I liked the ending of the book as well. It was well deserved.

I want to thank NetGalley and Alison & Busby for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.