🔍Another great read with DI Clare Mackay on a sniper's trail🚨

I am hooked on this series; each new book is a pageturner and none more so than Next in Line. The motive for the killing is murky, with plenty of suspects ranging from the victim's closest social circle, to shady business owners, grudge-bearing ex-cons and hard to pin down hired assassin candidates. The victim is the beloved brother of a famous television personality and, public scrutiny notwithstanding, DI Clare and her crew pull out all the stops to get the family justice.

Some of the story's strongest elements for me:

Clare herself, driven to solve the case but a good pal and mentor to her team. Author Marion Todd gives her just enough of a personal life, with nothing too angstful or unsettled on the home front. She's an ordinary woman, with a man friend after a few failed relationships, a dog that needs walkies and a cozy cottage, with a challenging profession.

The investigation techniques. They never get too bogged down in technical descriptions although they rely on intuition and science. I find that the pages speed by no matter how painstaking and thorough the interviews, technical checks and background follow-ups. And, yes there's violence and death but the descriptions are never too gritty.

The writing. The prose is easy to follow and, even as the number of characters add up, somehow each is readily identifiable when the action returns to him/her. And just enough twists, surprises and urgent chases to keep it exciting.

The setting. What a lovely region of Eastern Scotland mostly heavily associated with St. Andrews golf course and University.

This is an unequivocal recommend for British crime readers.

Thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

I have to rein myself in, for this review. I mainly read romantic fiction, but enjoy certain thriller writers, and Marion Todd is in my all time top five. I have waited, impatiently, to read this book, and I haven’t been disappointed.
As the synopsis explains, the scene is set when the brother of a high-profile television personality, Gaby Fox, is gunned down whilst enjoying a weekend away at a house near St. Andrews. DI Clare Mackay is attending a wedding where Gaby Fox is also on the guest list.
Feeling at a disadvantage, because she wasn’t first on the scene, Clare is determined to work her way through the twisted tales of the other house guests to discover who murdered Russell Fox. Slowly, the odd word here and the occasional misstep there, helps Clare and her team to build a picture of what happened, and it’s not as straightforward as any of them hoped.
The tension builds steadily, until it’s impossible to take a break. The story picks up speed and rockets to a shocking conclusion. There are a couple of characters from previous books, and it was great to see that Clare and Al have gone from strength to strength.
One of the traits that I really enjoy, with Marion’s writing, is that the reader keeps apace with the case. There’s no element from the culprit’s point of view, we are kept in the dark and guessing. Marion’s characters are wonderfully three dimensional. Fully developed and robust.

The way the storyline unfurled, revealing each new morsel of information, kept me hooked through to the final pages. Marion has crafted a fine cast of characters who simply work. From Admin Assistant, Zoe to the return of DCI Tony McAvettie, there’s plenty going on, with heroes and villains aplenty.

This is the fifth book in the series, and may be the best one yet. The story is excellent, with twists and turns that keep the reader on their toes as they try to figure out where the story is going. No worries, Clare and her team are taking those twists and turns at the same time, and they have the advantage of being a crack investigative team. Fortunately, the reader gets the opportunity the follow along with the investigation and learning facts at the same time as Clare and her team.

Being familiar with Todd’s other books in the series, her excellent writing style feels more like a welcome home and the reader is immediately drawn into the world of DI MacKay. This current case is the murder of a man who was celebrating his birthday with three friends from his school days at an exclusive lodge near the grounds of a posh hotel. As the case unfolds Clare learns his sister is a TV personality and happens to be the woman she met at the wedding reception. The story quickly moves into the solid police work being done by Clare and her team as they investigate leads, follow hunches, and roll with the unexpected twists and turns the case takes as they proceed.

The pace is excellent and the story so engaging it pulls the reader through. As the chapters are short, it’s easy to read “just one more chapter” than to put the book down, and before you know it you’ve read another hour or so. There are some recurring characters beyond DCI Gibson who are part of Clare’s team and their stories and personalities are continuing from previous books. The case they are trying to solve is completely contained within this book. So, if you are a series reader, this is a series I would recommend reading from beginning, reading them in order, as the characters develop and grow as the series continues. However, if you are just interested in a well-written mystery that is engaging in and of itself, there is no need to read the previous books in the series as the main story is easily understood without in-depth knowledge of their personal story.

Next in Line is an excellent example of a police procedural where things move on a logical path, there is a sense of urgency because that’s what law enforcement feels when they are trying to solve a case, and dangerous situations are logical instead of contrived. There is just enough personal story for Clare as well as a few others in her precinct to create an interesting world filled with people you either would like to get to know or, at the very least, want working your case if you ever found yourself in need of their services.

Loved this book. Had to stop myself reading it too quickly. Russell is shot dead while out looking at the wildlife at a house party. His sister is at a wedding so had a perfect alibi. As was the detective who’s going to be investigating the case. There are many twists and turns and so many times I thought I knew who’d done it! Wasn’t always right. One of the best detective novels I’ve read for a while. Can’t wait for more.

This is the fifth book in the DI Clare Mackay series, but can easily be read as a standalone. I was gripped from the beginning and found it difficult to put down; as soon as I finished it, I went off and purchased the previous books in the series!

Gaby Fox is a well-known television presenter and attending a wedding with her husband when she receives a phone call. DI Clare Mackay is at the same wedding, and sees the shock on Gaby’s face when taking the call. Then the DI gets news of a shooting, and the victim is Gaby’s brother, Russell.

Russell’s friends had hired a gorgeous house for his 40th birthday weekend celebrations, and he was shot in the early morning as he was watching the sunrise from a high walkway. They all have secrets to hide and want them to stay hidden.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

This is the 5th installment of the DI Clare Mackay series set in and around St. Andrews, and it's a good one. The brother of a well known TV personality is shot to death at an air bnb lodge on the morning after a his 40th birthday party.
This is a well thought out police procedural. Lots of interesting plot twists and dodgy suspects. Todd makes sure to blend the personal life of Mackay into the story but not so that it takes away from the crime and her ability to solve it.
Can't wait for the next installment.

Gripping, enticing and pleasing in equal portions, this book much like Todd's other tomes was devoured in short order and this reader looks forward to the next crime thriller starring DI Clare Mackay.

This is a very good police procedural from Marion Todd, and a great addition to the Clare Mackay series. The team are investigating the early morning murder of a man who just celebrated his 40th birthday. The book has an air of authenticity about it as regards police procedure and I really like the insight into the personal lives of the officers. There is plenty suspense and twists in this well written book and I would highly recommend it. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Next in Line is the latest book in the DI Clare MacKay series by Marion Todd and it is another enjoyable police procedural set in and around St Andrew’s.

All the regular characters return however for a newcomer to the series Next in Line can be easily read as a stand-alone book

Recommended

This is the 5th book in Marion Todd’s series which is set in St. Andrews and although it's the first one that I have read, it's easily read as a stand-alone. I found it easy to pick up the threads from previous stories. I found this to be a tightly packed novel full of intrigue, twists and turns and suspense right up until the final chapter. It's an engaging story and to be honest it's actually one of the few deaths where I wouldn't be upset if that was my ending!

DI Clare Mackay was a good lead - intelligent, caring, full of empathy, determined to succeed, and commanded a tight cohesive team. I enjoyed reading about her personal life as well. I will need to return to the start of the series as I want to know how she came about getting Benji her dog! See it's random things, small details like hiding biscuits etc that hook me into a series.

This is definitely a series I am going to be reading from now and it is already listed on the site!

I have read all of the DI Clare Mackay series and loved every one and this was no exception. It grips from the first page and doesn’t let go. There’s plenty of suspects but also some red herrings to throw you off course. A very well written story with a bit of Scottish humour thrown in. I can’t wait for the next instalment.

Next in Line is the fifth novel in the entertaining DI Clare MacKay series. The story begins with an exciting opening chapter as the murder takes place.
And then, we move onto an amusing scene with Clare and DCI Al attending the wedding of her ex-boyfriend. Their reluctance at attending the event is clear and Clare is relieved to receive a call about a murder.
This murder of course, is the murder that occurred in the opening pages. And Clare is soon deep into the investigation. With social media, celebrities and old rivalries, Clare's investigation receives intense scrutiny and an old 'frienemy' is sent to oversee the case.
I enjoyed that the story focuses on one murder and is straightforward to follow. Our hero is relatable and likeable.

Would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

whilst at a wedding D.I claire mackay receives a phone call about a murder...annoyingly claire cant leave the wedding but her brilliant team do their best whilst she is away...

and this murder is going to be a nightmare as a successful tv personality is involved, a gabrielle fox who also happens to be at the same wedding as mackay....

a brilliantly written book with many a red herring to keep you entertained till the end...it was great to catch up with the team and claire

cant wait for the next book in this brilliant series

Next in Line by Marion Todd is the fifth book in the D.I Clare Mackay series. I have been following from the start. The is a great police procedural set in St Andrews in Scotland.
When DI Clare is attending a wedding of an ex-boyfriend with partner DCI Alastair Gibson, she dreams that she will one day she will be walking down aisle. This is a rare occasion that they got time together.
Successful Tv presenter Gabriel Fox is attending the wedding when she gets a phone call that her brother Russell Fox has been shot and killed by a sniper whilst celebrating his 40th Birthday with his friends at a retreat called Lamond Lodge. DI Clare after witnessing Gabriel rushing off knows that her day is going to be cut short.
She gives everything she has to find out who the perpetrator is. Interviewing all involved on the case but still not convinced who the killer is. As she is knowing that some are not telling the truth to what happened to Russell Fox on that fatal day.
This is another great episode in the series. With the same old team of likeable characters that you can relate too and how the author explains the ups and downs of the police investigation. It makes the story more believable and of Clare’s and her teams’ personal lives it makes the story more convincing. The story is not as gripping as the others in the series but really enjoyed it and can’t wait for the next instalment. 4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

I really like this authors series with DI Clare Mackay and her latest book didn’t disappoint. Marion Todd has created such a likeable and believable lead character here and I loved being back in Clare’s world again as she and her team investigate a murder. I love the settings and scenes described in the book and can picture them in my mind. I thought this was a very well written book which flowed really well, it had a good plot line and I enjoyed the twists in the story, and all the separate story threads that all came together and were tied up nicely at the end. There are so many likeable characters here and I liked following the team during their investigations and the camaraderie they have. And the little glimpses into their personal lives outside work was an added bonus. Overall, a great entertaining read and I look forward to the next book.

I have read the first 4 books in this series by Marion Todd and loved each of them. While I enjoyed this book it wasn’t quite as nail biting as the previous ones and I found it a bit plodding. (No pun intended). I will look forward to the next one as I really like he characters and setting.

I like that these books really focus on one murder rather than have a serial killer running around rural Scotland.
This instalment sees the return of several characters from previous books, a complex plot and just enough Scottish humour.

Having only read one book by Marion Todd, I was excited to receive an ARC of her new novel NEXT IN LINE.
I connected immediately with Detective Inspector Clare Mackay and her team. I enjoyed the rapport between the characters, DI Clare Mackay and Detective Sergeant Chris West's working relationship. They work well together.
Personally, the book came to life between the pages due to the witty and snappy dialogue. The storyline, I found predictable but enjoyable,.

If you are a fan of Marion Todd, you will want to read this novel.

I give a 4 star rating and would recommend the book.

I WANT TO THANK NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF READING AN ADVANCED COPY OF THE BOOK FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

Being a huge Marion Todd fan (I’ve read her first 4 books in the DI Clare Mackay series) I was very excited to read book number 5 which went straight to the top of my pile.

Marion has yet again come up with an top notch police procedural thriller. I enjoyed meeting DI Mackay again. She is an excellent detective who is always completely immersed in her case.

We follow this latest case as the brother of a top tv personality has been shot dead at a remote holiday lodge. The lodge had been rented to celebrate his 40th birthday and a handful of his friends were staying there for a party weekend. DI Mackay gets her teeth straight into the case like a terrier and does not let up until the shooter has been found. There are of course many red herrings and twists and turns to keep the interest and momentum going!

Can’t wait to see what is in store for DI Mackay in her next case!

Many thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of the book which is due out on 21st October.

I always look forward to Marion Todd's books and she must be working tirelessly because already we're onto book 5 in the DI Clare Mackay series. "Next in Line" features all the old favourites among the staff and some characters from previous novels. As is customary, the chapters are short making it hard to put down as I promise myself "just one more chapter before bed", which always turns out to be a lie. I like that Todd includes the occasional bit of Scots dialogue. I also particularly liked how the text messages are laid out in the ebook. Another good read and, as always, I look forward to the next in the series.