The Bloodsmith has been on the rampage for seventeen months and the police are no nearer figuring out who he is or how he selects his victims. All the police do know is that once the Bloodsmith has rendered his victim unconscious he drains their blood and eviscerates them, leaving the message "HELP ME" scrawled on a nearby wall in the victims blood. Sometimes the victims aren't found until weeks after they've been murdered.

With the case going nowhere the investigating team are restructured and DS Lucy McVeigh and her partner DC Duncan "The Dunk" Fraser are given the task of reviewing the victims and the murder scenes in the hope that someone will remember something that will help them close a case that has ground to a halt after seventeen months.

Alongside this an old case rears it's head when a young man seeks Lucy's help. He happens to be Benedict Strachan, an infamous child murdered. At the age of 11 Strachan and an accomplice brutally stabbed a homeless man to death. Released after serving 16 years in prison he is now seeking help from Lucy but is adamant he still won't give up the name of his accomplice.

The fact that the reader joins the case seventeen months after the Bloodsmith starts his murder spree means that we quickly review all of the previous murders, giving an immediate feeling of being immersed in the story. As Lucy and The Dunk re-visit each crime scene we discover how the Bloodsmith has refined his murder technique over time.

Lucy is academically gifted, on a fast track to promotion. Her maverick style means that she discovers clues missed during the earlier investigation. Unfortunately Lucy is hampered in her work. Not only has she got Professional Standards breathing down her neck but the family of a man she killed is harassing her. As the story unfolds we discover the reason behind this killing along with Lucy's dark and disturbing past.

As you would expect from a novel by Stuart MacBride we have a dark and gritty story, with some humor thrown in (usually at The Dunk's expense) but what you don't expect is the tangent the story takes. With any crime story you expect a twist somewhere but the twist in this one simply cannot be predicted, a twist that makes the reader start flicking back through the book to re-read sections.

This book has the potential to be a really good story. It deals with the pursuit of Bloodsmith, a serial killer, alongside the pursuit of someone who, as a boy, confessed to murder. Beyond that, the book gets into needless complications not least the problems of the deeply damaged DS Lucy McVeigh which stretch credulity as the chances of her remaining a police officer are nil. The best character is Dunk her assistant whose comments on society and attitudes are great. The book is also brutal in its content. In the latter part of the book, the mix of reality and Lucy’s mental creations are confusing and too complicated. I enjoyed the beginning of this book before all the revelations about the DS’s past. After that, it was very demanding.

I’m a huge fan of Stuart Macbride and have read and thoroughly enjoyed all of his books and novellas to date.
This book is a stand alone crime novel that introduces DS Lucy McVeigh. I found this book quite different to the Henderson & McRea series. But this book still has the black humour, and laugh-out-loud wit present in previous books.
I didn’t not particularly like the character Lucy, book is quite long and at times I did struggle a bit which has never happened before with this author.
Overall, I would say this was not one of my favourite Macbride novels but is a better then average stand along thriller.

The first Stuart Macbride I've read but it definitely won't be the last. A long book, full of dark, sinister crimes, we get to know DS Lucy McVeigh whose sarcasm and dry humour give the character a very human feel. As she and her partner (the Dunk) follow the trail of The Bloodsmith serial killer, we learn about the horrific ordeal she went through, which has made her how she is. Just as it seems the case has been cracked, the plot becomes even darker and more twisted and we learn other secrets about McVeigh's state of mind. Utterly horrific and totally gripping, I couldn't put it down. 5 stars.

2.5 - 3 rounded up.

It’s been nearly 18 months since the Bloodsmith killed his first victim of five and a few months since the last one. The investigation entitled ‘Operation Maypole’ is getting nowhere fast in apprehending this callous killer and the press and police top brass are getting impatient for results. DI Tudor is now placed in charge and DS Lucy McVeigh is made part of the team. Lucy however, is very distracted as not only is she struggling with possible PTSD, she has a stalker and if that’s not enough Benedict Strachan, a recently released child killer is pleading for her help and protection.

Well, if you like a read that has you on board the train to crazy town, then jump aboard this one! I usually love Stuart MacBride’s books but I’m extremely confused dot com about this one. In the first three quarters there are some intriguing plot twists, there’s tension and suspense. There are genuine moments of chill as you’d expect from this author and it looks like it’s shaping up for a jaw dropping ending. You are but not in the way you might expect. Lucy is an very interesting central character and a bit different which I do like and there are some good puzzles created through her.

However, the book is very long, it’s quite random at times and feels very disconnected, then chuck in a lot of characters, add in some very silly, juvenile dialogue that doesn’t match the very dark events then you begin to get the picture. At times my brain nearly explodes with trying to keep up with the evolving plot or alternatively its like it might feel if you imbibe something mind altering or more to the point, has the author???? This is particularly apt for the last 20% or so which is bonkers in my opinion and your mouth drops open with incredulity and I keep having to shake my head in an endeavour to take it all in. Really? Seriously?

Overall, this is far from being the authors best book and it’s not one for me. It’s a real shame as there is the makings of a very good plot here but it gets lost along a convoluted and meandering way.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Transworld, Bantam Press for the arc in return for an honest review.

I have read and very much enjoyed all previous Stuart MacBride's books. I love the characterisation and background that he gives to all his main characters and Lucy in this story is a fine example. The story goes along with the usual pace in search of the "bloodsmith" however it becomes very confusing in the last hundred pages or so when Lucy begins to talk to imaginary people and it became unclear whether you were reading from Lucy's imagination or actual action that is taking place. I felt this distracted from the story and made the storyline difficult to follow.in the closing paragraphs.

This book is literally crazy. I think I need to read the last few chapters again just be sure I've really understood what is happening. It starts like one of his typical Scottish noir with added stovies, but ends up in a very different place. Very ambitious, and I think he just about pulls it off.

Wow, I get so excited when a new Stuart MacBride book comes out and I try to savour it ... However, that doesn't always go to plan, because master of storytelling, gritty crime fiction and tartan humour, MacBride, generally has me wheeching through the book at a rate of knots.

So - we're introduced to a new team - DS Lucy McVeigh and her DC 'The Dunc' . As usual the characterisation of this pair is superb and we quickly are drawn into their relationchip and the dynamics of it are soooo deliciously full of humour, respect and mutual caring - Love them!

The storyline is as expertly plotted as I've come to expect from the MacBride books. As an author myself, I love deconstructing the plot lines and following the different strands through. As a reader, every twist and turn, every carefully placed piece of additional information, every morsel of information all come together to a satisfying, grab you by the throat, fast paced read.

No Less The Devil is more than just a crime fiction novel though. It is a stunning commentary on post Covid society and MacBride has chosen to mainly provide this commentary through the eyes of The Dunc, which works beautifully in my opinion.
With many themes running through the novel from homelessness, misogyny, the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in dealing with children who kill, to privilege and entitlement and more, this is thought provoking as well as hugely entertaining. Another five star success from the King of Tartan Noir !

This works well as a standalone book.
Introducing the main character who has a very good back story,and her side kick.
It's an interesting and slightly creepy tale,that has a good few surprises up its sleeves.
All in all it was enjoyable, though I felt slightly lacking in the usual humour I expect from MacBride.

If it becomes a series,I'll definitely be there for book two.

I'm a big fan of Stuart MacBride but initially felt No Less The Devil was once again treading familiar - yet enjoyable - territory. Lucy McVeigh is a new character with the usual back story - we find her back on the force after a traumatic event. She is great at her job yet belligerent and stubborn with a sidekick who is well-meaning and kind but downtrodden and given to rants that don't add much to the story. So far, so typical. Then I hit the 80% mark....what a twist! I'd love to find out what happens next for Lucy but suspect this will unfortunately be a stand alone novel.

One thing that does irritate me about MacBride's work however, is the incessant radio dialogue everytime a character is in a car. It's pointless and detracts from the pace of the plot.

Whilst being a stereotypical MacBride character setup, No Less The Devil also stereotypical in the sense that it is a thrilling, darkly humorous, gory, well-written and brilliantly plotted tartan noir thriller. Recommended.

Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam Press and NetGalley for the advance copy.

After losing my reading mojo what better way than getting it back by being granted a copy from Netgalley of Stuart MacBrides latest offering. It’s certainly worthy of 4 stars and possibly pushing it to 4.5. How is he able to make it gruesome with a bit of gore and yet make me laugh all within 1 page? Definitely a talented author and just what I needed to read after a hard day of work. IBeware though, it is a page turner and you will find yourself staying up into the wee small hours reading.

Loved this book from the first page, new detective new story. Somethings I didn’t see coming ! A real page turner
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Uk Transworld Publishers, Bantam Press for the early read

A stand-alone novel from Stuart MacBride featuring a new detective, Lucy McVeigh. All the hallmarks of MacBride are here: great humour, sarcasm, witty repartee between Lucy and her sidekick The Dunk. They are called in to revisit the unsolved horrific murders of random people in the hope of finding the culprit who they have nicknamed the Bloodsmith.
Although the aim is the solving of the murders the main focus of the novel is Lucy and all events revolve around her and her involvement in the investigation. She is a complex character with many issues springing from her early childhood and a traumatic event in her adult life. Whilst trying to find the Bloodsmith she puts her life in danger on more than one occasion.
The novel is creepy, scary, violent and moves rapidly from scene to scene, never losing momentum. A book you can’t bear to put down because something new will happen in the next pages that will be totally unexpected. A fantastic read.
Thanks to Transworld and NetGalley for the Arc.

Stuart MacBride returns to Oldcastle with a new hero cop, D S Lucy McVeigh as she returns to work after a personally traumatic incident. Along with her constant PC companion, the Dunk, they are drawn into the hunt for a serial killer. Under severe pressure to close the case from her superiors, with Professional Standards seemingly following her every move, Lucy starts to questioner past history with violence. A cracking story with several twists you won't see coming till the very end. I can't wait to see where the author takes Lucy next.

I have had quite a few books on my reading list recently, some worthy, some not so worthy, they all had one thing in common; boring. So having fallen out of love with reading it was with a jaded heart I started on Stuart MacBride’s latest, No Less the Devil. I felt like I had been defibrillated! Suddenly, life was good and reading was fun again. This is one humdinger of a thriller but the thing which keeps you going is the unending humour and it’s laugh out loud funny. Frankly from the first page I couldn’t put it down. However, the novel took an unusual turn three quarters through and I didn’t like where it was headed but I kept reading. I am so glad I did (although I did wonder if magic mushrooms grew in MacBride’s garden wilderness) , the conclusion pulled these dispirit threads together rather neatly and heralded books to come. A few funny things though, I thought perhaps the Acknowledgements section would be the best place for the Peter James allusion (the Brighton crime novelist?) but it did make me chuckle, and what on earth do they do with cheddar north of the border? Dye it orange?
This is a definite five star review from a formerly jaded reader but thankfully not now!

I have read many books by this author and enjoy the ‘Logan McRae’ series but I’m afraid I struggled a little with this one. It felt like a fairly long read and my opinion seemed to change regularly throughout the novel. There were times when I thought I was getting to grips with it and enjoying it to other times when I couldn’t wait to finish. Some good characters written in the authors usual writing style but failed to grip me in the way MacBride’s novels normally do.

Seventeen months have passed since the Bloodsmith butchered his first victim and the police are no closer to catching him. Both the media and the police seniors are demanding results but the investigation is constantly hitting brick wall. Detective Sergeant Lucy McVeigh is looking at another case involving Benedict Strachan, who was just eleven when he hunted down and killed a homeless man. There was never any explanation for his actions, but now, after sixteen years, he’s back on the streets again and is asking Lucy for protection.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Random House UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I am dnfing this book at 35% . Sorry. I appreciate the arc from the publishers but man this book needs to be edited down. It’s too long ! At 35% I have lost the will. Lots of detail in the writing which does work but there is almost too much. There is quite a few pages with radio news announcements on which I hope come full circle and are actually useful to the plot, otherwise it’s just adding to word count!

Sorry. I normally race through thrillers but cannot get through this one, despite wanting to know who dunnit.

No Less the Devil by Stuart MacBride is a stand alone police crime novel and it introduces Detective Sergeant Lucy McVeigh to the MacBride stable of police officers. This is totally different from the previous books of Ash Henderson and Logan McRae police series.
It is a lengthy story which lurches from one improbable scenario to another and is not one of the author’s most entertaining books.
It wasn’t one of my favourite stories from Stuart MacBride

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy.
Well, I didn't see that coming !!
Stuart McBride is well known for the his Logan McRae and Ash Henderson novels - the ones that pay the rent. But this must be the book he has wanted to publish for so long and because he can. WOW !!
No spoilers, no advance warning just be aware this is completely different from anything you will read from this esteemed author. I thought it was a bit bland at the beginning but it gradually picked up pace to a point where you only just manage to hang on.
Think I am going to have to re-read it all over again just to fill in the bits I missed.
Recommended - definitely but suspend all you thought you knew before.

So....I'm anxiously waiting for some of my book buddies to grab this & read it because we need to talk. Don't worry, we'll skip past the first 80%. I'm referring to the last bit, the final chapters I read with my mouth hanging open. But in the meantime, a few thoughts on the story & how it all began.

It's been seventeen months since the "Bloodsmith" started killing random citizens of Oldcastle & taking their hearts. Seventeen months that have resulted in 5 bodies, multiple investigations & zero leads. Down at the police station, it's the case no one wants. So when it's DI Tudor's turn to take on the whole mess, he wastes no time dumping it on DS Lucy McVeigh & her trusty sidekick DC Duncan Fraser.

Great...like she doesn't enough on her plate. Still reeling from a recent assault, Lucy is busy dealing with PTSD, a useless therapist, Tudor's expectations, Fraser's rants & the antics of a recently released killer. Oh, and there just might be someone stalking her. So does she want to be saddled with a career ending case? Sure, why not.

Lucy & Fraser begin revisiting the old crime scenes & turns out there is something new. Plus, thanks to a chilling prologue, readers know more than our intrepid duo which helps ramp up the tension as the investigation takes on new life.

If you've read any of MacBride's previous books, you'll probably feel right at home here. In keeping with tradition, the 2 MC's are a pair of cops....one who is perpetually cranky & demanding while the other is put-upon & given to stream of consciousness style rants. Dialogue is rapid fire, sarcastic & full of biting humour. Add in a whack of physical action & some slapstick & fans will definitely feel like they're watching a younger, transplanted version of Steel & McRae.

BUT....while the characters & their roles/relationships may feel familiar, don't get too comfy. And lose that smug little smile. I guarantee you have no idea where this is heading. To be honest, at one point I wondered if a "Dallas" style moment was pending...a scene where everyone wakes up & realizes it was all a dream.

This heralds the arrival of the aforementioned last 20% & THAT ending. There is nothing I can say without blabbing a potential spoiler so at this point, I'm walking away. You're on our own. Stay alert, keep hydrated, maybe strap on a helmet. My only comment is W...T...F...


3.5/5 stars