I’m a big fan of the Logan McRae series by Stuart MacBride so was keen to read his new novel.

Set in the fictional Oldcastle, DS Lucy McVeigh is trying to solve the case of the Bloodsmith killer which has been ongoing for seventeen months. She’s a troubled character with a difficult childhood and a recent traumatic incident leaving her with PTSD.

I didn’t like Lucy’s character at all and thought she was too big for her boots. Her partner, Dunk, is a stereotypical unfit officer, eager to please and quite endearing in comparison.

Maybe because I couldn’t connect with the characters, I didn’t get into the story the same. At times I felt it dragged on and jumping between cases was a little confusing.

It was quite a long book and unusually for a MacBride novel, it felt it. Normally I get totally engrossed in the story and fly through them, but sadly not with this one.

The pace of the story picks up towards the end but I found it a bit confusing and it wasn’t clear what was happening.

There is some funny dialogue and the descriptions of the setting are good.

Overall, I was disappointed with this book and didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped.

It hasn’t put me off reading more of Stuart MacBride’s books and I recommend the Logan McRae series.

2.5 stars rounded to 3.

Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for a copy to review.

Scotland near Aberdeen a fictional Town called Oldcastle. The police are baffled a serial murderer nicknamed Bloodsmith is responsible for several killings.
Detective sergeant Lucy McVeigh is recovering after a vicious attack in the house of a girl friend who was brutally raped and beaten by a man - Neil Black. Lucy had to kill him otherwise she and her friend would have been murdered.
Now back at work and with her police partner Detective constable Duncan Fraser ( the Dunc ) they are part of the team working for Detective Inspector Tudor trying to catch the Bloodsmith. Lucy and Dunc are given the task of revisiting the crime scenes of each victim.
Lucy is approached by Benedict Strachan who has just been released from prison. As a child he and another murdered a homeless man. Lucy is trying to get Benedict to tell who his accomplice was. Now an adult Benedict is confused and scared of something or someone.
Lucy and Dunc's investigation lead to an exclusive school who turn out leaders of government and industry. Lucy was due to get into this school when young but her parents couldn't afford the fees.
This is an engaging book which is quite long. About two thirds of the way through the story seems to go into the realms of fantasy. I'm not sure that the latter third works, but the author always entertains and surprises you.

The Bloodsmith butchered his first victim seventeen months ago, but the Oldcastle Police Force are still without any leads. Bodies are found in a terrible state, with the phrase “Help Me!” written in blood on the walls. But with no leads and no progress, resources are being assigned away from the case. Detective Sergeant Lucy McVeigh is asked to revisit the case from the beginning – but when she reviews the murder scenes, it seems the killer’s message, long since cleaned away, has reappeared.

A second case appears at exactly the worst possible time. Benedict Strachan hunted and killed a homeless man when he was eleven. Now out of prison, he is begging Lucy to help him, convinced that “They” are out to get him, despite his claims that he kept his silence. Is it possible that someone – or something – is after Benedict? How does the threat to Benedict relate to the Bloodsmith? And how can one police officer possible handle the encroaching darkness?

So, how is Awesome April going? My plan, after Mediocre March, to read only great books?

I was worried about this one. Not the content of the book, Stuart MacBride is always a favourite of mine whenever I find time to read his work, but given my reduced reading attention span at the moment, I knew I had to make sure I put aside enough time. Stuart doesn’t write short books, giving the story and characters time to develop, and, more importantly, the Puzzle Doctor household has just acquired a Nintendo Switch and between Mario Kart driving duties and exploring Hyrule in Breath Of The Wild, I was concerned about my reading time. So given that this book is out on the 28th of the month, I started reading it nice and early. And then two days later, I finished it. So there you have it – No Less The Devil is better than Breath Of The Wild, the apparent best video game of all time. Let’s see the publisher use that on the blurb!

Having said that, I suppose I should say something about the content of the book, but the less said, the better, I think. It’s not a traditional detective story by any means, but a modern police procedural. There’s not that much of a whodunnit here – the one surprise villain is very guessable – but that’s not the point of the story. It’s much more of a “what’s going on?” story, black as the night and, despite this, with some very witty dialogue. The story goes in some unexpected and dark directions and the ending is, shall we say, not a traditional end to such a tale and will be staying with me for some time.

Oh, one thing, Lucy spends some time early on referring to a past incident – I thought I’d missed something, not having read The Coffinmaker’s Garden which is, according to Wikipedia at least, part of the same series of Oldcastle-set books, most featuring Ash Henderson. This is completely a standalone novel, however, and the background is revealed during this book, an incredibly effective and disturbing sequence.

Definitely a book that you should read knowing as little as possible beforehand – I wager some reviews will use a certain phrase that might well end up spoiling things for people who think too much. If you’re a fan of modern crime thrillers, then this is definitely one that should be on your must-read list.

No Less The Devil is out in hardback and ebook in the UK on Thursday 28th April from Transworld Publishers. Many thanks for the review e-copy.

I liked this book from the start, it was a very long book. The characters were very well written and interested. The downside to the book is that by the last quarter of the book I got very confused and list with who was real, who wasn't, who the killer was etc etc. It may just be me, but I'm still not 100% sure what happened by the end.

I'll be honest, I really struggled with this book and overall, found it to be a disappointing read. I so enjoy this author's work and I'm not quite sure what happened with this book, but, it really meanders - especially towards the end.

It's not a bad read, just a confusing one. It's been 17 months since the Bloodsmith butchered his first victim and Operation Maypole is still no nearer catching him and they are under a lot of pressure from many sources, not least the media.
Along side this is the story of Benedict Strachan who, when he was just 11, hunted down and killed a homeless man. Now, after after 16 years he's back on the streets again - battered, frightened, convinced a shadowy 'They' are out to get him, and begging D S Lucy McVeigh for help. He seems paranoid, but, what if he's right? Lucy is struggling with her own demons and this creates a tense, complex plot that, for me, started off well and then just went a bit bonkers.

I'm very grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview. Definitely an OK read.

I really like MacBride's writing style. The darkness permeating the narrative and his humour are up my alley, but despite all that I've struggled a bit with No Less The Devil. If I was to sum it up in just a line I would say I only truly enjoyed the story between 20% and 80%. A very slow start that throws us in the middle of a 17 months old investigation with an accent on Lucy and Dunk's relationship rather than a fast track to understanding the background of the murders. As things start to become clearer, the narrative turns into a frenzy of action and discovery that was very satisfying, culminating with the revelation of Bloodsmith's identity. But then the last 20% veer into fantasy land with me skimming entire paragraphs as the text was grating on my nerves without actually bringing anything to the narrative. And the subplot with the college was just nah, very cliche, I was certain about it since her first visit there, and needless to say its probably just a ploy that's gonna feature in the next book in the series.

Lucy is a fascinating character. A clever and determined woman, brilliantly reckoning with her past and all the darkness that seems to follow her. Can't say I've been very happy with her final choice, but I guess pragmatism vs idealism(what I would have preferred) is more in line with her character. It would be nice to see where her decision is gonna take her!

Detective Sergeant Lucy McVeigh is beset by troubles. Just back after a traumatic incident, during which she had sustained a head injury and had had to kill a seriously dangerous villain, she and her oppo, DC Duncan Fraser (aka The Dunc), have been assigned to the team hunting “The Bloodsmith”, a serial killer who has been eviscerating victims for the last year and a half. With no progress in the investigation, the pair are given the task of relooking at all the cases. To compound her situation further, she has acquired a stalker and is being shadowed by Charlie, a DS from Professional Affairs, because her superiors are concerned that the traumatic incident may be causing her psychological problems. Despite all this, the pair start to turn up new evidence, although there are some minor plot twists which will keep niggling you, such as the murder at the very start of the book which doesn’t seem to fit (don’t worry it will), and the recently released child killer (he was 11 when he killed an adult) who seems fixated on Lucy because she wrote her PhD about his case.
And then there is a major, astonishing, tour de force of a plot twist that I guarantee you won’t see coming, and a dénouement which fits perfectly and yet isn’t really foreseeable.
By my count this is Stuart MacBride’s 21st book. It is set in and around Oldcastle, a fictional place on Scotland’s East Coast which has featured in earlier books. Which might make you think this is part of a series, but it is a standalone. He writes in a fluid and interesting style, replete with crazy metaphors, an easy command of the vernacular, and a lot of blood spilling and sundry violence. His books have been called Tartan Noir but there is nothing Tartan about them; nor are they really Noir because they are far too much fun. Which isn’t to say that they are an easy read, because his descriptions of murders are very evocative, and his plotting is often ingenious and can stretch credulity. I can see that the plot twists in this novel might throw some readers but I strongly advise you to go with the flow, it does all make sense in the end.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

Bloodsmith has been committing murders for 17 months and Operation Maypole are no nearer to catching him.
Everyone is asking questions and demanding answers!
And all the time other crimes are being committed.
Benedict Strachan was only eleven when he killed a homeless man but he has served his sentence and is now back on the streets. However he is convinced someone is out for him and wants Lucy to help him.
How many monsters are out there and will Lucy be able to survive in their world?

Super thrilling read from Stuart MacBride. DS Lucy McVeigh is trying to catch the Bloodsmith, a serial killer who remove the hearts of his victims. Can she work out who the vicious killer is from a selection of suspects when all is not what it seems.? Well paced thriller that has a cracking plot twist and MacBride's customary ensemble cast of wonderful characters and sparky dialogue. A real treat of a read.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an arc of No Less The Devil in exchange for an honest review.
I have previously read all of Stuart MacBride's published work and thoroughly enjoyed them. I really enjoyed the first 70% of this one too.......from there on in what happened???? Up to that point all his trademarks were there, the banter, the characters, the gore, the great story and then woosh we entered what I can only describe as the Twilight Zone! Glad I read it (and finished it) but won't be putting it on my recommended list.

Having read some of the authors previous books I was really excited to read this book. A long read with some excellent characters and the usual touches of humour you would expect from MacBride. Set post Covid it’s another really gritty Scottish Noir thriller but with a paranormal feel.

Briefly, it opens with the murder of a ex policeman but now homeless person in woods near Oldcastle in Scotland by two young people. DS Lucy McVeigh and her partner DS Dunk Fletcher are investigating a killer known as the Bloodsmith, a 17 month old unsolved murder. As the investigation proceeds Lucy discovers more bodies where gruesome butchering of the bodies has been carried out. Lucy is also looking into another old murder by an 11 year old boy who has, 16 years later, been released and is begging for protection, but from who or what?

This is a very violent and dark read and seemingly very well written until, for me, we approach the climax. The story rattles along quite nicely and I was totally immersed in the plot thinking easily 4/5⭐️ read; but the last 15% of the book lost me completely. It turns into something so weird and unbelievable that in the end I didn’t know, nor care, who was who and who did what to whoever!!! I had to keep going back and rereading it and still no clearer. Without giving the game away I will leave it at that, but personally I found the ending totally confusing and I’m not even sure what the outcome was. Maybe it’s just me, so don’t let this put MacBride fans off reading it. You decide. For me I wanted to love it but found myself disappointed. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Stuart MacBride brings his own sense of the macabre to this addition in his repertoire. DS McVeigh has a selection of demons on both a highly personal level and in reality to face in trying to solve a case baffling the police .
It is not for the feint hearted and brings together a blend of individuals as we expect from this author.

Lucy McVeigh is on the trail of a murderer known as the Bloodsmith , he has killed a number of people and always leaves a message on the wall " HELP ME" written in blood . Lucy's bosses are pushing for results quickly .The only clue is that one of the victims , a homeless man , had been given a coat by a schoolgirl . Everything leads to a private school where all the students are exceptionally bright . Is there a link to the school and it's philosophy of helping their students in to top positions in society . and any hold the school has over them. Everything comes to a head in the school archive room when Lucy discovers papers linking previous students to crimes committed whilst students .

This book started off in the normal Stuart Macbride vein, however changes tone about three quarters of the way through. This isnt the standard Macbride fayre, however keep an open mind and go with it. It is well worth the read.

I have a feeling that this book may become a bit of a marmite one, in that you will either love it or hate it. Different from his other series of books, we are introduced to DS Lucy McVeigh who along with her sidekick "The Dunk" are investigating the Bloodsmith's killings which has not progressed with identifying who the killer is yet almost 18 months later. McVeigh has a lot of her own mental health issues going on and that is where the book takes another road. As the reader, you think that you have missed a page or two at times which is not the case - McBride is mimicking what is happening in Lucy's mind and once you understand that part, which is cleverly written, it makes sense however it may be off putting to many readers. I found the beginning a bit slow and the end a bit weird though the middle section was really good hence my initial comment. If this is to become a series then I will give it a miss - sorry to say. Overall 3.5*.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.

There is much that feels familiar in Stuart MacBride's latest crime novel set in Oldcastle, the blend of darkness with comic humour, satirical, biting and slapstick, but this time with new protagonists, DS Lucy MacVeigh and her physically unfit, class and inequalities conscious partner, DC Duncan 'the Dunk' Fraser. It has been 17 months since The Bloodsmith killed his last victim, but there have been no leads whatsoever, and with the torrid media coverage, the police hierarchy are washing their hands of Operation Maypole and the stench of failure associated with it. It lands on DI Alasdair Tudor's plate, who pushes it on to MacVeigh and the Dunk, who begin to take a fresh look at the case by revisiting each of the 5 victims and do find new evidence, but struggle when it comes to finding any connections between the dead.

It is made clear that MacVeigh has a traumatic past, she is suffering from PTSD, for which she is forced to see her no good therapist, we do eventually learn the details of the 'event', something she is not allowed to forget about, with Sarah Black hellbent on ensuring she continues to pay. Then there is Lucas Weir, aka Benedict Strachan, who at 11 years old killed a homeless man, making a full confession, but never identifying his accomplice. The frightened Strachan has been recently released from prison, he is asking for MacVeigh's help, talking of 'them' being after him, is he just paranoid? On top of all this, she has a stalker who slashed her car's tyres, resulting in her having to drive around in her late father's ugly, embarrassing pink Bedford Rascal. There is more, Charlie from Professional Standards is intent on talking to her, seemingly turning up everywhere, but she will do anything to avoid him.

MacVeigh has a bigger murder board in her home than the one at DHQ, as she and the Dunk follow all leads, including visiting the exclusive St Nicholas College, but there is even more to Lucy than you might imagine. The surprising twist that emerges near the end is likely to divide readers, with some no doubt finding it a step too far. Whilst it is definitely an unsettling direction for the book to take, I did find myself coming to terms with it as I read on. Otherwise, this is the kind of entertaining, dark, hilarious and thrilling crime read that we have come to expect from MacBride. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

Chilling story with dark places and a twisting plot. Author has described chilling plot with demons and dark places. Good read that has you in suspense.

Not at all my kind of book. Silly abbreviations and colloquial language. No good in my opinion. Did not finish because there are far better books out there.

4/5 - Very Good.

Where do I even start with this book? I’m a huge fan of MacBride, read all but one of the McRae books and I’ve always felt that even though they are written with humour and are aimed at serious crime readers, that there was a very subtle element of fantasy in there, you can cast an eye over my reviews of the McRae series and i mention it there, I call it an alternative Aberdeen…

And i think without spoilers, that MacBride has been granted his wish by his publishers and created a new series akin to James Oswald or John Connolly, yet not so serious, or supernatural, yet with a taint of the fantasy,

The thing is this isn’t mentioned anywhere and for the first 80% pretty much exactly this read and plays like a McRae Thriller, then BOOM, I gets turnt on it’s head and it’s just complete chaos.

If you’ve never read MacBride, or read MacBride like I take it then this was probably a shock, that is extremely marmite.

I however loved. It’s crazy, fun, yet serious but what it does is opens another avenue for MacBrides mind and I think he will have massive fun and success with it…. IF it’s marketed right. Which I have to say it’s not.

The title, once you read the book becomes very clear and very clever, but as I said , this book will have a massive divide in fans. Personally, give me of Lucy, Charlie and the Bloodsmith.. oh and The Dunk to!

I never repeat the blurb. I'm an avid, avid fan of other books by MacBride but this, having started so well, totally lost its way, at least for me. Muddled and far fetched, I was left unexpectedly disappointed 😞.