I am a huge Stuart MacBride fan, and have to confess that I have all the books, always well written, great characters and with a special bit of dark humour.

A new character/lead in a book is always a concern, will you like them, will you 'get' them, so while I really pleased to be given the opportunity to read the new book, I was also apprehensive. I need not have worried!!

DC Angus MacVicar has got the job he always dreamed about, now out of uniform and in the big time, working on Operation Telegram, hunting the Fortnight Killer, who every two weeks, targets a couple, one victim is alwats left dead at the scene and the other one just disappears, no body, no idea what has happened to them.

Unfortunately for Angus, he is given the job of looking after a forensic psychologist expert from the US, Dr Johnathan Fife, known for his sarcastic humour and cuban heels, but is also extremely perceptive (as he shold be!) with issues Angus has.

Highly recommended and cannot wait to the read the next one. Please let it be sooner rather than later!!

Stuart MacBride writes disturbing crime novels with a certain Scottish flavor . His writing ,often laughingly so, calms the reader against the gory details of the murder description. The plots usually are depicted around the Aberdeen area and are descriptive and paints the atmosphere with a dark , grim blood splattered prose.
His latest novel , In a Place of Darkness moves away from his novels of Logan McRae and Ash Henderson series to feature our latest hero , D.C. Angus MacVicar . Angus is a very large lumbering young police officer in his first role as a Detective Constable . He has been transferred to a crime squad charged with investigating a series of murders with the perpetrator named “ The Fortnight Killer” .
D.C. MacVicar has been tasked with ferrying a Profiler who works for the FBI Dr. Jonathan Fife . Dr. Fife is there to help and support the enquiry into finding this serial killer. Everything goes downhill from then on for our super hero Angus .
This book just goes at a breathless pace , and readers of Stuart MacBride’s books will be used to his imitable style that excites all of his readers.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The first I have read by this author but I will definitely be reading mire. I really liked the character Dr Fife and found myself chuckling quite a bit. Brilliant location and a fast paced story throughout.

I think I can safely say that I am a fan of Mr MacBride's work; I have read a number of his books before and loved them all but this has got to be one of his best!

I really enjoyed his writing style with the perfect mix of violence, brutal murders, humour, twisty plots and fabulous characters. I really warmed to Angus very quickly and despite Dr Fife being a bit of an *******, their relationship was just brilliant and I actually grew to like him by the end of the book.

The plot was intriguing and had me hooked from the very start and I raced through it to find out which way it would go and I certainly wasn't disappointed. I loved every second of this book and didn't want it to end and despite the dark nature of the story and brutal murders, there were plenty of laugh out loud moments that I had to stifle so as not to wake the house up!!

My recommendation? Go and buy it now but make sure you have space in your day as you won't want to put it down.

Many thanks to the author, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this brilliant book and I really, really hope there is more to come from Angus and Dr Fife.

This is the first book I've heard by the author. A great thrilling and gripping book. Wonderful atmospherics in a rainy Scotland set the scene brilliantly. I really felt for Angus and wanted to get him somewhere warm and dry! I loved Dr Fife's character and can see what would be perfect to play him in a film or TV series. A great new double act crime solvers. I hope to read more of their adventures.

A new lead character in a familiar setting but still maintains the excellent high level of humour mixed with some graphic brutality. The dynamic mixing the green young detective with an FBI profiler of short stature works hilariously in the hunt for the protagonist who strikes every fortnight. I presume and hope this is the first in a series as it definitely deserves another outing!

Stuart MacBride In a Place of Darkness
Image: book cover with reflection of figure in a puddle

It’s Angus MacVicar’s first day as a DC and wouldn’t you know it, there’s a killer on the loose. Every fortnight a couple is targeted, with one victim dead at the scene, and the second missing.

Angus finds himself unexpectedly paired with forensic psychologist Dr Fife, a smart-mouthed American, on loan from the FBI. And now they’re on the clock to find the killer before it happens again.

With an entertaining cast of characters, there’s plenty of light relief to break up the darkness mentioned in the title. It’s an absolute romp, cleverly playing on contrasts to keep you hooked in this Scottish crime novel.

Another solid premise for Stuart MacBride. A strong protagonist with all of the gore you expect from this expert author.

I was invested in the story and felt that it was perfectly paced. The ending was very fitting and this book did not disappoint in any area.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Containing all of the signature grumpiness and sarcasm you expect from Stuart MacBride, with an added dose of arrogant American, In A Place of Darkness is a real page-turner. With its usual Oldcastle setting but new characters, you feel comfortable with the familiar but still excited for what's ahead. I love the protagonist/profiler dynamic in this one and am keen for more.

In a Place of Darkness opens a new Stuart MacBride series featuring newly promoted DC Angus MacVicar. Set in Oldcastle, familiar to readers of other MacBride series, the style is a typical mix of gruesome and humorous.

When a serial killer strikes, MacVicar finds himself aiding an FBI profiler brought onto the case. It, of course, doesn't go well. Angus is another in a long line of put upon sidekicks who always get the nasty end of the stick. But Dr Fife is brilliant, if very strange and they make progress.

The novel is long at over 500 pages and drags a little in the middle. But the usual mix of odd and eccentric characters (and that's just the police officers) and a story arc that evolves to a gripping climax, make this a satisfying read.

Thoroughly entertaining with dark and twisty plot. All the hallmarks of another great series if that is where the author is planning. And, yes, we are back to rain and storms throughout.
Thanks to NetGally and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Completely and utterly bonkers and thoroughly entertaining. As usual we are treated to an eclectic mix of gore plus slapstick comedy and larger than life, almost cartoon in style characters. The narrative flows with rich accents and characterful text that really draws you into acting it out in your mind as though the action is taking place in front of you, not in the pages of a book. They pop up and perform loudly demanding and commanding your attention.
The serious aspect to the story, a set of serial killings, is up there with any other ingenious and whodunnit plot lines with leads and wrong turning long the way.
Overall a compelling and very enjoyable read.

I still haven't found a Stuart MacBride book I haven't enjoyed. For anyone who wants a fast-paced and rich novel then this will be one for you, yes there are dark themes but these are balanced by the humour and wit expected of this author.

A really great read from a great writer.

Angus MacVicar has finally made it to plain clothes. No longer in uniform he can now call himself Detective Constable. To his surprise he has just been dropped into the biggest case on the books. Operation Telegram.
He and his colleagues are on the hunt for the ‘Fortnight Killer’ a ruthless person who kills every fourteen days.
Time is short as it’s been twelve days since the last murder and they are no closer to catching the killer. So the powers that be have called in help from the FBI. A forensic psychologist.
Angus is tasked with looking after the agent and the two strike up a rather interesting partnership.
With time running out will they catch the killer in time?
Every time I read a book by Stuart Macbride I’m amazed at his ability to shock the reader.
This book has two characters that are wonderfully unique and funny.
The story itself is fab, it’s dark, intense and gritty, along with the author’s bouts of humour throughout, the reader is in for a treat when they read this book. An easy five star read.

The book is dark, gritty, intriguing and suspenseful. It kept me guessing till the end and kept me on my toes. The writing is good. There were so many characters. So many unspeakable things happens with the characters. Fortnight
k!ller keeps targeting new couple. While the DC is trying to find him. There were so many suspects. The truth was shocking. Twists and turns were unpredictable and the investigation was gripping. I liked the setting.


Many Thanks to the Publisher and Author.

Simply wonderful. In a Place of Darkness is my favourite book of 2024.
I am a huge fan of Stuart MacBride and in my opinion nobody can beat the Logan McRae series. I wasn’t so keen on the Ash Henderson books and sort of expected this to be similar. Oh how wrong I was! In a Place of Darkness is outstanding! I love everything about it. The characters are in a league of their own. The story is dark and unpleasant, but of course that’s to be expected and one of the reasons I love Stuart’s writing. Then we have the conspiracies, all the conspiracies I could ever wish for!
I never thought I’d say this but I enjoyed this even more than Logan. Let’s hope we get to catch up with Angus and his fighting suit again soon.

4.25 Stars
Detective Constable Angus MacVicar has just landed his dream job he’s been transferred out of uniform and joins Oldcastle’s biggest ongoing murder investigation: Operation Telegram, hunting the 'Fortnight Killer'. Every two weeks another couple is targeted. One victim is left at the scene, their corpse used as a twisted message board. The second body is never seen again. Angus is deflated when instead of being on the front line he’s assigned to the forensic psychologist. A sarcastic know-it-all American, on loan from the FBI, who seems determined to alienate everyone while dragging Angus into a shadowy world of conspiracies, lies, and violence.
Another very well written long book from the author, yes it’s over 500 pages but didn’t seem that long as the pages flew by. I loved the characters, whether I loved them or thoroughly disliked them. The banter is wicked, there’s a more than a tough of humour. The pace is good & builds towards the climax. A standalone book but I hope there are more as those characters definitely deserve more page time
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

A welcome comeback from Stuart MacBride bringing us a new young copper to develop and corrupt. A lengthy story with a great deal of messy guts and gore in a retrace down a killer who attacks on a fortnightly basis. Zealots abound and who do you trust. Currently standalone but is this likely to develop into a new series?

Stuart Macbride has done it again with another gripping thriller. Newbie Detective Constable Angus MacVicar navigates the twisted game of the "Fortnight Killer," a case that will test his skills and push him to the edge of sanity. With complex characters, an intricate plot, and dark themes this book will keep you reading past bedtime. Hopefully the start of a series?

Another great read from Stuart MacBride.
The race is on to catch the Fortnight Killer before more couples are targetted.
I loved the characters of DC Angus McVicar and FBI psychologist Dr. Johnathan Fife. They brought humour to a dark and gritty thriller.
I hope we meet them again in future books.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an arc. All opinions are my own