A wonderful combination of the darkness of the Scottish Noir genre and some very dark humour! Young DC Angus Mc Vicar is tasked with ‘babysitting’ visiting forensic psychologist Dr Jonathan Fife in trying to solve a series of murders taking place in the fictional city of Oldcastle - somewhere with many hints of Aberdeen. The murders have been taking place exactly a fortnight apart, so there is a real race to find the perpetrators before the next victims lose their lives. There is a large cast of characters here, every one of them fully drawn and real . The premise of the story is disturbing and McBride doesn’t hold back in his descriptions of violence and bloodshed. The book was engrossing, but could have been a little shorter to ensure that the action moved at a more reliable pace - nonetheless this is a rewarding and thought provoking read.

Very slow burner. Too much fleshing out making it just too long to get too the point. Good underlying premise though. Enough twists and turns to keep reading. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Darkly comic thriller with two mismatched protagonists. The crimes described are not for the faint hearted, but then, the author is Stuart McBride who never swerves away from making the reader really think about the terror that victims of serious crime feel. Fabulous story and I really hope there’s a follow up.

A return to form for Stuart MacBride after the last 2 standalones for me, seemed to miss the mark.

But in this new series with the quirky DS Angus McVicar, it feels very much like he has found the winning formula once again with a darkly delicious and gritty crime thriller packed full of MacBrides very own brand of humour.

Twist, Turns, outrageous characters and the rest of the MacBride trademarks make for an absorbing, addictive thriller from an author that really is one of the best when he’s on his game.

I am a BIG fan of this author, especially his Logan McRae and Ash Henderson series, but I have also enjoyed his other standalones, so you can imagine my excitement when I got my mitts on this, his latest offering. And although trepidation and expectation obviously go hand in hand, he once again smashed it out of the park.
So... the aptly named fortnight killer targets a new couple every, yes you guessed it, couple of weeks. One of the victims being displayed at the scene, the other never to be seen again. One of the newest members of the police team trying to catch this most heinous of killers is DC Angus MacVicar, newly out of uniform and very eager to make his mark as a detective, something he has yearned for all his life. Sadly his position within the team is not at the sharp end of the stick. No, instead he has been tasked to "babysit" Dr Jonathan Fife, a rather strange American FBI forensic psychologist who, well, let's just say, has scant regard for authority and rules. With often hilarious results. But it's now been 12 days since the last couple were taken, so time really is running out.
I do love this author, I have already said that. Much of this is down to his humour which he scatters through each book. No matter how dark the subject matter, there is always light or dark relief popping up every so often to both keep the book balanced and offer the reader some kind of respite. And this book is no stranger for that. Especially with the antics of Dr Fife who I will leave you to get to know yourself. Suffice to say that, as a character, he shines brightly...
It's tightly plotted, and even though it comes to over 500 pages, it really doesn't feel that long. As with the rest of this author's books, I found it east to get through, even with the tangents and diversions it took along the way. Especially all the gory bits! It definitely kept my attention nicely throughout, twisting and turning as it built to a rather exciting and explosive finish that, at the end of the day, fully satisfied, yet also let me hankering for more from the duo. Is this the start of a new series? I really do hope so and, with all the background and extra bits, and the fact that the characters are so brilliant, I am sure it will be. Please!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This novel is a new stand-alone novel (maybe the beginning of a new series…)by the amazing author of the Logan McRae detective series. Couldn’t wait to get my hands on this and it failed to disappoint. Excellent writing, good range and depth of characters, I really enjoyed it.
We are introduced to Aberdeen’s newest Detective, Angus MacVicar, his team, the borrowed FBI profiler Fife, and also his funny best friend since childhood, journalist Ellie ( I like her!) who are all working towards hunting down the ‘Fortnight Killer(s)’ who have taken a variety of couples from different backgrounds, torturing and killing one partner and taking the other away from the scene. Why and who? Clues are slowly unravelled as Angus and Fife use proven and unusual methods to work it all out.
The ending leaves promise for this bro be a new series, that may or may not been based in Scotland.

Detective Constable Angus MacVicar has just landed his dream job - transferred out of uniform and assigned to Oldcastle's biggest ongoing murder, Operation Telegram, hunting for 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. This should be the perfect chance for Angus to prove himself, but instead of working on the investigation's front line, he's lumbered with the forensic psychologist from hell. A sarcastic know-it-all American., on loan from the FBI, who seems determined to alienate everyone while dragging Angus into a shocking world of conspiracies, lies and violence.

This is a new standalone by the author. Stuart McBride has a different style of writing that's unique to himself. DC Angus MacVicar has just been transferred out of uniform and assigned to Oldcastle's biggest operation. He is tasked with working with an FBI profiler, who is quite obnoxious. The action starts in the first chapter. This is a gritty and gripping read with some humour thrown in. The characters are well-developed, the pace is fast, so you will get through the 500+ pages quickly. I would love to see Angus MacVicar in a new series of his own.

Published 19th June 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #RandomHouseUK #TransworldPublishers and the author #StrartMcBride for my ARC of #InAPlaceOfDarkness in exchange for an honest review.

Angus MacVicar is having a nightmare of a first day as a Detective Constable. The team he is working with are chasing a serial killer called the Fortnight Killer and Angus has been assigned to babysit the visiting FBI forensic psychologist who is a law unto himself. Together they find information that has been missed, but Dr Fife seems averse to anyone knowing he is there. With his journalist friend Ellie pressing him for information and a young lady interested in him, what can go wrong?
With more twists than a slinky this is a great read. I love this author!

Absolutely brilliant Stuart MacBride has done it again. From the first page to the last, a little twist you don’t see coming and good turn of events for Angus.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Bantam for the early read

I was really excited to read this, having enjoyed some of Stuart MacBride's other books but not in the Oldcastle series. The characters, particularly the Angus/Dr Fife comic pairing is what really made this story come alive for me. Their humour and insults are hilariously relateable to anyonewho works in a small team and the use of scottish phrases puts a great scottish accent in your head as you read! Gory in parts, although not gratuitous, you need a strong stomach at times as the body count gets quite high and the torture quite graphic. For me the only let down was the final 10% of the book was a bit too lengthy and drawn out and I found my attention waning as I skimmed parts. The ending/epilogue however was fantastic and I hope it leads to more serial killer action for Angus the Terrible!.

It is always exciting when you hear that a new Start MacBride book is in the pipeline so I was pleased to get to read this one. Not all of the books, in my opinion, are earth chattering hits but most of them are. Some may say that this book is a bit far fetched and unrealistic, others may say that it goes on a little too much and could have been condensed and others may say that the character pairing is a little odd. I would agree with all those things but it is still a belter of a story. And the story is what it is all about for Mr MacBride. Customer satisfaction is down to the storytelling. But also he has this strange, but enjoyable way, of using old Scottish words and some that I think he may make up, he has a dark sense of humour which he can bring in on any scenario he fancies, and this helps him to cover dark criminal matters but adding another element to them in his writing. This is fiction after all and Mr MacBride makes it palatable and though you may find parts sad or emotional, he will definitely have you smiling too.
This is a standalone book but there is lots of scope to make this into a series. I would love to read more about this partnership in future books. Sometimes being a little different, and taking a different slant on things can be good.
It is probably good to say that initially you will not get on with all the characters at the start of this journey but fasten up your seat belt as you will really get to know them along the way and may change your views, and be ready to have your mind blown away. by the twists and turns.
Many thanks to Random House UK, NetGalley, and Stuart MacBride for providing me with an advanced electronic copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review..
The book is published on the 20th June 2024 in e-book, hardcover and audiobook formats

Stuart MacBride begins a new Scottish Oldcastle series, once again with his unique trademark blend of brutality, violence, a rising body count, with his comic humour and banter. The determined giant DC Angus MacVicar has just joined the biggest murder investigation, Operation Telegram, hunting the 'Fortnight Killer' gruesomely targeting couples, leaving behind messages nailed into the chest of one of the victims, whilst spiriting away the other, headed by DCI Blair Monroe. Angus has acquired a cheap, washable Asda suit, and has a complicated personal backstory that has seen his family crash economically, he and his mother now live a poverty stricken life in a tower block flat, although what his father did does not become clear for some time.

The police team has no leads whatsoever, but manage to acquire the services of a much in demand FBI profiler to help, Dr Jonathan Fife, a trifle on the short side, with his cuban heels, and insistence on no publicity. Fife hates Oldcastle, and has a real talent for rudeness and obnoxiousness that puts up the back of everyone on the team. Monroe's solution is to have Angus accompany and help Fife in his inquiries, in which they are hampered by the constant heavy rains, a role that puts Angus in the tricky position of having team management responsibilities, yet simultaneously having to do what Fife, who has no regard for any orders, wants. Against all the odds, Angus and the forensic psychologist, Fife, develop a strong and close working relationship.

There are challenges, betrayals, twists and turns galore, as Angus tries to desperately conduct his love life too. They face ruthless and bonkers killer adversaries, there are calamities, and there is no getting away from the stark and harrowing grave dangers that they and the rest of the police team face. This was a brilliantly funny read, Angus makes for an engaging and endearing character, whilst the creation and development of Fife shows outrageous genius from MacBride. Fabulously entertaining! I await with great anticipation the next in the series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

As a fan of Macbride's previous series, I was looking forward to this!

Took me a little while to get in to, but once the characters had established themselves, I became invested in the story.
Really enjoyed, perhaps not quite as much as the Logan McRae series, but definitely look forward to reading more stories with this team. Would recommend

Stuart MacBride returns with another excellent “cosy crime” thriller set in furthest northern Scotland.

DC Angus McVicar’s first day in a new role sees him thrown into the middle of a complex serial killer investigation where he is lumbered with the FBI psychologist that nobody wants to works with.

The book sees MacBride’s trademark black humour to the fore with quite a bit of blood and gore thrown in for good measure.

The main storyline is excellent with the main characters being well sketched out which results in a hugely enjoyable read for fans old and new.

Recently out of uniform, Detective Angus MacVicar has just landed a dream job and is now on the hunt for The Fortnight Killer, where every two weeks a couple are targeted. A long with boss DCI Monroe and the sarcastic FBI Forensic Profiler, Dr Fife, will they manage to catch the culprit?

I enjoyed this start to a new series and found the characters and their conversations well written and very entertaining, especially those involving Dr Fife. I enjoyed that the book was sprinkled with dark humour and lots of action. My issue with this book was the length. I found it felt so long to get through and repetitive parts which made for quite a slow read that dragged at times. I feel by cutting some of this out it would make the story more engaging. Overall though good start to hopefully a new series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

This is an excellent start to a new series featuring DC Angus MacVicar. I absolutely loved the characterisation and the dark humour throughout, although I felt it was just too long and drawn out. The dialogue is good and there are plenty of twists, as well as a surprise ending which left me looking forward to more adventures with Angus and the whole cast of characters, I can imagine this will be a best seller for the author as it's an excellent stand alone. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Angus MacVicar has just landed the transfer a lifetime - he's now part of Operation Telegram, and the team hunting the Fortnight Killer. Every two weeks, a couple is targeted and one of them is taken - while the other is brutally murdered and left in their home. He should relish the opportunity, but instead he's left babysitting the Forensic Psychologist that has been brought in to help the case - someone who does not relish the limelight in the slightest. Can Operation Telegram catch the killer before they strike again, or will it be the nail in another couples' coffins?

This is another fantastic book from Stuart MacBride - if you like your crime fiction brutal and hilarious, this is the book for you! 5*.

Stuart MacBride is back, delivering his trademark blend of dark humour and twisted murders and characters who stay long in the mind. Leading readers back to Oldcastle, it is a far cry from the darkness that enveloped the world of Ash Henderson, or the gritty intensity of the early Logan McRae novels, but don't let that fool you. Whilst this latest book may come with a more than healthy dose of chunterings from it's lead protagonist, DC Angus MacVicar, it is still dark. Or, as Mr M might put it, darkety dark dark. There are some very messed up murders, committed by a very messed up murderer, and it's the kind of story that will take you to the very edge of your seat, leaving you balanced there right through to the very last pages.

This book features a whole new team and it did take me a bit of time to get them all straight in my head. That says more about my ageing and overworked brain than is does the book, but the really important people we need to know in this outing are Angus and imported Forensic Psychologist, Dr Jonathan Fife. Dr Fife has an unexpected characteristic that is not initially apparent, but doesn't hinder his ability to use his super power - winding up literally every member of the investigative team with his sarcasm and intolerance. For some reason, he seems to make an exception for Angus - not that it's always obvious. They actually make for an effective team despite their personalities and behaviours being almost diametrically opposed.

I liked Angus. He means well, even if he doesn't always take exactly the right step. He is brand new to Oldcastle's CID and doesn't make the greatest first impression when meeting his new boss at a very new crime scene. I'll be honest, had I started in amongst the team that Angus meets, I'd probably be asking for an immediate transfer back out. They are of the Roberta Steele school of man- management, so needless to say that larger than your average copper, Angus, is going to get a bit of a tough time. As for Fife, it's like he goes out of his way to be objectionable and cause offence. He's funny, I'll give him that, but it's the kind of personality only a mother could love. Maybe. If she had the heart of a saint ... What he does have going for him is a very astute brain and whilst there are times when I wanted to give my kindle a slap, I did kind of like him. And there is a vulnerability there, very well hidden behind a torrent of dismissive put downs.

This book is full of mystery - the motive for the murders by the all too aptly monikered "Fortnight Killer' for a start - and Stuart MacBride has loaded it with misdirection. There is such a broad cast of characters, and we are also given the opportunity to get to know some of the killers victims. Perhaps not enough for it to always make an emotional impact, but certainly enough to make me very curious to understand what they could possibly have done to deserve their wrath. The case comes exceedingly close to home for one of the team, and with our two protagonists placed in mortal danger by the end of the novel we are set for a break neck, high jeopardy race to a very dramatic resolution. Don't believe everything you read - nothing is quite as it seems. And whilst I did start to question the honesty and motives of certain people quite early, a judgment which proved to be bang on the money, it didn't affect my enjoyment of the book at all.

If you like some traditional Stuart MacBride dark depravity, with a health dose of that hallmark humour, then this will definitely be the book for you. Was it the darkest I've read? Probably not. Did it make me go ewww occasionally? Yes. Did I love the characters? Mostly, yes, even if Fife was irritatingly smug on occasion. Would I like to see this pairing again? You know what? I think I would, and the ending to this book makes it a distinct possibility. Criminal Minds this is not, but it was a fresh and witty take on the art of forensic psychology and I really rather liked it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Fortnight Killer must be found and it’s a typically entertaining cast whose job it is to do it. Love MacBride’s characters as always.

Omg, I love Angus and Jonathan, more of these two, great the way they interact together, hilarious at time's, I'm a big fan of Stuart MacBride, great read but be prepared for a sleepless night once you pick it up.