A Deadly Flame is an exciting police procedural that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat right until the very end. All that you know is a whiskey distillery burned to the ground. A body, as yet unidentified, was found inside, and a young firefighter also died, possibly because of faulty equipment. DS Malkie McCulloch is heading up the investigation and must work alongside the fire investigators to discover how the fire started, was it intentional, was the unidentified person a murder victim or a casualty of the fire?

Fingers are pointed, information is withheld, suspects look guilty except for “gut feelings” which don’t count for much in court. Theories are formulated, discarded, brought forth again. It’s non-stop action and thrills.

In addition to the investigation, there is a lot going on in the lives of Malkie, his co-worker and good friend Steph, and others. Disturbing events that may impact their careers. A Deadly Flame is the third book in the DS Malkie McCulloch series. There is enough in this story to make it work as a standalone but you may want to go back and learn the main characters’ backstories.

Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy of A Deadly Flame via NetGalley. It kept me glued to the page wondering what would happen next, guessing over and over who was guilty and who was not, and provided a very satisfying conclusion. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

A Deadly Flame
by Doug Sinclair
Pub Date: Oct 31 2024

A Deadly Flame is the third and latest installment of the DS Malkie McCulloch series written by author, Doug Sinclair. If you haven't read the first two books in the series it can be read as a stand-alone. I felt the plot was very good, it kept me hooked the entire time, it was full of twists and turns with lots of mystery and action. The characters were very complex, a very convincing story!

Synopsis: She opens the door to find two police officers waiting on her doorstep. Fear flashes through her. 'Can we come in?' they ask. 'It’s about your husband…'. Anna Galbraith's world shatters when she hears the devastating her husband’s whisky distillery has burned to the ground and a body has been found inside. But her husband wasn’t the only victim – a young firefighter perished too, leaving behind a grief-stricken fiancée only weeks away from their wedding day.

Many thanks to #ADeadlyFlame #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for providing me with an E-ARC of this 5 star book.

The third book in the DS Malkie McCulloch series and the trials and tribulations of his life continue to haunt him. He and his colleagues DC Steph Lang and DC Lou Gooch are called out to a whisky warehouse fire where a body has been found. Whilst attending one of the fire officers collapses due to an issue with his breathing apparatus so there are now two incidents to deal with. Firstly was the arson and secondly had the apparatus being deliberately sabotaged? Well written and beautifully descriptive this is a compelling read.

Briefly, whilst Malkie and his team are looking into the case we discover that both Malkie and his best friend and colleague Steph have deep personal family issues which remain unresolved and keep rearing their ugly heads. Indeed Malkie is suddenly faced with two shocking reveals which are going to change his life forever.
Whilst both continue to deal with the fall out in their personal lives there is the matter of their investigation to resolve and when a further death is reported matters become urgent.

A gritty story set in Scotland and continues the theme of the maverick detective willing to bend the rules to achieve his purposes. Reading the first two books will give you the background but it is still an excellent read on its own. The plot is so good with great twists and turns and a heightened level of tension as the book progresses. A great read with some terrible acts that have tragic repercussions and what a shocker for Malkie! Loved it.

Third book in the series and Malkie just goes from strength to strength.. He has to overcome quite a lot in this story as it is based around a warehouse fire where the Fire Officer is the same one who investigated the fire in his parents house which killed his mum. His partner is also going through her own crisis but together , they work well and help each other to get things done and overcome any difficulties. I love how Malkie goes on his gut instinct and how his boss whom he did his basic training with, allows him some leeway at times and pulls rank when necessary. The story may be read as a standalone, however I would encourage readers to check out the previous two first.

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm for the ARC to review

A Deadly flame by Doug Sinclair is an exceptionally excellent book. The characters are well developed, and the story will grip you from the beginning. This is a fasted paced book which is full of mystery and suspense. The book is set in Scotland and is a story of DS Malkie McCulloch who is called to a fire in a distillery.
Malkie finds there are two fatality's one is a fire fighter and one a civilian. Malkie and his of sider Steph are thrown into this case which has plenty of twists and turns revenge, and the murder of another fire fighter as they work this case. Also, the story of both Malkie and Stephs lives and the issues they face in their personal lives add to the story. The banter and humour they both share solidify their partnership and keeps the readers in suspense until the end. This is the third book but can be read as a standalone book. “An awesome crime thriller. The story was a grabber for sure. It had me from the first chapter... The storyline is dark and twisted, while the characters are real and raw. The whole book is so professionally written that you feel your part of the action, and the ending has left me wanting more books by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Deadly Flame, the third installment in Doug Sinclair’s DS Malkie McCulloch series, brings readers a gripping police procedural set against the dramatic Scottish backdrop. With thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing, I had the chance to dive into this thrilling novel ahead of its October 31, 2024 release.

When DS Malkie McCulloch is called to a devastating fire at a whisky distillery, the case quickly turns into a tangle of mystery and personal challenges. The flames not only reveal evidence of a sinister crime but also ignite dark memories for Malkie, who’s still haunted by the tragic house fire that claimed his mother’s life. As he works alongside his loyal partner, DC Stephanie Lang, Malkie must set aside his painful past to pursue justice while navigating the complexities of the case.

Sinclair’s ability to evoke the atmospheric Scottish setting—complete with rain-drenched landscapes and misty hills—adds a layer of intensity to the narrative, making the reader feel as though they are right there with Malkie and his team. The plot is beautifully crafted with twists and turns, each clue expertly placed to keep you guessing. Sinclair’s writing is sharp, and his characters are impressively nuanced; Malkie is a complex, relatable detective, balancing his vulnerabilities with his relentless pursuit of truth, and his rapport with Stephanie provides both humor and warmth to the story.

For fans of suspenseful, well-paced crime fiction, A Deadly Flame is a must-read. With its intriguing plot, richly developed characters, and emotional depth, this book cements Sinclair’s series as one of the best in contemporary Scottish crime thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy.

A good mystery with plenty of interesting characters. The insight into police a fire services helped give the book depth. Well paced, it draws you in and keeps you guessing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my copy of A Deadly Flame by Doug Sinclair.
Malkie, DS Malkie McCulloch is called to a fire in a distillery, where there are 2 fatalities, one of them a firefighter.
Is it arson? Malik e and the team will find out.
For me this book was more about Malkie and his detective constable Steph than about the case.
And it was so gloomy and long winded, I nearly didn’t finish it. In fact I skipped chapters, because it was so depressing.

I really enjoyed the world of the book. Malkie and Steph are great central characters and the supporting cast are diverse and interesting. The mystery itself was intriguing. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

Scottish-noir, grief, grieving, depression, friends, friendship, arson, crime-thriller, suspense, series, investigations, investigators, police-detectives, Police Scotland, fire-service, survivor's guilt, PTSD, panic-attacks, family-drama, family-dynamics, family-history, spousal-abuse, group-dynamics, cruelty, psychological, psychopath, triggers, self-worth-issues, mental-health-issues, secrets, lies, wrenching, unputdownable, firefighters, angst, anger-issues, unpleasant-co-worker, murder, vengeance, justice*****

DS Malkie McCulloch is a seasoned detective with Police Scotland who acquired a full-blown case of PTSD eight months ago when his mother died and father seriously injured in a house fire.
His offsider/partner DC Steph Lang has self worth issues and more due to family issues. Each of them are substantially messed up by their newest case. The fire is not at a residence, but at a distillery, but there was a corpse and also a fireman died. This whole mess is unwoven one thread at a time and there is even suspicion that one of the fireman was the arsonist. The blasted story grabbed me and held on through supper and into the night!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!
#ADeadlyFlame #NetGalley #DSMalkieMcCullochBk3 Avail Oct 31, 2024

DS MALKIE MCCULLOCH SERIES:
A DEADLY FLAME, #3 - Interesting story lines and good characters made this a difficult to put down read. The intensity of emotions and the effects of horrible happenings on the police and the firefighters in their daily lives added to the depth of this immersing story. Source: Netgalley. 5*

LAST TO DIE, #2 - I had to finish this entertaining story in one sitting. I found it predictable because this is how I would have written the story. Interesting and intriguing story lines blended with a variety of interesting characters wove an immersing tapestry of justice, revenge and murder. The last chapter was a perfect ending to this well written book. I enjoyed the fact that although this is the second book of a series, there was no rehashing of the first book, which I have not read; just an interesting story on its own. Source: Netgalley. 15*

A Deadly Flame is the third and latest installment of the DS Malkie McCulloch series written by author, Doug Sinclair.
Set in Scotland, this one opens with the discovery of a body in a recent Whisky House fire. Haunted by the loss of his mother in a house fire, this case takes on special meaning and triggers for DS Malkie.
I enjoy Malkie's tough wit in this one, third is the series.
This can be read as a standalone, while reading the first two will give a little more flavor to Malkie.

Quite a bit of angst in this one so if you are looking for a put-you-to-sleep read, better save this for another time. Having said that one of the reasons is that it keeps you reading long after bedtime.

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Doug Sinclair, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for October 31, 2024.

A Deadly Flame is the third and latest instalment of the DS Malkie McCulloch series written by author, Doug Sinclair.

Full disclosure; I’ve not yet read the previous books in this series - but was drawn to this one by its title, the blurb, the cover, and - the setting - Scotland.

Scotland: known for its bagpipes, whiskey, imposing landscapes, its moderate and changeable weather, and, the Loch Ness monster; but, Scotland is also a uniquely atmospheric setting for crimes, detectives, and murder.

When Detective Sergeant Malcolm (‘Malkie’) McCulloch and his team are called out to investigate a suspicious warehouse fire, it sets off some serious triggers. Arriving on scene, the team come face to face with a fire that has engulfed the entire warehouse complex. Inside the building, huge stockpiles of whiskey – all stored in wooden barrels ageing gracefully are helping to feed the monstrous inferno.

We learn that Malkie lost his mum in a housefire, when the flame of a lit candle sitting on her bedroom window ledge caught the curtains and engulfed the whole house. Will Malkie be able to put aside his own nightmarish memories of that fateful night and the staggering amount of grief and responsibility he still feels over losing his mum to work this case?

🔥Flaming Yays🔥

🔥Well illustrated characters. Malkie McCullough is a complicated man but an excellent detective. He’s often referred to as being in his ‘Columbo’ pose when he’s mulling something over about the case. And for those of you who are familiar with that reference will immediately relate to DS McCullough. The working relationship between DS McCullough and his partner, DC Stephanie Lang is one of the many things this reader enjoyed about the book. It’s a pairing where there is a deep respect for each other’s strengths and abilities despite the differing age gap. And, as always, things go better with humour, and the pair have their own special type of banter which solidifies their partnership.

She [Lang] turned a page. ‘Graham Cormack. The big, dishy one.’
[Malkie] ‘Can’t say I noticed, but carry on.’

🔥The plot. But first, let me fast forward to the Author’s Note at the end of the book: As I said about books one and two, I never set out to write police procedurals in the traditional sense. I want to write books about the impacts of terrible acts inflicted by ordinary but desperate human beings on others.

👏Kudos, Mr Sinclair, for you have executed that brief superbly.

As in any good police murder mystery there are several story lines which intermingle nicely – think of a jigsaw puzzle – there is only one right combination of pieces to make the whole picture, and Malkie and his team must join the pieces correctly to solve the mystery.

🔥The writing. Sinclair’s writing is succinct and concise, with vivid descriptions of the Scottish landscape and his depiction of the fire and those that fought to contain it was clearly perceptible. The plot is peppered with twists and turns, and the reader is kept in a state of high suspense throughout.

Safe to say this reader is a #teamMalkie convert now.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Storm Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for October 31, 2024.

In book three of the DS Malkie McCulloch series, Malkie is battling more personal demons than ever and there is no real way of disguising the impact this is having on his ability to work the case.

Still profoundly traumatised by the loss of his mother and family home in a fire, Malkie is has to fight to control his spiraling thoughts whisky warehouse. In addition, one of the fire fighters also perishes and questions are raised around the circumstances.

There is a lot going on in this book aside from the main crime investigation and Doug Sinclair masterfully controls the subplots without detracting from the key storyline.

There are some fab characters in this series and the emerging relationships are fascinating on their own, and it is clear there is more to be revealed in future books. Malkie and Steph make for a great team, but Malkie's self-imposed guilt is weighing very heavy on his soul and actions.

This is another dark and gritty Scottish crime thriller that pulls no punches and takes the reader on a vivid and uncomfortable journey as true gruesome horror of the murder is revealed.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and Storm Publishing for an ARC in return for an honest review. Doug Sinclair is definitely an author to watch.

My first Doug Sinclair book but definitely not my last! It was so easy to get swept up into the story. A great cast of characters that kept me totally invested and kept me flipping pages long past my bedtime. Packed with tension and emotion, never a dull moment.
Thank you NetGalley, Doug Sinclair and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I don't usually pick up a book in the middle of a series but I gave this one a shot! I loved it! I read it in one sitting!!! If I hadn't seen it was the 3rd book in the series I would have never known, now I have to read the rest!!!

I blame this book for me not getting much done today. I started it with a coffee this morning..... And finished it before moving again! No one was supposed to be in the building when the fire was set, but one oversight led to more deaths and a lot of heartbreak I felt quite sorry for a few characters, but liked others. With the way it ended I am impatient to read the next one

I read this as a standalone and still really enjoyed it. After a fire has started at a distillery the police and firemen work together to figure out what really started this fire. After two deaths and relationships uncovered this thriller will keep you guessing!! Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

Well what a jolly little soul DS Malkie McCulloch is! A policeman so full of angst I'm surprised he gets anything done, I haven't read the previous two books and I don't think I will, when I read a book I want to be engaged with the characters and I just couldn't get past the self pity.