I've read most of the Tony McLean books and enjoyed them all so I was keen to read this latest one. It's another police procedure with a hint of supernatural and the expected twists and turns. I'm beginning to wonder whether it's safe to go to Edinburgh. James Oswald tells a good story well.

I discovered James Oswald by reading his Benfro books – simply the best dragon story I've ever read. If you like dragons, read Benfro

Another great book in the DCI McLean series. I had kind of worked out the plot but still loved every page of this book. The characters keep developing with DI Janie Harrison taking a larger role. There is an underlying supernatural edge which adds an extra creepy twist. Look forward to the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley for opportunity to review.

Just brilliant! James Oswald never lets you down if you like a good thriller, with a touch of the supernatural. Back with DCI Mc Lean in Edinburgh, this is full of twists, a clever plotline and oozing with tension right from the start. I love the characters, especially Madame Rose and the quirkiness of the plot took me by surprise, although I should have been prepared having read all the previous books in the series. Another 5* read from a great author. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

It's rare for a series to maintain momentum after 10 or so books, often settling into a comfortable rhythm, but Oswald's potent mix of procedural thriller and supernatural drama continues to entertain magnificently.

McLean himself may be in a new position of authority, but he hasn't let that go to his head as the now-DCI investigates a break in at a laboratory seeking to find ways to extend the human lifespan on behalf of an eccentric tech magnate, who we initially suspect to be styled after Elon Musk, but thankfully has a far more interesting character arc. Meanwhile, the disappearance of an immigrant worker is puzzling Janie Harrison, especially after the discovery of a half-buried body complicates the case. But is there a connection between the two cases? Oswald teases out the dual narratives expertly, moving the reader from the more procedurally oriented opening to the creepier endgame in such a way that we -- like Tony and Janie -- can suspend our disbelief in the supernatural elements and see that, whether we believe or not, true evil comes not from ghosts or demons but from human greed and ego.

It is, in short, a gripping procedural that leads to an unsettling endgame in a series that remains unique within the tartan noir set -- Oswald's power as a storyteller shows no signs of diminishing, and his characters remain brilliantly relatable both in their professional and personal lives -- THE REST IS DEATH is dark, unsettling, unique and hugely compelling.

Well researched story which was highly atmospheric. I always enjoy this authors stories as I have read almost all of them and as police procedurals they compare well with such authors as Ed McBain and his 87th Precinct series in their general descriptive detail and the banter and wry humour between the various detectives in the department.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony McLean is called to investigate a break-in at Drake BioTech, a trendsetting Edinburgh start-up. It's well below McLean's pay grade, but given the extensive political connections of its eccentric owner Nathaniel Drake, he doesn't have a choice. Even if nothing appears to have been stolen.

A missing person case turns complicated for DI Janie Harrison when a body is found half-buried in woods outside the city. The missing man shows no signs of trauma, the cause of his death a mystery. But when another man - linked to the break-in - is discovered dead in similarly mysterious circumstances, the police suspect there may be some connection between the two.

McLean is convinced the answer lies with the strange ancient artefact clutched in the second dead man's hands. But when the two bodies are stolen from the mortuary, and the artefact goes missing from evidence, the race is on to prevent yet more death.

There are some elements of science fiction or mysticism in the story which I found fascinating and added to the overall enjoyment of the book and one has to remember that the same author using the name J.D.Oswald writes a classic fantasy series The Ballad of Sir Benfro. It is a really very extraordinary police procedural that was most enjoyable and I hope that this very talented and experienced author continues to write such imaginative books of this high quality. Strongly recommended.
(I would like to thank Netgalley and Kindle for an advance copy of The Rest is Death)

Thanks to James and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Rest is Death prior to the publication date.
Although this book is the 14th in the series, it is the first which I have read.
It is mysterious, eery and even creepy, with occasional flashes of wit thrown in.
The storyline is topical, including modern slavery, DNA engineering and A.I. and concerning ( although not really surprising) that Nathaniel Drake, the billionaire owner of Drake Biotech, has so much clout in the corridors of Scottish power.
The investigations will take the team into dangerous areas where they have no knowledge, with disastrous consequences.

James Oswald never lets you down. I'm a great fan of his books and have read all the DCI McLean books waiting for each with great anticipation. The Rest is Death is no exception and it did not disappoint. The characters are like family by now. They pop out of the pages ready to pick up their lives where the last book left off. This book (book 14 in the series) has everything we've come to expect from this author - a splash of gore, more than a touch of spooky, plenty of suspense, just enough politics to wind up the DCI and a lot of imagination. The twists in the plot are plentiful and the ending explosive. Altogether a very satisfying read! Role on book number 15!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Another intriguing and exciting book in this series featuring Detective Inspector McLean. Set in and around Edinburgh,with great characters,an excellent read.