The Well of the Dead
by Clive Allan
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Pub Date 28 Mar 2017 | Archive Date 23 Jun 2017
Troubador Publishing Ltd | Matador
Description
Detective Inspector Neil Strachan, who we first met in Clive’s first novel, The Drumbeater, once again finds himself delving into the past, as he and his partner, Sergeant Holly Anderson, go head to head with a ruthless and violent criminal, apparently obsessed with his Jacobite ancestry. Strachan also faces problems of his own. His long-term partner is acting strangely, causing him to suspect that she is having an affair. His determination to bring the Frasers’ killer to justice, and to uncover the truth behind his erring partner’s behaviour, take him on a journey to a place he never wanted to be. It is a place where his personal and professional priorities become blurred; a place where both his judgement and reputation are on the line.
The Well of the Dead is not the usual dysfunctional, urban detective novel, but one in which the adventures are played out amongst the rugged beauty of Britain’s last great wilderness. Inspired by Mark Billingham, Brian Callison and Elly Griffiths, Clive Allan’s latest novel is a gripping crime thriller with an historical twist. It will primarily appeal to readers of Scottish and detective fiction. Clive’s first novel, The Drumbeater, received large amounts of media attention and was featured in Scots News, The Scots Magazine, Narpo News, Scottish Field Magazine and Police World.
A Note From the Publisher
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781785897894 |
| PRICE | £3.99 (GBP) |
Featured Reviews
Lisa N, Reviewer
Wow. I must admit that I have a soft spot for stories like this, and Mr. Allan did a fantastic job on weaving a history in with a modern day mystery. The writing of the scenery was so clear that I could envision it with no troubles at all. Of course the fact that Scotland and its history are one of my favorite things didn't hurt! I did have one minor pet peeve that kept me from giving this book 5 stars, and that was all the exclamation points. They were everywhere, and it drove me nuts. Reminded me of Brian Lumley's books, and how fond he seemed to be of scattering exclamation marks all over the place! Still, the story was solid, and I liked the characters. Especially Holly. One thing's for sure, I will be reading more from Mr. Allan. Yep, I'd recommend this book and author. Thanks to Matador Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Elaine T, Reviewer
I would like to thank Netgalley and Matador for a review copy of The Well of the Dead, a police procedural set in Inverness and its environs featuring DI Neil Strachan.
When the mutilated body of Laura Fraser is found in her castle and her husband, Duncan, missing DI Neil Strachan is put in charge of the case. The castle has been ransacked but nothing is missing which, allied with the strange carvings on Laura's chest, leads Neil to believe that he is looking at something more than burglary. The reader knows that the killers are looking for hidden treasure.
I enjoyed The Well of the Dead. It is a long read but it never seems to flag and my only problem was trying to keep the characters straight in my mind. Mostly it is a straightforward third person narrative told from Neil's point of view but there are glimpses of the killers and their plans and some interesting flashbacks to the events surrounding the Battle of Culloden in 1745 and this is where I fell down, trying to make sense of the 1745 characters and the Fraser family tree.
I think the subplot of Neil's girlfriend Cat's strange behaviour is a bit unrealistic but can't say more without issuing spoilers and a distraction from the main plot and its action. The main plot, however, has plenty of action and twists and is an exciting read. Some of the main perpetrators are known to the reader from the several chapters which give their point of view but others are well hidden and their identities came as an unexpected surprise.
Neil Strachan is a likeable protagonist, a smart and dedicated detective who gets on well with his colleagues. Mostly he abides by the rules but can go off piste when things get personal. He is probably the only well developed character in the novel and I would have liked to see more of his "bagman" DS Holly Anderson on her own.
The Well of the Dead is a long but satisfying read so I have no hesitation in recommending it.
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