2022 Inspector Anthony McLean
To do read the series again in x years time

Detective Inspector Tony McLean is slowing down as the years and his injuries catch up with him. His hip injury gives him a jolt every once in a while, just to keep him in line. He has seen just about every type of crime imaginable while working Major Investigations and some that even he can still not explain. He still has some of his old standbys to help separate the chaff from the wheat. The ranks are thinning due in large part to budget cuts, although some slots are open due to retirements. He is lucky to have Detective Sergeant Janie Harrison to carry the weight as she does throughout much of this book. The investigations of a number of finds of old bones throughout the area falls to Detective Harrison. There are also a few bodies showing up that have died of mysterious symptoms, possibly drug overdoses. Is this just a coincidence or are these all somehow connected? Well you know how we feel about coincidences. McLean’s younger girl friend suddenly collapses and ends up in a coma like state, sending him deeper into introspection. Can things get any worse? You guessed it. This book is a nice revisiting of Inspector McLean’s travails, although it does not have the spark of some of the earlier books in the series. ( )

Ancient bones are uncovered in several places around Edinburgh over a few days, then a couple of young people are found dead in strange circumstances. The young are dead because of a new and powerful drug on the market, based on a Russian weapon and untraceable. For Inspector McLean these deaths need investigating but he has problems closer to home. His arch-nemesis Mrs Saifre is cosing up to the Police Force, his former boss has returned to work following a horrific incident and now his partner has had a stroke and is in a coma. Meanwhile it feels as though dark forces are at work.
I love 95% of this book. Oswald can write a really strong police procedural and this is no exception. I liked the plot line around a new drug on the market which culd have horrific side effects. What I like less is the supernatural/horror aspect. It just doesn't sit right with me and belongs to a genre that I wouldn't normally touch however this pleases thousands and thousands of avid fans. therefore I enjoy the parts I enjoy and accept the parts I don't because Oswald is too good a writer to just ignore! ( )

The Seedier Side of Edinburgh
James Oswald has written the twelfth outing for Inspector McLean in yet another absorbing thriller. Taking you through the seedier side of Edinburgh, possible drug overdoses, charities doing the work of the Government. With a cast of world-weary detectives who never accept coincidences and an ever-increasing workload.
The body of Rory Devin is found in what is thought to be a drug overdose and Detective Sergeant Janie Harrison has been sent out with a detective to find out what is going on. When she reports back to Detective Inspector McLean that it looks like an overdose and a straightforward case.
When more bodies start appearing around the North side of Edinburgh McLean is trying to work out what links the deaths. As all of the victims had not been drug users but had died due to drugs. He knows that he currently cannot see the woods for the trees. He needs a break of some kind, even if those further Police Scotland might not be happy.
The Dee Foundation is the one thing that really is starting to get on the nerves of McLean especially as Jane Louise Saifre is involved. McLean and Saifre have history, especially as she had previously attempted to kill him, and managed to get away with it.
As the Police leadership try and maintain a healthy and close relationship with The Dee Foundation, the more McLean and his team have to investigate it. McLean tries not to let his prejudices cloud his judgement, especially when he goes missing, as his personal life is in turmoil.
With McLean missing, Janie Harrison is trying to crack the case like her boss would do and she knows that she is in a race against time. Will she be able to find her boss and more importantly will she be able to solve the case without him. ( )