Marcia C. reviewed on 4/6/2022 + 674 more book reviews

This is a deliciously well realized crime novel that takes place in a setting few Americans have visited - the Hebrides islands off the west coast of Scotland. You get as much foggy, stormy scenery and local culture as you do plot and characterization - which for me was all to the good.

It's quite unusual to come across a detective who can be gentle and empathetic with both a man who has advanced Alzheimer's and a Bible-thumping bully. This too was a plus for me.

I especially liked the way the past unfolded, bit by bit in flashbacks, while not revealing the culprit until the end.

Unlike most dark crime novels, this had a fairly happy ending.

Do read the first volume of this trilogy first: The Blackhouse. I'm on to the third now...

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