Prayer for the Dead
"Prayer For The Dead’ is a highly charged and deliciously gruesome thriller..."
Synopsis:
The search for a missing journalist is called off as a body is found at the scene of a carefully staged murder.
In a sealed chamber, deep in the heart of Gilmerton Cove, a mysterious network of caves and passages sprawling beneath Edinburgh, the victim has undergone a macabre ritual of purification.
Detective Inspector Tony McLean knew the dead man, and cannot shake off the suspicion that there is far more to this case than meets the eye. The baffling lack of forensics at the crime scene seems impossible. However, it is not the only thing about this case that McLean will find beyond belief.
Teamed with the most unlikely and unwelcome of allies, he must track down a killer driven by the darkest compulsions, who will answer only to a higher power.
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Review:
I don't like comparing writers; I find it unfair. Unfortunately, if you're writing a Scottish set crime thriller you're going to get measured against some of the great authors in the genre. In my opinion Ian Rankin is the king of tartan noir. However, with every book he writes James Oswald gets ever closer to stealing that crown. The fifth novel in the DI Tony McLean series is a real treat from start to finish. McLean is a genuine and honest creation. He cares for his team and the crimes he's investigating. That's what makes him a likeable character. James Oswald writes with intelligence. He knows his readers and respects their ability to follow a multi-layered story. The cases in question are complex yet entertaining and original. Oswald has a knack of releasing tit-bits of information in the right places to keep you hooked. This is a book you'll definitely be reading long into the night. 'Prayer For The Dead' is a highly charged and deliciously gruesome thriller and an excellent addition to the series. With books like this I think we will be seeing a lot more from Oswald and McLean. Clear plenty of space on your book shelves. Oswald's thrillers are compulsive; terrifyingly dark, edgy, and written with deft storytelling and great attention to detail.