I’ve read all the books in each of these series. There are 8 in the DI Clare Mckay series by Marion Todd set in Scotland. There are 10 in the Detective Jane Phillips series by OMJ Ryan set in England. I really enjoy them both and have reviewed the latest installments here.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Bridges to Burn by Marion Todd Series: DI Clare MacKay #8
Published by Canelo on February 7, 2024
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 361
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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DI Clare Mackay is called to Albany High, where the body of a girl has been found. A suspected suicide – yet Sophie Bakewell was by all accounts a cheerful, talented student. Could she really have been hiding a darker side? It’s not the only disturbing case to land on Clare’s desk. Across town, an elderly man is in danger. Yet before the police can determine the facts, everything changes and they are presented with two suspicious deaths to investigate. As Clare and her team face the possibility that anything they believe to be true about the deaths is wrong, they might find that a killer can lurk behind the most innocent of faces
The DI Clare Mackay series is one I’ve really enjoyed. I’ve listened to a few of the earlier books on audio, which are narrated by the author. They are available on Hoopla. Everything is from Clare’s point of view and she leads her team. I would read these in order due to the personal and career developments of Clare and her team members.
Here we have what looks like the suicide of a young girl, the death of an elderly man who had a terminal disease, some decades old unreported rape cases, and some other strange happenings. As the team investigates, there seem to be connections but not a lot of evidence. But they keep digging, looking at motives.
Around the cases, Clare has settled comfortably with Al and is surprised how well they fit. He is really wonderful to her and does a lot of the cooking and other chores. Clare is not appreciating her new DCI or his protégée in the slightest. Chris and Sara are busy preparing for their wedding and a bit distracted.
It’s a slow burn of getting a bunch of details until finally motives and people who committed crimes are clear. Even then they need to gather enough evidence. For a long time, it doesn’t feel like anything will be resolved. But Clare and her team do find the answers in these crimes.
I really enjoy these characters, their hard work, their personality and styles, and their skill at finding the truth. There’s also the depth of their personal lives and friendships supporting the mysteries. I recommend this series.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Deadly Inferno by OMJ Ryan Series: Detective Jane Phillips #10
Published by Inkubator Books on February 25, 2024
Genres: Thriller
Pages: 278
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon
He loves to watch the flames. It’s even better when the screaming starts. Somebody is targeting police officers in the worst way imaginable – burning them alive in a series of large-scale arson attacks. When DCI Jane Phillips and the Major Crimes Unit are assigned to the case, forensic evidence suggests the fires display the unique signature of Manchester’s most prolific arsonist, Archie Pearson. There’s only one problem - Pearson has been in prison for almost twenty years. As the team delve deeper, it becomes clear that the evidence used to convict Pearson two decades ago was deeply flawed. And Jane is finally forced to confront something she has feared for some time – corruption may run all the way to the top of the Force. A fear that only grows when the killer goes viral, claiming Pearson was framed by bent cops and that he is Manchester’s ‘Real Fire Starter’.
The Detective Jane Phillips series has a regular set of characters, some of them have a bit repetitive behavior if you’ve seen it over several books. Or at least, their personalities are consistent. Jane has been in the same position throughout the series and enjoys her work. She can get tired or frustrated or shaken like anyone who sees such horrors of death.
In the current big case, there is a firestarter who seems determined to kill cops. His methods seem very similar to another case from 17 years ago. Jane and her team do the usual investigating which seems smart enough but also very slow. They have the usual great support from Carter (Jane’s boss) and the usual pressure and derision from Fox (Carter’s boss). The team does get a bit further on an overall cop corruption case, also.
Personally, Jane is irritated by her partner, Sam, and they spend almost no time together. I’m not sure where that is going, but she seems attracted to another guy now. One of her team, Bov, is distracted by a health scare for his partner.
Overall, this was a quick, fun read. I found the writing of the personal aspects a bit stilted or typical cliche interactions. The action of the crimes and investigation steps kept me engaged. I enjoyed Deadly Inferno and wonder what is next for this favored series of mine.
About Marion Todd
Marion grew up in the City of Dundee, now home to the magnificent V&A Museum. Always a keen writer, she has had point-of-view pieces published in the Dundee Courier and short stories in My Weekly magazine. She won first prize in the Family Circle Magazine Short Story for Children Competition in 1987.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Marion worked as a lecturer, candle-maker and hotel lounge pianist, a job which provided rich material for her novels.
In 2018 Marion was long-listed for the Sunstory Award and the Scottish Arts Council Short Story Award and in 2019 was short-listed for Dundee Rep’s Stripped programme.
More recently, Marion has turned her hand to crime fiction and in 2020 was shortlisted for the prestigious Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year award with her novel See Them Run, the first in the DI Clare Mackay crime series.
Marion lives in North East Fife overlooking the River Tay and is a sometime babysitter for her daughter’s unruly but lovable dog.
Marion is published by Canelo and represented by Northbank Talent Management.
About OMJ Ryan
Hailing from Yorkshire, OMJ Ryan worked in radio and entertainment for over twenty years, collaborating with household names and accumulating a host of international writing and radio awards. In 2018 he followed his passion to become a full-time novelist, writing stories for people who devour exciting, fast-paced thrillers by the pool, on their commute – or those rare moments of downtime before bed. Owen’s mission is to entertain from the first page to the last.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
Two series i “seriously” need to explore. Thanks for featuring.
I really enjoy both of them. They are solid in characters and settings.
I could see myself enjoying both of these series. If only I had more time to read.
I hear you! I could read a lot more. But I do want to do things besides reading so my current pace is about it. These are so easy, for me they read quickly.
These are both new to me Anne both series and authors but I think I’d like them. Sorry I’ve been awol for awhile, hubby’s health conditions have been a challenge
No worries, Debbie. I hope things will improve for you. I like these two series. They are nice and interesting without being too complex.
2-in-1! Love it
These 2 kind of have a natural tie in with the UK and reference to fire.
You know I enjoy these types of mysteries. I’ll check both series’ out.
I really enjoy them. They are quick reads with good characters and cases but not too complex.