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balthazarlawson's review against another edition
4.0
Logan McRae is back at work and is given a simple job to ease back into things. He has to look into allegations about to be published about the past of DI King and his connection with Scottish nationalists. The problem is the case the DI is working on a case that may have connections with the anti-English and Scottish independence crowd. So Logan is assigned to monitor his progress with the case to ensure that all is above board and nothing is swept under the carpet.
The problem with a plan is that it's bound to fail and this one does very quickly. There is one disaster after another and instead of just monitoring the case, Logan is soon actively working the case, trying to desperately to protect the reputation of Police Scotland.
As with most cases for Logan this one doesn't go smoothly and DS Steele doesn't make things any easier. Plus there is always the top brass expecting immediate results but everything they do seems to only hinder in the smooth operation of things.
All in all it's enjoyable read and as usual there is plenty of blood go around. Though, Logan is settling into the role of a middle aged married man that is far from the character that I first met, and often miss.
The problem with a plan is that it's bound to fail and this one does very quickly. There is one disaster after another and instead of just monitoring the case, Logan is soon actively working the case, trying to desperately to protect the reputation of Police Scotland.
As with most cases for Logan this one doesn't go smoothly and DS Steele doesn't make things any easier. Plus there is always the top brass expecting immediate results but everything they do seems to only hinder in the smooth operation of things.
All in all it's enjoyable read and as usual there is plenty of blood go around. Though, Logan is settling into the role of a middle aged married man that is far from the character that I first met, and often miss.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
After spending a year on the sidelines recovering from a serious injury McRae is keen to get back to work. His colleagues are suspicious as to Logan is there to help investigate crime or investigate them but when a prominent academic disappears everyone is needed. With links to Scottish independence the kidnapper is one step ahead of the police, then body parts start appearing and Logan realises that this crime has nationalist motives.
It's great to see MacBride returning to the well-loved Logan McRae and this book finds him on good form. Made especially relevant by Brexit and the Scottish independence debate the plot is nicely formed and has the requisite twists and turns. Just like slipping on a comfortable pair of shoes the gritty yet humorous writing of MacBride is a joy.
It's great to see MacBride returning to the well-loved Logan McRae and this book finds him on good form. Made especially relevant by Brexit and the Scottish independence debate the plot is nicely formed and has the requisite twists and turns. Just like slipping on a comfortable pair of shoes the gritty yet humorous writing of MacBride is a joy.
daid64's review against another edition
5.0
Stuart MacBride in top form again. The writing is fast paced and the story winds all over the place to keep you guessing. Gory and funny at the same time.
nighthawk921's review against another edition
5.0
Love it. Need more Logan books!!
My only wish is that Roberta could be a mess but competent. I wish she was disgusting and without a filter but also not constantly making things worse because she doesn’t want to wait or plants evidence. She was once a DCI! She’s smart. Let her be wacky but competent!
My only wish is that Roberta could be a mess but competent. I wish she was disgusting and without a filter but also not constantly making things worse because she doesn’t want to wait or plants evidence. She was once a DCI! She’s smart. Let her be wacky but competent!
kriskros's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
laney's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
historybooksandtea's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
hazeyjane_2's review
3.0
I usually rate Logan McRae books higher, but this one reminded me too much of previous books due to recycled tropes (missing body parts of victims, ‘experienced’ killer leaving no traces, murders filmed and going viral, errant cop). The fact that we knew who the villain was almost halfway through the book killed some of the suspense for me. Logan seems to have cleaned up a bit - you just know he (or, actually, Steel) would’ve done the accent thing.
I enjoyed the usual romp: a race against the newspaper, Steel at her best. I thought Tufty’s lolspeak was a bit much, but even he came good at the end. Also liked the Scottish nationalism and the commentary on fake news/internet trolls. MacBride’s writing is as engrossing as ever, but for some reason I thought this book dragged a bit. Maybe it was because the dynamic duo of Logan and Steel — or Logan and Rennie - was missing. King and Logan are good characters, but they don’t play off each other very well.
The best part of the book was at the end, when they had to find the perpetrator and the tension really amped up.
I enjoyed the usual romp: a race against the newspaper, Steel at her best. I thought Tufty’s lolspeak was a bit much, but even he came good at the end. Also liked the Scottish nationalism and the commentary on fake news/internet trolls. MacBride’s writing is as engrossing as ever, but for some reason I thought this book dragged a bit. Maybe it was because the dynamic duo of Logan and Steel — or Logan and Rennie - was missing. King and Logan are good characters, but they don’t play off each other very well.
The best part of the book was at the end, when they had to find the perpetrator and the tension really amped up.
noveldeelights's review against another edition
4.0
Few things get me as excited as the arrival of a new Logan McRae book so as soon as my pre-order arrived, I dropped everything and settled in for what I was sure would be an entertaining afternoon.
On his first day back at work after a year long absence, Logan McRae is hoping for a nice and easy ride but luck is not on his side. High-profile and anti-independence campaigner Professor Wilson goes missing from his home and that’s just the start of a major shit-storm all over the place. Social media goes mental, there’s a war brewing between between factions for and against Scottish Nationalism and the media is having a field day.
Gee, I wonder where Stuart MacBride got his inspiration from 🤔. All That’s Dead is extremely politically tinted, if you hadn’t guessed that yet, and thus sadly incredibly apt in this day and age. This may not be to everyone’s liking and I dare say the author took quite a risk putting this out there. Personally, it didn’t bother me at all. It makes for a great story and ultimately that’s all I’m ever looking for.
I always worry slightly about how much Logan McRae can actually be involved in an investigation, being that he now works for Professional Standards. I shouldn’t have though, because he’s not on the fringes of this one at all. Logan McRae is tasked with keeping an eye on the investigating Detective King and this puts him smack-bang in the middle of it all. There are some surprises, some twists, many dubious decisions and quite frankly, if I were the big chief who gets a say in these things, I’d fire pretty much the entire force.
The Logan McRae books are always a treat but even though I found this one a fabulous read and it had me hooked as these books always do, I also felt it was missing something. It’s hard to explain but there’s a special kind of Stuart MacBride magic that seemed to be lacking this time around. Many of the characters that normally bring a brilliant kind of dark humour to the table were now just plainly getting on my nerves. I missed that particular way Stuart MacBride has of combining the darkest of crimes with a healthy dose of chuckles, even sometimes at the most inappropriate moments.
Was this the best book in the Logan McRae series? I’m sorry to say that no, it wasn’t. Although I also fully admit that my expectations are always insanely high. But I did still enjoy it immensely and if Stuart MacBride decides to carry on with this series, I’ll still be every bit as excited as I used to be.
On his first day back at work after a year long absence, Logan McRae is hoping for a nice and easy ride but luck is not on his side. High-profile and anti-independence campaigner Professor Wilson goes missing from his home and that’s just the start of a major shit-storm all over the place. Social media goes mental, there’s a war brewing between between factions for and against Scottish Nationalism and the media is having a field day.
Gee, I wonder where Stuart MacBride got his inspiration from 🤔. All That’s Dead is extremely politically tinted, if you hadn’t guessed that yet, and thus sadly incredibly apt in this day and age. This may not be to everyone’s liking and I dare say the author took quite a risk putting this out there. Personally, it didn’t bother me at all. It makes for a great story and ultimately that’s all I’m ever looking for.
I always worry slightly about how much Logan McRae can actually be involved in an investigation, being that he now works for Professional Standards. I shouldn’t have though, because he’s not on the fringes of this one at all. Logan McRae is tasked with keeping an eye on the investigating Detective King and this puts him smack-bang in the middle of it all. There are some surprises, some twists, many dubious decisions and quite frankly, if I were the big chief who gets a say in these things, I’d fire pretty much the entire force.
The Logan McRae books are always a treat but even though I found this one a fabulous read and it had me hooked as these books always do, I also felt it was missing something. It’s hard to explain but there’s a special kind of Stuart MacBride magic that seemed to be lacking this time around. Many of the characters that normally bring a brilliant kind of dark humour to the table were now just plainly getting on my nerves. I missed that particular way Stuart MacBride has of combining the darkest of crimes with a healthy dose of chuckles, even sometimes at the most inappropriate moments.
Was this the best book in the Logan McRae series? I’m sorry to say that no, it wasn’t. Although I also fully admit that my expectations are always insanely high. But I did still enjoy it immensely and if Stuart MacBride decides to carry on with this series, I’ll still be every bit as excited as I used to be.