Aline Templeton

Scotland, suspense, crime-thriller, due-diligence, procedural, greed, relationships, revenge, atmospheric, Scottish-noir, justice, rural, environmental, eco-awareness, family-dynamics, family-drama, family-history, murder, investigation. ****

Disclaimer: I did not read every word in this book because I forgot to check if it was TTS enabled (NOT) and that made it difficult for me to get engrossed as I would have liked. Even with that, I think that it stands alone very well. The characters are clear and totally believable. The majors are DCI Kelso Strang (his new girlfriend Cat Fleming) and his offsider DS Livvy Murray. I thought I'd have to map out the characters in the first third, but it wasn't that bad once Strang got into the investigation. That first third was important to the basic set-up and plot basics. Despite my vision issues, I found the writing very involving and hard to put down. Now I hope for audio of the series.
I requested and received a free temporary digital galley as PDF from Allison & Busby via NetGalley.
#Deadfall by @AlineTempleton #DIKelsoStrangBk6 #NetGalley @AllisonandBusby… (more)

Aline Templeton's DI Marjory Fleming series is one that I've been slowly (almost glacially) savoring since I picked up the first book, Cold in the Earth. Since there's only one more book after Bad Blood, who knows when I'll make myself finish the time I've spent with Big Marge Fleming?

If you're a reader who likes reading mystery series that have strong ensemble casts, you need to make the acquaintance of DI Fleming and her team. Not only do readers become a part of the lives of her fellow police officers, but they also feel a part of Marge's own family. Her husband is a farmer whose livelihood suffered during the outbreak of mad cow disease, but he's rock solid and a salt-of-the-earth type of man who's always supported his wife in her career choice, no matter how often it keeps her away from home. Her son, Cam, wants everyone to get along which can't be said for her very contentious and headstrong daughter.

Into this already strong mix of characters is added Marnie Bruce, a young woman with whom I totally sympathized. She's tired of being fobbed off by everyone who should care about her mother's disappearance (but doesn't). She's reached the end of her tether and demands answers. DI Fleming wants to help because she was a rookie at the time of the woman's disappearance and feels a sense of responsibility. Watching her learn how to glean clues from Marnie's hyperthymesia is a lesson in patience and determination.

What elevates Marnie's character is her reaction to how all hell breaks loose in that small Scottish town simply because she wants closure. She is one of the best, most nuanced, and memorable characters I've read about in a long time.

Yes, indeed, if you like compelling mysteries with a strong sense of place and a great cast of characters, you need to pick up Aline Templeton's DI Marjory Fleming mysteries. I highly recommend them. (Yes, it is best if you start at the beginning.)… (more)

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I haven't read the first three instalments in this series, but this one stood alone fine. The writing and characterization were strong and I read it more or less in one sitting. I am a bit bemused as to why Flora chose to 'hide out' where she did - surely there was more than one person who might have recognized her... My other issue with this novel was the way the male police officers were a) perfect in every way (Strang) or unimaginative but reliable (Erskine), whereas the female officers were a) incapable of heading an investigation despite being ranked Inspector (French) or b) immature and stroppy (Murray).… (more)