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Inspector McLean #3
The Hangman's Song
Book three in the Detective Inspector McLean series
A young man is found hanging by a rope in his Edinburgh home. A simple, sad suicide, yet Detective Inspector Tony McLean is puzzled by the curious suicide note. A second hanged man and another strange note hint at a sinister pattern.
Investigating a brutal prostitution and human trafficking ring, McLean struggles to find time to link the two suicides. But the discovery of a third convinces him of malicious intent.
Digging deeper, McLean finds answers much closer to home than he expects. Something terrifying stalks the city streets, and bringing it to justice may destroy all he holds dear.
A young man is found hanging by a rope in his Edinburgh home. A simple, sad suicide, yet Detective Inspector Tony McLean is puzzled by the curious suicide note. A second hanged man and another strange note hint at a sinister pattern.
Investigating a brutal prostitution and human trafficking ring, McLean struggles to find time to link the two suicides. But the discovery of a third convinces him of malicious intent.
Digging deeper, McLean finds answers much closer to home than he expects. Something terrifying stalks the city streets, and bringing it to justice may destroy all he holds dear.
496 pages, Paperback
First published February 13, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
February 24, 2017
This is the grisly third in the DI McLean series and in it he is a seriously bitter man, barely surprising considering what he has gone through. There is more to come in this set of storylines, and here he has been seconded to the Sexual Crimes Unit to keep him out of trouble. He is heavily immersed in two cases, that of a harrowing prostitution ring and in human trafficking. To top it all, a young man is discovered hanging in his Edinburgh home. It appears to be a straightforward suicide until another suicide with the exact same features of the previous one occurs followed by another. Tony is aware there is something very strange going on. He finds himself with little choice but to add this to his overwhelming workload only to fear that the connections are coming alarmingly close. The police force is in the process of undergoing great change as it transforms into Police Scotland and there are the usual conflicts in the department. Tony's personal burdens are painfully demanding as Emma eventually comes out of her coma with problems and trauma and comes to live with him. Thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.
August 14, 2020
Well if we thought things were bad for DC Tony McClean in Book 2, they get even worse in Book 3. Dead bodies turn up at an amazing rate and some of them are personally connected to Tony. It really does appear that getting to know him is not a good move.
I enjoyed the police work in this one and there was a lot of humour too even if it was mostly black. Towards the end the tension really built especially once I had guessed the main culprit and McClean had not. There were many clues that pointed in one direction but he did not see them until it was too late. I was on the edge of my seat, panicking, while he blindly walked into the trap. All good reading fun!
Another solid entry in this series which I intend to follow up as soon as I can.
I enjoyed the police work in this one and there was a lot of humour too even if it was mostly black. Towards the end the tension really built especially once I had guessed the main culprit and McClean had not. There were many clues that pointed in one direction but he did not see them until it was too late. I was on the edge of my seat, panicking, while he blindly walked into the trap. All good reading fun!
Another solid entry in this series which I intend to follow up as soon as I can.
February 12, 2017
This is the 3rd book in the Inspector McLean series by author James Oswald.
I am finding it difficult to keep praising this series without repeating myself but I suppose the biggest compliment I can pay it is to say that I immediately started the 4th book in the series as soon as I had finished this one. Having read the series from the very beginning the characters are growing on me the more I read and all the sub plots make perfect sense. This is an excellent series and there is so much more to the books than the plot itself. The conflict between the character and the on-going issues in McLean's personal life make this series fascinating reading.
In this book a man is found hanging by a rope in his Edinburgh home, but Detective Inspector McLean is not convinced all is as seems.So when a second hanged man is discovered his instinct appears to be vindicated. McLean is already investigating a prostitution and human trafficking ring so he struggles to find time to link the two suicides. But the discovery of a third convinces him of malicious intent and uncover the truth.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Penguin UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I am finding it difficult to keep praising this series without repeating myself but I suppose the biggest compliment I can pay it is to say that I immediately started the 4th book in the series as soon as I had finished this one. Having read the series from the very beginning the characters are growing on me the more I read and all the sub plots make perfect sense. This is an excellent series and there is so much more to the books than the plot itself. The conflict between the character and the on-going issues in McLean's personal life make this series fascinating reading.
In this book a man is found hanging by a rope in his Edinburgh home, but Detective Inspector McLean is not convinced all is as seems.So when a second hanged man is discovered his instinct appears to be vindicated. McLean is already investigating a prostitution and human trafficking ring so he struggles to find time to link the two suicides. But the discovery of a third convinces him of malicious intent and uncover the truth.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Penguin UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2015
The Hangman's Song picks up right where The Book Of Souls left off. The first chapter grabs you and holds you tight, dropping you right in to the story and introducing you to the chilling madness of this latest book.
I felt so sad reading much of this. You learn even more about Tony McLean and each thing I learn about him makes me want to learn more. This book is slightly bitter in its tone, and Tony is bitter too - and it should be that way. After everything that's already happened and what happens in this, McLean has every right to be bitter.
I loved the snarky bitterness in the narrative, the digs at the general public, at the police force, at anyone who got in McLean's way and at the coffee. I loved Mrs McCutcheon's cat, whose actions seemed so closely to mirror McLean's throughout the book, even if he didn't realise.
Although it seemed at first that this book was more toned down, it wasn't - the story was just more complex, a little deeper and more subtle. And much, much darker than anything we've read of McLean before, despite the humour and the sarcasm which bring a very much needed breath of lightness.
I didn't see that ending coming, although I suppose I should have. I just couldn't believe it would actually happen. I thought the ending was quite poignant, despite the desperation obvious in the pages.
Review originally posted at This Northern Reader, November 2013..
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
I felt so sad reading much of this. You learn even more about Tony McLean and each thing I learn about him makes me want to learn more. This book is slightly bitter in its tone, and Tony is bitter too - and it should be that way. After everything that's already happened and what happens in this, McLean has every right to be bitter.
I loved the snarky bitterness in the narrative, the digs at the general public, at the police force, at anyone who got in McLean's way and at the coffee. I loved Mrs McCutcheon's cat, whose actions seemed so closely to mirror McLean's throughout the book, even if he didn't realise.
Although it seemed at first that this book was more toned down, it wasn't - the story was just more complex, a little deeper and more subtle. And much, much darker than anything we've read of McLean before, despite the humour and the sarcasm which bring a very much needed breath of lightness.
I didn't see that ending coming, although I suppose I should have. I just couldn't believe it would actually happen. I thought the ending was quite poignant, despite the desperation obvious in the pages.
Review originally posted at This Northern Reader, November 2013..
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
June 19, 2016
SWEDISH REVIEW
Utan tvekan är Bödelns sång den bästa boken hittills i serien av kommissarie McLean. De två första böckerna var även de bra men det var något med denna bok som verkligen tilltalade mig, som gjorde att jag sträckläste boken under en dag. McLean har det som vanligt inte lätt på jobbet, han har en ny chef som hatar honom och ifrågasätter allting han gör och är mest intresserad att så snabbt som möjligt avsluta fall. Så ett självmord är något som McLean inte alls borde forska i. Men det gör han och han inser att något inte stämmer och när fler självmord inträffar måste han så snabbt som möjligt finna den gemensamma kopplingen så att han kan få stopp på dem.
Som vanligt är det ett drag av paranormalt i boken och det är just det paranormal som gör serien så speciell och är skäl till att jag gillar serien så mycket. Ett anant skäl är humorn i boken. Trots det mörka temat i boken så fäller McLean och andra så otroligt härliga kommentarer hela tiden, det gör att boken är nåde spännande och roande att läsa. En kombination som jag gillar.
Jag tyckte om att Emma var tillbaka i handlingen så snabbt efter vad som hände med henne i förra boken. Hon har blivit en favorit karaktär, i och för sig gillar jag rätt många, men just allting som rörde henne i boken var verkligen intressant och jag gillar verkligen Emma och McLean tillsammans.
Bödels sång var mycket läsvärd, jag önskar att jag kunde läsa nästa bok på direkten men får vänta på att den översätts till svenska. Jag rekommenderar denna serie stark till läsare som gillar annorlunda kriminalare.
Tack till Modernista för recensionsexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
I think that The Hangman's Song is the best book I have read so far in the Inspector McLean series. I do of course, like the previous books very much as well. However, there was something with this book that really appealed to me. I liked it so much that it only took a day for me to read it. McLean has, as usual, it not easy at work. He has a new boss that really hates him and that's always questioning him and just want cases close as soon as possible. So a suicide case is not McLean should be investigating, but he feels that something is not right and then more suicides occur and he has to find out what is connecting the suicides before more bodies are found.
As usual is there a paranormal part to the story and it's the paranormal part that makes the series so special to read and also a reason for me liking the series so much. Another reason is the humour. Despite the dark theme in the book are there many funny one-liners and dialogues in the book. This makes the book both thrilling and funny to read. A combination that I love.
I liked that Emma is back in the story so fast, especially when you think about what she went through in the last book. She has become a favourite character, although I do have a lot of favourite characters in the series. But, I do find that everything concerning Emma and what happened to her and how it has affected her is fascinating to read about. Also, I do like Emma and McLean together.
The Hangman's Song is a very good book, I wish I could read the next book right away, but I must wait for it to be translated into Swedish first. I recommend this series warmly to anyone that likes to read a different kind of crime novel.
Thanks to Modernista for the review copy!
Utan tvekan är Bödelns sång den bästa boken hittills i serien av kommissarie McLean. De två första böckerna var även de bra men det var något med denna bok som verkligen tilltalade mig, som gjorde att jag sträckläste boken under en dag. McLean har det som vanligt inte lätt på jobbet, han har en ny chef som hatar honom och ifrågasätter allting han gör och är mest intresserad att så snabbt som möjligt avsluta fall. Så ett självmord är något som McLean inte alls borde forska i. Men det gör han och han inser att något inte stämmer och när fler självmord inträffar måste han så snabbt som möjligt finna den gemensamma kopplingen så att han kan få stopp på dem.
Som vanligt är det ett drag av paranormalt i boken och det är just det paranormal som gör serien så speciell och är skäl till att jag gillar serien så mycket. Ett anant skäl är humorn i boken. Trots det mörka temat i boken så fäller McLean och andra så otroligt härliga kommentarer hela tiden, det gör att boken är nåde spännande och roande att läsa. En kombination som jag gillar.
Jag tyckte om att Emma var tillbaka i handlingen så snabbt efter vad som hände med henne i förra boken. Hon har blivit en favorit karaktär, i och för sig gillar jag rätt många, men just allting som rörde henne i boken var verkligen intressant och jag gillar verkligen Emma och McLean tillsammans.
Bödels sång var mycket läsvärd, jag önskar att jag kunde läsa nästa bok på direkten men får vänta på att den översätts till svenska. Jag rekommenderar denna serie stark till läsare som gillar annorlunda kriminalare.
Tack till Modernista för recensionsexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
I think that The Hangman's Song is the best book I have read so far in the Inspector McLean series. I do of course, like the previous books very much as well. However, there was something with this book that really appealed to me. I liked it so much that it only took a day for me to read it. McLean has, as usual, it not easy at work. He has a new boss that really hates him and that's always questioning him and just want cases close as soon as possible. So a suicide case is not McLean should be investigating, but he feels that something is not right and then more suicides occur and he has to find out what is connecting the suicides before more bodies are found.
As usual is there a paranormal part to the story and it's the paranormal part that makes the series so special to read and also a reason for me liking the series so much. Another reason is the humour. Despite the dark theme in the book are there many funny one-liners and dialogues in the book. This makes the book both thrilling and funny to read. A combination that I love.
I liked that Emma is back in the story so fast, especially when you think about what she went through in the last book. She has become a favourite character, although I do have a lot of favourite characters in the series. But, I do find that everything concerning Emma and what happened to her and how it has affected her is fascinating to read about. Also, I do like Emma and McLean together.
The Hangman's Song is a very good book, I wish I could read the next book right away, but I must wait for it to be translated into Swedish first. I recommend this series warmly to anyone that likes to read a different kind of crime novel.
Thanks to Modernista for the review copy!
February 4, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Uk, Michael Joseph and jamed Oswald for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On Goodreads from today under Karen Whittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from today.
James Oswald is a fantastic writer and is a leading light in the genre of crime books. This is a superb follow up to The Book of Souls. If you like crime books you should seriously check out James Oswalds books.
This is book three of the detective series and I would highly recommend reading these in order as they link on so nicely from one another.
I have taken Tony into my heart and I can't help rooting for him ever book I read. He is such a sad soul and I would love to see him happy once again.
i also love these books because they are set in Edinburgh which is such a lovely city. I simply love walking the streets and solving the crime along the way.
This book opens with a young man found hanging in his Edinburgh home. Where most people would look at this and think it was just a very sad sucicide. Tony finds the sucicide note puzzling and sets about trying to decipher it.
When another man is found in the same predicament. Tony knows that his instincts have been right. Something more sinister is going on here.
But before Tony has time to try and figure out what is going on. He is caught up with a human trafficking and prostitution ring.
But when a third sucicide is found in the same way as the last two and with the same note. Tony knows he simply has to find time to figure out this crime.
But when shocking truths come to light that are closer to home then Tony would like. Tony realised that whatever horric creature is lurking the streets bringing them to justice may just jeapodise everything he holds dear.
Happy reading everyone
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On Goodreads from today under Karen Whittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from today.
James Oswald is a fantastic writer and is a leading light in the genre of crime books. This is a superb follow up to The Book of Souls. If you like crime books you should seriously check out James Oswalds books.
This is book three of the detective series and I would highly recommend reading these in order as they link on so nicely from one another.
I have taken Tony into my heart and I can't help rooting for him ever book I read. He is such a sad soul and I would love to see him happy once again.
i also love these books because they are set in Edinburgh which is such a lovely city. I simply love walking the streets and solving the crime along the way.
This book opens with a young man found hanging in his Edinburgh home. Where most people would look at this and think it was just a very sad sucicide. Tony finds the sucicide note puzzling and sets about trying to decipher it.
When another man is found in the same predicament. Tony knows that his instincts have been right. Something more sinister is going on here.
But before Tony has time to try and figure out what is going on. He is caught up with a human trafficking and prostitution ring.
But when a third sucicide is found in the same way as the last two and with the same note. Tony knows he simply has to find time to figure out this crime.
But when shocking truths come to light that are closer to home then Tony would like. Tony realised that whatever horric creature is lurking the streets bringing them to justice may just jeapodise everything he holds dear.
Happy reading everyone
July 12, 2017
The Hangman's Song by James Oswald.
This is the 3rd entry in the Detective Inspector McLean series.
Reading this series is necessary to be knowledgeable regarding the past situations that are reflected upon by the author.
A hanging victim is discovered with all the telltale attributes of a suicide. Nevertheless McLean is not totally satisfied that this conclusion is correct. Soon another "suicide" by hanging has turned up with ties to the first. The similarities and the findings of Angus Cadwallader, the M.E. at the city mortuary, convince McLean these are the word of a murderer(s). A serial murderer?
Emma, McLean's paramour, is in hospital and slowly coming out of a coma. She has no family to speak of so her recuperation will be spent in McLean's home. The main dilemma is finding a reputable caregiver for her.
There is a new character that has been added to the story...to my delight. Madame Rose, a fortune teller and transvestite, who brings a depth to this story. Specifically in chapter 25 another door is opened and the story is given new life. Madame Rose is the game changer in this book, in my opinion.
McLean has a burden on his shoulders in trying to solve the hangings as well as trying to cope with Emma's condition which doesn't seem to be getting any better while Duguid isn't making life any easier for him at the station.
This book took a little while to peak my interest but once Madame Rose came on the scene and revealed her insights regarding Emma's malady the game was afoot.
This is the 3rd entry in the Detective Inspector McLean series.
Reading this series is necessary to be knowledgeable regarding the past situations that are reflected upon by the author.
A hanging victim is discovered with all the telltale attributes of a suicide. Nevertheless McLean is not totally satisfied that this conclusion is correct. Soon another "suicide" by hanging has turned up with ties to the first. The similarities and the findings of Angus Cadwallader, the M.E. at the city mortuary, convince McLean these are the word of a murderer(s). A serial murderer?
Emma, McLean's paramour, is in hospital and slowly coming out of a coma. She has no family to speak of so her recuperation will be spent in McLean's home. The main dilemma is finding a reputable caregiver for her.
There is a new character that has been added to the story...to my delight. Madame Rose, a fortune teller and transvestite, who brings a depth to this story. Specifically in chapter 25 another door is opened and the story is given new life. Madame Rose is the game changer in this book, in my opinion.
McLean has a burden on his shoulders in trying to solve the hangings as well as trying to cope with Emma's condition which doesn't seem to be getting any better while Duguid isn't making life any easier for him at the station.
This book took a little while to peak my interest but once Madame Rose came on the scene and revealed her insights regarding Emma's malady the game was afoot.
July 14, 2019
Another enjoyable installment in the Inspecter McLean series.
It's a police procedural series which touches on the supernatural.
I would recommend reading this in order else you will be lost - I had not read the second one (this is the third) for some time and had to quickly dredge my memory as to what had happened.
Inspector McLean is not entirely likeable but I'm interested in him anyway so that's okay.
I'm enjoying the series as a whole - there are many humourous moments but it is quite hard hitting. It does remind me of the Stuart MacBride series featuring Logan McRae but with supernatural elements (don't worry it's not enough to trouble a logical mind!)
It's a police procedural series which touches on the supernatural.
I would recommend reading this in order else you will be lost - I had not read the second one (this is the third) for some time and had to quickly dredge my memory as to what had happened.
Inspector McLean is not entirely likeable but I'm interested in him anyway so that's okay.
I'm enjoying the series as a whole - there are many humourous moments but it is quite hard hitting. It does remind me of the Stuart MacBride series featuring Logan McRae but with supernatural elements (don't worry it's not enough to trouble a logical mind!)
January 18, 2014
The Hangman’s Song by James Oswald is the third in his Inspector McLean series set in Edinburgh.
DI McClean, seconded to the Sexual Crimes Unit (SCU) by Acting Superintendent Charles Duguid (nicknamed Dagwood) finds himself working on two separate cases – one for the SCU investigating a group of prostitutes and the subsequent death of their pimp, Malky Jennings, who was beaten to death – and the second, two suicides, which he and his DC, MacBride consider to be suspicious, and continue to investigate against Duguid’s instructions.
I think you need to have read the first two books in the series to fully understand the background or at least have read their synopses, as I found some elements of this book confusing – a small example being the name of the Acting Superintendent and his nickname, as it is not clear that Duguid and Dagwood are one and the same person. At times both names were used within a few paragraphs, making me think they could be two people.
The Hangman’s Song is a dark, tense book; crime fiction with elements of the supernatural and parapsychology thrown in. The police force is undergoing great change as it prepares for unification as Police Scotland, adding to McLean’s own difficulties with his colleagues, most of whom dislike him, regarding him as a pain in the arse and a troublemaker. He views them as incompetent, lazy and in some cases corrupt. I did get a bit tired of his constant battle with Duguid, which detracted from the story at times. All is not well in McLean’s private life either. His girlfriend Emma (who was nearly killed in the previous book, The Book of Souls) comes out of a coma, but she has lost most of her memory, regressing to an eight-year old. She moves into McLean’s house to help with her recovery.
It is a complicated book with three storylines to keep in mind, and a large cast of characters, not all of them clearly distinguishable. It’s not a book for the faint-hearted or the squeamish as there are details of some gruesome deaths, murders and beatings that the characters go through. At times I had to read with my imagination turned down – a bit like watching something gory on TV from behind my fingers.
Having said that, it was still a compelling, if disturbing, book (particularly the last chapter) that kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next.
Thanks to www.lovereading.co.uk for the uncorrected advance proof of this book for review. The published book will be available in February 2014.
DI McClean, seconded to the Sexual Crimes Unit (SCU) by Acting Superintendent Charles Duguid (nicknamed Dagwood) finds himself working on two separate cases – one for the SCU investigating a group of prostitutes and the subsequent death of their pimp, Malky Jennings, who was beaten to death – and the second, two suicides, which he and his DC, MacBride consider to be suspicious, and continue to investigate against Duguid’s instructions.
I think you need to have read the first two books in the series to fully understand the background or at least have read their synopses, as I found some elements of this book confusing – a small example being the name of the Acting Superintendent and his nickname, as it is not clear that Duguid and Dagwood are one and the same person. At times both names were used within a few paragraphs, making me think they could be two people.
The Hangman’s Song is a dark, tense book; crime fiction with elements of the supernatural and parapsychology thrown in. The police force is undergoing great change as it prepares for unification as Police Scotland, adding to McLean’s own difficulties with his colleagues, most of whom dislike him, regarding him as a pain in the arse and a troublemaker. He views them as incompetent, lazy and in some cases corrupt. I did get a bit tired of his constant battle with Duguid, which detracted from the story at times. All is not well in McLean’s private life either. His girlfriend Emma (who was nearly killed in the previous book, The Book of Souls) comes out of a coma, but she has lost most of her memory, regressing to an eight-year old. She moves into McLean’s house to help with her recovery.
It is a complicated book with three storylines to keep in mind, and a large cast of characters, not all of them clearly distinguishable. It’s not a book for the faint-hearted or the squeamish as there are details of some gruesome deaths, murders and beatings that the characters go through. At times I had to read with my imagination turned down – a bit like watching something gory on TV from behind my fingers.
Having said that, it was still a compelling, if disturbing, book (particularly the last chapter) that kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next.
Thanks to www.lovereading.co.uk for the uncorrected advance proof of this book for review. The published book will be available in February 2014.
July 20, 2016
Brilliant book. Followed on nicely from The Book Of Souls. This is crime writing at its best. Excellent
March 21, 2017
I somehow read this one out of order with respect to the others in the DI McLean series, so was left slightly more confused than I might've been - though I did enjoy it quite a lot (four and a half out of five). I'm struggling exactly where to put it in relation to the others in the series that I have read.
As I've said before, I find Oswald's writing right up there with my favourites in the Scottish Crime genre, like Craig Robertson and Stuart MacBride. This series does however sometimes p*ss me off a little when the author chooses to make supernatural aspects key to the plot - I'm not sure whether it's completely necessary as without it we'd still have some very compelling and involving police procedural thrillers.
However, this novel - with McLean investigating a series of apparently linked suicides whilst coping with friction from people at work, and helping his colleague Emma recover from a serious amnesiac trauma episode - wasn't quite as unbelievable as some of the more paranormal aspects in t'other books. There's an important difference between 'relying on the supernatural to drive the plot' and 'relying on characters belief in the supernatural to drive the plot', and in the main my cynicism didn't stop me enjoying the book.
As I've said before, I find Oswald's writing right up there with my favourites in the Scottish Crime genre, like Craig Robertson and Stuart MacBride. This series does however sometimes p*ss me off a little when the author chooses to make supernatural aspects key to the plot - I'm not sure whether it's completely necessary as without it we'd still have some very compelling and involving police procedural thrillers.
However, this novel - with McLean investigating a series of apparently linked suicides whilst coping with friction from people at work, and helping his colleague Emma recover from a serious amnesiac trauma episode - wasn't quite as unbelievable as some of the more paranormal aspects in t'other books. There's an important difference between 'relying on the supernatural to drive the plot' and 'relying on characters belief in the supernatural to drive the plot', and in the main my cynicism didn't stop me enjoying the book.
March 19, 2017
Inspector Tony McLean is back in the 3rd book in the series, these books continue to be great reads!
We still have the main characters in play as they continue their work solving crimes and Tony's involvement in the 'spooky' cases, whether he wants to be involved or not.
I love the slow build of character development and the humor that's woven throughout, the cases are interesting and well developed and I know I love to get back into Tonys story, both professional and personal life.
Onto book 4 now! Yay!
*Huge thanks to James Oswald, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
We still have the main characters in play as they continue their work solving crimes and Tony's involvement in the 'spooky' cases, whether he wants to be involved or not.
I love the slow build of character development and the humor that's woven throughout, the cases are interesting and well developed and I know I love to get back into Tonys story, both professional and personal life.
Onto book 4 now! Yay!
*Huge thanks to James Oswald, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
June 30, 2019
I chose this third book because it was a paperback that was not too heavy to carry. I had tried this series featuring DI McLean before some time ago and noted my dislike of supernatural theme. Now confirmed, but I must say I like the characters, policing community portrayed and the writing.
Oh well. I can't describe any of it as that would be spoiling the book for others.
Library Loan
Oh well. I can't describe any of it as that would be spoiling the book for others.
Library Loan
June 28, 2021
With all that Detective Inspector Tony McLean faces, not only professionally but also personally in his inadvertent interactions with the supernatural, it would be little wonder if he didn't quit the police force and become a hermit. As this series moves forward, it becomes more and more apparent that being in his inner circle can be dangerous, if not life-threatening.
Facing the challenges of working under a supervisor who holds McLean in such disdain personally and professionally is enough to make his work life a bit of hell. Now McLean also faces the disdain of many of his colleagues, too. All of this is ongoing while our protagonist is working on two disparate investigations and dealing with a crisis in his personal life.
Oswald does a wonderful job of telling the story and building the suspense. His characters are believable, multi-faceted, and interesting.
I ferreted out one of the bad guys early on, but it didn't detract in any way from the suspense -- in fact, it added to my feelings of anxiety, wondering when the facts would become apparent to McLean.
Facing the challenges of working under a supervisor who holds McLean in such disdain personally and professionally is enough to make his work life a bit of hell. Now McLean also faces the disdain of many of his colleagues, too. All of this is ongoing while our protagonist is working on two disparate investigations and dealing with a crisis in his personal life.
Oswald does a wonderful job of telling the story and building the suspense. His characters are believable, multi-faceted, and interesting.
I ferreted out one of the bad guys early on, but it didn't detract in any way from the suspense -- in fact, it added to my feelings of anxiety, wondering when the facts would become apparent to McLean.
August 26, 2017
I am really liking this series. We've got new crimes, but it carries forward from book 2 so it's probably better to start this series at the beginning just to keep the main characters straight. Tony McLean had some issues in his last department and has been moved to the Sex Crimes Unit and, of course, that involves some prostitution. Then we've got some suicides by hanging and it's looking like there might be a connection between them. Inspector McLean can't write those off without looking at them a little bit closer. This guy is a bit of a maverick, always looking deeper than what's on the surface as far as the crimes go, and he always gets on someone's nerves the further up you go in the Edinburgh police department. And this time he's got a personal involvement with some of the crimes. Looking forward to the next one.
February 15, 2014
I am so loving this series. Only 3 books in and I know I have found another series to follow without fail! I would describe the writing as a cross between Mark Billingham and a milder Stuart MacBride. The main character, Tony McLean, is a very likeable character. His life has been fraught with sadness and in the 3rd book he is on the case of a series of suspicious hangings. Emma is still in a coma and Tony has her assault on his conscious as well. Nasty bosses, colleagues who don't believe he should still be working (he inherited quite a bit of money), weird suspects and a hint of the occult, this book has it all.
October 26, 2017
This is the third book in the Tony McLean series and I have to say they just keep getting better and better...this one was excellent. In spite of his unorthodox investigative methods...Inspector McLean has a case solve rate that can't be disputed even though his superiors often try. The characters are so full of individual personality that you have no problem liking some and totally disliking others. The books have a touch of the occult that makes them all the more intriguing. Anyone that is devoted to Ian Banks or Stuart MacBride will want to give James Oswald a try. I would suggest strongly that these books be read in order.
June 18, 2014
Once again a really good book by James Oswald. I love the hint of "otherworldliness" that creeps into these books without it being too strong a theme. In my opinion he hits the right level as it not completely overt and absolutely ridiculous.
As a reader of fantasy and I appreciate the slightly mystical nature to these books as it perfectly blends my love of detective/crime novels with my love of fantasy.
As always, I can't wait for the next novel, which I will no doubt ready just as quickly.
As a reader of fantasy and I appreciate the slightly mystical nature to these books as it perfectly blends my love of detective/crime novels with my love of fantasy.
As always, I can't wait for the next novel, which I will no doubt ready just as quickly.
July 24, 2024
Setting: Edinburgh, Scotland; modern day.
This is the third book in the series featuring Detective Inspector McLean.
Falling foul of his new boss, Acting Superintendent Duguid, McLean finds himself seconded to the sex crimes unit, where he immediately gets involved in a sex trafficking case - which strangely involves women being taken out of the country on a ship rather than being brought in. But none of the girls are talking, particularly when resident detective Sergeant Buchanan is in the interviews...
Meanwhile, his old team are called to an apparent suicide which they consider suspicious. But, when McLean tries to use some resources to confirm his suspicions, Duguid immediately criticises him and tells him to close the case - even when this is followed by several more 'suicides' with a similar M.O.
McLean is also sidetracked by his former girlfriend coming out of a coma after a head injury she suffered in the previous book - but she has no recollection of those events or even McLean himself...
Another great book in this series and set in one of my favourite cities. Full of atmosphere and tension, the storyline and characters really come to life so I'm glad that I have several more of these to read! - 9/10.
This is the third book in the series featuring Detective Inspector McLean.
Falling foul of his new boss, Acting Superintendent Duguid, McLean finds himself seconded to the sex crimes unit, where he immediately gets involved in a sex trafficking case - which strangely involves women being taken out of the country on a ship rather than being brought in. But none of the girls are talking, particularly when resident detective Sergeant Buchanan is in the interviews...
Meanwhile, his old team are called to an apparent suicide which they consider suspicious. But, when McLean tries to use some resources to confirm his suspicions, Duguid immediately criticises him and tells him to close the case - even when this is followed by several more 'suicides' with a similar M.O.
McLean is also sidetracked by his former girlfriend coming out of a coma after a head injury she suffered in the previous book - but she has no recollection of those events or even McLean himself...
Another great book in this series and set in one of my favourite cities. Full of atmosphere and tension, the storyline and characters really come to life so I'm glad that I have several more of these to read! - 9/10.
October 26, 2017
Book Description:
The body of a man is found hanging in an empty house. To the Edinburgh police force, this appears to be a simple suicide case. But something about the scene strikes Detective Inspector Tony McLean as off. Days later another body is found hanging from an identical rope, with a noose tied in the identical way. McLean is convinced that these people are either being murdered or somehow coerced into suicide. Then a third body is found.
Under pressure from his superiors to wrap the case up quickly and neatly, McLean must also deal with the fallout of his last big investigation and complications in his personal life. But the deeper he digs, the more he comes to believe that something dark and sinister is stalking Edinburgh’s streets. Will he be able to stop it before someone else succumbs to the hangman’s song?
My Review:
This book had me hooked for the very beginning. It's a police procedural set in Edinburgh, Scotland with elements of supernatural/occult. The plot had lots of twists that created a page turner that kept me guessing until the very end. Oswald's writing, dialogue and characters especially Tony, Grumpy Bob and Duguid make for a fantastic read. We get a good picture of prostitution and the criminal underworld from the story. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series and I would recommend this book to those who like police procedurals with a touch of the supernatural.
The body of a man is found hanging in an empty house. To the Edinburgh police force, this appears to be a simple suicide case. But something about the scene strikes Detective Inspector Tony McLean as off. Days later another body is found hanging from an identical rope, with a noose tied in the identical way. McLean is convinced that these people are either being murdered or somehow coerced into suicide. Then a third body is found.
Under pressure from his superiors to wrap the case up quickly and neatly, McLean must also deal with the fallout of his last big investigation and complications in his personal life. But the deeper he digs, the more he comes to believe that something dark and sinister is stalking Edinburgh’s streets. Will he be able to stop it before someone else succumbs to the hangman’s song?
My Review:
This book had me hooked for the very beginning. It's a police procedural set in Edinburgh, Scotland with elements of supernatural/occult. The plot had lots of twists that created a page turner that kept me guessing until the very end. Oswald's writing, dialogue and characters especially Tony, Grumpy Bob and Duguid make for a fantastic read. We get a good picture of prostitution and the criminal underworld from the story. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series and I would recommend this book to those who like police procedurals with a touch of the supernatural.
January 16, 2014
I was lucky to be given an advance copy of this book by http://www.lovereading.co.uk/ for an honest opinion.
This was an introduction to a new writer for me and I must say that I am not disapointed.Inspector McClean is the usual downtrodden policeman, undervalued and disliked by his superior officer. He has been put into the Vice department by that same officer who doesnt want him in his department. He seems to get himself involved in the minor corruption in the vice unit and makes it known that he will not stand by while it happens, he does not believe that allowing a criminal to carry on just because they know he is the lesser of two evils. His old dept seem to be falling apart and they keep involving him in the suicides of 2 unrelated boys. He just doesnt think they are suicides and he gets involved more than he should. Underlying all this his home life is also spiraling out of control.
With all this going on you would think it was difficult to keep up but the writing was so clever that I had no problem feeling as though I was part of this plot and the clues just kept coming leading you one way and then another. When you realise just how it all came together the plot tok another turn.
I will definately be looking out for another of James Oswalds books.
This was an introduction to a new writer for me and I must say that I am not disapointed.Inspector McClean is the usual downtrodden policeman, undervalued and disliked by his superior officer. He has been put into the Vice department by that same officer who doesnt want him in his department. He seems to get himself involved in the minor corruption in the vice unit and makes it known that he will not stand by while it happens, he does not believe that allowing a criminal to carry on just because they know he is the lesser of two evils. His old dept seem to be falling apart and they keep involving him in the suicides of 2 unrelated boys. He just doesnt think they are suicides and he gets involved more than he should. Underlying all this his home life is also spiraling out of control.
With all this going on you would think it was difficult to keep up but the writing was so clever that I had no problem feeling as though I was part of this plot and the clues just kept coming leading you one way and then another. When you realise just how it all came together the plot tok another turn.
I will definately be looking out for another of James Oswalds books.
December 25, 2014
Typically I have no issues jumping right into the middle of a series. I am not one of those people that refuses to read a book unless I have read the prior books in the series. Good thing or I would miss out on some good series. Sadly, this book did not draw me in enough to really want to check out more books in this series.
I did not connect with the characters. Some of this might have to do with the fact that I had not read the prior books so I did not develop a relationship with Inspector McLean. Again I say "some" only because again I have jumped into series and felt connections. I thought despite my instant connection with Inspector McLean that I would like this book as the bodies started piling up. Yet after a few bodies the story stood still and went into slow motion with a lot of talking. I put the book down and walked away for a while and came back but it did not get better for me and I finally put it down after a third of the way in.
I did not connect with the characters. Some of this might have to do with the fact that I had not read the prior books so I did not develop a relationship with Inspector McLean. Again I say "some" only because again I have jumped into series and felt connections. I thought despite my instant connection with Inspector McLean that I would like this book as the bodies started piling up. Yet after a few bodies the story stood still and went into slow motion with a lot of talking. I put the book down and walked away for a while and came back but it did not get better for me and I finally put it down after a third of the way in.
February 26, 2017
I knew I recognized one of the characters names. I loved how he was called Stuart Macbride, after the Scottish police procedural author. That's quite the homage! I did enjoy this book, but some of the theories leading towards the paranormal drove me a tad nuts. They didn't belong her. Find another way to describe what was wrong with Emma. Either way, I'll be looking for the other books in this series. Especially to find out some of the history.
September 30, 2024
When a young man is discovered hanging in his Edinburgh home, the evidence points to suicide. However, DI McLean isn't convinced — the suicide note feels wrong. McLean is even more certain of foul play when a second man is found hanged. As the body count rises, McLean must figure out what connects the victims and who the killer is.
This book follows on from The Book of Souls and is best read in publication order. I thought it was a gripping read, with the series fast becoming one of my favourites. The investigation is well-paced with subplots that slot in nicely. McLean is a likeable character who always follows instinct — often leading to friction with his superiors. As with the first two books, I loved the supernatural element and although quite gruesome in places, it was a fantastic read.
This book follows on from The Book of Souls and is best read in publication order. I thought it was a gripping read, with the series fast becoming one of my favourites. The investigation is well-paced with subplots that slot in nicely. McLean is a likeable character who always follows instinct — often leading to friction with his superiors. As with the first two books, I loved the supernatural element and although quite gruesome in places, it was a fantastic read.
February 7, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for a review of The Hangman's Song, the third Edinburgh based police procedural to feature DI Tony McLean.
Tony has been seconded to the Sexual Crimes Unit where he is involved in a raid involving prostitutes being shipped out of Edinburgh, a most unusual occurrence but he doesn't really have the time for it as his former team in CID keep looking to him for guidance so it isn't long before he's involved in investigating a spate of highly unusual suicides. If he wasn't busy enough his girlfriend Emma wakes up from her coma with almost total amnesia.
The Hangman's Song is an excellent, absorbing read that I found difficult to put down. It has a bit of everything with Mr Oswald's trademark hint of the supernatural, an intricate plot, great characterisation and personality clashes.
The two plots, the suicides and the prostitutes, run side by side throughout the book and have some very unexpected twists and a couple of more obvious ones. They are cleverly done with one step leading to the next although the suicide one has the team baffled for longer - the modern police force does not pay for hunches or coincidences so it is difficult to progress the case with Acting Superintendent Duguid pressuring him to close them as suicides.
The supernatural element, which is never intrusive, comes from the amnesiac Emma thinking she sees ghosts and receiving visits from troubled souls. To an unbeliever like myself who always avoids any hint of super/para weirdness Mr Oswald makes it palatable and acceptable, if not quite believable, by making Tony a sceptic who can mostly find a rational explanation for it.
Tony McLean is a great character. He is an honest, kind, moral man determined to do a good job in the face of strong opposition, but then he can afford to be as he has inherited enough money that he doesn't have to work. He is unpopular with his peers and can't seem to meet his boss without an argument but he gets the job done with his integrity intact. His spats with his superiors paint them as petty, narrow minded individuals but very recognisable as people we've all dealt with. It's well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Hangman's Song and have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
Tony has been seconded to the Sexual Crimes Unit where he is involved in a raid involving prostitutes being shipped out of Edinburgh, a most unusual occurrence but he doesn't really have the time for it as his former team in CID keep looking to him for guidance so it isn't long before he's involved in investigating a spate of highly unusual suicides. If he wasn't busy enough his girlfriend Emma wakes up from her coma with almost total amnesia.
The Hangman's Song is an excellent, absorbing read that I found difficult to put down. It has a bit of everything with Mr Oswald's trademark hint of the supernatural, an intricate plot, great characterisation and personality clashes.
The two plots, the suicides and the prostitutes, run side by side throughout the book and have some very unexpected twists and a couple of more obvious ones. They are cleverly done with one step leading to the next although the suicide one has the team baffled for longer - the modern police force does not pay for hunches or coincidences so it is difficult to progress the case with Acting Superintendent Duguid pressuring him to close them as suicides.
The supernatural element, which is never intrusive, comes from the amnesiac Emma thinking she sees ghosts and receiving visits from troubled souls. To an unbeliever like myself who always avoids any hint of super/para weirdness Mr Oswald makes it palatable and acceptable, if not quite believable, by making Tony a sceptic who can mostly find a rational explanation for it.
Tony McLean is a great character. He is an honest, kind, moral man determined to do a good job in the face of strong opposition, but then he can afford to be as he has inherited enough money that he doesn't have to work. He is unpopular with his peers and can't seem to meet his boss without an argument but he gets the job done with his integrity intact. His spats with his superiors paint them as petty, narrow minded individuals but very recognisable as people we've all dealt with. It's well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Hangman's Song and have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
February 6, 2014
A grisly tale set in a dark and dingy Edinburgh
In this the third in the DI McClean series from James Oswald, the DI has been seconded to the Sexual Crimes Unit (SCU) and so finds himself working on some harrowing cases such as the death of a pimp and two suspicious suicides.
Set in Edinburgh like the earlier books in the series, you really have to have read the first ones to fully understand some of the references or at least to understand the development of the characters as more is revealed of DI McClean in particular which is very interesting.
The Hangman’s Song picks up pretty much where the Book of Souls left off and it grabs you with the scruff of your neck.
This trip to Edinburgh is murkier and more gritty that the others. It’s raw and graphic in places so not for the faint hearted. And Di McCLean is understandably a bitter man.
The supernatural aspect to the book is what makes it perfect that it is set in Edinburgh so you should definitely go on a ghost hunt or just to walk the same streets that McClean does at night to feel the fear.
A lot of the characters are going through changes and so is the police department so everything is up in the air which provides for even more chaos in McClean’s life.
Another great chilling trip to Edinburgh’s darkest and dingiest streets
Just don’t read it alone
link: Read the interview with James here
In this the third in the DI McClean series from James Oswald, the DI has been seconded to the Sexual Crimes Unit (SCU) and so finds himself working on some harrowing cases such as the death of a pimp and two suspicious suicides.
Set in Edinburgh like the earlier books in the series, you really have to have read the first ones to fully understand some of the references or at least to understand the development of the characters as more is revealed of DI McClean in particular which is very interesting.
The Hangman’s Song picks up pretty much where the Book of Souls left off and it grabs you with the scruff of your neck.
This trip to Edinburgh is murkier and more gritty that the others. It’s raw and graphic in places so not for the faint hearted. And Di McCLean is understandably a bitter man.
The supernatural aspect to the book is what makes it perfect that it is set in Edinburgh so you should definitely go on a ghost hunt or just to walk the same streets that McClean does at night to feel the fear.
A lot of the characters are going through changes and so is the police department so everything is up in the air which provides for even more chaos in McClean’s life.
Another great chilling trip to Edinburgh’s darkest and dingiest streets
Just don’t read it alone
link: Read the interview with James here
March 31, 2015
There was a lot that was strong about this book. There are two mysteries here, and they're both pretty well written, though one is left a bit open-ended. The author makes more use of the supernatural here than in his past books, but for the most part it works. Tony seems more isolated than he has in the past books, and the overall tone here is kind of dark. The supporting cast - Ritchie, Grumpy Bob, Madame Rose, are all stellar and I'm curious to see where Emma's adventures take her.
I took off a star here because of the office politics. I want to read a mystery, not a book about the egos of police officers. The scenes between Daguid and McLean made me cringe - they're literally the stuff that teenage girls are made of. He's got to work this relationship out in the future because it's just tiresome to read about. I realize that some workplace tension makes the book realistic, but this is just ridiculous. I'll look for the next book this summer, but hopefully he's gotten the workplace politics under control.
I took off a star here because of the office politics. I want to read a mystery, not a book about the egos of police officers. The scenes between Daguid and McLean made me cringe - they're literally the stuff that teenage girls are made of. He's got to work this relationship out in the future because it's just tiresome to read about. I realize that some workplace tension makes the book realistic, but this is just ridiculous. I'll look for the next book this summer, but hopefully he's gotten the workplace politics under control.
May 3, 2015
This third book in the series picks up the themes of Books 1and 2. Due to this I realised that I had forgotten a fair few details and so revisited Book 2, The Book of Souls, to refresh my memory.
While certainly an engaging crime thriller/police procedural I did not find it quite as strong as the first two novels. Part of that was actually due to the constant issues that McLean has with his fellow officers. It does seem a toxic environment for him.
The novel came to a fairly satisfying conclusion wrapping up a loose trilogy. I have committed to the next book already and look forward to seeing how Oswald takes the various subtle occult themes forward or if now he has found success and rounded out the story begun in Book 1, if he will write a more mundane focused police procedural.
While certainly an engaging crime thriller/police procedural I did not find it quite as strong as the first two novels. Part of that was actually due to the constant issues that McLean has with his fellow officers. It does seem a toxic environment for him.
The novel came to a fairly satisfying conclusion wrapping up a loose trilogy. I have committed to the next book already and look forward to seeing how Oswald takes the various subtle occult themes forward or if now he has found success and rounded out the story begun in Book 1, if he will write a more mundane focused police procedural.
June 16, 2016
Admittedly, I am a recent but big fan of Oswald's Inspector McLean series. It has all the elements of a traditional British police mystery but some odd, supernatural twists.
This particular one concerns some interesting suicide hangings that are too similar to discount. Also we continue the story/stories of McLean's unfortunate love life and difficult police brass dealings. While many of the characters may be cliched, they are all likable and interesting and make one keep reading to be in their company.
This particular one concerns some interesting suicide hangings that are too similar to discount. Also we continue the story/stories of McLean's unfortunate love life and difficult police brass dealings. While many of the characters may be cliched, they are all likable and interesting and make one keep reading to be in their company.
October 21, 2017
The third instalment of the Inspector McLean series and I'm afraid to say the last one I shall be reading. I really struggled yo finish this book and kept putting it down. I lost interest in the inspectors struggles due to the same repetitive nature of his thoughts and feelings throughout the books so far as well as the unnecessary and rather stupid supernatural element. The crime solving element was the only part of the novel that was worth reading. Time to move on from this particular series and say goodbye to Inspector McLean.
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