Book Reviews and More: Thicker than Water - J.D. Kirk

Monday 23 May 2022

Thicker than Water - J.D. Kirk - DCI Logan Book 2

Thicker than Water

DCI Logan Book 2

J.D. Kirk

Zertex Crime

ISBN 9781912767137

ASIN B07R43X1Y3

ASIN B08QDQDXMC

This is the third volume from J.D. Kirk that I have read in the last few months. I picked the first for a few reasons, but mainly because authors Alex Smith and JE Mayhew have both recommended the author and series. I am a big fan of Smith’s DCI Kett novels and Mayhew’s DCI Will Blake Series. And having ripped through both of their series and slowing working through all of Mayhew’s others works I decided to give Kirk’s a try. These definitely are Scottish Detective Mysteries, and I can see the comparisons with both Smith and Mayhew’s works. I would set this story right in the middle, Smiths are darker and more brutal, and Mayhew’s typically focused a little more on the mystery. This one is a good mix of both.

The description of this novel is:

“Not all monsters are make-believe.

When a badly mutilated body washes up on the shores of Loch Ness, DCI Jack Logan's dream of a quiet life in the Highlands is shattered.

While the media speculates wildly about monster attacks, Jack and the Major Investigations Team must act fast to catch the killer before they can strike again.

But with Nessie-hunters descending on the area in their dozens, and an old enemy rearing his ugly head, the case could well turn out to be the most challenging of Jack's career.

And, if he isn't careful, the last.

Death and dark humour combine in this fast-paced Tartan Noir crime thriller set in the Highlands of Scotland.”

This book is set some time after A Little of Bones, DCI Logan has not even been at his new post a day when he is called out on a new case. There are some characters I have encountered in Kirk’s other writings, specifically Detective Superintendent Hoon who I have encountered in Northwind and the Family Liaison Officer, Sinead from Bones.

This story has action, a lot of misdirection, and a very interesting twist. I had figured out about 80% of it before the reveals, but even after I had it solved it was fun watching Logan figure it out and put the pieces together, and watching the officer’s work to capture the culprits. I stated before that the characters are believable, and the events unfortunately are also. The ritual elements in the case took a while to piece together. I am unfamiliar with the history of Bosco, the Russian crime lord, but I am certain we will encounter him again over some of the other stories.

After having read the first two DCI Logan books and the first in the Robert Hoon Series I know I will be reading all the books published buy this author under the pen name J.D. Kirk. Like Mayhew and Smith, Kirk publishes under various names. Kirk publishes children books as Barry Hutchison, and other adult fiction as Barry J. Hutchison. He is coming up on 175 books across the three pen names. I did not know that or I might not have picked up this first one. Friends call me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author I like, I try to read everything they have published. Before I even finished the first Kirk novel I had picked up book 1 in the spin off Robert Hoon series and the next few in this one. Now I am aiming for a book a week until I finish this series and then will see where it goes. This story is perfect if you love crime procedural books, or books along the lines of the TV Series The Commander or Wired in the Blood, this would be a great story to pick up. It is an excellent mystery and I love that it is set in Scotland! It is a good read in what is shaping up like an excellent series. I highly recommend it.

Books by J.D. Kirk:

The Bone House

…

DCI Logan Series:

The Last Bloody Straw

A Whisper of Sorrows

The Big Man Upstairs

A Death Most Monumental