annieb123's Review of Avenge the Dead (DI Frank Farrell, #3)

by Jackie Baldwin

Sometimes murder is the only way to get even…

The gripping new Scottish crime thriller that you won’t be able to put down. Perfect for fans of L J Ross and Val McDermid.

‘A deliciously dark and twisted tale that kept me reading late into the night’ Graham Smith, bestselling author of A Body in the Lakes

Four friends with dark secrets. One killer out for revenge.

DI Frank Farrell and DS McLeod are tasked with investigating the brutal murder of a defence solicitor’s wife in Dumfries.

It’s been over a year since they left the town after an investigation robbed them of a dear friend. But now they’re back and must find a way to move on.

When the son of another defence solicitor is murdered, a strange tattoo etched on his body, the case takes them into darker, more disturbing territory.

It leads them back into the past – to a horrific fire in a cottage that took a woman’s life, to four friends harbouring dark secrets – and finally to a killer waiting patiently for revenge.

Praise for Avenge the Dead

‘Expertly plotted, I was completely engrossed in the investigation and the lives of the characters, there were twists and turns all the way through keeping me on the edge of my seat… definitely a “just one more chapter” kind of read!’ Sharon Bairden, Chapter in My Life

‘Brutal and gritty in parts whilst sensitive and emotional in others, this book had me turning the pages well into the night’ Alison, NetGalley

‘This was another riveting foray into the world of DI Frank Farrell! From the first chapter, I could not put this novel down, staying up late to finish just to see what would come next’ Krystal, NetGalley

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Avenge the Dead is the third book in a modern Scottish procedural series by Jackie Baldwin. Released 28th Feb 2020, it's 400 pages and available in ebook format.

This is a gritty modern day procedural with an ensemble returning cast of characters. Although it's the third book in the series, I had no trouble following the plot, the author is adept at providing necessary backstory without info-dumping or being overwhelming. It works well as a standalone.

The plot is well constructed (if dark) and includes the de rigueur tie-in to past occurrences resonating down through time to the present. There are a number of grisly murders (which are not too graphically described on-page). There is some sexual content, but again nothing too racy on-scene. The language is as expected, modern police procedural level including f*ck and other cursing. There is mention of drug use and some domestic abuse.

My own experience, not having established a previous relationship with the characters, was that main character Frank, was wallowing unattractively in self pity, spiraling into out of control alcoholism and unprofessional conduct, and was difficult to like. I imagine that people who are already fans of the series will appreciate the character development more than I could.

It was a diverting read. Not quite up to Val McDermid (but who is?) or Ann Cleeves (ditto), but in that vein. Quite a solid read.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Avenge the Dead (DI Frank Farrell, #3)

by Jackie Baldwin

Reviewed by annieb123 on Mar 21, 2020

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