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Frey & McGray #4
The Loch of the Dead
A CASE FOR FREY & McGRAY
The Scottish Highlands, 1889.
When a young heir receives a sinister death threat, Inspectors Frey and 'Nine-Nails' McGray answer a desperate plea to offer him protection.
The detectives travel north to the remote and misty Loch Maree, site of an ancient burial ground. They must stay with the mysterious Koloman family - any one of whom might be a suspect.
But Frey and McGray have little time to get their bearings. Even before they arrive the boy's guardian is brutally murdered, and one thing becomes clear to the two detectives:
Someone is willing to kill to protect the secrets of Loch Maree.
_______________
Praise for the Frey & McGray series:
'This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch' Manda Scott
'Fun to read and a fast page-turner. Love and murder - they go together like strawberries and cream' Independent
'A brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It's clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written ... Everything you need in a mystery thriller' Crime Review
'Fast-paced, well-researched and thoroughly spellbinding. The mismatched pair is as entertaining as Holmes and Watson at their best' Historical Novel Society
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2018
About the author
Óscar de Muriel
16 books543 followersOscar de Muriel was born in Mexico City in 1983 and moved to the UK to complete his PhD. He is a chemist, translator and violinist who now lives and works in Manchester. The Loch of the Dead is his fourth novel, following A Mask of Shadows, A Fever of the Blood and The Strings of Murder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
May 15, 2018
It is a joy to return to Victorian Scotland and the mismatched Edinburgh detectives, Inspector Ian Frey and Inspector Adolphus 'Nine-Nails' McGray, the duo looking into the strange, the supernatural and the horrific. This time they are to be found in the Highlands of Loch Maree and its islands. The Koloman family housekeeper, Millie Fletcher, is afraid for her illegitimate son, Benjamin, whose father, Maximilian Koloman, finally recognised him as his son and heir on his deathbed. 16 year old Ben has been raised by a goodly priest in Thurso, and a threat has been made on his life if he returns to the Koloman mansion. Millie lures McGray to protect her son by tantalisingly offering him what he most desires, a cure from the healing waters of a well for his traumatised and mentally ill sister, Pansy, in an asylum since she murdered their parents and attacked McGray. Frey travels to Loch Maree with the one family member he loves, Uncle Maurice. Murder of the priest sets the tone for this blood drenched tale of gothic horror, as McGray and Frey find themselves isolated, in danger and manipulated in their most testing investigation.
The privileged and wealthy Koloman family have a strong sense of entitlement, acting as patrons for vital services for the locals. Minerva does good works and provides medical services for locals, and Konrad Koloman engages in a range of disciplines from weather to medical knowledge. Their twin daughters, Veronika and Natalja, are beautiful, bohemian and drawn to their own areas of research and fashion, with the design and making of their own clothes. Dominik, the son, is arrogant, travelling overseas with his sleazy companion, Calcraft. Ben is set to inherit half of the Koloman estates and vineyards, leaving the Koloman siblings having to share the remaining half. There is motive enough for the family to regard Ben with ill will and disfavour, perhaps even entertain thoughts of murder. However, on the surface, all seems well, Ben is welcomed with open arms and embraced by the entire family. The murder of an incompetent and reviled man in odd circumstances results in McGray and Frey locking up 3 suspects in the Koloman home with tensions rising as they await the arrival of police support. The poverty stricken and cursed Nellys rely on the charity of the Kolomans to survive, residing on Juniper Island, infested with blood sucking bats and the location of the miraculous well with healing waters. McGray and Frey find themselves out of their depths in an area where legends, folklore, witchcraft, paganism and horror proliferate, nothing and no-one is as they seem.
Oscar de Muriel has created a brilliant series and this addition is spectacular with its atmospheric air of creepiness and menace, where the locals are beholden to and loyal to the Kolomans, irrespective of what the family may do. Frey and McGray are on their own, sorely tested to their limits, beginning to find they are slowly developing the capacity to trust and work with each other, although the comic banter is still there. McGray experiences the most debilitating form of sickness on the water, a prisoner of his primeval need to help his sister, and Frey must find the inner resources to fight the battle of his life. This is a wonderful and entertaining historical novel, with twist after twist, that had me totally enthralled. If you like horror in your Victorian crime fiction then this is a perfect read for you. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.
The privileged and wealthy Koloman family have a strong sense of entitlement, acting as patrons for vital services for the locals. Minerva does good works and provides medical services for locals, and Konrad Koloman engages in a range of disciplines from weather to medical knowledge. Their twin daughters, Veronika and Natalja, are beautiful, bohemian and drawn to their own areas of research and fashion, with the design and making of their own clothes. Dominik, the son, is arrogant, travelling overseas with his sleazy companion, Calcraft. Ben is set to inherit half of the Koloman estates and vineyards, leaving the Koloman siblings having to share the remaining half. There is motive enough for the family to regard Ben with ill will and disfavour, perhaps even entertain thoughts of murder. However, on the surface, all seems well, Ben is welcomed with open arms and embraced by the entire family. The murder of an incompetent and reviled man in odd circumstances results in McGray and Frey locking up 3 suspects in the Koloman home with tensions rising as they await the arrival of police support. The poverty stricken and cursed Nellys rely on the charity of the Kolomans to survive, residing on Juniper Island, infested with blood sucking bats and the location of the miraculous well with healing waters. McGray and Frey find themselves out of their depths in an area where legends, folklore, witchcraft, paganism and horror proliferate, nothing and no-one is as they seem.
Oscar de Muriel has created a brilliant series and this addition is spectacular with its atmospheric air of creepiness and menace, where the locals are beholden to and loyal to the Kolomans, irrespective of what the family may do. Frey and McGray are on their own, sorely tested to their limits, beginning to find they are slowly developing the capacity to trust and work with each other, although the comic banter is still there. McGray experiences the most debilitating form of sickness on the water, a prisoner of his primeval need to help his sister, and Frey must find the inner resources to fight the battle of his life. This is a wonderful and entertaining historical novel, with twist after twist, that had me totally enthralled. If you like horror in your Victorian crime fiction then this is a perfect read for you. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.
July 9, 2018
There's nothing like coming home from a relaxing vacation to find a book you had been impatiently waiting for in your mailbox. Since "The Strings of Murder" (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), I've been a huge Oscar de Muriel fan and I gleefully anticipate each new Frey and McGray adventure. I just can't resist a well-crafted, suspenseful and entertaining Gothic mystery.
This new investigation of my favorite detective duo since Holmes and Watson takes us to a very remote region of Scotland, the (alas, fictional) Loch Maree. At first, because of the Loch, I anticipated a plesiosaurus story, but what I ended up getting was even better - and creepier! Miss Fletcher comes begging for McGray’s aid in investigating the death threats against the son she gave away for adoption when she was sixteen, by promising him what he would do anything to find: a cure for his sister Pansy’s madness. Indeed, legend has it that on a small isle in the middle of Loch Maree, near Miss Fletcher’s employers’ mansion, is a spring of healing water that can cure anything. Such a proposition is impossible to refuse for McGray, and Ian Frey is unwillingly dragged to this isolated region, his visiting uncle Maurice in tow. When they get to the Koloman mansion, they meet the eccentric family that has unofficially ruled the region for years; they are very kind and welcoming, but something about them nags at the corner of Frey’s mind - and tragic events begin to unfold at an alarming rate...
Each new Frey and McGray novels strengthens the unlikely bond between the two inspectors, who are, as mentioned in a previous review, the Mulder and Scully of Victorian Scotland. And while convoluted, this is probably my favorite of the series so far (with the possible exception of the very first book). Their development, both as characters and as friends, goes further than in the other books, revealing new sides of their personalities. De Muriel writes beautifully, uses foreshadowing at exactly the right spots to keep me glued to the page and throws in strange and unnerving elements with perfect tempo. I honestly never saw the dénoument coming, my brain working to figure out what the hell was the deal with the deer skulls and the wine and the prisms and the bats: I finally stopped trying and just enjoyed the frenetic pace of the last fifty pages.
The epilogue of “The Loch of the Dead” concludes on a hook that will keep me impatiently waiting for the fifth Frey and McGray novel. Oscar, never stop writing these!
This new investigation of my favorite detective duo since Holmes and Watson takes us to a very remote region of Scotland, the (alas, fictional) Loch Maree. At first, because of the Loch, I anticipated a plesiosaurus story, but what I ended up getting was even better - and creepier! Miss Fletcher comes begging for McGray’s aid in investigating the death threats against the son she gave away for adoption when she was sixteen, by promising him what he would do anything to find: a cure for his sister Pansy’s madness. Indeed, legend has it that on a small isle in the middle of Loch Maree, near Miss Fletcher’s employers’ mansion, is a spring of healing water that can cure anything. Such a proposition is impossible to refuse for McGray, and Ian Frey is unwillingly dragged to this isolated region, his visiting uncle Maurice in tow. When they get to the Koloman mansion, they meet the eccentric family that has unofficially ruled the region for years; they are very kind and welcoming, but something about them nags at the corner of Frey’s mind - and tragic events begin to unfold at an alarming rate...
Each new Frey and McGray novels strengthens the unlikely bond between the two inspectors, who are, as mentioned in a previous review, the Mulder and Scully of Victorian Scotland. And while convoluted, this is probably my favorite of the series so far (with the possible exception of the very first book). Their development, both as characters and as friends, goes further than in the other books, revealing new sides of their personalities. De Muriel writes beautifully, uses foreshadowing at exactly the right spots to keep me glued to the page and throws in strange and unnerving elements with perfect tempo. I honestly never saw the dénoument coming, my brain working to figure out what the hell was the deal with the deer skulls and the wine and the prisms and the bats: I finally stopped trying and just enjoyed the frenetic pace of the last fifty pages.
The epilogue of “The Loch of the Dead” concludes on a hook that will keep me impatiently waiting for the fifth Frey and McGray novel. Oscar, never stop writing these!
April 22, 2021
For English version please scroll down
*******
Der vierte Band der Frey & McGray-Reihe führt unsere Detektive ganz in den Norden Schottlands.
Zu Beginn des Buches diskutiert Frey mit seinem Onkel Maurice seine Befürchtung, dass durch die Neubesetzung des Polizeichef-Postens vermutlich seine Dienststelle aufgelöst und er arbeitslos wird. Als Leser fiebert man also mit und hofft ganz dringend auf eine günstige Entwicklung in dieser Sache.
Frey und McGray erreicht also ein Hilferuf aus dem Norden, dass der illegitime Sohn einer angesehenen Familie mit dem Tode bedroht wird. Die Tatsache, dass es dort in der Gegendf wundersames Heilwasser geben soll, dass gegen Wahnsinn hilft, führt natürlich dazu, dass McGray sofort Feuer und Flamme ist.
Unsere Helden reisen also gen Norden, begleitet von Freys Onkel Maurice, einem sehr charmanten aber auch oberflächlichen und nichtsnutzigem Weiberhelden und High Society-Trottel.
Vor Ort brauchen sie unüblich lange, um die tatsächlichen Verhältnisse zu begreifen, da die Wahrheit äußerst geschickt vor ihnen verborgen wird.
Dieser Band aus der Reihe ist der bisher grusligste und zudem außerordentlich spannend. Ein absolutes Muss für Freunde viktorianischer Krimis (und auch die, die es werden wollen).
Ich vergebe begeisterte 5 Sterne.
--------------------------
The fourth volume in the Frey & McGray series takes our detectives all the way to the north of Scotland.
At the beginning of the book, Frey discusses with his uncle Maurice his fears that the unavoidable replacement of the police chief will probably close down his department and send him off to unemployment. As a reader, one is immediately concerned and hopes very urgently for a favorable development in this matter.
Frey and McGray receive a cry for help from up north that the illegitimate son of a respected family is threatened with death. The fact that there is supposed to be miraculous healing water in the area that helps against madness naturally means that McGray is spontaneously motivated.
So our heroes travel north, accompanied by Frey's uncle Maurice, a very charming but also superficial and useless womanizer and high society victim.
On site they need an unusually long time to understand the actual circumstances, as the truth is very cleverly hidden from them.
This volume is the scariest so far and also extremely suspenseful. An absolute must for fans of Victorian crime novels.
I enthusiastically rate with 5 stars.
*******
Der vierte Band der Frey & McGray-Reihe führt unsere Detektive ganz in den Norden Schottlands.
Zu Beginn des Buches diskutiert Frey mit seinem Onkel Maurice seine Befürchtung, dass durch die Neubesetzung des Polizeichef-Postens vermutlich seine Dienststelle aufgelöst und er arbeitslos wird. Als Leser fiebert man also mit und hofft ganz dringend auf eine günstige Entwicklung in dieser Sache.
Frey und McGray erreicht also ein Hilferuf aus dem Norden, dass der illegitime Sohn einer angesehenen Familie mit dem Tode bedroht wird. Die Tatsache, dass es dort in der Gegendf wundersames Heilwasser geben soll, dass gegen Wahnsinn hilft, führt natürlich dazu, dass McGray sofort Feuer und Flamme ist.
Unsere Helden reisen also gen Norden, begleitet von Freys Onkel Maurice, einem sehr charmanten aber auch oberflächlichen und nichtsnutzigem Weiberhelden und High Society-Trottel.
Vor Ort brauchen sie unüblich lange, um die tatsächlichen Verhältnisse zu begreifen, da die Wahrheit äußerst geschickt vor ihnen verborgen wird.
Dieser Band aus der Reihe ist der bisher grusligste und zudem außerordentlich spannend. Ein absolutes Muss für Freunde viktorianischer Krimis (und auch die, die es werden wollen).
Ich vergebe begeisterte 5 Sterne.
--------------------------
The fourth volume in the Frey & McGray series takes our detectives all the way to the north of Scotland.
At the beginning of the book, Frey discusses with his uncle Maurice his fears that the unavoidable replacement of the police chief will probably close down his department and send him off to unemployment. As a reader, one is immediately concerned and hopes very urgently for a favorable development in this matter.
Frey and McGray receive a cry for help from up north that the illegitimate son of a respected family is threatened with death. The fact that there is supposed to be miraculous healing water in the area that helps against madness naturally means that McGray is spontaneously motivated.
So our heroes travel north, accompanied by Frey's uncle Maurice, a very charming but also superficial and useless womanizer and high society victim.
On site they need an unusually long time to understand the actual circumstances, as the truth is very cleverly hidden from them.
This volume is the scariest so far and also extremely suspenseful. An absolute must for fans of Victorian crime novels.
I enthusiastically rate with 5 stars.
November 22, 2023
Because of the genocide taking place in Gaza, Palestine, I am in no mood for reviewing the books I read.
So my next reads will be just rated and if the situation gets better, I might do it.
Thank you for understanding.
So my next reads will be just rated and if the situation gets better, I might do it.
Thank you for understanding.
January 11, 2024
Este es el cuarto libro de la saga de los inspectores Frey y McGray, pero para mí fué el primero.
Un thriller que se desarrolla en la época victoriana y que nos presenta a una rica familia, los Koloman , formada por el Sr. y la Sra Koloman, las gemelas, un hijo. ( los tres ya jóvenes) y un tío queabuso de una de sus criadas, y ella quedo embarazada y la familia la convence de que entregue al niño al nacer a un cura para que lo cuide y eduque en otro lugar.
La novela inicia cuando el tio muere ( 16 años despues del nacimiento del niño )y en su testamento decide reconocer al niño , el cual heredará la mitad de todo el dinero de la familia. Pero antes de que este llegue a la casa familiar reciben un mensaje amenazando la vida del jóven y es por esto que Frey y McGray se ven involucrados para protegerlo y posteriormente para investigar una serie de asesinatos .
La trama es muy ágil y cada vez que piensas que ya sabes quien es el asesino, resulta ser que no es. Es un libro que se lee rápidamente y se disfruta mucho.
Un thriller que se desarrolla en la época victoriana y que nos presenta a una rica familia, los Koloman , formada por el Sr. y la Sra Koloman, las gemelas, un hijo. ( los tres ya jóvenes) y un tío queabuso de una de sus criadas, y ella quedo embarazada y la familia la convence de que entregue al niño al nacer a un cura para que lo cuide y eduque en otro lugar.
La novela inicia cuando el tio muere ( 16 años despues del nacimiento del niño )y en su testamento decide reconocer al niño , el cual heredará la mitad de todo el dinero de la familia. Pero antes de que este llegue a la casa familiar reciben un mensaje amenazando la vida del jóven y es por esto que Frey y McGray se ven involucrados para protegerlo y posteriormente para investigar una serie de asesinatos .
La trama es muy ágil y cada vez que piensas que ya sabes quien es el asesino, resulta ser que no es. Es un libro que se lee rápidamente y se disfruta mucho.
May 27, 2018
How I love Frey and McGray and it's great to see them return for another mystery. As usual, there's a hint of something strange and curious going on, and these are not your 'normal' murders. I loved the setting in the north of Scotland and the story is fantastic, revealing itself in the most unexpected ways. One of the very best Victorian mystery series, for sure. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
May 5, 2018
First of all I would just like to say a huge thank you to Oscar de Muriel the author for sending me an advanced copy of the book. Being such a huge fan of the series it was a marvel and a privilege to be trusted and given this opportunity I cannot say thank you enough hopefully I can be so lucky for the next book.
This has to be one of the best crime mystery thriller story I’ve read in years up there with the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and I’ve said it since the strings of murder and I still believe that statement to be true with this the 5th book in the series.
Now first of all I have to say that the author just gets better and better with each book like a fine tasty wine. Not to say the others haven’t been great they were fantastic a true classic of the modern age well to me anyway. To be able to read a book with characters and a world that you already know so well and to still be surprised to learn new things about it when you thought you already knew everything so far is a beautiful surprise for any fan of this series.
As for this story well having not long finished the book I’m still recovering from one of the best ending’s to a book i have ever read. Now don’t you worry you won’t get any spoilers from me I’ll just say this, any fan of this series will know that the authors endings to his past Novels are like twisters they pull you in, grip you tight, and doesn’t spit you out till it’s ready and had its fun with you. And like all his past novels I was sucked in straight away like a warm coat on a cold day it felt right, it felt good and I learnt how much I really missed Fray & McGray so much so it felt like meeting old friends after years apart.
The story picks up almost a week after the events of the last novel and I for one thought that both the detectives deserved a break for a while I was wrong as they were forced straight into a new case and one they will wish they never had taken. Now I don’t want to go into specifics of the story as I don’t like spoilers and want people to go into this story blind only knowing the title of the book and the blurb on the back. So what I will say about this case that is thrust upon them and the reader is that it takes place mostly in the Scottish highlands and that it tests the detectives and in some respects the reader to their limit in trying to solve the case.
There are so many twists and turns to this case and the overall mystery that you can tell a lot of thought and planning went into the planning stages of the case when it came to writing it so bravo! to the author for that one as he sure fooled me, to a point I must add I’ve read that many mystery novels I saw things starting to emerge before I was meant to. But none the less there was still moments in the book that I didn’t see coming and was greatly surprised about so again like the past 4 books in the series Oscar de Muriel I have to say has once again surprised me the writing is top notch which I never doubted.
The character building is amazing the characters that we already know we learn more about and then we get new characters the kolomans who are great additions into this world. And I’ve already mentioned on how great this story is so great in fact that it takes my number 2 choice in my ranking of the stories so far.
1. A fever of the blood
2. The loch of the dead
3. Strings of murder
4. A mask of shadows
And it was hard to place it there because of my love for the first book even now I think that maybe it’s a joint second either way I loved this book and I can’t wait for the next one whenever it comes I just hope sooner rather than later.
This has to be one of the best crime mystery thriller story I’ve read in years up there with the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and I’ve said it since the strings of murder and I still believe that statement to be true with this the 5th book in the series.
Now first of all I have to say that the author just gets better and better with each book like a fine tasty wine. Not to say the others haven’t been great they were fantastic a true classic of the modern age well to me anyway. To be able to read a book with characters and a world that you already know so well and to still be surprised to learn new things about it when you thought you already knew everything so far is a beautiful surprise for any fan of this series.
As for this story well having not long finished the book I’m still recovering from one of the best ending’s to a book i have ever read. Now don’t you worry you won’t get any spoilers from me I’ll just say this, any fan of this series will know that the authors endings to his past Novels are like twisters they pull you in, grip you tight, and doesn’t spit you out till it’s ready and had its fun with you. And like all his past novels I was sucked in straight away like a warm coat on a cold day it felt right, it felt good and I learnt how much I really missed Fray & McGray so much so it felt like meeting old friends after years apart.
The story picks up almost a week after the events of the last novel and I for one thought that both the detectives deserved a break for a while I was wrong as they were forced straight into a new case and one they will wish they never had taken. Now I don’t want to go into specifics of the story as I don’t like spoilers and want people to go into this story blind only knowing the title of the book and the blurb on the back. So what I will say about this case that is thrust upon them and the reader is that it takes place mostly in the Scottish highlands and that it tests the detectives and in some respects the reader to their limit in trying to solve the case.
There are so many twists and turns to this case and the overall mystery that you can tell a lot of thought and planning went into the planning stages of the case when it came to writing it so bravo! to the author for that one as he sure fooled me, to a point I must add I’ve read that many mystery novels I saw things starting to emerge before I was meant to. But none the less there was still moments in the book that I didn’t see coming and was greatly surprised about so again like the past 4 books in the series Oscar de Muriel I have to say has once again surprised me the writing is top notch which I never doubted.
The character building is amazing the characters that we already know we learn more about and then we get new characters the kolomans who are great additions into this world. And I’ve already mentioned on how great this story is so great in fact that it takes my number 2 choice in my ranking of the stories so far.
1. A fever of the blood
2. The loch of the dead
3. Strings of murder
4. A mask of shadows
And it was hard to place it there because of my love for the first book even now I think that maybe it’s a joint second either way I loved this book and I can’t wait for the next one whenever it comes I just hope sooner rather than later.
May 31, 2018
Wow wow and wow. This is the best ever in the series. My love for Frey and McGray just keeps getting deeper.Full review to come. Best book I've read this year!
I was sent an early copy of this book from Oscar de Muriel via his publishers for my independent honest review.
I have read and thoroughly enjoyed the first three in the Frey and McGray series and then along comes book four which in my opinion takes this authors writing to another level. It is an accomplished and expertly researched historical crime fiction with twist after twist.
I have always enjoyed the characters of Inspector's Frey and McGray. One the proper gentleman from London whose a stickler for correct police procedure and in complete contrast 'Nine nails McGray' who is bolshy rude and has no scruples. Minor characters are also very real and believable.
What is also special about this book is the cleverly interweaving plotlines that have you hooked from the beginning and by the middle and end have you sitting on the edge of your seats. If you want blood,bats, folklore and a touch of gothic mixed in with crime and my favourite police duo then this is certainly the book for you.
I think it is ok to read this as a standalone, however you will not get the full flavour of this series if you miss the other three. Best book I've read this year for plot,characters,suspense and wow ending
I was sent an early copy of this book from Oscar de Muriel via his publishers for my independent honest review.
I have read and thoroughly enjoyed the first three in the Frey and McGray series and then along comes book four which in my opinion takes this authors writing to another level. It is an accomplished and expertly researched historical crime fiction with twist after twist.
I have always enjoyed the characters of Inspector's Frey and McGray. One the proper gentleman from London whose a stickler for correct police procedure and in complete contrast 'Nine nails McGray' who is bolshy rude and has no scruples. Minor characters are also very real and believable.
What is also special about this book is the cleverly interweaving plotlines that have you hooked from the beginning and by the middle and end have you sitting on the edge of your seats. If you want blood,bats, folklore and a touch of gothic mixed in with crime and my favourite police duo then this is certainly the book for you.
I think it is ok to read this as a standalone, however you will not get the full flavour of this series if you miss the other three. Best book I've read this year for plot,characters,suspense and wow ending
October 20, 2021
Should I give this book 5 stars measured by how I usually rate books?
Objectively: No.
Subjectively (mild spoilers): It’s set in the Highlands, it has a character who rolls cigarettes from pages of a bible for the *aesthetic*, gnc women, 19th century science-fiction / horror novel vibes, a great cast all together and people (this included myself) get fucked up really badly I mean WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?
Objectively: No.
Subjectively (mild spoilers): It’s set in the Highlands, it has a character who rolls cigarettes from pages of a bible for the *aesthetic*, gnc women, 19th century science-fiction / horror novel vibes, a great cast all together and people (this included myself) get fucked up really badly I mean WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?
August 19, 2024
Ich hab es dann bis 2 Uhr morgens gelesen um es zu beenden. 🤪 war spannend aber auch wirr zum Ende. Ich glaub auch das da was nicht stimmt LOL die Verwandtschaftsgrade etc … und warum jetzt alle daran litten
Bin zu müde um es auseinanderzunehmen 😂 aber es hat mich Entertained !
Sehr schaurig.
Hörbuch Sprecher Günter Merlau macht einen super Job!
Bin zu müde um es auseinanderzunehmen 😂 aber es hat mich Entertained !
Sehr schaurig.
Hörbuch Sprecher Günter Merlau macht einen super Job!
February 14, 2020
Geschmacksache. Nette, unterhaltsame Lektüre. Harmlos, wenn es nicht stört, dass Menschen der viktorianischen Zeit sprechen, fühlen und handeln als lebten sie in der Moderne. Zum Ende kommt die Handlung dann arg unter die Räder. In einem Wort: Geschmacksache.
April 17, 2018
Visit the locations in the novel
This writer just gets better and better
A ten star read - full of meat, blood, bats and a mysterious Scottish island
Oh and some of the funniest lines in a book - you might not want to eat "blasted herrings" ever again! Oh and the Scottish humour, the banter between the Frey and McGrey - I had tears streaming down my face.
Then BAM! out of the darkness came the gothic and dark tones.
The mix of all this books ingredients is very moreish. Gothically, deliciously moreish.
Blood sucking brilliant!! Highly recommended
January 3, 2021
Grandios! Für mich bislang das beste Buch der Serie, spannend von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite.
February 28, 2020
3,5. Was een beetje een vergezocht verhaal, maar ik blijf fan van dit duo ☺️
October 17, 2019
The Loch of the Dead is book #4 of the Frey & McGray series of novels by Oscar de Muriel. The Inspectors are approached by a woman who pleads for their help in securing the safety of her son, with the promise of a cure for McGray's mentally ill sister. The duo leave Edinburgh, Scotland for a remote island in Loch Maree.
"...I skimmed through the first pages, full of regional maps.
'Edinburgh is certainly a long way from your home. You could have requested anybody else' help. Why did you come specifically to us? What does Inspector McGray have to do with-'
'I can offer him something in return,' she interrupted, leaning forward , resting her elbows on her knees. There was a hint of a smirk on her face.
'Miss Fletcher, a police inspector will not bargain for services. We-'
'I can help his little sister,' she spluttered in a deep voice. 'I know how to cure Miss McGray..."
A young heir to a vast wine estate receives a death threat and Inspectors Frey and Nine-Nails McGray travel to the remote and secluded Loch Maree, the site of an ancient burial ground and now the estate of the mysterious Koloman family. But even before they arrive, the young heir's guardian is murdered and the Inspectors realize there is much more happening on Loch Maree than they were led to believe.
The young man, Benjamin, is the bastard child of the Koloman family and will inherit half of the estate. A fact that would make the family the Inspectors main suspects in the threat to his life and the murder of Benjamin's guardian. But upon their arrival there is another murder, the Constable of Loch Maree is found hung upside down and bled out. What the Inspectors learn is that there is a connection between the rich Koloman family and the destitute Nelapsi family living on one of the smaller islands in the Loch. An island that may hold the secret to curing madness. The waters of which, McGray needs to help his own sister.
But what is the secret of the Nelapsi family and their small island, and what of the bats that feed constantly upon the livestock there. Bats that are not indigenous to the Loch. What is the link between the bats, the Nelapsis, and the Koloman?
Frye and McGray must dig deep, past the lore and superstitions of the people of the Loch and beyond the lies they are told by everyone. Even those they were brought to Loch Maree to protect. Before they become the next in the line of dead.
This is an entertaining historical mystery set in the misty remote islands of Scotland and overall a pretty good read. The play between the two Inspectors, verbal and otherwise is crisp and fun to follow. The rest of the cast of characters are written and developed quite well, each one honest and deceptive in turn, making the mystery behind Loch Maree intriguing. The author has a cadence and pace to the novel that drives it along and for a mystery that holds onto its truths until the very end, this one will keep the reader riveted.
A very entertaining read!
"...I skimmed through the first pages, full of regional maps.
'Edinburgh is certainly a long way from your home. You could have requested anybody else' help. Why did you come specifically to us? What does Inspector McGray have to do with-'
'I can offer him something in return,' she interrupted, leaning forward , resting her elbows on her knees. There was a hint of a smirk on her face.
'Miss Fletcher, a police inspector will not bargain for services. We-'
'I can help his little sister,' she spluttered in a deep voice. 'I know how to cure Miss McGray..."
A young heir to a vast wine estate receives a death threat and Inspectors Frey and Nine-Nails McGray travel to the remote and secluded Loch Maree, the site of an ancient burial ground and now the estate of the mysterious Koloman family. But even before they arrive, the young heir's guardian is murdered and the Inspectors realize there is much more happening on Loch Maree than they were led to believe.
The young man, Benjamin, is the bastard child of the Koloman family and will inherit half of the estate. A fact that would make the family the Inspectors main suspects in the threat to his life and the murder of Benjamin's guardian. But upon their arrival there is another murder, the Constable of Loch Maree is found hung upside down and bled out. What the Inspectors learn is that there is a connection between the rich Koloman family and the destitute Nelapsi family living on one of the smaller islands in the Loch. An island that may hold the secret to curing madness. The waters of which, McGray needs to help his own sister.
But what is the secret of the Nelapsi family and their small island, and what of the bats that feed constantly upon the livestock there. Bats that are not indigenous to the Loch. What is the link between the bats, the Nelapsis, and the Koloman?
Frye and McGray must dig deep, past the lore and superstitions of the people of the Loch and beyond the lies they are told by everyone. Even those they were brought to Loch Maree to protect. Before they become the next in the line of dead.
This is an entertaining historical mystery set in the misty remote islands of Scotland and overall a pretty good read. The play between the two Inspectors, verbal and otherwise is crisp and fun to follow. The rest of the cast of characters are written and developed quite well, each one honest and deceptive in turn, making the mystery behind Loch Maree intriguing. The author has a cadence and pace to the novel that drives it along and for a mystery that holds onto its truths until the very end, this one will keep the reader riveted.
A very entertaining read!
May 2, 2021
If you’re looking for a thrilling mystery, a gothic adventure, or even just something vaguely spooky, you definitely did NOT find it here.
this book absolutely dragged, and there’s very little gothic about it besides the 1 supernatural bit that’s ruined by pseudoscientific handwaving. you can tell the author tried bringing in gothic descriptive elements but it just feels like they were obsessed with trees.
the mystery was drawn out and labyrinthine to its own detriment; by the time the reveal came I wasn’t even invested enough to be surprised.
Author was VERY heavy-handed with the foreshadowing, it got really annoying.
Not to mention there’s a gay character that gets outed for seemingly nothing? seems weird for a book with protags so clearly derivative of (the increasingly homoerotic with each adaptation) Holmes-Watson to be using being gay as a negative plot point but maybe that’s just me lol. not to mention how queer the supernatural genre has literally ALWAYS been but I digress
They also make a point to keep talking about how fat a character is, and comparing her weight and size to really unrelated things. Felt like the author was trying to add humor or something but it fell really flat and I’m pretty sure the author just hates fat people
The plot is kind of a mess, the mystery goes beyond intricate and lands in overwrought, the supernatural bit doesn’t come in until the end and it’s over-explained to the point where it isn’t cool, the prose was repetitive and dry, the pov switches were silly, the epilogue was shameless “read my next book please!!”... all around glad this book was 50% when I bought it.
this book absolutely dragged, and there’s very little gothic about it besides the 1 supernatural bit that’s ruined by pseudoscientific handwaving. you can tell the author tried bringing in gothic descriptive elements but it just feels like they were obsessed with trees.
the mystery was drawn out and labyrinthine to its own detriment; by the time the reveal came I wasn’t even invested enough to be surprised.
Author was VERY heavy-handed with the foreshadowing, it got really annoying.
Not to mention there’s a gay character that gets outed for seemingly nothing? seems weird for a book with protags so clearly derivative of (the increasingly homoerotic with each adaptation) Holmes-Watson to be using being gay as a negative plot point but maybe that’s just me lol. not to mention how queer the supernatural genre has literally ALWAYS been but I digress
They also make a point to keep talking about how fat a character is, and comparing her weight and size to really unrelated things. Felt like the author was trying to add humor or something but it fell really flat and I’m pretty sure the author just hates fat people
The plot is kind of a mess, the mystery goes beyond intricate and lands in overwrought, the supernatural bit doesn’t come in until the end and it’s over-explained to the point where it isn’t cool, the prose was repetitive and dry, the pov switches were silly, the epilogue was shameless “read my next book please!!”... all around glad this book was 50% when I bought it.
July 7, 2018
The first thing that comes to my mind: maybe these inspectors were better off staying in Edinburgh. Just for general safety.
"D'ye think the worst's passed?"
"Yes, I think so."
He smiled. "Yer a fucking terrible liar, Percy."
- p.272-3
"D'ye think the worst's passed?"
"Yes, I think so."
He smiled. "Yer a fucking terrible liar, Percy."
- p.272-3
August 4, 2018
So far, this series has gotten better with each one. My favorite is the 3rd book. But I didn't like this one as well as the others. It was darker and did not have as much interaction between the two inspectors that I have come to love so much. Still a good read but doesn't quite live up to the first 3. I would give this one a 3.5.
September 18, 2019
Fantastic mystery, wonderful characters and writing. I'm just sorry I finished it so quickly, and now have a long wait till the next one in the series comes out. de Muriel just can't write them fast enough for me.
January 24, 2024
Historia victoriana y de tintes góticos, que constituye la cuarta entrega en la serie de aventuras de los inspectores Frey & McGray (opuestos como el día y la noche, pero agradablemente complementarios como protagonistas en sus diferencias), que no obstante aguanta bien la lectura como novela independiente.
Lo mejor de esta novela reside en la ambientación y en la vuelta de tuerca a las leyendas de vampiros, pero el desarrollo de personajes, más allá de los constantes principales, deja un tanto que desear, y así es difícil meterse de pleno en la trama. Una trama que es ingeniosa y entretenida, pero una vez más tengo que quitarle puntos al producto final por un tema de traducción.
Lo irónico del asunto, en este caso, es que el propio autor es el traductor del inglés al español... que no digo castellano porque, siendo de Muriel originario de México, los localismos de la lengua están muy presentes. Y, aún así, ello no sirve de disculpa para el pésimo trabajo realizado, y a lo mejor es cosa de dejar el trabajo de traducción a los profesionales, o al menos consultarles antes de publicar el producto final. Que no: que 'briza' en lugar de brisa no tiene perdón, con seseo o sin él...
Lo mejor de esta novela reside en la ambientación y en la vuelta de tuerca a las leyendas de vampiros, pero el desarrollo de personajes, más allá de los constantes principales, deja un tanto que desear, y así es difícil meterse de pleno en la trama. Una trama que es ingeniosa y entretenida, pero una vez más tengo que quitarle puntos al producto final por un tema de traducción.
Lo irónico del asunto, en este caso, es que el propio autor es el traductor del inglés al español... que no digo castellano porque, siendo de Muriel originario de México, los localismos de la lengua están muy presentes. Y, aún así, ello no sirve de disculpa para el pésimo trabajo realizado, y a lo mejor es cosa de dejar el trabajo de traducción a los profesionales, o al menos consultarles antes de publicar el producto final. Que no: que 'briza' en lugar de brisa no tiene perdón, con seseo o sin él...
May 5, 2021
De Muriel has done it again. He has taken a little known part of Scotland known as Loch Maree and woven an intriguing tale regarding the myths surrounding the area whilst incorporating, not only a crime but a suppressed family history and an undiagnosed disease which was unheard of in Victorian times. Ingenious to say the least.
This is the most interesting of the Frey and McGray series so far.
Most deserving of 5 stars.
This is the most interesting of the Frey and McGray series so far.
Most deserving of 5 stars.
September 23, 2022
McGray: No Fear
- Traveling by boats -
McGray: One Fear
- Traveling by boats -
McGray: One Fear
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2020
Im Bann der Fledermausinsel, Frey & McGray #4
O. de Muriel, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
❀ Cover ❀
Passen zu den vorherigen Teilen, ist auch dieses Cover in Weiß und Schwarz gehalten. Mir gefällt die Optik der deutschen Bücher sehr - deutlich besser als die der englischen. Ich mag grundsätzlich minimalistisch gehaltene Cover. Auch wenn mich die beiden Figuren auf dem Cover irritieren, da sie in meiner Vorstellung zu keinem der Charaktere so wirklich passen, aber wie dem auch sei.
♤ Story ♤
Die Geschichte beginnt zunächst recht interessant, nimmt dann allerdings leider etwas an Spannung und Fahrt ab. Zwischendurch war es ziemlich zäh für mich und ich musste mich echt am Riemen reißen, um das Buch nicht ganz wegzulegen, v.a. da ich zwischendurch andere Bücher hatte, die mich deutlich mehr interessiert haben. Naja. Irgendwann wurde es dann doch ein wenig interessanter und von Kapitel zu Kapitel auch wieder spannender, bis ich am Ende gar nicht mehr die Finger von dem Buch lassen konnte und etwa die Hälfte am Stück gelesen habe.
Frey und McGray verschlägt es nach Schottland, wo sie im Laufe der Geschichte einem mysteriösem Mord nachgehen müssen, nachdem sie dort eigentlich hingefahren sind, weil ihre Auftraggebering fürchtete, man würde ihrem Sohn etwas antun. So entwickelt sich parallel zu der ersten Geschichte eine zweite und es folgen immer mehr. Alles ist sehr verstrickt und irgendwann steht jeder im Verdacht, sowohl die Drohung gegen den Sohn geschrieben als auch den Mord begangen zu haben.
Ohne viel zur Geschichte und dem Ende zu sagen: Es wird natürlich wieder übernatürlich und dieses mal spielen Vampire - oder Menschen, die sich irgendwie wie Vampire benehmen - eine wichtige Rolle.
♢ Characters ♢
Neben den Charakteren Frey und McGray ist dieses mal auch Freys Onkel Maurice dabei und ehrlich gesagt frage ich mich ... wieso? Ich hatte zwischendurch wirklich den Verdacht, dass er irgendwas mit dem Mord zu tun hatte, weil er so eine wichtige Rolle eingenommen hatte. Also ... wenn man ihm schon so eine wichtige Rolle gibt bzw. ihn so in den Vordergrund stellt, dann hätte man das hier alles anders lösen können. Oder ihn ganz weglassen.
Es waren zudem sehr viele Charaktere und ich hate irgendwann Probleme mitzukommen, wer mit wem Verwandt ist (und glaubt mir, es geht viel um Verwandschaft). Ich hab das einfach irgendwann aufgegeben und versucht so zu tun, als würde ich verstehen, wer mit wem verwandt ist und wer was getan hat.
Dafür schon mal Abzüge in der Bewertung - es waren einfach zu viele Charaktere!
♧ Setting ♧
Das Setting ist glücklicherweise sehr gut gelungen. Beim letzten Teil der Reihe war ich enttäuscht gewesen, da mich das Setting da gar nicht angesprochen hat. Hier aber ist es düster, grusselig, einsame Inseln in Schottland, von denen eine ausschließlich aus Friedhof genutzt wird. Was will man mehr?
♡ Overall ♡
Alles in allem hat das Buch langsam an Fahrt aufgenommen und am Ende war der finale Showdown dann auf wenigen Seiten abgearbeitet. Das ist in den meisten Büchern so. Ich war lediglich ein wenig enttäuscht, da der erste Teil des Buches für mich eher langweilig und zäh war, dafür war der letzte Teil sehr fesselnd und ich wollte gar nicht aufhören zu lesen.
Nach dem vorherigen, für mich enttäuschenden Teil, war das auf jeden Fall wieder ein spannender Krimi und ich bin gespannt, wie die Geschichte weitergeht! Ich hoffe zudem, dass die privaten Hintergrundgeschichten - McGrays Versuch, seine Schwester zu heilen und Freys problematische Beziehung mit seiner Familie - wieder mehr Input bekommen, da McGray und seine Schwester hier zwar eine gewisse Bedeutung hatte, diese aber leider sehr in den Hintergrund gerückt wurde.
O. de Muriel, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ich habe das kleine Balg nie gewollt, dachte Millie, während sie auf das pausbäckige, liebliche Gesicht des Säuglings hinabschaute. Das Schwanken des Bootes hatte ihn in den Schlaf gewiegt. Sein kleiner Brustkorb hob und senkte sich im Rhythmus der Wellen, während der Kleine mit seinen dicken Fingerchen die zerlumpte Decke umklammert hielt.
❀ Cover ❀
Passen zu den vorherigen Teilen, ist auch dieses Cover in Weiß und Schwarz gehalten. Mir gefällt die Optik der deutschen Bücher sehr - deutlich besser als die der englischen. Ich mag grundsätzlich minimalistisch gehaltene Cover. Auch wenn mich die beiden Figuren auf dem Cover irritieren, da sie in meiner Vorstellung zu keinem der Charaktere so wirklich passen, aber wie dem auch sei.
♤ Story ♤
Die Geschichte beginnt zunächst recht interessant, nimmt dann allerdings leider etwas an Spannung und Fahrt ab. Zwischendurch war es ziemlich zäh für mich und ich musste mich echt am Riemen reißen, um das Buch nicht ganz wegzulegen, v.a. da ich zwischendurch andere Bücher hatte, die mich deutlich mehr interessiert haben. Naja. Irgendwann wurde es dann doch ein wenig interessanter und von Kapitel zu Kapitel auch wieder spannender, bis ich am Ende gar nicht mehr die Finger von dem Buch lassen konnte und etwa die Hälfte am Stück gelesen habe.
Frey und McGray verschlägt es nach Schottland, wo sie im Laufe der Geschichte einem mysteriösem Mord nachgehen müssen, nachdem sie dort eigentlich hingefahren sind, weil ihre Auftraggebering fürchtete, man würde ihrem Sohn etwas antun. So entwickelt sich parallel zu der ersten Geschichte eine zweite und es folgen immer mehr. Alles ist sehr verstrickt und irgendwann steht jeder im Verdacht, sowohl die Drohung gegen den Sohn geschrieben als auch den Mord begangen zu haben.
Ohne viel zur Geschichte und dem Ende zu sagen: Es wird natürlich wieder übernatürlich und dieses mal spielen Vampire - oder Menschen, die sich irgendwie wie Vampire benehmen - eine wichtige Rolle.
♢ Characters ♢
Neben den Charakteren Frey und McGray ist dieses mal auch Freys Onkel Maurice dabei und ehrlich gesagt frage ich mich ... wieso? Ich hatte zwischendurch wirklich den Verdacht, dass er irgendwas mit dem Mord zu tun hatte, weil er so eine wichtige Rolle eingenommen hatte. Also ... wenn man ihm schon so eine wichtige Rolle gibt bzw. ihn so in den Vordergrund stellt, dann hätte man das hier alles anders lösen können. Oder ihn ganz weglassen.
Es waren zudem sehr viele Charaktere und ich hate irgendwann Probleme mitzukommen, wer mit wem Verwandt ist (und glaubt mir, es geht viel um Verwandschaft). Ich hab das einfach irgendwann aufgegeben und versucht so zu tun, als würde ich verstehen, wer mit wem verwandt ist und wer was getan hat.
Dafür schon mal Abzüge in der Bewertung - es waren einfach zu viele Charaktere!
♧ Setting ♧
Das Setting ist glücklicherweise sehr gut gelungen. Beim letzten Teil der Reihe war ich enttäuscht gewesen, da mich das Setting da gar nicht angesprochen hat. Hier aber ist es düster, grusselig, einsame Inseln in Schottland, von denen eine ausschließlich aus Friedhof genutzt wird. Was will man mehr?
♡ Overall ♡
Alles in allem hat das Buch langsam an Fahrt aufgenommen und am Ende war der finale Showdown dann auf wenigen Seiten abgearbeitet. Das ist in den meisten Büchern so. Ich war lediglich ein wenig enttäuscht, da der erste Teil des Buches für mich eher langweilig und zäh war, dafür war der letzte Teil sehr fesselnd und ich wollte gar nicht aufhören zu lesen.
Nach dem vorherigen, für mich enttäuschenden Teil, war das auf jeden Fall wieder ein spannender Krimi und ich bin gespannt, wie die Geschichte weitergeht! Ich hoffe zudem, dass die privaten Hintergrundgeschichten - McGrays Versuch, seine Schwester zu heilen und Freys problematische Beziehung mit seiner Familie - wieder mehr Input bekommen, da McGray und seine Schwester hier zwar eine gewisse Bedeutung hatte, diese aber leider sehr in den Hintergrund gerückt wurde.
September 25, 2020
Oh! The boys have grown up a little. They actually worked together without ending in fisticuffs. This book was creepy and sad. I cried through the ending. It had a more serious tone and the setting was isolated and scary.
March 17, 2020
Klingt es jetzt sehr böse, wenn ich sage, dass der dritte Band mein Liebling war? Nicht? Gut! Denn böse ist es nicht gemeint. Auch diese neue Geschichte fand ich wieder sehr gelungen, besonders, weil sich McGray eingestehen musste, dass er Schwächen hat und dass manche Dinge einfach Humbug sind. Was aus dem Klappentext nämlich nicht hervor geht, ist, dass er den Fall hauptsächlich deswegen annimmt, weil man eine Möglichkeit auf die Heilung seiner Schwester erwähnt. Die Geschichte um seine Schwester ist vermutlich einer der Gründe, weshalb ich nicht empfehlen würde die Reihe durcheinander zu lesen oder erst später einzusteigen, da diese einiges an Raum einnimmt. Alternativ bestünde auch einfach die Option, dass Frey dezente aufgetaut ist und dem schottischen Kollegen immer mehr Paroli bietet. Manchmal fragte ich mich wessen Art denn nun eigentlich derber ist.
Ich musste etwas schmunzeln als ich irgendwann auf eine mögliche Lösung kam bzw. eine Spekulation über die Familie Koloman im Hinterkopf hatte. Es hat mich etwas gewundert, dass diese nicht bereits von McGray auf den Tisch gebracht wurde. Im Nachhinein würde ich behaupten, dass Frey in diesem Fall eine größere Rolle innehatte. Oder lag es einfach dran, dass McGray öfter nachgab? Das Zusammenspiel der beiden war zumindest viel harmonischer als sonst.
Die Atmosphäre war wieder sehr gut getroffen. Dem Vergleich der Landschaft mit bayrischen Bergen war ich sehr zugetan, denn ich liebe Bayern und nach „Long Way Round“, wo Ewan McGregor so ziemlich alles mit dem schottischen Idyll vergleich, war ich doppelt begeistert. Der Stil von de Muriel war wie immer sehr gut zu lesen. Witz, Charme und einfach spannende Unterhaltung. Zudem fand ich es sehr schön, dass er im Nachwort wieder einige Worte zur Auflösung bzw. den Hintergründen schrieb, um zu erklären, wie er wieder natürliche Dinge so darstellen konnte, dass man beim Lesen das Gefühl hatte, dass es dafür keine logische Erklärung geben könne. Einer der Dinge, die mich so sehr an der Reihe begeistern.
Fazit:
Ein absolut gelungener vierter Teil, den ich jedem nur wärmstens ans Herz legen kann.
Ich musste etwas schmunzeln als ich irgendwann auf eine mögliche Lösung kam bzw. eine Spekulation über die Familie Koloman im Hinterkopf hatte. Es hat mich etwas gewundert, dass diese nicht bereits von McGray auf den Tisch gebracht wurde. Im Nachhinein würde ich behaupten, dass Frey in diesem Fall eine größere Rolle innehatte. Oder lag es einfach dran, dass McGray öfter nachgab? Das Zusammenspiel der beiden war zumindest viel harmonischer als sonst.
Die Atmosphäre war wieder sehr gut getroffen. Dem Vergleich der Landschaft mit bayrischen Bergen war ich sehr zugetan, denn ich liebe Bayern und nach „Long Way Round“, wo Ewan McGregor so ziemlich alles mit dem schottischen Idyll vergleich, war ich doppelt begeistert. Der Stil von de Muriel war wie immer sehr gut zu lesen. Witz, Charme und einfach spannende Unterhaltung. Zudem fand ich es sehr schön, dass er im Nachwort wieder einige Worte zur Auflösung bzw. den Hintergründen schrieb, um zu erklären, wie er wieder natürliche Dinge so darstellen konnte, dass man beim Lesen das Gefühl hatte, dass es dafür keine logische Erklärung geben könne. Einer der Dinge, die mich so sehr an der Reihe begeistern.
Fazit:
Ein absolut gelungener vierter Teil, den ich jedem nur wärmstens ans Herz legen kann.
June 15, 2018
I always look forward to the new Frey and McGray novel, they always entertain, make me laugh and leave me wanting more, and book 4 is no different, I need 5 now.
Our intrepid Inspectors are helped to assist Millie Fletcher who works for the Koloman family (a wealthy family who live in an isolated area in the Highlands). As a young woman she was forced to give away her child, her son was fathered by one of the Kolomans and now the family want him to return as heir to his father's estate. However, her son's life has been threatened, and so she asks Frey and McGray for help, in return she has hinted at a mysterious cure for McGray's sister.
As always in the Frey and McGray novels, there are moments of high jinx as well as plenty of pace and a plot full of hints of the supernatural along with murder most fowl. There is nothing quite like the Oscar de Muriel novels in the crime genre, they are quite simply one of the best series out there at the moment.
Our intrepid Inspectors are helped to assist Millie Fletcher who works for the Koloman family (a wealthy family who live in an isolated area in the Highlands). As a young woman she was forced to give away her child, her son was fathered by one of the Kolomans and now the family want him to return as heir to his father's estate. However, her son's life has been threatened, and so she asks Frey and McGray for help, in return she has hinted at a mysterious cure for McGray's sister.
As always in the Frey and McGray novels, there are moments of high jinx as well as plenty of pace and a plot full of hints of the supernatural along with murder most fowl. There is nothing quite like the Oscar de Muriel novels in the crime genre, they are quite simply one of the best series out there at the moment.
October 26, 2020
Un lago en las Highlands escocesas, una mansión, una familia con mucho secretos y sangre, mucha sangre. Lo que parece un caso sencillo de protección a un joven heredero amenazado de muerte y que Frey y su tío se toman como unas vacaciones, se convertirá en una pesadilla de muerte donde el autor nos hace creer lo que no es y nadie es lo que parece. ¿O sí?
.
En esta ocasión el toque de humor correrá a cargo del tío Maurice y el pobre McGray, al que lidiar con dos componentes del clan Frey le supondrá demasiado 😅
.
Aún así, creo que es el libro más dramático de los que llevo leídos y también el más atmosférico: la niebla, las islas sagradas y sus secretos ancestrales envuelven toda la historia con un halo muy oscuro que lo hacen perfecto para este mes de octubre 😋
.
En esta ocasión el toque de humor correrá a cargo del tío Maurice y el pobre McGray, al que lidiar con dos componentes del clan Frey le supondrá demasiado 😅
.
Aún así, creo que es el libro más dramático de los que llevo leídos y también el más atmosférico: la niebla, las islas sagradas y sus secretos ancestrales envuelven toda la historia con un halo muy oscuro que lo hacen perfecto para este mes de octubre 😋
February 1, 2019
I love this series.
By no means is it 'high literature'. But it ticks so many of my boxes... I love detective mysteries, I love historical settings, I bloody LOVE Scotland, and hoo boy do I love a hint of the supernatural.
Plus I've had difficulty wanting to read so far this year. I've wanted a book that hooked me enough to resist the temptation of podcasts, and twitch streams, and YouTube etc. - when I saw this recommended to me, I knew this stood a great chance.
Even though I guessed a little of the twist fairly early on, it didn't really matter. The plot is complex enough, I think, that you aren't likely to guess it all. Besides which, if you did, it's so great seeing how Frey and McGray react to it all.
So glad I found this series through my library app - so looking forward to continuing to read more.
By no means is it 'high literature'. But it ticks so many of my boxes... I love detective mysteries, I love historical settings, I bloody LOVE Scotland, and hoo boy do I love a hint of the supernatural.
Plus I've had difficulty wanting to read so far this year. I've wanted a book that hooked me enough to resist the temptation of podcasts, and twitch streams, and YouTube etc. - when I saw this recommended to me, I knew this stood a great chance.
Even though I guessed a little of the twist fairly early on, it didn't really matter. The plot is complex enough, I think, that you aren't likely to guess it all. Besides which, if you did, it's so great seeing how Frey and McGray react to it all.
So glad I found this series through my library app - so looking forward to continuing to read more.
June 6, 2018
This is book four in the Frey and McGray series.
A woman pleads for help as her illegitimate son receives an anonymous death threat - right after learning he is to inherit the best part of a fortune. In exchange for their help, his mother offers McGray a cure for his sister who is locked in an asylum.
As McGray goes to collect the boy, his guardian is brutally murdered.
A fantastic historical fiction with a good dollop of paranormal.
I love this series, I've love the relationship/banter between Frey and McGray. This series just gets better and better.
A woman pleads for help as her illegitimate son receives an anonymous death threat - right after learning he is to inherit the best part of a fortune. In exchange for their help, his mother offers McGray a cure for his sister who is locked in an asylum.
As McGray goes to collect the boy, his guardian is brutally murdered.
A fantastic historical fiction with a good dollop of paranormal.
I love this series, I've love the relationship/banter between Frey and McGray. This series just gets better and better.
August 19, 2023
My favorite type of book - picked up on a whim at the library and once I started it was hard to put down. Murder mysteries with some supernatural/paranormal possibilities are always fun and this book made me laugh out loud regularly. A little confusing in some scenes, but a satisfying ending overall.
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