MURDER MILE

Murder Mile is the second book in the series to feature Detective Inspector Rob Brennan.  In this latest outing Brennan finds himself dealing with the brutal case of a young woman who has been not only violently murdered but also mutilated as well. The case is similar to a murder that took place years ago when Detective Inspector Gallagher was in charge.  The case remained unsolved.

As Brennan tracks down a serial killer he realises that not only does he have the case to contend with but he also has to deal with the fact that his boss and DI Gallagher want to take the case away from him.  To make things worse, his wife has thrown him out of the house and is making it has hard as possible for him to see his daughter. 

Murder Mile is not only a tight, well written and thought provoking hunt for a serial killer but it is also a novel that shows you the dark side of Edinburgh. Black’s descriptions may not fit what tourists have come to believe are the sights and smells of Edinburgh but they do pack a punch!  His characterisation is also one of the plus points of the book.  Being able to put yourself in the position of Brennan and to take in his thoughts as well generates an added sense of unease to the story that is welcomed.

Murder Mile is a well-paced police procedural that has a twist to the end that will leave you astonished at the ingenuity of it.  If you have not read any of the series featuring Brennan then start with Truth Lies Bleeding and follow it up with Murder Mile it will be well worth it.