In the Cold Dark Ground: Logan McRae, Book 10

Logan McRae, Book 10

By: Stuart MacBride

Narrated by: Steve Worsley

Length: 15 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

The new Logan McRae novel from the number-one best-selling author of The Missing and the Dead and A Song for the Dying.

Sergeant Logan McRae is in trouble.... His missing-persons investigation has just turned up a body in the woods - naked, hands tied behind its back, and a bin bag duct taped over its head. The Major Investigation Team charges up from Aberdeen, under the beady eye of Logan's ex-boss, Detective Chief Inspector Steel. And, as usual, she wants him to do her job for her.

But it's not going to be easy: a new superintendent is on her way up from the Serious Organised Crime Task Force, hell-bent on making Logan's life miserable; Professional Standards are gunning for Steel; and Wee Hamish Mowat, head of Aberdeen's criminal underbelly, is dying - leaving rival gangs from all over the UK eying his territory.

There's a war brewing, and Logan's trapped right in the middle, whether he likes it or not.

©2015 Stuart MacBride (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

Praise for The Missing and the Dead:

"Exciting...a guaranteed best-seller." (Literary Review)
"New Logan McRae novels are close to the top of my unmissable list, and yet again MacBride delivers. His chaotic cop hero is at his best. Superb storytelling." (Sun)
"Another from MacBride's fantastic series of Logan McRae novels." (Sunday Mirror)
"Stuart's meticulous research shows. At times it feels like you are sitting in the back of a police car overhearing conversations between real policemen." (Sunday Sport)
"Skilful storytelling...strong characterization...both intriguing and engrossing." (Laura Wilson, Guardian)
"The multiple plots move fast." (Independent)
"MacBride is the natural heir to the late and much lamented Reginald Hill." (Andrew Taylor, Spectator)
"MacBride is a damned fine writer - no one does dark and gritty like him." (Peter James)
"Fierce, unflinching and shot through with the blackest of humour; this is crime fiction of the highest order." (Mark Billingham)
"Some of the grittiest crime-writing in the field." (Independent)
"Admirers of tough, modern crime novels will be in seventh heaven - or should that be hell?" (Express)
"Ferocious and funny." (Val McDermid)
"Hard-hitting prose with a bone-dry humour and characters you can genuinely believe in, Stuart MacBride's novels are a real treat." (Simon Kernick)

Really good one

This one was my favorite so far. I like
The literary device of the protagonist talking to his girlfriend and then himself since that’s really what it’s always been and of course all things with the cat make me smile.

a good series

This is a fine author, these books have become a favorite of mine. Some involve subjects not to my liking - those involving the mob, for instance - which I cannot read seriously nor rate .... But I find the writing intelligent, humorous, tightly plotted. These are fine books for serious mystery fans.

Another Logan McCrae Gem.

I enjoy the fact that these stories aren’t formulaic or predictable, and Steve Worsley does a stellar job narrating. Can’t wait to read the next one.

A rather solid four stars

I read the reviews of one star and the five stars and tried to listen to the novel with an open mind. Some of the extreme criticism of the one star review seemed to be warranted, but not to the emotional degree indicated . The violence was borderline but the narrative was sound and the characters were first rate. I found the story to be a little too long. This is my first MacBride novel, I'll probably listen to others but not right away. I will need a little time before I tackle another one. I suggest the book be read if your looking for an in depth emotional roller coaster ride . Mike Dunn

The cold dark ground

Love this series but with thisbok mot particularly happy dith Logan Mcrae. Hope he redeems himself in the last book.

Stuart MacBride# is still the best!#

In the Cold Dark Ground is another another dark mystery# with so many layers it catches you and won’t let go. Tagsgiving# makes me laugh out loud. I think he writes in Scotland and it has to be cold and dark much of the time. But MacBride doesn’t seem fazed by it. His mysteries have solid characters that I’ve begun to love. The thread of the story stays strong# and once I start one of his books, I can’t let go!

another good book in the series

lots of loose ends tied up in this good storyline.... it'll be interesting to see what new characters pop up since a lot of the older ones have gone in different pathways.... a continued reality that is not present in most police procedures that has the good and the bad illustrated but in the end it's more good than bad. I'll be interested to see where our main character goes from this

Great

Loved every word. Maybe best of the series. Hope they keep coming.
Roberta Steele is gross but she keeps me laughing.
Emotional roller coaster.

MacBride Wraps Up Some Major Story Arcs

While MacBrides books can be at times painfully violent, if you can listen to the first scene then you too can become a McRae fan. In this book a lot of story arcs that had been going on for several books in the series get a wrap up-- and some others are introduced. That means it may not be the best place to start the series. However, I'm not sure if Audible has all of the unabridged books on the US site. You have to listen to them unabridged if you really want to appreciate MacBride's tartan noir.

There's a shake up in how characters are presented-- who would have guessed that Napier of Internal Affairs-- well, I'm not going to spoil this, but it's a surprise.

DI Roberta Steele has a very rough time in this book. But not as rough as crime boss Wee Hamish, who keeps trying to stave off a bloody struggle for his empire. Then there is McRae's girlfriend who has been in a vegetative state for the last few books. And poor old McRae as usual, who seems to rarely catch a break.

The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger-- but the type that whets your appetite about where the series is going next rather than the type that makes me want to jump up and down on my Kindle Fire.

Narration is excellent and adds to the story.

The characters are amazing

MacBride develops characters like no one else!!! Lumps and all ... Quite lumpy are his characters and they will make you laugh out loud. The narration is amazing and I can't imagine not listening to the books with the appropriate Scottish accent. My only regret is that the next book isn't written yet. MacBride always seem to finish the tale ....but leaves you wanting the next bit RIGHT NOW!!!! ... And that isn't happening and unfortunately I am as patient as Steel!!