This is where it all started

The first in the DS McRae series and the reader is introduced to Detective Sergeant Logan McRae newly returned to active duty after a serious stabbing incident, which we learn a little about as the story proceeds. The bodies of a number of children are discovered, mutilated and sexually abused and in the gritty atmosphere of a dark and constantly rainy Aberdeen Logan must find the killer before the body count mounts. As in all Stuart Macbride books the humour is dark and the story at times bleak and difficult to read but equally unputdownable. The pace is very fast, characters introduced at every opportunity ( I particularly like Roadkill working for the council ensuring all the streets around Aberdeen are kept free of.....roadkill!) The somewhat obscene DI Steel plays a minor role but it's good to note that in later books she takes centre stage much to the annoyance of Logan McRae as her manners and attitude leave much to be desired. This is my second reading of Cold Granite and it is a great introduction to the wonderful writing style of Stuart Macbride and the harsh environment around Aberdeen situated in the Grampian region of North East Scotland.