I admit I did gulp when I started this book and discovered there were 608 pages. I don't often read books that long, and I wondered how a murder mystery could possibly span that number of pages without being too slow or laboured. It wasn't, not at all. This was 608 pages of sheer enjoyment. MacBride isn't an author I'm familiar with. And I really like him. He can tell a tale with (dark and Scottish) humour (I did laugh out loud many times), articulately and skilfully. There wasn't one single point where I started to think, 'oh hurry up, already!'


It features some rather gruesome murders by a serial killer…all to be solved by the Misfit Mob: members of the police force who end up in this team as a result of an (alleged) misdemeanour or two. But, what a wonderful cast: an array of strong characters, all intriguing, believable, imaginable and entertaining for one reason or another. If I'm honest, the tying up of a couple of threads was a teensy, weensy (but really teensy) bit beyond the bounds of credibility, but my enjoyment of the writing, the plot, character banter shadowed it.

I was slightly more irked by some poor editing: not just little oversights but some bad grammatical errors and an editor (or two) who missed the class on colons. But again, I can almost forgive that because this is a cracking, riveting thriller.

I've read books, not quite a long as this one, where I've thought, 'I don't want this to end!' But here, despite my, 'gosh, this is long' at the start, I ended up happy I was in it for the long haul.

I'm not altogether sure that I've understood the local characters, but A Dark So Deadly is full of strange events, including what the locals eat and drink, and drink, and eat. Even with the book's maps it hard to figure out where the coppers are as they chase the bad guys. If you think it's a bit over the top to have references to Imhotep and other labels that suggest a room full of ice chests can be full of still-living people. Strong stomachs are preferred.

Such a cliché book, I am really starting to get bored of these 'recipe' detective books with limited originality.

Surprised to find this was a stand-alone novel but quickly found DC Callum MacGregor’s story just as gripping as MacBride’s Logan MacRae series. There are a few similarities- like Logan, Callum’s job involves the cases no one else wants and working with colleagues that drive him to distraction. The Imhotep storyline is as grisly as any of Macbride’s previous stories. Once again there’s a beautifully complicated plot, with aging rockstars, a cult children’s book, drug addicts, missing people and a gruesome revelation about Callum’s own mother. Brilliant ending too!

I'm not sure why it took me so long to review this book. I loved it! It had some hilarious dark humor and a creative murder mystery plot. Cullum is well written and hilarious as are the other "misfits". Rosalind is equally well written, with her attempting not to punch out anyone who gets out of line. The mummy murders just add to the hilarity! Would strongly recommend!

I really enjoyed this stand alone Stuart macbride book , tho it was not as good as the Logan series it was still a great fun read .

You can't help feel sorry for DC Callum MacGregor as the weather, feral children, his relationship, the case and unknown events conspire to make his life a misery. As with Billingham's Thorne, this only serves to drive him through the story to its completion, if only he'd already got to senior rank, he's stuck at DC and already in the professional doghouse

A good read. Not massively gripping but able to hold my attention throughout. Some very well developed characters playing their parts well.

Stuart MacBride is one of my favourite crime writes, an author I’ll pick up no matter what. The Logan McRae books are easily my favourite Stuart MacBride books, but I’ve had fun with all his work. Thus, I was eager to see what A Dark So Deadly would bring.

The take home message from A Dark So Deadly is that the Misfit Mob makes the cast of the Logan McRae books look downright professional. On many occasions throughout the Logan McRae books I have found myself shaking my head at the improbability of such a thing happening within the police force, but after reading A Dark So Deadly such moments seem tame. With A Dark So Deadly, Stuart MacBride pushes things as far as he can, pushing us to suspend our belief to the point where we’re almost unable to.

Despite how unlikely and downright outrageous parts of this book are, it’s very much worth the read if you’re a Stuart MacBride fan. This one contains all the things I’ve come to love so much about Stuart MacBride’s work – the gritty crime, the multiple layers to the story, the humour, the enjoyable characters, and a storyline that leaves you turning the pages in the hope of more.

From the very start, I was hooked. I was pulled into the story and unable to put it down until I worked out how everything came together. I admit there were times when this one seemed to drag a bit – it is, after all, a bit bigger than most of his work, and I feel as though some parts could have been cut down a bit – and there were also times when things were a bit predictable. However, this did not lessen my enjoyment. I remained hooked throughout, enjoying all that occurred.

In fact, I’d rather like to see another book following the Misfit Mob. A Dark So Deadly would be a great way to introduce us to another series, despite the fact it’s stated to be a standalone novel. If not a standalone, then perhaps an interlude in the Ash Henderson series – after all, we get plenty of nods towards the series throughout this one.

Whether A Dark So Deadly remains a standalone or ends up being the start of a new series, it is certainly worth the read if you’re looking for a gripping crime novel.

Firstly, this book was far too long for me. I'm glad that it was a stand-alone novel but 608 pages is a lot and I just felt like it could have been shorter. I felt my attention wavering in certain parts of the book, usually if I had tried to read a lot of it at once, but the plot always pulled me back in.

I did really enjoy the plot. Some aspects of it were completely unexpected and I think I laughed in places that I shouldn't have but some of the plot twists were a little bit absurd. It was also a really good crime novel but it I expected nothing less from an author like Stuart MacBride who is an established crime and mystery writer. The backstory of the characters isn't revealed right away, it's unveiled slowly so that you're always left wondering about certain details that have been revealed. It's a book that keeps you on your toes. I also really love the idea of the Misfit Mob, a place where police officers who are considered outcasts come together to form an odd little team.

I also really liked the main characters, especially Detective Constable Callum MacGregor who can't seem to catch a break. He's not really welcomed into the Misfit Mob and he doesn't have the best of luck in this book. All of this makes him an oddly likeable main character. The rest of the characters weren't necessarily likeable but they were relatable and they felt like real people. Each character had a strong personality and unique characteristics.

Overall, I really liked the book. I just felt like it was too long for me. I'd recommend it to fans of crime fiction and thrillers and I'll definitely be checking out more of Stuart MacBride's novels in the future.

I'm feeling somewhat divided by this book. On the whole, I enjoyed the story, but, there were a few niggles that ultimately spoiled the experience for me. I don't get the expletive of "Gah", I've never heard it spoken by anyone. But "Gah" and its various forms was used frequently and I felt it was meaningless and ridiculous. Also, I have no problem with an author using slang or local dialect, in fact it can add authenticity to a book. However, it cannot be assumed that everyone knows and understands the same. I would have appreciated some form of explanation; not providing one felt like a kind of arrogance. I liked Callum McGregor's character, but thought he was so maligned, and got accused far too frequently within one story of serious assault or murder. My final niggle was the whole thing was too long winded. I was at 94% and just couldn't be bothered to keep reading that night for the denouement. I turned my kindle off and went back the next night for the last 6%. I don't think I've ever done that before, usually I'm haggling with myself to stay up and read one more chapter. I thought the concept was good, it's the execution that lacks finesse.

ARRHHHH wrong review! Haven't yet got round to reading this book. Sorry.. Thanks to my NetGalley for my free copy.

This crime procedural will keep you guessing until the very end with many red herrings thrown in for good measure. The MC is absolutely hilarious despite the numerous calamities that are inflicted on him and I would like to read more books featuring him.

A Dark So Deadly ..... by Stuart MacBride

This book is absolutely bonkers!?! I’m still completely confused 🤷‍♀️ as to if it was well written or a waste of time.

Callum MacGregor has had better days, weeks or even months but one ( B A D ) decision changes his life.

There’s a serial killer on the loose, with a god complex. Mummified bodies are turning up left, right and centre. That bad decision that Callum made was to take the full for his girlfriend she cocked up a crime scene and to ensure she gets her maternity pay.

I’m sitting on the fence here.... torn on how to rate it. IT wasn’t bad but neither was it gripping.

What it did have :-
✅ interesting characters
✅ plot twist
✅ overly complicated plot
✅ opinionated characters
✅ gruesome deaths
✅ creepy child stories
✅ terrible song lyrics

Ok.... that decides it! 2.5 ⭐️ basically because I’m annoyed that it wasn’t better. It was all very disconnected..... and well extremely difficult to read in parts... here’s an example....

“You better believe I’m-a keepin’ it real, Cos there ain’t no reprieve when The Man makes you kneel, And I know you all grieve, but I’m gonna appeal, Got some tricks up ma sleeve an’ my will’s made of steel.  

Donny ‘$ick Dawg’ McRoberts ‘The Day Them F*ckers Done Fitted Me Up’
© Bob’s Speed Trap Records (2017)”

Yup. This didn’t really do it for me 😩

🔆 Received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review 🔆

Buried in here somewhere is the plot of a decent book, unfortunately it is about 200 pages too long. By the time I got to the end, I barely cared who the killer was.

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers, HarperCollins UK, for the opportunity to review an ARC.

I am currently developing a section of the school library that will present a diverse and eclectic range of contemporary crime and thriller novels. This genre has been so popular in terms of what is being borrowed, but I feel like the young people are sticking to 'what they know' in terms of titles or writers that they've already heard of or have seen their parents reading. My mission is to include more novels like this one and improve the range and diversity of fiction that they can choose from in order to expand their reading horizons. I absolutely loved this book. It kept me gripped from the very first page and without giving away any spoilers, was a dark, intense and satisfying journey. I think that the young people will love MacBride's distinctive voice as well as be gripped by the story and intrigued to follow it to its tense conclusion. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for intelligent, credible writing with a strong hook that won't let you go. Treat yourself to A Dark So Deadly

A gruesome story about the discovery of an ancient mummy that turns out to be not so ancient but in fact the work of a very much current serial killer should not be this funny. The story of perpetually down on his luck DC Callum MacGregor and the misfit squad is often gritty, occasionally icky, and sometimes tragic but every other sentence is punctuated by black humour. I'll be honest it took me a little while to get used to it and I thought I wasn't really engaging until Callum is well and truly dumped on - my indignation was so apparent my other half thought I was reading a true life novel! So yes it's safe to say I was very invested by that point. I have one criticism really which is I felt it was a bit too long for the story told. But all in all this is a dark tale of murder and betrayal which is laugh out loud funny!

Not for me this one. I’ve tried to get into it twice and just not enjoying it. I’m a fan of the Logan McRae series but could just not get into this

As a huge fan of this author I was really looking forward to reading this book but I found it was slow starter and struggled to stick with it. I am glad I did stick with it because it was a really good read and I could not put it down towards the end. Like other Stuart MacBride characters they were very likeable and easy to relate to but being set in the police there were some similarities with characters in the Logan McRae series but it was just as enjoyable as those books too.

Love Stuart MacBride and this one doesn't disappoint. A great, page-turning thriller to lap up. Some very strong characters and also humour which lightened the mood in contrast to the grim crimes being committed.