Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I can’t believe that I am on book 10 in my Inspector McLean series catch up and that it wont be long before like all other fans I will have to wait patiently (ok not so patiently) to see what happens next. With each book you wonder just what will be thrown at him and how he will deal with it and still have his career survive.
When admin support staff member Anya Renfrew fails to turn up to work and no one seems to know where she is or how to get in touch with her it throws a major investigation into doubt and senior staff are in a complete spin on what to do. They don’t know how much she knew about the operation or why she has gone missing. Tony is called in to try to find the missing woman and hopefully get the investigation back on track, but you just know that this is not going to be simple and as he digs deeper it becomes clear that none of Anya’s colleagues really knew her and she had been leading a secret life that was far away from the person she portrayed at work.
This case certainly seems to have McLean and the team stumped, and the pressure being piled on from the top is not helping. Whilst Tony is convinced Anya’s disappearance has nothing to do with work others seem determined that it is and if everything goes pear shaped then it will be all his fault. His relationship with Emma is still not back on track but he is trying to make an effort and not let work always dominate his life and its these glimpses into Tony’s personal life that help make these books just that little bit more human, showing that even the best don’t always get things right.
Added to all of this Tony is dealing with his past again both good and bad that test his sanity at times and see him going against his better judgement to get answers. I loved the myth of Sawney Bean that runs through the book as it adds a creepy element to some of the chapters that may have your skin crawling but will at the same time have you wanting to see how it ends. This has got to be my favourite book yet as the mix of the who and the why have you guessing right to the end and as the truth is revealed it will have you wondering once again who can be trusted.

Another thrilling tale from James Oswald. Always keeps me hooked from start to finish and this novel was no exception. Tense and exciting throughout

The 10th book in the Inspector McLean series and this did not disappoint.

Again I loved the dark storyline against the Scottish backdrop.

This could be read as a standalone but I personally have now read the previous books as the storyline has me hooked.

Already looking forward to the next instalment. 4.5 stars

I love James Oswald’s books, and this new McLean book doesn’t disappoint. A civilian official has disappeared, and the team have to investigate both this and possible historical disappearances. The Edinburgh backdrop is an impressive part of the story, and James Oswald just gets better with each book.

Bury Them Deep is the tenth book to feature DCI Tony McLean, and they just keep getting better and better. You could read this as a standalone, but I’m a great believer in starting from the beginning as the accumulated backstory gives you a much more nuanced read.
Tony’s team are part of Operation Caterwaul, a multi-agency investigation into financial fraud involving some very influential people; security is of the utmost importance, and not even Tony knows all the details.
The most senior of the admin staff, Anya Renfrew, does not turn up for work. With her high security clearance, the senior officers fear that the operation is compromised. As a matter of urgency, Tony is given the job of finding her. This suits him fine as it gets him out in the field, doing what he does best, instead of having to focus on his neverending stack of paperwork.
From here on in, James Oswald skillfully weaves several plot strands together, and builds up to a truly shocking finale. Edinburgh is enjoying a period of unusually hot weather, which adds to the already strained atmosphere. There is always a sense of something ‘other’ in this series, and here it involves Scottish folklore, and local myths and legends. Anya’s car is found burnt out in a forest where other women are rumoured to have disappeared. Human bones are found after a forest fire. What transpires is more gruesome than anything you could have imagined.
Most of the story is told from Tony’s point of view; his narrative voice is what makes these books so enjoyable. He is a flawed human being, but an excellent, intuitive detective. I love his total disregard for the concerns of his media- and budget-obsessed superior officers. All the usual members of his team are there, and this enables you to immerse yourself in the story straightaway. I look forward to reading the next instalment in the story of Tony McLean.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of Bury Them Deep in exchange for an honest review #JamesOswald #BuryThemDeep #NetGalley

This is my review of Bury Them Deep by James Oswald. It’s the tenth book in the Detective Inspector McLean series which is set in Edinburgh.
Anya has been working for Police Scotland for twenty years when one day she doesn’t turn up for work. It has never happened before and couldn’t have happened on a worse day as there was a new combined operation starting with the NCA, Operation Caterwaul. After the preliminaries had been done to instruct the officers what they had to do, DCI McLean went to see his superior officer for another meeting. He just happened to mention that Anya hadn’t turned up yet when he was sent away with the instruction to find out why!
After a few hours with no news, DCI McLean and DC Harrison set off for the address that was in the personnel files. When they got there, it appeared that the original officers hadn’t done much checking of the address. McLean and Harrison had a poke around to see if there was a key laying around to gain entry but there wasn’t and after peering through the windows, the place seemed to be deserted. There wasn’t much in the way of furniture or of a lived in look, let alone that Anya had been there recently.
The next day with still no sign of Anya, DCI McLean interviews the staff at Police Scotland that have been working with her to see who might know anything about her. They have already interviewed the neighbours around the bungalow and learned a little bit more. She was turning into a little bit of a mystery woman which was quite worrying as no-one seemed to know much about her life or her movements. Then there was news of a burnt out car in some woods. It turned out to be Anya’s mother’s car but still no Anya. What was worrying was the remoteness of the spot where it was found, where could she be? Was she still alive? Was it related to Operation Caterwaul? Or something else?
This was a great book to read, such attention to detail and vivid descriptions. Had me gnawing my nails whilst reading. Love both the series from James Oswald.

As a huge fan of James Oswald’s Inspector Tony McLean series, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to be a part of the blog tour for book 10 in the series. It’s hard to believe we’re on book 10 already, but each new story is fresh, exciting and keeps on going from strength to strength with each one.

This latest instalment of the popular series finds DCI Tony McLean and his team in search of Anya Renfrew, a missing colleague whose burnt out car has been found in remote woodland. Tony and his team are in the middle of an anti corruption operation, which is likely to upset some very powerful people. So is Anya’s disappearance a direct result of their investigation? Or is there a far greater evil at work here?

The story is as well written, fast paced and gripping as always, with an underlying feeling of something more going on just beneath the surface that causes the hairs to stand up on the back of your neck. This is a dark tale that keeps you enthralled from beginning to end. With a cast of characters it’s always a delight to catch up with, Bury Them Deep is a worthy addition to what has become one of my favourite crime thriller series of all time. There’s always so much more to these stories than at first meets the eye and this one is no exception. Dark, thrilling and with a wonderful Scottish sense of humour running through it, I loved every word of this brilliant and gripping thriller.

James Oswald’s writing gets better and better with each instalment of this fabulous series, and I hope DCI Tony McLean and his team are going to be around for many more years to come. I would recommend this series of books to anyone who enjoys something a little bit different mixed in with their crime fiction. Simply superb!

Highly recommended and one of my favourite reads of the year so far.

There are certain things that will always manage to creep me out no matter how you package them. Zombies are one and the other is a major part of this book. Oswald really captures the obsessive nature, the call of the forbidden fruit aspect of it all and combines it with folklore that has been passed down through the ages.

As a character Anya has always drawn the short straw, well up until this book she has. Readers will know her as the go-to person for anything cyber related. She keeps herself and her life very private, and colleagues find it hard to relate to her because she doesn’t necessarily fit the stereotypical description.

In this book we get to learn a lot more about what makes Anya tick or rather what she does in her spare time to keep her ticking, which isn’t going to make life easier for her in the long run when everyone finds out. It’s hard enough being a woman in a certain environment without having to deal with salacious gossip.

Anya goes missing on the brink of the launch of a huge undercover operation, which puts the aforementioned on hold and begs the question whether she and it have been compromised. McLean is convinced the timing is a coincidence but that doesn’t bring him any closer to the truth about her whereabouts.

It’s a combination of police procedural crime and psychological thriller. The lines between the two become skewed the darker and more morally corrupt it becomes. When people cross the kind of boundaries that instantaneously put them in a completely different tribal bracket. There is most definitely a very noticeable boundary when certain lines are crossed – they ones who have and would again, and those who would never.

Oswald gets a wee bit darker this time when it comes to the storyline, atmosphere and characters. I liked this more evil and macabre element to the series. Overall this story shows how Oswald is honing his craft as he delivers an even better body of work this time.

#10 in the Inspector McLean series and it can be read as a stand-alone, but in my opinion you are missing out on a brilliant series. (I’ve read and listened to them all)…

In this, Anya, a civilian administrator for the police, has gone missing. Usually reliable and consistent this causes concern. So Detective Inspector Tony Mclean begins an investigation.

When Anya’s car is found burned out, things get more serious. As Mclean searches her home they find the quiet, sensible woman they know at work has a very different personal life.

There are rumours and stories of women disappearing in the same area over many years….are they true? Is something sinister roaming Gladhouse Woods?

Tony is contracted by Norman Bale, a man purporting to be his childhood friend, but also a murderer. What links him to these disappearances, if anything?

Tony’s personal life is tense too, with Emma quiet and fragile after their recent tragedy and Mclean isn’t sure how to help or deal with the emotions.

This is a fantastic read, it’s dark, gruesome and twisty, with some supernatural elements (as always) and great characters. Grumpy Bob is a real favourite

Mclean ends up in a dangerous situation, but will he be able to put an end to these disappearances once and for all? Utterly compelling and I loved every tension filled minute. Can’t wait for book #11.

Thank you to The publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest, unbiased review.

I have read the whole series but up until very recently I have read books 6,7,8 and 9 in short succession and can safely say James Oswald writes a story so well you can consecutively read book after book.

This 10th book finds DCI Tony McLean and the team in search of a missing colleague, Anya Renfrew. In the midst of an important anti-corruption operation, there is a chain of thought that Anya’s disappearance could be to do with the case.

Much of the series has a dark, supernatural element, this one steps back a little from the supernatural, but brings a story of macabre myths, sinister cults and rituals which is riveting and brooding

With all of the McLean series, James Oswald writes a captivating police procedural that is usually steadily paced and easy to read with a seasoned cast of likeable characters. - My favourite Grumpy Bob is here though in more of a cameo role these days.

The stories always have some humour to lighten up the gothic feel of Edinburgh and these often grisly tales.

This is probably my favourite book in the series so far. And that’s saying something.

Top rate crime writing from a master of his craft.

5🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

I’m a huge fan of this author, and this series, so I was incredibly excited to be sent an early copy of this book. Once again the author has written an intriguing, gripping and unique book which I really enjoyed.

It was fantastic to be back with the newly promoted DCI McLean and his team who I always love following on their investigations. McLean has to be one of my favourite fictional detectives as he seems so down to earth and a bit of a rebel as he continually breaks the rules. His team follow what I call old fashioned policing as they don’t just reply on forensics which is a nice change from other crime books. The author makes the investigation seem more real as he leaves in all the dead ends the team encounter and their frustrations with these.

As with most of this series the case involves a touch of the supernatural which gives the story a deliciously creepy, unpredictable feel. I wasn’t at all sure which way the story was going to go at times and this helped add to the tension in the book as well as my overall enjoyment. This part of the story is based on a Scottish Folk Take but if recommend not looking it up as you might figure out what’s going on!

This book drew me in from the start and the intriguing storyline kept my interest until the end. There are a few lines of investigation running alongside each other and I found it very interesting to see them all develop- some to dead ends. The ending was the fantastic, explosive kind that I’ve grown used to in this series and I found myself very satisfied with how everything finished.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Jenni Leech for my copy of this book.

When a member of the Police Scotland admin team fails to clock-in for work, concern for her whereabouts is immediate especially as a multi agency task force is working on a highly secret project. Then the discovery of her burnt-out car in remote woodland to the south of Edinburgh sets off a desperate search for the missing woman.
Is Anya Renfrew's disappearance a co-incidence or related to the case?
McLean's investigations suggest that perhaps that Anya isn't the first woman to have mysteriously vanished in these ancient hills. Once again, McLean can't shake the feeling that there is a far greater evil at work here.
This is the tenth book in the series, it could be read on its own but the whole series is so good I'd recommend reading from the start. I just love Tony with his gut feelings & disregard for toeing the line. He's still not fully comfortable with being a Detective Chief Inspector & would much rather be at the chalk face than facing paperwork. Another well written book that had me captivated from start to finish & the climax left me breathless. Roll on number eleven
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

My thanks to Headline Wildfire for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Bury Them Deep’ by James Oswald in exchange for an honest review.

This is the tenth in his highly acclaimed Inspector McLean series of police procedurals set in Edinburgh. I adore this series and was very pleased to be offered this opportunity to read in advance.

Anya Renfew is a longtime member of Police Scotland’s admin team. When she fails to report to work there is immediate concern especially as she is a vital member of Operation Caterwaul, a major new anti-corruption incentive shrouded in secrecy. Then her burnt-out car is discovered in a remote woodland setting off a desperate search for the missing woman.

McLean hasn’t been comfortable behind a desk since his promotion to DCI and takes every opportunity to investigate the case himself. He contacts Anya’s mother, Grace Ramsay, who is a long retired Detective Superintendent. Over many years Grace has been collecting information about women who have mysteriously vanished in these ancient hills. McLean has the feeling that there is a far greater evil at work in the area.

One of the hallmarks of the Inspector McLean series is the inclusion of elements of the supernatural, yet in an understated way. Here folklore and local legends associated with the woods are factored into the plot.

As always the writing was totally engrossing and I enjoyed finding out how the various recurring characters were getting on with their lives. It builds slowly and surely towards the kind of climax that had me on the edge of my seat hardly daring to turn to the next page. I read it very quickly, though this means a wait for the next book. Yet I do have a few of the earlier titles in the series waiting my attention.

Highly recommended novel and series for lovers of dark crime fiction that evokes the uncanny and folk horror alongside more traditional felonies.

I have said this before and I will say it again ... once more, this is a treat for crime fiction, with a hint of "other", lovers the world over ... Mr Oswald has provided yet another gripping story.

DCI Tony McLean is a Detective Chief Inspector and, as such, should not be on the front line of policing however, he just can't help himself particularly when a trusted colleague, Anya Renfrew, goes missing under suspicious circumstances. Is this connected to a massive multi-agency enquiry that is just about to get underway and which is so hush-hush, that most people involved don't know the full story? Was she just unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or is this connected to numerous missing persons cases that have remained unsolved for many years? When it transpires why Anya was where she was when she disappeared and her address is not where she actually lives, the mystery deepens.

It's clear that Tony is at his happiest when in the thick of things rather than sitting at his desk reading reports and directing operations and this theme is strong throughout the book. Mr Oswald is able to effortlessly portray the enthusiasm and passion Tony has for investigating and solving the apparently unsolvable crimes whilst trying to appease the top brass and having a life outside of the Police. This ability brings Tony to life and makes him believable and "human".

It's not just Tony who is brought to life, this book is littered with excellent characters ... Grumpy Bob, Norman Bates, Gav, Bobby, Professor Harriet Turner, etc., etc., etc. Ex Detective Superintendent Grace Ramsey was a particular favourite of mine who is described as "a slim, middleaged woman in a severe dark suit with a face like licking piss off a nettle" ... that one line caused a laugh-out-loud moment and conjured up an image that has stuck with me and one that captures a few people I know!! I will definitely be using that one in the future 😎

The opening chapter had me hooked and wondering what the heck it would have to do with a crime in the 21st century however, the subtly of how this was woven and developed into the story was excellent and had me thinking that it isn't something that's beyond what is possible in these times unfortunately.

This is an engrossing read and one in which I was completely drawn into and enjoyed immensely from start to finish and, once again, I am thankful to Headline and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.

DCI Tony MacLean returns in Bury Them Deep and it is another excellent dark crime novel from James Oswald.

A missing person, who is a key admin member of staff, is only the start of this multi layered book that is a very worthy addition to the series.

Set in and around Edinburgh this is one book you won’t want to miss.

James Oswald continues to deliver with the Inspector McLean series with the latest book. This one is certainly dark and pays homage to local Scottish legends in a modern setting. Edinburgh certainly has it's share of strange occurences, but the author always keeps the believability levels going.

Very enjoyable read - could not put it down!

Another great Inspector McLean novel, from James Oswald. With some very dark moments, supernatural elements, secret cults with gruesome traditions dating back.

Edinburgh is experiencing an unusually sweltering summer, school holidays are on, with bored children in the streets, the land is dry as tinder, as fires start, some from natural causes, some not.

McLean us involved in a highly secret, controlled investigation known as Caterwaul, a highly vetted, political sensitive investigation, partnered with the Americans and the National Crime Agency, involving the targeting of some major figures in the business world for fraud and money laundering.

A member of the team Anya Renfrew, normally reliable, a long serving member, fails to turn up at the beginning, fuelling some paranoia and suspicion. McLean is tasked with finding Anya, he doesn’t feel her not turning up is to do with the investigation. When interviewing her work colleagues it seems Anya is a very private person, no one knows much about her, she doesn’t live at the address the police have for her, then it becomes apparent that Anya has been living a secret double life. Her car is found burnt out in a remote area, an area that already has a sinister history of missing women, going back years.

The arrival of three American Tech billionaires, proves to be a security nightmare, along with a fire on the moors, which turns up dead remains some of which are recent. McLean finds himself in danger as he searches for the truth about Anya.

McLean also has to face the horror of meeting childhood friend and multiple murderer, Norman Bale, who resides in Bestingfield Secure Psychiatric Hospital, where he is incarcerated for life, it turns out he may have information on the missing Anya.

Also dealing with his relationship with his partner Emma, which is still in turmoil after recent tragic events.

An engrossing read, as usual from James Oswald, I have loved this series from the beginning and it just gets better.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #Wildfire for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest fair and unbiased review.

Hi,

My next review is as follows:-

"Bury Them Deep:Inspector McLean 10” written by James Oswald and published in Hard Cover by Wildfire on 20 Feb. 2020 464 pages ISBN-13: 978-1472249968

The book was one that once started was almost impossible to put down and I read it very quickly as it was a real page turner. I believe that this was the most thrilling book that the author has easily ever written.

When a member of the Police Scotland team fails to clock-in for work, concern for her whereabouts is immediate... and the discovery of her burnt-out car in remote woodland to the south of Edinburgh sets off a desperate search for the missing woman.

Meanwhile, DCI Tony McLean and the team are preparing for a major anti-corruption operation - one which may raise the ire of more than a few powerful people in the city. Is Anya Renfrew's disappearance a co-incidence or related to the case?

McLean's investigations suggest that perhaps that Anya isn't the first woman to have mysteriously vanished in these ancient hills. Once again, McLean can't shake the feeling that there is a far greater evil at work here...

James Oswald is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Inspector McLean series of detective mysteries. The first two of these, Natural Causes and The Book of Souls were both short-listed for the prestigious CWA Debut Dagger Award. Set in an Edinburgh not so different to the one we all know, Detective Inspector Tony McLean is the unlucky policeman who can see beneath the surface of ordinary criminal life to the dark, menacing evil that lurks beneath.

He has also introduced the world to Detective Constable Constance 'Con' Fairchild, whose first outing was in the acclaimed No Time To Cry.

This book was the best that I’ve ever read by this author for a long time as it has several plot lines going on at once and that made it almost impossible to put down until the final pages. Very strongly recommended
(Advance copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair review).

Really enjoyed this, I have been a little disappointed with the 2 previous books in the series as they included a lot of the supernatural in them. This gets back to more of the crime solving. There's still a bit of the unexplained in it but very enjoyable.