I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for a review copy of No Place to Die. This is my first book from this author. A good read, great story, fabulous plot. Recommended.

A great read for fans of James Oswald and Tony Black, this slice of tartan noir is a gripping story, with twists enough to keep you guessing. Highly recommended..

I hadn't heard of this series before reading this novel, so I didn't know what to expect. But it works well as a standalone, and although the story took a few chapters to get going, it ended up fast-paced and addictive.

Ex policeman and now security adviser Connor Fraser returns in No Place to Die which is written by Neil Broadfoot.

The story takes a little while to warm up but once it hits its stride it is a fast moving crime thriller that kept this reader entertained throughout.

Whilst No Place to Die is not the first book in the series it can be read as a stand-alone without any issues and is a book I would recommend

Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Scottish-nor has long been 'a thing' but rarely have I heard Neil Broadfoot's name in this context. Amongst his peers, yes, but this same high esteem does not seem to have permeated the fanatical ranks of ordinary, everyday, lovers of crime fiction. 'No Place to Die' must be a game-changer in this respect. This is not just Scottish crime fiction at its best, but crime fiction at its best. Full stop. What grabbed me especially about this book was not only the obvious components that make up a great read - pitch-perfect plotting, an engrossing storyline, realistic characters and dialogue - but Broadfoot's naturally gifted storytelling, free of the gimmicks of many, lesser books of this genre. High-concept novels may be the stuff of a publisher's dream - a hook to draw in the fickle reader in a crowded marketplace of umpteen bestsellers, but there is still a preeminent place for novels of this type. In other words, a crime novel that values substance over style. Actually, 'No Place to Die' has both. With its crisp prose and gritty realism, this is one for the purists of crime fiction. This is the second book to feature Security Consultant Connor Fraser. A leading protagonist that has the potential to become an enduring character of crime fiction, it is up to Fraser and reporter Donna Blake, to unravel the hidden motives behind the gruesome death of controversial venture capitalist, Blair Charlston. All is not as it seems and it is up to the beautiful realised characters of Connor Fraser and the intrepid reporter, Donna Blake to unravel the secrets and lies behind the death of this polarising figure. With numerous hooks to literally die-for, Broadfoot delivers a superior piece of crime fiction, and I for one cannot wait to read more from this brilliantly talented author.

A brilliant example of a dark, Scottish police procedural. I've read the book that preceeded this one, No Man's Land also brilliant.

Neil Broadfoot is a very underrated Scottish author.

In this book venture capitalist, Blair Charlston, turned business guru hires an ex policeman, Connor Fraser, to act as security manager for an event he is hosting. Into this mix comes Donna, an investigative journalist. It is apparent fairly quickly that a killer has some interest in the event. Who are they and what do they really want? Can Connor prevent the bloodshed? And does the cause lie in Blair's past?

The book follows a straight time line in short chapters with punchy writing. I found the start intriguing. Almost immediately I found mention of the fact that there had been a previous book about Connor Frazer. I would have preferred to have known that prior to selecting this book. Initially I felt I was at a disadvantage however that faded as the book went on.

This is an action thriller type book in the main I guess. The pace was certainly good. However I didn't find the characters particularly deep in the main. This has a very contemporary feel to it and the writing is very crisp but it also feels as though it lacks depth at times. I guess in the end I found this rather ordinary though perfectly readable. For me it has something of a feel of Brookmyre's stories but I didn't find the characters as interesting or compelling.

Twisted,complicated story with lots of twists and an all action hero .Story moved quickly along with lots of threads,kept my interest.

Neil Broadfoot is certainly putting Stirling on the Scottish crime fiction map with a bang with this blood drenched and gritty follow up to No Man's Land, featuring ex-Belfast cop turned Sentinel security consultant , now promoted to Senior Director, Connor Fraser, a man with presence and a volatile temper which he manages mostly to make work for him. Returning with him is the ambitious Donna Blake, now a Sky News reporter, still in search of exclusives and the pragmatic DCI Malcolm Ford, denied promotion, willing to go against procedure by including Fraser in his investigations, knowing he cannot stop him getting involved and would prefer to have his valuable input. To understand the relationships between the three of them, I would strongly recommend reading the first book before this one.

Sentinel have been hired by the notoriously controversial Blair Charleston, once a financier whose career went down the pan after a takeover resulted in two high profile deaths. He has reinvented himself with astounding success as a self help guru, running a lucrative weekend course at the exclusive Alloa House Hotel. However, the past continues to dog Charleston with a threatening note sent to him in London, so he is paying Fraser and his team to protect him. Charleston with his salvation by soundbites, proves to be a slippery customer, hiding behind lawyers and legal contracts, narcissistic, craving a need to be the centre of attention and feeding off the adulation of others. The weekend gets off to a horrifying start for Charleston and Fraser, with connected murders committed with a brutal savagery by a sociopathic killer that spread fear and terror. Donna experiences losses close to her, once again sparking a fury, sorrow, and grief that make her determined, in tandem with Fraser, to find the truth of Charleston's past and the circle of deaths and murders surrounding the man.

Broadfoot writes a atmospheric, fast paced, visceral, violent and riveting crime thriller, with a recurring group of characters that include Jen, her father, Duncan MacKenzie, running one of Scotland's biggest haulage businesses, and his chauffeur, Paulie, who will do anything to protect Jen. Connor Fraser is a charismatic central protagonist, a man who cannot forget his police background, and refuses to be pigeon-holed as a meathead security bodyguard when he has so much more to offer. Ford is his conduit to be part of the police case, keeping Fraser informed and a central player whilst he provides valuable intel to the official police team. The team is completed by the media angle provided by reporter, Donna, a single mother with a young son, Andrew, relying on her parents to provide essential childcare so that she can do her job. This is a brilliant addition to what is shaping up to be a stellar Scottish crime series. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.

A clever, well written novel with the slightly different perspective of security consultant, journalist and police working together. It would be good to see a touch of humour to lighten the mood at times.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for a review copy of No Place to Die, the second novel to feature Security Consultant Connor Fraser, set in Stirlingshire.

Connor’s company, Sentinel, has contracted to protect controversial disgraced financier turned lifestyle coach Blair Charlston at a motivational retreat in a Stirlingshire hotel after he has received threatening letters. Reporter, Donna Blake, is also there, intent on finding out what her journalist friend, Donald Peters, intended to tell her about Charlston before he was bludgeoned to death.

I thoroughly enjoyed No Place to Die which is an exciting read with so many twists and turns. The plot gets quite complicated in parts as the reader tries to work out how all the characters fit in but it’s not difficult to follow, except perhaps some of the financial shenanigans but, then, I never really expect to totally understand them! The gist is enough for me and it’s only a small part of an exciting read.

I really enjoyed the story. It is told from various points of view, although mostly Connor’s, and this gives the reader a broader idea of events with idea being the emphasis as some scenes just invite more questions and encourage the reader to read on for more information. I also really liked the use of reveals. The character either gets half way through a conversation when events prevent a full revelation or a conversation is reported without full details, meaning Connor knows more than the reader. In some novels I find this approach frustrating but here it just whets the appetite for more information. The plot is exciting and held my interest throughout.

I cannot do this review without mentioning the fact that I spent many childhood hours visiting my great aunts in a street mentioned in the novel. I don’t come from the area so this recognition was absolutely astounding and it was so nice to be familiar with a location, even if it is from 40-50 years ago.

No Place to Die is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.