Alison Reid uses the dating site ‘Attracto’. It’s New Years Eve, Jools Holland’s Hootenanny is on the television, she’s expecting a guest who arrives late, clutching a bottle of wine. A few days later, Alison is found dead in the bath and over the next few weeks of a cold January in St Andrews, DI Clare Mackay, DS Chris West and the team have their work cut out as more victims are murdered using the same mo. A spate of shoplifting occupies the team too, is there any connection? 

Although the story takes a little while to get going once the momentum increases it then becomes a compelling and fascinating read. The case is gritty and complex,  exercising  all the team’s  ingenuity to make connections between the victims to achieve a break in the case. The characters in the police team are excellent, they’re all really likeable especially Clare but they all feel authentic and individual. I like how their personal life is also included as it allows you to understand them better. I love the camaraderie between the officers and the good humoured banter especially between Clare and Chris. There’s one joke the team play at the end which is really funny, makes you laugh and you can imagine it actually happening! The novel is easy to read, meticulously plotted, it’s well written with real attention to detail. The end is fantastic, it’s very exciting and utilises a well known landmark in the area very creatively. I like how the novel ends on a good note with things looking up personally for Clare. The author always evokes a good atmosphere using the local St Andrews area and the weather adds an extra dimension to the storyline. 

Overall, this is a very good quality police procedural and a worthy addition to a really good series.

DI Clare Mackay returns in What They Knew which is the latest book in by Marion Todd and it is another very worthy addition to a very enjoyable series.

As usual the main storyline is interesting and moves along at a good pace whilst still allowing time for the main characters to grow and the long running subplots to develop

This is one of my favourite series and What They Knew is definitely recommended

Another great story featuring D I Claire Mackay and her team. The story centres around school friends from 20 years previously and whom from nowhere have been murdered. Claire and her team work endlessly to finally bring the culprit to justice in the end. Great story line.

I'm a massive fan of Marion Todd's DI McKay series and it was a delight to have a new novel to get stuck into to. What's great is that whilst the main characters and their stories stay throughout the series, the police cases in each novel are very different. I found myself shouting at some of the characters in What They Knew, and it will certainly make you think twice about what you share online and who you trust....

Love this book. The camaraderie between all the police and civilian workers was so well depicted.  I wasn't sure until the very end who the murderer was.  It just all felt right. It was obvious from the outset that Clare and Al were going to get together though.

crime-fiction, international-crime-and-mystery, procedural, law-enforcement, Scotland, murder, murder-investigation*****

How did I miss the earlier books by this author? The publisher is right, this IS an utterly gripping Scottish detective story. The individuals in the department are well developed and relatable and the rest of the characters are interesting and believable as well. There are some interesting twists and red herrings to push things right along as well as simple references to past histories and interactions. Loved it and finished it in one day. No summary and no spoilers here.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Canelo via NetGalley. Thank you!

Police procedural at its finest

The DI Clare Mackay series has gone from strength to strength. This time, the St Andrews based team are faced with a series of puzzling murders. As step by step they establish the links between the victims, we’re taken in and out of homes, offices and bars, through the town and along the coastline. Marion Todd’s descriptions and sense of place are outstanding. So much so, that during one scene (the harbour scene - you’ll know it when you come to it) I actually got dizzy holding my breath because I forgot it wasn’t me in the story!

For me, this book (like the others in the series) has all of the right elements in the right places. There’s enough attention to detail to satisfy curiosity about police procedure, but without the tedium; there’s enough gruesome detail of the murder scenes, but without going unnecessarily overboard; the pace is just right to allow readers to follow what’s going on, and ramps up towards the end to keep you on the edge of your seat; and there’s enough backstory to keep us on-side with the main characters.

A thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read for crime fiction fans, and as always, superbly written.

A solid four star read. Good premise. Great characters. Enjoyed the style of writing. Plenty of mystery to keep me interested. I guessed the culprit hence the four star review. Definitely look forward to her next offering.Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

would like to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this exceptional book

marion todd has done it again... written a book that keeps you on the edge of the seat right to the end of the book

from the first chapter right up until the last chapter there is action all the way

new years eve and before the first hour into the new year is gone the first victim is murdered...at first its a suspected suicide but with the results of the post mortem in,  its quickly becomes a murder investigation

all hands are on deck but with the next victim found in suspicious circumstances and the post mortem reveals a pattern, could there be a serial killer out there and what is the motive and what links the two victims?

claire and her team have their work cut out for them and with added manpower can they find their murderer

brilliantly written, cant wait for the next one in this series, love the characters, they feel so real and friendly, its never a dull moment when you are back in this world

Another Twitter find, Marion Todd is one of a few thriller writers whose books I would purchase without a second thought, I’ve also bought them as gifts.
What they knew, catches up with Clare McKay as Hogmanay gives way to a new year.  Of course, such is Claire’s job, the bodies soon start racking up and the case looks like a complicated one.
I’m getting to understand more about Claire as this series goes on.  Her team in beautiful St Andrews are loyal and I’m pleased to see their stories developing as well. I find that there is the perfect combination of thriller and personal life to keep me consumed with the story.  I don’t mind admitting that Claire kept me up way past my bedtime!
The story revolves around the seemingly unconnected murders of three women;  the only link that they shared seemed far too tenuous.  At first, everything points towards a spineless ex-husband and a shady restaurateur.  I don’t offer spoilers and will continue with that policy.  If you want to know more, I would highly recommend picking up a copy, but make sure that you have plenty of time to read, as this is a page-turner.
I am delighted to say that I felt only one step ahead in working out who the killer was, I was clueless for most of the book and the suspense had me gripped.  It dawned on me only moments before the book confirmed my thoughts, but I had nothing to prepare me for the final takedown.
I must admit to a warm glow as the book wrapped up with, for me, a happy ending.

DI Clare Mackay has got a lot on her plate. Her long-distance relationship may or may not be working and a case that initially looks like a suicide turns out to be murder. No one knows much about the victim's personal life, and except for her ex-husband and his new wife, no one has anything bad to say about Alison. Then another victim is found and there are enough similarities to make DI Clare determined to figure out how these women are connected.
As the body count continues to rise, could something from the distant past bind the victims and the killer together? Figuring out the motive and finding the murderer might even put Clare in harm's way. A very engaging mystery and my first book by this author.
Yes, this is part of a series, and this is the fourth book! No issue reading it as a stand-alone, and lucky for me, I have three more books to read to catch up on everything that has happened so far.

So the very wonderful Marion Todd has done it once more and produced another brilliant read in the Detective Clare Mackay series and I really think this is the best one so far. 
This is an excellent police procedural and DI Clare Mackay is such a well crafted character as are all the members of the team and reading this book 4 of the series was like being back with old friends again and long may the series continue as I feel there is a lot more to come from all of the characters.
The plot is an unpleasant one a killer using rohypnol and strangling the victims in a distinctive manner  keeping Clare and the team on their toes to try and find a motive for the murders and well it certainly kept me guessing throughout. 
Never predictable, always enjoyable I have loved all of the books in the series, Marion is a fabulous writer who deserves every bit of praise I can give and please hurry up with the next book I miss Clare and the team already. 
Highly recommended and don’t miss out read the whole series it really is one not to be missed.
My thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed reading this fourth book and breezed through it, as usual. The writing just flows and I love the busy environment of the St Andrews police station. The case was gripping although I suspected who the killer was about three quarters of the way through. That still didn’t take away from the joy of the team finding their culprit. 
Marion is a great crime writer and I’m so happy to have discovered her writing. I look forward to the continuation of Clare’s story.

Marion Todd was a new author for me, but as I enjoy Scottish crime fiction I decided to give her a try. I was certainly not disappointed with What They Knew.
I found it a most enjoyable read, perhaps more so as it was littered with expletives in an attempt to make it real to life, with the story and characters unfolding nicely.
I will certainly read more of Marion Todd’s books and the continuing story of Clare Mackay.

What they new by Marion Todd is the fourth book in the Scottish Detective Clare Mackay series and what a great epilotssode it is.
It’s New Year’s Eve Alison Reid is at home and its nearly midnight when she gets a visitor to her home. The next day she is found dead drowned in her bath by her neighbour.  But looks can be deceiving, when the pathologist arrives, they find marks on her neck due to strangulation. Alison was murdered, not drowned. Soon another body turns up with the same marks Detective Clare Mackay has a huge task and a race against time with her team to find out who the killer is before they try and strike again. It seems that it is connected to a dating app that both women are on.
There are also problems in her own personal life. he feelings between her boyfriend and her boss.
I really enjoyed the 4th episode in the series. I have followed this series from the start and this series does not disappoint. This is a gripping episode with lots of twists and turns and I love the camaraderie between the members of the team. It shows they are there for each other and makes the characters more realistic. 4 stars from me

Another brilliant read from Marion Todd. This is a well written police procedural set in St Andrews, featuring D I Claire Mackay. Excellent plot with just enough twists and turns to keep you guessing.
Likeable, relatable characters make for an entertaining and engaging novel. 
My thanks to NetGalley the author and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Having taken two weeks off over Christmas Detective Inspector Clare Mackay hadn't wanted to start the new year with an unexplained death, unfortunately the body of Alison Reid is found and she is called in to investigate. The details are discovered to be eerily similar to a body found a few days earlier and Clare and her team know speed is of the essence if they are to prevent another young woman dying in the same manner. 

Also dealing with a shoplifter working their way through the town and some decidedly shady behaviour from the ex-partner of one of their victims Clare already feels as if her holiday was months ago, 

This is the fourth book in this brilliant series and they just get better and better. I was totally in the dark about whodunnit this time until almost the moment it began to fall into place and it was a very satisfying denouement. I hope there will be more of this series as I love reading them and the relationship between Clare and her team adds another realistic and human face to the storytelling. 

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This book is easy to recommend unreservedly.

Book 4 in the DI Clare Mackay series and another cracker from Marion Todd.  This series brings everything I want in a police procedural, plus it has the added bonus of being set in the wonderful St. Andrews & surrounding area.  What They Knew is a great read, I loved the plot and as with all others in this series it’s great to catch up with all the fantastic characters.  Another 5 star rating!

At the stroke of midnight on Hogmanay, Alison Reid opens the door to an old acquaintance. The next morning, she’s found dead in her bathroom in what looks like a suicide attempt. However, when a link is found to another mysterious death just the week before, DI Clare Mackay realises that she may have a serial killer on the loose – one who seems to be targeting single women and being the last person they see.

This is a very well-written book, full of twists and turns. The characters are delicately-written and likeable, and you’re left guessing for most of the book who the perpetrator is. A solid four-star book for me!

Another gripping instalment in this well established series with the of several characters from previous books. A well written crime novel with interesting characters and just a smidgen of Scottish humour.