So, the time has finally arrived where I have reached the final published book in the Tony McLean series but at least I know that there is another due out next year so I guess I will have to wait patiently (not so patiently) for its publication along with the rest of the fans of the series.
All That Lives has got to be the most confusing of all the Inspector McLean series as there seems to be two very different investigations going on that don’t seem to have anything to do with each other especially when one of the cases involves bodies that have been buried years ago and should in all honesty have nothing to do with Tony and his team, but the very nature of their burial has piqued his interest, especially when one is found not far from his home. The other case is more disturbing as it involves some very serious drugs that kills it victims in a very violent and painful way. Added to this he is once again thrown in the path of Mrs Saifre in her guise of Jane Louise Dee. This time she has Detective Superintendent Gail Elmwood in her corner and they are both determined to get McLean working closely with her which if you have followed the series is never a good thing and will not end well if they get their way.
Tony is definitely feeling the pressures of the latest cases and added to this he is worrying about Emma who is in hospital after a stroke. His distractedness is not going unnoticed and also contributes to events that unfold later that have dangerous repercussions for him that no one would expect. This does mean that DS Janie Harrison gets time to shine through the investigation as she takes control of both it and running interference with her superiors in order to protect McLean. She may be just the person he needs now that his friend and loyal team member Grumpy Bob has retired, spending his time in the bowels of the police station in the Cold Case unit, but he was still on hand to help Janie when she most needed it. Madame Rose is also back giving a helping hand with the supernatural/ritualistic elements of the story, and she is one character that I always love to see in and out of Tony’s life both professionally and personally.
There is so much about this book that would have you believing that this is possibly the end of Tony McLean especially the ending and if as I said at the start I didn’t know that there was another book planned for next year I may have had to fall out with Mr Oswald but I am certainly intrigued as to what is going to happen next and if Tony will ever see the back of Mrs Saifre once and for all.

The latest in the series doesn't disappoint and with a crime thriller with a touch of darkness and the series still maintains itself

All That Lives by James Oswald

Discoveries of 700-year-old human remains at an archaeological dig in South Leith intrigue DI Tony McLean and his partner Emma but Tony becomes troubled when more bones are recovered, far, far more recent and yet sharing similarities with the ancient remains. And other people are dying. Their deaths appear violent and brutal but no evidence can be found of a killer. Matters aren’t helped by the return to work of Chief Superintendent Gail Elmwood who appears to have had a miraculous recovery from her horrific burns. She wants Tony to work with the charitable Dee Foundation, which is working to clear the streets of drugs and knife crime. Tony knows differently. Jane Louise Dee or Mrs Saifre is Tony’s nemesis of many years’ standing. He knows her to be a monster.

How I love this series! I’m not a big reader of crime fiction these days, as I immerse myself in historical fiction and alien worlds, but if there’s one series I will always read it’s James Oswald’s Tony McLean books. I absolutely love them. They’re set around Edinburgh, a beautiful city with a current of darkness flowing beneath and the books themselves are also dark. Retired officer Grumpy Bob works in the basement on old, cold crimes, revealing an evil that never dies, while the enigmatic Madame Rose taps into the positive energy that can keep people safe. This is a world in which evil fights good, with hints of the supernatural, but only hints. These books are truly immersive, multi-layered and they make you believe.

Tony McLean is one of my favourite characters in contemporary fiction. I love his kindness and thoughtfulness. But he’s not rewarded for it. Once more, Tony must suffer in his private life as Emma falls terribly ill. His worry colours the novel and draws us in to it. It’s hard not to care for Tony McLean.

The old favourite characters return here, including the cats, and I must admit to enjoying the return of Jane Louise Dee. This woman is utterly diabolical. Once again, her battle with Tony is sinister and dramatic. I also loved seeing Janie Harrison take on more of a role.

I listened to the audiobook of All That Lives, the first time I’ve done so with this series and I’m so glad I did! It’s brilliantly read by Ian Hanmore and the fact that it’s read in a Scottish accent added so much to the experience of reading a Scottish novel. Tony McLean is fixed in my head after all these years and this narration fitted that view completely, even enhancing it.

All That Lives is the twelfth novel in the series. You don’t need to have read the others to enjoy this one but I think you might want to after you’ve read it! Tony has a history that is well worth discovering and you’ll want to spend more time with Madame Rose. I really hope there are many more to come and, when you’ve read All That Lives, you’ll understand why I’m nervous!

‘All That Lives’ is the twelfth book in the bestselling series featuring Detective Inspector Tony McLean. Now I have a little confession to make- although I own all of the books in the series I haven’t read them all yet. Stupid me. Having enjoyed reading ‘All That Lives’ as much as I did and having rediscovered how brilliant the McLean series is, I can guarantee that those unread books in the series will not be unread for long. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘All That Lives’ but more about that in a bit.
I was drawn into this story from the synopsis alone. I made the fatal mistake of starting to read the book shortly before I went to bed. Let’s just say that bedtime was delayed somewhat and that I had a ‘lack of sleep’ hangover the following morning but it was so worth it. This was one of those stories that stayed with me irrespective of whether or not I had the book itself in my hand or not – if I had to put the book down for any reason then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again, if I wasn’t reading the book then I was thinking about it. You get the picture. I would start reading the book only intending to read a chapter or two but I would become that wrapped up in the story and in the investigation that I would still be sat there reading over an hour or so and many chapters later. I found ‘All That Lives’ to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘All That Lives’ is brilliantly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from James Oswald. He certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw the into what proves to be one hell of a read and then some. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. To say that it was an intense and dramatic story is a tad of an understatement. Whilst reading ‘All That Lives’ I felt like I was on an at times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That’s how I felt at any rate.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘All That Lives’ and I would recommend the book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more from this author in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

I started this book, but didn't realize it was already the 10th one in the series. I can however see why it has come so far, the author weaves a story that keeps you entertained, and coming back for more! I hope there is a 11th one on its way!

I was so excited to receive the next instalment in the Inspector McLean series. These always have me intrigued & the somewhat dark storyline soon had me gripped.
I thoroughly enjoy the ongoing storyline of the characters and that is what reels me in for more.
4.5 stars

All that lives is the twelve novel in the Inspector McLean Scottish crime series but can be read as a stand alone
This is another gripping story with twists and turns that keep you reading. I thoroughly recommend this book as with the whole series.
James Oswald never disappoints

Another book involving the quirky Inspector McLean. The books in this series keep getting better as his character develops. I’ve been saving this book for a holiday read and was not disappointed. An excellent tale with good strong characters and interesting storyline.

This is the twelfth novel in the Inspector McLean series by author James Oswald. This is a quirky series that is a little bit different to many other crime series in that it has a touch of the supernatural. Love the characters and they continue to develop while continuing with the intriguing cases.

There is an archaeological dig taking place in South Leith when a body is discovered dating back 700 years. The experts are unsure whether the person was murdered or some kind of human sacrifice. But then a second body is uncovered and this time it is far more up to date. The victim went missing thirty years ago but there are definite similarities between the two dead bodies. Inspector Tony McLean is leading the investigation and needs to discover what the connection is between the two bodies, but when a third body is then found he starts to seriously wonder if something far more sinister is occurring and how many more are in danger.

This is an exciting addition to this series and it goes from strength to strength.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Wildfire for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The twelfth instalment in the Inspector Tony McLean police procedural series with a hint of the supernatural. This time McLean is investigating a number of deaths from a new mysterious drug. Could these be linked to the sinister Dee Foundation headed by McLean's nemesis the devilish Mrs Saifre. A frenzied search for the truth ensues, as McLean unravels layer upon layer of dark, shocking lies in this addictive read.

Two victims. Nothing connects them, except that someone buried them in the exact same way. Seven hundred years apart. There is SO MUCH happening here!… gripping and full of suspense and twists. And that ending is shocking. I never saw those reveals coming…

I have loved this book, I’ve inhaled the book in just one sitting and found that this has been completely unpredictable.

I love the crime fiction and gothic mix of this book, it has made the book unique and unlike anything I’ve read previously. Oswald keeps getting better and better with each book and this is quite possibly my favourite.

This is a chilling read which does focus on individuals with power. McLean is an absolutely brilliant character and has his own issues going on alongside the investigation. I love how as a reader we see the evidence unfold and it definitely has a sinister feel to it.

All That Lives has a plot unlike any other. I love this about it. The mix of characters have been interesting. I have gasped several times reading this one. It’s been a completely unpredictable read.

This is a book that I absolutely recommend. The series is fantastic and this is quite possibly the best book yet.

A must for the TBR.

Another great book in this series. Good to see one of the other lead detectives taking a more important role. All of the characters are good, even grumpy Bob and the cats. Unexpected twist at the end!

This is book 12 in the DI McLean series and usually I would start to get a bit fed up but I honestly think this series keeps getting better.

Set in Edinburgh with a fantastic cast of characters. This book is a brilliant read, nothing better than when a book is so good you can't wait to get home and read more!

Can't wait til book 13 😍

Everytime I read a new Tony McLean book, I think I fall more in love with him! What can I say, I just love this series of books and they just keep getting better and better. The only series that rivals this is Logan McRae. I cannot wait for the next book in the series what will Tony, Emma, Janie and Grumpy Bob get up to next. I for one cannot wait.

This is my first in James Oswald's Inspector McLean series though I've read an instalment in his marvellous Detective Constable Constance Fairchild series. In All That Lives, Edinburgh based DI Tony McLean is struggling with many personal issues when the body of young Rory Devlin is found at a derelict lumber yard. In initial appearances, it looks like murder but turns out to be related to a new drug, referred to on the streets as Demon Breath. Coincidentally, the buried ancient bones of a woman are uncovered in a parish kirkyard in South Leith, followed by the recovery of other old buried bones from thirty years ago.

All That Lives is a compelling story with a pronounced sense of the supernatural. My first in this series though it is the twelfth instalment, I found it dark, compelling, exciting and suspenseful with varied subplots. I see myself backtracking to the previous books. Very highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Headline, Wildfire via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Another enjoyable read from James Oswald, keeping him well to the fore in the world of Scottish crime fiction authors.
There are so many good authors, with excellent characters out there, but James Oswald and Inspector McLean are a pairing to rival many.
Recommend.

Fans of the well-regarded DI McLean series will be pleased with this latest outing of a detective who snaps closely on the heels of Rebus, as Oswald’s writing slips into that easy familiarity with Edinburgh and the issues facing its overburdened police force. The mark of a good author is the relaxed ease with which old characters are brought effortlessly into the narrative, whilst newcomers are not made to feel unwelcome or second class. In this regard ‘All That Lives’ is up there with the authors’ previous excellent novels. Readers familiar with DI McLean’s semi occult leanings and his ready acceptance of things that do not lend themselves to a simple scientific or medical explanation will find the same themes in this book. This reader at first found this kind of theme a little uncomfortable but has grown to appreciate this aspect of the lead character and, indeed, of Oswald’s writing style - the advice to a newcomer would be to simply go with the flow and enjoy the fluency of the writing as well as the strength and depth of the way the characters are drawn. Highly recommended.

Yet another brilliant instalment in this well established series with the return of several weel kent characters, a complex fast paced storyline and as always just the right amount of good old Scottish humour.
Surely this isn't the end for Tony McLean?!

Ancient bones are uncovered in several places around Edinburgh over a few days, then a couple of young people are found dead in strange circumstances. The young are dead because of a new and powerful drug on the market, based on a Russian weapon and untraceable. For Inspector McLean these deaths need investigating but he has problems closer to home. His arch-nemesis Mrs Saifre is cosing up to the Police Force, his former boss has returned to work following a horrific incident and now his partner has had a stroke and is in a coma. Meanwhile it feels as though dark forces are at work.
I love 95% of this book. Oswald can write a really strong police procedural and this is no exception. I liked the plot line around a new drug on the market which culd have horrific side effects. What I like less is the supernatural/horror aspect. It just doesn't sit right with me and belongs to a genre that I wouldn't normally touch however this pleases thousands and thousands of avid fans. therefore I enjoy the parts I enjoy and accept the parts I don't because Oswald is too good a writer to just ignore!