I am a HUGE fan of this author's DCI Daley series of books, most of which I have listened to and I also read, and loved, the first in his new series featuring Frank Grasby - Murder at Holly House. So... it was pretty much a no brainer that I went into this book knowing that I would also love it just as much. And I Did... very much so...
We begin with a news broadcast in which head of his on financial empire, Sebastian Pallander starts to behave a wee bit off. And then, live on air, he keels over and dies. His family are torn apart, not just from their loss, but also the way he treated them in his will. His oldest daughter, Tabitha, being ousted from her job within the company, having previously been favourite to replace him as head. Oldest son also losing the job he had worked hard at all these years. They and the three other siblings only given meagre payouts, considering his great wealth...
And then, youngest son, Jean-Luc is killed in weird circumstances. He appears to have possibly, inadvertently, blown himself up whilst placing a bomb during an activist outing. It's a bit of a blood bath, with body parts scattered asunder.
Meanwhile, we meet DI Cara Salt of the Succession, Inheritance, and Executory branch of Glasgow's serious crime squad (who knew, right). She has found herself there due to her shooting someone she shouldn't have. A situation that has more personal repercussions too. As we first meet her, she is also meeting her new Sergeant, the greatly named DS Abernathy Blackstock. But just as the two of them are doing the meet and greet thing, she is called in to investigate Jean-Luc's suspected murder...
And so begins an interconnected and convoluted tale which had me running round chasing my tail as I tried to work out what in the heck was going on... With everything that was happening my head was literally spinning as I tried to work out who was what and whether I was rooting for the wrong person. I gave up in the end and just went with the flow and had a cracking time ooing and aahing as the author delivered shock after surprise all the way through to an ending that I didn't see coming at all... One which left me both wholly satisfied as well as reeling!
There are quite a lot of characters in this book but this is one of the things that this author really excels as so it is easy to get to know them and remember who they are. Whose side they are on is really another matter as you'll soon find out! Pacing is consistent and matches the narrative all the way through, mostly fast paced but with the odd slower part which well serves for reader respite.
Now, the only question left, after I finished this book is whether this is the last we will see of DI Cara Salt. I for one was quite sad to see her go and, with something that happened towards the end, I would love to reconnect with her in some way shape or form in the future. Could this even be the start of another series? I'm definitely up for that.
All in all, another winner to add to an already extremely impressive back catalogue. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Standalone thriller by Meyrick, with an exciting mix of police with a complicated back story, high finance (a McGuffin really), a completely dysfunctional and ridiculously rich family and international plots. There’s a slow build as relationships are set out, and DI Caro Salt gets to know her new DS and realises her backwater department is about to get much more front and centre.

Hugely enjoyable, very pacy and increasingly twisty (some telegraphed a mile off, some more unexpected) - this is an exciting alternative to Meyrick’s usual DCI Daley series. As we’ve not long had another standalone in Murder at Holly House it’s lucky he is so prolific a writer as he has the grounds for three ongoing series here.

The wonderful Denzil Meyrick begins what might possibly be the start of a new series, featuring DI Cara Salt, who happens to be whiling away time quietly serving as the head of the Succession, Inheritance, Executory branch of Glasgow's Serious Crime Squad, after a problematic shooting incident. In Davos, billionaire Sebastian Pallander, CEO of hedge fund Pallandar Glossop, dies dramatically whilst being interviewed on TV. However, his will comes as a unwelcome shock to his privileged family, widow Elizabeth, and his 5 children, who had expected to inherit his vast fortune, instead they only get a paltry million pounds, whilst Tabitha feels pain on finding herself demoted in the business. What could possibly have driven his decision?

Salt's team has a new addition, DS Abernathy 'Abs' Blackstock, who it turns out has an aristocratic background. ACC Frank Dixon has them working below the radar on an ongoing investigation into Pallander's criminal activities, after the suspicious death of his eco-activist son, Jean-Luc. Could some sinister forces be targeting the children to get their hands on Pallander Glossop's funds? It certainly appears to be so, with an abduction and more, as fears for the other children raise the levels of tension and suspense, as efforts are made to ensure they all return to their exclusive, if isolated, extensive family estate. Cara and Abs end up living there too, as they endeavour to protect them. In the process, we are made privy to greater details of Cara's past, the shooting which saw the only person who mattered to her, Sorley, leaving the police force.

Meyrick writes with his trademark complex plotting, the creation of a wide ranging cast of characters, and humour, with twists and turns galore, and his compulsive storytelling that had me turning the pages as fast as possible as I raced to the end. There are surprises that come out of the blue, betrayals, and unprecedented levels of corruption and greed at play and concludes with perhaps what might be seen as a form of justice taking place, after Cara faces the gravest of danger, left on her own to face the forces of darkness descending on the estate. Whilst the DCI Jim Daley and DS Brian Scott series is my personal favourite, I look forward with great anticipation with whatever the author comes up with next! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

The Estate by Denzil Meyrick is the story of inheritance and how it can become murder. Sebastian Pallander’s death leaves behind a multi billion dollar financial estate and a castle in the Cairngorms.His family are torn apart not by grief but by anger by the terms of his will,where his family are all left with very little to what the fortunes they did expect.
Then the murder and kidnapping starts and members of the family are targeted. When the police become involved, DI Salt and DS Blackstick begin to suspect that the members of the family will become victims, rather than wealthy millionaires that they had expected to become.
A complicated story and much wheeling and dealing, twists and turns before the reader finds out who is responsible for all of the deaths, kidnappings and business machinations.
A fascinating story. Highly recommended.

I don’t know how this author has passed me by but I’m definitely going to rectify that. This was such a good read, I didn’t want to put it down. Billionaire Sebastian Pallander is head of Pallander Glossop, one of the largest hedge funds in Europe and also, amongst other things, owner of a substantial estate in Scotland. He is being interviewed on TV when he suddenly collapses and dies. Shocked but undaunted his family meet at their castle estate for the reading of his will. There is one almighty bombshell coming their way! A plethora of unlikeable, in the main, but believable characters all written so well.

Briefly, DI Cara Salt, working for the Succession, Inheritance and Executory (SIE) police unit in Glasgow, is responsible for dealing with those who refused to adhere to the lawful terms and wishes of wills. After meeting her new DS, Abernethy Blackstock, she is called in by her boss and told to investigate the Estate of Pallander as he was the subject of investigation by the Major Crimes unit.

Welcome to a world of financial skullduggery and murder where money is literally the root of all evil. Salt finds herself pitched into the maelstrom of the family’s finances and relationships as she ends up trying to prevent murder! A fast paced thriller with twists abounding and where it proves impossible who to know to trust. A fairly fast paced and exciting read and I’m hoping to see DI Cara Salt again.

I thank the author, Publishers and NetGalley for an advance review copy of this book in return for a fair review.
Denzil Myrick, as always, provides a entertaining thriller, with a good central character, a twisting and turning plot, and sound writing. I fiured out the key plot line fairly early on but that did not stop me enjoying it. For fans of police procedural thrillers.

This is such a good book, full of mystery and suspense and the most unlikeable characters that you could come across.
The death of hedge fund manager Sebastian Pallander is only the start of this fast paced novel, and when his first born son gets himself blown up in mysterious circumstances things go from bad to worse. Cara Salt is the Detective Inspector sent to investigate as she heads up the Succession, Inheritance and Executory Department. She is a great character and Medrick injects a lot of humour into her interactions with her new Detective Sergeant, Abernethy Blackstock.
If you enjoy action and adventure in a crime novel then this is definitely one for you to read. Highly recommended.

Denzil Meyrick is the author of the much loved DCI Daley series. While The Estate is a very different book it is still in some ways a police procedural utilizing the skills of odd couple DI Cara Salt and DS Abernathy Blackstock. It is also a high powered, fast paced thriller. Investigating the dirty dealings and corruption in hedge fund business Pallander Gallop and surrounding the Pallander family after the sudden death of it's patriarch on TV. I thoroughly enjoyed The Estate and the roller coaster ride through the twists and turns of the narrative. The ending was totally unexpected and just blew me away! I really hope we see more of Cara perhaps with Sorley next time? Recommended to all fans of Meyrick's books. Give it a try you won't be disappointed!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Denzil Meyrick is really stretching his skills as an author; this is a far cry from the outstanding DCI Daley series and the cosy Kinloch setting. The Estate takes the Pallander family and the world of multi billion dollar finance as the setting. The head of family dies leaving a devastated and angry family. What’s happened to his money and more questions when number one son dies in mysterious circumstances. Bring on DI Sa,t and sidekick DS Blackstock to lead investigations.

This is a fast paced murder mystery, skilfully plotted and with twists and turns aplenty, Meyrick is great at creating plausible characters; they may not always be likeable but they are believable. DI Salt is interesting , with a backstory and hopefully there’ll be more. Themes of greed, corruption, deception and revenge are explored with conviction and I found it difficult to put down. It’s great to see a talented author moving out of the comfort zone and taking a risk with something completely different. He’s nailed it and I loved this.

The Estate by Denzil Mayrick is a gripping read full of mystery and adventures.

The book starts, with the sudden death of a hedge fund manager, Sebastian Pallander, on live tv, it then takes us to an out of the way office of a small police department Succession, Inheritance and Executory (SIE) where the disgraced, or certainly “hidden”, DI Cara Salt, meets her new DS, Abernethy Blackstock.

After a slow build up, the excitement begins when Pallander’s eco warrior son gets blown up in what is likely to be a nasty accident. Salt is called to attend the scene and then sent to the Pallander’s stately home to impart details of the investigation. SIE’s involvement wouldn’t usually be required and it is all very cloak and dagger. Things are not what they seem and are about to get more mysterious and perilous for DI Salt as kidnapping, murder and mayhem ensue.

The Pallander clan are not likable characters. Salt herself holds her own secrets and is initially a very hard shell to crack. Once in situ at the Pallander’s home though things begin to get far more interesting. I like to be able to understand if not like, characters in a book and each member of the Pallander clan was intriguing. Each had their reasons, selfish or otherwise, for being unlikable and for some, hints of true kindness and empathy are displayed. As the story develops so did my interest in DI Salt and her backstory. I love the complexity of the characterisation in the book where every turn of the page unwraps layers, answering some of the questions or reservations I had about each one.

I usually stick to “cosy” crime and have never been a fan of police procedurals, traditional crime or thrillers. However once I got into this book, I was gripped by all the action and loved the mysteries held within the pages. I do enjoy a good car chase on tv and it turns out it is no different on paper! I know that if DI Salt has more adventures in the future I will there to join her.

Another fast paced, action packed winner from Denzil Meyrick!

This as a standalone introduces you to DI Salt and her job, career and back story. I hope this will be the start of a series or at least that we'll have her back in another story.

This was a tale of corruption and greed and unmasking people for who they really are. It is fast paced and with a few characters, it is a tad easy to get lost with them all in the beginning. The characters all reveal themselves by the end and show their true natures.

It is an easy read at the beginning and the flow is careful but steady. I must admit that that at the height of all of the drama and action and climax, I was a tad lost as to what was actually going on. Admittedly if you ask me what happened at the end I'm not sure I could accurately tell you who had done what. I put this down to me rather than the tale though as I'm sure many other readers wouldn't find it hard to keep up.

I was a little surprised at the ending with the main protagonist however, as there was no mention of her, what she is doing now or the fallout in the epilogue. If this isn't a series and we are left with not knowing what happens it will be a bit sad.

All in all, it was a book I found hard to put down and would love to read more from the author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for my honest review.

Meyrick spins off in another direction with this one. Whilst still a police procedural at heart this book offers so much more. Great new characters, faded Scottish gentry, and international intrigue, there so much going on which keeps the tension pot simmering nicely. He may have changed tack somewhat but this new adventure is a cracking read. Highly recommend.

Well, I don't know if the intention is for this to be a stand alone but I have to say that I really did like the character of Cara Salt, and loved this book. I mean, Salt will probably need a transfer from her current role - heading up the Succession, Inheritance and Executory Department - as I'm not sure how many inheritance based investigations Denzil Meyrick might be able to dream up, but given the extent of this particular case, and how dark and twisted it turns out to be, perhaps inheritance law is more than a little bit twisted afterall.

Called in to investigate when the son of a prominent finance expert and personality is killed in an explosion, it's very hard to see how it could possibly fall to DI Cara Salt and her new DS, Abernethy Blackstock, and the SIE to find out if there was any fowl play. But given that family patriarch, Sebastian Pallander, has just predeceased his son, and that the victim was one of a number of siblings to inherit, it's one of those situations that raises all manner of questions. Would someone kill for the victim's seemingly meagre inheritance, or is something far darker in play? All as not as expected in the Pallander empire, and it seems Pallander senior may have made some very powerful enemies who will stop at nothing to claim the family fortune ...

This book really did hit the spot. It's a mixture of tension, action, and good old fashioned Denzil Meyrick humour. From the admittedly one sided banter between Salt and Blackstock - somewhat ironically nicknamed Abs by Salt - to the antagonistic chemistry between Salt and her former colleague, Sorley, for every moment of intensity and threat - and there are many of those to be found - there is a scene to make you chuckle or smile too. There is a constant sense of threat that bubbles along beneath the surface and it often seems as though Salt is really out of her depth. There is a reason for her being sidelined to the SIE, something that is slowly revealed, and is the cause of the tension between her and Sorley. They make a really good pairing, and although Sorley is a former officer, it's one I'd be really keen to see again. As for Salt and Blackstock - well let's just say that they are chalk and cheese, although Blackstock has hidden depths that go much deeper than his part time hobby as a twitcher.

With gangs, corruption and misdirection galore, and a very clear threat against the Pallander family, it remains to be seen whether or not Salt and Blackstock have what it takes to protect them. With a remote setting that just adds to the risk, the isolation and the feeling that literally anything can happen, and the odd unexpected murder along the way, the book really hooked me in. I just love Denzil Meyrick's ability to create and authentic setting, multi-faceted characters who both amuse and infuriate, and a pulsing tension that is balanced by a rich vein of dark humour. Definitely a must read for fans of the author or for new readers who love a bit of Scottish Noir. Definitely recommended.

Denzil Meyrick is one of the best authors in the crime genre and this is an excellent stand alone read. DI Cara Salt is a new character in this fast paced, cleverly plotted read. A good mixture of thriller and police procedural, well woven and some lovely touches of humour throughout. I was engaged from the start in this tale of big business, family tensions and interesting, flawed characters. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Fantastic read. Something different from Denzil Meyrick having read the DCI Daley series previously. Keeps you guessing until the end. A must!

I have read the DCI Daley and Scott series and thoroughly enjoyed every one of them, therefore I was looking forward to this book. With some great characters and a twisting plot it certainly didn't disappoint. As usual the writing and story telling is great and the intriguing mystery whodunnit moves on at a fast pace. The book is a stand alone but I am looking forward to reading more with these two main characters

Pacy, Immersive..
The seemingly perfect and luxurious life of the Pallander family is about to come crashing down in somewhat spectacular fashion. Sebastian Pallander drops dead during a live television broadcast. When his will does not quite pan out as expected the family revolt - with simmering resentments, infinitesimal jealousies and sour resentments, it is not too long before another death occurs. A fast paced and immersive suspense with a plot populated by a credible and well drawn cast, a pacy narrative and plenty of unexpected twists.

Well my gosh, Denzil has done it again! Dark humour, crime and grit all in one book with a side of hiding behind my cushion! Absolutely smashed it!

Everyone is calling this a Successor to Succession and who am I to disagree. I do disagree; this is an entirely different and wilder animal.
When Alexander Pallander drops dead on live TV you know there is something about to hit the fan. It turns out he’s left a tiny amount of his grown up kids and while they are still reeling from the shock one of them is killed.
D.I. Cara Salt who works for the Succession, Inheritance and Executory department of Police Scotland is fully aware she’s been shuffled sideways due to some inconvenient truths. She surprised to get a new DS, Abernathy Blackstock, who doesn’t actually suck and an actual investigation that involves more than paper shuffling. What could possibly go wrong?
There follows a thriller of ambitious proportions which introduces us to the lavish world go the Pallander, their Scottish estate and some imminent danger. Having Salt as the lead in this means we don’t lose sight of the bigger picture and we have someone to like as everyone is mainly awful.
There’s enough police procedure to satisfy and enough thrills and mystery here to keep you on your toes, if like me you are desperate to beat the detectives. Looking forward to more.

Denzil Meyrick’s ‘The Estate’ tells of the sudden death of dodgy financier Sebastian Pallander,resulting in potentially dire consequences for his wife, family and business associates.As a result of this, somewhat reluctant investigative partners DCI Salt and DS Blackstock are tasked with trying to untangle the web of intrigue and prevent the likely murderous intention of hidden foes,with their not so subtle threats.
This new story from the author of the excellent Kinloch based detective series which was led by DCI Daley, introduces a new police lead duo and fresh settings for a fast moving intriguing tale.It makes for an exciting whodunnit style adventure,between trying to figure out who the shady figures really are and just what is their motivation.
The action moves along at a brisk entertaining pace that grabs the attention of the reader and makes the book difficult to put down.
I had looked forward to reading this for some time and am very pleased for the opportunity to have read a preview copy.Hopefully some of the characters will return for more similar episodes.
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