A gripping DCI McLean thriller. McLean is sent to look at a break-in. DI Janie Harrison investigates a missing person, as both cases merge the twist and turns ramp up. I love the supernatural element to this series. James Oswald's McLean series gets better with each book and this is no exception. Thanks to Headline and Netgalley for this review ARC.

Much anticipated but very disappointing.

A bit of a nothing plot to this one and the supernatural element is cranked up to 11, which makes for a very frustrating read. The villain is flagged up pretty early on and even the motive is pretty easily guessed with an outcome which resembles the ending of a poor Hammer horror. The macabre deaths are ‘explained’ in the loosest of ways as there is no rationale behind them.

The narrative alternates between McLean and DI Harrison, which I didn’t like. It’s hard to engage with Harrison in the same way as readers have with McLean over such an extended period.

If this was an author’s first effort, I wouldn’t follow their subsequent work. It pains me to say it but this is a poor addition to the series.

A police procedural with a supernatural twist, McLean is asked to investigate a break in in a science facility and it is gradually revealed that there are links to the case being investigated by Jaynie. A body is found, later another and there arre few spores about what happened to it. Jaynie and her flatmate also need to find somewhere else to live.
There are links to migrant workers from Eastern Europe and different strands of the plot come together, though not all issues are sewn up.
On the whole I enjoyed the book, the supernatural element is OK, though I wasn't keen about it. The research facility is a mystery and I would have liked a little more explanation about what happened there, in some ways I am left with more questions than answers. I would like to read more from this author .
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

Oswald Is a master but I have to admit I didn’t quite ‘get’ this - I gather he is known for inserting supernatural elements into his detective stories, and here it’s a ‘mad’ professor and his mysterious box that is killing people - the coincidence of the case of a missing Serbian, and the billionaire funding the professor and his Serbian connections is a bit stretched - but, Oswald kinda’ makes it work. The opening where characters are established esp Jane, the newly promoted DS was a bit slow - i almost felt we were reading those overtime reports too. In any case, it all picks up speed but not entirely credible for me - but characters are fully well-drawn and that’s an art. …

Book 14 in the spooky tartan police procedural series featuring Detective Tony McLean. Called to a break-in at a bio-tech lab under construction, well below his DCI paygrade, Tony soon discovers something far more sinister and mystical. Fiendishly readable.

This is the 14th instalment in the DCI McLean series and I have read quite a number of them but it can be successfully read as a standalone although I would recommend you delve into previous books to get the backstories of the main characters and an understanding of the nuances of their individual stories.

Once again, this book has the usual brilliant characters, great plot with all the twists and turns you would expect and with a touch of the supernatural thrown in to make this more than the usual police procedural that all blends together seamlessly to give an engaging read. I admit that it didn't grab me as much as his previous books and it took me a bit longer to read than it normally would because of this, but I enjoyed it nevertheless and would recommend.

Thank you to the author, Headline, Wildfire and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this book and I look forward to the next instalment.

I do love James Oswald, Detective Chief Inspector Anthony McLean just keeps on getting better and better. This book follows Anthony being called to investigate a break in at Blake Bio-tech, an Edinburgh start up, owned by billionaire Nathaniel Blake. It's well below McLean's pay grade but given Blake's political connections he doesn't have a choice in the matter. DI Janie Harrison is investigating a missing person that turns complicated when his body his found in the woods and shows no sign of trauma. Another person linked to the break-in turns up dead both cases become linked. The second man was holding a strange artifact when he died. It becomes even stranger when both victims bodies go missing from the mortuary then the artifact goes missing. The team must try to solve the case before there is another victim.

I really enjoyed this book. I love the dark magical elements to the book. Madame Rose is a firm favorite and I would like to have her in my corner. Janie Harrison is a great character and I enjoy seeing her grow. Tony McLean I just love him. Logan McRae was always my favorite but Tony has definitely kicked him into second place.

I cannot wait for James Oswald's next book. I am so glad my brother told me to pick this series up. Best recommendation.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this brilliant read.

Spending time with Tony, Janie, Madame Rose and the rest of the crew really is like spending time with old friends! I love the author’s ability to fuse a riveting police procedural with something a little bit mystical. As always, the tale has a host of compelling characters, and I was pleased to see Madame Rose getting more use – she’s an intriguing personality, popping up at the most of fitting times to offer her cryptic words of wisdom and warning. Surprisingly, I grew fond of Nathaniel Drake, even with his misplaced ideals. I thought he and Tony functioned well together, and it was nice to get an albeit fleeting glimpse of a more personable Tony. However, was horrified at the thought of Mrs McCutcheon's and Cecily Slater's cats being given names – that’s just wrong!

For me, this is absolutely a 5-star read and whilst it reads well as a standalone, you would be missing out on a cracking series if you don’t start with book one.

I will always be a fan of this author. These books remain special in their own way, endurably readable and enjoyable.
This time around it felt slightly like walking in footsteps tread by other books, with some of the plots reading similarly. The rebellion and the tenacity of the central character seemed diminished also, but I’m not sure if that is middle age or a reflection of the author himself.

The mysticism of these novels is still an uncertain element and one that strengthens these books, making the central story elevated in mystery and suspense.

The appeal and hunger for this series of books are undiminished, I just hope the author feels the same.

What a great pleasure to be back in the company of DCI McLean, Emma, Madame Rose and the rest of the cast of wonderful characters who populate this series by James Oswald. Tony McLean is more than a little dismayed to be allocated the investigation of a break in at a biotech laboratory rather than his usual high profile murder cases. But the break in turns increasingly sinister the more it is investigated. Oswald’s books are always a very successful mixture of police procedural, supernatural and a fair bit of horror too, but somehow they always leave the reader bereft when the book comes to an end. Unquestionably a 5 star read and although it is the latest in a long series it can be convincingly read as a standalone - but you would be missing out if you didn’t read the others!

A new book in the Inspector McLean series is always a must-read for me so I was thrilled to receive a digital ARC from NetGalley. The 14th book in this series does not disappoint, showcasing the author’s ability to blend a classic crime thriller with something a little bit spooky.
In this case a very rich man’s new biotech lab is broken into, in what seems to be the work of an anti-vivisection group. Then a dead body shows up in a case which does not appear to be connected but clearly is.
The most thrilling aspect of this book for me, is the very welcome prominence of Madame Rose, whose uncanny ability to turn up just at the right moment is never more welcome than in this chilling case. The usual thrilling denouement is present and correct and the crimes are shockingly plausible as one rich man seeks to live forever.
Always a pleasure. Roll on book 15!

DCI McLean is called out to a break in at a biotech facility because the lab is funded by a billionaire and therefore it is given high priority. Research is being done into longevity by an eccentric scientist with an interest in archaeology. Meanwhile Janie Harrison is asked by a former schoolfriend to look into the disappearance of her Serbian boyfriend which leads her into a world of gang labour. however both cases suddenly become linked and then there is the strange box...
I like Oswald's books as he manages to write what is essentially a decent police procedural but then brings in an element of supernatural / horror. Now I am not a lover of that sort of writing but somehow Oswald makes it work. The esoteric elements don't detract from a good story and are not so massively overplayed that they take over. It's a delicate balance but the McLean books never fail!

Loved this book. Had me gripped right from the start and didn't want it to end. Having the supernatural thrown in gave it a great twist.

This is only the third book I have read by this author, can safely say you can read it as a standalone and I'm already looking forward to his next book. Highly recommend.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

James Oswald’s The Rest is Death is the fourteenth instalment in the DCI Tony McLean series. And what a book this is! If ever a book in this series was designed to show why Madame Rose exists, this is the one. From the outset, we are drawn into a tense and distinctly spooky scenario and things only get more interesting from there!

Oswald cleverly intertwines crime investigation with supernatural elements, delivering a narrative that captivates from start to finish. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Edinburgh, the novel begins with what appears to be a routine break-in at Drake BioTech, a cutting-edge biotech firm owned by the extremely wealthy and politically connected Nathaniel Drake. Though this seems to be just an act of vandalism by animal rights activists, DCI Tony McLean is given the case due to Drake’s influential ties and the level of his investment in Edinburgh. ​

In parallel, DI Janie Harrison investigates a missing person report, one she has only taken on because she was at school with the missing man’s girlfriend. Well mostly that, but she’s also drowning in overtime forms and that’s really not her forte, although she knows it comes with her new promotion.

Then a man is found half-buried in the woods, devoid of any visible injuries or discernible cause of death. Something doesn’t add up for Tony about the bio-tech break-in. He doesn’t take to Nathaniel Drake at all, a position that is exacerbated by discovering that he lives near McLean in a house that McLean’s arch nemesis once inhabited.

Then another body is discovered – and this one has a direct link to the bio-tech laboratory. This one also has a strong connection to Janie Harrison’s case. As Janie investigates, she finds a gang boss whose team are mainly Serbians and that leads her to a case of modern slavery that she just can’t ignore. Janie is more like McLean than she knows as she takes risks and cuts a few corners to get the job done.

When a mortuary attendant is attacked and two bodies are stolen, McLean and Harrison must act swiftly to get to the truth of this strange case. Madame Rose, as ever, is unsurprised, but has some very helpful observations to make in her typically cryptic fashion. There is much to-ing and fro-ing as Madame Rose both anticipates the needs of McLean and Janie, but also sends out strong warning vibes.

Oswald’s portrayal of DCI Tony McLean is both nuanced and compelling. McLean is a dedicated and intuitive detective, whose instincts, coupled with his relentless pursuit of truth often leads him into uncharted territory. His character is enriched by his interactions with both Madame Rose and DI Janie Harrison, whose determination and investigative acumen complement McLean’s approach, adding depth to the narrative.​

A hallmark of Oswald’s writing is the seamless integration of supernatural elements into the crime genre. In The Rest is Death, an enigmatic ancient artifact serves as the conduit for these mystical aspects, introducing an eerie and suspenseful dimension to the story. This blend of the otherworldly with procedural investigation challenges the characters to confront phenomena beyond conventional understanding, enhancing the novel’s intrigue.​ James Oswald also has the ability to lead you on a wild goose chase with misdirection and a touch of pure wickedness. He can also make you feel quite sad at times and this book is no exception.

The pacing of the novel is very well judged, with Oswald adeptly balancing moments of intense action with periods of procedural investigation. This rhythm ensures sustained engagement, as we are drawn deeper into the complexities of the plot. Oswald’s prose is both vivid and precise, effectively capturing the moody ambiance of Edinburgh and the unsettling undercurrents that permeate the plotline.​

Verdict: The Rest is Death is a brilliant read for both its characterisation (though I am worried about Emma) and its ability to fuse crime fiction with supernatural intrigue. With compelling characters, an intricate plot, and atmospheric setting, the novel is a rewarding read for both longtime fans of the series and newcomers alike. If you are seeking a crime novel that transcends conventional boundaries, this book is a must have!

An interesting one this in that it is only an innocuous break-in at a bio-tech company but because the top dog at the company has influence, it means McLean is sent to investigate a crime that he normally wouldn't.
All is not as it seems though and never is with McLean as a dead body turns up in the woods in almost perfect condition but clutching an object in his hands. McLean believes this object is connected to the biotech company when another dead body is found but this one is linked to the bio-tech firm.
Curiosity is building with McLean and when he thinks he has a chance the dead bodies get stolen from morgue.
He is now racing to find his bodies and stop more odd deaths and prove his belief that all roads lead to the bio tech outfit.

Oswald as ever writes a good book and it moves along nicely and keeps you reading if only to find out what is causing the deaths. Included are the usual suspects in the book and the unusual as well as the weird. Well worth the read as are the previous ones in the Oswald series

Really enjoyed this book and James Oswald rarely disappoints, if ever..
A little bit of an unusual crime, but nevertheless a good read.

this was a first for me. i read the blurb and my interest was piqued so i took the risk. its well into the series. so i was afraid id be left out. but i wasnt. not in a way that meant i couldnt follow and enjoy this anyway. i do want to go back and read the others(or start!) because the characters in this one are far worth investing reading time into.
i really enjoyed getting to know them. they are a great team. a great detective and even the supporting characters all held the plot together purposefully.
it had a bit of grit,crime and politics. with a hint of that eerie tone woven throughout the whole plot so your left uncertain and a bit fearful at certain points. like the updated "hes behind you" moments.
it didnt feel like the crime or the story was cliche or too far fetched. i really enjoyed this book and can understand why hes a much loved author and a much loved detective. bring on more i say.

It feels like a long time since the last Inspector McLean book so it’s great to have him back and safely report it was worth the wait as James Oswald delivers one of the best in sone time,

Macabre, creepy, superbly written and with all our favourite characters returning, James Oswald spins another police procedural thriller with a darkly supernatural twist.

It’s fine stuff, crafted so well, the tension builds perfectly and it almost writes like a movie with the dastardly villain and billionaire reaching for immortality.

This is what i read this series for and I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Great stuff from James Oswald

DCI McLean is a bit bemused that he has been asked to attend a break in at Drake Biotech. It might be something to do with politics and the fact the owner is a billionaire and will be bringing much needed jobs to the area.
Meanwhile DI Janie Harrison is asked by an old schoolfriend to look into the disappearance of her Serbian boyfriend.
Slowly the two separate investigations take on lives of their own and become intertwined in a dangerous game that someone is playing.
An entertaining read that needs you to suspend belief in places.

Superb! James Oswold has the knack of penning crime novels with a believable supernatural element to the story. A bllionaire, mad professor, police under pressure as the body count rises and plenty of human emotions and actions. One the best crime novels of the year for sure.