The Devil Stone

The Devil Stone is the first book in the DCI Christine Caplan series by British author, Caro Ramsay. Only just demoted to DI, Glasgow detective Christine Caplan is sent north to assist with a mass murder case near the village of Cronchie. Five members, three generations, of one family have been killed in what has been set up to look like a Satanic ritual. The youngest son of this wealthy, prominent, local land-owner family, Adam McGregor, is absent.

Missing from the house, the Deilstane the family kept safe, local legend claiming death and disaster would follow if the stone was removed. Two teens break into the house, intent on stealing exactly that (and perhaps more) while the family is away on a cruise. They are members of the local Deilmen, devil worshippers, but their shock and distress at finding the three-week-old corpses is undoubtedly genuine.

After he leaves this disturbing scene, the SIO, DCI Bob Oswald fails to return home, one reason Caplan is sent there; that the DI leading the case lacks experience and confidence is another factor. DI Garry Kinsella claims to be relieved that Caplan has arrived to help, but also seems to be wedded to the idea that two inept teens committed the murders, then returned weeks later: Caplan remains sceptical.

Working with a team she doesn’t know, some of whom seem less that capable, others, quite secretive, is a challenge, as are the locals who openly display mistrust of the police. But Caplan is also distracted by lack of support from her superiors in a mugging incident where the teenaged assailant died.

She leaves behind in Glasgow a dysfunctional family: a chronically depressed, unemployed husband, a son failing to commit to his education; and a daughter conflicted between tending family and advancing her career. Disturbingly, all her personal problems are apparently common knowledge within the team. Knowing exactly whom she can trust is a dilemma.

Two more deaths occur before things become clear, and the one that looks like a tragic accident arouses Caplan’s suspicion enough that she looks into Bob Oswald’s most recent case. As she closes in on what’s really happening, multiple attempts to discourage her investigations only firm her resolve.

Ramsay’s newest series offers a strong female protagonist, plenty of twists, turns and red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and a nail-biting climax. More of this cast of characters is most definitely welcome. Excellent Scottish crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Canongate

The talented Caro Ramsay begins a new Scottish crime series, featuring the complicated Glasgow DCI Christine Caplan, facing dangerous, powerful and deadly forces intent on besmirching her reputation, and endangering her career and her life. An issue over evidence in a case and a mugging gone wrong has her demoted to DI, and sent to the Highland village of Cronchie to join the local police team where soon to be retired DCI Bob Oswald has strangely gone missing. He was in charge of a high profile macabre case in which 5 members of the wealthy and privileged McGregor family, the elderly Lady Charlotte, parents Stan and Barbara, and their children, Catriona and Gordon are discovered strangled, and posed next to each other, with a polaroid photograph stuffed down their throats.

The crime scene at Otterburn House was discovered by 2 teenage housebreakers, the massacre is carefully staged to appear as part of a satanic ritual, with a goat's head and inverse cross, and despite the presence of jewels and exclusive products, the only thing taken is the precious family heirloom, the devil stone, steeped in folklore and history. The police team is led by the inexperienced but ambitious DI Garry Kinsella, supported by DS Iain Gourlay on a fast track career path. Caplan is made to feel like an unwanted outsider, sidelined, kept out of the loop and is assigned local DC Finnan Craigo with the express purpose of hampering her ability to make any progress. Caplan is weighed down by worries over the family she has left behind in Glasgow, husband Aklen and the serious issues he is afflicted by, son Kenny fast disappearing into a virtual world and not attending university, although daughter Emma is more like her, highly organised and efficient.

Caplan finds herself under huge pressure to solve a case with multiple threads, including police corruption and the drug trade, as she races against time to find the true perpetrators of the most heinous of crimes. Ramsay does a terrific job of establishing Christine as the central protagonist and a fascinating and disparate cast of supporting characters, this includes her best friend Lizzie, her family, DC Toni Mackie and DC Craigo. This is the most gripping and twisted of Scottish crime reads, with a wonderful sense of location, I found myself completely immersed in the storylines and could not stop reading until I had reached the end with the thrilling finale. The author has come up with what promises to be a superb new Scottish crime series, and I cannot wait for the follow up. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I loved this great murder mystery story. DCI Caplin is a female detective sent from Glasgow to the North of Scotland as a punishment and demoted to DI Caplin.
The mystery of 5 members of the same family murdered in strange circumstances.
I have to assume that this will be the first of many books about this character. Can't wait.

Caro Ramsay is already in my list of ‘must read’ authors and her latest offering simply confirms why.
An enjoyable read from start to finish, flows well and doesn’t over do the characters and plot line. If you have read Caro’s books in the past you will enjoy this one. If you haven’t, you are missing out.

DCI Christine Caplan has been having a rough time. Home life has been a trial, with her husband suffering from mental health issues and in deep depression, and a son who is glued to his gaming and never comes out of his bedroom. Along with a an investigation against her into missing evidence in a recent case which has resulted in her demotion from DCI to DC, things have been slowly spiralling out of control.

In a former life Caplan was an aspiring dancer, and still has all the attributes but sadly grew too tall. As a special treat, a night out with her daughter Emma, sees them at the ballet. Leaving the venue they witness a mugging, and the collapse of both the culprit and the victim. Whilst Emma deals with the elderly lady who has been mugged, Caplan assists the mugger, who is fitting and bleeding profusely. The next day the death of the mugger is another black mark against Caplan, as witnesses claim that she aggravated his death.

With all this against her, it is decided by the powers that be that she is sent to a more remote part of Scotland, away from Glasgow, where she will assist another, less experienced, DC on a mass murder case, as the original DCI on the case as disappeared.

Of course, nothing is as it seems!

This is a really gripping read, very fast paced and very enjoyable. With lots of twist and turns, the book sets a nice foundation for the series that will come, and I look forward to reading more of Caplan and her team’s adventures.

Thank you NetGalley.

4.5 rounded up
DCI Christine Caplan #1

Two burglars aiming to steal the devil stone get the shock of their lives after gaining entry to Otterburn House, home of the wealthy McGregor family. The murders of five members of the family appear to have the hallmarks of a Satanic killing, especially as the only item missing in a house full of treasures is the devil stone. The crime scene however, is perplexing, making little sense to the local police and giving them a mishmash of messages.

Meanwhile, in Glasgow DCI Christine Caplan has not had the best of days having endured a hearing for professional misconduct, a disastrous encounter with a handbag thief who seems as high as a kite and if that’s not enough to contend with, her home life can only be described as complicated. When the SIO of the McGregor case, DCI Bob Oswald goes AWOL, Christine is dispatched north to Conchie in the Highlands to assist DI Garry Kinsella and DS Iain Gowlay. When she arrives it becomes apparent that it’s not the tightest of ships and perhaps even more concerning, where is Adam McGregor, the youngest and hopefully, sole surviving member of the family???

Oh wow, I love a well constructed, exciting police procedural with excellent characters which Caro Ramsay delivers here in spades.
The characterisation is exemplary, there are a lot, but they’re all well crafted and very easy to visualise. You can picture DC Craigo with his sharply pressed chinos, unkempt shirts and unusual way of thinking. Then there’s DC Toni Mackie with her over tight tops and the less said about her feet the better! As for Caplan, let’s just say you would definitely want her on your side, she’s straight talking, an incisive thinker and yes, Christine just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get you. I really like her and totally root for her.

The plot is complex, intense and dark, having multiple strands to it and it soon becomes clear that there’s a rotten heart beating in this beautiful area . The stunning scenery of the highlands is so well described and contrasts sharply with the dangerous sequence of events that Caplan finds herself in the centre of, with zero idea of who she can trust. The atmosphere is positively electric and tense, it’s full of brooding and direct threats as one of the number of sinister events plays out. Caplan is in acute danger, she must exercise all of her wits and her mental and physical strength to stay even half a step ahead if she’s to find a perpetrators whose reach is long. It’s an exhilarating high octane read, it’s a bit chaotic at times but that’s in keeping with the circumstances and with a pace that accelerates as it moves to an exciting ending. It’s absolutely gripping and the author has me hanging on every word and eagerly anticipating number two in the series.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Canongate for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I don’t know what it is that make the Scottish islands and highlands such a perfect crime setting - but it works all the time. With The Devil Stone, Carol Ramsey presents her readers not only with a nail-biting murder mystery but also with a chilling police procedural.

Glasgow based recently demoted DCI Christine Caplan is sent to the west coast to redeem herself and to help with the investigation into the murder of a wealthy family. All the obvious evidence points to a ritual killing involving Satanism, but Caplan finds out quickly that nothing is quite what it seems. The plot thickens when one of the main suspects is murdered and the chief investigating officer dies in a dubious car accident.

The story is told in a countdown of days leading to an event of which we have been given only a little glimpse in the prologue. With this countdown Ramsey keeps you on your toes, having you figure out where all this is heading and at the end (which is not the end of the book) it definitely is not where you thought it was going. – She delivers a masterclass in well-paced suspension and deception.

This book - in contrast to many other crime thrillers features some strong women and I liked the undercurrent of solidarity they show towards each other. Generally, all of the characters are however given some depth, which makes for a great reading experience.

This is a fast-paced crime story that will keep you on edge throughout, its many twists and turns has you guessing until the very end. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait for the next one in the series.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Canongate Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Plethora Of Suspects…
A brutal, gruesome family massacre is at the heart of the first outing for DCI Christine Caplan. The small Highland village will never be the same. The only thing that seems to have been been stolen from this well off family is an heirloom known as the ‘Devil Stone’. Are known satanists the culprits or is this an inside job and the crime scene staged? Caplan may well have to put her job and her life on line before the end. With a well crafted cast of characters, an engaging protagonist and an immersive, compelling plot peppered with suspense, a plethora of suspects and misdirection, this is an excellent start to the series.

Oh wow! Now this was quite the ride. Its an amazingly well written and complex book that gives the reader a little bit of everything..... its more than just a police procedural! The characters are complexly crafted with backstorues and depth. The tension is built throughout and leave you second guessing who you can trust. And the writing style keeps the plot moving at a good pace but gives the reader enough description to really make you feel like you're there watching it all play out. Amazing!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the invite to read this eARC.

This is my first read by Caro Ramsay and all I can say is wow, wow, wow. The author certainly grabbed my attention with the opening chapters and then held my interest all the way through the story to the final page. DI Caplan needs to kick start her career after a demotion and is sent to assist on an investigation where five family members are found murdered in Cronchie. Caplan is so likeable, believeable, has a good history and is very determined and I enjoyed the little glimpses into her home and personal life. The story is well written, flows easily and I found this to be one very entertaining and absorbing read. I loved the sense of intrigue and suspense the author created that made this a real page turner of a read and at times had me desperate to know more. The plot line is intricate, well thought out and executed and I loved all the story threads that began to tie together as the book reached its conclusion. The short time period for the story and the move from past to present days really work here in my opinion and make this a very moreish read - one I kept returning to and continuing reading whenever I could.

So - overall a very, VERY good police procedural that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. I will definitely read the next book and also look at the authors other police series when I can.

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A great read with a strong female lead, lots of false starts to the investigation, local legends woven throughout, sometimes taking the polices attention from the reality of the situation and a couple of corking twists!
nothing not to like!

This opening story of a new police series from Caro Ramsay is a treat. Plenty of suspense and threads to keep the reader engaged, and nuanced relationships between the characters. The setting, the narrative voice and the attention to detail all support the compelling plot and sub-plots.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers Canongate for this review copy.

DCI Christine Caplan is in the ‘naughty corner’ and gets seconded to the Highlands when the investigating officer of a crime goes missing.

Members of a wealthy family in a village are found brutally murdered in what appears to be a botched burglary, but the only thing that seems to have been taken is the Devil Stone. It’s an heirloom which is said to bring death if it’s ever removed from their home.

Christine is sure that she can find the perpetrator/s swiftly and then go back to civilisation, and her family. Then she realises that her life could be in danger.

This was a brilliant storyline and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canongate for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

DCI Christine Caplan is the main character in a new series by Caro Ramsay. The series starts with a bang and never stopped keeping me hooked on the edget.
There's plenty of twist, there's violence, and an interesting MC.
It's an excellent novel that met my expectations and I came to expect a lot from this Tartan Noir writer.
Gripping and entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Fanatastic new series from Caro Ramsey, loved this book which was well written and kept you guessing from the start.
Looking forward to more in this series
Highly Recommended

When the leading detective on the case disappears, dancer turned police officer Christine Caplan is sent out of Glasgow to solve the murder of a wealthy family in their secluded home, where their bodies have been discovered by a couple of would be burglars. The only family member unaccounted for is the son, who has rejected the values of his family and become a member of an alternative lifestyle commune on a nearby island. Details of the case begin to leak, however, and Christine is unsure of which members of the team she can trust, while at the same time defending herself against an inquiry into the sudden death of a mugging suspect. A deliciously twisting plot, and complex characters with interconnected pasts combine in a thoroughly engrossing murder mystery. I will seeking out some of Caro Ramsey's other novels!

When an entire family are found dead in a seemingly ritualistic fashion in a small town in the Scottish Highlands, DCI Christine Caplan is asked to help out with the investigation. It’s not helping matters that the policeman in charge of the investigation seems to have gone missing.

Caplan is in a difficult place, and is facing a number of issues at home with her family. She’s also run into some serious problems at work, where she’s facing potential demotion. Not helping matters is a strange incident that took place in her personal life when she witnesses what looked like an attack on the street.

So she has plenty going on when she enters the somewhat hostile environment she faces when she reaches the Highland office where she’s investigating. One member of the murdered family is still missing, and the two people who discovered the bodies were themselves trying to break in to steal “The Devil Stone” which the family kept in the house.

Throw into this mix, a deadly new drug that is sweeping Scotland, a strange collective based on a nearby island who could be a cult, and the general unpleasantness Caplan faces in the office, and everything seems to be going against her.

The story unfolds very carefully, and while at first you’re not sure how things are or are not going to connect, the intricate plot strands begin to come together. The protagonist of the book is by no means perfect, and we get to understand that fairly early on. She has her supporters, but she also has those who perhaps are out to get her.

This is the first in a new series of novels featuring Christine Caplan, and I will certainly be returning to them.

I got an invitation to read this and almost didn't accept although I like the author's books. I had a lot going on at the time and didn't think I would have time to read it. I discovered Caro Ramsay's books last year and binged on her Anderson & Costello series by borrowing ebooks from the library and purchasing a couple.

DCI Christine Caplan has a rather dysfunctional family life. Money is tight as she is the only earner. Her husband suffers from a chronic condition and can't work, nor does he help around the house; her son spends much of his time on computer games and doesn't engage much with the family. The men are dependent on Christine to deal with everything. Her daughter is a student and lives in student flat.

Having just been demoted from DCI to DI following a slip up her job is on the line. She is sent as a sort of 'punishment' to the highland village of Cronchie where five members of a prominent local landowning family have been murdered. They were discovered by two young housebreakers who believed the house was empty. They were completely traumatised by the scene which suggested satanic ritualistic killings. One family member is missing. Did they have anything to do with the slaughter?

The investigating officer, DCI Oswald, has also disappeared. He left the crime scene to go home and never arrived.

Christine is sent to support and keep an eye on DI Kinsella who has assumed temporary command but who lacks experience. The team know about her demotion are not particularly welcoming. As the investigation proceeds she realises someone is making things difficult and indeed she's not just in danger of losing her career, her life is also in danger.

The prologue had me a bit bamboozled initially and intrigued. The book is then set out as days before, starting with nine days before, leading up to the day of an event.

There's a lot going on with several sub-plots but they all have their place. The characters are interesting – there's a bit of humour too. You're not sure if they're 'good' or 'bad'. The pace is good and there's a fair bit of tension. There are plenty of twists and more deaths. Caplan ends up not knowing who she can trust.

An excellent start to a new police procedural series set in Scotland by author Caro Ramsay.
I'm looking forward to the next book.

This is an amazing start to a new series by Caro Ramsay! I loved the characterisation, especially Caplan, who is under extreme pressure to solve a multiple murder of a wealthy local family, living in a small village in west Scotland. The setting is beautiful and I felt transported right to the heart of the action. Caplan soon finds herself working with a team of strange detectives, uncovering a web of police corruption and drug smuggling. The whole story, with it's clever plotting just pulled me in from the beginning and I am sure this is promising to be a new, and superbly crafted, crime series which I highly recommend. I look forward to the next in the series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

A storyline like no other.

DCI Christine Caplan had recently been demoted to Detective Inspector after some evidence had gone missing on her last case. She’s had to accept the demotion as her husband is ill and her teenage son is out of control.

In the new position of Detective Inspector, Christine is sent to help with a case in Cronchie, a small town on the coast of Scotland. Christine is only supposed to be there for a few days until the missing Detective Chief Inspector hopefully, re-appears.

A decomposed family is discovered when two young boys break into the manor house, Otterburn. The family had not been missed as they were all supposed to be away on holiday. The only member who has escaped being murdered is the youngest son, Adam. However, he can’t be found.

Christine finds herself with a young Detective Inspector who shows no respect for her. He wants the case to be his big step up in the police. Other members of the team go out of their way to hinder Christine’s inquiries and the big question hanging over everything is where is DCI Oswald?

The case of discovering who murdered the family, where the missing “Devil Stone” is and whether there are corrupt police working on the case trying to scupper all inquiries, Christine finds herself completely out of her depth.

I’m a huge fan of Caro Ramsay and must admit that when I started this novel, I was a bit nervous because there were so many threads to follow. However, once I’d worked out where everyone fitted in, I needed to disappear into my “reading corner” so as not to be disturbed until I reached the climax of this remarkable novel featuring a woman who is prepared to fight for justice, regardless of the obstacles put in her path.

Rony

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

What a gripping read...we are introduced to DCI Caplan when she is brought in to the massacre of a wealthy family in the highlands of Scotland. She is a little out of her depth as being used to working in Glasgow and not used to dealing with small highland communities. We learn a bit about her own home life. She is an interesting character. The McGregor family are fund by two Satanists....is it a ritual killing? I loved this book and Caro Ramsay has excelled herself yet again....Well done.

Probably the best, most accurate Police procedural book I have read. Absolutely a 'must read' and hopefully the start of a series. If I have to be picky maybe the finale is a bit OTT (no spoiler) but simply an outstanding novel.
My thanks to NetGalley and Canongate for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

The first in the series featuring DCI Christine Caplan. This book is fast-paced, well-written with a twisty, exciting plot. The characters are diverse with plenty of depth. I really enjoyed the intricate plot that kept me guessing for most of the story. This is an excellent series.

Having read some of this authors previous books I was really looking forward to this new one and was definitely not disappointed. It is Book 1 of a new series featuring DCI Christine Caplan and starts off with a bang. Caplan is based in Glasgow but is demoted to DI status due to a mistake on her part in a previous case. Facing possible suspension her status is reinstated and she is sent to the Highlands and finds herself involved in a complex case. This was a compulsive read, relatively short and I finished it in one sitting.

Briefly, in the small village of Cronchie five bodies from the same wealthy family have been discovered in their family home and a family heirloom is the only thing missing. There are hints the deaths are connected to devil worship but when the DCI in charge goes missing the powers that be decide to send Caplan to help. Caplan is resented by the local team and under suspicion for being crooked but as more bodies turn up and conspiracy theories multiply Caplan finds her own family in grave danger.

This is a great introduction to a new series, I love a good police procedural. Caplan is a great character and I am definitely a fan already. Fast paced with an enthralling plot and multiple threads that all come together seamlessly. This is a humdinger of a murder mystery and I for one cannot wait for Caplan’s next adventure!

Really enjoyable and gripping Scottish police procedural with great characters, fantastic location, and a gritty plot that works. I look forward to more in this series.

Christine Caplan is the lead character in this new series from Caro Ramsay and joins the action from the get go. As she is leaving a ballet performance, she is drawn to help apprehend a young man who it appears has robbed an elderly lady but before she can stop him him he falls from his bicycle and dies. This is the start of the story which twists and turns over the course of a murder investigation and at times leads Caplan to fear for her life.

Fresh from a disciplinary hearing where Christine has been demoted to DI, she is sent to help investigate a mysterious murder of five of the members of the aristocratic McGregor family in the small community of Cronchie. Two young criminals entered the house with a view to stealing the infamous devil stone but stumble across the macabre murder scene. The killing appears to be linked to the theft of the devil stone which legend suggests augurs death and destruction, as the scene has been staged to imply a satanic ritual. The officer leading the inquiry DCI Oswald has disappeared mysteriously and has been replaced by DI KInsella who clearly doesn't want Caplan to assist and puts barriers in her way. The youngest member of the McGregor family, Adam, is also missing and may be a key witness. Despite all the obstacles, Christine presses on to discover who has committed this crime.

Christine is a strong female protagonist balancing the demands of her family as her husband Aklen is unable to leave the house and son Kenny is dropping out of university and stealing her money with leading a difficult investigation whilst worried that someone is trying to end her police career as she digs deeper in to the investigation. Caro Ramsay has created a highland series which shows that crimes such as drug smuggling are still prevalent in small communities. I look forward to the next instalment. With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

DCI Christine Caplan is under a cloud in Glasgow after a misdemeanour at work so it suits the powers that be to have her out of the way for a while.

In Cronchie, a Highland place on the West Coast, a wealthy family have been found murdered in their house. The grisly scene discovered by a couple of lads who has broken into the house with intent to rob it. It looks as if their murder may be part of a ritual as the only thing missing is the infamous Devil Stone. The grisly scene discovered by a couple of lads who has broken into the house with intent to rob it & there is some connection to them being involved with Satanic rituals. But then the investigating officer goes missing. Christine travels North thinking this might be sorted quickly & she can get back to her family.

It isn't that simple. The only member of the family still alive (now the heir) is missing. The local police are not a very cohesive team. Some are very ambitious & resent her being there, others seem to be the butt of jokes & these are the people she is steered towards. However, these are the people with local knowledge & underestimated.

This was a fast paced story full of interesting characters & interesting byways. I loved it & look forward to meeting Christine again. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

This is a really good police procedural, the first in a new series featuring DCI Christine Caplan, a detective in Glasgow. Caplan is regarded as a good detective who gets results but recently her life has been difficult. Her home life is a mess and her work life is not doing so well either when the loss of a piece of evidence by her team leads to her demotion to DI and her secondment to a murder investigation in a small highland village.

In the village of Cronchie, a wealthy family of five have been found murdered in their mansion, in a bizarre scene surrounded by satanic artefacts. A valuable stone called the Devil Stone believed to protect the occupants is also found to be missing. Thought to be away on a cruise, the bodies were not found for three weeks when two local lads broke into the house. The youngest son, Adam, estranged from the family and an obvious suspect has yet to be located, although the local police are leaning towards the housebreakers as the killers, even though they seemed severely traumatised by finding the bodies.

Caplan is not exactly welcomed by the local police who keep information from her and spread rumours about her in the village. She’s partnered with DC Finnan Criago, a strange older man who keeps to himself and is ignored and bullied by the others, however, Caplan finds him to be a deep thinker who has more insight than others give him credit for. Caplan feels the local police are overly anxious to close the case and she begins to suspect there is more going on in the investigation than meets the eye, she becomes wary of who to trust. A slow burning and complex case in an atmospheric and rugged location leading up to an action packed and gripping finale.