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booksbybindu's review
5.0
I was so pleased to be asked onto this book tour as I am a huge fan of Margaret’s work.
‘In The Blood’ is the third outing for DI Lukas Mahler but it can be read as a standalone. I would recommend reading the previous two books as it is a fantastic series. I think I raved about them enough on here for you to get the gist! ‘In The Blood’ was atmospheric and haunting from the get-go. The locus of the introductory murder site stood as a marker for the quality of this book and the author’s writing. The mythology and Viking history, interspersed with the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Orkney meant that this is a story that entices the reader and once you are hooked, well. It's a dark novel but it is punctured with light and hope for the main characters.
I loved how this outing looks at the background of Lukas and his time in England as a police officer. Lukas is a complex character and it was illuminating to see how some of his personality had been formed. Especially, the relationship with the victim, the reasons behind his new name and the cases that they worked on together.
Margaret has managed to produce the best outing in the series so far, it's dark, gritty, has a multi-layered narrative that is tense and gripping and showcases her love for the north of Scotland. I honestly can’t wait for the next in the series.
‘In The Blood’ is the third outing for DI Lukas Mahler but it can be read as a standalone. I would recommend reading the previous two books as it is a fantastic series. I think I raved about them enough on here for you to get the gist! ‘In The Blood’ was atmospheric and haunting from the get-go. The locus of the introductory murder site stood as a marker for the quality of this book and the author’s writing. The mythology and Viking history, interspersed with the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Orkney meant that this is a story that entices the reader and once you are hooked, well. It's a dark novel but it is punctured with light and hope for the main characters.
I loved how this outing looks at the background of Lukas and his time in England as a police officer. Lukas is a complex character and it was illuminating to see how some of his personality had been formed. Especially, the relationship with the victim, the reasons behind his new name and the cases that they worked on together.
Margaret has managed to produce the best outing in the series so far, it's dark, gritty, has a multi-layered narrative that is tense and gripping and showcases her love for the north of Scotland. I honestly can’t wait for the next in the series.
readandsip's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
In the Blood is the third book in the DCI Lukas Mahler series and I will definitely be going back to read the first and second. This one can certainly be read as a standalone - I didn’t feel like there was a ton of information I was missing aside from not knowing the characters as well as if I had read the others. There’s a glossary at the end that’s super helpful in giving more back story for each.
Kirk’s writing will transport you to Inverness and the Orkney islands delivering unmatched atmospheric vibes - especially as the creepy Sandisquoy house Fleming was found at is depicted. Not surprisingly, as Mahler investigates you learn there were sinister happenings at the house and odd folklore mysteries dating back to the island’s Viking history.
The folklore was sprinkled in with just enough depth to understand the ties and give intrigue while staying true to the police procedural storytelling.
As you read you experience flashbacks with little glimpses into Lukas’ previous cases and childhood. You feel like you’re in his head getting those sparks of memory as he experiences them and pieces together more of the mystery that’s happening in present day.
I started to piece the mystery together along with Mahler, though I wasn’t entirely expecting each of the final details. The only reason this wasn’t a 5⭐️ for me is because I felt there were so many different storylines I wanted to explore and there wasn’t time to as they became intertwined.
The ending sets up nicely for the next Mahler book and I will definitely be picking it up! There are some loose ends left for the reader to ponder until then.
#readandsiprecommends: This book is perfect for someone who loves true crime, police procedurals and is excited by a dash of mysterious folklore.
Thank you to @orionbooks and @lovebookstours for this #gifted copy of In the Blood! #ad
Kirk’s writing will transport you to Inverness and the Orkney islands delivering unmatched atmospheric vibes - especially as the creepy Sandisquoy house Fleming was found at is depicted. Not surprisingly, as Mahler investigates you learn there were sinister happenings at the house and odd folklore mysteries dating back to the island’s Viking history.
The folklore was sprinkled in with just enough depth to understand the ties and give intrigue while staying true to the police procedural storytelling.
As you read you experience flashbacks with little glimpses into Lukas’ previous cases and childhood. You feel like you’re in his head getting those sparks of memory as he experiences them and pieces together more of the mystery that’s happening in present day.
I started to piece the mystery together along with Mahler, though I wasn’t entirely expecting each of the final details. The only reason this wasn’t a 5⭐️ for me is because I felt there were so many different storylines I wanted to explore and there wasn’t time to as they became intertwined.
The ending sets up nicely for the next Mahler book and I will definitely be picking it up! There are some loose ends left for the reader to ponder until then.
#readandsiprecommends: This book is perfect for someone who loves true crime, police procedurals and is excited by a dash of mysterious folklore.
Thank you to @orionbooks and @lovebookstours for this #gifted copy of In the Blood! #ad
annarella's review
4.0
An atmospheric, dark and gripping crime thriller that kept on the edge till the end.
It's the first book I read in this series and bought the rest as I think it's very interesting.
It's a gothic novel with plenty of references to occult practices and great descriptions of the Orkneys.
The characters are interesting and fleshed, the mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
I found it compelling and entertaining.
Even if it's the third in a series it can be read as a stand-alone.
One note: there's plenty of references to the solution of previous cases and I think it would be better to read the books in order.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's the first book I read in this series and bought the rest as I think it's very interesting.
It's a gothic novel with plenty of references to occult practices and great descriptions of the Orkneys.
The characters are interesting and fleshed, the mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
I found it compelling and entertaining.
Even if it's the third in a series it can be read as a stand-alone.
One note: there's plenty of references to the solution of previous cases and I think it would be better to read the books in order.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
janie's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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