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A review by readandsip
In the Blood by Margaret Kirk
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