Ice Into Ashes by John Carson
Time is a healer….unless you’re the one doing the killing…
DCI James Craig is heading home to Fife for a family funeral after the discovery of his wife's uncle's lifeless body at home, having fallen down the stairs. The incident was classified as a Sudden Death, attributing it to the man's advanced age and fragility. Case officially closed.
Or is it?
Craig, inherently skeptical, approaches matters from a unique perspective, a skill honed on the streets of London. He hesitates to accept the neatly wrapped conclusion surrounding the old man’s demise.
As he contemplates letting the matter rest, certain details stand out, prompting him to reconsider the circumstances surrounding the death.
Craig reconnects with his former boss, now a Superintendent, from his probationary days in Fife. He requests permission to join the inquiry and is paired with DS Isla McGregor.
The two of them are soon caught up in a series of killings that stretch back years, back to the days when a young copper called James Craig was just starting out. A case that Craig remembers very well.
Because he almost caught a serial killer who was starting out on his own journey.
And now their paths are going to cross again.
ICE INTO ASHES is the first book in a new series from the creator of the DCI Harry McNeil books.
Perfect for fans of Andrew Raymond and JD Kirk.
About the author
John Carson is the author of the DCI Harry McNeil, DCI Sean Bracken and DI Frank Miller series set in Edinburgh. He is originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, but now lives in New York State with his wife and two daughters. He shares his house with two dogs and four cats.
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Review
‘Ice Into Ashes’ is the beginning of a brand new series for this author and it was a brilliant introduction to his work! It was packed full of intrigue, misdirections and a stunning conclusion. It was a real page-turner! Somehow, despite having written so many books this was a new author for me and now I have a huge back catalogue to delve into and I can't wait to do so. I am a huge champion of Scottish crime fiction and I can't believe I didn't know about John’s books! Of course, now I am going to have to tell everyone about him though.
DCI James Craig works for the Met but hails from the Kingdom of Fife. He has returned to Scotland as his wife’s uncle has sadly passed away and they need to deal with his estate and the funeral. James thinks there is something wrong with his death though and looks into it more thoroughly. He also has to face his past as he reconnects with old colleagues and friends from time as a young man just starting out in the police. He teams up with DS Isla MacGregor and they are soon pulled into a series of deaths that may stretch all the way back to his early career.
I found James to be a great protagonist and a solid copper! It was refreshing that he seems to have a stable and happy life with his wife and son. Plus he has a great sense of humour. I think the first book in a series is always hampered slightly by having to set the scene and lay the groundwork by identifying connections and relationships. I imagine the upcoming books will be a more standard police procedural than this one was, especially due to all the personal aspects of this plotline. Don't get me wrong this was a great book and I loved the narrative. I'm looking forward to the next book!
Let me know if you pick this one up!
