Loch of the Dead Kindle Edition

Great read,

I liked the other books by de Muriel, but what I missed most in this one was the sarcastic bantering between Frey and McGray. There was some, but not enough to satisfy me. The plot was very melodramatic, and hard to follow, at times.

Just finished reading. Couldn’t put it down. Hated when it ended. Love this series.

Great story, author brings to life characters, place and lots of suspense

One of the best written scenes in the series takes place near the end of this book. The main characters continue to develop and grow as their work affects their personal lives. The mystery is sustained all the way to the closing chapters, by clever villains and desperate scapegoats.

Enjoyed book, but not as good as previous books in series

My thanks to Katie and the others at Pegasus Books for my copy of this book…Possible Spoilers, but not many.The Past: Millie Fletcher was assaulted by Maximilian Koloman, and gave birth to his son, Benjamin. Maximilian died of what they preferred to call “a gentleman’s disease.” The family sent Benjamin away to live with a priest in Thurso, and gave Millie a position as a servant in their manor.The Present: The manor is now occupied by Konrad Koloman, his wife, Minerva, and twin daughters Veronika and Natalja. There is a son, Dominik, who is traveling on business. The family wants to send for Benjamin, who will now inherit half of the Koloman fortune. But prior to his arrival, threatening notes are left at the manor. If Benjamin comes to claim his inheritance, someone promises to kill him.Millie Fletcher comes to Inspector Ian Frey in search of Inspector “Nine-Nails” McGray. She desires his help and wants him to escort her son to Koloman Manor. McCray has gone to see his sister, Pansy. Miss Fletcher offers a bribe—she states she knows how to cure Pansy!Our mismatched detectives gladly take the case and attempt to solve the death threats. Frey heads to Loch Maree, while McGray heads to Thurso to escort Benjamin home. Dominik shows up there as well. Before they leave, the priest is brutally slain.After arrival at Koloman Manor, Benjamin seems to be very welcome among the Kolomans. As he settles in, the family seems very welcoming, but a police officer is murdered in the woods, completely drained of blood…The story is a treat to read! In true gothic fashion, there is a series of foggy islands in the loch, a reclusive family, a madman, and vampire bats! There are strange experiments going on in the manor, a musty library of esoteric knowledge, and a spring where the water cures madness!The story twists and turns through the mysterious islands, through the many rooms of the manor, and ends in a dark cavern within Loch Maree. There is a beautiful twist ending, which I admit, I didn’t see coming!The book gets five stars from me…Quoth the Raven…

This is a somewhat enjoyable book, abet strange in its story. With many twists and turns and many red herrings, there is never a dull month in the reading. The Author's note at the end of the story was very interesting and dovetails in beautifully.It was a very well written book, in the vintage style, easy to read, yet very involved. A good read.

Having read up about Oscar de Muriel, I don't doubt his chemical acuity, or the fact that he has visited Loch Maree, and researched the legends. However, as a Highlander living very close to the area, I cannot help but feel that this novel is really aimed at the "tartan tour bus" brigade: the folk who do not know Scotland apart from the haggis and shortbread stereotypes. The characters did not ring true in any way, and, unlike many reviewers, I found the main protagonists tedious and affected, with idiosyncrasies of speech that simply did not ring true. To say that I found it patronising hokum would be cruel, yet true.

Loch of the Dead - 5/5By Oscar de MurielAnother exciting, fast paced adventure written by Oscar de Muriel. Told from multiple points of view - I wasn’t once confused about whose POV I was reading from.As Frey and McGray begin to investigate what appears to be a threat to an heir, their investigation starts unravelling like cotton and the dead bodies start piling up!This is definitely one of my new favourite series!

The McGray and Frey books just keep getting better and better. Loch of the Dead is a tour de force and brilliant in its writing. A real page turner with McGray and Frey becoming two of my favourite detectives. Ready to purchase book five now.

I am coming to the end of this fourth book in the series and am dragging it out, knowing that there is not a fifth currently available. I have read through this series more quickly than any other series of books I've read, and I've read some - please someone tell me there is a new book on the way soon? Can't even trace a website for Oscar de Muriel to be able to leave feedback direct.

I'm loving the McGray and Frey series. Just like the previous three books, Loch of the Dead has proved to be a real page turner. Dark, creepy, tense and with just enough humour to relieve those three adjectives.