This the 3rd in the DI Clare Mackay has something more to the plotline than a simple police procedural read, we have secret meetings, a mole passing info to criminals and a spy placed in the station, but amongst all this there is still the disappearance of a student to investigate!!!

Highly recommended and a very good read

I read this in one sitting having been invited to read an early copy, for which I am most grateful. I'm really enjoying the DI Clare Mackay series so far. Marion Todd certainly knows how to ramp up the tension and keep us guessing. "Lies To Tell" is an exciting read. I found the procedural and technical side of police work interesting. Marion's characters are relatable and it's good to see their own stories developing. I can't wait for the next instalment and hope this will be a long-running series.

Lies to Tell is the third book in the DI Clare Mackay series by author Marion Todd.

After only two books, one already knows the main question when opening a new DI Mackay story is how unlucky she’ll get at the DCI lottery this time around. The new DCI is actually a returning Alistair Gibson from the first book, which is actually a step up. DCI Gibson has been humbled, personally and professionally, and makes for quite interesting character development.

The first two books were solid police procedurals, and one might start reading the third one expecting the same. However, the series changes in tone as Lies to Tell rather starts in a thriller mood. DCI Gibson summons Clare Mackay to a meeting at a secret facility in which they’re sworn to secrecy, and informed there is a mole in Scotland Police, leaking information to criminals. An ethical hacker, Gayle Crichton, is going to take residence in DI Mackay’s station in order to try and flush them. Moles and computer whizz. This is very « 24 ». This thriller tone is reinforced when DCI Gibson and DI Mackay are involved in moving and protecting a threatened witness, who has to testify in a major arms dealing case DCI Gibson has been working, and whose location has, coincidentally, been leaked to the perp’s accomplices.

In the middle of all this unusual hectic activity, a body drops. A student whose disappearance had been reported to the station shortly before. The classic police procedural steps make a comeback, still intertwined with the tension, and the atmosphere of suspicion, brought by the other plot points.

It’s nice to see a series throwing its characters into new uncharted territory so soon after debuting, and it bodes well for the future, as the plot points are all engaging and brought to very satisfying conclusions.

Marion Todd keeps up on our toes, this time around. When you think you have guessed something, unexpected plot twists, at unexpected times, flip over the tables, sending the story in a new direction.

In spite of all these happenings, there is still time to keep up with the lives of the main and supporting cast, in an always appreciated classic British (Scottish) police drama fashion.

Lies to Tell is another great entry in this series and, with three great books as a start, I can’t wait to see what will come next.


Thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.


Review of book one : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3143956448

Review of book two : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3151978856