The Gathering Storm is the 4th Shona Oliver procedural thriller by Lynne McEwan. Released 8th Feb 2024 by Canelo, it's 352 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

Words like gripping get overused, but it fits this crime thriller. The author writes very well and the descriptions, characters, and settings are well delineated and feel realistic. There's a palpable sense of urgency and realism in the plot tension. It's not always a pleasant read, but it is definitely compelling.

This is the 4th book in the series, and the overlapping, multi-book plot threads will give some minor spoilers for the characters' relationships and past if read out of order. The mystery plot, denouement, and resolution for the central story in this volume are resolved, however.

Definitely a solid read, and a consistently well written series. It's not derivative, but fans of British crime procedurals like Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, and Peter May will likely enjoy this book/series. With four books extant, it would also make a good choice for a long(ish) binge/buddy series read, or mystery book club project.

Four and a half strong stars. Content warning for strong language, violence, stalking, arson, mental health issues, and betrayal.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Thoroughly enjoyable continuation of the series revolving around DI Shona Oliver.
Well worth reading . I love the descriptions of the Scottish countryside and the mystery and suspense.

DI Shona Oliver's past and present collide when James McGowan, her ex-classmate - now a famous actor - comes to the area to make a Robert Burns biopic. Shona is tasked with keeping him safe during filming on an isolated island in the Solway Firth, and her job is made much harder when a dead man wearing James's coat is found on the beach in suspicious circumstances. It seems someone wanted James out of the picture. Meanwhile, Shona has her hands full at home too; her husband is on trial for a crime he claims he did not commit, but if he speaks out he risks his wife and their teenage daughter coming to harm. Shona Oliver has become one of my “must-reads,” along with Ann Cleeves and Val McDermid. This was a real page turner that Lynne McEwan has made even more exciting with each new book in the series. Of particular note is the atmospheric setting. I wish she could publish faster!

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

This was a fine story, perfect for wintertime by the fireplace. I was reading the story but later I realized that it is the fifth installment in the series and probably I'm not familiar with the main characters enough. I will go and read the previous installments, so everything will feel complete.

Detective Shone Oliver is shocked when her husband Rob, receives a prison sentence for financial irregularities, he had been so sure he would be acquitted. She returns to their B & B in Dumfries & her daughter Becca wondering how this will impact on her work & she soon finds out. She is to be side-lined working to ensure the safety of cast & crew of a film of the life of Robert Burns, that is in production. She is further put out when James, the star, is someone she knew in school. When Rob refuses to appeal his sentence after being beaten & told Shona & Becca will suffer if he does. Whilst filming on a small island a body is found, dressed in James's coat. Shona's job might well be more than just babysitting!

This is the fourth in the series. I read & loved book one, but missed the next two which was a shame as I felt I had missed out. I like Shona & I really enjoy the part the RNLI plays in the stories. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

Seat gripping tale that leaves you wondering right to the end. The historical references are woven though the book giving it a unique feel.

Absolutely brilliant read. Twice it made me say "omg" out loud. I was hooked from start to finish. Can't wait for the next one.

A Scottish crime series in a wonderfully atmospheric setting full of danger and twists and turns that keep you reading.. This was an enjoyable read even without having read the earlier books in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4.25⭐

DI Shona Oliver returns in The Gathering Storm. A gritty Scottish thriller. That packs a real punch and starts off with a bang. As Shona's husband Rob is convicted of financial misdemeanours and money laundering and to Shona and her daughters horror is sentenced to ten years in prison.

Which Shona is convinced is thanks to a bent copper from her past. However, she has no way to prove this and now has to find a way to continue doing her job. Whilst also being the wife of a convicted villain.

And it seems that is not going to be an easy task. As Shona has been asked to hand over all her current cases and instead given the job of heading up security for a movie being produced in the area. A movie whose main star happens to be an old-school friend and crush of Shona's.

But what starts out as a babysitting job soon becomes something more. As a number of incidents occur on the set
and that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this story. As there is also some coastal smuggling, a fatal fire, stalking and threats to life to contend with.

Not to mention Shona and her daughter have to deal with the fallout of Robs conviction. Whilst Shona also volunteers with the RNLI and runs a B&B.

And with a story that is bursting with detail. An atmospheric setting, danger and twists. This was an enjoyable read. That easily pulled me in, and I would happily recommend it to others.

Book 4 in the series, the series picks up after a bit of time after the last book, with Shona's husband now on trial, their B&B business on hold, and because of the notoriety, she is being sidelined. So when the opportunity comes to go on set and liason with the set security, it's better than sitting at home. Little does she know that it won't be as simple as she thinks. As things get worse, with the trial, at home, and on set, she soon realizes there may be more than one issue at hand. A welcome entry to the series, it's perfect for current fans and new ones alike.

The fourth book in this series, set mostly in the Scottish borders. Shona works in Dumfries and now that her husband is in prison, that has potential to affect her working life in the police. Her senior officer puts her on a consultants role for a film crew, making a film about Robbie Burns. The star, James McGowan, was with her at school and it appears that some one wishes him harm.
Shona is juggling home and work lives as well as work with the filmcrew and running her husband's B& B . With so many irons in the fire, there is a lot going on in this book and a lot to keep track of as a reader. Saying that, the storyline is well put together, relationships and conversations seem realistic and descriptions of places and the countryside give you a good picture of the location. I think there is more to this story, so look forward to the next episode .
Thanks to NEt Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I've been loving this Detective Shona Oliver series. I started reading the series because I had the first book, In Dark Water, as a Kindle freebie. I really enjoyed it and went right on with the series. I would read these books in order. I appreciate the setting in Scotland, the mysteries and cases, the police procedures, and slightly less, Shona's personal situations.

Shona struggles with her husband Rob, who came from money, and her teen, Becca, who is going through somewhat normal ups and downs. She loves them but I can't say either is very kind to her. Rob is on trial and faces prison. Money is tight. Both her police job, and the B&B they run, are in some jeopardy. Becca is still a bit headstrong, but she is helping her mother more.

Shona is being sidelined as a liaison to a film company. One of the lead actors, James, is being stalked. She knows him from high school. Another main actor ends up dead. So those cases are very high profile and urgent.

Shona also is pursuing a case against her previous DCI Delfont who is despicable. She goes through all Rob's papers because she thinks Delfont's gang may also be behind Rob's being framed. She learns all kinds of things.

I feel for Shona who has so many personal and professional issues. Luckily her team is very supportive and believe in her. Becca is also trying harder to help. Shona was really on a dangerous edge here and very alone. Her emotional state didn't stop her from being well trained, knowledgeable, and doing her job. While the ending is satisfying, I have to wonder what happens next. I want more time with Shona and her team.

Lynne McEwan returns to the atmospheric location of the Solway Firth, Dumfries, in the latest gritty Scottish offering in the turbulent life of DI Shona Oliver. Shona's life is ripped apart when despite the upbeat optimism of her husband, Rob, he is sentenced to a 10 year prison sentence, something that she is certain the corrupt DCI Harry Delfont, from her London past, is responsible for. There are repercussion that inevitably affect her police career, the CPS dropping charges, threats intended to ensure that Shona drops any investigation into Delfont, the B&B is now reduced to merely doing self catering, and more. Continuing to volunteer for the RNLI, under skipper Tommy McCall, gives her a much needed sense of normality, but a problematic rescue leaves her with injuries.

There is a horrific tragic fire, not arson, but which leaves Shona and her team, that includes Sergeant Murdo O'Halloran, and rivals DC Ravi Sarwar, and DC Kate Irving, determined to do their best for the grieving mother and child when the cause becomes clear. Shona's bright 16 year old daughter is becoming a more mature character as she steps up to help her, but her boss, Detective Superintendent Clive Davies is intent on her keeping a lower profile, and to her initial horror, has her in charge of security for the filming a Robbie Burns movie starring the popular singer Lilly Chase and local boy made good, now a big Hollywood film star, James McGowan. However, matters take a darker turn with the death of an actor and someone is intent on killing McGowan, a man Shona knew at school.

There is so much drama here, including the sour taste of betrayal from the past, Shona's fears for Becca, the anguish and developments in her personal life that make me curious as to how they work out in the future, and her desperation to return back to her police team. This is an intense and challenging time for Shona, a wonderful protagonist, and I cannot wait to see how it all pans out for her in the future. A great Scottish crime series which I think many others who love the genre will enjoy too. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

The fourth novel in the DI Shona Oliver series, and it doesn’t fall short.
The Gathering Storm opens with Shona’s husband, Rob found guilty of financial misdemeanours and being involved in money laundering. He is sentenced to 10 years in prison. Shona believes corrupt copper and her former boss, Belmont is behind her husband’s woes, but she can’t prove it. In addition, how does being seen as the wife of a convict affect her career in the police?
It seems that Shona’s fears on that score are well founded, as she is told to shelve her current workload and head up security on the set of a movie being produced in the area. The movie is about Robert Burns and features current hot property, James Mcgowan, an old friend from her schooldays who she had rather a crush on. Unfortunately for Shona, what she initially thought was going to be a babysitting role is proved wrong, as nasty incidents start to happen on set.
This series is developing well. The character of Shona is extremely likable and the author has managed to pull off that she can combine being a detective with volunteering in the RNLI and running a B&B.
A lot is going on in this novel…..stalking, threats to life, a fatal fire, and a spot of coastal smuggling. The character of James has added a new dimension to the story and I hope he makes an appearance in later books.
All this and and a healthy dose of Robbie Burns too. What more could you want?
My thanks to Netgalley, Lynne McEwan and Canelo Crime Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

Getting better with each story, and not just because I live in beautiful DumGal. Several threads for Shona and her team - death of a young girl, smuggling fake i-pads, - her involvement with the the local lifeboat rescuing a yacht from the Solway mud, not to mention husband Rob's court case for money laundering, their daughter taking over the running of their B&B whilst also studying, and Shona herself being passed onto 'babysitting' a crew producing a film about Rabbie Burns, local hero, poet, Excise man. Accidents happen, 'groupies' abound, death and everything becomes complicated to say the least. Whilst there is a lot going on the threads are clear, well-defined and well contextualised. Makes compelling reading. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Shona Oliver really does have her hands full. Not only has her husband been sent to trial for something he says he didn't do, but she has to babysit her former classmate who is now an extremely famous actor while filming takes place locally.

Inevitably, a dead body turns up. But who is really at risk??

Excellent

This was a brilliant story that kept me captivated. There were all the highs and lows of the main characters as well as the plot to follow, all of which kept you hooked in from start to finish.

Loved this book, on,y just started reading Lynne McEwan’s book and can’t put them down. This is her fourth book in the series and would recommend this series to everybody.

An interesting plot. Characters are well written and likable. It is refreshing for a strong female detective. Violence is minimal. Good book and I recommend it.