Another excellent addition to the DI Shona Oliver series, set in Dumfries. the setting is described perfectly and the addition of some Robert Burns facts definitely adds to the atmosphere! I really like the characterisation, which is believable, and the lifeboat scenarios. There is plenty of action, with several threads in the story, and it's full of atmosphere. This is a very good addition to the series and I highly recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

The Gathering Storm by Lynne McEwan is the first book I’ve read by this author. I didn’t read the other books in this series, but I didn’t feel I missed too much. I liked getting to know DI Oliver and the team.

DI Oliver’s past and present collide when James McGowan, her ex-classmate, 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.

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. Can Shona keep her head above the waves and protect those around her?

Overall, the story was good, and the locale and descriptions were done so that I felt I was there, along with the characters. A lot is going on in this story, but the author makes it easy to follow.

I would recommend this book. I will check out other books by this author.

#TheGatheringStorm #NetGalley @canelo_co

DI Shona Oliver #4

Shona is in a taxi with her husband Rob on their way to the Old Bailey as he’s on trial for financial irregularities, his confidence causing her concern. Despite his optimism, he’s found guilty and sentenced to ten years. Is her former boss, corrupt DCI Harry Belmont behind her husbands charge? How will her being married to a convicted man affect her career and what impact will it have on their teenage daughter Becca? It seems that Shona will be sidelined as Hollywood arrives in the area to make an historical drama about Robbie Burns and she is to act as liaison for the production. Her old school friend James McGowan is starring in the film but that’s a whole other story!

I really like this series and this is another enjoyable and immersive page turner. I love the setting in and around the Solway Firth which the author maximises, providing an atmospheric backdrop. In addition to her role as a police officer, Shona is RNLI crew an this is an enjoyable strand too. Shona is extremely likeable, she’s determined and intuitive and I love her relationship with Becca who is a terrific character too. I enjoy the addition of James McGowan and that storyline is a puzzle but a good one and we do learn more about Shona because of it. I hope James crops up again in future books.

There’s plenty going on in this latest novel but it’s written with clarity, there’s nothing unnecessary to confuse. Shona is between a rock and a hard place as situations develop, learning things that could potentially change her life. There’s betrayal, unease which changes to danger seemingly at every turn, you sense the evil lurking in the background and the whole thing builds well, it’s exciting and gripping with a good finale.

I love the Robbie Burns element of the plot and he is intrinsic to the Dumfries and Galloway region. I learn things about him through the storytelling and it’s definitely inspired me to want to find out more about this fascinating character.

Overall, this is a good series which I recommend to fans of the genre.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Canelo for r the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Thanks to Lynne and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Gathering Storm before the publication date.
This is the 4th book in the D.I. Shona Oliver series.
It combines being an easy read whilst also being a page turner.

In the opening chapters, the jury in Rob Oliver’s trial return a guilty verdict on the charges of money laundering. Rob is sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
This has repercussions for Shona, both as a serving police officer and as the victim of the corrupt DCI Delfont, who Shona believes is involved in the charges against Rob.

There are several threads to this story, including the investigation into a fatal house fire which Lynne has treated with great insight and sensitivity.
The significance of the production company filming Heart of Fire, a Robert Burns biopic will become apparent.
The atmospheric setting for the filming draws the reader in to the extent that I felt that I was a spectator, chilled by the rain.

In the first chapter of The Gathering Storm, Detective Shona Oliver’s husband Rob is found guilty of financial crimes and sentenced to ten years in prison. This is devastating to Shona and her daughter personally, not only because of his absence, but because Shona and Becca will have to run their Inn without his help. Professionally, Shona is now seen as the wife of a convict which hurts her career. With that in mind her Detective Superintendent assigns her to provide security to a movie set. The film about Scottish hero Robert Burns features megastar James McGowan who happens to be her boyfriend from schooldays. Soon accidents on the set prove that someone wants James dead. Why? And can Shona save him while hiding her own feelings?

The Gathering Storm adds to this excellent series by Lynne McEwan. Familiar characters return, changed by events. Becca has matured and put past trauma behind her. It’s difficult for Shona to control her anger at Rob’s behavior. Tommy finds himself in the middle of another crime. And James…I hope that he will become a recurring character. I especially enjoyed the information about Robert Burns and coastal smuggling. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Canelo and Lynne McEwan for this ARC.

When a childhood friend who is now a movie star comes to town to film a bio-pic, Oliver is assigned to keep him safe. This seems easy enough until someone wearing his coat is found dead by the water.

In the meantime Oliver has problems at home. Her husband is accused of a crime he didn't commit, but to come forth means endangering his family.

Is it too much for Oliver to solve and survive?