Blood Runs Deep by Doug Sinclair is the first in the series and is a Scottish crime series set in the Pentland Hills. This book has a great storyline, the characters are remarkably interesting, and the storyline grips you from the very first page. D.S. Malkie McCulloch is investigating a hit and run which turns out to be attempted murder. Malkie is suffering and grieving after his mother died in a house fire and his father is recovering in hospital from burns. Malkie has just been cleared to return to work but suffers from PTSD and has horrible nightmares which he now suffers from since he tried to save his mum during the house fire on that fateful night.
Malkie is back with his partner DC Steph Lang, but Malkie is not a team player and does not play by the rules as the story unfolds. Malkie will do his job one-way or another to unravel this complex criminal investigation. An exceptionally good crime book with truly a great plot and plenty of suspense, lies, corruption, hidden agendas, and violence. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4 Stars from me

This is book one in the DS Malkie McCulloch series and is a great introduction to this character and the wider team. Malkie has been on compassionate leave since the death of his mother and carries deep guilt in relation to her death - but is it justified or misplaced.

Malkie is a complex soul with a deep and mysterious past, I hope more of this is revealed in future books. He takes a no nonsense approach and butts heads frequently with his boss DI McLeish who would delight in finding a reason to kick him out of the force.

In Blood Runs Deep, Malkie and his partner DC Steph Lang are called to investigate a hit and run and although his superiors feel it is just that Malkie isn't convinced and goes against instruction to pursue suspects he has been specifically warned off of investigating.

Seemingly hell bent on annoying the higher ups, Malkie flies close to the wind in this dark and gritty crime thriller. I loved the Scottish-ness of it too and suspect it would be great to listen to as an audio book.

Overall this is a great debut and this series will do doubt be a hit with crime thriller fans and I thank NetGalley, the author and Storm Publishing for an ARC in return for an honest review.

A great start to a new series and a book that is full of drama, thrills, suspense and a real crime investigation style read. Love the setting in Scotland and I feel DS Malcolm McCullough is going to be a great ongoing character.

The writing is strong, the characters strong and believable and the story is easy to read but is quite in depth. A slow but even start that built as you read. I found this was good as I got to know the characters and the story easily. I enjoyed this book and I do look forward to seeing what DS Malcolm McCullough will be investigating next.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

When a book is set in Scotland, I will usually pick it to read as I just love the place. One day I will get back there... Anyway, it is always exciting to start reading the first book in a new series and this book is quite something!

Malkie is investigating a hit and run and he is not convinced that it wasn't deliberate. He has to figure out who was responsible whilst also still grieving for the death of his mother in a house fire. He is also managing a soldier with PTSD.

Graphic at times but a good, solid police procedural.

4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing.

A riveting crime thriller set in Scotland. DS Malcolm McCullough has recently returned to the police force after a 6 month leave due to a personal tragedy. A man is struck by a car and left to die his first day back on the job. Was this an accident or intentional? It had several unexpected twists.

Thank you so much to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for my ARC!

Blood Runs Deep by Doug Sinclair is the first book in a new DS Malkie McCulloch crime series which is set in Livingston West Lothian in Scotland. It was not a page turner at first and it did take me a while to get into this book and get to know the two main characters - DS Malkie McCulloch and DS Malkie McCulloch, they are good strong characters for this promising series. It then came together and I really enjoyed this first book. Its gritty, a great storyline which became gripping.

I highly recommend this book and looking forward Doug's next book in the new series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my ARC.

Book 1 in the DS Malkie McCulloch. A little bit of a slow burner, didn’t hold my attention, but thought the storyline was thought provoking. Will definitely give book 2 a go.

This is the start of what looks like a promising series. I found the main character to be interesting and extremely well written. The book was a compelling read and I'm looking forward to reading more from the author

Set against the background of the Pentland Hills this police detective novel reads well and the characters are well formed, flawed and far from perfect, they add interest to the crime story.

✨My Thoughts✨

I’d only read a few pages when I just knew that Malkie was a very troubled soul with a dark and sad past.

I’m absolutely astounded that this a debut, honestly when you read it you’ll think the Author is seasoned pro because it’s flawless and never misses a beat.

Malkie is loveable character straight way, you’ll feel sorry for him and be cheering him on even though his ways of doing things aren’t exactly by the book.

I couldn’t get enough of this story, I could really see it being a hit tv show or a movie.

I read the book with some difficulty at first. As English is my third language, Scottish slang kept me by the dictionary. But it was worth it. I loved the book. The characters are remarkable, and the story surprises until the end. I recommend it.

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!

Looking for a new Scottish crime procedural series? me too, and I found it for you! Malkie comes to the reader as a cop with issues (I know, I know, they've been a dime a dozen lately), but unlike others, he's trying to face his demons head on. But facing your demons when the person that CAUSED them is part of your new case, may mean taking a few side trips to crossing the line and perverting justice, just a bit...Malkie shows us the human side of making the wrong decision based on what seemed to be valid evidence and how there are dominos falling and ripples abounding from it. But with a murder that seems obvious, it's his sixth sense that is making him realize things are not what they seem, and making him make decisions that could end his career. A roller coaster from about half way through, you may find yourself heading over and getting book 2 before you even finish this one (lucky you, the kindle versions are on sale this week!). So welcome your new Spring reading!

Great, quick read. Love thrillers! Really would recommend reading this book! I look forward to checking out future books by him

I really enjoyed this crime thriller! This is the first book featuring DS Malkie McCulloch and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. McCulloch has his own struggles throughout this novel and I think it added to the story quite well. I look forward to the next book in the series.

A thriller with a new detective set in Livingston in Scotland . The detective, Malkie , has his own demons but is a strong, pig-headed character with a thirst for justice. His methods are sometimes unusual , The book is mostly fast paced and full of action and alhough there is plenty of violence ,it does seem realistic. One criticism is the developement of other characters, Steph (Malkie's work partner) needs more depth and communication within the team was rushed or non existant so I hope this is developed more as the series carries on.. Perhaps the book is a little too long with some repetition but this was not too detrimentary to my enjoyment .

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest view . I look forward to reading more from this author

DS Malkie McCulloch has been on sick leave for some time following the death of his mother- a death he blames himself for. He has also been recently demoted following a altercation at a nightclub when he was seen to have overreacted. When a report comes in of a man being killed in a hit & run he is determined not to let traffic take over the case. This was not an accident, he is convinced of this. Along with DC Steph Lang they find themselves up against a notorious crime family & a damaged man, suffering from PTSD. It is a fast paced story with some great characters.

Thanks t Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book. I am already looking forward to reading more about Malkie & Steph.

This was a very violent story, fast moving, with lots of action. Lots of dubious characters with a few goodies! The action moves between past and present frequently but it all comes together at the end.

A decent read eventually, for me, it took its time to get going, however it's a great starter novel and has potential to develop characters over forthcoming novels. Great location setting too
In some instances, you felt sorry for Malkie, other times, you did just want him to snap out of it. The supporting character of Steph reminded me of previous detective relationships found in Ian Rankin novels, testimony to the author!
Thanks to Net Galley for the advance copy

I enjoyed reading this gritty complex mystery with sometimes graphic descriptions. It was interesting how the main characters were built with all those flaws that made them realistic. As far as I was getting into the story I was more hooked in the search for what happened. Overall, it is a good start to a series, and I would love to see how it will develop.