DI Dove and team's new case covers sensitive subjects regarding teenagers, social media, bullying on line and the interaction of all three. An apparently bright, happy teenager is found hanged in the school grounds. As things unravel she has been made a victim of social media, copies of intimate photos of her and boyfriend have found their way 'out there' thanks to hacking and other software tweaks. Boys are being blackmailed under pressure of social media too. It's a nasty case when other bodies turn up, lies galore are told and parents are either more or less absent or can't believe anything wrong of their little darlings. Truth outs eventually. Not one of the author's best but the subject is all too real and this emphasises the worst aspects. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Sorry but this book was not my cup of tea. Not enough suspense & did not really enjoy the characters. Thanks to #Canelo Crime,# NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

ok i like claire mckay and look forward to the new ones everytime they come out - everyone in the team is easy too warm too and there personalities are great.

I jist feel like there was a bit much going on in this book and i did get a bit lost at times and it became a bit obvious in places who did what. So unfortunately it wasnt one of my faves but still a decent read storywise

Marion Todd is one of a number of writers whose books I enjoy and this was no different from what had gone before. Good storyline and characters, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read. Recommend.

Only just started reading Marion Todd DI Clare Mackay series and absolutely love them. Prefer UK books and if you like a good crime then this is the book for you.

Marion Todd’s novels featuring Clare Mackay never disappoint. This one was very enjoyable with some twisty plot lines and thoroughly unpleasant characters. The guilty parties were not obvious and the story was brought to a satisfactory conclusion in the end.

With some authors you know what you are going to get. This is one of them. The Detective Mackay series always has a good plot, interesting characters and it is entertaining and well written. This one is no exception to the rule. From the very beginning the death of a teenager throws up many questions and raises questions about young people and their phones. The further developments make the story more complex than it would seem at first sight. If you like this sort of book, this is definitely a good one, it will provide with you a few hours of light and enjoyable reading.

Woop woop for St Andrews!!!! I love a local book so this was a winner from the start in my eyes. Its a police procedural that so clever ywritten with multiple plot threads which all coexist perfectly. The characters are well written and brought to life and the writing style and pacing make the whole story feel so real and so possible! That's what kept me so invested and engaged.... it all felt so real! Easily a must read

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this brilliantly written book

a teenage suicide
threats to an oap
bribery of a minor
murder

wow this book has it all... from a teenage suicide that brings to light hacking and bribery and just as they think they know where they are heading with the investigation corruption and murder rears it ugly head in another case

this book will keep you reading till late at night, its chilling and worrying at the same time as it can happen to anyone

brilliantly written and i cant wait to read more from this author

Another excellent installment of the Clare Mackay detective series. from Marion Todd. I enjoyed the way Marion writes about the separate investigations drawing them together to their conclusion. The characters are relatable, it feels like you really know the team and are invested in what happens to each of them. Can't wait for the next installment.

Bridges to Burn is the next installment of the DI Clare Mackay series, one of my favourite police procedural sets. It starts with the grim discovery of a student girl, who has hanged herself at school. Which in itself is difficult enough reading, but once her motivation has been uncovered, it makes the situation worse.

What is so gripping about Bridges to Burn is what makes it so uncomfortable to read. At times, other crime novels can feel like you're watching Sunday night telly with an inevitable happy ending. Bridges to Burn is not like that. The situations as they unfold could be happening to your children, your family, your neighbours and there are no guaranteed happy endings. Sadly it's a very true reflection of the world we're living in, and the challenges that the police face on a daily basis.

I really enjoy this well written series of books, set in St Andrew's featuring Detective Clare MacKay, and I think this is the best so far! it can be read as a stand alone but I would recommend reading the whole series. The setting is beautiful and the developing characterisation is excellent. The plotting has plenty twists, action, suspense and a very neat ending If you are looking for a new police procedural series, this is one to invest in. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This is the latest in Marion Todd.s great Scottish crime series based in St Andrew's, featuring the well grounded, but overloaded, DI Clare Mackay, whose partner, DCI Alastair Gibson, has moved into Daisy Cottage with her and lovely dog, Benjy. It's a delight to be reacquainted with what have become a familiar and well established cast of characters that include her getting married soon and swamped with wedding arrangements, DS Chris West, along with Max and traybake wonder, Zoe. There are various threads here, some that reflect the contemporary horrors of social media and the internet for some young people, specifically teenagers here. Clare and Chris are called out to a harrowing sight at Albany High School, where the well liked and gifted climber, Sophie Bakewell, has hung herself in the school grounds.

Why would the young girl who apparently had everything going for her do such a thing? The tragedy has Clare and her team determined to get to the bottom of what happened, wanting to provide answers for her despairing and grieving parents. There is the strange case of another teenager shoplifting a used Ipad, he just does not seem the type to do this. Then there is the case of a businessman, Rory Craven, demanding to speak to the police, he is all too convinced that a fitness instructor, Hazel Sullivan, is taking advantage of his ill elderly father, Cliff, and stealing items from his home, such as a painting and a medal. Cliff denies this, saying he is relating aspects of his past life as a councillor to Hazel who is planning to write about local politics, but before long he is found dead, having been murdered.

There are twists and turns galore as Clare tries to keep on top of everything, additionallly having to handle the worst DCI in Tony McAvetti and his problematic protege, the FLO DS Paul Henry. This was a gripping read, with the darkness of some of the issues ameliorated by Todd's skill and sure touch in balancing these with team banter, humour, and their personal lives. I cannot wait for the next in this wonderful series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

DI Clare Mackay is back in this 8th book and I absolutely loved it as always and raced through it.

A suicide leads to investigation into corruption and a whole lot more

4 stars, I cannot wait for the next one

This was a great read I flew through it. I enjoyed the fact that there was more than one investigation going g on at the same time it made the story more realistic. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in return for my honest review.

This is number eight in the DI Clare Mackay series and it's a good one. It starts with a call out to the suspected suicide of a teenage girl at Albany High. In the midst of that investigation, Clare and her team must deal with an elderly man who might be in danger, a teenage shoplifter, a sextortion ring, and eventually two murders.

The book is a really well written police procedural. Clare and her team form a close knit group that work well together. There are bits of their homelife intertwined but don't take over the story line. I found the exploration of the teenage suicide very poignantly written and I wish the book had continued and fleshed out that story. The introduction of the elderly man at risk felt like it's own book. Eventhough they were all brought together at the end, they could easily have been their own novels. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Another unputdownable pageturner by Marion Todd, set in Scotland and featuring DI Clare Mackay and her team. Brilliant clever plot with a lot of totally unexpected surprises. This is the eight book in the series but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone. Can‘t wait for the next one!

DI Clare Mackay is called to Albany High, where the body of a girl has been found. A suspected suicide – yet Sophie Bakewell was by all accounts a cheerful, talented student. It’s not the only disturbing case to land on Clare’s desk. Across town, an elderly man is in danger. Yet before the police can determine the facts, everything changes and they are presented with two suspicious deaths to investigate.
As Clare and her team face the possibility that anything they believe to be true about the deaths is wrong, they might find that a killer can lurk behind the most innocent of faces
The eighth outing for Clare & another page turner. The characters are so well portrayed & I love the dynamics of the relationships between Clare, Alistair & Chris. Then there’s the case which has twists & turns & the more the team investigate the more the tension rises. The pace is good & the pages flew by, I was on the edge of my seat & devoured it in a couple of sittings. A well written engrossing read
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Another great book from Marion Todd. There are lots of strands in this book and like real life they don’t always resolve in a tidy fashion. It is a real page turner from start to finish but probably best enjoyed as part of the series. Look forward to the next one

4.5 stars. This is the 8th book in the series and I continue to thoroughly enjoy it. Great bunch of characters and enjoyable storylines which are easy to follow and keep you hooked. I recommend this series although do think you need to read them all to get the full benefit.