Heather Critchlow is one of the best crime writers out there at the moment; this is the third in the Cal Lovett series and they get better and better. Cal is a crime podcaster; in the first two books we know that he has been investigating the tragic murder of his older sister 30 years previously and the case has moved forward in book 3.

Cal has also been asked to look into the case of missing Edinburgh student Arran - he went missing 13 years ago just after he started university and has never been seen or heard from ever since. He became close with three new friends when he started uni, but they dont have any insights into what might have happened.

Cal's investigation of Arran's case is also wrapped up in his own daughter going to university and all of the feelings and emotions that stirs up for him and his daughter.

The chapters move between Cal's present day investigation and Arran's movements 13 years ago. As Arran's story unfolded and I started to realise what has happened, it sent shivers down my spine, it s absolutely chilling. I listened to the story on audio, and found myself going for longer and longer walks to find out how the plot developed.

I can't wait for Book 4 -so many more cases for Cal to uncover!

Yet another brilliantly plotted mystery by Heather Critchlow.

This is fast becoming one of my favourite series.

Book 3 of true crime podcaster Cal Lovett series. I loved the other two books so when book 3 was on Nergalley, I immediately requested it. Luckily for me, I've received a copy from Canelo via Netgalley.

Again, we follow the main protagonist, true crime podcaster Cal Lovett. He investigates the missing case of Arran, a university student. Meanwhile, Cal is tormented personally by his sister’s murder trial. He’s so close to getting the justice Margot deserves. Hopefully, he can leave the past behind. While Cal finds information about Arran, he is aware that the university friends are keeping secrets to protect each other. Will he be able to get to the truth?

After three books, the main protagonist is well worked out, and you really get to know him and his personal struggles quite well. This book is the personal culmination of what the other two books wete leading to. The struggles with his past demons finally getting what they deserve play a big part in this book. The case Cal is trying to solve in the meantime is also brilliantly written. Loved every bit of it.

Hopefully, there'll be a book 4!

5/5⭐️

This is actually book 3 in the Cal Lovett series. I love a book that involves a true crime podcast . Told in 2 timelines ( past and present). I love not being able to guess who it was so that really made the book for me.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Heather Critchlow’s “Unsound” is a riveting addition to the Cal Lovett series, blending atmospheric tension with a deeply human story of loss and redemption. This third installment in the series continues to showcase Critchlow’s talent for crafting intricate mysteries set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Scotland.

This novel follows Cal Lovett, a true crime podcaster, navigating a tumultuous period in his life. As he prepares for the trial to convict his sister’s killer, Cal is drawn into a new mystery when his girlfriend, Shona, asks him to investigate the disappearance of her friend’s son, Arran. Arran vanished from his university in Edinburgh fourteen years ago, and his parents have been searching for closure ever since. Cal’s investigation uncovers a tangled web of secrets among Arran’s group of friends.

Critchlow excels in developing complex, relatable characters. Cal Lovett is portrayed with a depth that makes his struggles and triumphs feel authentic. His relationship with his daughter, Chrissie, who is leaving for university, adds an emotional layer to the narrative. The supporting characters, including Shona and the friends from Arran’s past, are well-created and add dimension to the story.

The writing in “Unsound” is evocative and precise. Critchlow’s descriptions of the Scottish landscape are vivid, creating a strong sense of place that enhances the novel’s atmospheric quality. 

“Unsound” explores themes of grief, justice, and the enduring impact of unresolved trauma. Critchlow delves into the psychological complexities of her characters, examining how past events shape their present actions. 

“Unsound” is a compelling and emotionally resonant mystery that will captivate fans of the genre. Heather Critchlow’s ability to weave a suspenseful plot with rich character development makes this book a standout in the Cal Lovett series. Whether you’re a longtime follower of Cal’s journey or new to the series, “Unsound” is a gripping and satisfying read.

Cal Lovett is a journalist with his own podcast, Finding Justice. He lives in the West Midlands but finds himself in Edinburgh investigating yet another case.

This time, he’s looking into the disappearance of Arran McDonald, who vanished without a trace in 2010.

Arran was from a farming family in Moray, Scotland. His future was all laid for him: he would inherit and run the family farm.

His mother, Angela, tells Cal that Arran left for Edinburgh university, all excited, but when he returned for the Christmas break, he was a changed boy. He became quiet and withdrawn and wouldn’t say what was bothering him. He fell out with his family, and they never saw him again.

Cal digs deeper by talking to people who were close to Arran at that time. He soon discovers that they are all hiding something…

On a personal level, Cal lost his sister, Margot, when he was just nine years old. 36 years later and her body was found in a scrapyard and the killer apprehended. Can Cal’s family, after all these years, finally get justice?

This is the third book in the Cal Lovett series, and I am a great fan.

I am so glad that he has found happiness again, but he’s quite a damaged character, and it’s almost as if he has to jeopardise it. I do get a feeling that he reckons he will never be happy because of what happened to Margot.

As always, he is investigating quite an interesting case, which explores the issues of hazing and exclusive drinking societies (which I thought were a thing of the past, but when I googled it, they apparently still exist!).

I definitely recommend this book.

Many thanks to Canelo for approving my NetGalley request to read and review this title.

This is the third instalment of the Cal Lovett series. I have found all of these books fast paced, with lots of twists and turns. I found this series a couple of months back and have enjoyed reading them back to back. Although each book follows its own story, Cal’s own story is very much engrained throughout them all.
Unsound will keep you guessing right through to the end!
The author describes things in such a way that you feel you are there, you can see everything in your minds eye.
A must read.

A captivating story unfolds with two intriguing mysteries intertwined as Cal embarks on a quest to unravel the truth behind Aaron’s disappearance. Amidst this pursuit, he grapples with the emotional aftermath of his sister’s murder trial, which has yielded no justice. The author’s masterful storytelling keeps the reader enthralled throughout the book, ensuring a thoroughly engaging and immersive reading experience.

The crime podcaster trope has been overdone to an alarming extent in recent years, but Heather
Critchlow's character Cal Lovett is the real deal. I really enjoyed the first two books in the series and this third one is a good addition.

In this story, we discover Cal investigating the puzzling disappearance of a young man in Edinburgh, who went missing over a decade ago. His parents insist their son, Arran, went from being a happy and well-adjusted boy to someone who was clearly troubled.

In the course of his investigations, Cal becomes increasingly convinced that Arran's university friends - who must surely have witnessed the changes in his personality that his parents described - are hiding something.

But why would they lie? And what are they lying about?

This one is definitely worth a read, especially if you liked the earlier books, as I did.

ARC Review 🌟 Unsound by Heather Critchlow
Pub Date Sep 05 2024 
🌟He left for university… and never came back
🌟Absolutely gripping crime thriller. This book is the third installment in the Cal Lovett series. Cal is a true crime podcaster. I haven't read the first two, Unsolved and Unburied, but I can deduce a lot about them after reading this one, but I would love to read the whole series.

Sharp and clever writing with two timelines. One is past, 20 years ago, from the 19 years old, Arran's point of view, his start at the university, the problems, the struggles he faced, the cruelty of privileged kids and second is Cal's view point in present, his daughter starting the university, the trial of his sister's killer, caring for her aging mother, and moving in with new partner, Shona.
As Cal unravels the truth about Arran's dissapeance, he finds so many ugly truths and shocking revelations that came out in the open. It's truly heartbreaking to read about Arran, the way an innocent boy suffered and all the culprits walk free and his parents, who were still finding answers for the last twenty years.
Fast-paced and suspenseful, twists on every end, and the climax is just horrifying and gritty. It is an excellent thriller, highly recommended.
Thanks to @Netgalley and @canelo_co and the author for the eARC.

This is the third book in the Cal Lovett Files series. Although some of the story lines surrounding Cal’s life are a continuation from the previous books, Arran’s story is new, so this could be read as a stand alone.

I am a big fan of a cold case and I’m really enjoying the podcast element of this series, the mixed media format works really well. The setting this time around is Edinburgh, a favourite of many crime writer and the perfect location for this university based mystery.

As the details of Arran’s disappearance emerge, the story takes a dark and disturbing turn examining the secret lives of the privileged and affluent. It looks at culpability, cause and effect and atonement. It asks who should be held accountable and are some more responsible than others.

The one thing which Heather Critchlow does brilliantly is to explore the effects that cold cases and violent crimes have on the loved ones that are left behind. My heart broke for Arran’s family, in particular his mum. The emotions feel very real.

Another great story to add to the series - I’m already looking forward to the next one!

Cal, our intrepid podcaster is back in action.  He's dealing with the trial of sister's killer, his daughter leaving for Uni, dealing with his difficult and ageing mother and Shona, his new partner who wants them to live together.  More than enough problems for one man to handle simultaneously.

A friend of Shona hands Cal a case of her missing son, 19yr old Arran. Is it fate that Cassie is going to University in the very same city? He can maybe grab another couple of moments with his daughter whilst helping another family learn the whereabouts of their missing child.

I really enjoy the overlapping time periods - we get to see Arran going to Uni, making friends, seeing the problems he faces.  We then see Cal in the present trying to untangle the story and find fresh leads. I struggled with identifying the "baddie" - I usually have some kind of an idea but I was completely stumped this time!  Since I work in the world of law and order, I'm keeping that quiet from my colleagues!

I'm thoroughly enjoying this series.  It's based on enough real world fact and procedures that you can easily immerse yourself in Cal's world.  Well paced and twisty enough to keep you guessing!

Overall this book was full of tension and suspense, I loved having a character that is a true crime podcaster, for me it added excitement and a tinge of reality,

Told over 2 timeperiods, this book is about Cal, a crime podcaster who tries to bring closure for cold cases. In this book, Arran, the son of a highland farmer leaves for university . At the beginning of the second term he disappears. Cal has his own family problems and these are also dealt with along with his investigation into Arran's disappearance. The third in the series, I would advise reading all the books, more because you understand Cal's personal situation as well as the way he works, though regarding the main investigation, the book reads fine as a stand alone. It took me a couple of chapters to get into this book but once the investigation in Edinburgh got going, I could not put the book down The descriptions of emotions and of student life are well done and Cal's reactions in the investigation are considered and believable. He does have his own troubles as well and I like the ongoing personal factors as well as the completed investigation as it gives the book an extra dimension.
A great read, thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

Unsound by Heather Critchlow is a very highly recommended mystery and the third book in the Cal Lovett series.

Cal, a true crime podcaster, has a life in transition. He is in the midst of the trial to convict his sister's killer. His daughter Chrissie is leaving home for the university in Edinburgh. He is the only one to keep track of his elderly mother and Shona, his girlfriend, wants them to live together. When unforeseen circumstances delay the trial, Shona brings a new case to his attention. A friend of hers had her nineteen-year-old son, Arran, disappear from college and seemingly from the face of the earth. Nothing was ever discovered by the police. His parents have been looking for closure for years. Cal heads to Edinburgh to look for clues about what happened to Arran.

The narrative alternates between the past and the present. Cal in the present day investigation is looking into Arran's disappearance. Alternate chapters follow Arran's story in the past when he arrives at the university and makes three close friends. Both time periods are equally interesting and compelling. The novel is well paced and the plot moves forward quickly with some surprising twists along the way. The final denouement was unpredictable. I thought I had figured it out but I was

Unsound is a well-written, compelling mystery and the third book in a series. The first two are Unsolved and Unburied. Admittedly, I started with Unsound and haven't read the first two - yet. Although it was still easy to extrapolate much of what happened in the two previous books, this novel was enjoyable enough that I'd recommend reading the whole series, if possible, before starting Unsound. I have a feeling that it would have made this third novel even more enjoyable.

In any event, Unsound is an excellent fast-paced mystery. Thanks to Canelo Crime for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

This, third book in the Cal Lovett Files, was every bit as gripping as the first two!
It opens with Cal dealing with the trial of the man he believes responsible for the death of his sister where he might finally gain some closure and relief from this event from his childhood which has influenced so much of his life. We also see him coping with Chrissie moving away from the Midlands and starting her own journey in life at university in Edinburgh.
Cal is having a tough time in life right now and that’s even before we mention Shona and his mother, let alone get into what he’s doing with his podcast! But at least with that Shona has some information for him that leads him on a new journey of discovery in trying to find out what has happened to Arran.
This is another interesting case with Cal following the clues but will he find all the answers this time? You’re just going to have to read it and find out!

This is Book 3 of The Cal Lovett Files. Cal is asked by Angela and Bill McDonald to investigate the mystery surrounding their 19 year old son, Arran about 14 years ago in Edinburgh, where he was a first year student studying. Meanwhile, Cal is anxious as his sister's (Margot) murder trial is taking place around the same time. Cal is a true crime podcaster - Finding Justice so the investigation into Arran's disappearance is the reason for Angela and Bill to ask him for his help. The story is told over time periods using different POVs and we learn things are not what they seem. The sub plots come together with a dramatic twist. I found the book to be well written with plenty of plot twists that I could not put this book down till I reached the ending. I highly recommend this book.

This is the third instalment in a series and I think its my favourite one yet. I laughed, cried and couldn't breathe at times. What a brilliant book. Highly recommended.

He left for university… and never came back! Arran went missing in Edinburgh fourteen years ago. The last time his parents saw him he was withdrawn and on edge where he’d once been happy and carefree. Still searching for their son, they turn to their last hope, true crime podcaster Cal Lovett! Good book! This book had the usual, it had suspense, murder, mystery, kidnapping, intrigue, action, and a good who done it! The story was interesting! It wasn’t one of my all time favorite but still worth reading! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I have read the others in this series so was familiar with Carl’s back story. In this book, he is dealing with personal issues regarding the trial of the man responsible for his sister’s death and his daughter is leaving for university.
I loved the descriptions of Chrissie in the present day tackling university life and Arran in the past dealing with the same issues. It brought back my own memories of leaving home near Glasgow and moving to Edinburgh to study. The story also deals with ‘class’ issues - where does privilege get you in the world? Echoes of Eton and Oxford and their secret societies- and what they get up to! I felt quite sorry for Cal , he’s overwhelmed and won’t ask for help. A cracking story with some unsavoury revelations near the end. Can’t wait for the next one! Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for an ebook ARC.