This was an absolute 5 star read, amazing read. This is my first book by this author but this book got me hooked in a way that I had to finish it!

Here we have our DI James who is called to gruesome crime scene, it’s clearly a work of someone that took their time to commit this crime. While going through his own personal crisis James dives into this mystery. The victim’s partner give him an interesting information that ties this crime to a crime that happened 20 years ago in this same place. This book had tons of mystery and lots of twists that I love. Set in Highlands it fits perfectly with the book’s vibe. I absolutely love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for proving me with this eARC. All opinions are my honest opinions.

Who loves a murder mystery?🙋🏻‍♀️
This book is clever yet disturbing. Set at a small atmospheric village in Scotland, detectives are investigating a man found hanging from a tree.

This dark and gritty storyline was well written, and I really enjoyed the characters. Kept me engaged until the end.

I definitely recommend.

Thank you Storm Publishing for inviting me to read this book. Opinions are my own.

Hugely entertaining Scottish Noir thriller that introduces us to Detective James Corstophine and his team in a small town in the Scottish Highlands.

When a gamekeeper is found hanging from an old oak tree ensnared by an intricate device made of bones, a series of events begin that have links to the past and the old orphanage that used to exist.
20 years earlier a reporter was found hanging from the same tree, the cause of death ruled a suicide. But was the case investigated properly or was there a cover up? A seemingly untroubled and well liked reported suddenly taking her own lie?

The Bone Clock is a great start to a series that is both different and familiar at the same time. Some very very dark subject matters with an intricately woven story with a unique method of revenge.

Great story telling, a likeable main protagonist and enough twists and turns make this one that easy to recommend.

Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.

4.5/5 stars

I really enjoyed this thriller! It reminded me a bit of Criminal Minds, with the nature of the crime and the MO, which I loved. I definitely was surprised by the ending, I was convinced I knew who the killer was but was completely thrown off. I love books that keep you guessing until literally the very end, questioning every single character as a suspect as new information and evidence comes to light, which the author does very well. I couldn't put this book down towards the end and definitely want to read more by this author and highly recommend it!

4* Lacks 'gelling with the reader' factor for me, but a very decent tale, with admirable leads, and a killer I had to admire and feel for, one I wasn't sorry they got away with it.

I think the blurb feels a tad misleading, as the mentioned female DI isn't a lead character, but a very good investigator and support to the DCI, whose tale this is. Though he's widowed and clearly struggling to get back into the land of the living, he's hard to gel with because he's so closed-off. His redeeming quality is that he still sees and hears his late wife, and he seems to be trying to heed her words and counsel. The tale is strangely emotionless, though, and I didn't feel as if I got to know any characters, or was vested in them personally, though I will absolutely be reading more of this series (and was grateful and greedy for book 2 that I happened to get a copy of).

The story is set in remote Scotland with different policing and lawmaking rules that as a Brit in England, I didn't quite understand. It's very different and it feels as if sadly, power and prejudice, threats and politics prevent the truth from being outed and justice done. So, thank goodness that the killer had planned their revenge thoroughly, orchestrated it under the cover of literal and figurative darkness, and got away with it. I particularly liked the casual little physical display that revealed their identity and that they did a flit under the cover of darkness, getting away with justice and revenge. I've not often admired a killer or been on their side, but this one was justified in their actions, and very, very clever with it, yo the point of admiration. I did feel a little sorry for the DCI when the killer's reveal came, but he gets over this aspect of the tale quite nicely in book 2! And, I think he wouldn't have wanted to pursue the killer even if he could've.

Despite not feeling I got to know and like the leads, I really enjoyed this cleverly done tale of revenge best served cold, with a dash of French flair.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my reading pleasure.

Thanks to the Storm publishing and Netgalley for this outstanding 5 star eARC.

I loved every minute I spend reading the Bone Clock, by Andrew James Greig - this isn't your typical murder mystery fare, it is a clever an artfully constructed police procedural that I couldn't put down.

A stellar introduction to Detective Inspector James Corstorphine , a small town detective up against an extremely big town crime as he and his team attempt to unmask a serial killer who is one of a kind.

A fascinating well written mystery that anyone who enjoys solid police procedurals will enjoy. Reminiscent of some of the more solid mysteries I enjoy such as Mark Billingham's Tom Thorne series, this detective has natural talent to it the pieces together, he is just newly challenged by a serial killer with victims who seem initially unconnected, as the storyline develops, all the gears eventually mesh together to create a storyline you won't soon forget.

This story begs the question, when the worst type of abusers and killers have escaped justice, is it so wrong for someone to take matters into their own hands? Thought provoking and original, this story gets an enthusiastic 5 stars from this reviewer!

Another great book in the series. I really like this small team and how they work together in a self sufficient way doing a lot of things specialists would do in bigger teams/ areas. This one starts with the murder of one of the area's bad boys, known as a domestic abuser and feared by many. James and Frankie quickly realise he has not died by suicide, but has been murdered, then other connected murders follow. There are a couple of red herrings along the way. I must admit, some of the parts about the bone gears went slightly over my head, but not enough to take away from what was happening.
I look forward to more in this series.
Thanks NetGalley and Storm for the ARC.

Scottish Highlands Detective Inspector James Corstorphine is called to investigate a grisly murder scene – perhaps the worst he has ever encountered. A local gamekeeper is found hanging from an oak tree, his body tightly wrapped in a layer of wire and bone. His investigation leads him to a killer who handcrafts intricate layers from human remains to serve as death traps complete with clock-like mechanisms that deliver the final blow to the victim.
The victim’s pregnant girlfriend Margo-clearly the victim of an abusive relationship, aids in the investigation by providing a reporters notebook found among the gamekeeper’s possessions. Corstorphine discovers from the notebook that a young journalist was found hanging at the same tree twenty years before. Margo, fearful for her own life, is reluctant to reveal what she knows about the secret past of the Highland community.
The deaths soon mount and as Corstorphine deals with the ghosts of his own past to desperately find the killer. He soon finds the shocking truth. The killer is delivering pay back for the innocent victims of the wrongful crimes committed in the town.

Andrew James Greig's The Bone Clock is a gripping crime thriller that introduces readers to Detective Inspector James Corstorphine and his team as they delve into a series of intricate murders in the Scottish Highlands. The novel masterfully weaves together multiple perspectives, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the investigation from various angles. The team's dynamic is both engaging and authentic, with Corstorphine's character standing out as both relatable and complex. The Scottish setting adds a rich layer of atmosphere, enhancing the novel's immersive experience.

The plot is both original and thought-provoking, with the author tackling sensitive subjects with empathy and depth. The pacing is deliberate, allowing for thorough character development and a deep dive into the narrative's complexities. While some readers might find the detailed character exploration a departure from traditional action-driven thrillers, it adds a unique depth to the story. The ending, though satisfying, leaves room for anticipation, making readers eager for the next installment in the series.

Overall, The Bone Clock is a standout addition to the crime thriller genre, offering a fresh perspective with its character-driven approach and atmospheric setting. It's a must-read for those who appreciate a blend of suspense, emotional depth, and intricate storytelling.

This book had some of the most inventive murders I have read and the mechanisms behind them were so intriguing. While there were several murders it was quite slow paced and it felt like not much was actually happening. It picks up pace towards the end and then ends abruptly. I also guessed who the killer was as there were a limited amount of suspects.

Uncovering the motives and learning who else could be at risk added some suspense and I enjoyed getting to know the team. I look forward to seeing more of them in book 2.

Andrew James Greig weaves a chilling and atmospheric tale in The Bone Clock, a gripping Scottish crime thriller that pulses with tension, mystery, and an eerie sense of inevitability.

When Detective Inspector James Corstorphine is called to investigate a gamekeeper’s gruesome murder—his body ensnared in an intricate trap of wire and bone—the case quickly unearths long-buried secrets in the misty Scottish Highlands. Still mourning the loss of his wife, Corstorphine finds himself in a deadly game where the past refuses to stay buried, and every turn of the case reveals a connection to a decades-old crime. As more victims fall to a murderer who orchestrates their deaths with bone-chilling precision, Corstorphine must navigate a web of deception, retribution, and his own haunted past before the killer strikes again.

Greig’s writing is razor-sharp, his descriptions immersive, painting the Highlands as both breathtaking and sinister. The intricate plotting, combined with a deeply compelling protagonist, makes for an utterly engrossing read. With twists lurking in the shadows and an unsettling sense of fate ticking away, The Bone Clock is a masterclass in atmospheric crime fiction.

⭐ Final Verdict: A must-read for fans of Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, and anyone who loves their thrillers dark, intelligent, and utterly unputdownable. Prepare to be up all night!

✨ 5/5 ticking time bombs! ⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳✨

Wow!!! This was really good!! A riveting plot, a well accomplished police team , a lot of tension, and a very satisfying conclusion! I read it in two goes as I couldn't put the book down. I can't wait for the next investigation!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

This is the first in a new series and it’s sure to be popular. DI James Corstorphine is investigating dark crimes involving fatal mechanisms crafted from bone. They’re quite genius, but I would’ve liked to see some sort of sketch, especially for the first one, as the author has quite a task trying to describe these mechanisms with no visuals. It was hard to follow, so I just had to envision a vague steampunk-ish mechanical-looking creation.

After another victim is found, the detectives realize the cases are linked because of items left at the scene. And the killer doesn’t seem to be slowing down – for an area that has barely any crime, multiple murders in one week is unfathomable. When they finally do start piecing together links between the victims, they are met with a completely different obstacle – any possible witnesses are too terrified to speak out. Especially when they feel the victims are getting what they deserve. Will Corstorphine and his team succeed in catching the killer before anyone else is hurt?

I loved the creepiness of the bones being incorporated into the murder weapons. I did have an issue with the dogs – without ‘spoilers’ I’ll just say that there could have been other ways of dealing with that character. But the story ends abruptly shortly after discovering who the culprit is. Is it continued into the next story or was that it? Once it was narrowed down, it was kind of obvious who the perpetrator was, since they felt like a weirdly random character anyway.

I’ll most likely read the next book in the series as it has potential and will easily hook you in. Just maybe no more animals?

The Bone Clock is a great introduction to a new series that I certainly cant wait to follow.

Two murders have occured that brutual in nature and precisley planned .

Detective James Corstorphine is racing against the clock to solve them

Corstorphine is a relatable character that you cant help but like. He still communicates with his wife who dies ( I must say I do the same with my late husband) and his heart is in the right place.

The Bone Clock is a hard book to put down with its chilling atmosphere, suspense and solving the crime.

I am a fan of Andrew James Greig ( check out The Girl in the Loch) and I am looking forward to readiing The Devil's Cut.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the privilege of reading and reviewing The Bone Clock.

As an introduction to a new detective, this was a great start. I’m really liking James Corstorphine, though I’m not sure he needs to keep communing with his late wife, and I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Scotland is always a great setting for a mystery, and this was no exception. It’s easy to feel the atmosphere and imagine the setting. As the deaths start to mount up, Corstorphine and his fellow officers begin to piece together the story.
This was a deftly handled mystery, and the ending was unexpected, but works well. I’m looking forward to further Detective Corstorphine books.

Lower-middle tier tartan noir - really inventive set of murders which created a truly evocative serial killer vibe, but aligned to some very basic characterisation and limited sense of place. For a book set in the highlands it didn’t feel particularly Scottish to me - calling a sergeant Hamish and having a laird feels like slightly ineffective shorthand.
I understand The Bone Clock to have been published in two prints as Whirligig. This does mean some of the things that annoyed me should have been picked up now - we have a member of the House of Lords also referred to as an MP and holding constituency surgeries, which wouldn’t be possible. There are links to the Catholic Church which are in part illustrated by a papal coin for Paul II dated 1997 - I waited to see what the connection with Paul II was but it didn’t come up again - I’m left assuming it was intended as John-Paul II as the current pope in 1997. Little things like this are distracting when I’m not sufficiently engaged in the narrative.

So overall - clever and effective deaths, weak characterisation and a rather rushed ending. The second book is also available and I’m sort of interested to see where we go but I’m not going to rush into it. A good beach read perhaps.

What a cracker! A truly brilliant book - I didn’t want to put it down. I normally find the first in a new series quite hard work, as one doesn’t know the characters and there is so much backstory to get the story arcs up and running. Not so with this. Humble characters that I already love and mastery of story telling. I did solve it fairly early on, but I’m willing to overlook that as I cannot wait to start Book 2. Don’t hesitate - read this book!
I’m grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in return for this honest review.

This is the first book in The Detective Corstorphine Series. Still grieving his wife’s death, Corstorphine finds himself hunting a killer who crafts elaborate deathtraps from human remains – clockwork mechanisms that deliver murder with chilling precision. When the victim’s pregnant girlfriend Margo – her face a map of bruises – shares a reporter’s notebook found among her boyfriend’s possessions, Corstorphine discovers a connection to a journalist who died at the same hanging tree twenty years earlier. But Margo guards secrets of her own, and speaking the truth in this Highland community carries a deadly price. I love a good Scottish mystery and this one did not disappoint. It had great characters and a great plot. If you like Scottish mysteries then you will love this book. The ending was a great surprise. Highly recommended.

Murders, a serial killer, police investigations. I really enjoyed this first installment in this brand new series. I've been reading quite some cozy mysteries lately but this kind of story is my favorite. I just didn't want to stop reading. Nice writing style, easy to read, suspense, well developed characters realistic ... I can truly recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy via NetGalley/Storm Publishing and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

In the Scottish Highlands where secrets settle like mist in the glens, Detective Inspector James Corstorphine is summoned to a macabre scene a gamekeeper hanging from an ancient oak, ensnared by an intricate trap of wire and bone. Still grieving his wife’s death, Corstorphine finds himself hunting a killer who crafts elaborate deathtraps from human remains clockwork mechanisms that deliver murder with chilling precision! Great read!! Oooh I absolutely loved this book! First book in a new series and it was a great start! It definitely got the heart pumping!! This book was a very chilling thriller! It had great suspense, mystery, gruesome murders, intriguing, fantastic characters and some wild twists and turns! I highly recommend reading this book and series! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!