The Devil Stone

A Plethora Of Suspects…
A brutal, gruesome family massacre is at the heart of the latest outing from DCI Christine Caplan. The small Highland village will never be the same. The only thing that seems to have been been stolen from this well off family is an heirloom known as the ‘Devil Stone’. Are known satanists the culprits or is this an inside job and the crime scene staged? Caplan may well have to put her job and her life on line before the end. With a well crafted cast of characters, an engaging protagonist and an immersive, compelling plot peppered with suspense, a plethora of suspects and misdirection, this is an excellent entry to the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
DCI Christine Caplan, recently demoted, is on her way to lead a case of a terrible family massacre in the small Highland village of Chronchie. The 5 dead are laid out in a careful Satanist tableaux, suspiciously perfect. Could the 2 young men who stumbled on the scene be the perpetrators? Christine doesn't believe it. Leaving behind a difficult household in Glasgow, she walks into a messy and stressful police investigation with a missing SIO.
It's a hornet's nest, with corruption rife and there are definite signs there are forces intent on getting rid of Christine.
This is the first in the series, and a promising one. Christine is an appealing character and the ending is breathtaking, impossible to put the book down!
I look forward to meeting Christine and her family again, as well as a couple of the police (loved Mackie!). Highly recommended.

DCI Christine Caplan has recently been demoted to DI. Her personal life is a mess. Someone appears to be setting her up even a simple mugging on a night out turns deadly! This first outing for Christine sent to the Highlands as a punishment comes with a family murdered with the Occult in the frame. The suspicious characters come thick and fast. As a newcomer Christine does not know who to trust. Can the danger come from very close to home? DCI Caplan is a well rounded character who has to cope with the politics of police hierarchy. This is a new character who you will be very happy to follow into a new series.
Thank you NetGalley and (Severn House) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

The first novel in a new series introduces DCI Christine Caplan, a troubled Glasgow detective. Issues on a past case sees her demoted to DI and seconded to a remote Highland village. Leaving her family, who have issues of their own, she heads north.

The case Caplan has been pulled into is a very strange one. An entire family has been murdered - the local landowners left in a setting staged to look satanic, found by two local neds who just happened to break in.

Caplan investigates, working with a strange cast of local detectives, and finding many obstacles in her way. She wonders whether this is incompetence or something more sinister, unsure who to trust. But it appears there is something even more sinister than a mass murder going on in the sleepy village.

DCI Caplan is an intriguing character, a detective with morals but hints of past behaviours yet to be explained. The plot of the novel is complex and clever, with motivations of several characters unclear until the conclusion. A very good novel that is engaging and not at all straightforward.

Thanks to Caro and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book before the publication date.

An internal enquiry has found DCI Caplan guilty of mishandling evidence and demotes her to DI with a reduced salary.
As the sole breadwinner for her household, Christine is already struggling to hold down a responsible job and attend to the daily demands of her family.

In the Highlands, 5 members of a wealthy family have been found murdered in their home. A 6th member of the family is missing.
After working 48 hours without a break, the SIO leaves the property in the early hours of the morning but never arrives home. The second in command is an inexperienced DI with an expensive lifestyle and aspirations of promotion, possibly beyond his capabilities.

Christine is instructed to join the team and provide her experience as a DCI (on a DI salary).
The jungle drums have been working overtime and by the time she arrives, everyone knows her history.
The team are a strange mix of officers and Christine is wary about who can be trusted.

As an outsider, will she be allowed to unravel the truth?
There are lots of twists, turns and red herrings along the way.

I enjoyed the story but did feel that some of the characters were a bit too stereotyped.

The Devil Stone opens up with a prologue filled with intrigue and a hook that grabs you by the throat and pulls you right in. We are then taken back just over a week in time to watch this darkly twisted story unfold.
In the Highlands a wealthy family have been brutally murdered in what appears to be a satanic ritual, while back down in Glasgow DCI Christine Caplan has been demoted to DC following accusations of mishandling evidence. On a night out with her daughter, she becomes caught up in a mugging and the repercussions of this event leave Christine feeling like someone is out to get her. She is sent up to assist with the Highland investigation and while she sees this as a punishment, she almost welcomes the idea of escaping from what appears to be a chaotic and tension filled family life.
It can be strange starting a new series from a favourite author, it’s a bit like starting up a new relationship and I find myself wondering if we will click. Well, of course I needn’t have worried at all. From the very outset of this book, I was immediately caught up in Caplan’s life. Caro Ramsay, once again has created a protagonist that comes alive and steps off the page and into your life. Caplan certainly doesn’t have it easy in life at the moment, there are lots of hints about an unsettled family life which are sure to be explored further as the series develops. She is a fascinating woman, on one hand she appears to be a confident professional woman, yet we also catch a glimpse of the woman who is sometimes left feeling invisible and undervalued. I found it impossible not to warm to her.
Once again, Caro Ramsay has also created a cast of captivating characters to support her main character, Caplan and as we watch her join the Highland investigation, it quickly becomes clear that her fellow detectives are perhaps not always as lily white as they would like her to think they are. She quickly realises, not only has she got to earn her place in this small Highland village, where the gossip about her demotion is rife, but she is also left with a distinct feeling of unease that not everyone has her back. Suspicion and tension seep out of the pages, leaving a very real sense of unease and anxiety.
The sense of place is simply outstanding, a small sleepy Highland village is not only breathtakingly beautiful but at the same time it is sinister and dark. Vivid imagery brings the scenes to life and the tension increases dramatically as Caplan begins to realise that her life might be in danger. There are some brutal and raw scenes in the book, never gratuitous and always driving the story forward. The story line has it all, it is a perfect mix of mystery and police procedural. It is an exploration of relationships, both personal and professional; it is toxic, twisted and deliciously dark.
As the events in Glasgow and the Highlands collide and the pieces all drop into place, you will be left with your jaw dropping and desperate for the next instalment in this series. Caro Ramsay could never be accused of writing fluff and there is one thing you can be sure of when you pick up a book by Caro Ramsay and that is that you are going to going to find yourself embroiled in an intelligent and complex storyline which will leave you feeling as though you have stepped straight into the pages and become part of the investigation yourself.
Outstanding and I can’t wait for the next in the series!

Thank you Severn House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 5 stars for DNF as I cannot comment on the overall quality of the book. This is a tough one because the writing is objectively good. Caro Ramsay certainly knows how to write. The premise itself was very interesting and engrossing. However, it was too long winded for my tastes. In the first 20℅ we are run through the crime scene TWICE from multiple povs in excruciating details. There are spot of filler scenes (once again, well written) that allow down the pace of thus book. Also this is one of the rare times where I felt I needed to read the orchids books in the series to have a thorough understanding of all the characters and dynamics at play.

If you're a fan of Lisa Raegen, Josie Quinn, Helen Field and the likes of other slow burn crime writers, I am confident you will enjoy this. Unfortunately me and my ADHD require a bit more pace than offered. Again, this is well written, just not for me.

I love Caro Ramsay and the Anderson and Costello series, so couldn’t wait to read this new series featuring DCI Christine Caplan. In a small Highland Village, a wealthy family are murdered, and the only thing stolen is “The Devil Stone”. Known satanists are the chief suspects, but when the investigating officer goes missing, DI Caplan recently demoted is called in from Glasgow. She is hoping to solve the case quickly and return home to her chaotic home life. If only it was that simple! I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to find out more about Christine Caplan. Such a good way to spend a rainy afternoon it kept me in suspense and on the edge of my seat! Hopefully another instalment is on the way!!

A really enjoyable police procedural. Well written and rounded characters who I enjoyed getting to know and an interesting and twisty plot. My only niggle is that by the climax of the story there were so many names being thrown around I was getting really confused as to who was involved. A good read!

This is the first book by Caro Ramsay that I've read, but it won't be the last. The Devil Stone is what I hope is the start of a new series, DCI Christine Caplan has been "asked" to step down to DI in the wake of an irregularity with some evidence (I wonder if we'll learn more about that backstory at some point) when she's sent to cover a murder investigation that has misplaced its DCI. Everyone seems to be trying to get her to back off, from the DI who tries to freeze her out of the investigation to the ACC who says she's got Christine's back. Fast-paced and full of twists and turns, I recommend this police procedural.

Thanks to Severn House for access to a digital ARC via NetGalley.

The talented Caro Ramsay begins a new Scottish crime series, featuring the complicated Glasgow DCI Christine Caplan, facing dangerous, powerful and deadly forces intent on besmirching her reputation, and endangering her career and her life. An issue over evidence in a case and a mugging gone wrong has her demoted to DI, and sent to the Highland village of Cronchie to join the local police team where soon to be retired DCI Bob Oswald has strangely gone missing. He was in charge of a high profile macabre case in which 5 members of the wealthy and privileged McGregor family, the elderly Lady Charlotte, parents Stan and Barbara, and their children, Catriona and Gordon are discovered strangled, and posed next to each other, with a polaroid photograph stuffed down their throats.

The crime scene at Otterburn House was discovered by 2 teenage housebreakers, the massacre is carefully staged to appear as part of a satanic ritual, with a goat's head and inverse cross, and despite the presence of jewels and exclusive products, the only thing taken is the precious family heirloom, the devil stone, steeped in folklore and history. The police team is led by the inexperienced but ambitious DI Garry Kinsella, supported by DS Iain Gourlay on a fast track career path. Caplan is made to feel like an unwanted outsider, sidelined, kept out of the loop and is assigned local DC Finnan Craigo with the express purpose of hampering her ability to make any progress. Caplan is weighed down by worries over the family she has left behind in Glasgow, husband Aklen and the serious issues he is afflicted by, son Kenny fast disappearing into a virtual world and not attending university, although daughter Emma is more like her, highly organised and efficient.

Caplan finds herself under huge pressure to solve a case with multiple threads, including police corruption and the drug trade, as she races against time to find the true perpetrators of the most heinous of crimes. Ramsay does a terrific job of establishing Christine as the central protagonist and a fascinating and disparate cast of supporting characters, this includes her best friend Lizzie, her family, DC Toni Mackie and DC Craigo. This is the most gripping and twisted of Scottish crime reads, with a wonderful sense of location, I found myself completely immersed in the storylines and could not stop reading until I had reached the end with the thrilling finale. The author has come up with what promises to be a superb new Scottish crime series, and I cannot wait for the follow up. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

* 4.5 stars*

Although I’d heard of author Caro Ramsay, I’d never read any of her books, but this being the first of a new series made it the perfect time to get acquainted with her.

The massacre of a wealthy family in the Scottish Highlands appears to have a satanic connection to it, and it brings DCI Christine Caplan to the small village of Cronchie from her usual patch of Glasgow. She’s hoping that this case will restore her reputation, which appears to be in tatters right now. Added to that her family is in a complete mess too.

The wealthy McGregor family are found dead at their home, having been posed alongside each other with a Polaroid photo stuffed down their throats. Only one member of the family is missing, the youngest member Adam, although he no longer lived at home. Could Adam have murdered his whole family in order to inherit the vast wealth they’d accumulated, after all, he is the black sheep of the family, and hated everything they stood for? Or is that too simple an explanation, has it been staged to make him look guilty!

Two local teenagers (known satanists) found the bodies whilst breaking and entering, but the only thing that appears to be missing is The Devil Stone. The murder scene has been arranged to appear as if satanists were responsible, but is that exactly what it is, just staging, expert use of smoke and mirrors?

Caplan finds herself working with an odd cast of characters, local detectives who resent outsiders coming in thinking that they know better, and it appears to be their job to present obstacles at every turn. Caplan isn’t that easily dissuaded though, but she has no idea what she’s up against - with various threads to this case, she will face some very dangerous characters whilst trying to get to the truth.

An excellent start to this new series, with some interesting ( though not always likeable) characters. There is a gathering of momentum as the tale progresses making the reader turn the pages at an increasing (and impatient) rate. With the addition of a terrific protagonist in Caplan, who had me rooting for her from the outset, this is a terrific read!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers for an advance copy of The Devil Stone, the first novel to feature DCI Christine Caplan of Police Scotland.

A family of five is murdered in their home in the Highland village of Cronchie and the only thing missing is a family heirloom, the mystical Devil Stone. When the investigating officer, DCI Oswald, goes missing after visiting the scene Caplan is sent north from Glasgow to assist the investigation.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Devil Stone, which has a plot full of twists and turns and a likeable protagonist. I have been reading the author’s novels for years as I like her style of writing and the way her mind works and this novel is no different. It’s easy to follow, despite a lot of murkiness about who did what, it has great characters and a lovely sense of place.

I must admit that when I started reading I did not imagine that 5 dead MacGregors and hints of satanism would lead to where it did. It’s not exactly misdirection on the author’s part, more a jumping off point for even more serious crime. I loved it and was glued to the pages from start to finish. So, there’s a murder investigation, but Caplan doesn’t see eye to eye over it with the detective she was sent to help, DI Kinsella, as he’s looking at the lazy answer and she knows it doesn’t fit. They both end up doing their own thing with the friction adding a little something to proceedings. The resolution to the case is gobsmacking in its verve and action. It’s all highly unlikely but it’s exciting and seems fitting for all that’s gone before.

I like Christine Caplan. She doesn’t have her troubles to seek, either personally or professionally, and finding herself fitted up for more would break a lesser woman, but she can soldier on quietly, calmly and professionally.

The Devil Stone is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

A storyline like no other.

DCI Christine Caplan had recently been demoted to Detective Inspector after some evidence had gone missing on her last case. She’s had to accept the demotion as her husband is ill and her teenage son is out of control.

In the new position of Detective Inspector, Christine is sent to help with a case in Cronchie, a small town on the coast of Scotland. Christine is only supposed to be there for a few days until the missing Detective Chief Inspector hopefully, re-appears.

A decomposed family is discovered when two young boys break into the manor house, Otterburn. The family had not been missed as they were all supposed to be away on holiday. The only member who has escaped being murdered is the youngest son, Adam. However, he can’t be found.

Christine finds herself with a young Detective Inspector who shows no respect for her. He wants the case to be his big step up in the police. Other members of the team go out of their way to hinder Christine’s inquiries and the big question hanging over everything is where is DCI Oswald?

The case of discovering who murdered the family, where the missing “Devil Stone” is and whether there are corrupt police working on the case trying to scupper all inquiries, Christine finds herself completely out of her depth.

I’m a huge fan of Caro Ramsay and must admit that when I started this novel, I was a bit nervous because there were so many threads to follow. However, once I’d worked out where everyone fitted in, I needed to disappear into my “reading corner” so as not to be disturbed until I reached the climax of this remarkable novel featuring a woman who is prepared to fight for justice, regardless of the obstacles put in her path.

Rony

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

A nice start to a new series. DCI Christine Caplan has not only been demoted, she's been sent from Glasgow to a Highlands village to deal with an especially ugly case. Yes a family was murdered and yes the only thing taken in the attack was the famous Devil Stone but did Satanists do it? There are some unexpected twists here - even given that there are Satanists involved- so no spoilers from me. Ramsay has created a dynamic character in Caplan, a woman who has a messy back story and a sharp mind. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's actually a page turner and I'm looking forward to the next outing with Caplan.

This is an amazing start to a new series by Caro Ramsay! I loved the characterisation, especially Caplan, who is under extreme pressure to solve a multiple murder of a wealthy local family, living in a small village in west Scotland. The setting is beautiful and I felt transported right to the heart of the action. Caplan soon finds herself working with a team of strange detectives, uncovering a web of police corruption and drug smuggling. The whole story, with it's clever plotting just pulled me in from the beginning and I am sure this is promising to be a new, and superbly crafted, crime series which I highly recommend. I look forward to the next in the series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This crime thriller is set in Scotland and follows DI Christine Caplan who is trying to prove herself to regain her DCI status after an unfortunate incident.

When the bodies of an entire family are found murdered in Otterburn House where the Devil Stone is kept, the police must work out what could lead to such a devastating occurrence. DI Caplan is placed to assist in their case and soon starts to wonder who she can trust.

With the original lead investigator DCI Bob Oswald missing, DI Caplan starts to wonder whether there are further links to the case.

Who can DI Caplan trust? Who is responsible for the family murders?

I found the storyline interesting has it had many possible reasons for why the murders could have taken place and who could be involved. This kept the mystery throughout, as the story unfolded.

I did find there were too many characters involved for me and I found myself getting a bit lost at times. If there were to be more in this series, I think it would be easier to have less characters brought into the storyline so you could concentrate more on what was happening.

I loved Christine’s character, as she is a strong woman who is dealing with a lot of pressure not only in her job but in her personal life too. She sticks to what she feels is right and doesn’t give in which I really liked to see.

Overall, an interesting crime thriller where the police must solve the mysterious killing of a whole family.

A definite four star read. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing. Well rounded characters. Would definitely read the next novel . Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

DCI Christine Caplan is pulled in from Glasgow to investigate a brutal murder in a small village in the Scottish Highlands. Her work on this case involving the murder of all but one member of a prominent family in the area could either get her career back on the right track or end it once and for all.

The book got off to a slow start for me as I figured out who all the characters were and who would be important to the ongoing story and who could be trusted. However, things picked up after a few chapters and I really started enjoying the book. I like Christine and the investigation was an interesting one. I like other books by this author and think this book is a great start to a new series and I would be interested in reading any future books with DCI Christine Caplan.

I received this book at no cost from NetGalley through the courtesy of Severn House. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

I am already a big fan of this author's other series featuring Anderson and Costello which I played catchup with for a while, getting into it late. So I was quite excited to be getting in on the first floor with this, her newest series featuring DCI Christine Caplan.
Caplan has been seconded from Big City Glasgow to a small village Cronchie after some shenanigans. It is her chance to redeem herself and regain her reputation which, prior to said shenanigans, was exemplary. A bit harsh all told when the blot on her copybook was relatively minor... but them's the breaks!
Anyway... small village, less crime - right? WRONG! She is called to the scene of, well, something quite odd. There's been a burglary, but the thieves kinda bit off more than they wanted to chew when what they actually stumbled on was the scene of a rather nasty crime scene. The entire family of the big house they were targeting brutally murdered in what looked like a satanic ritual. I say entire, all bar one who is currently missing. Also missing is a rather nifty and sort after heirloom - The Devil Stone - which is mired in myth and evil... And then the lead detective also vanishes...!
Christine soon has her own ideas about what she sees but, reputation and shenanigans aside, even just being the "outsider" the "interloper" appears tough enough. But is she tougher...?
As with most series openers there's a fair amount of scene setting and introducing and story-so-far to be found as well as the present day goings on. This is necessary and nature of the series beast and is done in a very balanced way. It's also a bit of a slow burn which also matches the circumstance of the main character who has a lot to get to grips with initially - not just her past but also diving head first into a rather nasty crime early doors.
In Christine I think the author has excelled herself creating a main character who I instantly clicked with and wanted to know more about both as a detective but also as a person. Her family, left behind in the city, also causing her grief from afar too. Her other half not being the most supportive.
And the case under investigation - wowsers - that kept me on my toes throughout. Secrets, lies, dysfunctional behaviour, myth and magic, and a missing heir. It's all a bit convoluted and I did have to have my wits about me all the way through but it was also easy to read as I am already familiar with the author's style. And the setting is priceless and almost a character in its own right it adds so much to the tale being told.
All in all, a cracking series opener which wholly satisfied but also left me hankering for more of the same. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Great new Scottish crime entry!

Detective Chief Inspector Christine Caplan has just been slotted back to Detective Inspector.
A review of lost material had her demoted temporarily. She carried the card for someone else, a member of her team she’d trusted.
Part of her punishment is to go up north to Otterburn near Cronchie to take a secondary lead on a bizarre murder—five members of the one family with satanic ritual overtones.
Only when she arrives one of the lead detectives is missing. Things are not as they seem.
Back home she’s also being looked at for police brutality when she stopped a young thief who’d knocked a pensioner out of her wheelchair in an effort to steal her bag. And now the three eyewitnesses have all mysteriously turned against her.
The thing is the thief was high. A new drug’s in town that’s diabolical! Snapdragon! People are dying!
Who to trust, at home and up north? Those above her seem to be intent on making her the scapegoat. And I certainly wouldn’t trust her superior ACC Sarah Linden.
Tension, intrigue, targeted deaths, a target family, a time to cry! What more do I want?
Thrilling new entry into the modern Scottish crime scene!

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

The Devil Stone by Caro Ramsay is the first book in the new DCI Christine Caplan series and what a great start to a new series this was. When DCI Christine Caplan, personal life is a mess and has recently been demoted to DI..........She's has now been sent from Glasgow to a Highlands village to deal with an especially ugly case.
But this is only the beginning of all her problems! Then Someone appears to be setting her up with a simple mugging on a night out turns deadly!

A family was murdered and the only thing taken in the attack was the famous Devil Stone.

Why did someone kill this family and take this famous Devil Stone?

What does this mean?

Where they Satanists who did it and killed this family?

WoW, This book is so good, it was full of brilliant twists and turns throughout. I am loving this new series and looking forward reading what happens next with Christine

I highly recommend this book.....

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.

A great start to a new series, which I'm sure I'll be following as avidly as I do the Costello and Anderson one.
I loved the intiguing mix of satanism, police procedure, small village closeness, a rogue and deadly drug and the sense of desolation although the novel is set only a stone's throw from Glasgow.
I think with a new series it is always difficult to set just the right tone for your main character and the suporting ones that will accompany that character through the series. Caplan as main character - disgraced and angry and with issues at home is just complicated enough to be intriguing without her complicated persobnal life getting in the way. As I was reading there were a few characters that I reallly, really wanted to make the grade to the next novel and that is because Ramsay is so good at creating believable characters. I'm pleased to say that two of my favourites seem to have made the step inot book 2 (Fingers crossed anyway).
This is a resounding 4.5 stars from me and I'll round it up to 5 because of the characterisation being so good

The Devil Stone is the first book in the DCI Christine Caplan series by British author, Caro Ramsay. Only just demoted to DI, Glasgow detective Christine Caplan is sent north to assist with a mass murder case near the village of Cronchie. Five members, three generations, of one family have been killed in what has been set up to look like a Satanic ritual. The youngest son of this wealthy, prominent, local land-owner family, Adam McGregor, is absent.

Missing from the house, the Deilstane the family kept safe, local legend claiming death and disaster would follow if the stone was removed. Two teens break into the house, intent on stealing exactly that (and perhaps more) while the family is away on a cruise. They are members of the local Deilmen, devil worshippers, but their shock and distress at finding the three-week-old corpses is undoubtedly genuine.

After he leaves this disturbing scene, the SIO, DCI Bob Oswald fails to return home, one reason Caplan is sent there; that the DI leading the case lacks experience and confidence is another factor. DI Garry Kinsella claims to be relieved that Caplan has arrived to help, but also seems to be wedded to the idea that two inept teens committed the murders, then returned weeks later: Caplan remains sceptical.

Working with a team she doesn’t know, some of whom seem less that capable, others, quite secretive, is a challenge, as are the locals who openly display mistrust of the police. But Caplan is also distracted by lack of support from her superiors in a mugging incident where the teenaged assailant died.

She leaves behind in Glasgow a dysfunctional family: a chronically depressed, unemployed husband, a son failing to commit to his education; and a daughter conflicted between tending family and advancing her career. Disturbingly, all her personal problems are apparently common knowledge within the team. Knowing exactly whom she can trust is a dilemma.

Two more deaths occur before things become clear, and the one that looks like a tragic accident arouses Caplan’s suspicion enough that she looks into Bob Oswald’s most recent case. As she closes in on what’s really happening, multiple attempts to discourage her investigations only firm her resolve.

Ramsay’s newest series offers a strong female protagonist, plenty of twists, turns and red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and a nail-biting climax. More of this cast of characters is most definitely welcome. Excellent Scottish crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Severn House.

Thanks to Severn House & NetGalley for ARC.

DCI Christine Caplan has just been disciplined and demoted, her reputation on the rocks after her last big case. Her home life is a mess, and she is feeling trapped and paranoid.
When most of a prominent Highland family is murdered in particularly gruesome fashion, she is sent to assist on the case - Is this so she can rescue the outcome, or get it wrong again and completely wreck her career? Who can she trust, in Glasgow as well as the Highlands? The answers are surprising.
It took me a while to warm to the poised, brittle Caplan. I hated the opening sequences of the murder scene, with its ritualistic overtones. I found it a wee bit hard to credit the wider conspiracy sub plot. But on the whole this is a rich, dark slice of the Tartan Noir cake, and I look forward to another.

DCI Christine Caplan is the main character in a new series by Caro Ramsay. The series starts with a bang and never stopped keeping me hooked on the edget.
There's plenty of twist, there's violence, and an interesting MC.
It's an excellent novel that met my expectations and I came to expect a lot from this Tartan Noir writer.
Gripping and entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

EXCERPT: 'Hey, look.' Bainsey shone the light across the floor, catching a maggot-ridden goat's head perched on a red velvet chaise longue; from it ran a trickle of dried liquid, two bright goblets on either side. Two daggers, their blades dull and stained, were arranged in between. There was a black figurine, goat-headed, winged and fork-tailed as a centrepiece and, as the beam of light dropped, he saw the inverted cross and the charred book. Even he could guess, from its feather-thin pages, that it was a bible.

He started saying something that Scotto couldn't make out, then his eyes closed, opened again, and he smiled before moving the light down, giggling a little, jerking the phone, causing the beam to drop suddenly where it caught the ghostly white face staring at the ceiling with nacreous clouded eyes. Unable to stop himself, he looked along. Another face. Then another. Five of them in a row, cheek to cheek.

ABOUT 'THE DEVIL STONE': In the small Highland village of Cronchie, a wealthy family are found brutally murdered in a satanic ritual and their heirloom, 'the devil stone', is the only thing stolen. The key suspects are known satanists - case closed? But when the investigating officer disappears after leaving the crime scene, DCI Christine Caplan is pulled in to investigate from Glasgow in a case that could restore her reputation.

Caplan knows she is being punished for a minor misdemeanour when she is seconded to the Highlands, but ever the professional, she's confident she can quickly solve the murders, and return home to her fractious family. But experience soon tells her that this is no open and shut case.

She suspects the murder scene was staged, and with the heir to the family estate missing, there is something more at play than a mythical devil stone. As she closes in on the truth, it is suddenly her life, not her reputation that is danger! Will Caplan's first Highland murder case be her last?

MY THOUGHTS: The Devil Stone is the first crime thriller in a new series featuring the recently demoted DI Christine Caplan. She's very good at her job - no one is arguing about that - but the result of her being distracted from the job by her fractious family has resulted in her demotion. A demotion that no one is easily going to let her forget. The mistake she has taken responsibility for is the source of much good and not-so-good natured ribbing.

The problems with her husband Aklen are treated like some sort of mystery with little bits of information dribbled out throughout the book. Personally, I found this really annoying. I was waiting for this big reveal, something shocking, traumatic. It wasn't and I would rather have had this information from the start. She also has problems with teenage son, Kenny. Daughter Emma is intelligent, kind and focused.

Christine's team on this case are a mixed bag. Kinsella, an inexperienced DCI - Christine's old rank, is pleasant and seems to have a good human touch. But while he is struggling under the weight of his new responsibilities, he seems to be wary of trusting Christine and including her in the investigation. He has teamed her with Craigo, who seems to be a truly unremarkable man. He is the butt of the jokes of the team, and they constantly play pranks on him, for which he falls every time. But in reality, he is bright and hard working, quiet and thoughtful. He has good instincts, but is disinclined to share them. Gourlay is ambitious, and not too choosy about the methods he uses to get to where he wants to be.

There are some incredible characters in this book that I hope we will be seeing more of as the series progresses.

There are multiple threads to this story including police corruption and drug trafficking. There were times during the read that I felt a little confused, but everything is tied up neatly at the end.

⭐⭐⭐.7

#TheDevilStone #NetGalley

I: : #caroramsay @severnhouseimprint

T: @CaroRamsayBooks @severnhouse

#contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #familydrama #murdermystery #thriller

THE AUTHOR: Caro Ramsay was born and brought up in Glasgow, and now lives in a village on the west coast of Scotland. She is an osteopath, acupuncturist and former marathon runner, who devotes much of her time to the complementary treatment of injured wildlife at a local rescue centre. (Amazon)

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Severn House via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Silent Conversation by Caro Ramsay for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

The Devil Stone by Caro Ramsay.
In the small Highland village of Cronchie, a wealthy family are found brutally murdered in a satanic ritual and their heirloom, 'the devil stone', is the only thing stolen. The key suspects are known satanists - case closed? But when the investigating officer disappears after leaving the crime scene, DCI Christine Caplan is pulled in to investigate from Glasgow in a case that could restore her reputation.
Caplan knows she is being punished for a minor misdemeanour when she is seconded to the Highlands, but ever the professional, she's confident she can quickly solve the murders, and return home to her fractious family. But experience soon tells her that this is no open and shut case. She suspects the murder scene was staged, and with the heir to the family estate missing, there is something more at play than a mythical devil stone. As she closes in on the truth, it is suddenly her life, not her reputation that is danger! Will Caplan's first Highland murder case be her last?.
A brilliant read. I enjoyed this book . Great story. 5*.

Wow! This one opens up with a dramatic scene and sets the pace for a fast moving, gripping drama with a protagonist you know you want to see so much more of.

DCI Christine Caplan has very clearly pissed someone off. She’s going through disciplinary action as a result of misplaced evidence and as she’s returning home after an evening out with her daughter she bravely foils a mugger – only to face accusations of excessive force. Under a cloud and facing demotion to D.I. she’s utterly fed up when she is sent to the small Highland village of Cronchie to help out. The long-standing DCI, Bob Oswald, has gone missing in the midst of a horribly brutal family slaying.

Oswald was in charge of a high profile macabre case in which 5 members of the wealthy and privileged McGregor family, the elderly Lady Charlotte, parents Stan and Barbara, and their children, Catriona and Gordon are discovered strangled, and posed next to each other.

The police investigation has focussed on the two lads who found the family, but Christine is less convinced. Her insertion into the team has, however, provoked some annoyance and she needs to get them on side if they are to be effective in investigating this horrendous crime. DI Garry Kinsella clearly resents her presence and she feels that she’s being kept at arm’s length from the information she needs.

Keen to restore her good name and equally keen to make sure she can return to her family which is giving her some cause for concern on a number of fronts, she puts herself under a lot of pressure.

Part of the joy of this book is the disparate cast of characters, especially in the local Cronchie police team. It’s difficult for her to work out whether they are being deliberately obstructive or are just struggling under a temporary leader in D.I. Kinsella.

Caro Ramsay establishes a wonderful sense of place and the contrast between the beautiful Highland scenery and the dark and dangerous going on there creates a wonderful threatening atmosphere and builds a tension that rapidly grows into a dangerous and life-threatening series of events. The plot line is tremendous; dark and sinister with a myriad of suspects. As Christine juggles with events and personalities at home in Glasgow and in the Highlands her life will be threatened and she will be driven to desperate measures to find the guilty party.

Verdict: Caro Ramsay has created a brilliant set of characters for this first in series police procedural. You want to know much more about Christine Caplan who is clearly a competent and professional officer despite the many personal and professional obstacles she faces. This is a brilliant start to a new series that is clearly going to be unmissable.

Waterstones Hive Stores

An excellent start to a new Scottish police procedural series. The main character is dealing with a complicated home life and working situation and is then demoted and sent off to work on a particularly gruesome and complex case with satanic overtones. A gripping mystery with a main character I rooted for.

This first book of a new series from Caro Ramsey begins with the discovery of a gruesome killing, the murders of a wealthy family, the McGregors, in a town in the Scottish Highlands. And very shortly after that discovery, as the police are completing their initial work at the scene, the skilled, soon to retire DCI Oswald disappears. Meanwhile, in Glasgow, DCI Christine Caplan is in the midst of both professional and personal problems. The professional issues are endangering her hard won title of DCI. But there is an olive branch of sorts offered…she can go to Cronchie as DCI until Oswald returns and “help” direct this important investigation.

Caplan travels to Cronchie to enter into an investigation already underway. As she does, she begins to question everything she encounters, from the meaning of the crime scene to the intent of several of her fellow officers. There are strong indications that the murder is not at all what it appears but the local police seem close to wrapping it up. Why they are in such a rush puzzles her. This is a truly engaging story on every level.

Caplan herself is a multifaceted person with warts and all; while other characters though not so fully drawn are given breadth. Some are allowed to be enigmatic which I enjoyed. There are excellent plotting, elements of corruption, and a well done action finale

I have enjoyed Ramsey’s writing in the past and I am definitely looking forward to the next book to follow The Devil Stone.

Highly recommended for all mystery readers. 4.5

Thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Excellent start to a new series, love being in at the start so I don't need to go back for everyone's back stories.

Recommended.