‘A Killer of Influence’ by JD Kirk

Published by Canelo,
12 September 2024.
ISBN: 978-180436827-5 (HB)

Inverness DCI Logan has got all the bodies he can handle ... until someone kidnaps eight influencers on their way home from a convention in Inverness, and posts videos of them being tortured online.

This book is well through the series, so it took me a couple of chapters to catch up. DCI Logan and his team are finishing off the case in the previous book, Where the pieces lie, with the discovery of the bodies whose ten chopped-off index fingers were found in the neighbouring house. Logan, his police team and his partner, pathologist Shona Maguire, are working flat out to deal with them. On top of that, Logan’s received an anonymous gift of a beer mat from the pub where he used to drink – someone knows his secret. Worse, the minibus used to kidnap the influencers had his numberplate. He’s backed by a lively team: Ben, his second-in-command, whose life looks like it’ll be blighted if the cafe opposite closes; tactless Tyler and his wife Sinead; Hamza the techie cop whose marriage has just broken up. Once that was sorted out, the story raced along: a sinister stranger at Logan’s door, the caged influencers being forced to mime being themselves, a gruesome murder, Logan’s old boss, the Gozer, taking over, and twists galore, leading up to a suspense-filled ending. It was a mix of gritty situation and cosy characters, all told with a wonderful dark humour. I particularly loved the older officers’ reactions to the hitherto unknown world of influencers.

A fast-moving, wise-cracking Scottish PP with great characters and a page-turning plot. J D KIrk’s many fans know they’re in for a treat; I’m off to start catching up on the books I’ve missed. If you like to start at the beginning, the very first in the series is A Litter of Bones.
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Reviewer: Marsali Taylor

JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. He has written thirteen books in a series featuring DCI Logan. Northwind is the first in a new series featuring Robert Hoon. His books combine his love of the Highlands, crime thrillers, and cats.

Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh and came to Shetland as a newly qualified teacher. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.  She lives with her husband and two Shetland ponies.

www.marsalitaylor.co.uk