Old Bones Lie by Marion Todd

DI Clare Mackay is about to face a test of her loyalty…

When a report comes in that a van containing two prison officers and a convicted jewel thief is missing, the police in St Andrews work quickly to locate the vehicle. Their efforts prove in vain when no trace is found and they realise the wives of both officers also appear to have left the area. Is this a case of corrupt guards springing a felon, or innocent people caught in the crossfire?

DI Clare Mackay leads the team but has to do without her right hand man; DS Chris West is a cousin to one of the missing prison officers and must not be involved in the case. With a new sergeant at her side plus a previously unencountered DCI, Clare’s people skills are pushed to the limit. Especially once she realises her boss is keeping her on the sidelines. Just what is it that Clare doesn’t know? And if she has to choose between keeping secrets from a friend, or letting slip something that could see a culprit go free, which path will she take?

A compelling addition to the bestselling series by a much-loved Scottish crime author, perfect for fans of Caro Ramsay, Lin Anderson and Alex Gray.

About the author

A native of Dundee, Marion studied music with the Open University and worked for many years as a piano teacher and jobbing accompanist. A spell as a hotel lounge pianist provided rich fodder for her writing and she began experimenting with a variety of genres. Early success saw her winning first prize in the Family Circle Magazine short story for children national competition and she followed this up by writing short stories and articles for her local newspaper.

Life (and children) intervened and, for a few years, Marion’s writing was put on hold. During this time, she worked as a college lecturer, plantswoman and candle-maker. But, as a keen reader of crime fiction, the lure of the genre was strong, and she began writing her debut crime novel. Now a full-time writer, Marion lives in North-east Fife, overlooking the River Tay. She can often be found working out plots for her novels while tussling with her jungle-like garden and walking her daughter’s unruly but lovable dog.

Review

This series just gets better with every book! ‘Old Bones Lie’ is a gripping tale with twists and turns aplenty! I was completely engrossed by this book and flew through it in one day. This is the 6th book in the series but you can pick it up as a standalone very easily! I feel the series is coming into it's own now and when I visit St Andrews I will be imagining Clare striding down the beautiful streets and nipping in Toppings to update her own tbr pile!

It's Saturday night and a group of friends have gathered for a takeaway and some drinks. There is a knock on the door and armed men push their way in and kidnap the women. Their husbands are prison officers and are told they have to break out a prisoner or their wives will be hurt. Clare picks up the case when the prisoner and the prison officers go missing. When the woman who identified the prisoner during his trial is murdered Clare has to look into the past to try and solve this one.

I love DI Mackay and her team, which now includes the newbie DS Max Evans! Gosh, I bet I come across like him to new people, far too eager to please and full of random topics of knowledge. Loved him so much! Please keep him in the series Marion 🤞

The story in ‘Old Bones Lie’ was fascinating as it was so multilayered and there were some twists I did not see coming AT ALL! I particularly liked the thread about Maggie and her murder. I loved the determination of Clare to solve her cases, even though one of them is no longer technically her case when a DCI is parachuted in to lead the missing prisoner case.

This is a brilliant addition to the series and I can't wait for the next book to be released!