The new book by Stuart MacBride, an author I have much time for. I have read all of his books; however the last two I have read have been very disappointing indeed. “The Dead of Winter” sucked me in and I persevered because I was sure it had to get better, after all it was Stuart MacBride, but it was shite and I can’t believe I wasted my time reading it. So when I saw there was a new book from him coming out I reserved it at the library thinking to myself this one has to be better, I was wrong.

“In a Place of Darkness” is his latest effort and it got off to a good start, there were the usual gruesome details of the murder scene followed by a good bit of old Scottish banter which makes it sound all that more realistic and then they introduce some stupid character called “Angus” who is no more than a bumbling fool. I don’t like this kind of slapstick writing and reading about the minutia of inadequacy’s that he has and the coy interactions between him and others. It is absolutely pathetic and to add insult to injury an American character is introduced using stupid Americanisms and then I see what Stuart has done, he is pandering to the American market.

I would love to find out who the killer is and be drawn into that world of intrigue and read about all the gory details as they unfold but I cannot get past the inane simplicity of the language at times and how a whole chapter can be dedicated to the small calamities that befall Angus. I mean, getting soaked in the rain, ripping his trousers and getting stupid messages from his mother and a friend which are just there to create text on a page. Absolute shite!

I returned the book to the library this morning; I hadn’t even got to the halfway mark, it wore me out…………

I rode to the library and after dropping off my book I went for a latte at “The Rafter & Rose” café before heading home. The sun was shining, it was not too hot and all was well……