Avenge the Dead by Jackie Baldwin is an edge-of-your-seat crime thriller with a deep exploration of human motivations and consequences.

DI Frank Farrell and DS McLeod, returning to Dumfries for a fresh murder case, face dark secrets, tangled mysteries and more. Baldwin takes readers on a roller coaster ride as the two unravel the past and present of the murders, unveiling unexpected and emotionally fraught consequences.

Avenge the Dead is sure to capture the attention of any reader looking for a captivating crime drama. With vivid, lifelike characters and nail-biting suspense, this novel is sure to keep you glued to the pages.

Fabulous plot which I could not put down. Brilliant characters, and twists and turns. Highly recommend to other fans of this genre!!

The prologue was great. Really gripping and horror filled. I imagined this was going to start off like a rocket and just get better. Then Chapter 1 appeared to be a completely different story. Different feel, different cast of characters. No explanation of any connection to the prologue for several chapters.

This book had so many characters right off the bat that I really struggled to keep everyone classified. I felt like I had to make notes of who was who. It was very frustrating.

I picked it up and put it down about 5 different times. At 30% in I finally decided that I was not interested enough to keep going.

Perhaps I wasn't in the right mindset to really be focused on just this one book. I have to read in small sections (30 min at a time usually) and this book may require longer reading blocks to keep everything straight.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #OneMoreChapter for offering #AvengeTheDead for an honest review.

Firstly, let me say that AVENGE THE DEAD is the third installment of the DI Frank Farrell series and I suspect that readers would benefit from starting at the beginning before tackling this one. However, having said that, I did thoroughly enjoy the story...I just wish I knew more of what was going on with the backstory that readers are just drip-fed throughout.

When a prominent solicitor's wife is murdered, DI Frank Farrell, DS Mhairi McLeod and DC Dave Thomson head back to Dumfries from their new base in Glasgow to head up the investigation. The team had formerly lived and worked there but returning appears to stir up memories for them all, particularly for Frank. The team suspect Gina's husband Fergus but he had been playing poker with two other defence solicitors, Jack Kerr and Max Delaney, at the time. Then it soon comes to light that the murdered woman, Gina Campbell, was having an affair with another solicitor and was the daughter a Glasgow mob boss Mario Lombardo. Could her death have ties to her father's seedy business dealings?

However, when the son of another solicitor is murdered, the case becomes more complicated. Aaron Sullivan was in the process of being adopted by Jack and Sarah Kerr. So how does his death connect to that of Gina Campbell?

But when it is revealed that all three solicitors - Fergus Campbell, Jack Kerr and Max Delaney - share a history of having been present shortly before the tragic death of a colleague in a fire 10 years before, Farrell begins to wonder if the deaths are somehow linked to the past? If so, is Max Delaney's family next?

Then out of left field, the bullish sheriff presiding the bench these same solicitors appear before daily winds up dead, found hanging in his courtroom one morning. How is Sheriff Granger's death connected to the first two? And does it also have something to do with that of Collette Currie ten years ago?

The third installment in the DI Frank Farrell series by Jackie Baldwin, I wish I had known that AVENGE THE DEAD was part of a series. Not for any other reason than it is irritating to feel like you have come into a story halfway through and seemingly spend half the time trying to pick up pieces that may hint to the backstory. In this case, it was mentioned throughout that Farrell was taking Lithium. There is no reason given why he does, so I can only assume major depression or Bipolar. That, and the subplot regarding their former boss, John Lind who has been laying in a coma for the past two years. No idea what happened there. Just that it is.

Having come into the series partway through, I still enjoyed AVENGE THE DEAD and love the Scottish backdrop in rural Dumfries rather than the bustling and seedier Glasgow. I did find Farrell's battle with alcohol a little tiresome, but then for me that's a bit stereotypical of many police procedurals that I find a little too common for my taste. However, I do understand why he is in such a state...I just tire of the same old cliche of lonely detective seeking refuge in a pint glass.

Twisted and often dark, AVENGE THE DEAD is utterly engrossing where the action never stops and I found myself turning page after page, unable to put it down. I love love love the short snappy chapters which always keep the pace going and is my favourite kind. There is never a dull moment.

Despite the twists and the plethora of possible suspects, I guessed very early on who was behind the murders and why...although not all aspects, so happily there were some surprises to be had as they were revealed. But even so, this never spoilt my enjoyment of this fast paced action packed police procedural slash crime thriller. For me, I just thought it was obvious...with a mega clue staring readers right in the face.

AVENGE THE DEAD is thrilling read that I have no hesitation in recommending though I do suggest starting at the beginning of the series.

I would like to thank #JackieBaldwin, #NetGalley and #OneMoreChapter and #HarperCollinsUK for an ARC of #AvengeTheDead in exchange for an honest review.

Avenge the dead by Jackie Baldwin.
A brilliant read. I love Frank and Mhairi. I had no idea who the killer was. I only had an inkling just over half way. Looking forward to the next book. 5*.

Avenge The Dead is the third in the DI Frank Farrell and DS Mhairi McLeod series a Scottish Police Procedural and for me it's a series that I'd love to read more of in the future. While I'm a great believer in reading a series from the beginning I would say the same with this but to be truthful it can be read as a standalone but don't deprive yourself of the pleasure gained from starting at the beginning. I always enjoy novels written about areas and places that I know and this is one of those, I just wish I could have stopped myself from adding 'Road.' whenever I read Byres name, Byres Road is literally down the road from me.
Parts of this book were almost too painful to read, honestly my heart bled for DI Farrell at times, he's a bit of a rough diamond with a heart of gold. Farrell's more than a little lost at this point in his life, he's distanced himself from his family, friends and religion. Seeing him down and almost out, relying on alcohol (hard to read as my sister died from alcoholism) which made him a bit of a 'bawbag' as well as a little unreliable. I just want him to ease up on the blame game and give himself some TLC he really deserves/needs it.
This is a book where the author hasn't been afraid to delve into some of the more delicate subject matters, bullying, blackmail and murder (obviously) to touch on a couple. It's clear that the author has researched her topics well. She did have a wee head start with regards to the lawyers and solicitors working ways as that was her previous profession, I'm so pleased she became an author.
Frank and Mhairi who moved to Glasgow are sent back to Dumfries a year after losing a trusted friend with another left in hospital to solve the murder of a solicitor. They aren't there for long before there's another murder, this time it’s a teenage boy and it doesn't stop there. There's a plethora of suspects for them to choose from nearly all of them are from the legal profession, each and every one of them lie and keep secrets
It's a well written novel with short sharp snappy chapters which is always good, except that the book is finished too quickly as it's easy, too easy to sneak in 'just one more chapter'. It's chock full of characters some likeable, some not and some just downright creepy, naming no names you'll soon learn who I mean. I don't usually do too bad at guessing who the perpetrators are, but it was almost at the end before I tippled this time and I liked that a lot.
I have no problem recommending this to all my #BookwormFriends and family but I would say start at the beginning with Dead Man’s Prayer.

Read for an honest review. Thank you Ms Baldwin, Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter

I really enjoyed this one . It was a good mystery that kept me guessing till the bff end . Truly a good one

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and found the twists and turns compelling reading. Definitely recommend this to those readers who enjoy reading this type of genre.

This is the third book in the series which I feel like I have been waiting forever for. I am happy to report that it was well worth the wait. Avenge the Dead can be read has a standalone. But this is a series you don’t want to miss.

In this story we follow a case that takes DI Frank Farrell and DS McLeod back to the past when we follow a story that is full of mystery and secrets.

The story starts of with an OMG opening where I found myself hooked. This is a complex story full of drama and tension. Where I found myself racing through the story to find out what was going to happen next.

It has plenty of police procedure and I loved the relationship between Farrell and McLeod and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

This is a well written and thought out story which will have you guessing until the end. This is a perfect read for anyone that likes an who-dun-it read.

Thank you to Emma Welton for a inviting me to take part on the tour

With thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC.


A young female solicitor dies in a fire at a remote cottage, the death is ruled as accidental.

A decade later and a lawyers wife is murdered.
There is no obvious link at first but DI Frank Farrell and his team must keep an open mind.

Farrell is complex and difficult. An ex priest who now has a drinking problem, his best friend has been on life support for the last 2 years and he feels guilty about that.
Plenty for the author to get her teeth into.

Set in Dumfries, the small town law faculty are under scrutiny like never before.
Old secrets will be revealed, rivalries brought out into the open and past deeds will have a high price.

An excellent set of characters, all fully realised, really take the reader on a roller-coaster of a journey.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Avenge the Dead is the third book in a modern Scottish procedural series by Jackie Baldwin. Released 28th Feb 2020, it's 400 pages and available in ebook format.

This is a gritty modern day procedural with an ensemble returning cast of characters. Although it's the third book in the series, I had no trouble following the plot, the author is adept at providing necessary backstory without info-dumping or being overwhelming. It works well as a standalone.

The plot is well constructed (if dark) and includes the de rigueur tie-in to past occurrences resonating down through time to the present. There are a number of grisly murders (which are not too graphically described on-page). There is some sexual content, but again nothing too racy on-scene. The language is as expected, modern police procedural level including f*ck and other cursing. There is mention of drug use and some domestic abuse.

My own experience, not having established a previous relationship with the characters, was that main character Frank, was wallowing unattractively in self pity, spiraling into out of control alcoholism and unprofessional conduct, and was difficult to like. I imagine that people who are already fans of the series will appreciate the character development more than I could.

It was a diverting read. Not quite up to Val McDermid (but who is?) or Ann Cleeves (ditto), but in that vein. Quite a solid read.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

3.5-4*
This is a fine, well written and engrossing story that has a number of threads.

We have a murder which brings DI Frank Farrell, DS McLeod and DC Thomas back to Dumfries. They don’t really want to be there after the last time. Still orders are orders and an MIT unit has been requested.

The officers in Dumfries, unlike Frank, seem to have moved on with their lives whilst he is still hurting. With his colleague DI Lind still in a coma Franks faith has taken a battering. Will he be able to come to terms with all that is happening, can he straighten himself out before it’s too late?

Will DS McLeod keep faith with Frank, can she keep making excuses for him and at what cost?

Then there’s another murder are they connected? Has an old murder anything to do with what’s happening? Are the defence solicitors being targeted or is there more than one killer on the loose? Can the police stop the killer/killers before something else happens?

We follow Farrell and McLeod along with the rest of the team as they put the pieces together and work out what has happened as the story builds to a cracking finale.

With a complex storyline and credible characters this is a story well worth reading.

It’s is easy to read as a standalone. My only regret is not having read the previous two books – yet! I believe, by this time, we would appreciate the main characters much more. Still catching up with them will be a breeze and there’ll be two more investigations to enjoy.

This book is one that will have you looking out for the next in the series and the series will become a favourite.

See author GIVEAWAY below – just saying!

My thanks
With thanks to Emma at DamppebblesBlogTours for the invite to the Avenge the Dead BlogTour and to the publishers One More Chapter for an eCopy of the book via NetGalley.

A Scottish police procedural, Avenge the Dead follows DI Frank Farrell and DS Mhairi McLeod as they are sent from Glasgow to Dumfries to investigate a shocking murder of a solicitor’s wife. Discovering the deceased had been cheating on her husband, they wonder if the case will be open and shut. When the body count starts mounting, though, Farrell and McLeod quickly realise this is no ordinary murder case… and they need to act quickly to find the killer before another innocent dies.

This is the third in the DI Frank Farrell series and the first one I’ve read, and there were obviously some significant events in previous books I’d missed which had ongoing consequences here; mainly for Frank’s mental health but also on other characters. And talking of characters, there’s a BIG cast to keep track of, too big for many of them to really get much character development. I didn’t figure out who the killer was until pretty late in the game, and that was mainly due to the suspect pool being absolutely vast.

The twist, and the killer’s motives, were actually quite interesting, and also plausible. Is justice done, in the end? Let’s just say I had a certain amount of sympathy for the killer… although his choice of victims meant I was glad the police solved the mystery.

There are a lot of things to like about this story, but the over-large cast made things a bit too confusing for me to really enjoy it. I’ll give it four stars.

'Avenge The Dead' is the third book in the series featuring Detective Inspector Frank Farrell. I have been a fan of the series since I had the good fortune to pick up the first book in the series called 'Dead Man's Prayer'. When I discovered that Jackie was due to release the third book in the series, I just knew that I had to grab a copy as soon as possible. When I managed to get hold of a copy, I grabbed a cup of tea and settled down ready to read. Oh boy, 'Avenge The Dead' is another fantastic addition to the Detective Inspector Frank Farrell series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Avenge The Dead' but more about that in a bit.
What can I say about Detective Inspector Frank Farrell? He is a different sort of lead character to a lot of detectives in crime fiction. Farrell was originally a Roman Catholic priest but for one reason and another he left the priesthood and became a police officer. Although he is no longer in the priesthood, he still seems to have a strong sense of faith and he carries around an awful amount of guilt with him. Farrell is a bit of a tortured soul in this book because he blames himself for the fact that his colleague was badly injured and is currently in hospital and unlikely to recover that well. Nobody could blame Farrell more than he blames himself. Farrell has turned to alcohol as his coping mechanism. When he drinks, he manages to block out his guilt and he temporarily forgets about his mental anguish. Farrell has been letting things slide on the work front too and Mhairi has covered for him on several occasions but even his loyal work partner is losing patience with him. Farrell is shocked back into action when he is allocated a case which sees him returning to his former stomping ground with Mhairi. Will Frank and Mhairi solve the case and apprehend the perpetrator? Well for the answer to that question you are just going to have to read the book for yourself to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh my goodness me, 'Avenge The Dead' was a corker of a book and although it's early in 2020, I have to say that it is already up there on my list of top favourite reads for 2020. To say that reading 'Avenge The Dead' was seriously addictive has to be one of the understatements of the year. I made the fatal mistake of beginning to read this book shortly before I went to bed. Well what a mistake to make. Let's just say that bedtime was delayed for a few hours and I was extremely tired the following morning. I went to sleep thinking about the book and when I woke up the following morning, all I could think about was picking the book up again. Despite my best efforts to slow down how quickly I was getting through the book, I just couldn't put the book down and I certainly couldn't stop reading. For me, 'Avenge The Dead' is the perfect definition of an unputdownable pageturner. I was gripped by the story and on the edge of my seat throughout.
'Avenge The Dead' is superbly written but then I think that to be true of all of Jackie's books. Jackie has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. She grabs your attention from the start and draws you into the story. In Frank Farrell, Jackie has created a complex and intriguing character and I liked Farrell enormously. Jackie writes using such vivid and realistic descriptions that I felt as though I was part of the story myself and that I was a member of Farrell's team. I even found that I was starting to interact with the book in the sense that I tried to 'talk' to the characters as if they could hear me. Before anybody says anything, yes I know that this book is fictional and not real but I find that if I enjoy a book to the extent that I enjoyed this one then I tend to 'live' the story as if it were real.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed, no make that adored, reading 'Avenge The Dead'. I strongly recommend that you pick this book up and discover the Detective Inspector Frank Farrell series for yourself. I will definitely be reading more of Jackie's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board has to be 5* out of 5*.

In Dumfries, a young solicitor’s wife is stabbed to death in her own house. The husband was covered in blood and his prints are on the knife, but he has an alibi from 2 criminal defence lawyers and a prosecutor from the fiscal office who says that they were playing poker with him at the time of the murder. The 2 children were at the nanny’s house. The local police ask Police Scotland for a Major Enquiries Team and DS Mhairi Mc Leod, DI Frank Farrell and DC Dave Thomson are sent to investigate as ‘the three of them hale from the area’. Both Farrell and Thomson bring their tom-cats along. (as for now I know r's not essential info for the story but merely a side-event, adding a bit of flavour to the soup?)
It’s quite clear that something happened during a previous investigation when they all worked for Dumfries police that resulted in the loss of their boss who was also a dear friend. Well, he’s not dead but maybe even worse is that she’s in a semi-conscious coma. Especially Frank is still suffering from this and seeks salvation in drink, what’s not beneficial for his level of functioning.
It doesn’t take long before they hear the rumour that Gina was having an affair with another lawyer. But even stranger is the revelation that the poker party was in reality, a 10th anniversary of the death of Colette, yet another lawyer who was engaged with one of them (Peter Swift). She was burned to death in a cottage while the men were staying in a hotel nearby. On top of that, the father of the victim is a retired casino-owner with supposed mob ties.
But a couple of days later an elderly dog-walker finds the stabbed body of Aaron, the foster son of one of the witnesses under a bridge. Is someone targeting family members of lawyers? Just any lawyer or only this specific group?
…
I didn’t read the previous volumes in this series and that didn’t give any serious problems with understanding this storyline. It works as a standalone but I’ve gotten curious about the other stories now, so I’ll probably read them anyway. The characters are realistic and likeable, they’re all a bit flawed as humans tend to be and intriguing enough to wonder how things will evolve in their lives.
This is a straight forward police procedural with a crime that needs solving, a few red herrings along the way send you in the wrong direction and a number of lines of inquiry are meticulously investigated and eventually one after the other is excluded. Stubborn sleuthing and perseverance (in this case teamwork) eventually finds the killer. It’s a very well written mystery, you keep on guessing till the end how everything locks together and who the murderer is (well, I had a hunch but didn’t see how it could be done). Sometimes it doesn’t need to be more than that. It’s a very entertaining story and I’ll definitely read more by this author.
I received a free ARC from Harper Collins.UK through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

Avenge the Dead is the third instalment in the Dumfries and Galloway-set series featuring Detective Inspector Frank Farrell. Frank, DS Mhairi McLeod and DC Dave Thomson are sent from their hub in the heart of Glasgow to Dumfries which unfortunately stirs up many negative memories for Frank. They are there to investigate the murder of an esteemed local defence solicitor’s wife, Gina Campbell, and shortly after the adopted son of another prominent Dumfries solicitor is brutally slain; it begins to seem as though someone is looking for revenge against those in the legal profession. Is it a previous client who was unhappy with their conduct and blames them for what happened to them or is the fact that it involves more than one solicitor merely coincidence? Soon the police are overwhelmed by the number of tips coming in about the killings and each one will have to be investigated thoroughly.

This series has become one of my favourites as it strikes the perfect balance between developing the recurring characters’ lives and providing a totally absorbing new case. However, I do feel Frank’s problem with alcohol and Mhairi covering for him because of it got a little tiresome although I understand why he is in such a state. It is an excellent, utterly engrossing piece of Scottish noir with a fascinating case and a plethora of twists, turns and clever misdirection. The action never stops and from the moment I picked it up, I simply couldn’t put it back down. There is a decent pool of possible perpetrators and I must admit I usually guess where it’s heading but the resolution of this story came completely out of the blue for me, and I love being shocked. All in all, it’s an excitement-filled read that is thoroughly entertaining and keeps you guessing. Many thanks to One More Chapter for an ARC.

This Scottish police procedural written by a former criminal attorney is bookended with a tremendous reader's hook and a stirring "race against time" conclusion, but for me the interior pace was just too slow. The novel piles mystery upon mystery, until the police don't know which way to turn, and there's more than one truly evil villain; but the pace felt just too slow for me and left me indifferent.

Great mix of investigation and personal drama for Farrell & McLeod👍👍

4-4.5🌟stars
🚔 What a good murder mystery, with an old, gruesome death suspected of connecting to a new spate of fatal attacks seemingly centered on a small group of local barristers. The setting in Scotland, one of my favorite places, first drew me to the story but the excellent writing, character development and plot kept me.

This was my first time reading a Jackie Baldwin mystery and, though a good deal of the police detectives' personal drama stems from events that occurred prior to this story, I was curious about learning the background but had no trouble understanding the continuing thread. This book slowly reveals some of the details but I guess I'll have to go back and read the prior books in the series to get the full scoop on Lind's injuries, Moore's traumatic disappointment, and Farrell's romantic disappointments and reasons for leaving the priesthood. DI Frank Farrell with his drinking, Droopy Dog attitude and suicidal thoughts was a hard character to love, but his colleague Mhairi McLeod was so loyal and embroiled in his issues. Strong, opinionated DS McLeod I really liked.

🤔 I would have rated it higher but I felt the murderer was too easily identified (by me at least; it took the detectives several hundred pages longer than me to figure it out and then come up with the evidence). Still, the journey there was exciting, with some great action sequences (including a brawl at the courts!), and there was a real surprise at the end. 😊

Thanks to publishers Harper Collins, One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

Di Frank Farrell #3

The wife of a defence lawyer has been killed. A young boy has been stabbed to death. And this is just the start. DS Mhairi McLeod is having to hold DI Frank Farrell together. His drinking is getting worse. Farrell is using alcohol to self medicate to try and block out his guilt. This case is set in Dumfries, Scotland. The only lead they have is from something that happened years ago.

Frank Farrell is a complex character. He had been a priest before joining the police force. He now struggles with his faith. This is a twist filled and suspenseful read. Its brutal and gritty in places, it's also action packed. This is a great addition to this police procedural series that's set in Scotland. I was hooked from the beginning.

I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and the author Jackie Baldwin for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another terrific book in the series.The latest number four drew me right in.A taut tense plot characters that come alive. A true page turner.Highly recommend this series looking forward to number five. #netgalley#harpercollinsuk