DI Corstorphine of Police Scotland seems to be rather self-contained, has been widowed for five years but still misses his wife terribly, gets along fairly well with his crew, believes that the truth is important. The murders are minutely well-planned and turn out to be punishment befitting their crimes as they are not the real victims. A bit gruesome but absorbing tale of retribution and politics.
Intense and unputdownable read. I really want next in series!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital copy from Storm Publishing via NetGalley.
Pub Date Apr 17, 2025
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What a unique thriller! The intricacies of bone that were involved in the murders we’re particularly interesting. As an American, I had to google several words in the book, but I now know what a gamekeeper is😂. Already started the next book in this series. Thx to Netgalley for the free ARC.

Andrew James Grieg’s The Bone Clock is a gripping revenge thriller with a dark and clever plot. The story kicks off with a gruesome discovery—a nearly decapitated body found near a tree where a supposed suicide took place years ago. Nearby, investigators uncover a bone cog and an old coin, clues that hint at long-buried secrets. Enter Detective Corstorphine and DC Frankie McKenzie, the duo at the heart of this new crime series, as they work to unravel a case filled with corruption, deception, and eerie connections to the past.

While the culprit is fairly obvious early on, the novel remains an engaging read, thanks to its well-crafted tension and sharp storytelling. The pace builds steadily, though the ending might feel a little abrupt for some. However, the journey to get there is filled with twists, making it a satisfying read for thriller fans.

One of the most chilling aspects of the book is its exploration of historical abuse within a children’s home run by nuns and corrupt officials. Grieg handles this difficult subject with sensitivity, weaving it seamlessly into the mystery without overwhelming the story. The theme of corruption is also central to the plot, skilfully revealing the rot hidden beneath society’s surface.

Despite a few predictable elements, The Bone Clock is a compelling and well-written thriller that keeps you turning the pages. A great read for crime fiction lovers!

This book was a wild ride. It had me guessing until the end. The author has a real good way of detailing the murder scenes so that it feels like you are there. The way everything just fit together at the end was perfection! I really enjoyed this one and cant wait to start the next one in the series! Perfect murder mystery!

This book was gave to me for free in exchange for my honest review! Thank you NetGalley!

Atmospheric, action packed, and an abundance of mystery. This first book of the series was a hit! It will keep you flipping pages as fast as you can.

A really intelligent, well plotted and well written book. What starts out as a seemingly tidy death of a bully and wife abuser turns into a series of perfectly executed deaths of despicable men who are linked by an extremely dark secret. I really enjoyed reading this book and strangely found myself routing for the executioner. A welcome change from the usual murder/police procedural book. Andrew James Greig is one to look out for.

The Bone Clock is a gripping and atmospheric Scottish crime thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Set in the mist-covered Highlands, the novel follows Detective Inspector James Corstorphine as he investigates a chilling series of murders where the killer crafts grotesque deathtraps from human remains. The haunting imagery and dark themes set the tone for a complex, intense story that delves into secrets, retribution, and a decades-old mystery.

Corstorphine, still grieving the death of his wife, is a compelling protagonist. His personal demons, combined with the eerie nature of the crimes, create a layered, emotionally engaging narrative. The connection between the current killings and a journalist’s death twenty years earlier adds an intriguing historical twist, making the investigation feel even more urgent and mysterious.

The writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the isolation of the Highlands and the oppressive weight of the past that looms over the characters. The twists and turns of the investigation are well-crafted, and the mounting tension keeps you turning the pages, eager to uncover the truth.

While the book is a strong start to the DI Corstorphine series, I felt that some of the secondary characters, particularly Margo, could have been developed a bit more. However, the focus on Corstorphine and the eerie atmosphere more than makes up for this.

Overall, The Bone Clock is a dark, twisted, and thoroughly engaging crime novel that will appeal to fans of Scottish crime fiction and those who enjoy atmospheric thrillers with a strong emotional core. The intricate plotting and unsettling mystery make this a page-turner that’s hard to put down.

Wow!!! WOW AND WOW...snyone not reading Andrew needs to get with the programme. Read the first, and the 2nd...sorry Andrew but Where's the 3rd. I want it NOW

The Bone Clock, the first in a new series by Andrew James Greig, is a gripping tale that is part serial killer, part revenge plot, part cold case, part police procedural - the book hits all of the things that make a fascinating thriller at once.
Well-written and fast-paced, the author keeps you turning the pages and guessing to the very end. Along the way, the author looks at the serious social issues of child and spousal abuse, and the victimization of the helpless by those in power. It makes for a gripping, sometimes gut-wrenching book, and leaves the reader wanting more.
I was lucky to be invited to read an ARC of #TheBoneClock from #NetGalley.

Detective Inspector James Corstorphine is investigating a series of devious murders, seemingly unlinked, until he starts examining the history of the small town he lives in. To give too much of the plot will spoil this for new readers, but this is very well written and worth a go if you like intricateely plotted mysteries.

The first in a new series from this author and it certainly hit the ground running!

Set in Scottish Highlands, DI Corstorphine is in charge of a small team. Nothing much happens in the area apart from the usual minor crimes, so when a body is found dangling from the infamous Hanging Tree, the team have their work cut out to step up a gear.

With a dark and dangerous undercurrent running throughout the investigation, Corstorphine has to upset a lot of the locals and those in authority to get to the heart of the crime.

A clever and devious plot line, a proper revenge thriller! Though the culprit was quite obvious from early on, and the ending seemed a little abrupt, it was still a very good read.

I really like the PI Teàrlach Paterson books by this author and it looks like this new series will become another favourite.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing.

A great police procedural set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands.
A series of elaborate murders are happening and it’s up to Corstorphine to find out who, and why this is happening in his small town.
This is novel one and Im just about to start Two which is shaping up to be a great new series.
Thank you for an advanced copy

Wow this story The Bone Clock by Andrew James Greig is excellent, the story is graphic and deals with themes of abuse and it kept me up at night only because I couldn’t put it down and just when I thought hmmmm it’s got to be ………… the story flipped and I had to start again. The characters are all interesting and I look forward to reading more about them, my only moan would be the bit regarding the chief didn’t seem to be resolved, but I can live with that.

DNF at 55%

I skimmed the rest because the subject matter got too dark for me. This book contained graphic violence and a lot more swearing than I'm comfortable with. It wasn't a bad story although I did suspect the killer very early on, but the content wasn't for me. Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for letting me try it.

A great start to a series.
Was an intense read but I really liked it so many twists and turns
Can't wait for more from this author x

Wow what a book. I couldn’t put it down. First in a new series with Detective Corstorphine and DC Frankie McKenzie. A nearly decaputsted body is found near a tree where there was a ‘suicide’ years ago. There a bone cogs and a coin found nearby. There used to be an orphanage run by nuns years ago. Needless to say there’s corruption but it’s so skilfully done. I absolutely loved it. Already reading the next one

This was an absolute 5 star read, amazing read. This is my first book by this author but this book got me hooked in a way that I had to finish it!

Here we have our DI James who is called to gruesome crime scene, it’s clearly a work of someone that took their time to commit this crime. While going through his own personal crisis James dives into this mystery. The victim’s partner give him an interesting information that ties this crime to a crime that happened 20 years ago in this same place. This book had tons of mystery and lots of twists that I love. Set in Highlands it fits perfectly with the book’s vibe. I absolutely love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for proving me with this eARC. All opinions are my honest opinions.

Who loves a murder mystery?🙋🏻‍♀️
This book is clever yet disturbing. Set at a small atmospheric village in Scotland, detectives are investigating a man found hanging from a tree.

This dark and gritty storyline was well written, and I really enjoyed the characters. Kept me engaged until the end.

I definitely recommend.

Thank you Storm Publishing for inviting me to read this book. Opinions are my own.

Hugely entertaining Scottish Noir thriller that introduces us to Detective James Corstophine and his team in a small town in the Scottish Highlands.

When a gamekeeper is found hanging from an old oak tree ensnared by an intricate device made of bones, a series of events begin that have links to the past and the old orphanage that used to exist.
20 years earlier a reporter was found hanging from the same tree, the cause of death ruled a suicide. But was the case investigated properly or was there a cover up? A seemingly untroubled and well liked reported suddenly taking her own lie?

The Bone Clock is a great start to a series that is both different and familiar at the same time. Some very very dark subject matters with an intricately woven story with a unique method of revenge.

Great story telling, a likeable main protagonist and enough twists and turns make this one that easy to recommend.

Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.

4.5/5 stars

I really enjoyed this thriller! It reminded me a bit of Criminal Minds, with the nature of the crime and the MO, which I loved. I definitely was surprised by the ending, I was convinced I knew who the killer was but was completely thrown off. I love books that keep you guessing until literally the very end, questioning every single character as a suspect as new information and evidence comes to light, which the author does very well. I couldn't put this book down towards the end and definitely want to read more by this author and highly recommend it!