I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the Detective Corstorphine series. I was looking forward to continuing with the next book, but was disappointed. I could not connect with the characters which prevented me from getting invested in the story. I think the violence that is so prevalent in the book was over the top and turned me off from being able to enjoy the story itself. I am not sure if I will continue reading future books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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Crime
Mystery
Thriller

Andrew James Greig (https://andrewjgreig.wordpress.com) is the author of eight novels. The Devil’s Cut was republished early last May, and it is the second book in his Detective Corstorphine mystery series. It is the 47th title I’ve completed reading in 2025.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R.

Detective Corstorphine had joined a hiking club. The community is surprised when the body of Jack McCoach is found in the mountains. Jack was the well-liked owner of a successful local distillery. He had been hiking alone and apparently had suffered a heart attack. The death was ruled as natural, and life moved on. That is, until Patricia McCoach arrived at the police station.

She is the unconventional sister of Jack McCoach and contends that he was poisoned and that someone is out to get the family. With no evidence and only a message of murder from the beyond, her claims are not taken seriously. Though Corstorphine does ask his constables to keep a closer eye on Patricia’s lavish estate.

Before the death of Jack McCoach, the only crimes of significance bothering the police were a series of catalytic converter thefts and an increase in drugs on the streets of their small village. The officers are stretched thin trying to cover everything.

A young woman from the area is waiting at the train station on her way to work. As her train is pulling in, she suddenly runs towards the edge of the platform and throws herself in front of the train. She is mangled by the train and killed instantly. The why is a mystery. The only lead to her suicide is the young man who spoke to her briefly moments before she committed suicide. How could the young man, a local thug and drug dealer, have caused her to snap?

Corstorphine joins Jack’s son, Robb, along with two others from the hiking club on a trek to where Jack died. They are there to spread his ashes. Corstorphine leaves the others to return to work after finding a water bottle likely to have been Jack’s. Might it offer any clues to his death?

The rest of the hiking party goes on to visit three other peaks, spreading Jack’s ashes over the mountains he loved. That evening, as the three stop for the night, they are attacked by a sniper.

The elderly Patricia McCoach is attacked in her bed late one night. The assailant leaves no trace behind, but Patricia is blinded and left in a coma. Earlier in the week, she had hosted a gathering of women at her home. The scantily clad women had danced, then enjoyed refreshments in her secluded garden. Their coven had not gone unobserved.

Who wanted Jack McCoach dead? Clearly, there is a threat to the McCoach family. But who is it and why? Will the family be made to suffer more? What caused the young woman to commit suicide? Who is behind the converter thefts? Who is running the drug ring?

I enjoyed the 7.5 hours I spent reading this 244-page mystery. I enjoyed the plot of this novel. A series of deadly attacks all stemming from a long-forgotten accident. I had the opportunity to read one of his other novels The Bone Clock. I found both novels very good. I do like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4.6 (rounded to 5) out of 5.

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The Devil's Cut is book 2 in the series. I didn't read read book one naturally it would probably be better to read them in order however if you don't it's still easy to get into and I didn't feel like I was lost. The story is about trying to finder a murderer that turns out to be a serial killer. There is so much mystery, and details in this book it had me flipping pages. I think the author did a great job with adding so much while keeping it entertaining, and easy to read.

Book 2 in the DI Corstophine series and like the first book it's full of twists to keep you hooked from start to finish. I really enjoyed this storyline and I look forward to reading more.

The summit was just a few more minutes’ climb as the bottle slipped from his weakening grip. He was aware that he was dying. Not here. Not now. Not alone. Through the pain, his mind screamed a silent final eulogy.

When a distillery owner’s body is discovered on top of a remote Scottish mountain, forensics confirm that he died of natural causes. But the dead man’s sister claims he was murdered.

As Detective Inspector Corstorphine delves into the victim’s family, disturbing questions emerge. Why is the daughter kept sedated and locked in her room? Who is stalking the son as he scatters his father’s ashes on lonely mountain peaks? Each clue – from a haunting painting defaced in blood to a deadly botanical poison – points to someone with intimate knowledge of the family.

Then a young woman’s suicide becomes entwined with the case, and Corstorphine must confront a killer whose vengeance traces back to a childhood act with devastating consequences

A man has a heart attack while climbing, but the police are contacted by his sister who believes he was actually murdered. When the sister is later attacked, Detective Corstophine and his team investigate the family. I enjoyed this and would like to continue the series. 4 stars.

'I loved the draw in of the story and the series. I felt like I needed to read to find out more . It was so easier to picture the characters. Watch out world Andrew’s books are a game changer in this genre

The death of a distillery owner, whilst he was out solo hill climbing is, at first, put down to a heart attack. The arrival at the police station of the man's sister, who claims her brother was murdered and she knows this because a medium told her at a séance is not immediately believed! However DI Corstorphine, who has knows the victim's son, decides to look at the case more closely. The victim has already been cremated and had requested his ashes be scattered from the top of a number of Munros (hills over 3,000ft) Corstorphine as a hill climber himself joins the group and on the way down he finds the victim's water bottle- and that changes everything.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series & I thought this one was even better. It is good to get to know the police team better and the descriptions of the hills were terrific (sadly I'm only a Munro bagger from the bottom!) Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book- I'm already looking forward to the next one!

The Devil’s Cut by Andrew James Greig is exactly the kind of book I gravitate toward. Atmospheric, layered, and full of morally complex characters. It’s a slow-burn crime thriller with a gritty, almost noir feel that draws you deeper with each chapter. From the ominous opening to the final reveal, Greig builds a strong sense of tension that never fully lets up.

The setting is vivid and moody, perfectly matching the tone of the story. I appreciated how the mystery unfolded gradually, giving just enough away to keep me hooked without making anything feel predictable. There’s a psychological edge to the writing that adds depth beyond the surface crime plot, and the lead characters are flawed in a way that feels human rather than forced.

That said, there were a few pacing dips in the middle where the momentum slowed more than I would’ve liked. But overall, the payoff was worth it. If you enjoy darker thrillers that lean into atmosphere and character as much as plot, this one delivers.

This kind of story is right up my alley. Brooding, twisty, and just unsettling enough to stick with me after finishing. I’ll definitely be checking out more from Greig.

The Devil’s Cut by Andrew James Greig
Detective Corstorphine #2

Fascinating immersive story that swept me up and carried me along as I eagerly waited to find out how all the puzzle pieces would fit together to solve this complicated tale of brutality and murder.

What I liked:
* DI Jim Corstorphine: widow, still feels his wife’s presence at times, strong leader, cares about and utilizes staff to their best potential, focused, a bit lonely, might have met a love interest
* Getting to know Corstorphine’s team better as they work together ~ fun to watch the team develop
* That I was quickly immersed in the store from page one
* The complexity of the case with its twists and turns as the clues were found
* Thinking about the volunteer mountain rescue team and their difficult job
* The complexity of the case and how all of the pieces of the puzzle were finally found and slotted in place
* That the characters had depth and I felt I got to know them well by the end of the book
* Shamilla Mallick: forensic psychologist, consultant, strong, intelligent, uncovered issues that needed to be dealt with, possible love interest
* The complexity of the McCoach family dynamics and finding out why they were targeted and by whom
* That I didn’t really KNOW for sure what was what till the end
* That I have been to Scotland so could visualize the setting
* That no loose strings were left dangling
* Knowing that there will be another book in the series

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how cold the McCabe Matriarch was
* Knowing that there are people as evil in the world as some in this book

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

There is kind of a horror vibe going on in this book and its a bit gory at times bit the thriller aspect I liked. Not for the faint hearted!

There is a LOT going on in this book and it is a delicate dance that the author is partaking in.

DI Corstophine and his constables have their work cut out for them when a man dies on the top of a remote Scottish mountain - and his sister insists that he was poisoned. Furthermore, the family is at risk of further injury. There is no proof of this, but when the sister is viciously attacked in her home, the team start to examine the family in more detail.

Pretty dysfunctional family, the McCoach's, and trying to figure out who was behind the attacks on the various family members and the why of it all, had me intrigued.

4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing.

Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

This was a very enjoyable follow up to the small town yet mind blowing crimes that DI Corstorphine has to investigate in the Scottish Highlands. And I grew more fond of DC McKenzie.

The multiple POVs slightly threw me off this time but I am happy to read more of this series.

I anyone gets a chance to listen to the audiobook do not hesitate.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to Storm Publishing for letting me see an advance reader's copy of The Devil’s Cut by Andrew James Grieg.

The Devil’s Cut is the second in the DI Corstorphine Scottish crime series. This time, an acquaintance of Corstorphine meets his end atop a mountain, whilst DC McKenzie is investigating a suicide.

I’m really enjoying this series so far. I love the characters, I love the setting, and I love the tartan noir.

The detective’s name isn’t an easy name to read to oneself and I shorten it to Corsto inside my head, or use his first name James.

I also found too many similar sounding names again too confusing. We have Jack, Jimmy, James, John and June, and there was a June in the first book in the series. There’s a Robb and a Cobb, a Keir and a Keith, a Phil and a Bill as well as a Paul and a Patricia and a Phoebe, and a Sarah, a Sandy and a Shamila.

The writing is a tad old-fashioned, with long and complex sentences instead of short, simple and punchy ones. Americanisms are used instead of Anglicisms, such as sneakers instead of pumps or plimsolls. And there are some unnecessary expressions such as ornate ornaments. Ornaments are usually ornate.

There are continuity issues, such as going backwards and forwards in time, a lot, with the different viewpoint characters. Plus pages and pages of science to prove the author has done his research really aren’t necessary. I skipped over that part.

Overall, though, I do love the stories. They’re dark, gritty and disturbing. Wonderful!

Four stars.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

What a fantastic follow up book to the first this one is although it can very easily be read as a standalone. Great to see all the main police characters back again so it was just the storyline characters you needed to know and they were enjoyable to the character played! A great storyline that really has you salivating tyring to figure out who is behind it all. It really kept me glued and wanting to read on - my sign of an excellent book! Definitely a book to highly recommend and I hope we get more too!

A gripping read. DI Corstophine and team has to investigate a family of distillers, the son of whom is also a friend. Dad has a fatal heart attack while climbing the local Munroes. Following this a daughter of the family is attacked brutally and with a lot of gore, losing her sight, but at least still alive - she had visited Corstophine after her brother's death, saying he told her it was murder. Another daughter suffers mental issues that have been hushed up by the family so she is kept in the family pile, heavily drugged, but perhaps not so heavily as expected. The climbing partners and son take the ashes to spread on the Munroes but are, themselves, attacked, leaving one dead, another injured and the third in fear of his life. What on earth is going on? Corstophine keeps thinking outside the box and he, along with his fabulous team eventually tie the loose ends to come to a satisfactory conclusion. The descriptions of scenery are delightful and real, the characters well crafted. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

We are returned back to the Highlands of Scotland where DI Corstorphine and his team are faced with another perplexing case.
This writer continues to give the reader suspense and drama bound together with a complex twisting case that leaves the reader eagerly reading the next chapter..
Another fabulous read.

Fast paced sometimes creepy procedure drama, twists and turns right to the end. Totally keeps you hooked. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

Another fab read in the series. This one wans't as fast paced as book 1 but equally as enjoyable.

The author has a way of writing that just captures me, it's easy to read, driven, exciting and you just have to know if your guess at who done it is correct.

I highly recommend both the books I've read by Andrew Greig.

I read the devil's cut right after I finished the previous book, the Bone Clock. The plot of this book is as intricate as that of the previous one.
When one of DI Corstorpine's hiking mates dies of what looks like natural causes on a mountain hike he keeps having doubts, even though the victim was not in a physically good condition. Then the victim's sister is attacked and barely survives but looses the sight in both her eyes, after she has told the DI that she believes her brother had been poisoned.

When the hiking buddies, including Corstorpine, go on a two-day climb to scatter their buddies ashes they are under attack by someone who is trying to kill them. Corstorpine by that time has already returned to the valley because he couldn't take more time off and also he didn't want to spent the whole time with the group. On his way down he finds victims the drinking bottle. After analyses of the contents it turns out that the sister was right, the bottle indeed contains a lethal distillate from the taxus plant, made in the families own distillery. Will there be more deaths before he discovers the murderer?

Well written, very evocative of the Scottish landscape and mountains. Makes me want to revisit that area.

I want to thank Netgalley and Storm publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

Another fast-paced procedural drama that kept you on your toes with all it's twists and turns. The team was awesome, the plot twists lasted until the very last minute and the book is very descriptive and sometimes creepy.

#TheDevilsCut #NetGalley