Although I began the series by accident, Heather Critchlow's Cal Lovett stories keep getting better and better.

Cal is in a dark place after Barr has got off scotfree with the murder of his sister, and is beginning to question whether he even wants to continue with his podcast - although his producer is desperate for him to do so. To make matters worse, Barr's wife Naomi keeps calling him in secret to demand help, even though she has - in Cal's opinion - got herself into this mess willfully.

In the end, a holiday to Scotland with his partner and his daughter Chrissie provides a surprising mystery for Cal to look into. And then, Naomi goes missing . . .

This time, multiple threads are woven into the story with great dexterity, and are tied together at the end with even more skill. An excellent book, highly recommended.

This was a brilliant read, really enjoyed reading it. Cal Lovell is a crime podcaster and she’s up in the highlands to find out who killed a body found in a hilly area near Loch Tay. I loved finding out who killed the woman and the tangled story of her life. It was a very well thought out plot that was interested and kept you engaged. A throughly enjoyable crime read 5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

4th in the series and the best so far. Whilst Cal still needs closure for his sister's death it doesn't come to the fore as often as in previous books, hence the reader can concentrate upon the two cases he's got involved with. One is a cold-case following the discovery of a woman's body some 20 years ago and the other is present day when Cal talks to a young influence, totally wrongly dressed for a day in the mountains, and who then goes missing. The cold-case goes further back with a story from WW2 and the 1950s. Child abuse, rape, aircraft accident, gold, murder, bones in a loch and emigration. All woven together in an enticing story. His partner Shona gets involved as an anthropologist although that seems unlikely in the real world, but this is a novel. The location is brilliant, the atmosphere likewise. My main gripe is that radiocarbon dating is not much use for anything more recent than early 19th century and other radiometric dating methods should be used. Definitely recommend the read though. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Another great read from Heather Critchlow.
As Scotland bakes in a sweltering heat wave Cal gets embroiled in another cold case.

The atmosphere woven together by Heather from the heat wave and the landscape and the increasing tensions of the case are second to none.

A book that I was sad to close the cover on and had to sit for while after I had.

Thank you to NetGalley, Canelo and Heather Critchlow for the advanced copy to review.

Book Four of the Cal Lovett series begins with Cal still grieving his sister Margot and furious that her murderer has been found not guilty. He’s feeling ambivalent about his work as a true crime podcaster. Through a series of incidents he discovers the story of ‘Hillside Jane’ an unidentified murder victim found exposed in the highlands and begins an investigation.

This is an excellent series. Cal is a complex believable character and his relationships and the world he inhabits feel real to the reader. Heather Critchlow shows the pursuit of justice to be similarly complex. It’s not always able to be fully achieved. Unknown is a very well paced novel, with the mystery unfolding dramatically. I’d definitely recommend starting at the beginning of the series knowing that this latest instalment is waiting for you.

Many thanks to Heather Crichlow, Canelo and NetGalley for the review copy.

Excellent twisty storyline.
Keeps you guessing right to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review

4.5
Cal Lovett #4
Podcaster and journalist Cal Lovett causes somewhat of a sensational media storm when he refuses to accept an award whilst the killer of his elder sister Margot forty years ago continues to walk free. He and his partner anthropologist Shona go to Loch Tay to decompress and in true Cal style, he steps into a present day case of a missing young woman and a cold case known locally as ‘Hillside Jane’. Who was Jane? Why has her identity never been discovered over the last twenty years? Can Cal lay the mystery to rest or will it open up a hornets nest?

I’ve enjoyed this series from the start and in my opinion this is the best one yet. Cal is a terrific character, dogged and determined to try to get justice and I like the relationship he has with Shona and his lovely daughter Chrissie.

This one is richly atmospheric. The setting in and around Loch Tay is fantastic, exuding atmosphere which is malign in places especially around Lochan Nan Cat with Ben Lawers looming over the landscape. The extreme heat (yes it can get hot in Scotland, I can vouch for that) adds an extra dimension both physically, mentally and in the inquiry itself with all its ramifications.

The storytelling is interspersed with podcast clips and a very sad backstory from 1952 and of course, Cal still has Margo‘s death with her murderer walking free hanging over his head. Will that storyline develop and move on too? Will Cal finally get overdue justice for his sister? It all builds really well, it’s full of action, intrigue and unexpected twists. I enjoy how it all starts to connect, with the suspenseful plot dots joining up.

The relationship between Carl and Shona is really tested here and that’s done really well, it’s emotional but not overplayed.

It has a good and unexpected ending. I love this series and Cal’s search for justice for The Unknown.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Canelo For the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

As always Heather has written a truly immersive world. I was immediately hooked (as always) until the end. I always enjoy Heather's twists and turns and fall in love with all the characters, good and bad. I absolutely love Cal, my heart breaks for him and his struggle for justice. I cant wait for the next one (already).

My goodness what a story!! I thought all the other books in this series were brilliant but this one is even better! With such exquisite writing and plot twists you won’t see coming, you really will be up all night!

In true Cal Lovett style, he hits the ground running and doesn’t stop! By the end you will need to catch your breath as much as he does!

I love the way that all these books come together, it feels like you have only just put the last one down when you start this one. This time Cal is taking a few days out for himself, but when does that ever really happen for Cal? Unknown to him, there is a cold case just waiting for his expertise.
As he helps local police with an active case, more and more clues arise, but surely they can’t all be linked, just what has Cal got himself into this time? Anyone who has read this series will know Cal, what he’s been through and what constantly plagues his waking, and sometimes sleeping thoughts. Needless to say, he hasn’t let this go just yet.

What I really loved and admired is how there are so many different threads to this story that all weave together to make something very special.
How the author kept track of everything and seamlessly pulled everything into this very clever story I don’t know!

So what am I saying? Read it!! It’s an absolute must read, but my advise would be to start at the beginning of this series to fully appreciate the characters and what has gone on before.
As ever character development is brilliant and it’s so descriptive you really will see all the landscape in your minds eye.

I cannot wait for the next instalment…….

You don’t need to have read the earlier books in this series—I hadn’t, and I still got totally pulled in. This is a moody, slow-burn Scottish mystery that really sticks with you.

Crime podcaster Cal Lovett is trying to identify a woman found dead in the hills near Loch Tay—no name, no past, nothing. At the same time, he’s still struggling with his sister’s unsolved murder, and you can feel that weight in every part of the story.

The mystery builds gradually but kept me turning the pages, and the writing is atmospheric without overdoing it. It’s more about people and emotion than constant action, which I loved. If you’re into thoughtful crime fiction with strong character work and a haunting setting, this one’s for you.

Definitely going back in the series to read more. Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC.