What Will Burn (The Inspector McLean Series)

I loved this book. Devoured it in a single day, another rarity for me of late, and I am left with only one regret. That I may have finished it too quickly and it's a bloody long time until book twelve will be in my needy little hands.

If you have read any of the previous Inspector McLean novels at all the you will know that this is no ordinary Detective fiction. On a basic level, yes, this is a story of a police investigation into a potential murder. Or potentially an accidental fire. As readers we know the truth as we are cast as the voyuer when the event occurs, but for the police it is not quite so obvious or straightforward. At least not in the beginning. But the thing is, when it comes to a case that is going to reside with the Specialist Crime Division in Edinburgh (think CID with a PR spin), particularly anything that ends up on the desk of Detective Inspector Tony McLean, there really is no such thing as a straightforward death. To quote the characters themselves, everything is always just a little 'weird'. 

Now I don't want to give any spoilers for the story, and the main premise of it will be apparent very early on in the book, believe me, but it is fair to say that James Oswald's novels always have an element of the otherworldly or supernatural about them, and this one is no different. Readers are treated to not just one 'weird' death but several, all of which made me smile. The manner of dispatch is certainly original, and whilst the act of murder is kept largely off the page, at least after the opening scenes, there is no doubting what has happened and why each of the victims was a target.

I love that this series gives us such a broad range of characters. From the colourful and larger than life Madame Rose, whose presence in a novel almost always precedes something a little out of the ordinary, through to McLean's police colleagues (Grumpy Bob is back - love Grumpy Bob!), we are always faced with people we can root for and people who we (I) would cheerfully throttle. This time we are faced with two very different but equally predatory characters who will make your blood boil. One is on the side of good (allegedly) but their ambition, flirtation and seniority put McLean in a very difficult position. The other is most definitely on the side of wrong, a misogynistic and vile character who I struggled to find one redeeming quality in at all. But both were compelling to read about for different, but ultimately more or less the same, reasons. And not only are we faced with these two, for want of a better term, bullies, but we also meet some faces from the past, the return of at least one of which nearly always spells bad news for McLean. I love that the author has chosen to keep his two police series largely apart but still within the same worlds meaning that characters are able to traverse the two series. Not our main protagonists perhaps, but certainly those who inhabit and inform their lives.

One of the key aspects of this book which I really liked, and given the nature of the backstory it makes perfect sense, was seeing Janie Harrison really beginning to take centre stage. This is a story which very much has the role of women, both historically and in the here and now, professionally and otherwise, at its heart. Harrison is someone who has grown immensely as a character over the course of the past few books and changes at the top give her the opportunity to prove her worth in an acting DS role. There are elements of the story, especially the ending, that made me wonder just how we may see this, and Harrison's character, develop moving forward. There is certainly the promise of more, and that is what I love about this series. The fact that whilst we are treated to a solid and intriguing police investigation, the drama, the tension, the pitch perfect pacing, there is always that 'other' layer on top. The sense that there is something more than most of the characters will accept and understand, no matter how much of the 'weird' they see whilst working for McLean. And there is always plenty of the 'weird'.I can't say exactly why this hit the spot without leaving what I think would be a bit of a spoiler, but if you read the book carefully you will understand the subtext and how this book is still as strong a social commentary as any of its predecessors, in a way which engaged me and gave me exactly the kind of entertaining escapism I needed.

Haven’t read it yet but expect it to be as good as the others.

Cecily Slater is a 90-year-old woman who lives a reclusive, quiet life in an old house that is hard to reach. But she knew that they would find her in the end and that she would die in flames. Nearby a man dies in his armchair, his torso incinerated, looking every bit as if he had died of spontaneous combustion. Tony McLean, now happily demoted to Detective Inspector, and Janie Harrison, just as happily promoted to Detective Sergeant, must investigate both cases. While one might not be murder at all, the other is inexplicable. Why would anyone do this to an old woman? There will be more deaths, all so difficult to explain. This won’t be an easy case and matters aren’t helped by the arrival of the new Chief Superintendent, the charismatic and demanding Gail Elmwood.What Will Burn is the eleventh novel in James Oswald’s superb DI McLean series. While there is a benefit in having read the previous novels, What Will Burn does stand alone very well and I think it would even serve as a good way in to the books for those new to them. This is one of the best detective series you could read, and I love them all, but What Will Burn is my favourite and it exemplifies everything that I love about these books – their atmosphere, cleverness, intriguing crimes, fantastic characters and that little hint of the mysterious and other worldly. These books are firmly grounded in Edinburgh and Scotland but there is an element of horror and the supernatural that manages to not intrude while adding a flavour that is absolutely delicious!The storyline of What Will Burn is terrific – it is really, really, really good. You can tell how good it is because I can’t think of the words to praise it enough! All sorts of themes and ideas are explored, but one of the big issues tackled in such a brilliant way is the age-old hatred that some men have for women, especially wise women. Then there are other biblical motivations – vengeance, envy, sin. I love how these novels tackle modern crimes but give them a context that is universal, ancient and timeless.Familiar characters that we love are here, along with Tony, such as Janie, Madame Rose, Lofty (Emma is away in Africa), Grumpy Bob, various cars and cats. There is a link with the author’s Constance Fairchild books thanks to Isobel or Izzy, who is such a fine character. Overshadowing everyone is Gail Elmwood. The least said about her in a review the better but you really need to meet her.Tony McLean is a wonderful and original creation, surrounded by a circle of friends and colleagues that are a pleasure to know. There are dangers within and without but they remain on guard, vigilant. Long may they continue to do so.

Another great DI McLean story, thoroughly enjoyable. Love the development of the characters and their stories. What’s next, can’t wait.

Not up to the usual high standard, not saying not good but Mr Oswald other books were better. Will still read the next.

Its the usual Inspector McLean type story Fans will get what they expect

Just what you would expect from James Oswald. Good story line and good outcome. I have to wonder if Tony McLean could ever do anything by the book but I guess if he did it wouldn't be the same. Have put the next one on my wish list.

Usual well written tale from this author, Tony McLean and colleagues getting into more trouble at Police Scotland, now with a new station boss. This is the usual well plotted fare but suffers somewhat from its basic subject matter, do people really still believe in witch's curses? Read this series of books in order to appreciate the continuity of the characters.