A Toast to the Old Stones: A Tale from Kinloch by Denzil Meyrick

A Toast to the Old Stones: A Tale from Kinloch by Denzil Meyrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out as able over 4 days

Pages - 160

Publisher - Polygon

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

It's 1968, and the fishermen of Kinloch are preparing to celebrate the old New Year on the twelfth of January. The annual pilgrimage to the Auld Stones is a tradition that goes back beyond memory, and young Hamish, first mate on the Girl Maggie, is chuffed that he’s been invited to this exclusive gathering – usually reserved for the most senior members of Kinloch's fishing community.

Meanwhile, it appears that the new owners of the Firdale Hotel are intent upon turning their customers teetotal, such is the exorbitant price they are charging for whisky. Wily skipper Sandy Hoynes comes up with a plan to deliver the spirit to the thirsty villagers at a price they can afford through his connections with a local still-man.

But when the Revenue are tipped off, it looks as though Hoynes and Hamish’s mercy mission might run aground. Can the power of the Auld Stones come to their rescue, and is the reappearance of a face from Hoynes' past a sign for good or ill?




My Review

It is the 1960's, location is Kinloch, Scotland, the fishermen are preparing to celebrate and keep old traditions. To be invited along with the fishermen on such a "quest" is an honour not bestowed to many. Add into that a wee sneaky additional "mission" getting some bootleg whiskey into the hands of the locals whilst trying to avoid the authorities!

I loved reading about young Hamish, after reading the Daley series and we get wee bits of Hamish I am always wanting more, his back story, he is an interesting character. We get a bit more of that in this book. A book that looks at traditions, the livelihood of the locals, the perils of the sea (and trying to get some booze sneaked across the waters). Old stories/ghosts/history of the people/traditions - Scottish dialect, it was just a nice break from reality across the waters and time.

I hadn't realised this was book two so have just bought and downloaded the first "A Large Measure of Snow". You can absolutely read this as a standalone as I have, I love Hamish and his "gift" so reading about him as a youngster, his mentor/people and why Kinloch is a special wee place. As we have come to expect and know from Meyrick we also have a few chuckles along the way and being a bit spooked, it was just a perfect blend I thought! Looking forward to reading book one and hopefully we may see a third? 4.5/5 for us this time.

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The Rat Stone Serenade by Denzil Meyrick

The Rat Stone Serenade by Denzil Meyrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 3 days

Pages - 384

Publisher - Polygon

Source - Waterstones buy

Blurb from Goodreads

It’s December, and the Shannon family are returning home to their clifftop mansion near Kinloch for their annual AGM. Shannon International is one of the world’s biggest private companies, with tendrils reaching around the globe in computing, banking and mineral resourcing, and it has brought untold wealth and privilege to the family. However, a century ago Archibald Shannon stole the land upon which he built their home - and his descendants have been cursed ever since.

When heavy snow cuts off Kintyre, DCI Jim Daley and DS Brian Scott are assigned to protect their illustrious visitors. As an ancient society emerges from the blizzards, and its creation, the Rat Stone, reveals grisly secrets, ghosts of the past come to haunt the Shannons. As the curse decrees, death is coming - but for whom and from what?


My Review

DCI Jim Daley has had enough and winding down the last days of his career in the police. He is focused on his wife and the baby, leaving the force leaves behind his ex lover DC Dunn. Another case will push Daley and the team to the limits, a family curse, ghosts of the past and ritualistic/supernatural goings on, will Daley get out alive?

The beauty of these books, in my opinion, is you always get a good case going on. A kid went missing years ago, from the cursed family and now a child's bones have turned up. Gorey slayings, a rich spoiled family at the heart of it all and poor Daley and team need to pull through the lies, skulduggery and an old curse ooft, fabulous.

Among that we have the team and their personal issues, Jim recovering from an affair and his wee family getting through it. DS Scott he really brings life and heart to the team, struggling with PTSD and alcoholism battling through his own demons to deal with flesh and blood ones. Daley and Dunn trying hard to work with each other despite the growing difficulty of their very intimate past.

It is crammed full, police procedure, curses, murder, death, Scottish banter, relationships, love, survival, sacrifice and that is just the start of it! If you haven't read the previous books please check them out so you can appreciate more of the characters backgrounds and why they are the way the are. 4/5 for me this time, I have the rest on my tbrm and cannot wait to read them!

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Dark Suits and Sad Songs by Denzil Meyrick

Dark Suits and Sad Songs by Denzil Meyrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 372

Publisher - Polygon

Source - Waterstones buy

Blurb from Goodreads

The third installment in the bestselling DCI Daley series, packed with accurate police procedure and gritty, dark humour. The best of Scottish crime.



When a senior Edinburgh civil servant spectacularly takes his own life in Kinloch harbour, DCI Jim Daley comes face to face with the murky world of politics. To add to his woes, two local drug dealers lie dead, ritually assassinated. It's clear that dark forces are at work in the town. With his boss under investigation, his marriage hanging on by a thread, and his sidekick DS Scott wrestling with his own demons, Daley's world is in meltdown. When strange lights appear in the sky over Kinloch, it becomes clear that the townsfolk are not the only people at risk. The fate of nations is at stake. Jim Daley must face his worst fears as tragedy strikes. This is not just about a successful investigation, it's about survival.


My Review

When drugs dealers are turning up horrifically murdered and an innocent family caught up in a life threatening situation, Daley and the team have their work cut out. DS Scott is back after his harrowing ordeal and still fighting the after effects, creeping into his professionalism and abilities. Daley has his biggest challenges to date, his personal life is out of control and constantly on his mind, his professional life is pushing him to the max. Who can he trust both in and off the job, something has to give but what will it be?

Oh I love Daley without going into too much detail in case you haven't read the previous books but I really really do not like his wife. To be fair I haven't liked her from book one but she really rips my knittin and I just want to save Daley from himself and his good wee heart. Scott is a wee soul, back at the job and struggling to put to bed his demons which in turn impacts on his abilities as an officer. Some of the murders we see in this book are pretty brutal and graphic so be fair warned. The book chugs on at a pretty fast pace if we aren't dealing with the police investigation which is blood stained and full on, seriously there is dodgyness at every turn. The personal side affecting pretty much all of our main players is also full on giving us more insight into some of our favorite characters. There has been a lot building up from book one and we see it take its toll however it isn't all death, grim, heartache and skulduggery we have the dark humor and sweary banter we have come to know and love in Meyrick's telling.

We always get a wealth of issues and subjects in these books, police procedure, murder, investigation, marriage, family, working relationships, actions and consequences to name but a few. I think if you haven't read the previous books you should start with book one, whilst you could read this as a standalone I think to appreciate the characters and back stories you are best going back to the beginning. I really enjoy these books, the characters are human and flawed but Daley and Scott are essentially good guys and the reader is constantly rooting for them. 4/5 for me this time, I have the rest of the series in my tbrm and can't wait to see what is next in store for the team.

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Whisky from Small Glasses by Denzil Meyrick

Whisky from Small Glasses by Denzil Meyrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - < 1 day

Pages - 368

Publisher - Polygon

Source - Waterstones

Blurb from Goodreads

When the body of a young woman is washed up on an idyllic beach on the west coast of Scotland, D.C.I. Jim Daley is despatched from Glasgow to lead the investigation. Far from home, and his troubled marriage, it seems that Daley’s biggest obstacle will be managing the difficult local police chief; but when the prime suspect is gruesomely murdered, the inquiry begins to stall. As the body count rises, Daley uncovers a network of secrets and corruption in the close-knit community of Kinloch, thrusting him and his loved ones into the centre of a case more deadly than he had ever imagined. The first novel in the D.C.I. Daley Thriller series, Whisky from Small Glasses is a truly compelling crime novel, shot through with dark humour and menace.


My Review

When the body of a young woman is discovered in the small town of Kinloch, DCI Daley is dispatched to investigate. Whilst Daley tries to deal with police politics, large egos, his personal life and a killer at large things are heating up.

So, we have a murder, team dynamics those established with Daley and those in Kinloch who are adverse to city cops stepping on toes. We follow the investigation, the boundaries breached and set by Daley, grieving families and breaking through small town ranks.

This isn't a gore fest crime, it is a lot on police procedural with Scottish banter, swearing, secrets, good old fashioned police work and family dramas thrown in for fabulous effect. The wife I didn't like to start with, Daley I really took to quickly as with members of his team. He is a good cop who just wants to do his job and be happy. The locals were a mixed bag, predictions, helpfulness, standoffish, wanting to make sure Daley is fed, it is a wee town (barring the murder) you would want to go visit.

For me a fantastic opening to the series, yes there is a murder and investigation but it is a strong builder for who the characters are. I look forward to more of Daley and his team, 4/5 for me this time. I have the whole series on my tbrm so I am looking forward to catching up with what is in store for the team next.

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