In Review

21 November 2008 22:26 BST

Blood Lines by Grace Monroe

Published by Avon, out now, paperback, 391pp, £6.99.

In a nutshell...

"Blood is thicker than water and far more deadly"

What's it all about?

Blood Lines is the follow-up to Munroe's gripping debut, Dark Angels.

All is not going well for the young unorthodox Edinburgh lawyer Brodie McLennan. Not only is she currently the top contender for the title of "Miss Unpopular" at her firm, her practice is going through financial turmoil, the nightmares of her parents won't stay repressed and her sex life is in total chaos. Just when you thought it could not get any worse for the young lawyer, Brodie gets herself tangled up in a murder case of a woman who had been found buried alive with carved markings all over her face. Suspicion starts to emerge as Brodie was the last person to see the victim alive and vital evidence has been uncovered at her flat. Brodie McLennan is now the number one suspect on a murder charge.

Meanwhile at a local asylum, a deranged mental patient inscribes Brodie’s name all over the walls in her own blood, at the same time another mutilated body is found bearing the same ritualistic markings from the first murder. More fingers are pointed at Brodie. How will she be able to get the blood off her hands?

Blood Lines is the second Edinburgh set novel in the series.

Grace Monroe is the joint venture from the writing team of Maria Thomson and Linda Watson-Brown.

As an example...

"The blood that I didn't even know I had running through my veins until just about this time last year… I saw my own name and that of my parents. If you could really call them that – a paedophile and a whore. A match made in heaven. My blood parents."

"This was a man whose only personality trait was his dandruff."

Likelihood of becoming a Hollywood blockbuster

Maybe not Hollywood blockbuster material but would be a good contender for a TV production. There are really not enough great Scottish dramas on TV these days. Think it's time to call upon Brodie McLennan to liven up our screens.

What the others say

"Edinburgh set novel from Monroe who, like Mo Hayder, seems to intent on disturbing her readers in the best possible manner!" – Russell D McLean, International Thriller Writers

So is it any good?

Crime fiction with a Scottish inflection makes Blood Lines such a great page turner. With its dark and mysterious twists it will have you in a consistent trance of meticulous reading.

Brodie McLennan has a strong protagonist with the important likeability factor that she expresses well, with all her sassiness and wit. You can't help but laugh out loud to some very smart sly comments, at the same time the other supporting characters are well drawn and just as enjoyable. The plot is strong and solid and just when you think you know, you realise you have no idea how far away you are from the reality of the narrative. There is something new occurring in every chapter and in every section you get another suspicion.

If you enjoy the work of Ian Rankin and Mo Hayder you will love Blood Lines. It's a good old fashion work of fiction and if you are not on the edge of your seat throughout this novel then I will be shocked. Be prepared to be surprised in this dark and enthralling thriller.

8/10

Natalie Gurvitz