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Bitter Night

A McLaren Mystery

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Bitter Night

By: Jo Hiestand
Narrated by: Callum Hale
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When former police detective Michael McLaren is given an old photograph and newspaper article, an inquiry begins that seems straight forward enough: an accident in a millpond. But when it’s apparent that other odd deaths are linked to this, all via the victims receiving a cypher puzzle, the secret meanings become more important. More important still when a fifth death occurs practically on McLaren’s doorstep.

Now it’s five deaths and five puzzles, and McLaren’s determined to solve the mysteries. The only problem is that the trail he’s following entraps not only himself but also his friend, Jamie—traps that might be impossible to escape.

©2024 Jo A Hiestand (P)2026 Jo A Hiestand Mystery Traditional Detectives
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Listener received this title free

I really enjoyed listening to Bitter Night, it is a great mystery book with a few touches of humour along the way. Looking forward to more from this author.

Great mystery story

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Listener received this title free

I enjoyed this book. There is a lot going on in this story, especially with the number of dead bodies and the cryptic clues left behind. While the clues were clever, they weren't the type the listener could work out not seeing the sheet of music or having the book to look up page numbers etc. However it was interesting having McLaren try to work it out the different methods and it certainly made for a different case to solve. I must admit I had no clue who the killer was.
I like the characters. McLaren and Jamie work well together and even Melanie and Barry get involved to. This does work as a standalone book but I am finding it that the more I know the characters the more I am enjoying this delightful series. I can't wait for the next book.

With Melanie doing the work to get her art gallery up and running she is busy knocking down walls. So when she discovers a news article about a death and a photographer behind one of the walls, she immediately gives it to her husband. McLaren might have retired from the police force but he still likes a good mystery. Especially as when he starts to investigate he quickly learns that the death was only one of a number of strange deaths. All happened in the winter months years apart with one thing connecting them. A puzzle left for a loved one, revealing where the body can be found it they can solve the puzzle. Can McLaren and Jamie solve the clues and find a killer? When there friend Barry ends up being a witness to one of the deaths he becomes a target and it's a race against time to keep him safe and solve the deaths.
I like the narrator. With a number of false starts he seems to be the author's narrator choice and for very good reason. I hope he continues to give McLaren and Jamie a voice.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Nothing bitter about a good book

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