Cold Granite [Paperback]

Stuart MacBride (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007201230
• ISBN-13: 978-0007201235
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,880,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid cast of characters, offbeat setting, good crime story, December 4, 2006

By 

Joseph P. Menta, Jr. (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cold Granite (Mass Market Paperback)

This was my first venture into the Scottish police procedural, though I guess there are quite a few titles out there if the category has its own name: "Tartan noir". In any event, I enjoyed the tough but likable law enforcement officers of Aberdeen, Scotland and the creepy yet engaging crime story in which they move about. "Cold Granite" also benefits from interesting supporting characters, including an ambitious reporter who keeps getting in the way of the police investigation yet still sort of becomes friends with the central invesitigator, Detective Sergeant Logan MacRae. There's even the occasional romantic scene, between Logan and one of his female officers, to lighten up the dark story from time to time (though the scenes don't so much as depict a romance as Logan's desire for one). I liked the energy and vibrant images of "Cold Granite", as well as its easy readibility. I'll be sure to look for Stuart MacBride's second offering.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gritty New Scottish Police Procedural, October 1, 2005

By 

Suzanne Epstein (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cold Granite (Hardcover)

Logan McRae is a Detective Sergeant with the Aberdeen police. After being away for a year, recuperating from a serious stabbing, he returns to find himself thrown into the worst kind of case. A child's mutilated body is found,and soon another child goes missing. The plot diverges into several, possibly-related, cases, leading to long days and sleepless nights for the force.

MacBride has created engaging characters, with layered dimensions. McRae has to earn the respect and trust of his co-workers and superiors. He is forced to work alongside his former lover, who is the icy medical examiner.

The book contains gritty, realistic descriptions of crimes against children, so be forewarned. But for fans of Scottish police procedurals, MacBride is a welcome new addition to the bookshelves.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good procedural., October 1, 2005

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cold Granite (Hardcover)

I am an admitted fan of police procedurals, and this was a good one. I particularly liked that McRae wasn't an angst-ridden, alcohol-driven character--although McRae did his fair share of imbibing-whose relationship to his fellow officers and superiors is realistic. The subject matter is difficult; anytime children are involved, it's hard to read. The story was well plotted, with interesting twists and turns and good suspense. I even enjoyed the bit of a nod to Ian Rankin. Altogether, I enjoyed it and look forward to the next MacBride.