Witness the dead - BookWyrm

No cover — Craig Robertson: Witness the dead (2013, Simon & Schuster)

520 pages

English language

Published Nov. 20, 2013 by Simon & Schuster.

ISBN:: 978-0-85720-419-6
OCLC Number:: 852543360

(1 review)

Scottish Police are called to a murder scene in Glasgow's Northern Necropolis. The body of a young woman lies stretched out over a tomb in what looks like a ritualistic murder. Her body bears a three letter message from her killer, daubed in lurid red lipstick. In the 1970s, Danny Neilson was the detective working on the infamous Red Silk murders. Still haunted by the memory of the unsolved investigation, he spots a link between the new murders and those carried out by Red Silk - details that no copycat killer could have known about. But Archibald Atto, the man suspected of the killings all those years ago, is rotting in jail, so Danny has to face up to his fear that they never caught their man. Neilson goes with police photographer Tony Winter, to visit Archibald Atto in prison. But Atto will not speak to them unless it is …

Scottish Police are called to a murder scene in Glasgow's Northern Necropolis. The body of a young woman lies stretched out over a tomb in what looks like a ritualistic murder. Her body bears a three letter message from her killer, daubed in lurid red lipstick. In the 1970s, Danny Neilson was the detective working on the infamous Red Silk murders. Still haunted by the memory of the unsolved investigation, he spots a link between the new murders and those carried out by Red Silk - details that no copycat killer could have known about. But Archibald Atto, the man suspected of the killings all those years ago, is rotting in jail, so Danny has to face up to his fear that they never caught their man. Neilson goes with police photographer Tony Winter, to visit Archibald Atto in prison. But Atto will not speak to them unless it is on his terms. As clues begin to surface, they learn that they are dealing with a killer whose agenda is so terrifying and history so twisted that it will take the combined efforts of police forces past and present to make an arrest.

3 editions

Stephanie Jane reviewed Witness the dead by Craig Robertson (Narey and Winter -- 4)

Formulaic & dull

2 stars

Well, I've finally finished Witness The Dead despite there being a few moments when I wasn't sure whether I could be bothered. The long book is apparently the fourth in its series of police procedural thrillers. The earlier books might be better - I haven't read them - but this one is so formulaic and meandering that I just found it dull.

The best character is the city of Glasgow which comes across as dark and threatening or vibrant and youthful, depending on the scene and time of day. Many buildings and streets are attractively described and, if it weren't for the violent undercurrents, I'd suggest the tourist office sell copies. I recognised places we visited and am inspired to travel there again.

The human characters however are sadly two-dimensional and almost cartoonish in their actions and speech. Theres Shouty Policeman and Spiteful Policeman, Bland Hero, Competent Yet Also Attractive …

Well, I've finally finished Witness The Dead despite there being a few moments when I wasn't sure whether I could be bothered. The long book is apparently the fourth in its series of police procedural thrillers. The earlier books might be better - I haven't read them - but this one is so formulaic and meandering that I just found it dull.

The best character is the city of Glasgow which comes across as dark and threatening or vibrant and youthful, depending on the scene and time of day. Many buildings and streets are attractively described and, if it weren't for the violent undercurrents, I'd suggest the tourist office sell copies. I recognised places we visited and am inspired to travel there again.

The human characters however are sadly two-dimensional and almost cartoonish in their actions and speech. Theres Shouty Policeman and Spiteful Policeman, Bland Hero, Competent Yet Also Attractive Woman Scientist and Hannibal Lecter Clone. You get the idea? And we also get Ridiculously Close Family Involvement which is one of my real pet hates in this genre as the subtext that cops will only really leap into action if their wife/daughter/sister is at risk is laughable, if not a tad insulting.

Final verdict: A glossy big budget cover that promises a lot but masks disappointing content.

Subjects

Fiction

Places

Glasgow (Scotland)
Scotland
Glasgow