Title: Broken Skin
Author: Stuart MacBride
First published February 2, 2007
594 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780007193172 (ISBN10: 0007193173)
Rating: 4.17
Overview
Detective Sergeant Logan McRae is back and still struggling to catch a break. Stuck with cases that are going nowhere, McRae is desperate to get noticed by his boss and move up the ranks.
But when a body is found in the woods, the case takes a dark turn. With no ID on the victim and no suspects, McRae and his team are at a loss.
And when a young girl goes missing, the pressure is on to find her before it’s too late. But with tensions running high and the clock ticking, McRae’s chances of success seem slim.
With his signature blend of suspense and dark humor, Stuart MacBride delivers another gripping installment in the Logan McRae series.
About the Author
Allow me to introduce Stuart MacBride – a Scottish writer with a beard and a story to tell.
Born in Dumbarton, which he considers to be a part of Glasgow, Stuart moved to Aberdeen at the age of two. Growing up, he learned to play the recorder but forgot how when the colored dots turned into musical notes.
He also appeared in a strange World War Two musical and did his best to avoid eating haggis while running around a lot.
Later, Stuart spent some time in Westhill, a small suburb of Aberdeen, where he struggled academically due to his inability to spell and his short attention span. He then went to university in Edinburgh, where he lived in a subterranean flat with a mad Irishman and four other unusual individuals.
The highlight of his mornings was avoiding the fresh bloodstains outside his front door and the undercover police officers trying to buy drugs.
However, university did not work out for Stuart, so he worked offshore, where the intellectual level was similar to that of the movie Animal House. There was a lot of swearing, smoking, eating, pornography, and drinking endless cups of tea.
But it paid well, and he blew most of his money in the pubs and clubs of Aberdeen without getting a hangover.
Stuart then worked as a graphic designer, a studio manager, a voiceover artist, and an actor but gave up the latter when he realized he wasn’t good enough to make a living from it. He fell into bad company, married a blonde from Fife, and began producing websites for a friend’s startup internet company.
This led to a roller coaster ride of jobs in web design, programming, and project management for various companies.
But writing was always on Stuart’s mind. He succumbed to peer pressure from two friends who were writing novels and thought, “Why not?
I could do that.” It took him a few years to get started, but he eventually did.
Editoral Review
Stuart MacBride’s Broken Skin is a gripping crime novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Published on February 2, 2007, the book is a prime example of the crime fiction genre, featuring intricate plot development, well-thought-out characters, and a chilling setting that adds to the overall atmosphere of the story.
The novel follows Detective Sergeant Logan McRae as he investigates a series of horrific crimes committed by a ruthless killer. McRae finds himself caught in a web of lies and deceit as he uncovers more gruesome details about the case.
Along the way, he must also deal with his personal issues, including his troubled relationship with his girlfriend and his uneasy position in the police force. MacBride’s writing style is effortless and engaging, with a knack for crafting realistic characters with complex personalities.
The novel’s pacing is well-balanced, never lagging or rushing through important plot points. The author’s extensive knowledge of police procedures adds a sense of authenticity to the story, making it all the more thrilling for readers.
One of the most striking aspects of Broken Skin is how it explores the psychological effects of crime on both the victims and the investigators. The book’s themes are gritty and dark, tackling issues like substance abuse, domestic violence, and the corrupt system that often fails to protect those in need.
While the themes can be heavy at times, MacBride manages to inject moments of humor into the story, providing a much-needed reprieve from the darkness. His ability to balance the heavy subject matter with lighthearted moments is a testament to his writing skills.
Broken Skin is not without its flaws, however. While the story is engaging, some of the characters feel underdeveloped, lacking the depth and complexity that others possess.
Additionally, some readers may find some of the more graphic scenes disturbing or difficult to read. Overall, Stuart MacBride’s Broken Skin is a well-crafted crime novel that deserves a place among the genre’s classics.
Fans of the crime fiction genre will appreciate the author’s attention to detail, masterful character development, and ability to keep readers guessing until the very end. Broken Skin is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking crime novel.
Rating: 4/5 stars
