Title: Cold In The Earth
Author: Aline Templeton
First published January 1, 2005
358 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780340838556 (ISBN10: 0340838558)
Rating: 3.88
Overview
In the quiet town of Galloway, death is no stranger. But when a string of murders rocks the community, DI Fleming is faced with a case unlike any other.
The killer is cunning, leaving no trace of evidence behind. As the body count rises, Fleming and her team race against time to catch the culprit before they strike again.
But with secrets lurking in every corner and no one to trust, the case becomes more dangerous with each passing day. Will Fleming be able to solve the mystery before it’s too late?
About the Author
Aline Templeton was born and raised in the East Neuk of Fife. She received her education from St. Leonards School in St. Andrews and later attended Cambridge University.
Templeton has had a diverse career, working in education and broadcasting, and has written numerous articles and stories for national newspapers and magazines. Additionally, she served as a bench Justice of the Peace for ten years and was the former Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland.
Currently, she resides in Edinburgh with her family.
Templeton has authored nine crime novels, which have been published in Britain by Hodder & Stoughton and also in the United States and several European countries. She started with seven standalone books before beginning a series set in Galloway, featuring DI Marjory Fleming.
The debut book of the series, Cold In The Earth, was an Ottakar’s Crime Novel of the Month and an Independent Best Summer Read. The second book, The Darkness and the Deep, was published in July 2006, and the DI Fleming series now has six books.
Editoral Review
Aline Templeton’s Cold In The Earth is a gripping mystery novel that combines the elements of psychological thriller and police procedural with a timeless tale of rivalry, secrets, and betrayal. Published in 2005, the book is the first installment in Templeton’s acclaimed DI Marjory Fleming series, which is set in the fictional town of Galloway in Scotland.
Templeton, who is a former journalist and teacher, has a keen eye for detail and a talent for evoking a sense of place that is both ominous and enchanting. Her writing style is concise and fluid, with a touch of wry humor and a deep understanding of human nature.
The themes of Cold In The Earth are universal, dealing with love and hate, family and friendship, identity and memory. The genre of the book is primarily mystery, but it also delves into socio-economic and political issues that are relevant to both the Scottish and the global readership.
The plot of Cold In The Earth revolves around the investigation of a murder that takes place in a remote estate called Pilgrim’s Rest, which was owned by two old rivals, Hamish and Alastair MacDougall. DI Marjory Fleming, a dedicated and intuitive detective, is called to the scene along with her team, including her loyal sergeant Tam MacNee.
The victim is a young woman named Lorna, who was Hamish’s girlfriend and a journalist investigating a story about the MacDougalls’ past. As Marjory delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a web of lies, secrets, and long-held grudges that threaten to tear apart the tight-knit community of Galloway.
The characters in Cold In The Earth are well-crafted and multi-dimensional, with their flaws and virtues portrayed realistically. Marjory Fleming is a compelling protagonist, a middle-aged woman who is haunted by her past and yet fiercely dedicated to her job.
Tam MacNee is her foil, a young man who admires and respects Marjory, but also challenges her assumptions and biases. The MacDougall family members are the antagonists, each with their own motives and alibis that make them suspect.
Lorna is the catalyst, a woman who is both brilliant and vulnerable, who wanted to expose the truth but also had her own secrets. The supporting characters, such as the local farmers, the journalists, and the forensic experts, add color and depth to the story.
The setting of Cold In The Earth is one of the strengths of the book, as it reflects the rugged beauty and the harsh realities of the Scottish countryside. Templeton uses the landscape as a metaphor for the characters’ inner lives, as they struggle to survive in a hostile environment.
The historical and cultural significance of the setting is also woven into the narrative, as Templeton depicts the clashes between the traditional and the modern ways of life in Galloway. The themes of Cold In The Earth, such as the abuse of power, the effects of trauma, the loyalty and betrayal in relationships, resonate with the current events and issues in Scotland and beyond.
The pacing of Cold In The Earth is well-paced and keeps the readers guessing until the end. Templeton builds tension by alternating the points of view and the timelines, by withholding information, and by adding twists and turns that are both surprising and plausible.
The plot structure is solid, as Templeton balances the investigation with the personal lives of the characters, and ties all the loose ends together. The quality of writing in Cold In The Earth is excellent, as Templeton uses vivid imagery, subtle symbolism, and sharp dialogue to create a memorable reading experience.
The weaknesses of Cold In The Earth, however, are few but notable. The characterization of some of the minor characters is somewhat underdeveloped, making them appear one-dimensional or stereotypical.
The resolution of the mystery, while satisfying and logical, may feel anticlimactic or too convenient for some readers. The pacing, while intentional and effective, may also feel slow or repetitive for those who prefer more action-packed stories.
Overall, Cold In The Earth is a must-read for fans of mystery and crime fiction, as well as for those who appreciate a well-crafted and thought-provoking novel. The book would appeal to a wide range of readers, from the Scottish expats to the armchair travelers, from the seasoned detectives to the aspiring writers.
The rating of Cold In The Earth would be 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on the criteria of originality, execution, impact, and enjoyment. The only reason for the missing half-star is the minor flaws mentioned above, which do not diminish the overall quality and relevance of the book.
