5 Stars from me 
It should be impossible for a gritty and downright gruesome crime thriller to make me laugh and yet here we are. I laughed at several points while reading this story and I LOVED every single moment of it!
You could jump in and read this one – and you’d enjoy it, it’s witty, clever and engaging. BUT if you want to love it as much as I did then I whole hardheartedly recommend that you begin with Cold Granite by the same author so that you get to know Steel from day one.
And Logan, you need to meet and know him too. So, yes, start at the beginning, you won’t regret it. This is one of my all time absolute favourite series and I am beyond confused how it has not yet graced our TV screens.
Would it still work as a standalone? You know, it would, and that is down to the sheer storytelling brilliance of the author, I honestly believe that it could be enjoyed as is – but if you want the deluxe version, you want the cherry on top and maybe some sprinkles, then you need the full ride.
Either way, I simply can’t praise it enough. Literally a masterpiece of the genre.
My thanks to the author, netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Blurb: All good things must come to an end . . .
Acting Detective Inspector Roberta Steel has never been shy, but she’s finally retiring. After thirty years of policing Aberdeen’s underbelly, she’s all set for her twilight years to feature gardening gloves, afternoon tea, crosswords puzzles, and shouting at the telly.
So, when a body turns up in a wheelie bin, it looks like an excellent way to round off her career and go out with a bang. But the Northeast of Scotland isn’t finished with her yet:
There’s a violent protest to stop; far-right populist politicians, and sketchy government spooks; a by-election; drugs, dogs, and baby-doll nighties; and a desperate ex-colleague, begging her for help.
With only her Queen Street Irregulars for backup, and the top brass desperate to get shot of her, these final few weeks might just be the death of her . . .
Read and Rated 