'A Single Bright Candle's Flame' is the 9th episode in season 1 of Cole McCade's series Criminal Intentions and so far this series has not failed to deliver. As Malcolm Khalaji and Soeng-Jae Yoon have gone from new police partners to friends and ultimately lovers solving crimes and fitting themselves into each other's lives it's been one hella' good roller coaster ride of emotions. Along with the self contained crime drama that each story delivers there have been hints and clues to an overlying story line that has kept up a steady pace and so far promises to be explosive in it's conclusion...whenever that might be because so far I'm not seeing an end in sight.

Thankfully here in the 9th story we get a bit of a break allowing the reader to catch their breath a bit and I have to confess that while I thought the last book was the most relationship focused book to date...well, all I can say now is "Oops, my bad...because this one puts it to shame." however, don't think that just because there's not a crime to be solved you're entirely off the hook here because you're not. There's still so much to be learned from this one and enjoyed...holy hell so much to be enjoyed and savored. 

As Soeng-Jae works his way through the events from the last story, Mal is right there determined to be and give Yoon what he needs...he's not going to screw up this time...it's not going to be a repeat of Gabrielle not if he can help it. But Mal's also unsure what to do other than just being there which he'll happily do but he's missing the Soeng-Jae that he fell in love with and isn't sure what it'll take to get him back. Turns out that Mal's problem is going to be solved by a panicked phone call from his parents when his younger sister has runaway or more accurately she's running to something...her brother.

While this once again wasn't a long story it was still an awesome read. I loved all of it. Seeing the gentle and loving side of Mal as he cares for his lover and the new bit of vulnerability that Soeng-Jae showed to Mal, was just so...so...I don't even really think I have words for it to be honest...it was just so sweet and touching, yep, Karen melted a little right up there on that rooftop.

Plus we have Soeng-Jae being reunited with his sister which was just beyond delightful.  I really hope we get to see more of her...she's feisty and the joy of her brother's life and I'm pretty sure she had Mal totally charmed by the time she returned home as well.

But there were also glimpses of things that will connect events of the past to events that have yet to happen and all indications are that we are still in for one hella' wild and interesting ride...so, while this one left me in a happy 'I love Mal & Soeng-Jae' puddle of glue I have the feeling that the next story is going to be filled with a lot of what-the-f*ck-moments! while the strength of Mal and Soeng-Jae's relationship will once again be tested, but I have faith in these two and am looking forward to whatever comes next. 

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An ARC of 'A Single Bright Candle's Flame' was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

"The inspector [Steel] let it die down before carrying on. 'But just because those bastards think we're worthless, doesn't mean we have to prove them right! We will do a damn good job: we will catch crooks and we will get the bastards convicted. Understood? We are not at home to Mr. Fuck-Up. Come on, say it with me: we are not at home to Mr. Fuck-Up.

Come on. Once more with feeling: We are not at home with Mr. Fuck-Up!' 

Logan snuck a look at the other people in the tiny, untidy room.

Who were they kidding? Not only were they at home to Mr. Fuck-Up, they'd made up the spare bed and told him to stay for as long as he liked". 

These characters are so endearing. As much as I like Logan McRae, secondary character Detective Inspector Steel is stealing the show. The woman steals every single scene she's in. She's such a hot mess, and I can't get enough of her.

"DS Logan McRae and the police in Aberdeen hunt a child killer who stalks the frozen streets. Winter in Aberdeen: murder, mayhem and terrible weather!

It's DS Logan McRae's first day back on the job after a year off on the sick, and it couldn't get much worse. Four-year-old David Reid's body is discovered in a ditch, strangled, mutilated and a long time dead. And he's only the first. There's a serial killer stalking the Granite City and the local media are baying for blood.

Soon the dead are piling up in the morgue almost as fast as the snow on the streets, and Logan knows time is running out. More children are going missing. More are going to die. And if Logan isn't careful, he could end up joining them..."

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            "Aye? Shame. He was fucking tasty in his day. Quite the lady-killer.

             But we couldn't prove it." - Detective Inspector Steel

There is a lot to like in Stuart MacBride’s police procedural, Cold Granite. To start with, the story is sprinkled with humorous lines like the one above, delivered by likeable, almost quirky, characters. Some moments actually made me laugh out loud, which I found surprising as I didn’t expect it to be filled with such dark humor. The author does a great job of balancing the humorous moments with the more serious, and quite gruesome, aspects of the main story.

Detective Sergeant Logan McRae, the MC, is also very likeable. I liked that he was human—sometimes he got things wrong and sometimes he got things right. He was also just a man trying to do his job. One thing I would have liked, though, was a little more insight into his personal life. We do get a backstory involving a case he worked prior to the events of Cold Granite, but I would have liked to learn more about his family, parents, friends (outside of the police force), etc. It would have been nice to have seen a bit of interaction with them. I think because of this, Logan initially felt like a bit of a void to me. But, of course, this changed as the story progressed. And I assume we’ll get more of this in later books of the series.

Another aspect of the story I liked was the setting. It takes place in Aberdeen, Scotland, and the city itself truly becomes like a secondary character. The author intertwines the city, the weather, the regional slang, etc. with the story, and makes it come alive. 

The main mystery/crime was really well done. Some things I caught quickly and then had to wait for Logan to catch up, but the main part of the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. Just a word of warning that MacBride doesn't hold back when it comes to the horrifying aspects of the murders. There are minor descriptions of autopsies, and detailed descriptions of the children’s injuries, as well as other horrors endured by these poor kids. So just keep that in mind.

All in all, an extremely enjoyable read. Highly recommended for fans of police procedurals.

Final Rating: 4 stars

This is in the very early stages, but so far I'm enjoying it. Having watched and enjoyed the first two seasons of the TV show Longmire, which is based on this book series, I thought I would give the book a try.

Has anyone read the books and watched the show? If so, I'd love to get your input...

Review limited due to Advance Uncorrected Proofs:

A well plotted vengeful suspense story during the postwar of Great Britain.  The story spans early 1920's and just after WWII.  I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of mystery, you know the whole Scotland Yard, Inspectors, Constable and murders-yet-to-be-solved kind of thing.  I found the author building up each character as you turn page after page which entail a cumbersome effect.  I got a bit side track trying to distinguish what characters did what.  Maybe it was my fault for not reading the other books but the novel should stand alone.  However I chalk it up as a glitch and I soon immersed myself back into it.  All in all the story grabs you into a world of intrigue that shifts your thoughts to war and the horror of it.  The scenic parts of Britain held me transfixed details so captivating.  Wonderful atmospheric quality I must say, even though I had a glitch.  Highly recommend this read.  I won this book on Goodreads,First Read Giveaway.  Thank you, Darlene Cruz