The Damage Done: Inspector McLean 6

I have now read all of the first six books in this series. I have read them mostly in succession and found when I tried to read something by another author inbetween I couldn't find the rhythm. I've really enjoyed all of these books and whilst it isn't necessary to read them in the correct order, as with most series of books it does help in getting to know the characters and making sense of references to earlier stories.I enjoy the character of DI McLean, yes he's a bit predictable in that he has flaws as most good fictional detectives do, but he generally does what's right, even if his superiors don't agree. Maybe there was a little too much disagreement between him and his superior officers, some of which became occasionally a little tedious and not quite believable.There have been some comments regarding the slightly supernatural elements in the later books, and yes, that could be a bit of a distraction, and in The Damage Done did not add much to the plot. However, in The Book of Souls the supernatural aspect is the basis of the plot. Oswald's character Madame Rose is interesting but again felt a bit like a token addition to the plots in the later books, maybe in the interests of equality? Who knows?So............a good series of books, loved the characters, must have as read them all in the correct order! Am now waiting for the latest ones to be offered as part of a sale when I will certainly buy them

DI Tony McLean has been seconded to the sex crimes unit. He and his colleagues are carrying out a raid on a house they believe is being used as a brothel but when they enter and process everyone there all is not as it seems. During the raid Tony meets Heather Marchmont who is renting the house and he can't help but feel that they have met before but he can't think where or when. Then a body is found in strange circumstances followed by the death of one of the people arrested during the brothel raid and Tony is convinced there is a link between all three. Before he can start investigating properly he's removed from the sex crimes unit and made to work on cold cases with Grumpy Bob and his old nemesis Duguid. Is one of their cold cases linked to the current cases and is Duguid telling McLean everything he knows? Their resulting investigation leads to both their lives being threatened and McLean's suspension but when he gets home a surprise visitor arrives. Love this series of books.

I enjoyed this book up to a point, the point being that now after reading a few of James' books I found some of the detail rather repetative: I like the Inspector as a character; he comes across as completely human, but I thought the book relied rather too much on the detail of his domestic life eg a little less on the takeaways might improve the dialogue, at least for my taste. His lack of ambition too I find unattractive, again a personal thought. His elevation to Chief Inspector at some point would, I think, introduce a fresh perspective in his relationship with colleagues, particularly those more senior and seemingly less able with whom he seems to be constantly at odds.

I've worked my way through six of these novels and have had enough. Oswald could probably write a decent detective story if he wanted to, but he can't leave the spooky business alone. I hesitate to call it supernatural, because it isn't super-anything, just a pointless injection of what?- demons? black magic? It makes no sense, even in its own terms. If you're going to believe in demons, you can't have them killing people, because according to the theory, that's the one thing they can't do. If holy water will cure somebody in one novel, why not sprinkle it all over the place? Oswald just wants to make our flesh creep and that's not good enough. This is lazy writing, not good detection at all. I shan't be bothering with any more.

I have read all James Oswald's books and enjoying them all until this one. I found it difficult to follow as so much seemed to be happening in different places but where connected. It took me much longer to read than normal because it was all so confusing. To be honest I was glad when I had finished book. I'm really disappointed because I have loved all James's other novels.

I did enjoy the book, and the progress of the characters. Only a couple of things - too much swearing in places, not needed when main characters have such excellent vocabularies, and a slightly rushed ending. The twins were not explained, and what was their connection to Heather? A very good plot but a vague ending.

Bought a few of these books at the same time after reading the first one. Slightly disappointed in the new books. The crime stories are good but the supernatural thread is a bit tiresome after a while. It's as if the author is using the supernatural theme to give himself an ending that fits the crime.

I love James Oswald's Inspector McLean novels so was really looking forward to The Damage Done.I was far from disappointed but found at first it didn't flow as easily as had previous books but this proved to be only a temporary glitch and the book was soon flowing forwards smoothly.These books have that little extra something which moves them from being a standard Police thriller into a class of their own.I look forward to my next chance to become reacquainted with Inspector McLean with undisguised pleasure