The Bone Clock

Detective Corstorphine, Book 1

By: Andrew James Greig

Narrated by: Angus King

The young oak tree with freshly budding leaves seemed unremarkable until his eyes travelled down to the wooden plaque set into the ground. The words sent an icy chill through his heart: They shall remember you.

In the Scottish Highlands where secrets settle like mist in the glens, Detective Inspector James Corstorphine is summoned to a macabre scene–a gamekeeper hanging from an ancient oak, ensnared by an intricate trap of wire and bone. Still grieving his wife's death, Corstorphine finds himself hunting a killer who crafts elaborate deathtraps from human remains–clockwork mechanisms that deliver murder with chilling precision.

When the victim's pregnant girlfriend Margo–her face a map of bruises–shares a reporter's notebook found among her boyfriend's possessions, Corstorphine discovers a connection to a journalist who died at the same hanging tree twenty years earlier. But Margo guards secrets of her own, and speaking the truth in this Highland community carries a deadly price.

As the deaths mount, Corstorphine must confront his own ghosts while racing to uncover what links the victims. His investigation leads to a devastating truth: the killer isn't just taking lives–they're delivering retribution decades in the making.

The first in the DI Corstorphine Scottish crime series, from a CWA New Blood Dagger Longlist author and McIlvanney Best Scottish Crime Novel Finalist will have you listening late into the night. The perfect work for fans of LJ Ross, Ann Cleeves, and Val McDermid.

Previously published as Whirligig.

©2020, 2024, 2025 Andrew James Greig (P)2025 Storm Publishing

Mystery

Loved the suspense. Of course the characters all are people I’d like to know. It all worked to a brilliant novel.

Good storyline

The plot and the setting held my attention. I’m glad the author did not spend a high amount of time pining away about his dead wife. I believe to many mysteries of this type spend way to much time with the lead ruminating about a failed relationship.

Decent Start to a series

This author came up as an Audible recommendation for me. Saw that Angus King was the narrator (the best) and thought I’d give it a go. Good plot and characters starting to be developed, but none really enchanting so far. I like series, but you need engaging characters to make them work. Worth giving the next book a listen. If the characters grow on me , I’ll keep going.

Not great...

I am not sure what I would call this. It definitely wasn't a police procedural. There really wasn't any investigation or mystery to speak of. It was clear from very early on who the killer was. The bit that bugged me the most was the ending. It left only questions..... No killer in custody, does the DI even still have a job, or did the bent ACC get found out?

I purchased book 2 before I finished this one as I almost always give a series at least a two book chance but I might return it. Not sure I want to waste another credit.

Annoying MC and very little detectives work

I really like the writing style, but I don't understand why this series is called Detective Corstorphine. He is supposedly the main character, but he is ineffectual and stupid. He does almost no investigating, is reactive, and completely ineffectual. He's frustrated with the progress of the investigation, but has time to go on 1st and 2nd dates in the midst of a few gruesome murders, and decides that it's okay to ignore phone calls from the 2nd person in charge. He's a worthless main character. I'm not sure I'll read the next one because the lack of any sort of investigation or initiative from the main detective is beyond irritating. The series should be named after the female detective, Franky--the only one with a brain.