See Them Run: An utterly gripping detective thriller set in St Andrews

Marion Todd

Oct 2019 · Detective Clare Mackay Book 1 · Canelo

About this ebook

SHORTLISTED FOR THE BLOODY SCOTLAND SCOTTISH CRIME DEBUT OF THE YEAR 2020In a famous Scottish town, someone is bent on murder – but why?

On the night of a wedding celebration, one guest meets a grisly end when he’s killed in a hit-and-run. A card bearing the number ‘5’ has been placed on the victim’s chest. DI Clare Mackay, who recently moved from Glasgow to join the St Andrews force, leads the investigation. The following night another victim is struck down and a number ‘4’ card is at the scene. Clare and her team realise they’re against the clock to find a killer stalking the streets of the picturesque Scottish town and bent on carrying out three more murders.

To prevent further deaths, the police have to uncover the link between the victims. But those involved have a lot more at stake than first meets the eye. If Clare wants to solve the case she must face her own past and discover the deepest secrets of the victims – and the killer.

Don’t miss the page-turning first novel in a gripping series featuring DI Clare Mackay, perfect for fans of Alex Gray, D. S. Butler and Rachel Amphlett.

Praise for See Them Run

‘One of Scotland's top up-and-coming crime writers’ The Scottish Sun

‘All the ingredients of a cracking crime novel : a strong female lead with a dark backstory, a vivid sense of place, a rising body count and a twist you don’t see coming ... A welcome addition to the Tartan Noir genre’ Claire Macleary, author of Cross Purpose

‘An original concept in police procedurals, See Them Run is suspense loaded from start to finish – and author Marion Todd couldn’t have delighted us more.’ I AM IN PRINT magazine

‘Marion Todd’s welcome addition to the genre feels like a breath of fresh, tartan noir air.’ Scottish Field

‘If you want a story that is guaranteed to get your adrenaline flowing, your blood pressure rising and will leave you breathless then See Them Run is just the book for you. I can't wait to read of Marion's work in the future. This is a series which is going to run and run and I am sure it will go from strength to strength.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Hooked from the outset my attention never wavered until I read the last word of this excellent tale, such is the power of Marion Todd’s writing. If you like a fast-paced, believable crime story with originality and depth you’ll love See Them Run. I recommend it highly.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Well written with engaging characters that you are rooting for from the beginning. The story is well paced and makes you want to read on. I read this in just a few days. If you like Ann Cleeves, Angela Marsons etc then this is a great new series for you.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘As an avid detective series reader this is by far one of the best British debuts I’ve read. Beautifully written, understated & down to earth. Characters and plot are superb. Would highly recommend to all.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ratings and reviews

Would give 3.5 stars if possible. I was thoroughly engaged in this as a whodunnit/whydunnit and I really liked the main character Clare, her strength of character and resilience, especially. I did want to quibble with a number of plot points and presentations of character, though, which seemed quite unlikely to me and distracted me from an otherwise strong story. I found Clare's boss, the DCI too unprofessional and another character more central to the murder plot rather too conveniently running off at the mouth and filling in part of the story towards the finish, when that character's previous behaviour suggested someone unlikely to incriminate themselves so completely. A sub-plot based in Clare's past was strong at times but unconvincing at others, leaving me questioning whether a police officer would face the kind of pressure she was supposed to be facing.

Wow what stunning debut and cracking read! I can not express enough how much I loved this book. If I had of been reading a physical copy of this book, I would of had a number of paper cuts as I couldn’t race through the pages quick enough! As it was, I kept skipping pages on my kindle in my haste to turn the page and had to slow down which was so hard to do. Marion took my hostage right from the start and did not let me go until the final word! I read this in one sitting as I had to know how it was gong to unfold and I was not disappointed. Not many books keep me up reading all night but there was no chance of me stopping with this one. Marion has created a plot that is both compelling, original and refreshing. Set in the picturesque small sea side town of St Andrews, men of the community are being murdered and interestling a number is being left at the scene of the crime on the murder victim. Starting at 5, at first DI Clare Mackay is at a loss as to what this could mean, but when another body turns up with the calling card of the number 4 left behind, she knows then that these murders are linked and has her work cut out for her in finding out what connects these men before the killer gets to number 1. When revealed it is shocking, heartbreaking and in a turn of events, has you actually feeling sympathy for the killer. I loved the character of DI Clare Mackay. She is a strong woman that is tough but fair and she carries the story on her shoulders well. She is not without flaws but this just adds to her appeal. She is relentless in her approach in catching the killer and she is not one to cower away, when her methods are questioned by senior staff. She takes it on the chin but she has confidence in her instincts to still solve the case no matter what. She has been brought to life through the pages perfectly and I look forward to getting to know her more in future books. Another standout for me was Chris. I loved how he and Clare worked together and I also look forward to more of him in future books. All of the other supporting characters likeable and unlikable are all very well developed and been written extremely well. I connected to Marion’s writing right from the get go. It is eloquent, articulate and very fluent. This story has been extremely well researched in police procedures and written with so much confidence, that I was surprised when I read in Marion’s bio she has no links or background in this type of work. She has done a great job in making you believe this is the case, where some authors are unable to do so as realistically as Marion has done. Through the writing you feel that you are also in the story and the description of St Andrews, brings the town to life beautifully and one I would love to visit one day. I have read some amazing books that are the first in a series this year, but I have to say that See Them Run is the standout for me. It is definitely in my top 5 books of the year with Marion being my breakout author of 2019. I am so looking forward to the second book in the series, In Plain Sight which is definitely one of my most anticipated books for 2020. I am thankful that I have found another extremely talent author to add to my all time favourites. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to read and review See Them Run and I look forward to hopefully many more books in this series. Thank-you to NetGalley, Canelo and Marion Todd for allowing me to read an advance copy of See Them Run which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of the fifth book in this series and I liked it so much I went and bought the previous four books. Detective Inspector Clare Mackay runs the small St Andrews police station, she had previously been based in Glasgow in the Armed Response Unit, but she chose to move to St Andrews after she shot and killed a young man brandishing a replica gun during a robbery. She is estranged from her boyfriend as a result of the incident and her family and colleagues are concerned about her mental health. At a wedding celebration the bride's brother is lured outside and deliberately mown down by a car. The murderer reverses over his body and leaves a card with the number 5 on the victim's body. The following night another man is killed in the same fashion, although this time the card bears the number 4. Clare realises very quickly that there could be a serial killer at large with three further victims to come. But what connects them and who wants to kill them? To add to Clare's woes, the Detective Chief Inspector assigned to supervise the case was close friends with the second victim and his wife! I enjoyed this police procedural, there were some elements which seemed quite obvious and others which took me completely by surprise which is always a bonus. On to the next one.

About the author

A native of Dundee, Marion studied music and worked for many years as a piano teacher and jobbing accompanist. Early writing success saw her winning first prize in the Family Circle magazine short story for children national competition and subsequently writing for her local newspaper. Now a full-time writer, Marion lives in North-east Fife, overlooking the River Tay.