Broken Bones

Broken Bones by John Carson
11/11/25; 328 pages
Boldwood Books
DCI Liam Brodie #1

Broken Bones by John Carson is a highly recommended Scottish procedural/crime thriller and the first book in a new series featuring DCI Liam Brodie.

Three years earlier DCI Liam Brodie was responsible for capturing Edinburgh serial killer Dr. Gabriel Kane. Now with Fife’s Major Investigations Team he is now working as the lead detective because the previous DCI is missing. In his position he must interact with Kane in an attempt to get him to disclose where his victims are buried. When the latest victim's location is revealed they discover the victim is not who Kane said it was, so now the question is if this is a new victim or is another killer involved. 

At the same time a child's bones are discovered beneath the floorboards of an old house being remodeled in Fife. It appears the body, wrapped in plastic, has been there for many years. In a shocking coincidence, it is the same house where Brodie's girlfriend, psychologist Ruth Calder, grew up as a foster daughter. She knows who the victim likely was and remembers living in the house.

This is a compelling, very good introductory novel to a new series. At a deliberate, steady pace, the procedural logically follows the clues and discoveries in the complex investigations, and there are more than two investigations going on. Interspersed through the serious investigations are also humorous moments. As a longtime reader of British mysteries, I knew what bollocks, poncy, and tossers meant, but admittedly doolally gave me pause. No worries, I figured it out.

All the characters are introduced and portrayed as realistic individuals. Since this is an introduction to the team, it may feel like a lot of characters at first, but they all quickly sort themselves out. The whole team works very well together following up on information in the cases and the intrigue held my interest throughout the whole novel.

Broken Bones is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy procedurals and a great chance to be at the start of a new series. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.