The Devil Stone

The Devil Stone is the first book in the DCI Christine Caplan series by British author, Caro Ramsay. Only just demoted to DI, Glasgow detective Christine Caplan is sent north to assist with a mass murder case near the village of Cronchie. Five members, three generations, of one family have been killed in what has been set up to look like a Satanic ritual. The youngest son of this wealthy, prominent, local land-owner family, Adam McGregor, is absent.

Missing from the house, the Deilstane the family kept safe, local legend claiming death and disaster would follow if the stone was removed. Two teens break into the house, intent on stealing exactly that (and perhaps more) while the family is away on a cruise. They are members of the local Deilmen, devil worshippers, but their shock and distress at finding the three-week-old corpses is undoubtedly genuine.

After he leaves this disturbing scene, the SIO, DCI Bob Oswald fails to return home, one reason Caplan is sent there; that the DI leading the case lacks experience and confidence is another factor. DI Garry Kinsella claims to be relieved that Caplan has arrived to help, but also seems to be wedded to the idea that two inept teens committed the murders, then returned weeks later: Caplan remains sceptical.

Working with a team she doesn't know, some of whom seem less that capable, others, quite secretive, is a challenge, as are the locals who openly display mistrust of the police. But Caplan is also distracted by lack of support from her superiors in a mugging incident where the teenaged assailant died.

She leaves behind in Glasgow a dysfunctional family: a chronically depressed, unemployed husband, a son failing to commit to his education; and a daughter conflicted between tending family and advancing her career. Disturbingly, all her personal problems are apparently common knowledge within the team. Knowing exactly whom she can trust is a dilemma.

Two more deaths occur before things become clear, and the one that looks like a tragic accident arouses Caplan's suspicion enough that she looks into Bob Oswald's most recent case. As she closes in on what's really happening, multiple attempts to discourage her investigations only firm her resolve.

Ramsay's newest series offers a strong female protagonist, plenty of twists, turns and red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and a nail-biting climax. More of this cast of characters is most definitely welcome. Excellent Scottish crime fiction.

This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Severn House.