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Versed in Murder

A McLaren Mystery

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About this listen

Bluegrass band Moorland Grass is on the verge of turning pro and hitting the music world like a cymbal crash. But the death of their fiddler, Dylan Ingram, has thrown a sour note into the band's future as well as thrown the lads' working relationships off-key. Now, one year after the murder, former police detective Michael McLaren is asked to investigate.

As McLaren pokes into the case, he hears about sharp words and flat expectations, and gets an earful of anger—some coming from the band members, some from Dylan's family. And there's that strange black car that attempts to run McLaren off the road...or worse.

The case comes together with help of a piece of music. But the finale nearly decomposes one night in a desperate run across the moor—and threatens to take McLaren along in that fade out.

©2025 Jo A Hiestand (P)2025 Jo A Hiestand Crime Fiction Mystery Private Investigators Murder
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Listener received this title free

This book is the very definition of a pageturner. It is ingeniously plotted, exciting and action-packed, with simmering suspense and excellent worldbuilding. I love McLaren, Melanie, and Jamie, and the love and friendship between them. Callum Hale’s narration is flat out awesome.

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

The very definition of a pageturner.

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Listener received this title free

McLaren is asked by his close friend Jamie to look into a cold case of a dead fiddler.

As always this McLaren mystery is a slow burning, old style gumshoe, detective novel where the puzzle is solved by sheer determination and hard work.

In this age of AI narrated audiobooks, it is pleasing to listen to Callum Hale's dulcet tones as he immerses the reader in the world of McLaren and his friends and family. Callum's ability with accents and distinctive voices really bring Jo's detective tales to life.

Excellen Murder Mystery with Beautiful Narration

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Listener received this title free

I enjoyed this mystery. This is the first time I have joined Michael McLaren as he investigates one of his cases but it won't be my last. He was a delight and it was so nice to have a detective that knew what he was doing, instead of the usual bumbling amateur who has no idea who the killer is until they try to kill them, that cozy mysteries seem to prefer. McLaren is instead an ex policeman that uses his skill and experience to actually work out the clues and get the job done. I did think the story was rambling and probably could have done with less words, little did I know that the trips down memory lane would lead to clues and 'oh, that's why' moments. A great story that came together nicely and kept me guessing and not just who the killer was but also over what all the little gift were about. I liked the characters and will definitely look into joining them on another investigation.

When his best friend asks him to look in at cold case, McLaren first thought was to turn him down. He is retired from the police force and is busy repairing a wall. With a little bit of coaxing from his wife he quickly changes his mind. Jamie's friend died a year ago, just when he had the whole world at his feet. His Bluegrass band had just signed with an agent that was going to make them big. Instead Dylan is found dead and the rest of the band mates faded into the background. McLaren has his work cut out for him with plenty of suspects, which includes not only his hand mates but also his own family and the only real clue he has is the stranger gifts each hand mate got after his death. Can McLaren work out the meaning or are the gifts just a distraction? Somebody doesn't want him reopening the case, afraid of what he might discover and by doing so McLaren has made himself a target.

I liked the narrator. I think he had fun reading this story and even got to do some singing, inbetween bring individual voices to all the characters.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Hitting all the right notes

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