Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
In Scotland the Aberdeen police department sets up a sting to catch a serial rapist as Constable Jackie Watson is dressed up to look like a hooker not a cop. When national sports hero Rob Macintyre is arrested for stalking her, the country is stunned and a bit upset. However, when the media announce that one of the arresting officials Detective Sergeant Logan MacRae is Jackie's live-in lover, everyone screams foul condemning the police. The Macintyre mess mangles the serial rapist investigation that is making no progress.
MacRae works on two other cases at the same time he struggles with preventing another rape. On one inquiry he becomes a first hand expert re the local BDSM scene; on the other he hunts an eight-year-old killer. None of the three investigations prove easy or simple as his respective superior detective inspectors yank his butt between each of them demanding MacRae only work on their case. However, making matters more difficult for MacRae is that he fears Jackie has crossed some line that spells the pending end of their relationship.
Obviously this intelligent Scottish police procedural belongs to MacRae, but it is the ensemble support cast especially the cops, who turn BLOODSHOT into a great read. The three cases are tough enough, but to MacRae it is the unbelievable demands by his superiors that are making them impossible. With his personal life teetering, he tries to be in three places at the same time working a forty hour day. Sub-genre readers will appreciate his efforts and his previous caseload (see DYING LIGHT and COLD GRANITE).