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The Last Bloody Straw: A Scottish Detective Mystery (DCI Logan Crime Thrillers Book 5) Kindle Edition

4.6 out of 5 stars 16,683 ratings

How do you solve a murder when everyone's a suspect?

Tormented by the recent loss of a colleague, DCI Jack Logan is on the warpath, determined to bring down all those he holds responsible for the officer's death.

His quest for revenge is cut short when a woman's body turns up on the remote island of Canna, and Jack is summoned to investigate. As a storm closes in, Jack finds himself cut-off from the rest of the world, with no car, no phone signal, and only DC Neish for company.

With time running out before the ferries resume, Jack must act fast to crack the case before the killer can escape. But with the victim widely hated on the island, everyone on it is a potential suspect.

Even the scarecrow...

The Last Bloody Straw is the fifth book in the DCI Jack Logan series, set in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Chris Brookmyre, and Stuart Macbride.

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There are 21 books in this series.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B085BRQZD2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zertex Crime
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 27, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.4 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 334 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 5 of 21 ‏ : ‎ DCI Logan Crime Thrillers
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 16,683 ratings

About the author

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JD Kirk
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JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. He also doesn't exist. JD is, in fact, the pen name of award-winning author, comic book writer and screenwriter, Barry Hutchison, who also, coincidentally, lives in the Highlands with his wife, two children, and the aforementioned umbrellas.

He has no idea what the 'JD' bit stands for.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
16,683 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this mystery novel for its engaging plot with twists and turns, well-developed characters with hints of backstories, and humor that makes them laugh out loud. The writing style receives positive feedback, with one customer noting the down-to-earth voice throughout, while another highlights the fantastic locale descriptions. The book maintains a balanced tone between dark and light elements, and customers find it among the best in the series.

69 customers mention "Twists and turns"69 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the twists and turns in this mystery novel, praising its intermingled narrative and excellent plots, with one customer noting its fast-moving pace.

"Great series! Can't wait for book 6 on June 6th. Great mystery, didn't know who did it til 95%, funny, quirky and so much great sarcastic humor!..." Read more

"...And quickly. There were some great twists in this great story. I canna wait for the next one. The ending really came out of nowhere...." Read more

"...Reminds me of a former employer Lol Great story..you won't put it down." Read more

"Well done. Good twists and turns. A few good laughs and the idea of Scott's not being able to discern what an Audi was saying have me a chuckle" Read more

64 customers mention "Readability"64 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and enjoyable, with several noting it's the best in the series so far.

"Great series! Can't wait for book 6 on June 6th. Great mystery, didn't know who did it til 95%, funny, quirky and so much great sarcastic humor!..." Read more

"Great book... lots of twists and turns... love DCI jack Logan and his crew and the criminals he chases. Great reading. Have read them all" Read more

"...Thanks for another good book!" Read more

"Love this book along with the others I have read. Great mysteries and I love the humor...." Read more

52 customers mention "Character development"52 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them compelling and uniquely human, with hints of their backstories woven throughout the narrative.

"...Great characters, dialogue and descriptions." Read more

"Well, the crime might not be perfect, but the procedural, the characters, the banter and the action are...." Read more

"This is such a good series. The characters are believable and not perfect. The murder on the island...." Read more

"...As my title says, a cracker of a read again. I just love this character driven series and find it so well written, both the characters and the plot...." Read more

44 customers mention "Enjoyment"44 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and thrilling, describing it as wonderfully fun with engaging banter and action.

"...A fun read -- looking forward to Book 6." Read more

"Enjoyable, easy read...." Read more

"JD Kirk has done it again! Another great story of DCI Jack Logan and his partners combatting crime...." Read more

"Another enthralling read. Compelling characters and characterizations. Well laid out plot with a surfeit of bad guys...." Read more

42 customers mention "Humor"42 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, particularly the funny comments in the dialogue and sarcastic tone.

"...They’re funny, surprising, temperamental, caring, silly, rude, cautious, loving, forthright, loyal, and so SO much more, you’ve made them all..." Read more

"...This book actually made me laugh out loud a couple of times and I would recommend you start at Book 1 if you love your crimes series with good,..." Read more

"...Characters are strong, the story wonderfully twisted and by turns funny and sad, and the setting described with loving care...." Read more

"...DC Tyler and DCI Logan was so endearing and the humor in this book had me laughing out loud!..." Read more

24 customers mention "Writing style"24 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, with its great descriptions and witty dialogue, and one customer notes the down-to-earth voice throughout the narrative.

"...As always J.D Kirk does an excellent job with story development and dialogue. Excellent series and I highly recommend!!" Read more

"...I just love this character driven series and find it so well written, both the characters and the plot...." Read more

"...The books and the characters along with settings & scenery have pulled me in hook, line & sinker...." Read more

"JD Kirk, I love your way with words. I also love the humor you toss into each book to give relief from murder and mayhem...." Read more

7 customers mention "Tone"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the tone of the book, with one noting how the play of dark and light elements is balanced, while another mentions how it helps ease tense situations.

"...The relationship between DC Tyler and DCI Logan was so endearing and the humor in this book had me laughing out loud!..." Read more

"...I like his sense of humor it helps easy the in tension dark situations. His stories are well written and very entertaining...." Read more

"Interesting setting, with a small focused effort for solving a crime that is surprisingly personal for Jack...." Read more

"...Unlike a couple of the others this book has a lighter tone. In fact, a couple of scenes left me in tears from laughter...." Read more

6 customers mention "Location"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's location interesting, with one customer noting how well the setting is described and another mentioning it makes them want to travel to see all the places.

"...The locale is so well described that it does seem like a vacation to read of this idyllic place - except for a murder, of course...." Read more

"...they keep me riveted and laughing out loud, they make me want to travel to see all these places and meet the type of people written about...." Read more

"...Lots of wit and grit. Great character development,sense of place good writing. Three things I look for in any book...." Read more

"He’s such a good writer. Good interesting characters, interesting locations, good mystery. And the humor adds so much. Highly recommend." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    So good! As my title says, a cracker of a read again. I just love this character driven series and find it so well written, both the characters and the plot. The descriptions of the places in Scotland are also very well drawn, I feel like I would 'know' them if I went there. This book actually made me laugh out loud a couple of times and I would recommend you start at Book 1 if you love your crimes series with good, solid characters and nice twists in the plot.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Thank you JD Kirk, for writing a series of books that are keeping me up at night with lots of caffeine I may add. The books and the characters along with settings & scenery have pulled me in hook, line & sinker. They’re funny, surprising, temperamental, caring, silly, rude, cautious, loving, forthright, loyal, and so SO much more, you’ve made them all realistic & as close to 3D as a book is ever going to get in this century. So thank you for every single one of my new best friends.

    To other readers/readers to be, if you enjoy murder mysteries, then your going to fall head over heels in love with Jack Logan & those on his team. That’s it, all I’m saying, don’t waste time reading reviews, go buy the darn books, oh and I DO mean books as in plural. Once you start book one your going to want to know book two is ready & waiting and so on.

    Kia kaha, aroha & marama no Aotearoa
    It means Stay Safe with love & light from New Zealand
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    If you enjoy good UK detective books, you will be pleased with these. The character development along with the crime mystery keeps you coming back for more.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    JD Kirk has done it again! Another great story of DCI Jack Logan and his partners combatting crime. This time Logan is offshore to solve the murder of someone he once "knew". On an island with few inhabitants, the list of suspects is short, but the trail has plenty of twists and turns and surprise endings to keep you guessing right to the last page! Well Done. Characters are strong, the story wonderfully twisted and by turns funny and sad, and the setting described with loving care. JD Kirk is Five for Five with this addition to the DCI Logan canon!!
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The whole series has been great so far, but this one was amazing! I was completely captivated from beginning to end. I'm almost sorry it's over, but I have the next book loaded in my Kindle and ready to go.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Another enthralling read. Compelling characters and characterizations. Well laid out plot with a surfeit of bad guys. I think my only complaint about this series is that I can’t pace myself. I want to read them all, even staying up at night to finish them off. I hope Mr. Kirk continues with DCI Logan et al.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I found this author on the Bookbub freebie or discount day, and boy am I glad I did. Dang, Kirk writes interesting murder investigations led by really well-drawn characters in a setting I love. I've been to Scotland twice, and I've told people I'd go every year if given the chance.

    I love a good character-driven series where I can get to know the characters over a series of books. That's what happens here. I'm a big fan of DCI Logan, but I love all the other investigators, too.

    This most-recent book had me laughing out loud while reading in bed with my dog's head close to mine. He was looking at me like I'd lost my mind, but I couldn't stop laughing at the opening scene between Logan and DC Neish at the crime scene. And then later in the book--not spoiling anything--when something happens to Neish that you'd never want to have happen to you? Roaring! I told a friend this scene was so funny because it happened to this particular character who's a little slow on the uptake but with a heart of gold.

    Yay that Kirk writes quickly! I just preordered the next book, and it'll be autodelivered to my Kindle in just two weeks. I'm also now following the author's FB page and website. I'm enjoying his humor.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I absolutely loved this book. My favorite DCI Logan book thus far. It kept me guessing all the way through as to "who done it?" The relationship between DC Tyler and DCI Logan was so endearing and the humor in this book had me laughing out loud! I highly recommend and look forward reading the next in the series.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Baba Teri
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely awesome reading!
    Reviewed in Canada on April 19, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is the 5th JD Kurk book I have read in the last week and I can't wait to read the rest of this series. The characters, the complexity of the crime investigations, the details at every step of his stories make you feel like you are right there, in the middle of it all. And every crime investigation ending is a complete surprise. I highly recommend these books!
  • Judith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great DCI Logan book
    Reviewed in France on May 19, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I am reading all these books. I love the people, the descriptions, the places and the books are difficult to put down.....I’m not getting enough beauty sleep, lol
  • Martin Suter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Suspense until almost the last page
    Reviewed in Germany on May 29, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Book kept me in suspense until the end, not knowing exactly "who done it", while also having a decent amount of good humour. very much enjoyed the book.
  • callisto1275
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great story from the Japanese flag to the tattiebogles.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This was the best in the Logan series so far. The team have to put to one side their grief to find the murderer of an old flame of Jack's. The characters were well written and are really becoming properly rounded individuals.

    One or two laugh out loud moments herald the humour in the plot with Tyler the butt of many jokes.

    Can't wait to start book 6.
  • Erica Halliday
    5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant
    Reviewed in Australia on April 6, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Just a thoroughly enjoyable combination of a great plot with genuinely clever twists, excellent characters and a sense of humour. These books are so well written and the characters genuinely realistic and likeable. I’m so glad I haven’t finished the series yet because I am very fond of this team.

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