Dolls Kill - Shop now
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$4.99 with 63 percent savings
Print List Price: $13.62

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Ed James
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Fire in the Blood: A totally nail-biting and addictive Scottish detective mystery (Police Scotland Crime Series Book 4) Kindle Edition

by Ed James (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 2,730 ratings
A body soaked in whisky. A family with secrets to hide.

DC Scott Cullen isn’t so much disillusioned with the police force but his insufferable boss, DI Bain, and the way he constantly sidelines Cullen, hampering his ability to solve cases. Is it personal?

When the owner of Dunpender Distillery opens a cask of whisky for a special edition, he finds more than a single malt.

The barrel contains the body of a man, mangled and unidentifiable.

Now, as the rest of the team focus on bigger cases, Cullen finds himself as lead investigator of not one but two decades-old cases. Two men working at the distillery went missing within weeks of each other around the same time the barrel was filled nearly twenty years ago.

Their bodies were never found.

As Cullen steps back in time to work out what happened, he has to battle through twisted tales of family loyalties, lies and professional rivalries.

But before Cullen can work out who the killer is, he needs to know whose body is in the barrel…
And whether the murderer will strike again.

Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart McBride, Alex Smith and JD Kirk, Fire in the Blood continues the bestselling Police Scotland series.

Praise for Fire in the Blood:

‘Classic Scottish noir: bad food, bad moods, too much booze and tight plots’ – @ey0k1, Twitter

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Cullen mesmerises again… Another amazing entry into the Cullen saga’ – Amazon reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Well-paced and cleverly plotted’ – Amazon reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Scott is a great character … His maverick attitude leads him to solve the cases but not without a shedload of trouble along the way’ – Amazon reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘My third date with Scott Cullen didn’t disappoint … he’s back, slightly more grown up, extremely more cynical and still worthy of attention’ – Amazon reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘It’s fair to say I’m hooked on this series – a few surprises along the way in this book, yet again a cracking read’ – Amazon reviewer

The Police Scotland series:
  1. Dead in the Water
  2. Ghost in the Machine
  3. Devil in the Detail
  4. Fire in the Blood
  5. Stab in the Dark
  6. Cops and Robbers
  7. Liars and Thieves
  8. Cowboys and Indians
  9. The Missing
  10. The Hunted
  11. Heroes and Villains
  12. The Black Isle
  13. The Cold Truth
  14. The Dead End
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 4 of 14
    Police Scotland Edinburgh Crime Thrillers
  2. Print length
    393 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    January 15, 2014
  6. File size
    1.8 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 14 books in this series.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start over
Previous page
Next page
Loading...

From the Publisher

Covers for all eight Scott Cullen books

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ed James writes crime fiction novels, predominantly the Scott Cullen series of police procedurals set in Edinburgh and the surrounding Lothians - the first three are available now, starting with GHOST IN THE MACHINE, and he's writing the fourth. His next book features vampires but not Scott Cullen. Ed also writes science fiction and mainstream fiction, but with a crime bent, but hasn't published any of them yet. Ed lives in the East Lothian countryside, 25 miles east of Edinburgh, with his girlfriend, six rescue moggies, two retired greyhounds, a flock of ex-battery chickens and eight rescue ducks across two breeds and two genders (though the boys don't lay eggs). He works in IT, but doesn't wear sandals or have a beard. His blog - edjamesauthor.com - is a log of his work, his thoughts on his writing, and a place for his word count OCD to express itself. His music tastes will creep in now and again.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00B6RFDX0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grey Dog Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 15, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 393 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 4 of 14 ‏ : ‎ Police Scotland Edinburgh Crime Thrillers
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 2,730 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Ed James

Ed James

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Ed James is a Scottish author who writes crime fiction novels across multiple series and in multiple locations.

His latest series is set in the Scottish Borders, where Ed now lives, starring DI Rob Marshall – a criminal profiler turned detective, investigating serial murders in a beautiful landscape.

Set four hundred miles south on the gritty streets of East London, his bestselling DI Fenchurch series features a cop with little to lose and a kidnapped daughter to find.

His Police Scotland books are fronted by multiple detectives based in Edinburgh, including Scott Cullen, a young Edinburgh Detective investigating crimes from the bottom rung of the career ladder he’s desperate to climb.

The DS Vicky Dodds books put Dundee on the Tartan Noir map, featuring a driven female detective struggling to combine her complex home life with a heavy caseload.

Formerly an IT project manager, Ed filled his weekly commute to London by writing on planes, trains and automobiles. He now writes full-time and lives in the Scottish Borders with a menagerie of rescued animals.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
2,730 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's plot with its twists and turns, and find the characters well-developed. The writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer noting how it flows smoothly.

Select to learn more

Story qualityReadabilityCharacter developmentWriting quality
21 customers mention "Story quality"18 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's plot with its twists and turns, describing it as a well-done mystery.

"...The story line nicely twists between which of the two the corpse belonged to - or perhaps neither of them!..." Read more

"...It is a good mystery beginning with a man being found hidden in an aging barrel of whiskey... but who is the man in the barrel and how and when did..." Read more

"...The storyline in 3 was good, and when you think you have figured out who did it, along the way and of course by the end you find out you were wrong...." Read more

"...But for me a tea totaler it had a really good plot with twists and turns and fascinating inside story of the famous national drink of Scotland...." Read more

16 customers mention "Readability"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one mentioning it's a good holiday read and another noting how it builds upon the Scott Cullen foundation.

"...Brilliantly done!..." Read more

"This is the 3rd book in the series - a really great series..." Read more

"...The main character, a detective, is well developed and we see everyone through his eyes...." Read more

"...but a easy book to stop and pick up without loosing the plot, good holiday read." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one noting how the interplay between characters overrides the plot.

"...He makes sure there are convincing fingers pointing at multiple characters and keeps you guessing right to the end...." Read more

"...Even so I like the character development in this series...." Read more

"...That applies here. The interplay between the characters overrides the plot, as interesting as the plot it, and to my way of thinking, that is a..." Read more

"...The characters are still well developed and interesting, but it was slow moving and I kept loosing track of the gist." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book, with one noting that it flows well.

"...I very much enjoyed Fire in the Blood as it is well written, briskly paced and tightly plotted...." Read more

"...The stories have been entertaining and I find the writing flows, making the reading fun. I would recommend the series to anyone." Read more

"This writer continues to improve. A light read." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Fire in the Blood is the third novel in Ed James' "Scott Cullen" series, and if you enjoyed the first two, you can't go wrong with this one! I find it hard to choose when to start Mr James' novels as I know I won't want to stop reading until it is finished.

    The death being investigated by Scott Cullen in this book is one of the most original and interesting body finds, probably ever! To make the case extra tricky, two young men disappeared without trace around the time the body was secreted. The story line nicely twists between which of the two the corpse belonged to - or perhaps neither of them!

    It's very difficult to identify the culprit early in Mr James' books. He makes sure there are convincing fingers pointing at multiple characters and keeps you guessing right to the end.

    Without wishing to give the game away, there is a fight scene near the end of this novel which literally had me on the edge of my seat (and trying to find a cushion to hide behind). Brilliantly done!

    Mr James is currently writing the next Scott Cullen instalment and I will certainly be buying it as soon as it is available.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • lindaluane
    4.0 out of 5 stars body in a barrel of whiskey
    Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is the 3rd book in the series - a really great series
    I think the main character, Detective Scott Cullen, is just a little bit "too" full of himself though. Even so I like the character development in this series. I do hope Scott CUllen learns to see thing from other peoples perspectives and not just own inflated one
    It is a good mystery beginning with a man being found hidden in an aging barrel of whiskey... but who is the man in the barrel and how and when did he get there
    P.S. I would like to give this series a 4.5 stars. It is not quite a "5" but close
    Helpful
     Report
  • desert dweller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Crime Series
    Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Since I finished book 3 - Fire in the Blood, I bought and finished four and just started the fifth. The storyline in 3 was good, and when you think you have figured out who did it, along the way and of course by the end you find out you were wrong. I think that is because the author didn't go for the obvious. I've read similar books that I've figured out "who did it" very early on because the story was so predictable and not a very original story line. The main character, a detective, is well developed and we see everyone through his eyes. He has personal and work relationships that evolve through the series, particularly with his girlfriend and the people who supervise his work. I enjoyed these books including the geographical descriptions. There were interesting colloquialisms with a few easy to figure out, but most hard. You can read these books out of sequence but it is better to read them in order. I don't write very well, so I hope I gave readers a good enough review that you will try the books.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Frances
    3.0 out of 5 stars Cheers bottoms up
    Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    For whisky oficinado, this could be a dream come true. But for me a tea totaler it had a really good plot with twists and turns and fascinating inside story of the famous national drink of Scotland.
    However it did not hold my attention all the time, but a easy book to stop and pick up without loosing the plot, good holiday read.
    Helpful
     Report
  • HelenH
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from Ed James
    Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Just finished this -- and ordered the fourth book in the series to read on my Kindle at the same time.

    Really enjoying watching Scott Cullen move through these mysteries, solving the case while keeping his cool around Bain, Irvine and the rest of the characters/coppers/suspects that populate these stories. Very few wasted scenes, which is a plus for me; in addition, it's cleverly plotted and has many a "ah ha" moment.

    May have trouble thinking about (or drinking) whisky after finishing this, though. But that's entirely due to Ed James and his creative process. I'll get over it, soon enough.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Gary J. George
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cullen & Bain clash again!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is the third book in a series that is evolving in complexity and intrigue! Scott Cullen is a captivating creation, and in this book his character becomes more nuanced, enhancing the story. Alfred Hitchcock once said in an interview, "It all comes down the the McGuffin. The McGuffin is what the bad guys are looking for, but the the audience doesn't care." That applies here. The interplay between the characters overrides the plot, as interesting as the plot it, and to my way of thinking, that is a positive. Ed James makes his reeaders care about these people - care about the conflict between DC Cullen and DI Bain, care about Cullen's growing worries that his girlfriend may be more reckless than he is comfortable with, and care about the lives of the other people surrounding DC Cullen at work. Ed James has once again produced a compelling read!
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great book! Ian Rankin has at last someone nipping ...
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Great book! Ian Rankin has at last someone nipping at his heels. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Solidly Good Cullen Entry
    Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I'm a fan of Ed James in general, and especially his series of Scott Cullen novels. I very much enjoyed Fire in the Blood as it is well written, briskly paced and tightly plotted. If you have not read Ed James, I recommend you start doing so. If you like the work of Peter Robinson and Ian Rankin, you will certainly enjoy the work of Ed James.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Danic
    4.0 out of 5 stars Bonne surprise !
    Reviewed in France on September 16, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Voir mon commentaire pour le titre "Bottleneck", 5ème de la série, du même auteur, avec les mêmes personnages et des enquètes toutes très intéressantes.
    Report
  • Peter J Campbell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fire in the Blood
    Reviewed in Canada on November 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I like the author is the main reason for the high rating. I especially like the characters and how brings them into the story.
    Report
  • Tiffin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mind how you take your whisky
    Reviewed in Australia on April 29, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Ed James, I really like your books, this was something a bit different with an unusual setting. You write so well and I look forward to the next one.
    Report
  • A McCulloch
    5.0 out of 5 stars fire in the blood. Ed James
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    DC Cullen does it again, and still a DC. If your a whisky drinker, be aware. You might not want to drink it again. Slanté. Didn’t stop me. Needed it to keep me going in the book. Brilliant read. Many twists.
    Report
  • IS
    4.0 out of 5 stars Gut
    Reviewed in Germany on November 25, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Mir hat's gefallen. Die Geschichte ist gut strukturiert und erdacht und sehr flüssig zu lesen. Die eD James eBooks sind günstig und bieten eine gute Preis-Leistung an.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report