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Liars and Thieves (Police Scotland Edinburgh Crime Thrillers Book 7) Kindle Edition

by Ed James (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 2,835 ratings
Murder at Christmas. A tragic New Year.

A novel in two parts.

Christmas Steps
On a cold Christmas Eve in Edinburgh, Detective Constable Scott Cullen investigates the gruesome murder of a local businessman.

Battling a brutal hangover and with the lure of a promotion dangled in front of him, Cullen has the lingering feeling his days as a cop might just be numbered.

Windchill
Cullen’s peaceful return from holiday is scuppered when the body of a barman is found with a knife in his gut.

What seems to be a straightforward case of violent jealousy soon reveals itself to have much darker links; revelations of mounting debts, out of control gambling and organised crime lead to the discovery of another body.

Cullen sets out to solve the murders, but can he untangle the web And will he get that promotion? Or be kicked out of the force?

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

Praise for Liars and Thieves:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A must for crime-fiction fans" – Amazon review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Ed James has gone from strength to strength… If you liked the previous books in the Scott Cullen series, you’ll love [this]!" – Amazon review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Very difficult to put down. There were so many twists that kept me on the edge of my seat… If you’re a Rebus fan then you will definitely love Scott Cullen" – Amazon review

‘⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "What an incredible book. I loved it from start to finish. The best one so far" – Amazon review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Excellent new instalment of a readable, fast-paced series" – Amazon review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A gritty, gripping story" – Amazon review

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
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  1. Book 7 of 14
    Police Scotland Edinburgh Crime Thrillers
  2. Print length
    416 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    October 13, 2014
  6. File size
    2.9 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 14 books in this series.

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From the Publisher

Covers for all eight Scott Cullen books

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00N0XK22A
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grey Dog Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 13, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 7 of 14 ‏ : ‎ Police Scotland Edinburgh Crime Thrillers
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 2,835 ratings

About the author

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Ed James

Ed James

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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

4.3 out of 5 stars
2,835 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story engaging, with one noting its twisty plot, and they appreciate the well-developed characters and fast-paced narrative. The writing quality receives positive feedback, with one customer mentioning the language has improved. Customers enjoy the book, with one describing it as fun mindless entertainment.

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Story qualityCharacter developmentWriting qualityPacingEnjoyment
18 customers mention "Story quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as a great mystery with a good plot.

"Good, solid writing. Good characters and settings. Plot was good, descriptions and action good. Solid police procedural. Enjoyed all of them." Read more

"As with all of prev books absolutely brilliant, can't rate highly enough,have recommended to several friends who have then gone on to buy the whole..." Read more

"...The story in this book was very good but the use of foul language seems to have increased or perhaps I have just become more sensitive/aware of it...." Read more

"...is the 6th installment in the Cullen series, with a fast paced, twisty plot that kept me guessing right up to the end...." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"Ed James does a great job of developing the characters in the Scott Cullen series. They are real,down to earth, believable. James does it again...." Read more

"Good, solid writing. Good characters and settings. Plot was good, descriptions and action good. Solid police procedural. Enjoyed all of them." Read more

"...For the already fans of the series, this one is a nice bit of character development of our hero...." Read more

"Great storyline and characters are very realistic. Full of action and realistic police procedures...." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and enjoyable to read, with one customer noting that the language has improved.

"Good, solid writing. Good characters and settings. Plot was good, descriptions and action good. Solid police procedural. Enjoyed all of them." Read more

"...As with the previous books a very good read." Read more

"The language has improved, but the main character is still whiney, drinks too much and is very immature...." Read more

"...As always, well done, Ed!" Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, describing it as fast-paced, with one customer noting it's hard to put down.

"Windchill is the 6th installment in the Cullen series, with a fast paced, twisty plot that kept me guessing right up to the end...." Read more

"...Two stories in this one, fast-paced and satisfying. Looking forward to the next one, definitely. P.S. Don't be afraid of the language...." Read more

"...They are real,down to earth, believable. James does it again. Can't wait for Book 7." Read more

"WINDCHILL is fast moving, with lots of colorful dialogue, which helps the pace of the story...." Read more

4 customers mention "Enjoyment"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, with one describing it as fun mindless entertainment.

"...Two stories in this one, fast-paced and satisfying. Looking forward to the next one, definitely. P.S. Don't be afraid of the language...." Read more

"...It was a joy to read . Can't wait to read next book. I hope I am not disappointed." Read more

"I have enjoyed reading the Cullen books. Appreciate the tie ins with football and the general atmosphere...." Read more

"Fun mindless entertainment. Interesting perspective on Scottish culture." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Erik Deckers
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cullen finally getting his head on straight
    Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Detective constable took a bit of a ticking in the last book, But he's finally getting his act together. He has given up drinking And seems to be making smarter choices at work and it's finally getting the recognition and adulation that he deserves. He's able to solve the crime without butting heads with his superior and seems to get along better with everyone in this squad.

    That does seem to be an awful lot of sniping and griping among the different detectives and officers in the series , so much so that it all seems very dysfunctional. I am wondering if this is what life is like in the Scottish police force or if it's exaggerated a bit for our benefit.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kathy
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Story
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I have read several books by Ed James and have enjoyed them. The story in this book was very good but the use of foul language seems to have increased or perhaps I have just become more sensitive/aware of it. I could do without that. Yes, I hear it everywhere but that's not the point.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Sister Simster
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best Cullen yet!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Windchill is the 6th installment in the Cullen series, with a fast paced, twisty plot that kept me guessing right up to the end. Out of all the Cullen books so far, Windchill is my favorite. I liked the format of having a quick solve at the beginning, followed by a longer, tougher case. Cullen matures and evolves into the "team player" his superiors have wanted him to be and the dynamic of Cullen and sidekick Buxton make for a good team. I have to say, they're really inept at self-defense. They both need a course in S**t-Kicking 101.

    The plot was tightly worked, very straightforward without much deviation from solving the crime. While Cullen's personal life has a larger role in the previous books, Sharon has only a small part in this one and even less about Bain. And really, there really isn't room for it in Windchill, it would've bogged down the story.

    Although I confess, I missed Bain, the man everyone loves to hate.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • A. L. Caissie
    3.0 out of 5 stars continuity flaws
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I really hate continuity flaws; they jump out at me and bug me all the way through a book. In the previous book in this series Chantal Jain was promoted to DS, something that bothered Scott Cullen enormously. In this book she is a DC again with no explanation. Also, in the previous book Sharon O’Neill had a miscarriage at 8 weeks. In this book she talks about losing her daughter. Seriously, you cannot tell the sex of an 8 week old miscarried fetus. I also find it disconcerting that the officers asking so many leading questions, which basically gives the suspect the answer, e.g. “Were you with Joe on Friday” vs “Who were you with on Friday?”
    One person found this helpful
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  • Edward Beavers
    4.0 out of 5 stars Windmill a bit windy
    Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I never know with Ed James what to expect with Scott Cullen and his troop. I like how they seem to know the who before they know the what of the story being told. It's good that the mystery isn't to overdone in Ed's manner of telling the story. The beauty of these crime mysteries is you keep guessing til the end. Looking forward to more Scott Cullen crime mysteries in the future.
    One person found this helpful
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  • HelenH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cullen's Latest Adventure(s)
    Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Great addition to the Ed James oeuvre, and his character Scott Cullen. While readers get a lot of the police, the cases and their solutions, we learn more about Scott and what he's up to. And he's up to a lot, in his personal as well as private life. Two stories in this one, fast-paced and satisfying. Looking forward to the next one, definitely.

    P.S. Don't be afraid of the language. It's how people talk these days.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • jerry miles
    5.0 out of 5 stars So glad to read about police behavior that is not all ...
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    So glad to read about police behavior that is not all negative. Call me an optimist,however,some people(policemen included) are able to change. Happy to see DC Cullum making improvements in job and personal habits. It was a joy to read . Can't wait to read next book. I hope I am not disappointed.
    One person found this helpful
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  • C Hei
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great cast of characters
    Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Ed James does a great job of developing the characters in the Scott Cullen series. They are real,down to earth, believable. James does it again. Can't wait for Book 7.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Karen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ed James has done it again
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 31, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    So in this book it split in two and we get two murders with a different reason for each.
    In the first story we see Scott still trying to come to teams with the lost he and his parnter Shannon have going through. Like some people Scott answers is at the end of a bottle. When he gets called in on his day off you get to see him in action and how he steps back and takes a good hard look at his life and we see what he does next dont want to give it all away :-), like all Ed James stories this one had me still guess till the end and I like the twist he gave on the murder supected then only down side I felt was it was too short wanted more lol.

    In the secound story we see a different Scott and I really enjoyed trying to work out who did it and still could'nt. I feel Ed James writes a little like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle he gives you all the information and still you can't connect the dots until Scott explains it. Also in this story Scott gets his dream come ture and I am delight for him and Shannon. I looking forward to see What Cullen and O'Neill will do with his new roles. Also will be interesting to see what Brian Bain will do and how the team will deal with the changes ahead.
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  • Tiffin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very chilly but a great read
    Reviewed in Australia on July 7, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Somewhat different as this was two books in one but I enjoyed both of them. It seems that Scott is finally growing up and taking some responsibility for his actions. At last he's got his well deserved promotion and hopefully got rid of the awful Bain. I have now also bought "Cowboys and Indians" and beside this one I'm looking forward to reading more of Scott and crew so please Ed, keep them coming.
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  • Andrew Brock
    4.0 out of 5 stars Aye, worth a wee Squizzy
    Reviewed in Australia on January 18, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I've read all six in this series so far (number six is really two novellas), and they have definitely got 'it'. Cullen's not quite a threat to Rebus, but for fans of Scottish police procedurals these books are a must read. If the real Scottish police are half as incompetent as this mob, then we should be very worried!
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  • sb2020
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read...again!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 16, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I was very much wanting to enjoy this book and for the most part did so. The 2 linked stories took a while to get used to but worked out in the end. I didn't see the ending coming even though the clues were building up, particularly in Part 2. In a series such as this I do enjoy the recurring characters, some more than others but you build up a bigger picture about them through each book. Scott Cullen's character is both compelling and frustrating in equal measures. I enjoy how he is bright and can work out where to go and what needs to be done next, sometimes in a clumsy maverick way...but he generally gets results. He also wants me to shake him and say 'grow up and stop whinging!', I quite liked Buxton's comment about him being another Bain!...he really doesn't know how close to the mark he is. However, we did see something of a 'light-bulb moment' during this book and Cullen finally realises he needs to change if he wants to be taken seriously and achieve the DS position he craves and feels he deserves. I will be looking out for Book 7 when it is due for release next year...hopefully the wait won't be too long .
    I thoroughly look forward to the next book and to seeing
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  • A McCulloch
    5.0 out of 5 stars liars and Thieves. Ed James
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 24, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Twists, turns, ins and outs. The Team get their Men, or do they. Up and down. The exciting turmoils threaten, bewilder, ensue. Will everything come together. Gripping to the end. A bloody good read.
    Report

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