Blind Eye

Well, this was better not only than I was expecting, but better than most others in the series.

At first, I wasn't keen on reading it at all, because it dealt with non-Scottish elements and what's the point of reading a Scottish crime novel that is too modern? But then, that's the way of the world, and it actually worked well. Sometimes I just have to get over my biases.

This book started off a bit like the rest, and maintained the persistent (and good) balance between humor, pacing, and serious procedural. What made it stand out was the twists, and not just twists for the sake of shocking the reader, but turns of play that made sense in their unpredictability. What's more, this book took a turn for the dark toward the end, not quite to show more the Denise Mina level (have I mentioned how I love Mina?), but dark nonetheless. It tempered, a bit, the "how will they prevent Logan from becoming a Detective Inspector this time" recurring plot line. In fact, MacBride seemed to be nodding toward this bookly occurrence by actually having the possibility of promotion come up, and Logan seems to be the shoe-in. Spoiler alert, he doesn't get it.

As my mentor once said, these books aren't great literature, but they're great fun. Perfect for summer reading, and while I have a long list of more "serious" reading to do in the months ahead, I think I'll stick with DS McRae for a bit longer. MacBride seems to be hitting his stride, and finally giving Rankin a run for his money. show less

Another one I wrote for coffee. I read all of MacBride's stuff over the summer of '09 because it was entertaining and I needed entertainment.

This is the fifth book to feature Logan McRae, whose thankless job it is to police the mean streets of Aberdeen. Familiarity with McRae’s previous adventures is not essential to your enjoyment of this instalment, a police procedural that leaps straight in with both booted feet first, opening with an armed raid that goes badly wrong, but which leads to the discovery of a horribly mutilated Polish immigrant. An attack by a psychopathic racist is the obvious conclusion, but McRae’s investigation hints at something even darker and more disturbing. Labouring under the verbal lashes of his immediate show more superiors, the foul-mouthed, chain-smoking DI Steele and the withering sarcasm of DCI Finnie, while attracting the unwelcome attentions of local mob boss Simon McLeod, McRae’s a good policeman plagued by bad luck. Unravelling the plot takes him all the way to Poland and some of the nastiest secrets from the fall of the communist government.
A dark streak of gallows humour raises this offering above the standard grim’n’gruesome serial killer fare, as does a gift for the creation of memorable characters and hilarious dialogue. Explosions of bloodcurdling, hair-raising violence veer across the line into farce as the propensity of local criminals to view police raids as opportunities for a good punch-up lay waste to carefully planned strategies, leading to chaos and confusion which MacBride handles with skilful aplomb.
The policemen and women in Blind Eye are a cheerfully slobby, human lot, who like their drink, kit-kats, bacon butties and endless cups of tea, which keeps the whole book well grounded. Dark, funny, suspenseful and entertaining, if Blind Eye is your first Stuart MacBride novel, it probably won’t be your last. show less

One of my favorite series is Stuart MacBride’s police procedural set in Aberdeen, Scotland and this, the fifth entry into the series continues the high level of entertainment that I’ve come to expect. These gritty, dark stories filled with the blackest of humor show us a slice of life in and about the business of policing a society that doesn’t seem to appreciate the effort. Filled with unforgettable characters, and dialogue that practically jumps off the page, these books are a real treat.

[Blind Eye] has the Granite City on edge as someone is targeting polish immigrants in a bizarre fashion. Gouging out their eyes and leaving them to be found in abandoned buildings. With the victims too scared to talk, the police are at their show more wits end. At the same time trouble is brewing amongst the gangs of the city with newcomers looking to take over, and DS Logan McRae is angling for a promotion and looking for ways to get results. The rumours of police corruption isn’t helping matters at all.

Fast paced and attention grabbing, Blind Eye was an exciting and fun read. There is a high level of gore and violence, but actually, I think he toned this down a bit from his last book. I try to space these books out and reward myself with them every now and again. I would recommend reading this series from the beginning in order not to miss the excellent character development in these riveting books. show less

This audiobook was narrated by the author, who did an excellent job in my opinion. He also has done an excellent job in writing this series so far, and it is one of my favorites (but my favorites changes every year or two). It's pretty dark, but with enough humor to keep it light. In this one, there is someone who cuts out his victim's eyes and then burns the sockets, leaving them alive but blind. There is also some crippling by smashing the person's kneecaps with a hammer. Much of the recent blindings have been done to Polish immigrants and letters were sent blaming them for taking away jobs, etc - the usual hatred against immigrants by poor citizens.

The main character, Detective Sergeant Logan McRae, is a cop in Aberdeen, Scotland show more that means well, but somehow things always go wrong no matter how hard he tries. Usually this is because he's just too nice a guy, or he tries too hard, etc. But in many ways, he's his own worst enemy. When things go wrong, he often follows along by doing more wrong because of it, usually drinking too much. He had to go to Poland for a case, where he shot someone and then almost got blown up, causing him to have bad dreams and other PTSD symptoms. So, instead of taking up offers of help from a psychologist, he starts smoking again (which he doesn't really like), and drinking a lot.

In one instance, he's encouraged to stay overnight and his reply is:

‘But I've got plans.’ Which was true – he was going to go home and sit in the dark drinking vodka until he passed out. Same as he'd done every night since getting back from Poland.
‘I don't care: you're sodding well staying!’

But to give him his due, he usually has impossible instructions, or clear instructions but he gets in trouble for following them. He's constantly being told things like "Don't do anything without clearing it with me first!", and then he comes back and is asked why he didn't do something about a problem. Or he gets suspended and then has to work or meet with someone while suspended (without pay of course).

As bad as things get, it's hard not to laugh every few pages. I'm going to be disappointed when I finish this series, I think. show less

First Line: Waiting was the worst bit: hunkered back against the wall, eyes squinting in the setting sun, waiting for the nod.

There's strange goings-on in Aberdeen in this fifth outing by Detective Sergeant Logan McRae. For one thing, it's summer, and the folks in Aberdeen, Scotland don't seem to be familiar with sunshine or warmth. For another thing, the Polish immigrant community is being targeted in a series of gruesome attacks, and McRae actually gets to leave the country to follow up on leads. Most people seem to think these attacks are hate crimes against the Polish, but when a local crime boss is targeted, McRae begins to wonder if something else might be going on.

Other than that, the situation seems to be normal: The Detective show more Chief Inspector seems to have it in for our lad and Detective Inspector Steele continues to go out of her way to make his life miserable. Even though I'd love to slap her briskly about the head and shoulders most of the time, I do like the character of Steele: she serves to remind people that men don't have the politically incorrect slob market cornered.

The story moves right along at a good pace, but I'm beginning to notice a change in McRae. Through four books the young man has been unerringly idealistic no matter what is done to him or how many idiotic superiors try to break him. There has been plenty of humor to break the gruesome case load into manageable portions.

Not so much in this one. The humor is less, and all the characters seem grimmer. With the lack of humor, the violence of the villains isn't as well disguised and isn't as easy to stomach.

How many more infinitely inferior superiors must McRae go through before he leaves the force? Give the poor man a promotion, an entire weekend off, and transfer D.I. Steele! show less

DI Steele deserves her own fan club. It would have to be a club where swearing, drinking, smoking and fiddling with your bra strap were perfectly acceptable behaviours of course. You've also got a ready made slogan as fans of the wonderful Logan McRae series from Scottish author Stuart MacBride will be aware.

BLIND EYE is the 5th book in this funny, gruesome, funny, ferocious, unflinching, funny series featuring DS Logan McRae and a passing parade of DIs and DCIs. DI Steele makes a very high profile return in BLIND EYE, in fact she's in danger of completely stealing the show, although McRae also has to deal with the considerably more prickly DCI Finnie as well.

In true MacBride style, not only are the characterisations vivid, unflinching show more and frequently decidedly unflattering, the subject matter of this book is confrontational. Somebody is preying on Aberdeen's Polish community - not killing, but dreadfully maiming a series of men. Gouging out their eyes and burning the sockets, the crime seems inexplicably cruel and utterly and totally ruthless. The victim's are understandably too scared to talk, and the only witness - a paedophile on the run - doesn't exactly inspire anybody's hope in being able to sort this.

As the investigation grinds on, and the maiming take a particularly startling turn, McRae finds himself having to deal with Finnie's increasing sarcasm and what seems like antagonism, as well as Steele's glorious excess - which now includes a rather personal component, making McRae increasingly squeamish.

Undoubtedly the subject matter that MacBride touches on in all his books is going to be unpleasant reading for some people. He balances that beautifully with humour - sometimes gallows style, frequently black and downright hilarious in other places. He writes gruesome but highly realistic plots which don't shilly shally around with your sensibilities. You'll often come out of one of these books feeling a little like you've been slapped around the head and shoulders with something quite quite icky. MacBride also writes fantastic police characters - McRae's increasing dithering around nicely balanced by the iron wit and will of DI Steele, both of them up against the sarcasm and terseness of Finnie. Settling in with these characters is rapidly becoming more and more like a visit with favourite friends. Sure you've heard the stories before. Sure you've seen them when they have a few too many before. Who cares - good mates are extremely hard to find. show less

I'd heard of Scottish author Stuart MacBride, but had not sat down with one of his books till now. Wish I'd sat down sooner.....

Newly released, Blind Eye is set in Abderdeen, Scotland and focused around the Grampian Police Department. The main character is DS Logan McRae his partner DI Steel.

They're put on the "Oedipus" case. Someone is really, really unhappy with the growing Polish population in Aberdeen. Men are found beaten with their eyes removed and the sockets burned. Letters explaining the reasoning behind this appear regularly at the station. Those still alive refuse to talk. The only witness is a local pedophile and he's disappeared. While trying to work on this case, McRae and Steel are at the same time plagued with escalating show more gang warfare. Not to mention their personal lives.....

Blind Eye is dark and gritty. The underbelly of the streets and alleys of Aberdeen come to life under MacBride's pen. Descriptions paint vivid pictures of both locales and characters.

The strongest and the most interesting by far are that of MacRae and Steel. Both are flawed human beings but possess an innate compass for what is right. That compass may go a little off base once in a while though. I really don't want to give away much more of the details of either character. I had great fun getting to know them throught their interactions. Their dialogue is priceless and the Scottish accent translates to print very well.

The supporting characters are also well portrayed. Their personalities and conflicts come to life and provide excellent secondary story lines. The humour in Blind Eye is dark and biting.

Although this book is part of a series, I never felt lost at all. I will be adding MacBride to my list of favourite crime authors!

It also somewhat reminded me of Guy Ritchie's movie RocknRolla.

Fans of Mark Billingham, Graham Hurley and Stieg Larsson would enjoy this book. show less