All That's Dead is an incredibly timeless novel as it provides us with a high-exposure criminal case in this new age of Brexit. It is dark and gritty, and MacBride fuels his characters with an energy and language that are infectious. If this was a television program, subtitles would be needed—that's how realistically Scotland is portrayed here. If you're new to these books, dive right in with this one and see if Logan will survive to take on more daunting challenges in this first-rate crime series.
... a satisfying read, and a hugely thoughtful novel to boot ... There is no let-up for McRae or the reader until he has unravelled the knots of DI King’s past, Haiden’s present whereabouts and whether those who have been abducted have a future ... There are opinions aplenty splashed around, but All That’s Dead isn’t really about the debate over Scottish independence (neither side comes off well). In truth, the novel is about people and relationships—from the tensions of Haiden and Mhari, to McRae’s dealings with junior colleagues which are filled with affectionate humor. More specifically, it’s about peer pressure and getting out of your depth, and the fact that while you can spend your life trying to do good to make up for all your long-buried bad choices, they will not stay hidden forever. And most of all, with terrifying realism, it’s about the excuses people will find to justify their actions.
Here’s an author to avoid if you have a problem with scabrous, pungent fare ... All That’s Dead may seem less compulsively nasty than previous outings for his rough-edged Aberdeen copper Logan McRae, readers should not be lured into a false sense of security ... Fellow Tartan Noir writer Ian Rankin has similarly tackled the divisive issue of Scottish independence, and like his colleague, MacBride’s use of the theme is never meretricious.
