Last Witness
Written by Denzil Meyrick
Narrated by Tim Gerard Reynolds
4.5/5
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Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this audiobook
James Machie was a man with a genius for violence, his criminal empire spreading beyond Glasgow into the UK and mainland Europe. Fortunately, James Machie is dead, assassinated in the back of a prison ambulance following his trial and conviction.But now, five years later, he is apparently back from the grave, set on avenging himself on those who brought him down. Top of his list is his previous associate, Frank MacDougall, who unbeknownst to D.C.I. Jim Daley, is living under protection on his lochside patch, the small Scottish town of Kinloch. Daley knows that, having been the key to Machie’s conviction, his old friend and colleague D.S. Scott is almost as big a target. Nothing, not even death, has ever stood in James Machie’s way.
Denzil Meyrick
After studying politics, Denzil Meyrick worked as a police officer, distillery manager, freelance journalist, and company director. He is originally from Campbeltown in Argyll, but now lives with his wife Fiona on Loch Lomondside.
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Reviews for Last Witness
8 ratings7 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Another fast-paced story set in fictional Kinloch (Campbeltown in reality) where DCI jim Daley faces problems, both personal as well as work. A notorious Glasgow gangster apparently rises from the dead and exacts revenge on former associates who helped convict him and DCI Daley and sidekick DS Daley are in his sights too. As in the previous Kinloch story, the three main characters, Daley, Scott and the Chief Supt Donald leap off the page and the dialogue between is often very humerous, despite the grim happenings all around them..
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Last Witness by Denzil Meyrick is the second book in his Detective Daley series. Now, I haven't read the first book, but didn't feel lost at all in The Last Witness. (although the first one sounds cracking good) The Last Witness is the first book in the series to be published in North America.The series is set in Scotland. James Machie was a criminal kingpin in Glasgow. Five years ago he was assinated in the back of a transport vehicle. Then how in the world is on camera today killing those who testified against him? His former right hand man Frank MacDougall, has been in the witness protection program for the last five years. Jim Daley is stunned to find out that Frank has been living on his patch for the entire time. And that he now responsible for the safety of Frank and his family.I liked Jim as a character, but I have to say that my favourite is his Sergeant, Brian Scott. His irreverent attitude is great fun and the perfect foil against their Superintendent, John Scott. (who's a piece of work) Daley plays peacemaker between the two.Meyrick's dialogue is written as it would be spoken - Scottish brogue and all. I found it easy after a few pages, but some may not. There's also a fair amount of swearing and lots of drinking. Again, it fits the tone of the book, the characters and the setting. But some may be offended.Meyrick has penned an imaginative plot, filled it with lots of action and created characters I would revisit again. He also has a dark sense of humour that mixes well with the noir feeling of The Last Witness.Meyrick is writing what he knows, in settings, characters and plotting. "Denzil Meyrick was educated in Argyll, then after studying politics, joined the Strathclyde Police, serving in Glasgow. After being injured and developing back problems, he now works as a freelance journalist in both print and on radio. Denzil lives in Scotland." His prose absolutely have the ring of authenticity and accuracy.And although the ending tied up things nicely, there's one or two questions about Daley's personal life that will hopefully be answered in the next book - one I'll be reading. Fans of Stuart MacBride would enjoy Meyrick's writing.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The author is very good at adding humour in the story. I enjoyed it.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5There's something about the accents of some narrators that just make things so easy to listen to and David Monteath is doing a terrific job with the DCI Jim Daley series. There's enough wry, dry humour here, alongside some reasonably gritty plot lines to keep the reader engaged, although the series does have a hefty dose of the personal as well if you're a fan of that sort of thing. Daley has a complicated sort of a lovelife with a wife he doesn't exactly trust, a new position in a small Scottish town (introduced in book 1 in the series: Whisky From Small Glasses and a surprisingly active Scottish gangster population surrounding him.Another one of those quintessentially Scottish sounding audible books - perfect for listening to over an extended period of time.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was another good read in this little known detective series based in the remote location of Kinloch on the west coast of Scotland. Despite being set in this remote area certainly no lack of drugs issues or revenge killings affecting the area, having originally started in Glasgow years before. I do like this series and the central group of characters, but I do think I enjoyed the last one more. Worth searching out if you like detective books
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The book begins with a couple of vignettes guaranteed to get your attention. In the first, legendary Glasgow gangster James Machie is being transported back to prison from hospital when the ambulance is….erm….intercepted. Suffice to say he won’t have to worry about serving out those 5 life sentences. The second takes place 5 years later in Melbourne. Gerald used to run with the Machie clan. After giving evidence at Machie’s trial, he & his wife got new identities & were whisked away to Australia. You’d think that would be far enough. You’d be wrong. The attack itself is brutal but when the killer’s face is caught on CCTV, jaws drop in police stations right across Scotland. For Kinloch DCI Jim Daley, it qualifies as a full-on WTF moment. Five years ago he & colleague DS Brian Scott were largely responsible for the case that finally put away much of the notorious Machie clan. It was a stressful & dangerous time. Many of the cops received death threats & Brian was shot.When Jim was transferred to Kinloch by Superintendent John Donald (a total git, BTW, but I digress….) he saw it as a chance to slow down, relax & spend more time with his wife. It’s good to have a dream, Jim. But the reality is the killing didn’t end in Melbourne. Family members of Machie’s old goon squad begin to drop like flies. It seems someone is getting revenge on those who helped put Machie away. Jim & Brian are grateful to be far from Glasgow until Supt. Donald comes clean. One of the biggest rats was Frank MacDougall & he & his family disappeared into witness protection after the trial. In fact they’ve been stashed on a farm outside Kinloch for the last 5 years. This is the first I’ve read from this author & I really enjoyed it. There are several sub-plots running along side the main story line which revolves around “just how dead is he” James Machie. Office politics, a bent insider, old mobsters who would sell their mother & Jim’s personal life all contribute to a thorny, fast paced story. Characters range from the enigmatic to the colourful. Brian in particular was a bit of a challenge. Dialogue is written to reflect the vernacular of where he grew up & his accent could mince haggis. Much is cleared up by the end but there are a few loose threads that will have major repercussions for several characters in the future. This is actually book #2 in the series after “Whiskey in Small Glasses” & I look forward to getting my hands on the next one to see how it plays out.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book takes place several months after Whisky from Small Glasses. DCI Jim Daley is now stationed in Kinloch permanently and living happily with his wife Liz in a rented cottage. Things fall apart at a rapid pace as a gangster killed five years earlier suddenly reappears to exact revenge on those who took him down, including Daley and his DS Brian Scott. The primary witness against 'JayMac' (James Machie) is living near Kinloch in a witness protection program.The action is fast-paced and the story moves right along. There's a secondary case with drugs and tobacco smuggling that might be separate from the mysterious rebirth of JayMac though Daley isn't sure. I really enjoyed the twists and turns here and was surprised by some of them. I also enjoy the residents of Kinloch so it was fun to visit with Hamish, Annie, and some others. The writing is compelling and I love the descriptions of the Kintyre peninsula where the fictional town of Kinloch is located. Superintendent Donald is even more of a mystery; I hope he gets his comeuppance in the next book. DCI Daley is great thriller series for all those who like this genre.
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