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DCI Logan Crime Thrillers #19

Where the Pieces Lie

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Experience the pulse-pounding new thriller from multi-million selling Scottish crime fiction author, JD Kirk.

Community service clean-up was supposed to be a tedious affair. But, when a young offender stumbles upon a bin bag filled with human remains, a quiet Highland village is thrown into chaos.

The investigation leads DCI Jack Logan to a remote and nightmarish cottage, where a forgotten freezer holds a disturbing a full set of human fingers.

As more body parts are uncovered, Logan and his team hunt for a killer with a gruesome obsession for collecting trophies.

Across the vast Highlands, where secrets run as deep as the lochs, the team must piece together a jigsaw puzzle of horror that's as fragmented as the remains they've found.

But how do you solve a jigsaw when you can’t see the picture on the box?

Where the Pieces Lie is the 19th explosive novel from number one bestselling Scottish crime author, JD Kirk, perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Chris Brookmyre, and Val McDermid.

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2024

About the author

J.D. Kirk

36 books1,361 followers
JD Kirk is the pen name of multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, and writer of comics, Barry Hutchison.

JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. Despite writing from a young age, 'A Litter of Bones' is his first novel, and combines his love of the Highlands, crime thrillers, and cats.

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5,239 (67%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
Profile Image for Karly.
340 reviews119 followers
April 21, 2024
My Rating: 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bloody Fantastic… back on game, loved every minute!!

Community service clean-up was supposed to be tedious. But, when a young offender stumbles upon a bin bag filled with human remains, a quiet Highland village is thrown into chaos. The investigation leads DCI Jack Logan to a remote and nightmarish cottage, where a forgotten freezer holds a disturbing discovery: a full set of human fingers.

As more body parts are uncovered, Logan and his team hunt for a killer with a gruesome obsession for collecting trophies. Across the vast Highlands, where secrets run as deep as the lochs, the team must piece together a jigsaw puzzle of horror that’s as fragmented as the remains they’ve found.

But how do you solve a puzzle when you can’t see the picture on the box?


Ok so I am back into this series and it has not let me down. I have said this before and I will say it again… you can’t dive into this series at book 19 its just going to be confusing.. there are way too many in jokes, character back stories and things you just need to know. Also, if you started here and hated it… then really thats on you… having said that I have seen quite a few reviews lately of people who cannot do the Scottish thriller, I don’t know if its the style, the swearing or that its confusing for people… but either way be warned the swearing is off the charts… personally I think it adds a level of humour and grit but… I am also Australian so there you go!!

Jack and his team are back and they are as good as ever… I can’t get enough of this team and they are at their best when the whole team is part of the story. The last book was my least favourite of the series and I figured out that I don’t like Agatha Christie style books and I also wasn’t a huge fan of the locked room style mystery… that seems like there is a ghost but isn’t and all that crap… either way this one is way back on track and I ate it up.

We have some back stories happening with Hamza and I was here for that… I think that while the theme wasn’t ideal for him as a character I personally really enjoyed it. He seems to be labelled the IT guy when he’s more than that and we don’t get a lot of his backstory throughout the series so I was glad to see a bit of turmoil going on for him.

I was actually happy to see Hoon back… I was never quite sure if he should be in or out but I love the dynamic he has going on with Tyler and Sinead and I think it should definitely stay. I also love that he’s sneaking around trying to get into crime scenes and calling everyone all kinds of names… that always makes for a fun time.

I must admit I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the Olivia storyline.. but after Sinead’s “chat” to her I was really on board. I liked that very real talk and I want to see where that goes…

Also this is one that wasn’t wrapped neatly up and it gave me Mr Whisper vibes and I am definitely here for that. The baddie sounds like a real piece of work… and I think the way it was done was excellent.

Overall, I always wait for these books and then I worry I am going to hate them because there’s so many of them and surely it will let me down eventually or I will start to get bored… but I do think the writing style just makes it that much better. If this was the stereotypical police procedural (non Scottish) then I think it would be old and boring by now. But nothing about these stories can be boring, there are too many funny and then gruesome things going on for it to get dull.

J.D. Kirk knows how to throw a thriller together and keep your interest… BUT and a huge BUT again is the swearing… if you cannot handle the F word, the C word and all the other words and probably some you haven’t heard of before … then steer clear you will just get offended and these books are meant for enjoyment and If you know up front you hate the language then you wont enjoy it.

Having said that… if you can handle the different style and the bad language… what are you waiting for… go alllllll the way back to book one and get yourself comfy!!!

Another great thing about these books is that they are all on Kindle Unlimited so even better if you have a membership to that… Now… J.D get your skates on and please release the next book early!!! 🙏
Profile Image for Lisa Guiry.
50 reviews3 followers
May 17, 2024
The banter in this book was so good. Different from what I usually read, but I'm glad I picked this. I really enjoyed the story.
Profile Image for Natalie M.
1,228 reviews59 followers
April 21, 2024
Loganesque: Just F*#!$!ing brilliant!

How long do I have to wait to follow the trail left by this instalment.

Seriously the best series out there.
1,021 reviews21 followers
April 19, 2024
Cliffhanger-ish ending would have bothered me more if I wasn't so certain that JD Kirk will have the next installment out in a more than reasonable time-frame. We are so spoiled!

This felt like a set-up for the next book (which, turns out, it kind of is) but I'm not mad. Did it make me snort laugh out loud at work? Yes. Did I get way too emotionally invested in the characters' lives? Yes. Did I appreciate the way the author picks up threads from previous books and add to them? Heck yes. It really feels like Kirk has a long-term plan. Like, if this was a TV series (and it really does remind me of a TV series, but in the best way), it would have the most excellent, comprehensive, carefully plotted show bible ever.
The mystery in this one was as advertised, a lot of pieces that came together in a believable way in the end.
Also, the secondary plot with Olivia, the gangster's angry adolescent daughter, is really satisfying, and I like that its incorporated into the overall plot. Like the conversation with her and Sinead. It worked.
The author uses his characters so well. There is a big cast of characters, but nobody is wasted and everyone is fully realized. I really admire that.
It was an enjoyable listen.
Profile Image for Dee (readaholic_dee).
253 reviews13 followers
April 17, 2024
Magnificent Murder Mayhem – 5 stars all the way!

I am always so excited when I know there is a J D Kirk book waiting for me to read, and they never, ever let me down.

Honestly, I can never get enough of this series. I feel bereft when I finished these books as I know I have to wait for the next one in the series.

Cannot praise J D Kirk enough for his excellent writing.

These are a must read.

Happy Reading.
Profile Image for Biggus.
393 reviews5 followers
May 17, 2024
I think the series is running out of steam, less story, more silly dialog/scenes, and when you set up one of these 'to be continueds' in a plot like this (bizarre motives, long time plans, games of death) then it might be time to put Jack to bed. We'll see. For now, I enjoyed it, but...
Profile Image for Mary Johnson.
928 reviews17 followers
May 15, 2024
The basic story is good - although the ‘goof ball’ aspects of the characters detract.




Spoiler Alert
I bought ONE book but the cliffhanger end demands I buy a further book. Bad move.
Profile Image for Victoria Crookes.
40 reviews1 follower
May 30, 2024
Love this book series with DCI Logan and team, I have read all 19 books, love the characters how they grown throughout series and as always the banter, have already preordered book 20 cant wait
Profile Image for Denise.
6,995 reviews123 followers
May 12, 2024
Always looking forward to these, and this was one of the best lately. The latest DCI Logan thriller begins with a plastic bag full of body parts found by a couple of young offenders doing community service, and further bits and pieces of various people turn up in the course of the investigation. Ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, so now I'm anticipating the next installment with twice as much fervor.
Profile Image for Anthony Brooks.
155 reviews6 followers
April 30, 2024
What would you do, if you had to atone for your sins?

That is exactly what Jack Logan and his team need to find out. When a roadside cleanup crew finds body parts on the side of the road, Logan needs to find out who they belong to. As the investigation intensifies, they find more body parts, more dead bodies with missing pieces.

Blue cards, stating that a New Player has entered the game, the game being, carry out an act to atone for your past sins. Do what your told, and something horrible will not befall you, fail, and there will be consequences.

Time is ticking as Jack and team close in on the mysterious voice, that directs this atonement. In the end, is the game over, or has it just begun for Jack?
Profile Image for Jane.
27 reviews9 followers
July 5, 2024
I cannot resist this series. Some of the books are better than others. Some of the characters were getting silly, but this is back on point. The better books have a theme-Mr Whisper, The Iceman, and this is shaping up to be another. Every character in this book has been fleshed out satisfyingly, I was invested in each and every one. It’s always great when Bob Hoon gets involved. On reflection, everyone was developed except for Logan-he was almost an afterthought in some ways. It’s refreshing for it not all to be about him!!! Overall, one of the best in the series.
Profile Image for Danni Maughan.
2 reviews
May 9, 2024
Don't think I have ever laughed, literally, out lout whilst reading a series of books as much as I have with the DCI Logan series...and this one was mo exception! It's like I can hear the characters - feel the suspense. Started and finished in a day...would have been hours but work got in the way!
116 reviews2 followers
June 4, 2024
Superb as always just can't believe I have to wait until September for the next one 😪
June 9, 2024
Sorry, not one of his best

Not one of his best. The back stories of his colleagues seem to be more interesting than the story line.
Profile Image for Elinor.
209 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2024
Proper good one with set up for future books! And something happened that I've been predicting since like book 5 or something.

Next one doesn't come out until September 😔
91 reviews
April 16, 2024
Another belter…

I read this book in one day (not unusual for JD Kirk’s books) as it was another brilliant read from the stable of JD Kirk. He never fails to deliver - a great story, wonderful characters & just the right amount of humour. The team has to solve a grisly crime - another one! - involving murder, blackmail and bits of people turning up all over the place. Is someone playing with Jack? One thing’s for sure, it’s not over yet… How long until Book 20? Too long…
Profile Image for P.L. Matthews.
Author 5 books12 followers
April 24, 2024
He's done it again

Another excellent instalment of the Jack Logan series. It's ended but not quite, and it's not fair Mr Kirk! Now we have to wait argh!
34 reviews
April 25, 2024
Another great DCI LOGAN, Hoon book by J D KIRK.
He certainly has found the way to make it difficult to stop turning just one more page.
Keeps you attention from start to finish.
Keep them coming.
4 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2024
Great stuff but now you've left me hanging ! Looking forward to the next book
1 review
April 22, 2024
Tried really hard to make the book last, but failed, finished in one day. Loved the humour laugh out loud moments which was unexpected given the storyline.
13 reviews
April 22, 2024
JD strikes again!!

Yet another terrific read from JD Kirk. Usual mix of serious investigation with the ever present humour. What an ending!!
Profile Image for Irene Bugg.
34 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2024
Excellent!

Enjoyed this story! I say the same thing each time. Each story has great characters, mystery, action, and some comedy!
7 reviews
April 23, 2024
spine tingling

All your favorite characters make an appearance in what seems to be the most edgy and Risqué of the Jack Logan series to date.
Profile Image for David Ward.
Author 2 books15 followers
May 2, 2024
JD Kirk is on top form with this excellent book.

Everyone on the team is fully involved in this story. Even Hoon's sister Berta gets a look in. And "Mr ******* Hoon" himself has a big role too. And if you remember Neville in pathology, well, you'll find out much more about him.

The story itself rattles along at a grand pace. As always, JD Kirk has a happy habit of interspersing the action with some really funny humour. That's what makes his books special.

All in all, a fine read.

16 reviews
May 30, 2024
Very disappointed
Felt let down
What happened ??????
4 reviews
May 28, 2024
Poor ending….
Didn’t make sense, no didn’t enjoy this one……..
May 6, 2024
Having read all his previous books I found that this one rather slow & having a repetitive theme until nearly the end leaving one wondering if there will be a follow up or not
Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews

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