The Man in the Red Overcoat

Ian Skair: Private Investigator, Book 5

By: Hilary Pugh

Narrated by: Charles Robert Fox

Did he jump or was he pushed?

Ian’s detective agency has hit a dull spot. Until a mysterious woman visits him, a body is found under the Tay Bridge and a French PI arrives on his doorstep.

Ian and Molly become embroiled in the world of art theft when a second rate nineteenth century Scottish portrait painter suddenly becomes inexplicably popular.

Can they unravel the mystery before any more bodies are found?

©2023 Hilary Pugh (P)2025 Hilary Pugh

So, who is the man in the red overcoat?

So who is the man in the unique red overcoat? Ian and his assistant, Molly are hired to find him. Such a complicated case. Who to trust? Twists. Turns. So good. So clever. Well written. Well told.

The narrator has a heavy Scottish accent. Great for this story, but this Yankee had to really concentrate to understand. I did get use to it after a while, but I'd rather be able to relax more while listening. He does a great job with varying voices so 4 stars for him.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this Audiobook from the author through Story Origin.

another great Ian & Lottie book

this series is brilliant. mystery lives up to the "twisty" mystery label. it does start rather slowly but readers of this series know when it takes off it fairly flies. some of the slowness comes from the author being sure the reader is up on the characters. each book is complete in itself, no nasty cliff hangers, but the characters are recurring and it helps to remember who goes where in the stories.
ms Pugh is brilliant at descriptiveness, both people and places. you feel you would know a character if they knocked on the front door and the settings are grand. the assistant Molly is growing by leaps and bounds. Ian now has two girlfriends and this is becoming a problem. I sincerely hope Ms Pugh sorts this out and does not let it become a silly triangle. personally i am voting for Elsa.
all in all it is an excellent read/listen. i have done both will all the series. looking forward to more Ian, Lottie and Molly books. thanks to the author for an audible free link for the audio book. i did buy the book as soon as it came out as the series is that interesting.

A Clever, Twisty Mystery That Keeps You Guessing

Hilary Pugh delivers another engaging installment in the Ian Skair: Private Investigator series with The Man in the Red Overcoat. This Scottish mystery is packed with intrigue, clever twists, and just the right amount of suspense to keep you hooked from start to finish. I especially appreciated how the story referenced events and characters from earlier books, creating a satisfying sense of continuity and depth for longtime fans of the series.

Charles Robert Fox once again brings Ian Skair and the cast to life with his excellent narration. His voice work adds richness to the atmosphere and helps maintain the tension throughout the story. The pacing is spot-on, and his delivery enhances the emotional beats and the clever dialogue.

What stood out most to me was how the mystery unfolded—I was genuinely kept guessing until the very end. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story would take another unexpected turn. If you enjoy mysteries that are smart, character-driven, and set against a vivid backdrop, this one is a must-listen. I’m already looking forward to the next case Ian Skair takes on!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

A twisty turning mystery

Private Investigator Ian Skair has an appointment with a potential client who wants him to find her missing friend. She says she met him on vacation in France. All she knows is his name and has a picture of him in a distinctive red overcoat. Ian and his assistant Molly are uncomfortable because sometimes seems “off”, but they persevere and uncover more questions. This well crafted mystery kept me guessing to the very end. The narration is outstanding using unique voices and accents for all the characters (Scottish, British, French and American). This skillful performance brought the characters and story to life.

A Twisted Case

I enjoyed this story a lot. I was amazed by this clever and complex mystery which reminded me of a twisted pretzel with all the red herrings and incidental clues. Ian Skair and his assistant continued to fascinate me at their determination and capability to solve the case regardless of the lack of information or misinformation provided by their clients. I thought Charles Robert Fox's narration was great, and his performance enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.