The Turning of Our Bones

DI Rob Marshall Mysteries, Book 1

By: Ed James

Narrated by: Angus King

The serial killer he couldn’t catch is dead....

Can DI Rob Marshall save his last victim before she dies too?

Met cop DI Rob Marshall is hot on the trail of the serial killer known as the Chameleon, who has abducted, tortured, and killed a series of young women in Northwest London. As they close in, the Chameleon—who switches identity to get close to his victims—shoots Marshall’s partner and escapes.

But when the Chameleon’s body is found two years later, Marshall must return to his home town of Melrose in the Scottish Borders and face the tragedy that’s haunted him for 20 years and made him leave in the first place.

The Chameleon’s final victim is still missing–can Marshall unpick the Chameleon’s latest identity in time to save her from a lonely death?

The Turning of Our Bones is the first book in the DI Rob Marshall series, starring a haunted detective who masks his trauma with biting humour. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart MacBride, JD Kirk, and LJ Ross.

©2023 Ed James (P)2025 Ed James

Enjoyed it!

Love this narrator! The storyline was good, I like the main character, but the telling of the story reminded me of some American style police procedurals. If it wasn't for the awesome narrator, it could have taken place in the US. Nevertheless, I'm going to purchase the next book in the series, and perhaps the author will improve his writing style with more practice.

Completely boggled

I have listened to a lot of audiobooks, but this has to be one of the ones that had more twists, and turns that I ever saw come and it was only until the last two chapters that I finally had an inkling of who was the killer. That being said, I will look forward to some more. Etta James novels did Reid and Love Angus King.

Thank goodness for Angus!

If it wasn’t for the great narration I wouldn’t have been able to finish this book. The plot had promise but the characters are all so unlikeable and the storyline stretched out unnecessarily.

A faint copy

James has borrowed some of the best approaches to Tartan Noir with a slow, meandering plot, occasionally stiff dialog, and minor diversions that add only to the word count. For example, we don't need to know that Marshall really needed to pee at one point. The red herrings aren't convincing. His protagonist often comes across as whiny and weak instead of flawed and complex. He needed a better editor. Angus King, as always, is brilliant. and he helps the listener slog forward.

In short, it's competent but not compelling, mostly because there's too much rather than too little. There's a good story in there, clouded by distractions and not enough humanity to let us empathize with the characters.

James seems to have a following, and maybe his later efforts are better by subtraction.

Excellent narration

The narrator is excellent. He did the best he could with a convoluted story. It even he could make me care for this whining main character.