quitting this series, it's not for me ( )

This book is the second in a series featuring Forensic Scientist Dr. Rhona MacLeod. Although Rhona is generally based in Glasgow, in this book she is called to help out in Edinburgh after the forensic scientist there suffered a heart attack and was indisposed. In addition, both cities, only 46 miles apart, had been hit by a rash of fires; it was possible they were connected.

A homeless girl, only 15, died in the latest Edinburgh fire, and her friend Jaz, only recently off the streets himself, is determined to find out who set the fires and killed her. He tries to convince the police he can help, but mainly they dismiss his efforts, so he continues on his own.

Rhona was told she would be working with Severino MacRae, Chief Fire Investigator in Edinburgh, but it was clear MacRae was quite opposed to working with Rhona. It isn’t personal, however. MacRae has been getting anonymous letters alluding to the fires along with misogynous screeds and references to sex. MacRae was in part opposed to Rhona’s involvement because she, an attractive and self-assured woman, would feed the fantasies and hates of the perpetrator. He doesn’t know yet that Rhona has gotten similar communications in the form of emails.

Both Rhona and MacRae have complications in their personal lives that affect their behavior. MacRae is trying to get custody of his daughter Amy. Rhona and her boyfriend Sean are taking a break from one another. Furthermore, Rhona has been trying to arrange a meeting with Liam, the son she put up for adoption seventeen years before. And, in spite of their initial “fireworks,” Rhona and MacRae are attracted to one another.

All of the personal complications and separate fire investigations come together in a dangerous way for all involved.

Evaluation: This is a good series with complicated characters. Rhona is maddeningly suspicious in some ways, and recklessly trusting in others. This combination never fails to get her in trouble. ( )

#SPOILER ALERT#
I actually was sure that the villain was going to be the one from the first book but I was glad to find out at the end that he had died in the hills after his escape.

I did like the inclusion of the dog in this book. Of course, I'm a sucker for any intelligent animal in a book.

I am sure hoping that in the third book Rhona and Sean get back together. I'm also a sucker for a sax player and he seems like a much better match for her than an incipient alcoholic.

#SPOILERS OVER#

Rhona ranks up there with Temperance Brennan for intelligent yet empathetic women detectives and I'm looking forward to reading more of her books. ( )

This second Rhona MacLeod mystery, TORCH by Lin Anderson, is very gritty, full of twists and noir elements.
A series of arson attacks in Glasgow and Edinburgh pull Dr. MacLeod into a forensic investigation. New characters are introduced - Severino MacRae, Chief Fire Investigator in Edinburgh; young teen, Jazz, who hopes to investigate and avenge the death of his friend, Karen; and Karen’s dog, Emps (Emperor). Familiar faces return - Chrissy, Bill Wilson and Sean.
A very readable narrative and crime drama. ( )

I liked the first book in this series but this one didn't seem to flow as well as the first. I wasn't sure what was going on with the story and where they wanted to go with it. It's readable, with some nasty stuff going on occasionally but I felt vaguely disappointed in it. It lacked flow and the characters didn't feel as solid as they could have, I didn't really feel peril or tension in the story.

I will try at least one more in the series but I'm hoping it improves. ( )