All that's dead

Grisly details abound in both of these series. While Logan McRae works the beat in Aberdeen, Scotland, Jack Caffery faces gruesome crime scenes in England. These series are both filled with disturbing characters, brooding detectives, and violent crimes at a page-turning pace. -- Cathleen Keyser

Readers who enjoy gritty and suspenseful mysteries full of vivid, grisly detail will enjoy both of these fast-paced series, which focus on a determined investigator who tries to catch vicious and sadistic killers. -- Derek Keyser

The Detective Shaw and the Logan McRae mysteries are British police procedurals featuring strong cops. The compelling characters have complex relationships. The suspenseful plots are intricate, dark in tone, and deal with society's grittier problems. -- Merle Jacob

Marked by twisty plots and a gritty feel, these suspenseful Scotland-based mysteries star smart, likable police detectives working the cold case squad (Karen Pirie) and the "Screw-up Squad" (Logan McRae). -- Mike Nilsson

These series have the appeal factors gritty, and they have the theme "urban police"; the genres "mysteries" and "police procedurals"; and the subjects "police" and "detectives."

These series have the appeal factors gritty and strong sense of place, and they have the theme "urban police"; the genre "police procedurals"; the subjects "police" and "detectives"; and characters that are "likeable characters."

These series have the appeal factors gritty and strong sense of place, and they have the theme "urban police"; the genres "mysteries" and "police procedurals"; and the subjects "police" and "detectives."

These series have the appeal factors well-crafted dialogue, and they have the theme "urban police"; the genre "police procedurals"; the subjects "police," "detectives," and "women detectives"; and characters that are "likeable characters" and "well-developed characters."

These series have the appeal factors gritty, disturbing, and strong sense of place, and they have the theme "urban police"; the genre "police procedurals"; and the subjects "police" and "detectives."

These authors write gritty and action-packed police procedurals, and both have a flare for writing vivid and descriptive accounts of gruesome violence. Weak-stomached readers should avoid, but those who enjoy gripping and fast-paced journeys into a bleak world of colorful detectives and outrageous violence will enjoy these authors. -- Derek Keyser

Readers who like grim and gruesome murder mysteries will find plenty to love in the novels of both authors. Their gritty, fast-paced stories feature afflicted detectives, sadistic killers, and vivid depictions of brutal violence against innocents. -- Derek Keyser

These authors' works have the appeal factors disturbing, bleak, and strong sense of place, and they have the genre "police procedurals"; and the subjects "police," "detectives," and "organized crime."

These authors' works have the genre "police procedurals"; and the subjects "serial murder investigation," "serial murders," and "serial murderers."

These authors' works have the appeal factors gritty and violent, and they have the genre "police procedurals"; and the subjects "police," "detectives," and "serial murder investigation."

These authors' works have the appeal factors violent, and they have the genre "police procedurals"; and the subjects "detectives," "serial murder investigation," and "serial murders."

These authors' works have the appeal factors disturbing, violent, and strong sense of place, and they have the genre "police procedurals"; and the subjects "police," "detectives," and "serial murder investigation."

These authors' works have the appeal factors gritty, disturbing, and violent, and they have the genre "police procedurals"; and the subjects "police," "detectives," and "serial murder investigation."

These authors' works have the appeal factors disturbing, violent, and unputdownable, and they have the genre "police procedurals"; and the subjects "police," "detectives," and "serial murder investigation."

These authors' works have the appeal factors gritty, disturbing, and unputdownable, and they have the subjects "police," "detectives," and "serial murder investigation."

These authors' works have the appeal factors disturbing, violent, and intensifying, and they have the genre "police procedurals"; and the subjects "police," "detectives," and "serial murder investigation."

These authors' works have the appeal factors gritty, violent, and gruesome, and they have the genre "police procedurals"; the subjects "police," "detectives," and "violence"; and characters that are "likeable characters."