Some sequels merely continue a story — but Colin Garrow’s Overkill does something rare: it deepens, darkens, sharpens, and elevates the world created in Metropolis, delivering a chilling and utterly engrossing follow-up in the Finlay MacBeth series.

From the very first page, Garrow wastes no time plunging the reader into the wintry streets of 1936 Edinburgh. The story opens with a brutal double murder on Christmas Eve, immediately setting a tone of dread that lingers like breath in cold air. Professor MacBeth, still wrestling with the ghosts of his past, is drawn once more into a deadly mystery alongside Inspector Callaghan — and this time, the shadows seem thicker, the stakes higher, and the danger all too real.

One of the most striking additions to Overkill is the Christmas Circus. Not a place of wonder, but of unspoken menace. Unsettling clowns loom with eerie stillness, and the enigmatic villain known as White Face steals the show in the most chilling way imaginable. Garrow renders White Face with such vivid detail that his presence feels genuinely uncomfortable — fascinating, repulsive, unforgettable. He is the kind of villain that lingers long after the book is closed.

The pacing is razor-sharp. Garrow masterfully weaves together police investigation, personal vendettas (with Kilmartin still scheming in the shadows), and creeping psychological tension. Returning characters from Metropolis offer a sense of continuity and familiarity, even as the story pushes the boundaries into darker, more nerve-pricking territory.

The setting itself becomes a character: snow-dusted alleyways, flickering lanterns, and the haunting glow of the Christmas Circus all combine to immerse the reader completely in 1930s Edinburgh. Garrow’s prose is atmospheric and cinematic, making each scene feel tangible and alive.

Overkill is the kind of historical thriller that grips you tightly and refuses to let go. It’s chilling, masterful, richly atmospheric, and filled with memorable characters — especially its villain, who deserves a place among the most haunting figures in the genre.

If you love historical thrillers, gritty mysteries, or atmospheric tales with razor-edged suspense, Overkill is a must-read.

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Highly recommended.

 And yes… I am already counting the days until the next Finlay MacBeth instalment.