I’ve been told that one can reduce everything in the world to mathematical equations. Here’s one for you: Stuart MacBride = brilliant storytelling + dark, brooding prose. MacBride boldly shouldered his way onto my must-read list some time ago and has remained there, digging his roots ever deeper with each new book. IN THE COLD DARK GROUND, his 10th Logan McRae novel, is a reaffirmation for longtime fans of what he can do and a display of his talents from the first brutal page onward for newcomers.

If you are new to this series starring Logan McRae, MacBride’s troubled detective sergeant, never fear; boldly step up and plunge right in. MacBride, as much or more as any author in genre fiction, can put his reader in the moment within just a few sentences. This is especially true of IN THE COLD DARK GROUND, where, after a couple of pages, I found myself wishing for a raincoat as Logan and his team search for and ultimately discover the very abused corpse of a missing person out in the middle of nowhere…and in a cold rainstorm to boot. This scene sets the mood for the book, given that Logan receives sad but not unexpected news in the middle of it all: Samantha, his longtime and long-comatosed love, has reached the point of no return.

"If you like your detective fiction dark, gritty and 100 percent readable, you need look no further."

At the same time, Logan’s unlikely friendship with Wee Hamish Mowat (it’s worth reading this series for the names alone ) is about to end, since Mowat is breathing his last as well. His death is certain to set off a chain reaction within Aberdeen’s criminal underbelly, one that will resonate throughout the United Kingdom, given his status as an underworld kingpin. Nature and criminal organizations abhor a vacuum. Mowat, though, is leaving Logan to handle matters, which doesn’t make anyone happy, least of all Logan and a dangerous, terrifying criminal who already has it in for him.

Then, of course, there is Detective Chief Inspector Steel, Logan’s former supervisor and current friend, who is being pursued by Professional Standards even as Logan has his own troubles with an organized crime task force. Downtrodden and put upon, as always, Logan is used to squeaking out of difficulties at the last moment, but this may be too much even for him. Near the end of the book, MacBride sets off a bouncing betty that will leave you totally stunned.

IN THE COLD DARK GROUND is complete in itself, with a definite beginning, middle and ending, but you will be setting your online calendars for this time next year in anticipation of the next installment of this addicting, riveting series. If you like your detective fiction dark, gritty and 100 percent readable, you need look no further.