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Frey & McGray #1.5
The Hunt
Features an exclusive extract from A Fever of the Blood - the brilliant new Case for Frey & McGray, which publishes in February 2016*
Christmas, 1888. After a thoroughly trying time in Edinburgh, Inspector Ian Frey looks forward to a Christmas break at his family's country estate back in England.
But the welcome respite of home cooking, hunting trips and brandy by the fire is ruined by the arrival of an unwelcome guest . . .
Christmas, 1888. After a thoroughly trying time in Edinburgh, Inspector Ian Frey looks forward to a Christmas break at his family's country estate back in England.
But the welcome respite of home cooking, hunting trips and brandy by the fire is ruined by the arrival of an unwelcome guest . . .
49 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2015
48 people are currently reading
656 people want to read
About the author
Óscar de Muriel
20Ìýbooks556ÌýfollowersOscar de Muriel was born in Mexico City in 1983 and moved to the UK to complete his PhD. He is a chemist, translator and violinist who now lives and works in Manchester. The Loch of the Dead is his fourth novel, following A Mask of Shadows, A Fever of the Blood and The Strings of Murder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 7, 2025
Diese Geschichte zu beurteilen, fällt nicht ganz leicht. Mit nur rund 20 Seiten ist sie wirklich sehr kurz. Von Vorteil ist sicherlich, wenn man die entsprechende Buchreihe kennt oder zumindest den ersten Band.
Dann ist diese Geschichte ein schöner Bonus.
Mir hat das Setting gut gefallen. Die Geschichte spielt zur Weihnachtszeit 1888 auf einem englischen Landgut, und sie macht Lust, die Buchreihe zu starten oder fortzuführen.
Dann ist diese Geschichte ein schöner Bonus.
Mir hat das Setting gut gefallen. Die Geschichte spielt zur Weihnachtszeit 1888 auf einem englischen Landgut, und sie macht Lust, die Buchreihe zu starten oder fortzuführen.
December 21, 2015
Inspector Ian Frey is on a holiday at his uncle Maurice place in the country and he is enjoying this short break during Christmas. The an unexpected visit ruin the cozy family event, at least for a moment. But in the end, everything turns out fine.Ìý
This short story is set betweenÌýThe Strings of Murder andÌýA Fever of the Blood and is not really that necessary to read since it's just a family conflict story. But if you like the first book could this story be nice to read since it shows that Ian's father is not always disappointed in him and that he actually sometimes takes Ian's side.
This short story is set betweenÌýThe Strings of Murder andÌýA Fever of the Blood and is not really that necessary to read since it's just a family conflict story. But if you like the first book could this story be nice to read since it shows that Ian's father is not always disappointed in him and that he actually sometimes takes Ian's side.
February 7, 2017
Wow, 75% (!) of the ebook was a preview of "A Fever of the Blood" and the short story was COMPLETELY redundant � I loved "Strings of Murder" but this was just not enough even for a free novella.
March 1, 2016
Following on from the success of The Strings of Murder (the first case for Frey & McGray) we see Ian Frey at home with his family for Christmas. This shory story is set just prior to the time the second book covers when he returns to Edinburgh.
So this is a fine example of a novella promoting the latest book of a series; indeed the audio-book has a teaser introduction from A Fever of the Blood.
The story shows some of the men from the Frey family out on a deer hunt working up an appetite prior to their Christmas festivities; at the home of Uncle Maurice. Their day takes a turn for the worse when an "uninvited" guest and his party arrive. It couldn't get any worse for Ian until an unexpected ally stands up for him. It might turn out to be one of his more memorable times in his Father's company and time spent with his late Mother's brother always has its pleasures. A time he needs ahead of more difficult cases to come and a period of rest after his first case in Edinburgh.
Beautifully read; with excellent voices to capture the passion and interactions. The hunt comes alive and you can feel the biting wind as they gallop after the hounds; you feel giddy with the drink consumed and dine out on the meats and sweets set before you.
it should encourage anyone to re-visit the first one or plough on with the latest book in this facinating series set in the late 19th century.
So this is a fine example of a novella promoting the latest book of a series; indeed the audio-book has a teaser introduction from A Fever of the Blood.
The story shows some of the men from the Frey family out on a deer hunt working up an appetite prior to their Christmas festivities; at the home of Uncle Maurice. Their day takes a turn for the worse when an "uninvited" guest and his party arrive. It couldn't get any worse for Ian until an unexpected ally stands up for him. It might turn out to be one of his more memorable times in his Father's company and time spent with his late Mother's brother always has its pleasures. A time he needs ahead of more difficult cases to come and a period of rest after his first case in Edinburgh.
Beautifully read; with excellent voices to capture the passion and interactions. The hunt comes alive and you can feel the biting wind as they gallop after the hounds; you feel giddy with the drink consumed and dine out on the meats and sweets set before you.
it should encourage anyone to re-visit the first one or plough on with the latest book in this facinating series set in the late 19th century.
January 28, 2022
Selbst für eine kostenlose Kurzgeschichte ist das echt zu dürftig. Aber man bekommt einen kurzen Eindruck über die Familie Frey. Punkt. Mehr nicht. Achso: für ein Gespür zum Schreibstil des Autors reicht es gerade so. Also am besten lesen, bevor man die Reihe anfängt. Oder man lässt es. Es macht keinen Unterschied.
December 9, 2015
Having loved Strings of Murder I was glad to see there was a short story to tide us over until the next book in the series is published. Short is definitely the right word to describe The Hunt, of the 50 pages only 13 are the actual short story (a rather predictable confrontation between Frey and his older brother over a certain situation) and the rest is the excerpt from the second book.
Very disappointing but hopefully reading Fever In The Blood will restore my faith in this fantastic new crime solving duo.
Very disappointing but hopefully reading Fever In The Blood will restore my faith in this fantastic new crime solving duo.
December 6, 2023
Bei dieser Kurzgeschichte handelt es sich um eine kleine aber feine Weihnachtsfeier bei den Freys, in der wir die genaueren Umstände von Ians zerbrochener Verlobung mit Eugenia erfahren.
Ich hatte ehrlicherweise gehofft, dass der Plot etwas umfangreicher ist, auch taucht McGray - zu meinem großen Bedauern - hier überhaupt nicht auf.
Daher gibt es einen Stern Abzug. Für Menschen, die die Reihe von de Muriel lieben, ist dies dennoch eine Lektüre wert - vor allem in der (vor)weihnachtlichen Zeit.
Ich hatte ehrlicherweise gehofft, dass der Plot etwas umfangreicher ist, auch taucht McGray - zu meinem großen Bedauern - hier überhaupt nicht auf.
Daher gibt es einen Stern Abzug. Für Menschen, die die Reihe von de Muriel lieben, ist dies dennoch eine Lektüre wert - vor allem in der (vor)weihnachtlichen Zeit.
August 13, 2020
Zu kurz um wirklich einen Inhalt zu haben. Die Handlung lässt sich in wenigen Worten auf maximal einer Seite zusammenfassen.
December 22, 2018
Such a cute little story
March 31, 2022
CAWPILE- 5.29
April 7, 2020
"The Hunt" (Frey & McGray #1.5), O. de Muriel (2015): 3.0 stars.
Since this is a very short shortstory, I won't - hopefully - give such a long reviews as I always do. This story isn't even 20 pages long and describes a short event between the first and the second book of Frey and McGray and since I'm a huge fan of this series, I wanted to read this short piece.
After a hunt during the Christmas days, Ian meets his brother who stole his fiancée. I already hated his brother for this in the books and I was so glad to see, that Ian's whole family stands behind him. Eugenia is a b*** and everyone sees it.
I know, this is just a short story and it just gives more information on Ian's background, but I hope this will somehow be important on the future books. And hopefully Ian will be happy someday, with a woman who really loves him.
And, since this is only a short story and there isn't much new information for me, I will give this story only 3.0 stars. It's five minutes of reading. It's a bit too short to really rate it.
A hard blizzard hit the Forest of Dean on Christmas Eve. It was nothing compared to the disastrous storms that would come in the following weeks, but strong enough to clean the air and the skies. By dawn there were golden streams of sun trickling in between the leafless trunks of oaks and birches.
Since this is a very short shortstory, I won't - hopefully - give such a long reviews as I always do. This story isn't even 20 pages long and describes a short event between the first and the second book of Frey and McGray and since I'm a huge fan of this series, I wanted to read this short piece.
After a hunt during the Christmas days, Ian meets his brother who stole his fiancée. I already hated his brother for this in the books and I was so glad to see, that Ian's whole family stands behind him. Eugenia is a b*** and everyone sees it.
I know, this is just a short story and it just gives more information on Ian's background, but I hope this will somehow be important on the future books. And hopefully Ian will be happy someday, with a woman who really loves him.
And, since this is only a short story and there isn't much new information for me, I will give this story only 3.0 stars. It's five minutes of reading. It's a bit too short to really rate it.
December 19, 2017
I got this short story for free when i brought my copy of the strings of murder and it was really nice surprise to get after reading such a terrific story so it was a nice little add on till i had to wait for the next story in the trilogy.
now this short story that will give you more insight into the character of Ian fray who you will meet in strings of murder. here fray goes back to see his family for the holiday and his ex-fiance after the case in Edinburgh even though his family disagree with his actions to go to edin bloody bra especially his farther. you get to see more of the fray family and how that even though Ian and his farther don't really see eye to eye there's still love and respect there. now even though this is a short story there is a fantastic story to be had here and it really gets you ready for the second book in the series a fever of blood which i can tell you know i loved and you will see why in my review for it.
July 21, 2018
This is really book 1.5...by which I mean 1 chapter expanding on something that was mentioned in book 2, and then like 4 chapters of book 2 preview. So for those of us who read it as coming between 2 and 3...wrong.
It’s good it was a free download because I’d be super mad if I paid again for one chapter.
It’s good it was a free download because I’d be super mad if I paid again for one chapter.
June 11, 2016
A short story that adds another dimension to the characters of the Strings of Murder series. For fans of the series only, otherwise incomprehensible.
January 20, 2019
Das ist nur der Hauch einer Geschichte und sagt einem nur etwas, wenn man Band 1 las. Ich für meinen Teil habe "richtig so" gesagt.
December 1, 2017
Hier gleich ein Hinweis: Die Nummerierung im Titel hier ist irreführend. Es handelt sich hier nicht um eine Geschichte, die NACH dem 2. Teil spielt, sondern zwischen erstem und zweiten Teil.
Ist diese Geschichte ein Krimi auf den Spuren seines Vorgängers "Strings of murder"? Nein!
Muss man die Geschichte gelesen haben, um den zweiten Teil zu verstehen? Nein!
Haucht die Kurzgeschichte dem Hauptprotagonisten und seinen Verwandten ein wenig mehr Leben ein? Ja!
Die wechselhafte Beziehung zwischen Frey und McGray spielt hier absolut keine Rolle; stattdessen wird der Erzählstrang, der am Ende des ersten Teils angekündigt wurde, fortgesponnen. Wie gesagt - kein Krimi, kein Thriller, abgesehen von den Hirschen in der titelgebenden Jagd auch kein Toter.... trotzdem eine lesenswerte Geschichte.
Nicht von der Seitenzahl irritieren lassen - die eigentliche Geschichte erstreckt sich nur über ca. 30 Seiten. Der Rest ist Leseprobe für den zweiten Teil.
Ist diese Geschichte ein Krimi auf den Spuren seines Vorgängers "Strings of murder"? Nein!
Muss man die Geschichte gelesen haben, um den zweiten Teil zu verstehen? Nein!
Haucht die Kurzgeschichte dem Hauptprotagonisten und seinen Verwandten ein wenig mehr Leben ein? Ja!
Die wechselhafte Beziehung zwischen Frey und McGray spielt hier absolut keine Rolle; stattdessen wird der Erzählstrang, der am Ende des ersten Teils angekündigt wurde, fortgesponnen. Wie gesagt - kein Krimi, kein Thriller, abgesehen von den Hirschen in der titelgebenden Jagd auch kein Toter.... trotzdem eine lesenswerte Geschichte.
Nicht von der Seitenzahl irritieren lassen - die eigentliche Geschichte erstreckt sich nur über ca. 30 Seiten. Der Rest ist Leseprobe für den zweiten Teil.
February 13, 2020
Seriously I wouldn't even give it a one star. What a waste of print! This could and probably is included in Strings Of Murder. The Hunt is maybe all of three or four pages and then an excerpt from another book of de Muriel's that I've already read. If your going to give away a book for free, why not do a novella or a few chapters of both books? Because based of the description on the book covers I already know if I want to read or not, a few chapters of a free book would probably be the deciding factor to buy or not. This was just highly disappointing because it had nothing to do with what Frey does in the usual line of the story. I was filler backstory. Unessential.
March 11, 2023
Grrr ...... I'm SO hating this system whereby Amazon Kindle clears off your books automatically! 😡
This was a first peek for me into author Oscar de Muriel's work. I loved the historical aspect of this story, which was a bit of back story for the character Frey, who is a main character in this series.
This was a first peek for me into author Oscar de Muriel's work. I loved the historical aspect of this story, which was a bit of back story for the character Frey, who is a main character in this series.
February 22, 2025
I got this audiobook from Libby, so I was perfectly content to get through it in one sitting, which is basically one chapter of content in between two books. I would be a tad annoyed if I had to pay for it because of how little material there was. But otherwise, it's a pleasure to hear the head of the Frey family call Euginia "a trollop."
July 27, 2019
Only 50 Bloody Pages!!! Och... I literally spent over an hour with Apple trying to figure out why the book didn’t download all the way! It should definitely say short story of Ian in the title... However it was good for a short story.
July 26, 2020
Didn't realise this was not a complete novel
Interesting story, but a sampler to another book which I still have not found. It seems I'll need to research the author and his books to find it.
Interesting story, but a sampler to another book which I still have not found. It seems I'll need to research the author and his books to find it.
November 11, 2020
As others have said already, this is not even a short story. It is only a few pages long, and more like a "deleted scene" between books one and two. It features Frey, his father, Uncle Maurice, and in small part his brothers and stepmother. It's a nice little scene, but nothing more.
April 16, 2023
I didn’t realize that this short story is actually a small part of another book. It was interesting but it didn’t have much of a backstory and was primarily meant to entice the reader to read the novel.
I listened to via Audible and the narrator did a great job
I listened to via Audible and the narrator did a great job
January 26, 2025
A nice bridge...
...between the first book ( as a scene from this snippet is referenced in the 2nd) although I'm in agreement with Catherine re: the Hunt as more of a Hall of Death than a celebration .
...between the first book ( as a scene from this snippet is referenced in the 2nd) although I'm in agreement with Catherine re: the Hunt as more of a Hall of Death than a celebration .
August 9, 2017
Quick and sharp!
Wow! What a great story!! I loved how everything came together so perfectly. Definitely looking forward to the conclusion! Great stuff!
Wow! What a great story!! I loved how everything came together so perfectly. Definitely looking forward to the conclusion! Great stuff!
December 10, 2017
A cute short story describing Ian's Christmas in between books 1 & 2. I'm glad his vile brother finally got the reprimand he deserved!
July 7, 2019
1888 and Inspector Ian Frey leaves Esinburgh to spend the Christmas with his family. I expected to read a mystery, but this was just a family story and very very short. So ultimately disappointing.
September 25, 2019
short story
July 22, 2020
A fun introduction to this author. Makes me want to read more
August 20, 2020
Although this dragged for me, it was a palatable story.
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