Detective James Corstorphine's blood ran cold. His wife never left her clinic door unlocked. Inside, her receptionist sat bound and gagged, tears streaming down her face. "He's taken Shamila."
But Shamila's abduction is just the beginning. When human remains are discovered dressed as a scarecrow in a Highland farmer's field, Corstorphine realises the cases are connected. The victim worked at Carstairs State Hospital - the same institution where Shamila once treated the criminally insane.
As Corstorphine traces the killer's obsession with Shamila, another body is found - a young woman strangled in the village, her face hidden beneath a scarecrow's mask.
With the ancient festival of Samhain approaching and shadows lengthening across the glens, a book of cryptic clues arrives at Corstorphine's door. As Corstorphine races to decode the killer's macabre messages can he save Shamila before she becomes the final victim?
An atmospheric page-turning Scottish crime thriller from CWA New Blood Dagger Longlist author Andrew James Greig. Perfect for fans of LJ Ross, Ian Rankin, and Ann Cleeves.
About the Author :
Andrew James Greig writes crime and speculative fiction inspired by the wild and rugged Scottish landscape where he lives. Andrew spends his time writing, exploring islands and playing music. His first book was selected for the CWA New Blood Dagger award and was a finalist for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Fiction in 2020. Born in London, he moved to Bristol where he studied engineering, providing the sound for Glastonbury and WOMAD festivals and touring the world with bands. In his saner moments he designed electronics and software systems for international aerospace companies. A member of the Society of Authors and regular contributor to literary festivals and events, he is as equally at home on the stage as on a windswept mountain top. Inspiration comes from the places he's seen on his travels but mostly from the people he meets along the way and the tales they have to tell.
Review :
'This is one of my favourite detective series.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wow!! A word of warning don't finish reading this book late at night. You won't be able to sleep!!... This is the best book I've read this year. I need more. If I could give it 10 stars I would.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A heart pounding thriller that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat... The rugged landscape of Scotland provides an atmospheric backdrop that only heightens the reading experience. This is definitely one not to be missed.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A murder mystery that ticked all the boxes for me. It was my first book by the author, and I won't be my last... The author made me care about the characters, and I found the writing to be well-crafted.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A dark, atmospheric crime thriller that blends classic detective work with a chilling, almost gothic edge... the setting is wonderfully eerie.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Gripping, riveting, unputdownable... Another winning read.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Tense, twisty, and literally edge of your seat! Great series that pulls you in with a complex and super suspenseful plot and and a team that you really get engaged with.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Hold onto your hat, you're in for another wild ride! This was excellent.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Absolutely blew my socks off, it's brilliant! A real page turner that I finished in a few hours - once I had started I just didn't want to stop. Continuing from book one I really like the characters that the author has created for this series. Easy to connect with them. So this is much more than just a Police procedural. There are things to make you laugh too. (Like a taser firing, very much ouch!)' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Packed with action and very entertaining, this gripping crime thriller will keep you on alert... will make you guess until the very end. Also set at Scottish highlands, this gem is a must read for all the mystery thriller lovers. Highly recommend!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Another amazingly clever plot featuring DI Corstorphine and his team...The twists are unbelievable and it has you hooked from the start. I couldn't put it down.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Simply awesome!... Fast paced and unrelenting, one twist after the next. Superb.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Oooh I absolutely loved this book! First book in a new series and it was a great start! It definitely got the heart pumping!!... It had great suspense... fantastic characters and some wild twists and turns! I highly recommend reading this book and series!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A must-read for fans of Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, and anyone who loves their thrillers dark, intelligent, and utterly unputdownable. Prepare to be up all night!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A chilling and atmospheric tale... Greig's writing is razor-sharp, his descriptions immersive, painting the Highlands as both breathtaking and sinister. The intricate plotting, combined with a deeply compelling protagonist, makes for an utterly engrossing read.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'This was an absolute 5 star read, amazing read... got me hooked in a way that I had to finish it!... This book had tons of mystery and lots of twists that I love. Set in Highlands it fits perfectly with the book's vibe. I absolutely love this book.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I loved every minute I spend reading the Bone Clock - this isn't your typical murder mystery fare, it is a clever an artfully constructed police procedural that I couldn't put down... Thought provoking and original, this story gets an enthusiastic 5 stars from this reviewer!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'What a cracker! A truly brilliant book - I didn't want to put it down... Humble characters that I already love and mastery of story telling... Don't hesitate - read this book!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'One of those books that's literally too good to put down. It's a scintillating start to the new series.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'This really is one of my new favourite series... The characters in these books, especially the DI are fantastically written.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Wow! What can I say! That was an intense, rollercoaster ride of a thriller... I was hooked from the start and found it almost impossible to put down.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
