When the body of Aberdeen socialite Annabel Imray is discovered at her home, the police are under pressure to come up with answers, and fast. The last thing they want is the distraction of a series of baffling break-ins. The victims, all of them women, are terrorised: just how did the intruder know so much about them? Meanwhile, local PIs Maggie Laird and Wilma Harcus are at rock bottom, their bills mounting. As Maggie prepares to sell her home and contemplates dissolving the agency, Wilma goes off-piste to get a loan. But when the clock starts ticking on repayment, she realises the price is too high. And before long, Maggie herself is in grave danger. Wilma fears the worst. Can she find her before it's too late?

Fourth in the hit Aberdeen-set series, longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year and Hearst Big Book Awards; A fast-paced crime novel with great characters, likened to Happy Valley with its resilient female investigative duo. A refreshing change in the detective/PI genre, focusing on crimes and issues that primarily affect women, and bang up to date in social concerns.

About the Author
Claire MacLeary has lived in Aberdeen and Fife, but describes herself as "a feisty Glaswegian with a full life to draw on". Following a career in business, she gained an MLitt with Distinction from the University of Dundee. Payback is her fourth novel and continues the Harcus & Laird series.

Reviews
"Horribly, hilariously entertaining ... the complex ... frightening story that emerges is a satisfying end to the novel ... two feisty women whom we certainly hope to meet again." Rosemary Kaye; 'Claire MacLeary has, with little fuss or fanfare, written a crime series that subverts and rejuvenates the crime genre' Scots Whay Hae; "Payback is another fantastic addition to this series ... With each page I turned I felt myself getting pulled in further and further ... I'm really excited to see where we are taken next on Maggie and Wilma's journey." It's all about the books; "Two fabulous, feisty, funny, ballsy and brave women of a certain age. It's fantastic to see two such well-drawn, engaging and entertaining female protagonists ... Payback was a joy to read." Suze Reviews; "A well written, excellently executed book. Dark, dangerous and full of suspense. If you enjoy detective drama this one is for you." Cen-sational Reads; "Time spent in the company of Maggie Laird and Wilma Harcus is never wasted ... Claire MacLeary has a canny way with light and shade. Her books are not afraid to deal with dark and gritty subject matter, yet she manages to inject a degree of humour into them so that ... we find ourselves laughing as often as we gasp at developments ... Aberdeen springs to life in her vivid settings." Live and Deadly; "I have definitely stayed up far too late reading this one [and] it has been highly worth it ... despite this being my first read by this author, I highly doubt it will be the last." Little Miss Book Lover 87; "It would be hard not to be drawn into the lives of Maggie and Wilma." Living The Life of a Book Worm; "... there's a mischievousness that meanders in and out of the pages. The dynamic between our two leads is light-hearted at times yet the author isn't afraid to pull the punches when the plot demands it." Bookphace; "Gripping...a real page-turner." Charlotte's Pick; Praise for this series - Longlisted: Hearst Big Book Awards 2018; McIlvanney Award 2017; "Gripping." Good Housekeeping; "A terrific writer." Kirsty Gunn, Scotsman; "This is a thoroughly entertaining series that could run and run." Sunday Herald



Book Information
ISBN 9781912235827
Author Claire MacLeary
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Contraband
Publisher Saraband