Inspector McLean returns in the seventh instalment of James Oswald's gritty, compelling crime series, for his most mysterious murder investigation yet . . .

The roots of murder run deep . . .

'Unsettling atmosphere, strong sense of place and a canny twist: Oswald easily outstrips the formulaic work of bigger names' Guardian

When a body is found in a tree in The Meadows, Edinburgh's scenic parkland, the forensics suggest the corpse has fallen from a great height.

Detective Inspector Tony McLean wonders whether it was an accident, or a murder designed to send a chilling message?

The dead man had led quite a life: a disgraced ex-cop turned criminal kingpin who reinvented himself as a celebrated philanthropist.

As McLean traces the victim's journey, it takes him back to Edinburgh's past, and through its underworld - crossing paths with some of its most dangerous and most vulnerable people.

And waiting at the end of it all, is the truth behind a crime that cuts to the very heart of the city...

***

PRAISE FOR THE INSPECTOR McLEAN SERIES

'Crime fiction's next big thing'
Sunday Telegraph

'Oswald's writing is in a class above most'
Daily Express

'Creepy, gritty and gruesome'
Sunday Mirror

'The new Ian Rankin'
Daily Record

'Hugely enjoyable'
Mirror

'Oswald is among the leaders in the new batch of excellent Scottish crime writers'
Daily Mail

About the Author

James Oswald is the author of the Inspector McLean series of crime novels. The first seven, Natural Causes, The Book of Souls, The Hangman's Song, Dead Men's Bones, Prayer for the Dead, The Damage Done and Written in Bones are available as Penguin paperbacks and ebooks. He has also written an epic fantasy series, The Ballad of Sir Benfro, which is published by Penguin, as well as comic scripts and short stories.

In his spare time he runs a 350-acre livestock farm in north-east Fife, where he raises pedigree Highland Cattle and New Zealand Romney sheep.

Reviews

Inspector McLean returns in the seventh instalment of James Oswald's gritty, compelling crime series, for his most mysterious murder investigation yet . . .

The roots of murder run deep . . .

When a body is found in a tree in The Meadows, Edinburgh's scenic parkland, the forensics suggest the corpse has fallen from a great height.

Detective Inspector Tony McLean wonders whether it was an accident, or a murder designed to send a chilling message?

* from publisher's description *
Unsettling atmosphere, strong sense of place and a canny twist: Oswald easily outstrips the formulaic work of bigger names * The Guardian *
This is the seventh gripping instalment in a series that just keeps getting better * Sunday Mirror *
The hallmarks of Val McDermid or Ian Rankin: it's dark, violent, noirish * The Herald *
Crime fiction's next big thing * The Sunday Telegraph *
Oswald is among the leaders in the new batch of excellent Scottish crime writers * Daily Mail *
Fifty Shades of Hay * The Times *



Book Information
ISBN 9780718183677
Author James Oswald
Format Hardback
Page Count 416
Imprint Michael Joseph Ltd
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 670g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 162mm * 37mm