The Skeleton Road

Book excerpt: Karen Pirie returns . . . Pre-order Past Lying, the eagerly-awaited new Karen Pirie thriller, publishing October 2023 __________ 'Gripping, thought-provoking and original - a tour-de-force' Literary Review When a skeleton is discovered hidden at the top of a crumbling, gothic building in Edinburgh, Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie is faced with the unenviable task of identifying the bones. As Karen's investigation gathers momentum, she is drawn deeper into a dark world of intrigue and betrayal. Meanwhile, someone is taking the law into their own hands in the name of justice and revenge -- but when present resentment collides with secrets of the past, the truth is more shocking than anyone could have imagined . . . An atmospheric, chilling mystery from the number one bestseller. __________ Praise for Val McDermid: 'It grabs the reader by the throat and never lets go' Daily Mail 'As good a psychological thriller as it is possible to get' Sunday Express 'One of today's most accomplished crime writers' Literary Review 'McDermid remains unrivalled' Observer 'The queen of crime is still at the top of her game' Independent This is the third book in the bestselling Karen Pirie series.