Lin Anderson

A gruesome crime scene. A dead boy with an uncanny resemblance to the son she gave up. Can Rhona MacLeod uncover the truth before powerful men bury it forever?Driftnet is a thrilling, fast-paced crime novel by Lin Anderson and the first in the gripping series featuring forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod.Summoned to a Glasgow flat in the early hours, Rhona is confronted by a horrific scene. A teenage boy lies mutilated and strangled, the vicious killer long gone. But her grim task of scanning for evidence becomes even more unsettling than normal. The victim bears a remarkable resemblance to Rhona herself – and to the baby boy she gave up for adoption seventeen years ago. . .Wracked with guilt, Rhona sets out to find the murderer and discover if the young victim is indeed her long-lost child. Soon, she finds herself immersed in an investigation exposing Glasgow's dark underworld as it preys on the young and vulnerable. As the case builds, it becomes clear that some very powerful men have a lot to lose if Rhona succeeds – and everything to gain if she dies. . .'One of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction' – Daily Mail'The best Scottish crime series since Rebus' – Daily RecordDriftnet is the first in the brutal, thrilling investigations of forensic scientist Rhona Macleod. Continue the series with Torch.Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves.

Still recovering from her previous case, Rhona MacLeod must investigate a series of brutal killings on the Isle of Skye. Time for the Dead is the fourteenth book in Lin Anderson's forensic crime series.'One of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction' – Daily MailTaking time away from work, forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod returns to her roots on the Isle of Skye. But a chance encounter in the woods leads her to what seems to be a crime scene – without a victim. Could this be linked to a group of army medics, who visited the area while on leave from Afghanistan and have since gone missing from the island? Enlisting the help of local tracker dog, Rhona starts searching for a connection.Two days later, a body is found at the base of the famous cliff known as Kilt Rock. The victim's face and identity are obliterated by the fall. Rhona suspects it is the work of a killer and, as connections form with an ongoing operation in Glasgow, DS Michael McNab is drawn into the investigation.The island’s unforgiving conditions close in, and Rhona must find out what really happened to the group in Afghanistan – as the consequences may be being playing out in brutal killings on the Isle of Skye . . .'The best Scottish crime series since Rebus' – Daily RecordTime for the Dead is the fourteenth book in the Rhona MacLeod series by Lin Anderson. It is followed by The Innocent Dead.Readers love Time for the Dead:'Honestly this series just gets better and better''We see a more vulnerable Rhona in this book . . . Another cracking read''Will have you gripped from the beginning to the end'Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Martina Cole and Silent Witness.

Time for the Dead is a gripping crime novel by Lin Anderson and sees forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod discover that a terrifying war is unfolding on Scotland's Isle of Skye.When forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod returns to her roots on Scotland’s Isle of Skye, a chance encounter in the woods behind a nearby activities centre leads her to what seems to be a crime scene, but without a victim. Could this be linked to a group of army medics, who visited the centre while on leave from Afghanistan and can no longer be located on the island?Enlisting the help of local tracker dog Blaze, Rhona starts searching for a connection.Two days later a body is found at the base of the famous cliff known as Kilt Rock, face and identity obliterated by the fall, which leads Rhona to suspect the missing medics may be on the island for reasons other than relaxation. Furthermore, elements of the case suggests a link with an ongoing operation in Glasgow, which draws DS Michael McNab into the investigation.As the island’s unforgiving conditions close in, Rhona must find out what really happened to the group in Afghanistan, as the consequences may be being played out in brutal killings on Skye . . .Time for the Dead is the fourteenth book in Lin Anderson’s forensic crime series featuring Rhona MacLeod. Discover more forensic thrillers with the start the series; Driftnet, Torch and Deadly Code.

A night of passion leads into an occult nightmare – and more lives are at risk. The Special Dead is the thrilling tenth book in Lin Anderson's Glasgow-set forensic crime series featuring Rhona MacLeod.'One of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction' – Daily MailWhen Mark is invited back to Leila's flat and ordered to strip, he thinks he's about to have the experience of his life. Waking later, he finds Leila gone from his side. Keen to leave, he opens the wrong door and enters a nightmare. Behind swaying Barbie dolls that hang from the ceiling is Leila – dead.Rhona MacLeod's forensic investigation reveals the red plaited silk cord used to hang Leila to be a cingulum, a Wiccan artefact used in sex magick. Sketches of sexual partners hidden in the dolls provide a link to nine powerful men, but who are they? As the investigation continues, it looks increasingly likely that other witches will be targeted too.Working the investigation is the newly demoted DS Michael McNab, who is keen to stay sober and redeem himself with Rhona – but an encounter with Leila's colleague and fellow Wiccan Freya Devine threatens his resolve. Soon, McNab realizes Freya may hold the key to identifying the men linked to the dolls. But the Nine will do anything to keep their identities a secret . . .'The best Scottish crime series since Rebus' – Daily RecordThe Special Dead is the tenth book in the Rhona MacLeod series by Lin Anderson. It is followed by None but the Dead.Readers love The Special Dead:'Her characters are real, the plot intriguing and fast moving''I never guessed where it was all going. A cracking read''After finishing this book I bought the rest in the series and I can't wait to read them'Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Martina Cole and Silent Witness.

WINNER OF THE CWA SHORT STORY DAGGER In Bloody Scotland a selection of Scotland's best crime writers use the sinister side of the country's built heritage in stories that are by turns gripping, chilling and redemptive. Stellar contributors Val McDermid, Chris Brookmyre, Denise Mina, Ann Cleeves, Louise Welsh, Lin Anderson, Doug Johnstone, Gordon Brown, Craig Robertson, E S Thomson, Sara Sheridan and Stuart MacBride explore the thrilling potential of Scotland's iconic sites and structures. From murder in an ancient broch and a macabre tale of revenge among the furious clamour of an eighteenth century mill, to a dark psychological thriller set within the tourist throng of Edinburgh Castle and a rivalry turning fatal in the concrete galleries of an abandoned modernist ruin, this collection uncovers the intimate - and deadly - connections between people and places. Prepare for a dangerous journey into the dark shadows of our nation's buildings - where passion, fury, desire and death collide.

The sins of the dead are all consuming . . . Sins of the Dead is the thrilling thirteenth book in Lin Anderson's forensic crime series featuring Rhona MacLeod.'One of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction' – Daily MailWhile illegally street racing in the underground tunnels of Glasgow, four Harley-Davidson riders make a horrifying discovery: a dead man left in the darkness, hands together on his chest as if peacefully laid to rest. The cause of death is unclear, the only clues being a half glass of red wine and a partially eaten chunk of bread by his side that echo the ancient religious practice of sin-eating.Called to the scene, forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod is perplexed by the lack of evidence. But when another body is found near her own flat, laid out in a similar manner, she fears a forensically-aware killer stalks the city and is marking the victims with their unique signature. Even more worryingly, the killer appears to be using skills they may have learned while attending her forensic science lectures at Glasgow University.There are signs that Rhona is being targeted, that the killer is playing with her and the police – drawing them into a deadly race against time, before the sin-eater’s next victim is chosen . . .'The best Scottish crime series since Rebus' – Daily RecordSins of the Dead is the thirteenth book in the Rhona MacLeod series by Lin Anderson. It is followed by Time for the Dead.Readers love Sins of the Dead:'I was thoroughly gripped from start to finish as I always am!''I really and honestly couldn't put it down''Enjoyed this from first page to last - I'm officially hooked'Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Martina Cole and Silent Witness.

'Forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod has become one of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction' - Daily MailA remote shoreline. A lethal killer. As lone visitors disappear from the rural northwest of Scotland, campsites are becoming crime scenes. When forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod is brought in to analyse a shallow grave on Scotland’s west coast, she is disturbed by a bundle of twigs crafted into a stickman and left in the victim’s mouth.Then, when a young woman is reported missing from a nearby campsite with another sinister figurine left in her van, it seems that someone is targeting wild campers. An idyllic coastline known for providing peace and serenity, now the area is a hunting ground.As her investigation proceeds, Rhona is forced to reconsider her closest bonds. Rumours of sexual assault offences by serving police officers are circling in Glasgow, which may include her trusted colleague DS Michael McNab. Could it be true, or is someone looking to put him out of action?All the while a young woman’s life is on the line and the clock is ticking . . .The Wild Coast is a pulse-pounding instalment in Lin Anderson's forensic crime series featuring Rhona MacLeod. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Martina Cole and Silent Witness.***Praise for Lin Anderson:'Lin Anderson is one of Scotland’s national treasures' – Stuart MacBride, author of the Logan McRae series'The best Scottish crime series since Rebus' – Daily Record'This series just keeps getting better' – Reader Review 'I was totally glued the whole way through' – Reader Review 'Loved it - makes me want to visit the Wild Coast' – Reader Review

As sickness and death haunt a village and outsiders intrude on what remains, a missing girls body will shake the last of this community to its core. From Lin Anderson, author of the much-loved Rhona MacLeod forensic crime series, comes a twisting psychological thriller set in the Scottish Highlands.

'A real page-turner' – Ian RankinThe Party House by Lin Anderson is a deeply atmospheric psychological thriller set in the Scottish Highlands, for fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware.Devastated by a recent pandemic brought in by outsiders, the villagers of Blackrig in the Scottish Highlands are outraged when they find that the nearby estate plans to reopen its luxury ‘party house’ to tourists.As animosity sparks in the community, a group of locals take action. By the end of the night, the house hot tub has been smashed to pieces and, in the ensuing chaos, the body of a young woman is found in the foundations. Seventeen-year-old Ailsa Cummings went missing five years ago, never to be seen again. Until now.The excavation of Ailsa’s remains reignites old suspicions towards the men of this small community, including Greg, the estate’s gamekeeper. He is loath to discuss old wounds, but Greg's new lover, Joanne, is frightened by his reaction to the missing girl’s discovery. Joanne begins to doubt how well she knows this new man in her life. Then again, he’s not the only one with secrets in their volatile relationship . . .'Lin's first standalone sees her expertly mix psychological thrills with a perplexing mystery simmering in a small community. It has all the ingredients of a hit to stand alongside her Rhona MacLeod series' – Douglas Skelton, author of The Blood is Still

An abandoned ship sweeps ashore in the Orkney Isles – and a global conspiracy unfurls. The Killing Tide is the sixteenth book in Lin Anderson's forensic crime series featuring Rhona MacLeod.'One of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction' – Daily MailAfter a fierce storm hits Scotland, a mysterious cargo ship is discovered in the Orkney Isles. Boarding the vessel uncovers three bodies, recently deceased and in violent circumstances. Forensic scientist Dr Rhona MacLeod’s study of the crime scene suggests that a sinister game was being played on board, but who were the hunters? And who the hunted?In Glasgow, DS Michael McNab is called to a horrific incident where a young woman has been set on fire. Or did she spark the flames herself? As evidence arises that connects the two cases, the team grow increasingly concerned that the truth of what happened on the ship and in Glasgow hints at a wider conspiracy – one that stretches down to London and beyond, to a global stage. Orcadian Ava Clouston, renowned investigative journalist, believes so and sets out to prove it, putting herself in grave danger.When the Met Police challenge Police Scotland’s jurisdiction, it becomes obvious that there are ruthless individuals who are willing to do whatever it takes to protect government interests. Which could lead to even more deaths on Scottish soil . . .'Enthralling' – The Guardian'A cracking story told at breakneck speed' – Scotland on Sunday'The best Scottish crime series since Rebus' – Daily RecordThe Killing Tide is the sixteenth book in the Rhona MacLeod series by Lin Anderson. It is followed by The Wild Coast.Readers love The Killing Tide:'Gritty, menacing and unputdownable''Instantly I was glued to this mystery, couldn’t turn the pages fast enough''Roll on the next book in the series'Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Martina Cole and Silent Witness.

Her son's friend is missing, and the police refuse to help – soon, Rhona MacLeod is on the trail of a sinister killer. Picture Her Dead is the eighth novel in Lin Anderson's forensic crime series.'One of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction' – Daily MailWhen art student Jude Evans disappears on a trip to photograph one of Glasgow’s many derelict cinemas, her friend Liam reports her missing to the local police. Unable to get the authorities to take him seriously, he enlists the help of his mother, forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod.In an attempt to retrace the last known steps of Jude, they begin working through the list of cinemas she had intended to visit. Their efforts lead them to make a grisly discovery, hidden behind one of the cinema’s crumbling walls, and soon they are on the hunt for a killer.Rhona has personal trauma to deal with, the fate of a close friend still unknown. But she must focus on the investigation – as it gains momentum, it seems that Jude's disappearance could be linked to something she wasn’t supposed to see at the ruined picture house. And, if she is not found soon, it could be too late . . .'The best Scottish crime series since Rebus' – Daily RecordPicture Her Dead is the eighth book in the Rhona MacLeod series by Lin Anderson. It is followed by Paths of the Dead.Readers love Picture Her Dead:'Another outstanding thriller''Totally absorbing''The Rhona Macleod series is getting better and better'Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Martina Cole and Silent Witness.

The film Braveheart had a surprising impact on the political change in Scotland, coinciding with the return of the Scottish Parliament after 300 years. The film was described as 'the most politically influential movie of the 20th century'. 'Better the pen than the sword' said Randall Wallace on being asked how it felt to be partly responsible for the freedom of a nation following the Devolution Referendum. The first written about the movie, this book looks at the life and legacy of William Wallace through his modern portrayal image in the movie.