The Skeleton Road

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 world of intrigue and betrayal, spanning the dark days of the Balkan Wars. Karen’s search for answers brings her to a small village in Croatia, a place scarred by fear, where people have endured unspeakable acts of violence. 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 …Atmospheric, spine-chilling and brimming with intrigue and suspense, this is Val McDermid’s richest and most accomplished psychological thriller to date.

Reviews of The Skeleton Road

The book is gripping, thought-provoking and original – a tour de force Literary Review A tense, intelligent and unusual thriller Sunday Mirror The Skeleton Road is McDermid back to doing what she does best: dispensing utterly riveting crime fiction…the real coup of the book is new detective Karen Pirie, who joins McDermid's well-stocked gallery of distinctive characters Daily Express An intriguing mystery to thrill whodunit fans Bella A gripping read Good Housekeeping With considerable skill, McDermid juggles serious themes with great assurance, and there are set pieces that are as good as anything she has written Independent Once again McDermid delivers a faultless performance The Times Atmospheric and chillingly disturbing Irish Independent