#BlogTour ‘The Killing Tide’ by Lin Anderson

About the book…

The Killing Tide by Lin Anderson sees forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod investigating a mysterious abandoned ship which has swept ashore in the Orkney Isles.

After 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?

Meanwhile 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 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 . . .

‘The Killing Tide’ by Lin Anderson is published in hardcover and e-book on the 5th August, and I am extremely grateful to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for the invite and Harper for my gifted review copy.

One of the best things about participating in book tours, is finding new authors to stalk, ahem, follow and work your way through their back catalogues.

Rhona Macleod is one of those characters who burrows under your skin…her sense of right and wrong is firmly set and she is a no nonsense practitioner, however, that does not preclude her from having a sense of humour. She is called to investigate a case of potential self-immolation and, concurrently, the wreck of a ghost ship washed up on the shore in Orkney, a place close to her heart.

Whilst she investigates whether this ship has come in on the ferocious tail end of Viking named storm Birka, a local journalist,Ava, has been called home by her brother Dougie to the farm they have inherited from their parents, h and he wants to keep the farm going, she, however, has a career and is uncertain whether to stay in Orkney or to return to her life on the mainland.

Both narratives dovetail when Dougie goes to explore the wreck of the ship, Orlova, and suddenly, things take a dramatic and hairpin turn. The intimations had been planted as Rhona, assistant Chrissy and detective McNab try to piece together why a woman in Glasgow has the credentials of a wealthy London based business woman.

Their connection is a troubling one, taking in human trafficking, the lifestyles of those with privilege and money to do whatever they want with no fear of consequences. But, these criminals have not reckoned with the fiercely determined forensic scientist who will not let this case go without a fight…

There is so much to enjoy in this novel, the short chapters create a sense of urgency as well as the whole ‘I’ll just read one more chapter…’ lie that all book readers tell themselves whilst crossing their fingers . This is a hard book to put down, it is so detailed in the beginning that you almost cannot see the wood for the trees yet, when Lin pulls the lense back and things begin to fall into place it is highly, highly satisfying.

The intricacies of the plot cross from Scotland to England and back again so quickly that I sometimes had to go back and read passages over again to get what’s what straight in my mind, there is no doubt there is a great deal of history behind Rhona’s life and the way that she is presented, to a reader who has -shamefully-not encountered any of her investigations, makes you want to read more. It is totally accessible, but, such is the impression that Rhona makes, you add all the previous books in the series to your ‘To Read’ list. I really liked that there was a sampler of the first novel, ‘Driftnet’ at the back of the book too!

‘The Killing Tide’ is a book with a very firm sense of place and time, the colloquial use of Scottish terms made me feel part of the team whilst making me want to seek out the Orkney Islands for it is clear how dear a place it is to the author, she describes it so vividly . And having such a strong social conscience as the heart of the book absolutely ensures I will be back for more. Highly HIGHLY recommended!

About the author…

Lin Anderson was born in Greenock of Scottish and Irish parents. A graduate of both Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities, she has lived in many different parts of Scotland and also spent five years working in the African bush.

A teacher of Mathematics and Computing, she began her writing career four years ago. Her first film, Small Love, which was broadcast on STV, was nominated for TAPS writer of the year award 2001.

Her African short stories have been published in the 10th Anniversary Macallan collection and broadcast on BBC Radio Four.

She is also the co-founder of ‘Bloody Scotland

Links-http://www.lin-anderson.com/

Twitter @RandomTTours @Lin_Anderson @HarperFiction