When a three-year old girl is reported missing, DCI Andy Gilchrist is assigned the case. But Gilchrist soon suspects that the child’s mother – Andrea Davis – may be responsible for her daughter’s disappearance, or worse, her murder.
The case becomes politically sensitive when Gilchrist learns that Andrea is the daughter of Dougal Davis, a former MSP who was forced to resign from Scottish Parliament after being accused of physically abusing his third wife. Now a powerful businessman, Davis demands Gilchrist’s removal from the case when his investigation seems to be stalling. But then the case turns on its head when Gilchrist learns that a paedophile, recently released from prison, now lives in the same area as the missing child. The paedophile is interrogated but hours later his body is found on the beach with evidence of blunt force trauma to the head, and Gilchrist launches a murder investigation.
As pressure relentlessly mounts on Gilchrist, he begins to unravel a dark family secret, a secret he believes will solve the fate of the missing child.
Praise for T.F. Muir:
‘Rebus did it for Edinburgh. Laidlaw did it for Glasgow. Gilchrist might just be the bloke to put St Andrews on the crime fiction map.’ Daily Record
‘A truly gripping read, with all the makings of a classic series.’ Mick Herron
‘Gripping and grisly, with plenty of twists and turns that race along with black humour.’ Craig Robertson
‘Gilchrist is intriguing, bleak and vulnerable… if I were living in St Andrews I’d sleep with the lights on.’ Anna Smith
The case becomes politically sensitive when Gilchrist learns that Andrea is the daughter of Dougal Davis, a former MSP who was forced to resign from Scottish Parliament after being accused of physically abusing his third wife. Now a powerful businessman, Davis demands Gilchrist’s removal from the case when his investigation seems to be stalling. But then the case turns on its head when Gilchrist learns that a paedophile, recently released from prison, now lives in the same area as the missing child. The paedophile is interrogated but hours later his body is found on the beach with evidence of blunt force trauma to the head, and Gilchrist launches a murder investigation.
As pressure relentlessly mounts on Gilchrist, he begins to unravel a dark family secret, a secret he believes will solve the fate of the missing child.
Praise for T.F. Muir:
‘Rebus did it for Edinburgh. Laidlaw did it for Glasgow. Gilchrist might just be the bloke to put St Andrews on the crime fiction map.’ Daily Record
‘A truly gripping read, with all the makings of a classic series.’ Mick Herron
‘Gripping and grisly, with plenty of twists and turns that race along with black humour.’ Craig Robertson
‘Gilchrist is intriguing, bleak and vulnerable… if I were living in St Andrews I’d sleep with the lights on.’ Anna Smith
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Reviews
It's the best yet ... pure fiction gold
Terse, dark, and ultimately very scary... Gilchrist's failings and his subsequent attempts to reach out to his loved ones make for a memorable, draining read
A high-tension, fast-paced crime thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page
DCI Gilchrist is a thoughtful, believable character, leading a well-rounded team. Muir knows what he's about . . . A truly gripping read, with all the makings of a classic series
A slow burn thriller that is impossible to put down
The jaws of this book grab you, bite down and hold you in their grip
