#BlogTour The Killing Tide by Lin Anderson

 It's a pleasure to take part in the BlogTour The Killing Tide by Lin Anderson.

About the Author

Lin Anderson is a Scottish author and screenwriter known for her bestselling crime series featuring forensic scientist Dr Rhona MacLeod. Four of her novels have been longlisted for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year, with Follow the Dead being a 2018 finalist. 

Her short film River Child won both a Scottish BAFTA for Best Fiction and the Celtic Film Festival’s Best Drama Award and has now been viewed more than one million times on YouTube. Lin is also the co-founder of the international crime writing festival Bloody Scotland. Follow @Lin_Anderson on Twitter, Visit lin-anderson.blogspot.com

About the book

When three bodies are found on a wrecked ship in the Orkney Isles, forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod is brought in to investigate. 

After a fierce storm hits Scotland, a mysterious cargo ship is discovered swept ashore 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 . . . 

Review

Rhona and her sidekick are called to investigate three bodies on an abandoned ship, violence and odd circumstances are right up their alley. Simultaneously McNab has to solve the tragic case of a young woman being killed in a horrific manner - a crime Anderson ensures the reader remembers vividly. It's one way to put you off meat for life - not graphic, just excellent descriptions.

It has a very specific style, gritty urban Tartan noirish with dialogue and scenes seeming a bit disjointed and brash. There are a lot of cooks in the kitchen and those cooks seem to have a lot of assistants. If you don't know the series I think it can be a little confusing at first. This can be read as a standalone novel, however the aforementioned number of characters with backstory lead me to think it would be better to read other in the series.

Anderson has created a strong set of characters who clearly have longevity, which isn't always a given. It's not easy keeping readers captivated, so kudos for book sixteen. The story has a snappy, fresh feel to it and is driven a lot by the surroundings and the worldbuilding.

Buy The Killing Tide at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : MacMillan pub date 5 August 2021 in Hardback - £16.99. Buy at Amazon com.