Enjoyed this book, full of twists and turns, believable characters, well written with an excellent plot.

This is the latest in Lin Anderson's stellar Scottish crime series featuring Glasgow forensic scientist, Dr Rhona MacLeod, and DS Michael McNab, as they take on a nightmare of a fiendishly dangerous and complex investigation. Orkney is experiencing the worst of Storm Burka when a local farmer spots an unlit cargo ship at sea, the MV Orlova, being battered on the rocks. When the police board the ghost ship in the cold light of day, they discover three dead bodies, two men and one woman murdered, and no-one else on board. In Glasgow, McNab and his partner, DS Janice Clark, are at the scene of a burnt woman, possibly a case of self-immolation, but certain facts appear to indicate otherwise, a handbag on the scene contains details of a identity, a woman living in London.

When DI Cleverly from the London Met arrives in Glasgow, McNab is assigned to accompany him but whilst the London cop is gathering as much information as he can from Police Scotland, he fails to reciprocate, indeed throwing doubt on the testimony of the witness who had tried to save the burning woman by throwing a blanket over her. Orcadian investigative journalist, Ava Clouston returns to Orkney from London after the death of her parents, trying to work out to do with her younger brother who wants nothing more than to become a farmer. Ava finds herself employed to look into the Russian MV Orlova and the ship's links with the Go Wild company, which it emerges has connections with the Glasgow murder. Ava and McNab have no idea of the dangers they are to encounter, there are ruthless forces that have no intention of allowing any truths about Go Wild to emerge, a company that caters to the extreme whims of the rich and powerful.

One of the joys of this wonderful series are the terrific supporting characters that I have become invested in, from the irreverent Chrissy, Rhona's assistant, the wonderful DI Bill Wilson, jazz saxophonist and club owner, Sean Maguire, and Janice Clark. McNab's love life is a bit of a disaster as he stalks tattooist Ellie who is now clearly involved with another man. Unfortunately, he is once again to find himself being beaten up and sporting a new set of injuries on his already battered body as he determinedly chases the truth about Go Wild and justice for the dead. This is a brilliantly engaging and compulsive crime read, with plenty of suspense and tension, that had me turning the pages desperately to find out how it all ends. Highly recommended, Anderson is a quality crime writer. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

A Worthy Addition….
Dark, gritty suspense and the sixteenth in the Rhona Macleod series. The talented forensic scientist is back investigating an abandoned ship swept ashore on the Orkney Islands following a storm. A violent crime scene is apparent but incidents further afield are about to muddy waters more and seem to link to the case in hand. Intelligent and thought provoking crime with an exceptional sense of place and a well crafted and credible cast of characters. A worthy addition to this long running series which shows no signs of flagging.

I received this book from the publishers via Netgalley for a review. Well plotted with great characters, Although this is my first Lin Anderson book I didn't need to read the earlier books to follow this one although I will start at the beginning of the series.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for ARC.

Glasgow-based forensic scientist Rhona Macleod is called to Orkney with her colleague Chrissy to collect evidence from a ghost ship that has washed ashore in a storm, revealing a grisly and puzzling crime scene. Meantime DS McNab is investigating the death of a young woman in Govan, apparently from self-immolation. It becomes clear that the cases are linked, and official sources may be involved in a cover-up of the real story, which involves some unscrupulous and powerful people.
This is tense and skilfully plotted, with a great sense of place in the Orkney sections and commitment to accuracy in the forensic detail.

This is the sixteenth in a popular and acclaimed series, so many readers will be familiar with the supporting cast of saxophonist Sean, tattooist Ellie, super-recogniser Ollie, hyper-osmic forensic psychologist Magnus Pirie. the fried breakfasts and endless takeaways, the jazz club, the drinks. How Rhona and Chrissy keep up the pace is a mystery.
The new addition of Orcadian investigative journalist Ava Clouston and her family is well handled.
For readers new to the series, it can act as a stand-alone, but you might find that you want to know more.

This time I knew I was jumping into the middle of a series, but - book 16! I don’t think I’ll be reading all of these. Again though, this one worked very well as a stand alone. Detectives in Glasgow are called to a disturbing scene where a woman was burnt to death. It is soon obvious this was not self inflicted. At the same time a deserted cargo ship, the MV Orlov, washes up on the coast of Orkney. It is referred to as a ghost ship, which is apparently a thing - ships that are abandoned for one reason or another. Sometimes in real life even with crew aboard, but I digress.

The ship is inspected to ensure the hull is sound and there is no fuel about to be spilled. The ship is not leaking but instead three bodies are found. One is in a communications/computer room and the bodies of a man and a woman are found in a blood soaked arena at the centre of a maze on a lower deck. They are dressed as Vikings and have been killed by sword strikes. Strangely evidence at both scenes seems to indicate a link to a company called Go Wild which caters to the gratuitous whims of the very wealthy through the dark web. This is a tricky investigation as it is clear the company will kill to keep its secrets and those of its rich and powerful clients.

Even though I joined the series at book 16, the characters were still very well developed and portrayed. I particularly liked DS McNab who is a larger than life, cheeky bugger who loved his wine, women and song in that order although he does prefer whiskey like any self respecting Scot! McNab doesn’t like being played and gets annoyed big time when this happens so he puts his life on the line more than once. Once too often - maybe! The focus of the case moves between Glasgow, Orkney and London as Police Scotland are determined to see this through to the end. Not everyone will come out unscathed.

Rhona McLeod, a forensic scientist, and her sidekick the flamboyant Chrissy, are also wonderful characters who have featured throughout the series (apparently). They work closely with the police and certainly help the case along. A journalist, Ava Clouston, also gets involved and is instrumental in cracking things wide open. There is much drama, suspense and danger for all involved and the pace was cracking. Mostly. I thought the book might have been a tiny bit too long but other than that it was fantastic. Orkney itself was beautifully portrayed. We first arrive there in the middle of a massive storm which is how the ship got pushed towards the island. I could almost feel the wind whipping around. Animal lovers will enjoy the cat, Lucifer, and the dog, Finn, which feature heavily in the story and neither of which come to any harm. In fact Finn is a very helpful dog.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would be keen to read more about these very realistic and relatable characters. The story was quite dark and can probably best be described as ‘tartan noir’. My thanks go to Netgalley for providing a free copy of the book which I have reviewed voluntarily.

The Killing Tide by Lin Anderson is an excellent crime mystery with great links and twists. This book is well into a series but I had no trouble picking it up as a stand-alone and was able to enjoy it thoroughly and engage with the characters quickly. The characterisation is rich, and helped me feel that I knew the personalities along with their passions and struggles. I particularly enjoyed the forensic alongside the criminal storylines and the human interest just rounded everything off. Lin captures London’s manic busy-ness every bit as well as Orkney’s bleak solitude and vulnerability to the violence of the storms. I really warmed to Rhoda and McNab and their back stories and obvious history but also loved their friends and colleagues who had their own distinctive personalities and skill sets. The book was tense yet had humorous parts which enhanced my enjoyment. The book had all the ingredients of tension, mystery and current affairs Four stars all the way

4+

This is another good addition to the excellent Rhona MacLeod series but it can easily be read as a stand-alone. Storm Burka is assaulting Scotland and the Orkney Isles in particular when an Orcadian farmer spots an unlit cargo ship floundering in mountainous seas. This proves to be the MV Orlova and some disturbing discoveries are made on board once they can safely get to the ship. Rhona is called in to help with the necessary forensics. Is this in any way connected to a badly burned body of a female in Glasgow which DS Michael McNab is investigating? This exciting story takes us the length and breadth of the UK from Orkney down to London.

When you are this far into a series as is the case with this one, there’s a really good understanding of your characters which comes across very strongly as they feel so authentic and there’s a comfortable camaraderie between them. They all have interesting personal lives, especially Rhona and McNab who is so colourful! This is very well written, the storytelling is lively, engaging and vivid and with much of the action taking place in Orkney this adds an atmosphere all of its own. The storm is used extremely effectively at the start of the book and those scenes are dramatic and easy to visualise. This is a very gritty dark story where McNab et al are up against an influential, wealthy and powerful organisation who have zero morality, are exceptionally ruthless and will stop at nothing. We have corruption, murder, threats and danger (poor McNab on more than one occasion) and its hard to know beyond the team who can be trusted. This is a complex tale with a fast paced plot that has you gripped from beginning to end and is a very good example of Tartan Noir.

Overall I recommend this and the series to fans of the genre. They’re well written, intelligent, cleverly plotted, fast paced and with great characters.

With thanks to NetGalley and Pan McMillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this next book in the Rhona MacLeod series. A great thriller, engrossing and with a whipcrack pace. I like the angle of MacLeod being a forensic scientist and as the evidence grows and it seems that the cases in Orkney and Glasgow are linked, the plot is steadily revealved. A page turner with great pace, fantastic setting and really recommend the whole series!

An abandoned cargo ship comes ashore in the Orkney Isles and bodies found on it. A woman is set alight in Glasgow and dies. Are these linked? DS McNab and Rhonda MacLeod will work together to find out.

Well written with great characters. Lots of action and twists in the plot. Really enjoyed, hope you do too.

Off the coast of Orkney, a ghost ship washes up after a storm. Onboard are no survivors, but instead a strange scene - a couple who appear to have stabbed each other, and a body slumped over a computer. The same storm brings a shock in Glasgow - a young woman has been set on fire.

Both cases come to the attention of forensic scientist Rhona Macleod, both cases are seemingly unconnected - but is there more to it than meets the eye?

This is a really good book - the plot rattles through nicely, and as things start coming together it's very easy to get engrossed in the story. An easy 5* choice for me.

This was interesting! A trip from Glasgow to Orkney for our Rhona and an old shipping mystery with more than enough rough waves, jagged rocks and deadly secrets thrown in. A satisfying ending too but it was the build up that really shone for me

Thank you to Pan MacMillan and Netgalley for this ARC of the latest in the Lin Anderson's Rhona MacLeod series. I absolutely adore this series and this latest instalment does not disappoint at all. A page turner in the true sense of the word. Lin Anderson has smashed this one out of the park. All the usual gang are there and it does not let up from the first page to the last. The only downside is ..... we have to wait awhile for the next one. Just brilliant. 5 stars all the way.

Another intriguing instalment in this series. The characters,with all their flaws,are great and the plot is fast paced and exciting.

Having not read the first book in this series I can say it works well as a standalone novel.
Dr MacLeod, McNab and co make for an interesting cast of characters, faced with a complex series of bizarre crimes literally the length of the UK they deal with the consequences and challenges at every turn. I would like just a smidgen more humour but otherwise a really decent read and I look forward to the next instalment.

When I was given the opportunity to read the latest offering from Lin Anderson, I immediately put what I was currently reading to one side and dived straight into The Killing Tide, to be once again carried along by Rhona MacLeod and co. in another ‘keep turning the pages’ book.
Lin Anderson’s books are always a good read and if you are not already a fan, then now is the time to start. You won’t be disappointed.
Highly recommend.

Rhona MacLeod has become a favourite character after reading this novel. Compulsive reading and highly recommended. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me an advance copy of this book.