Scotland, 2025. When torrential winter rain causes a landslide on a  motorway, it dislodges more than mud and asphalt – it reveals a skeleton, concealed when the road was built eleven years prior.

Sam Nimmo, an investigative journalist who’d been poking his nose into the murky politics of the Scottish independence referendum, had become the prime suspect in the brutal murder of his girlfriend when he vanished. Now he’s reappeared, buried under the motorway. It’s the perfect cold case for DCI Karen Pirie, chief of Police Scotland’s Historic Cases Unit. What was Nimmo investigating that was worth killing over? Or was it revenge for murdering his girlfriend? Meanwhile, an allegation of murder has surfaced over the supposedly accidental death of a hotel manager. It may have links to another accident on a remote Highland road. It’s a series of puzzles that tests Karen and her team to their limits. And possibly beyond . . .

A darkly propulsive thriller of secrets hidden at the core of a Scottish Highlands town, Silent Bones reaffirms Val McDermid as a crime writer of inimitable power.

Praise for Silent Bones:

“Fiendishly elaborate plotting . . . fun to read—right up to a final plot twist that not even the world’s finest clairvoyant could see coming.”—David Robinson, The Scotsman (UK)

“A richly textured experience.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Fine characters and a corkscrew twist at every turn.”—Geoffrey Wansell, Daily Mail (UK)

“A top-tier example of what crime writing should be. Silent Bones excels in plot, setting, and characterization.”—Deadly Pleasures

“The author realistically draws together the plots, avoiding coincidences and combining believable clues with solid police insight . . . Her storytelling prowess shows characters that continue to sharpen their investigative skills while juggling personal lives. McDermid’s various series and standalones have put her in the top tier of mystery writers. Silent Bones continues her solid reputation.”—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel

“McDermid is at the top of her game in the masterful latest installment of her DCI Karen Pirie series . . . McDermid’s procedural instincts are as sharp as ever, and she balances them with wrenching developments in Karen’s personal life . . . Readers will rest easy knowing they’re in the hands of a seasoned storyteller.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Flavoring her writing with colorful Scottish slang, McDermid combines compelling, intricate plotting with strong character development.”—Willy Williams, firstCLUE

“A propulsive, razor-sharp thrill-ride full of humour, heart, and trademark twists.”—Chris Whitaker, author of All the Colors of the Dark

“A perfect crime novel.”—Kate Mosse, author of The Map of Bones

“Amazing . . . procedurals so perfectly constructed and so perfectly twisty that they never fail to satisfy . . . This is a terrific entry in an exceptional series.”—Meredith Anthony, Deadly Pleasures

“A classic McDermid, with an engaging plot, a great cast of characters and believable investigative detail. Highly recommend.”—Jeff Popple, Deadly Pleasures

“McDermid’s assured writing keeps readers on track and all the pieces come together nicely by the end. For fans of McDermid or police procedurals.”—Jane Jorgenson, Library Journal

“Pirie herself is a nuanced character . . . I don’t want to give away the grand finale, but it was about the most true-to-life ending I could imagine.”—Bruce Tierney, BookPage