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Sins of the Dead

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Sins of the Dead

By: Lin Anderson
Narrated by: Sally Armstrong
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About this listen

The sins of the dead are all consuming . . . Sins of the Dead is the thrilling thirteenth book in Lin Anderson's forensic crime series featuring Rhona MacLeod.

'One of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction' – Daily Mail


While illegally street racing in the underground tunnels of Glasgow, four Harley-Davidson riders make a horrifying discovery: a dead man left in the darkness, hands together on his chest as if peacefully laid to rest. The cause of death is unclear, the only clues being a half glass of red wine and a partially eaten chunk of bread by his side that echo the ancient religious practice of sin-eating.

Called to the scene, forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod is perplexed by the lack of evidence. But when another body is found near her own flat, laid out in a similar manner, she fears a forensically-aware killer stalks the city and is marking the victims with their unique signature. Even more worryingly, the killer appears to be using skills they may have learned while attending her forensic science lectures at Glasgow University.

There are signs that Rhona is being targeted, that the killer is playing with her and the police – drawing them into a deadly race against time, before the sin-eater’s next victim is chosen . . .

'The best Scottish crime series since Rebus' – Daily Record

Sins of the Dead is the thirteenth book in the Rhona MacLeod series by Lin Anderson. It is followed by Time for the Dead.

Readers love Sins of the Dead:

'I was thoroughly gripped from start to finish as I always am!'
'I really and honestly couldn't put it down'
'Enjoyed this from first page to last - I'm officially hooked'

Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Martina Cole and Silent Witness.

Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Crime Forensics Exciting

Critic reviews

The best Scottish crime series since Rebus
Forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod has become one of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction — honourable, inquisitive and yet plagued by doubts and, sometimes, fears
A cast of characters who feel like old friends (The Sunday Times on None But the Dead)
Hugely imaginative and exciting (James Grieve (Emeritus Professor of Forensic Pathology))
From the Glasgow's real underbelly, Lin Anderson's Sins of the Dead will have you biting your nails and wondering why you ever bought a telly. Inventive, compelling, genuinely scary and beautifully written, as always (Denzil Meyrick)
Brilliant book by a brilliant crime writer. True forensics at its very best (Lorna Dawson, CBE (Principal Soil Scientist, James Hutton Institute & Professor, RGU))
Lin Anderson is one of Scotland’s national treasures – don’t be fooled by comparisons, her writing is unique, bringing warmth and depth to even the seediest parts of Glasgow. Lin’s Rhona MacLeod is a complex and compelling heroine who just gets better with every outing (Stuart MacBride, author of the Logan McRae series)
A spine-tingling prologue once again demonstrates why Lin Anderson is not only Queen of Scottish Noir but also the queen of the #Killerhook openings
Anderson is a master storyteller, filling her novels with engaging characters, clever, compelling, contemporary plotlines and a beautifully descriptive prose that belies the death and darkness of her powerful, pulsating crime mysteries
Overall, this is a cracking five star read that is both dark and complex. Heartily recommended . Go on, treat yourself, you know you want to . . .
Lin Anderson's Rhona MacLeod series just keeps on getting better and better with every outing. She draws characters so real that you wouldn't be surprised to meet them in the street, and the storylines are gritty, realistic and utterly compelling (Alison Belsham, author of The Tattoo Thief)
As always, this is another thrilling and pacy read with a race to the finish that doesn’t let up. We hope Rhona won’t be giving up her job, whatever the personal cost (Crime Fiction Lover)
A fast-paced thriller with an intricate plot
Intensely personal, terrifyingly brutal, and sprinkled with moments of unexpected tenderness, this is a story to both thrill and chill.
A real page-turner (Ian Rankin, author of the Inspector Rebus series, on The Party House)
Vivid and atmospheric . . . enthralling (The Guardian on The Killing Tide)
All stars
Most relevant
Another fast- paced thriller in the Rhona Macleod series. The usual characters are there with developing relationships and break ups for both Rhona and McNab. She is still incredibly annoying by putting herself in danger

Good thriller

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This is a good story, well narrated as always by the fabulous Sally Armstrong, but, and this is a big but Rhona seems to have lost her mind, I found this aspect of the story hugely annoying, a sensible woman who usually does the right thing with regard to her own safety suddenly becomes an idiot intent of self destruction, I did find this hugely annoying, no spoilers intended here but if she'd only left her tracker connected, or maybe her phone? or anything? But no, she went off all on her own like a scream queen into the forest at midnight!

It's a good story, well narrated with only the annoyance of Rhona recklessness to mar the story, if you can ignore that you'll love this book.

What happened to Rhona?

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Good narration, but I found the book long winded. I would easily lose my place, and then have to re read. I got half way through anticipating it would become more interesting, but unfortunately it didn't.

Not for me

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