'Written with real skill and heart . . . a propulsive and gripping read from start to finish' - Doug Johnstone

'James Oswald at his finest, his darkest, his most inventive' - R. D. McLean

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'Do yourself a favour and read James Oswald's series. I can almost guarantee you won't stop at one' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ READER REVIEW

'The Violent Hour should be on everyone's TBR' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ READER REVIEW

'Another "must-read" from James Oswald' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ READER REVIEW

'What an amazing read this is!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ READER REVIEW

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Festival season. The streets are filled to bursting with tourists, and Edinburgh is gripped by a stifling heatwave. Not the best time for one of the most violent murders the city has witnessed in years.

The victim of the murder cannot be identified; its brutal nature of the shocking both the public and the police. What could possibly have inflicted such gruesome injuries? Was it a wild animal on the loose, or the beginning of some horrific gang warfare?

Another body is found on Musselburgh Beach: naked, comatose, but this time still alive. DI Tony McLean can't shake the feeling that there is a connection to the killing - but there are few leads for him and the team to go by.

The police are at a loss, and the city is on edge - will the killer strike again?

Praise for James Oswald:

'The new Ian Rankin' Daily Record

'Creepy, gritty and gruesome' Sunday Mirror

'Oswald's writing is in a class above most' Daily Express