From Scotland's most exciting up-and-coming mystery novelist comes a story of Lachlan Harriot, a man who refuses to believe his wife, Susie, is a killer - even though she had been working with Andrew Gow, a paroled serial killer, as his court-appointed psychologist, when she was found covered in blood near the spot where his and his wife's bodies were discovered. Desperate to clear his wife's name, Lachlan searches her home office for proof of her innocence. What he finds in this formerly off-limits place is an unimaginable world that makes him question his wife and their life together. But something continues to trouble him, and he, believing that this is where the truth lies, follows his hunch beyond all reason and hope. "A masterstroke of compelling originality that more than lives up to the promise of Mina's Garnethill trilogy" (Daily Record, U.K.)
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"Okay, Denise Mina is officially my favorite mystery writer. She reminds me of Ruth Rendell only more direct. This book is superb. I read almost half of it in once sitting. It's all about Deception on every level. Even Mina is decieving us by telling us this is a true story--but then again... Excellent characters, changing of loyalties, creation of mood and emotion, release of information with a totally surprising and satisfying twist near the end. Awe. Some. I. Love. This. Woman!"
— Mark (5 out of 5 stars)
“Mystery lovers have lately been looking to Scotland, in part because of Mina’s fast-growing reputation; this stunning new work can only bolster the trend.”
— Publishers Weekly“Glasgow writer Mina has carved a niche for herself writing about very mean Scottish streets and slums and very desperate and depraved characters…As the husband searches both the court tapes and his own memories of his wife and their life together, the reader becomes increasingly aware of discordant notes in the husband’s own psyche. This leaves the reader as anxious as the betrayed husband to figure out how a seemingly happy wife, mother, and psychiatrist could go off the rails so completely.”
— Booklist“Her use of the ‘unreliable narrator’ is masterful. She slowly reveals that all is not as it seems; even self-deception abounds. As Mina peels away the onion, the househusband with tenacious loyalty to his convicted wife has his own questionable agenda. Deception keeps you guessing, yet manages to be much more than a mere whodunit, thanks to Mina’s strong psychological characterizations. These create a story, as it unfolds in the form of the protagonist’s diary.”
— Bookmarks magazine“Narrator Richard Matthews provides rich personalities for this provocative, dark mystery. Through Matthews’ capable voice, we experience Lochlan as pitiful and deplorable, yet somehow compelling. Women’s voices are also presented plausibly, and the Scottish and British accents add credibility.”
— AudioFile" eeeuuuuw - creepy - and then an unexpected twist at the end!!! "
— Margery, 2/17/2014" While I normally enjoy Denise Mina, I liked this book less than others I have read, mostly because I didn't find any of the characters likable. Lachlan Harriot's life is falling apart. His wife has just been convicted of murdering recently released serial killer Andrew Gow and his wife. The trial alleged that Dr. Susie Harriot, a previously respected psychiatrist, fell in love with Gow while he was her patient and upon his release, she followed Gow and his new bride to the Highlands to kill them. Lachlan is first convinced of his wife's innocence, and once the trial is over he sets forth going through her records on Gow to try and find the proof that will clear her. Lachlan comes across as spoiled and whiny, and its hard to empathize with him even though his life is in shambles. Susie seems distant and cold, and hasn't treated either Lachlan or their young toddler daughter very well. (actually both of them seem fine with hoisting their parenting duties on the nanny) The ending has an interesting twist, though I don't think it was explained very well and the killer went to some awfully implausible lengths to exact revenge, but then ends up working at a candy counter? Not a bad book, but not one of my favorites by this author. "
— Jacqueline, 2/14/2014" Too dark for my tastes (death of a serial killer) but interesting about the women who marry convicted murderers. A friend recommended it, and this is a murder mystery set in Scotland, but I prefer Kate Atkinson's books. "
— Kathleen, 2/11/2014" It was alright. There was something about it i didnt like that i cant put my finger on...i think it being set it my home town annoyed me for some reson, and i didnt take to any of the main characters very much. It was a page turner though, as they say. "
— Susie, 2/8/2014" Usually I try to steer clear of any books with the words serial killer in the description but I am very glad I made an exception for this audio. Great psychological suspense with memorable characters this was extremely well written and the narration by Richard Matthews, with some help from Donada Peters, was top notch. "
— Sandi, 2/8/2014" Denise Mina is great at making you wonder "what's going on?" and "who's the real murderer?" This one is no different. It's not as good as her Garnethill trilogy (nothing is anyway), but it kept me guessing until almost the very very end. Definitely a fun read that will keep you intrigued. "
— Celeste, 1/20/2014" Less heavy than the Garnethill trilogy. Enjoyed it. Worth a read and it is a quick easy read "
— Lorna, 1/18/2014" This book felt like an exercise more than anything else. The narrator is the only somewhat believable character in this story, but the plot is still engaging. "
— Barbi, 1/1/2014" Kept me guessing all the way through! "
— Gymkim, 12/22/2013" I gave up about halfway through, because I was just. so. bored. But I am considering trying to power through to the end, just because I usually love Denise Mina, and the book has such overwhelmingly good reviews. I will update when I finish (or if I finish). "
— Joceline, 11/24/2013" Great read until the end. "
— Dana, 11/18/2013" Read in two days. Liked the diary format of protagonist "
— Cherylck, 11/13/2013" although the narrative form is not very sophisticated (first-person narrative in diary form) this is mina's sharpest criticism of upper middle class greed and ambitions. "
— Irmak, 11/1/2013" A creative plot but can't really close all the thread by the end. "
— Lisa, 10/30/2013" OK, I accidentally read this one twice, but I liked it so much I didn't care. I remembered about 1/3 of the way through. Great twist at the end. "
— Kim, 10/23/2013" Outside of her series, this is a fun enough one-off, but I missed her plucky female narrators, and in some ways, this had that deconstruct-the-bourgeoisie element that is right up there with football as a popular pasttime in Britain. Stick with her series, but this'll do in a pinch. "
— Brian, 9/25/2013" Who doesn't like reading about serial killers? I wanted to like this book more than I did but if you want to be in the heart of Glasgow and like mysteries, you will find this well this book intricate and satisfying. "
— Patricia, 9/21/2013" A creatively inverted mystery that's haunting and engrossing. Mina sets a mood like few can. "
— Jessica, 9/2/2013" This was a fun (and twisted) read. I really enjoyed it and will look for more books by Ms. Mina. I liked her dark humor! "
— Kathryn, 4/27/2013" First person didn't work here - you just have to like the character. Although dark humor appealing. "
— Linny, 2/20/2013" British title: Sanctum "
— Elizabeth, 11/21/2012" Good, but not as good as her other books. The main character was not at all sympathetic. I found most of the characters to be annoying. I kept thinking the author had a specific reason to write such annoying characters but I never saw a payoff for that choice. "
— Annette, 7/19/2012" Slowwwwww and never quite picked up with non-compelling characters. "
— lindz, 6/23/2012" The inertia of the protagonist was a tad too much for me to bear.Otherwise the book was written in an interesting way but I was disappointed in the ending.The book leaves you with an unease and somewhat unfulfilled. "
— Vamsi, 5/22/2012" You can read my thoughts here. "
— Joy, 1/26/2012" This book felt like an exercise more than anything else. The narrator is the only somewhat believable character in this story, but the plot is still engaging. "
— Barbi, 6/30/2011" Really enjoyed this book. The narrator had a wry sense of humor and had me rooting for him the whole time. The final twist is really well played. I didn't figure any of it out. Luckily, the narrator sort of spells out what happened in case you don't get it--and I didn't, so I was grateful. "
— Christianne, 6/27/2011" The inertia of the protagonist was a tad too much for me to bear.Otherwise the book was written in an interesting way but I was disappointed in the ending.The book leaves you with an unease and somewhat unfulfilled. "
— Vamsi, 5/17/2011" Even though this is not typical of Denise Mina's books, I thought it was really well-done. Compelling, very witty and very interesting read. "
— Joanne, 3/21/2011" if you have never read any of ms. mina's work, start here... the story line blows everything else out of the water. the <br/>narrative, the characters, and the pace combine into an the car wreck you can see unfolding but can do nothing to prevent.<br/>truly excellent writing. "
— Michael, 2/28/2011" This was another great read by Denise Mina. "
— Crystal, 1/11/2011" A creative plot but can't really close all the thread by the end. "
— Lisa, 2/7/2010Denise Mina is the author of mystery, horror, and historical fiction. She has written novels for four series, as well as stand-alone novels and graphic novels. The Field of Blood won the Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel, The Long Drop won the Gordon Burn Prize, and Garnethill.
Kate Reading has recorded hundreds of audiobooks across many genres, over a thirty year plus career. Audie Awards: The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter (mystery), Breasts (non-fiction), Bellwether (fiction), and Words of Radiance (fantasy). Among other awards, she has been recognized with: the ALA Booklist best of 2019 for Bowlaway (fiction), AudioFile Magazine Voice of the Century, Earphones Awards, Narrator of the Year, Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy, and Publisher’s Weekly’s Listen-Up Award. She records at her home studio, Madison Productions, Inc., in Maryland.
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.