They had succeeded in the first instance, but not yet the second. Something Ava was unwilling to accept. Neither was she going to stop her investigation into Go Wild.

So many doors had closed when the police had brought in Radcliff, and despite all their efforts, he had made bail. The issue of jurisdiction had of course arisen. Whether he should be prosecuted under Scottish or English Law. As they’d known, he had proved to have important friends in high places, who did not want his crimes, or theirs, to be revealed.

For that to be controlled, it was better for them to have him down in London.

In previous cases like this, the accused had often taken their own life. Or, at least, appeared to. As for Radcliff, he was still very much alive and well. As was his female counterpart, who Interpol had not yet located.

With the number of Go Wild ships still operating in the Mediterranean and other exotic places around the world, Olivia Newton Richardson could be anywhere at sea or on land. Working to rebuild the company.

Tonight would be Ava’s last Orkney sunset for a while. London beckoned her. Mark still needed her to try to expose what had cost him his life.

It was her job, after all.

Acknowledgements

When we first moved to Orkney from Glasgow many years ago, we stayed with the Piries on their Orakirk farm in Orphir, which became the inspiration for Ava Clouston’s home in The Killing Tide. Their kindness and hospitality, plus Geordie’s great storytelling, inspired both this story and an enduring love of Orkney.

Thanks must also go to . . .

Dr Jennifer Miller, Associate Professor of Forensic Science at Nottingham Trent University, who I first met when I did the Diploma in Forensic Medical Science at Glasgow University, and who continues to be an inspiration.

Professor Niamh Nic Daeid, Director of the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee, for her help with fire forensics.

Emeritus Professor of Forensic Pathology James Grieve, who was happy, as always, to discuss weapons and their resultant injuries.

Finally Professor Lorna Dawson at the James Hutton Institute, who is always on hand to answer any soil forensic questions I might have.

Without the real experts, Dr Rhona MacLeod would be unable to solve the crimes I create for her, and of course any errors are entirely my own.

I’d also like to give thanks to Donald Findlay QC, who advised me on the intricacies of cross border cooperation and jurisdiction.

Last but not least, a big thank you to my excellent editor Alex Saunders, my desk editor Samantha Fletcher for her eagle eye, and all at Pan Macmillan, who continue to champion the Dr Rhona MacLeod series.

OUT NOW

DRIFTNET

Go back to where it all began with the thrilling first novel in the Rhona MacLeod series.

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OUT IN AUGUST 2022

THE PARTY HOUSE