I have not read any other books by this author, but I enjoyed this one.
Rather slow to get going, but after about a third of the book I finally got into the swing of it.
I would not really call it a thriller, more of a slow burn, with medical overtones.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

When Procurator Fiscal Rachel McKenzie hears of the death of an old school friend she is shocked. Although her bosses keep warning her to stop looking for problems she is unable to let things drop. When she finds out there have been a number of deaths (mostly of working girls) she refuses to let things drop. Along with Serena- newly arrived junior detective, she is determined to get answers.

This is the second in a series. I really enjoyed that one & was delighted to be reunited with Rachel- a character with a very troubled past. I am a fan of books set in Scotland & it was nice the see the lovely ( in most parts!) city of Inverness getting a starring role. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book. I'm looking forward to the next one!

The Highland Dead is the second book of the Rachel McKenzie story series. It is a great Mystery/Suspense story that keeps you guessing and questioning who is the killer up until the end. Rachel McKenzie is still trying to figure out some stuff regarding her Mother’s death, her personal life, career, etc. while trying to solve and catch a serial killer who has murdered multiple women in town. Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

The second installment of Rachel's series. I enjoyed the first book in the series and this was also a good read. I found the mystery of who dun it to be more of a surprise this time. Rachel is once again correct in her gut feelings about a supposed accidental/natural death being a homicide, not sure why she's a lawyer instead of a cop. The end leaves us wanting the next book to see if Rachel finally finds out what really happened to her mom. Looking forward to the next Rachel adventure.

Thank you netgalley and Storm for this arc.

I found this hard to get into but once over the first 5/6 chapters it got better. Was convinced I had worked out the killer only to be completely wrong.

Overall a good read, this is only the first book of this authors that I’ve read so I may check out her other work

Thanks NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the Advanced Copy

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Morag Pringle’s “The Highland Dead” thrusts readers into the rugged, remote Scottish Highlands, where darkness lurks in the hearts of men. Rachel McKenzie, a seasoned investigator from the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit, returns for another pulse-pounding mystery.

Rachel’s instincts lead her to reopen a case previously ruled accidental. When the body of a young woman is found, Rachel’s connection to the victim drives her determination. Gillian, once a friend who helped Rachel during her lowest moments, now lies dead. Rachel vows to uncover the truth.

As Rachel investigates, she discovers a chilling pattern—a remorseless killer targeting victims close to home. The clock ticks, and Rachel races against time to decipher the clues. The twisted plan unfolds, revealing years of secrets.

Pringle masterfully paints the Scottish landscape—the windswept moors, mist-shrouded glens, and ancient stone circles. The Highlands become a character in their own right, adding depth to the narrative.

Character Dynamics: Rachel’s interactions with colleagues and suspects are richly layered. Her determination clashes with bureaucracy, and her personal stakes drive the tension.

Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the plot veers in unexpected directions. Pringle keeps readers on the edge, craving answers.

In 340 gripping pages, “The Highland Dead” delivers suspense, well-developed characters, and a relentless pursuit of justice. If you crave a crime thriller that immerses you in Scotland’s rugged beauty while unraveling dark secrets, this book is an easy 5-star choice! 📖⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rachel is a fiscal in the Scottish Highlands and is horrified to discover that a recent murder victim is her old friend Gillian.
As part of her job, she is aiding the police find the person responsible for this awful act, but soon the body count rises, and Dr. Kirsty Burns at the nearby hospital is soon implicated in the murders. She is also being blamed for numerous patient errors, one of which is almost fatal.
Is Kirsty guilty or is she being framed? And if so, why? Why are these other women being targeted? These questions puzzle Rachel, and she vows to get to the bottom of things to help catch a serial killer in the highlands.
Although this is the second book in the series, it is the first book I have read by Morag Pringle, but it certainly won't be the last. I will order the first book, and look forward to more of the same.

How nice it is to read a Scottish based crime book that isn't set in Glasgow or Edinburgh! I loved the fact it was set in Inverness although it did take a bit of getting used to Raigmore being known as Inverness General! Good characters and a good storyline kept me reading until I finished the book - my sign that it is a good one!

The second in the series about the main character, Rachel a fiscal in the Scottish Highlands. A twisty plot where there were quite a few possible killers and where you start questioning everyone. Set mostly in the local hospital, I thought that although the treatments and medication was well researched, the working practices of different professionals did not quite ring true (I work in a hospital). The characterizations are Ok , though perhaps Selena does not seem mature enough to be a police officer.
Apart from that, the book is interesting and the crimes complicated. Regarding Rachel's own past, there are still questions about what happened to her mother and about why her father is in jail though there is more about what happened as a sidestory in this book. Definately a series I want to read more of !
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I loved this book! it was trilling and frightening, such a page turner all the way to the end! i would have never guessed him either - please write more!

When I picked up this book I was immediately drawn in by the photo of the Glenfinnan viaduct and the title including the word highland. As a lover of anything Scottish and with my recent trip to Glenfinnan and the Scottish highlands I really wanted to read this book and it did not disappoint. The setting in and around Inverness and a gripping murder mystery with a dash of highland accents and a likeable female main character made this quite an enjoyable read. Even with me starting with the second book in the Rachel McKenzie Mysteries did not become an issue as I have yet to read the first (you can bet good money that I’ll be doing that right away), because the cases or mysteries in this book were current to the plot and I do not feel like I missed out on much. The only thing that would be nice to know, but not vital for the story is the personal aspect of our fierce heroine and the people she interacts with and their history, but again, not necessarily a must to read this book.
All in all a very good thriller/murder mystery and I am super excited for more.
Perfect for readers who love psychological thrillers or authors such as Cara Hunter, Lucy Foley and Lisa Jewell

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm publishing and Morag for the chance to read this great book.


#moragpringle #netgalley #inverness #thriller #murdermystery #thehighlanddead #scottishhighlands #rachelmckenzie

A story of suspense, murder and hidden secrets. A very good story line which kept me enthralled all the way through. I liked the main characters though I wish I had read book 1 first because I would have known more about the main characters and how they met. If your friend dies under suspicious circumstances would you try and find out who the killer is and why even if it means you might be in danger? Great ending and a few dead ends before you get there. A book worth reading.

Very good book, cannot wait for the rest of the series. It was impossible to put the book down. It's thrilling, twisty and a very gripping story. Hope the rest of the series is also so gripping as the first and second book.

There was so much going on with this story and it was great, I felt like we were reading an episode of CSI or NCSI because the hits just kept on hitting in this one. We have women dying suddenly and some are prostitutes though others work in the hospital so the cops don’t really know what to think about it and don’t really see any connections. Then the murderer strikes inside the hospital and everyone is now very alert that there is way more to this than they originally thought. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

The Highland Dead is amazing! 10/10 would recommend

This book held my attention from page 1! It is well written, the story is fantastic. I did not want to put this book down! This book is a mix of thriller, mystery, and who done it. The ending was shocking and just added more to the story. This is the first book I've read by this author and I can't wait to get my hands on more!!

As always I would recommend reading trigger warnings if they may effect you.

I love books set in Scotland and even better if they are mysteries/thrillers. I have not read the first book in the series but it really didn’t make much of a difference to the story line. I am going to read it next. The pace of the book as good and enough of an ongoing story line to keep me looking forward to the next one. Kept me guessing until the revelation of who the killer really was. It was difficult to put down as it neared the end. The characters were written well without too much revealed about the main character to leave me guessing and looking forward to learning more about her as the series unfolds. Now I’m ff to read the first book in the series and I eagerly wait for the next one.

Outstanding. Definitely 5 star rating from me

A murder mystery full of twists and twists and the ending was unpredictable! Fantastic. This book held me captive as it was heart racing, chilling and page turning.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have read book one in this series and eagerly awaited book two and it did not disappoint. I do enjoy novels that consider the psychological aspects of a character as they help portray a more realistic and memorable person. I like Rachel McKenzie very much and enjoy following her quest to find the truth both in her work as a lawyer and personal life. The Highland Dead sees Rachel investigating the death of an old school friend and when she discovers a link with the deaths of other women the search for a serial killer is on! A wonderful, fast paced thriller that will keep you guessing until the end!

This is a story set in Inverness, Scotland. Once again, lawyer Rachel McKenzie is involved in the investigation into suspicious deaths. DI Du Toit and Constable Selena also participated in the investigation. Rachel searches for some information about their parents' life. But what really attracts her attention are the crimes taking place in Inverness. The book is very interesting.