A good, well-written murder mystery following a series of murders, linked in unusual circumstances. Rachel McKenzie of the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit, becomes involved in the case and is determined to help her friend discover the truth behind the deaths at all costs. Highly recommended. Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing an eARC for an honest review.

a well plotted and entertaining thriller that kept me hooked. Solid mystery and fleshed out characters, good storytelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is my first read by this author so obviously I've not read book 1. This story stands alone and there though I'd like to know more about Rachel so I'll go find the previous story.
This story was set in Scotland, I referred to the referencing tool on my kindle a couple of times.
A friend of Rachel's is the latest victim in a series of women dying. Rachel sees a pattern and is determined to flush out the killer.
There is also the background of her father's incarceration for the murder of her mother. Was it as straight forward as it seems or is he protecting her from someone. Seems a lot more to this story to come.
The mounting danger towards the end had me glued to my kindle reading faster. I had no clue until it was revealed who the killer was.
Really good story, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This one was even better than the first book. Rachel is a great character and I really enjoyed her doggedness on this case. It was at times emotional and kept me guessing. My favorite aspect so far is the ongoing developments of her mother's murder case. I'm completely invested in that storyline!

Rachel McKenzie returns with another thrilling case. When women start dying, under mostly clear circumstances, it seems to be a open and close death investigation. But when one of her neighbors, and a doctor both voice concerns about two different deaths, Rachel starts asking questions. When all roads lead back to a medical professional, Rachel isn't so sure. There could be someone trying to frame this person, but why? The more questions she asks, the more things seem to start heating up, and it might just cost her more than her job.

I really enjoyed this read! As a lawyer, Rachel looks into deaths that are deemed suspicious, but now and then her instincts tell her something else is going on. This one had me on the edge of my seat more than once, reading as fast as I could, trying to figure out what was happening.

Get ready for a mystery that will leave you breathless!

Oh my stars. This book has held me captive for the past 24 hours, to the point that I read every time I got a break. It was heart-racing, page turning and chilling.

Rachel McKenzie works for the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit. When they are called to the scene of a woman who died in her home, Rachel is appalled to realize that she knew the victim. At first it appears that the death was an accident. Upon Rachel's insistence that they do further tests, they determine this was, in fact, a murder. As Rachel digs deeper she realizes that there are several deaths that are eerily similar to this one that were ruled accidental overdoses. This is a killer with the skills to fool law enforcement.

As I fell face first into this book, I was a little creeped out. I really liked the character of Rachel. She is laser-focused on the task before her, and she sees things that others do not see. She has great observation skills, and she is relentless in her pursuit of justice for these poor souls. I enjoy trying to solve mysteries like this one. However, I was completed blown away by this twisty, engrossing mystery with an ending I never saw coming. Whew, I need a break now.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"The Highland Dead" by Morag Pringle is a gripping 4-star read! Rachel McKenzie from the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit returns in another tangle of murder and mystery. Rachel once again persuades her superior and Police Scotland to investigate a death previously ruled accidental. Then another death occurs, and Rachel is convinced it's the work of someone sinister who needs to be stopped. Selena is back with a new job, working alongside Rachel to get to the bottom of things.

I enjoyed this book; it was well-written and, just like the first, had plenty of unique phrases that I really appreciated. We get to go back in time a bit and learn more about the death of Rachel’s mother and what possibly led to her murder. While there are some points where the story doesn’t move forward quickly, these moments provide depth and keep you wanting more. There are at least three different people you will suspect as the killer, and the author does a great job keeping you guessing. I can’t wait to read the third book in this series.

Thanks to Storm Publishing, Morag Pringle, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

Anything crime thriller is right up my alley (no pun intended) and The Highland Dead did not disappoint. I will now have to go back and read the first in the series! The writing was phenomenal amd immersive, and the setting was so atmospheric and eerie, I couldn't put it down. The FMC (Rachel McKenzie) is honestly the epitome of a strong and determined leader and the author does a great job at showcasing resilience and trauma-rep. I thoroughly enjoyed this author's work and cant wait to read more from her. The twists were unexpected and not far-fetched, it was fun to go back and find the clues that lead up to the reveal. Well done!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for my e-ARC in an exchange for an honest review :)

Rachel McKenzie works as a lawyer in tandem with those investigating suspicious deaths.

I had some difficulty in the first third of the book in keeping up with all of the characters and if/how they were interconnected. Once that came together for me, I sped through the rest of the book.

Rachel happens upon a case that turns out to be someone she knew in school, which also connects her to another classmate. Once it’s discovered that it was indeed a suspicious death, Rachel will stop at nothing to put the killer to justice. This story blindsided me with the ending! I thought I had things worked out about halfway through, but nope! This would have been five stars had the character development and connections been easier to follow at the start. I’m ready to see what happens next in Rachel’s life!

This is the 2nd book in the series. I read the first book, The Liar's Bones, so was very happy to get a chance to read book 2. Rachel McKenzie works for the Scottish Fatalities Investigative Unit or the "death unit." When the body of a young woman is found tragically killed, Rachel decides to investigate a group of young women that are connected to the hospital. The book has a lot of strong female characters, such as; Rachel, Serena and Mags. The death of Rachel's mom is also looked into a little more. I didn't figure out who did the murder until it was revealed towards the end f the book. I'm looking forward to reading book 3 in the series. If you like books with great suspense, then you will love this book. Highly recommended!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book written from insight. Not sure if I need to visit hospital again I will be able to forget the content of this book. Brilliantly written and one you really could not put down. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

I didn't realize this was the second book in a series, but that didn't impact my ability to follow this plot line. Some things from the previous book were referenced but not often enough to cause confusion, and having read this book, I'll definitely be looking at the first book as well. The author has written a suspenseful and engaging mystery with intriguing characters and a solid plot. Overall, a good summer read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Book two with lawyer Rachel McKenzie of the Scottish death unit and it follows on quite quickly from book one, again Rachel finds herself investigating a mysterious death of a young woman, every one seems to think it’s an unfortunate death but the young woman’s friend seems to think she was murdered and begs Rachel to look into it, when she does she starts to notice a pattern of other women’s deaths and so she goes on her own investigation, Which is what amazes me, where does she find the time? as well as do the work she’s paid too. But I did find The Highland Dead a good story with lots of twists and it had me guessing till the end who was behind the murders.

The Highland Dead - I had a difficult time reading this book, not because it was bad, but extremely wordy with too much unimportant details. Although bored through much of the story, the basic story lines and the characters are interesting. Source: Netgalley. 3*

Always enjoy Scottish crime fiction and although a little way to go to catch up with the main players, I did find this one enjoyable and will certainly read more from this author.

Rachel McKenzie is back at work as a lawyer for the Scottish Fatal Investigation Unit (Death Unit - their nickname) in Inverness after her last investigation on Uist. The story begins 18 months earlier with death of Caroline Telford. Rachel takes a call from Dr Kirsty Burns asking about why nothing has been done for the death of her best friend, Gillian Robertson. Rachel decides to look into this as she knew Gilly and Kirsty from school and this investigation leads her to discovering clues about the cause of death. How is everything linked? All of these questions will be answered by the time you reached the chilling conclusion! I love Rachel as she is a strong character. It is well written and very descriptive. I had a few moments where I was biting my nails reading this book. I highly recommend this book. I hope there will be a book 3!!!

Rachel McKenzie is back in this gripping mystery thriller, The Highland Dead, the second book in the series bearing her name! Rachel is back in her hometown; this time she will be searching for her friend's diabolical killer! When another person is murdered, Rachel is determined to catch the killer no matter what!

As with the first book in the series, The Highland Dead takes place in the Scottish Highlands. Rachel’s determination and drive to catch killers began after her father was jailed for murdering Rachel's mother. She is a strong investigator with a lot of pain and trauma in her own life. I admired her gumption, her strength, and vulnerability. She is an intelligent investigator who throws herself into every case.

I love trying to do my own super sleuthing while reading to solve whodunit. I did not even come close to solving the killer’s identity in this book. Morag Pringle did a great job of pulling the wool over my eyes. I enjoyed the atmosphere, the tension, the vivid descriptions, the characters, the mounting danger, the mystery and the twists in this book.

I look forward to the next book in the gripping series.

Riveting, well written, well thought out mystery!

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed book one in this series, The Liar’s Bones, I was more than happy to read 'The Highland Dead'. Rachel McKenzie is still working for the "Death Unit" and is dismayed when one of her friends is found dead. When further fatalities follow Rachel seeks a connection. With a strong cast of female characters, Rachel, Mags and Selena, the tension mounts to find the killer. Well worth a read. Thank you to netgalley, publisher and author for an early read.

After I enjoyed reading the Liar's bones, the first episode in the Rachel McKenzie series I was quick to request the second book in this series from Netgalley. Though this one lacked a bit the scenic setting on an isolated island that I loved about the first book set on Uist in the outer Hebrides the book is an excellent story and I loved reading it.
Although i've been to Inverness ones I don't recall much of the city, except the tourist highlights Therefore it was nice to learn a bit more about the other "face" of the city.

In this book Rachel dives into the deaths of a couple of young women, who all of them seem to have a link to a (former) friend of Rachels from university. Because at face value Dr Kirsty Burns seems to be the only linking pin between all the victims she soon gets blamed for everything that goes wrong in the hospital and is every-bodies most likely culprit for the murders. Everybody but Rachel, who stands by her friend and urges everybody to keep digging deeper until the real murderer is found.

The author keeps you on the point of your seat and devouring the book until the last page. Great book with a lot of suspense en interesting plot twists and supporting characters. Luckily Rachel McKenzie also seems to have cleared up her act and has dropped the sometimes very naive behaviour she displayed in the first book. She also makes some headway with the investigation into the murder of her own mother (by her father) but not as much as I had hoped. Well, makes me look even more forward towards the next book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC I got in exchange for my unbiased review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5(4.5/5)

Review:
I loved book one! Book two didn't disappoint! Absolutely magnificent! 🤌 I can't wait for book three!
*Not a stand alone. Definitely read book one if you haven't yet.*