The summit was just a few more minutes’ climb as the bottle slipped from his weakening grip. He was aware that he was dying. Not here. Not now. Not alone. Through the pain, his mind screamed a silent final eulogy.

When a distillery owner’s body is discovered on top of a remote Scottish mountain, forensics confirm that he died of natural causes. But the dead man’s sister claims he was murdered.

As Detective Inspector Corstorphine delves into the victim’s family, disturbing questions emerge. Why is the daughter kept sedated and locked in her room? Who is stalking the son as he scatters his father’s ashes on lonely mountain peaks? Each clue – from a haunting painting defaced in blood to a deadly botanical poison – points to someone with intimate knowledge of the family.

Then a young woman’s suicide becomes entwined with the case, and Corstorphine must confront a killer whose vengeance traces back to a childhood act with devastating consequences.

From a CWA New Blood Dagger Longlist author and McIlvanney Best Scottish Crime Novel Finalist, The Devil’s Cut weaves a haunting tale of family loyalty and unspoken truths in this atmospheric Scottish crime thriller. If you love LJ Ross, Ian Rankin and Ann Cleeves you’ll love Andrew James Greig.