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The Dead and the Dying by Lin Anderson

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The Dead and the Dying

Rhona MacLeod (Book 19)

Narrator
Sarah Barron
Publisher
Pan Macmillan
Publish Date
14 August 2025
Run Time
9 hours 50 minutes
Format
Audiobook
Rating
5.0 (1 review)
$13.95

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What to expect

'One of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction' – Daily Mail

An ancient grave. A modern evil. The Dead and the Dying is a pulse-pounding instalment in the Rhona MacLeod series, perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Martina Cole and Silent Witness.

In the dim morning light, Orkney’s Skaill Bay is the backdrop for a calamity of nature’s making. When forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod joins the rescue efforts as a volunteer, she uncovers more than she bargained for: a human skeleton entombed in a stone crypt.

The grave is believed to hail from the Viking Age, but Rhona's analysis of the content points to more recent and sinister evil. And a shadow is thrown over the investigation when the skeleton is finally identified – and unsettling connections emerge between the victim and the very people trying to solve the case.

As forensic clues lead Rhona to a second, horrifying discovery, the question looms: how many more secrets are concealed in the sand?

'Lin Anderson is one of Scotland’s national treasures' – Stuart MacBride, author of the Logan McRae series

'The best Scottish crime series since Rebus' – Daily Record


Praise for Lin Anderson:

'This series just keeps getting better'
'I was totally glued the whole way through'
'Atmospheric, descriptive, engrossing'

Critics Review

  • Forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod has become one of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction. Honourable, inquisitive and yet plagued by doubts and, sometimes, fears

    Daily Mail

  • Lin Anderson is one of Scotland’s national treasures – don’t be fooled by comparisons, her writing is unique, bringing warmth and depth to even the seediest parts of Glasgow

    Stuart MacBride, author of the Logan McRae series

  • One of the best Scottish crime series since Rebus

    Daily Record

  • A real page-turner

    Ian Rankin, author of the Inspector Rebus series, on The Party House

See more reviews
  • Vivid and atmospheric . . . enthralling

    The Guardian on The Killing Tide

  • A cast of characters who feel like old friends

    The Sunday Times on None But the Dead

User Reviews

Book 5.0

Narration 5.0

  • 5.0 5.0

    I am a big fan of Lin Anderson and really enjoyed the narrator bringing the characters to life, amazing storytelling 5 stars

    alanrobb@gmail.com 2026-09-19

Details

Author
Lin Anderson
Narrator
Sarah Barron
Duration
9 hours 50 minutes
Release Date
14 August 2025
ISBN
9781035029280
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
Pan Macmillan
Genre
Crime and mystery: police procedural, Crime and mystery: women sleuths / detectives, Thriller / suspense fiction, Narrative theme: sense of place
Rating
5.0(1 review)
Narration
5.0(1 review)

Synopsis

'One of the most satisfying characters in modern crime fiction' – Daily MailAn ancient grave. A modern evil. The Dead and the Dying is a pulse-pounding instalment in the Rhona MacLeod series, perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Martina Cole and Silent Witness.In the dim morning light, Orkney’s Skaill Bay is the backdrop for a calamity of nature’s making. When forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod joins the rescue efforts as a volunteer, she uncovers more than she bargained for: a human skeleton entombed in a stone crypt.The grave is believed to hail from the Viking Age, but Rhona's analysis of the content points to more recent and sinister evil. And a shadow is thrown over the investigation when the skeleton is finally identified – and unsettling connections emerge between the victim and the very people trying to solve the case.As forensic clues lead Rhona to a second, horrifying discovery, the question looms: how many more secrets are concealed in the sand?'Lin Anderson is one of Scotland’s national treasures' – Stuart MacBride, author of the Logan McRae series'The best Scottish crime series since Rebus' – Daily RecordPraise for Lin Anderson:'This series just keeps getting better''I was totally glued the whole way through''Atmospheric, descriptive, engrossing'

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