A night of passion leads into an occult nightmare—and more lives are at risk. “The Special Dead” is the thrilling tenth book in Lin Anderson's Glasgow-set forensic crime series featuring Rhona MacLeod.
When Mark is invited back to Leila's flat and ordered to strip, he thinks he's about to have the experience of his life. Waking later, he finds Leila gone from his side. Keen to leave, he opens the wrong door and enters a nightmare. Behind swaying Barbie dolls that hang from the ceiling is Leila—dead.
Rhona MacLeod's forensic investigation reveals the red plaited silk cord used to hang Leila to be a cingulum, a Wiccan artefact used in sex magick. Sketches of sexual partners hidden in the dolls provide a link to nine powerful men, but who are they? As the investigation continues, it looks increasingly likely that other witches will be targeted too.
Working the investigation is the newly demoted DS Michael McNab, who is keen to stay sober and redeem himself with Rhona—but an encounter with Leila's colleague and fellow Wiccan Freya Devine threatens his resolve.
Soon, McNab realizes Freya may hold the key to identifying the men linked to the dolls. But the Nine will do anything to keep their identities a secret...
"Lin Anderson is one of Scotland's natural treasures - don't be fooled by comparisons, her writing is unique, bringing warmth and depth to even the seediest parts of Glasgow. Lin's Rhona MacLeod is a complex and compelling heroine who just gets better with every outing"
Stuart MacBride, author of the Logan McRae series
"Anderson clearly knows what her readers want and how to keep them coming back for more"
The Sunday Herald
"The Special Dead is the tenth in Lin Anderson's series featuring her forensic scientist, Rhona MacLeod and it is everything that we have come to expect from this highly talented author"
