This year sees the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first forensic scientist Dr Rhona MacLeod book Driftnet in 2003. Driftnet was chosen as Ottakers’ (now Waterstones) Scottish book of the month, and was a No.1 best seller, launching my career as a writer.
The Wild Coast, which is published on 3rd August 2023, is book seventeen in the Dr Rhona MacLeod series. It takes place on the remote west coast of Scotland and was inspired by my own many camping and swimming trips there.
A remote shoreline. A lethal killer. As lone visitors disappear from the rural northwest of Scotland, campsites are becoming crime scenes. The Wild Coast is a chilling thriller from Lin Anderson.
When forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod is brought in to analyse a shallow grave on Scotland’s west coast, she is disturbed by a bundle of twigs crafted into a stickman and left in the victim’s mouth.
Then, when a young woman is reported missing from a nearby campsite with another sinister figurine left in her van, it seems that someone is targeting wild campers. An idyllic coastline known for providing peace and serenity, now the area is a hunting ground.
As her investigation proceeds, Rhona is forced to reconsider her closest bonds. Rumours of sexual assault offences by serving police officers are circling in Glasgow, which may include her trusted colleague DS Michael McNab. Could it be true, or is someone looking to put him out of action?
All the while a young woman’s life is on the line and the clock is ticking .. .
I always try to launch each book in or near to the location which inspired the story. In this case, we will be launching The Wild Coast at The Ullapool Bookshop, one of my favourite bookshops, on 1st August 2023 at 6:00pm (details below).
This will be followed by a launch event on the 2nd August at 7:00pm at another favourite: The Highland Bookshop in Fort William.
Please join us if you can at Ullapool or Fort Willian to celebrate the publication of The Wild Coast:
Email info@ullapoolbookshop.co.uk to book places for 01/08/2023 at 6:00pm
Click here to book for launch event at The Highland Bookshop on 02/08/2023 at 7:00pm
Also, in this special 20th anniversary year for the Rhona books, I’m delighted to welcome onto the stage at Bloody Scotland in September three of the experts who have contributed so much to the books and Rhona’s journey.
Shortly after the publication of Driftnet, I spotted an advert for a diploma course in Forensic Medical Science at my alma mater Glasgow University. I applied to join and it was there I met the real people behind the science that I was studying and writing about.
Rhona wouldn’t have had the exciting professional life she’s had without my meeting the three people who will share the stage with me on the opening night of Bloody Scotland 2023: Forensic soil scientist Professor Lorna Dawson, forensic pathologist Dr James Grieve, and advocate Donald Findlay KC. All three helped me with this year's Rhona MacLeod book The Wild Coast, and we will discuss this during the event.
Please join us in September for some fun and facts, where you’ll discover that fact is always much stranger than fiction.
Buy tickets via the links below:
For LIN ANDERSON AND GUESTS at the Albert Hall
For LIN ANDERSON AND GUESTS (single event online access)
DIGITAL PASS (covers multipe events, including LIN ANDERSON AND GUESTS)
