
The Dead and the Dying
Lin Anderson(Author)
Macmillan (Publisher)
Published on 14. August 2025
Book
Hardback
416 pages
978-1-0350-2925-9 (ISBN)
Description
'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
Readers love Lin Anderson:
'This series just keeps getting better'
'I was totally glued the whole way through'
'Atmospheric, descriptive, engrossing'
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
Readers love Lin Anderson:
'This series just keeps getting better'
'I was totally glued the whole way through'
'Atmospheric, descriptive, engrossing'
Reviews / Votes
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 <i>The Party House</i> Vivid and atmospheric . . . enthralling -- <i>The Guardian</i> on <i>The Killing Tide</i> A cast of characters who feel like old friends -- <i>The Sunday Times</i> on <i>None But the Dead</i>More details
Series
Edition
Main Market edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pan Macmillan
Target group
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
With dust jacket
Dimensions
Height: 241 mm
Width: 162 mm
Thickness: 39 mm
Weight
646 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0350-2925-9 (9781035029259)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Lin Anderson
The Dead and the Dying
Rhona MacLeod Returns In This Thrilling Scottish Crime Novel That You Won't Be Able to Put Down
E-Book
08/2025
Macmillan
€14.49
Available for download
Person
Lin Anderson is a Scottish author and screenwriter known for her bestselling crime series featuring forensic scientist Dr Rhona MacLeod. Four of her novels have been longlisted for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year and she has also been shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association Dagger in the Library Award. Lin is the co-founder of the international crime-writing festival Bloody Scotland, which takes place annually in Stirling.