In the Key of Death
Will be published approx. on 9. April 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
300 pages
978-1-0367-0922-8 (ISBN)
Description
The tranquility of a genteel household is shattered when an elderly piano teacher is found brutally murdered, leaving her sibling devastated and demanding answers. Enter DCI Brendan Moran, called out of retirement at short notice, to tackle the baffling case. As Moran delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding the murder, a web of complex connections and puzzling alibis among the suspects leave him struggling to pinpoint the elusive killer.
As the investigation intensifies, one of Moran's own team members becomes infatuated by the enigmatic leader of a self-sufficient commune, and suspicions are raised concerning a possible connection to the murder. With time running out, Moran must unravel the secrets concealed behind the commune's Utopian facade and navigate a dangerous labyrinth of deception to uncover the truth.
In the Key of Death intertwines themes of childhood trauma, psychological coercion and emotional manipulation - all wrapped up in a page-turning police procedural. In the Key of Death is masterfully crafted, blending moments of intense suspense with Hunter's customary wry humour.
In the Key of Death is number ten in the popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series.
If you like Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, DCI Banks, Vera and the Shetland TV series, you'll love this tense and exciting crime novel from CWA award-winning author, Scott Hunter.
REVIEWS - The DCI Brendan Moran Crime Series
????? '... a well-planned, well-written novel. The writer has a fertile imagination and an attractive narrative style.'
????? '... one of the best reads I have had this year. Gripped by the grizzled Irish detective.....plenty of twists and turns. Bravo!'
????? The story rattles into action and concludes with two jaw-dropping climaxes and a final fraught decision. This series is destined for greatness.'
As the investigation intensifies, one of Moran's own team members becomes infatuated by the enigmatic leader of a self-sufficient commune, and suspicions are raised concerning a possible connection to the murder. With time running out, Moran must unravel the secrets concealed behind the commune's Utopian facade and navigate a dangerous labyrinth of deception to uncover the truth.
In the Key of Death intertwines themes of childhood trauma, psychological coercion and emotional manipulation - all wrapped up in a page-turning police procedural. In the Key of Death is masterfully crafted, blending moments of intense suspense with Hunter's customary wry humour.
In the Key of Death is number ten in the popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series.
If you like Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, DCI Banks, Vera and the Shetland TV series, you'll love this tense and exciting crime novel from CWA award-winning author, Scott Hunter.
REVIEWS - The DCI Brendan Moran Crime Series
????? '... a well-planned, well-written novel. The writer has a fertile imagination and an attractive narrative style.'
????? '... one of the best reads I have had this year. Gripped by the grizzled Irish detective.....plenty of twists and turns. Bravo!'
????? The story rattles into action and concludes with two jaw-dropping climaxes and a final fraught decision. This series is destined for greatness.'
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
338 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0367-0922-8 (9781036709228)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Scott Hunter was born in Romford, Essex. His writing career was kick-started after he won first prize in the Sunday Express Short Story Competition. He divides his time between writing and drumming. He has recorded with internationally renowned rock band 'Jethro Tull' and appeared in concert with 70's popsters 'Mungo Jerry'.
He is currently working on his fifteenth novel and has recently published 'In the Key of Death', number ten in the popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series. The first five books in the series have also been released in audiobook format.
He was long listed for the Times/Chicken House Children's Novel Competition for 'The Ley Lines of Lushbury' and won the Sunday Express Short Story Competition a few years back for his historical entry set in the English Civil War. His second novel, 'The Trespass' is a top 20 Amazon Bestseller. He was shortlisted for the 2016 Crime Writers' Association (CWA) Margery Allingham short story competition, and was selected as the winner of the 2022 Crime Writers' Association (CWA) Margery Allingham short story competition. His winning entry, 'Locked In' can be read via the CWA Website's Margery Allingham page.
Scott Hunter lives in Berkshire with his wife Katherine and his two youngest children
He is currently working on his fifteenth novel and has recently published 'In the Key of Death', number ten in the popular DCI Brendan Moran crime series. The first five books in the series have also been released in audiobook format.
He was long listed for the Times/Chicken House Children's Novel Competition for 'The Ley Lines of Lushbury' and won the Sunday Express Short Story Competition a few years back for his historical entry set in the English Civil War. His second novel, 'The Trespass' is a top 20 Amazon Bestseller. He was shortlisted for the 2016 Crime Writers' Association (CWA) Margery Allingham short story competition, and was selected as the winner of the 2022 Crime Writers' Association (CWA) Margery Allingham short story competition. His winning entry, 'Locked In' can be read via the CWA Website's Margery Allingham page.
Scott Hunter lives in Berkshire with his wife Katherine and his two youngest children