
A Gift Before Dying
A haunting and gripping crime novel set in the unforgiving Arctic Circle - 'Hypnotically good' (Lee Child)
Malcolm Kempt(Author)
Baskerville (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 22. January 2026
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-1-3998-2974-8 (ISBN)
Description
'Hypnotically good - instantly immersive, intense, and ultimately inspiring' Lee Child, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series
After a botched high-profile murder investigation, Sergeant Elderick Cole is exiled to the remote, rugged landscape of Nunavut, a vast territory in the Arctic Circle known for its untamed beauty, frigid temperatures, and endless winter nights.
His bleak existence takes a sinister turn when he discovers the hanging body of Pitseolala, a troubled Inuit girl whom he had sworn to protect. Her death dredges up demons he thought he'd buried along with the scars of a fractured marriage and the aching divide between himself and his estranged daughter.
As Cole's life unravels - and with it, the fragile thread of his investigation - he turns to Pitseolala's younger brother, Maliktu, a fellow outsider. It's then that Cole uncovers what binds them: a singular mission to find her killer.
Against fierce backlash, Cole's overriding desire to redeem just one aspect of his otherwise failed life becomes an obsession - and he's willing to break every rule in his unyielding pursuit of justice and the smallest shred of redemption.
'One of the finest debuts of the year' Donald Ray Pollock, author of The Heavenly Table
After a botched high-profile murder investigation, Sergeant Elderick Cole is exiled to the remote, rugged landscape of Nunavut, a vast territory in the Arctic Circle known for its untamed beauty, frigid temperatures, and endless winter nights.
His bleak existence takes a sinister turn when he discovers the hanging body of Pitseolala, a troubled Inuit girl whom he had sworn to protect. Her death dredges up demons he thought he'd buried along with the scars of a fractured marriage and the aching divide between himself and his estranged daughter.
As Cole's life unravels - and with it, the fragile thread of his investigation - he turns to Pitseolala's younger brother, Maliktu, a fellow outsider. It's then that Cole uncovers what binds them: a singular mission to find her killer.
Against fierce backlash, Cole's overriding desire to redeem just one aspect of his otherwise failed life becomes an obsession - and he's willing to break every rule in his unyielding pursuit of justice and the smallest shred of redemption.
'One of the finest debuts of the year' Donald Ray Pollock, author of The Heavenly Table
Reviews / Votes
Hypnotically good - instantly immersive, intense, and ultimately inspiring -- Lee Child, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series One of the finest debuts of the year -- Donald Ray Pollock, author of THE HEAVENLY TABLE Rich in atmosphere and relentlessly suspenseful . . . a don't-miss-it debut -- Michael Koryta, New York Times bestselling author of THE PROPHET A gripping thriller . . . Kempt's debut is delivered with insight and authority, pacing and style -- Ivy Pochoda, author of WONDER VALLEY A Gift Before Dying is a haunting, immersive, moving story - told by an expert, with great authority and emotion. Keep an eye on Malcolm Kempt - one of my favourite voices in contemporary dark fiction -- Richard Thomas, a Bram Stoker, Shirley Jackson, and Thriller Award finalist There's a river of warmth running under this icy Arctic thriller, with a big bang of an ending you won't soon forget. Hold on tight, because A Gift Before Dying will grip you until the last page -- Rene Denfeld, bestselling author of THE CHILD FINDER Stunning debut . . . Kempt's remarkably assured narrative evokes a mythic atmosphere . . . It's a knockout * Publishers Weekly *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Murray Press
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
n/a
Dimensions
Height: 162 mm
Width: 243 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
466 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-3998-2974-8 (9781399829748)
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

Malcolm Kempt
A Gift Before Dying
A haunting and gripping crime novel set in the unforgiving Arctic Circle - 'Hypnotically good' (Lee Child)
E-Book
01/2026
Baskerville
€7.99
Available for download
Person
Malcolm Kempt worked as a criminal lawyer in the remote Arctic for seventeen years before leaving to write full time. He now lives on the island of Newfoundland. A Gift Before Dying is his debut novel.