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The Skeleton Road


Synopsis


Karen Pirie returns . . . Pre-order Past Lying, the eagerly-awaited new Karen Pirie thriller, publishing October 2023


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'Gripping, thought-provoking and original - a tour-de-force' Literary Review

When a skeleton is discovered hidden at the top of a crumbling, gothic building in Edinburgh, Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie is faced with the unenviable task of identifying the bones. As Karen's investigation gathers momentum, she is drawn deeper into a dark world of intrigue and betrayal.

Meanwhile, someone is taking the law into their own hands in the name of justice and revenge -- but when present resentment collides with secrets of the past, the truth is more shocking than anyone could have imagined . . .

An atmospheric, chilling mystery from the number one bestseller.
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Praise for Val McDermid:



'It grabs the reader by the throat and never lets go' Daily Mail

'As good a psychological thriller as it is possible to get' Sunday Express

'One of today's most accomplished crime writers' Literary Review

'McDermid remains unrivalled' Observer

'The queen of crime is still at the top of her game' Independent

This is the third book in the bestselling Karen Pirie series.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Drive

* Summary: Sarah decides to take a road trip to visit her father in California, despite her mother's concerns. She embarks on a lonely drive through desolate landscapes, haunted by uneasy feelings.
* Example: As Sarah drives through the endless desert, she notices a group of ravens circling in the distance. A shiver runs down her spine as she wonders if they are a harbinger of something sinister.

Chapter 2: The Skeleton Road

* Summary: Sarah turns onto a remote road known as the Skeleton Road, which is rumored to be cursed. As she drives, she begins to experience strange occurrences, including flickering lights, a broken windshield, and a severed animal carcass on the road.
* Example: The lights in Sarah's car suddenly go out, leaving her in complete darkness. She panics and pulls over, her heart pounding with fear.

Chapter 3: The Motel

* Summary: Sarah seeks refuge at a rundown motel, The Oasis. She encounters a strange and unwelcoming owner who assigns her a room that seems haunted by a previous occupant. Sarah is tormented by nightmares and chilling sounds throughout the night.
* Example: As Sarah lies in bed, she hears faint scratching noises coming from the walls. She gets up to investigate but finds nothing.

Chapter 4: The Hitchhiker

* Summary: The next morning, Sarah reluctantly picks up a hitchhiker, a young man named John. He claims to be headed to the same destination as her, but his story raises suspicions. Sarah begins to question his motives as he tells her disturbing tales about the Skeleton Road.
* Example: John tells Sarah about a group of hikers who went missing in the area years ago, and their bodies were never found. Sarah's unease grows with every passing mile.

Chapter 5: The Diner

* Summary: Sarah and John stop at a secluded diner for lunch. The atmosphere is strange and oppressive, and the patrons seem curiously interested in Sarah. She overhears them whispering about a "skeleton" and becomes increasingly paranoid.
* Example: As Sarah eats her meal, she notices a man staring at her from across the room. He has an eerie expression that sends shivers down her spine.

Chapter 6: The Chase

* Summary: As Sarah and John continue their drive, they realize they are being pursued by a mysterious vehicle. They try to evade their pursuers but find themselves trapped on a dead-end road. Sarah is forced to confront the horrors that have been haunting her.
* Example: The pursuing vehicle rams into Sarah's car, sending it tumbling off the road. She and John manage to escape but find themselves lost and alone in the unforgiving wilderness.

Chapter 7: The Revelation

* Summary: Sarah and John finally reach their destination, but the horrors they have endured have left them forever changed. They learn the true nature of the Skeleton Road and the curse that has haunted it for centuries.
* Example: Sarah and John discover that the missing hikers from John's story were sacrificed as part of a dark ritual. The "skeleton" they have heard about is the remains of one of the victims.

Chapter 8: The Aftermath

* Summary: Sarah returns home, but the memories of her journey haunt her. She confronts her mother about her fears and learns a shocking revelation about her own past. The Skeleton Road has left an indelible mark on her life, and she must find a way to face the darkness and embrace the truth.
* Example: Sarah learns that her father was involved in the events on the Skeleton Road many years ago. This discovery forces her to question everything she thought she knew about herself and her family.