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Narey & Winter #4
Witness the Dead
Don't miss WATCH HIM DIE, the next edge-of-your-seat thriller from Sunday Times bestselling author, CRAIG ROBERTSON - perfect for fans of Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh. Available to order now. A serial killer must be brought to justice . . .Scotland 1972.Glasgow is haunted by a murderer nicknamed Red Silk - a feared serial killer who selects his victims in the city's nightclubs. The case remains unsolved but Archibald Atto, later imprisoned for other murders, is thought to be Red Silk.In modern-day Glasgow, DS Rachel Narey is called to a gruesome crime scene at the city's Necropolis. The body of a young woman lies stretched out over a tomb. Her body bears a three-letter message from her killer. Now retired, former detective Danny Neilson spots a link between the new murder and those he investigated in 1972 - details that no copycat killer could have known about. But Atto is still behind bars. Determined finally to crack the case, Danny, along with his nephew, police photographer Tony Winter, pays Atto a visit. But they soon discover that they are going to need the combined efforts of police forces past and present to bring a twisted killer to justice. Brilliant crime fiction for fans of Stuart MacBride and Ian Rankin, Craig Robertson's debut thriller Random was shortlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger. Praise for Craig 'Robertson is doing for Glasgow what Rankin did for Edinburgh' Mirror 'I can't recommend this book highly enough' MARTINA COLE 'Brace yourself to be horrified and hooked' EVA DOLAN 'Fantastic characterisation, great plotting, page-turning and gripping. The best kind of intelligent and moving crime fiction writing' LUCA VESTE 'Really enjoyed Murderabilia - disturbing, inventive, and powerfully and stylishly written. Recommended' STEVE MOSBY 'A great murder mystery witha brilliantly realised setting and deftly painted characters' JAMES OSWALD 'Takes a spine-tingling setting and an original storyline and adds something more' Scottish Daily Record 'A perfectly constrcuted police procedural with real psychological depth' Crimefictionlover
529 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2013
24 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
About the author
Craig Robertson
41 books250 followersDuring his 20-year career with a Scottish Sunday newspaper, Craig Robertson has interviewed three recent Prime Ministers; attended major stories including 9/11, Dunblane, the Omagh bombing and the disappearance of Madeleine McCann; been pilloried on breakfast television, beaten Oprah Winfrey to a major scoop, been among the first to interview Susan Boyle, spent time on Death Row in the USA and dispensed polio drops in the backstreets of India.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 21, 2024
The fourth novel in this highly engaging series sees the tow protagonists, Detective Sergeant Rachel Narey and police photographer Tony Winter temporarily split up romantically. However. They soon find themselves working together investigating a series of murders of teenage girls whose bodies are dumped in the Glasgow’s main cemeteries. Moreover, these murders bear a remarkable similarity to four murders which took place back in 1972. Dubbed “The Red Silk Murders” they were attributed to Archibald Atto, currently incarcerated in Blackridge prison for these and other murders across England.
Tony’s uncle, retired detective Danny Neilson who investigated the original case is convinced that Atto knows something about the current case as there are similar details no copycat killer could have known about. Danny convinces Tony to accompany him on a visit to Atto which Tony reluctantly agrees to. To make matters worse, Atto refuses to speak to Danny but insists on speaking to Tony alone.
Once again, Craig Robertson has managed to craft a carefully plotted and intriguing thriller with a whole host of unexpected twists and turns which keeps one guessing until the final page.
Tony’s uncle, retired detective Danny Neilson who investigated the original case is convinced that Atto knows something about the current case as there are similar details no copycat killer could have known about. Danny convinces Tony to accompany him on a visit to Atto which Tony reluctantly agrees to. To make matters worse, Atto refuses to speak to Danny but insists on speaking to Tony alone.
Once again, Craig Robertson has managed to craft a carefully plotted and intriguing thriller with a whole host of unexpected twists and turns which keeps one guessing until the final page.
August 20, 2018
Witness The Dead is the fourth book in the DS Rachel Narey and Tony Winter crime series. It reads well as a stand alone so no need to worry if you haven't had the pleasure of reading the previous books first.
I really enjoyed the story line in this book. Flicking between past and present with murders that are seemingly linked. We also have the evil Atto who seriously makes a chilling killer.
Danny Neilson was a character that I really enjoyed in the story. Never having forgotten about the series of murders and wanting to do the best for the victims families, he does everything in his power to resolve it all. I loved that he is now a taxi driver, ensuring that people, especially the more vulnerable on a night out, get home safely. He also has some personal issues going on of which I was interested in finding out more.
This is certainly a story with an outcome I didn't expect. The author takes his readers on a dark and gritty journey without letting on where he is taking us, making it a thrilling and surprising read.
Witness The Dead will have you hooked from the off. It is dark and twisted with a gritty edge to it. Another edge of your seat read in this thrilling Scottish crime series. If you haven't read in the series yet, then I highly recommend them.
I really enjoyed the story line in this book. Flicking between past and present with murders that are seemingly linked. We also have the evil Atto who seriously makes a chilling killer.
Danny Neilson was a character that I really enjoyed in the story. Never having forgotten about the series of murders and wanting to do the best for the victims families, he does everything in his power to resolve it all. I loved that he is now a taxi driver, ensuring that people, especially the more vulnerable on a night out, get home safely. He also has some personal issues going on of which I was interested in finding out more.
This is certainly a story with an outcome I didn't expect. The author takes his readers on a dark and gritty journey without letting on where he is taking us, making it a thrilling and surprising read.
Witness The Dead will have you hooked from the off. It is dark and twisted with a gritty edge to it. Another edge of your seat read in this thrilling Scottish crime series. If you haven't read in the series yet, then I highly recommend them.
July 5, 2013
As I said in my review for the last book Cold Grave, Craig Robertson is a brilliant author recommend both as a bookseller and a reader, perfectly capturing the unique nature of Glasgow in both location and character, as well as proving himself the equal of Rankin and MacBride in the realm of Scottish crime fiction. Despite my huge praise for the last one, I think he has outdone himself here, as once again he shifts the focus of his characterisation using the ruse of a dual timeline (venturing further back than the previous book) and with a nice little nod to the intellectual interplay of another extremely famous crime read. Quid pro quo Mr Robertson.
Witness The Dead is the third of Robertson’s series featuring Tony Winter, a scene of crime photographer who possesses a unique eye, and at times a slightly disturbing type of empathy with the victims that he photographs, but unlike Snapshot, the first, and its follow up Cold Grave, this book not only includes the usual characters, but puts into sharp focus Tony’s uncle Danny Neilson, a former policeman, and a case that has always haunted him personally. As Robertson skilfully integrates the rich detail of the 1970′s crimes and subsequent investigation, Winter and his police cohorts, find themselves at the centre of a series of murders that bear a striking resemblance to the Red Silk Murders. I really enjoyed Robertson’s careful and well-realised depiction of 70′s Glasgow, capturing the atmosphere and period detail perfectly, and Danny Neilson’s closeness to the original investigation is central to the emotional punch of these scenes in particular, as he becomes completely consumed by the case.
Likewise, the contemporary investigation, not only gives Robertson his usual latitude with his always entertaining and slightly troubled band of regular characters, but also leads the reader to an interesting mental tussle between Tony, Danny and the intriguing but evil Archibald Atto, the man convicted of the Red Silk Murders. The interplay between Winter and Atto is wonderfully disturbing, as both men recognise in each other, the seed of certain behaviours that each exhibit and deal with in contrasting ways- but how different are they really? As the pressure builds to track the modern day killer, Winter and the police team, although infused with the normal gallows humour that Robertson so wickedly carries off, find the body count growing in direct correlation to the original Red Silk case, leading to a tense and gripping investigation that keeps the reader thoroughly hooked throughout. With the undercurrent of tension between Winter and DS Rachel Narey with the ending of their formerly top secret romance, the tension between Narey and a new doppy DC who infuriates the hell out of her, and the normal blustering of her boss DI Addison being forced into a joint investigation with the equally blustering DCI Kelbie and the antipathy between them, Robertson has produced not only a cracking police procedural packed full of murder, but a brilliantly realised study of the professional and personal relationships of those who seek justice for the victims, whilst trying to keep a grip on their own sanity. A great read.
Witness The Dead is the third of Robertson’s series featuring Tony Winter, a scene of crime photographer who possesses a unique eye, and at times a slightly disturbing type of empathy with the victims that he photographs, but unlike Snapshot, the first, and its follow up Cold Grave, this book not only includes the usual characters, but puts into sharp focus Tony’s uncle Danny Neilson, a former policeman, and a case that has always haunted him personally. As Robertson skilfully integrates the rich detail of the 1970′s crimes and subsequent investigation, Winter and his police cohorts, find themselves at the centre of a series of murders that bear a striking resemblance to the Red Silk Murders. I really enjoyed Robertson’s careful and well-realised depiction of 70′s Glasgow, capturing the atmosphere and period detail perfectly, and Danny Neilson’s closeness to the original investigation is central to the emotional punch of these scenes in particular, as he becomes completely consumed by the case.
Likewise, the contemporary investigation, not only gives Robertson his usual latitude with his always entertaining and slightly troubled band of regular characters, but also leads the reader to an interesting mental tussle between Tony, Danny and the intriguing but evil Archibald Atto, the man convicted of the Red Silk Murders. The interplay between Winter and Atto is wonderfully disturbing, as both men recognise in each other, the seed of certain behaviours that each exhibit and deal with in contrasting ways- but how different are they really? As the pressure builds to track the modern day killer, Winter and the police team, although infused with the normal gallows humour that Robertson so wickedly carries off, find the body count growing in direct correlation to the original Red Silk case, leading to a tense and gripping investigation that keeps the reader thoroughly hooked throughout. With the undercurrent of tension between Winter and DS Rachel Narey with the ending of their formerly top secret romance, the tension between Narey and a new doppy DC who infuriates the hell out of her, and the normal blustering of her boss DI Addison being forced into a joint investigation with the equally blustering DCI Kelbie and the antipathy between them, Robertson has produced not only a cracking police procedural packed full of murder, but a brilliantly realised study of the professional and personal relationships of those who seek justice for the victims, whilst trying to keep a grip on their own sanity. A great read.
May 29, 2017
Another very enjoyable read from Craig Robertson. I am really enjoying the Narey and Winter series and feel like each book is better than the last. I love a dual timeline in a novel and there were enough clues and red herrings top keep me guessing right up until the end.
November 27, 2018
Probably the most simplistic of Robertson's novels up to this point - I found the twists to be so obvious I knew what was coming in advance, and the killer's identity I'd worked out fairly early, too. Despite this I really enjoyed it , as I have all of his novels.
August 19, 2016
Well I just finished Witness The Dead and it has got to stand out easily as my favourite in the Tony Winters series so far!
Glasgow always does make a perfect backdrop for murder in crime fiction but Craig Robertson manages to bring my city's streets alive! I swear you feel as though you are walking through Glasgow as you read! I can see the buildings and streets he mentions, hear the voices of the characters and smell the life and the death that makes Glasgow and this book so damn awesome!
Tony Winters is a complex character and this doesn't change as the series develops - even as we get to know more about him his complexity remains. His relationship with Rachel Narey is on hold as she comes to terms with her father's condition; his friendship with Addison is put to the test as his uncle Danny asks him to help build the connection between a current series of murders and those that took place in the early 70s - with the man convicted of those murders being behind bars...
I thought this book ticked every box for me; fast paced, enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, brilliant character development, tense plot and superb backdrop of Glasgow - and of course a read sense of the famous Glasgow Gallows humour! I loved the flashbacks to the 70s (God fashion was hideous then) and although I wasn't old enough to be going "up the dancing" in 1972 I still managed to get a great sense of place.
I'd highly recommend this book - gritty Glasgow crime and fast paced throughout!
Glasgow always does make a perfect backdrop for murder in crime fiction but Craig Robertson manages to bring my city's streets alive! I swear you feel as though you are walking through Glasgow as you read! I can see the buildings and streets he mentions, hear the voices of the characters and smell the life and the death that makes Glasgow and this book so damn awesome!
Tony Winters is a complex character and this doesn't change as the series develops - even as we get to know more about him his complexity remains. His relationship with Rachel Narey is on hold as she comes to terms with her father's condition; his friendship with Addison is put to the test as his uncle Danny asks him to help build the connection between a current series of murders and those that took place in the early 70s - with the man convicted of those murders being behind bars...
I thought this book ticked every box for me; fast paced, enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, brilliant character development, tense plot and superb backdrop of Glasgow - and of course a read sense of the famous Glasgow Gallows humour! I loved the flashbacks to the 70s (God fashion was hideous then) and although I wasn't old enough to be going "up the dancing" in 1972 I still managed to get a great sense of place.
I'd highly recommend this book - gritty Glasgow crime and fast paced throughout!
March 20, 2017
Someone is killing young women in Glasgow in a style similar to that of the uncaught Red Silk killer of the 70s. DNA links it Archibald Atto, a life prisoner, long suspected, but never proven, of being the Red Silk killer. This is an engrossing read with the characters' lives and motivations intertwined with the plot, not least Glasgow herself whom Mr Robertson has to a T - both in terms of geography and the vernacular. Adding to the reality, I suspect that The Red Silk Killer is based on Bible John who killed 3 women in late 60s Glasgow and has never been caught and that Archibald Atto has overtones of Peter Tobin, whom some believe was Bible John. You couldn't make it up! But it is fiction, of the highest quality and well worth the time to read it.
August 3, 2013
Fantastic. I know it's a cliche to say "I couldn't put it down" but I have spent the whole of Saturday reading this, needing to get to the end to find some peace. Very well written and lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing
December 19, 2013
Robertson writes about a Glasgow that has similarities to the city in the 70s, with a serial killer at work then, and the city in the 21st century, still with an active nightlife.
Winter and his family are caught up in both periods
Winter and his family are caught up in both periods
April 2, 2018
Glasgow Keelies
The storyline was a cracker, all the police characters were given a truly believable stature. All criminal procedures seemed to be exactly as would be carried out, all in all very good
The storyline was a cracker, all the police characters were given a truly believable stature. All criminal procedures seemed to be exactly as would be carried out, all in all very good
March 28, 2014
Wow! A superb read. So good that I decided to include a review of it in my blog. You can read more here: http://goo.gl/hF2O8e
July 10, 2016
Gritty Scottish crime book
January 20, 2018
I really exceptional police procedural set in Glasgow. It's said by Goodreads to be the 4th in a series, but I cannot remember having read an earlier. It starts on a rather lighthearted note, with excellent, believable dialogue between the various police officers but slowly the mood changes as first one, then another dead girl is found in the City. This brings back memories of a similar situation some 40 years earlier and a retired officer, still haunted by that becomes involved. DNA tests cause consternation when it is linked with another, imprisoned, serial killer. It becomes necessary to interview him via a civilian police photographer, Tony Winter. The meetings between the two are very well drawn and the feelings of horror Winter has in dealing with this individual crawls off the page. I've only visited Glasgow once in my life, but the portrayal of the city made me feel I knew it intimately. There is a shocking twist towards the end of the book when the identity of the modern killer is finally discovered.
September 18, 2023
This is the fourth in the Narey & Winter series. I started this series a while ago and - having so many series on the go at once - I did not get keep up with it. However, I am really enjoying re-discovering these books and am absolutely loving the characters.
Tony Winter, our police photographer, who enjoys his job a little too much, is called to the discovery of a young woman, dead and posed in a graveyard. His uncle, retired detective, Danny Neilson, is reminded of a case in 1972, when a killer labelled, 'Red Silk' murdered women during a hot, Glasgow summer. The man found guilty of those murders, Archibald Atto, is behind bars and it is up to Winter to try to discover the links between past and present.
It was good to learn a little more about Danny Neilson's past and what makes him tick. There are a good range of suspects, our favourite characters, including Rachel Narey and Addison and, always, the city of Glasgow, which is a character in itself. I look forward to reading on with great anticipation.
Tony Winter, our police photographer, who enjoys his job a little too much, is called to the discovery of a young woman, dead and posed in a graveyard. His uncle, retired detective, Danny Neilson, is reminded of a case in 1972, when a killer labelled, 'Red Silk' murdered women during a hot, Glasgow summer. The man found guilty of those murders, Archibald Atto, is behind bars and it is up to Winter to try to discover the links between past and present.
It was good to learn a little more about Danny Neilson's past and what makes him tick. There are a good range of suspects, our favourite characters, including Rachel Narey and Addison and, always, the city of Glasgow, which is a character in itself. I look forward to reading on with great anticipation.
November 10, 2017
Cracking story with all the elements of a good read.... But.... Yet again, the centrality of a Police photographer and his ex-Police Officer (senior) uncle marred an excellent read.
Despite this series being referred to in relation to the DI girlfriend, the most padded out characters are these two ‘interlopers’ into a criminal investigation. The stories are good so that will no doubt bring me back again but I must seek out others by this author NOT from this series because I suspect they will TRULY grip me.
Despite this series being referred to in relation to the DI girlfriend, the most padded out characters are these two ‘interlopers’ into a criminal investigation. The stories are good so that will no doubt bring me back again but I must seek out others by this author NOT from this series because I suspect they will TRULY grip me.
May 19, 2019
A great read.
The storyline is very credible. The mystery of the identity of the murderer is prolonged almost to tbe end of the book, meanwhile the work of the police is explained very succinctly. I love the characters in this book. Each one would be a good subject for a book club discussion. Could tony really have gotten so close to a notorious killer? Are the methods used by the police believable? The only unanswered question is how the killer got hold of the lipstick to enable them to write on the victims bodies? Throughly e joyable read. I love Craig Robertsons books.
The storyline is very credible. The mystery of the identity of the murderer is prolonged almost to tbe end of the book, meanwhile the work of the police is explained very succinctly. I love the characters in this book. Each one would be a good subject for a book club discussion. Could tony really have gotten so close to a notorious killer? Are the methods used by the police believable? The only unanswered question is how the killer got hold of the lipstick to enable them to write on the victims bodies? Throughly e joyable read. I love Craig Robertsons books.
September 11, 2025
Omg, what a Crime Thriller it was!!!!!!!! It is my first serial killer book and it was mind blowing. Never thought my first serial killer thriller book will be a female first of all and I think she raped the victims with sex toys 😮 and that is definitely insane!!!!!
The way the girls were raped and how their bodies were found, I know it just a story but I felt so sad to read them.
There are so many girls who get raped and then murdered is most horrible thing.
Otherwise the story was amazing.
The way the girls were raped and how their bodies were found, I know it just a story but I felt so sad to read them.
There are so many girls who get raped and then murdered is most horrible thing.
Otherwise the story was amazing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2024
Well I decided to start this series with #4...I read reviews and synopsis of 1-3 and they didn't appeal to me...but this one sure did. A serial killer from the 70's seems to be at work again but how can that be since he is in prison. Atto, the killer, develops a strange relationship with the police photographer Tony who is helping his retire police officer uncle who worked the original Red Silk murders. Its creepy from the get go and just builds and builds so I will try more in the series....
September 6, 2023
A chunky book but I really enjoyed every minute of it - I felt everyone (Winter, Narey, Addison, Danny) got a good amount of time in the spotlight, and really enjoyed the introduction of Sam the very-sure-of-herself technician! Really well put together storyline with the serial killer Atto playing a role that certainly gave me the creeps!
May 17, 2025
A decent enough crime story but not many thrills or surprises. The number of protagonists is distracting rather than illuminating and the rivalry between the senior officers is rudimentary and cliched. There’s little sense of pace and Danny’s backstory is completely unnecessary, distracting from the main narrative.
May 6, 2017
Another really enjoyable installment in the Narey and Winter police procedural series. A touch of The Silence of the Lambs about the premise but nicely executed nonetheless. The tension ramps up as it goes, with enough red herrings to keep you guessing, and a very satisfying denouement.
July 5, 2017
Winter gets more likable with each book and I already like Narey and Addison. Good plot, good characters, good book. I had no idea who the killer was so well done.
September 13, 2017
Wow what an amazing read very complex plot and who the killer was took me by surprise. looking forward to reading the next book
March 11, 2018
Excellent...had me guessing till the end!
April 19, 2018
Exceptional. Definitely one to read. Will keep you guessing right to the end.
July 13, 2018
This one was pretty gripping! The story was not very predictable until near the end - a good read!
August 25, 2018
Absolutely brilliant! Held me right from the beginning. My favourite so far in this series!
September 3, 2019
Accomplished serial killer tale. Police photographer Tony Winter and his uncle Danny get involved in investigating the murder of young women.
May 15, 2020
Easy read.....
March 23, 2022
Another great read from Craig Robertson
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews