The Dead and the Dying: Rhona MacLeod Returns In This Thrilling Scottish Crime Novel That You Won't Be Able to Put Down

by Lin Anderson

'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 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 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

'This series just keeps getting better'
'I was totally glued the whole way through'
'Atmospheric, descriptive, engrossing'

380 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2025

About the author

Lin Anderson was born in Greenock of Scottish and Irish parents. A graduate of both Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities, she has lived in many different parts of Scotland and also spent five years working in the African bush. A teacher of Mathematics and Computing, she began her writing career four years ago. Her first film, Small Love, which was broadcast on STV, was nominated for TAPS writer of the year award 2001. Her African short stories have been published in the 10th Anniversary Macallan collection and broadcast on BBC Radio Four.

Reviews

[Shannon M (Canada) · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE DEAD AND THE DYING is #19 in the series featuring Dr. Rhona MacLeod, a forensic scientist with the Scottish police. I have read only one earlier book in this group but I had no problem following the story or the relationships among the main characters. It was a quick, easy read and, as well, informative. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My only caveat, and the reason I gave it four stars rather than five, is that I found some segments to be too repetitive. Things that needed to be said only once were repeated two or even three times. I don't know whether this was an attempt to increase the page length or because of poor editing. For example, twice in rapid succession, in the middle of the book, a comment is made to the effect that "Had a pod of whales not beached at Scaill Bay, the crime would have gone undetected." Not only is the reader aware of this from the events that occur at the beginning of the story, but to have it repeated twice more in the middle of the book is overkill. Several other facts were repeated more than once for no reason. Extremely irritating to an attentive reader.

And the novel is slanted towards a thoughtful, detail-oriented reader. I loved discovering:
1) why a pod of whales will beach on a sandy shore;
2) the ambience of Orkney in Northern Scotland;
3) the forensic details involved in identifying a 20-year-old skeleton;
4) the steps involved in following minuscule clues such as differences in the sand grains found on different beaches;
5) Viking burial practices of a thousand years ago; and
Other interesting details.

I also liked the fact that although the story features a serial killer, the killer barely appears in the book. Instead of focusing on him, the narrative concentrates on his victims and on the forensic processes used to identify the victims and the investigative procedures used to identify the killer.

So highly recommended. The first Rhona MacLeod book that I read was borrowed from our local Canadian library. I hope that the library will acquire more from this series of novels.

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My review for an earlier Rhona MacLeod novel:
 Whispers of the Dead (Rhona MacLeod #18)
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Thanks to Pan Macmillan for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.

[The Book Elf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to be sent Whispers of the Dead to review last year and I thought then that I had come across an incredibly gifted Murder Mystery writer as I was hooked from start to finish, wondering where the story was going to go next.

I didn’t think for one minute that Lin Anderson could surpass this BUT……….. she has. The Dead and the Dying is an incredible read . As the reader you find out a lot more about the main characters in this phenomenal series whilst being pulled into this gripping drama of murder and intrigue. The beautiful setting of the Orkney’s lends an incredible atmospheric element to the gruesome discovery following on from the tragic beaching of a pod of whales.

Anderson’s writing is compelling and draws you in until you feel that you know Dr MacLeod and the team around her personally. I could almost taste the coffee in The Ivy House and the “wee” drams of whiskey that appear aplenty throughout the investigations.

What I also very much like about Lin’s books is the addition of a map at the grinning to refer to so that you can put where everything that is happening in context. in my opinion all good books start with a map and if you are a visual learner like myself it is an incredible bonus.

At the end of the book there is the added bonus of an extract from the first book where it all started which, in my case, achieved it’s aim as I have now ordered the first three books in the series. I daren’t order all of them just yet or I’ll never have time to review any other authors for the next few months.

If there is only one author you are going to try this year it should definitely be Lin Anderson and the Dr Rhona MacLeod thrillers.

[Patricia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always a cause for celebration when a new Rhona MacLeod book is announced and this is no exception. It opens with Rhona on Orkney visiting friends when a pod of pilot whales beaches. Rhona helps to float those that can be helped then whilst helping bury a dead calf whale she happens upon a cist that contains a modern skeleton rather than an ancient one. And we're off with another tale of who, when and why? The story is very intense and definitely has a lot of twists and surprises. Although most of the action takes place on mainland Orkney all the expected favourite characters are present, DS McNab, Erling, Magnus and Chrissie of course. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and just can't wait for the next. I learnt a bit about viking burials as well, a bonus I wasn't expecting. Recommended+++
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Nadine-Sue Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow burn, police procedural! This is part of a series but can be easily read as a standalone book.

Rhona is an interesting character and I do feel like it's be good to pick up previous books in the series to get a better idea of her journey and how her friendships have formed. Her and Chrissy seem a great team and they did make me laugh at times.

This has a lot going on and keeps an even paced as we go through the initial findings of a body only to find there's more to find and that there's a link to some of the people connected to the case. It did have me wondering whether there'd be an obvious conclusion or whether something else would be revealed to take us in a different direction. Fortunately, not predictable and did have a few surprises along the way to keep the investigation going.

[Angi Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts
I loved this book, as I have loved the rest of the Rhona MacLeod series. Even so far into the series it still feels fresh and not like we’re rehashing any old plot lines, as happens with some long running stories.
I love the dynamics between the characters, as they feel real and it makes you care about them.
It was nice to see McNab taking a slightly different role in this book and his input was brilliant.
Having the different setting in Orkney gave a totally new slant on how the characters act and feel.
I really enjoyed this and it felt like there was a breath of fresh air blown into the series.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the author and publisher for the finished copy of this book.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from the author and a great addition to the Rhona Mac Leod series. Set mostly in Orkney, Rhona becomes involved when a body is discovered on sand dunes and her forensic skills are called to the investigation. The characters are interesting, as we catch up with Chrissie, Mc Nab and Magnus, although I do have a soft spot for Erling, my favourite. There is a good pace to the story and the descriptions of the landscape really had me feeling that I was right there with the characters. I really enjoyed this read and I would highly recommend the series to lovers of crime thrillers. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Davinia Hinde · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. I love forensic style books and this was my first time reading Rhona but gosh is she a fantastic character. I'm now definitely a fan and I'm desperate to read more of her stories.

Lin writes an absolutely fantastic plot and there's even a vet involved in the beginning so that's extra points .

It's unputdownable, full of twists and turns and suspense and just generally a great read. It's such a good book I couldn't put it down and gave myself a concussion (not really) when it fell on my head when I fell asleep in the middle of the night.

The Orkney setting is also superb and it's so well described I imagined myself there.

I cannot recommend enough

[Nicola Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this. I like it when the books are set in the Islands as it is such a great setting that brings in great characters. In this one, a whale pod is beached and when trying to bury the calf, a grave is discovered with Viking jewellery and more recent skeleton. DI Flett fears he has links to the body, so McNab is brought in to lead the investigation. The story is pacy with a lot happening in different locations and the author really brings the area to life, evoking the senses really well. A great addition to the series.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

[Anne Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another episode in the life of Rhona McLeod. I have read the whole series and know the characters. This story is set in Orkney and touches on the lives of some of the people investigating the crimes. I enjoyed the story but I am not sure where else the series can go without something major happening to the main characters.

[Tawny Slaughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I picked it up outside of the series and was able to enjoy it as a stand alone. I listen to this book as a ALC thanks to Libro.fm.

I finished it quickly and never got bored, which I often do with books.

Great story telling, I felt like I was on the team working out the mystery.

[Sheila Joyner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I know Orkney well so I could picture the places mentioned. The story was interesting and twisty. However, I really do wish that Rhona and McNab’s relationship would evolve….I feel they fancy each other but never do anything about it. Something needs to happen with them, please?

[philip lock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhona MacLeod strikes again

Great read good story gives you a good look into Archeology with good discriptions of Viking sites.
. Put together with the discovery of bodies leads to a cant put down book. I can recommend this to anyone trust me when you start youll find it hard to put down.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humanity

I continue to enjoy this series. The core characters with their strengths and interesting foibles. Complex plots. Intriguing settings. Horrors mitigated by humanity.

[Nicola Ferry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twists and turns in this one. An enjoyable read.

[Joanne Fairbrother · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read with a real sense of place in Orkney

[Graham Fi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was ok but not the best for me. The audio book reader not great.

[France · Rating 2 out of 5]

Deeply disappointed with some of the actions of Rhona near the end of the book... leaving behind a scene of very likely next murder? really? So out of character. They knew the murderer was going to come to this place and they didn't keep an eye on it, stupid.