The Last Grave: A pulse-pounding, gripping Scottish crime thriller

by T.F. Muir

'Tartan noir doesn't get much better than this' - Irish Independent

'Absolutely loved this book!!' - Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Glasgow, Scotland: When a man's body is pulled from the River Clyde, Strathclyde Police initiate a murder investigation that exposes deadly links to organised crime gangs. And when the matriarch of the notorious Shepherd family disappears, DCI Andy Gilchrist of St Andrews CID and his associate, DS Jessie Janes, are called upon to find her. But their investigation uncovers a historical trail of missing persons, now all presumed dead.

Why pull in Gilchrist and Janes for a murder in Glasgow? Can they locate the missing bodies? As they dig deeper, they expose an illegal body disposal gang and a murderous plot to change the balance of criminal power in Scotland and beyond.

But the organised crime gangs won't give up quietly, and they put in motion murderous acts of retribution, with their sights set firmly on Gilchrist. Leading the pack is Bully Reid, a career criminal and brutal killer who Gilchrist put away years ago, and who still pulls the strings from behind bars in Barlinnie prison.

Can Gilchrist and Janes survive Bully's revenge? Or will they end up like all the others - just two more missing bodies?
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Readers and reviewers love the DCI Andy Gilchrist thrillers!

'DCI Andy Gilchrist is a real copper, flaws an' all... I read it one sitting' - Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Thrilling... first page, a suspicious death, and we're off!' - Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Fascinating storylines... police procedural at its best' - Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'All the makings of a classic series' - Mick Herron, author of the bestselling Slough House thrillers

'Rebus did it for Edinburgh. Laidlaw did it for Glasgow. Gilchrist might just be the bloke to put St Andrews on the crime fiction map' - Daily Record

'Gripping and grisly, with plenty of twists and turns that race along with black humour' - Craig Robertson

'DCI Gilchrist gets under your skin. Though, determined, and a bit vulnerable, this character will stay with you long after the last page' - Anna Smith

Genres: Crime

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2025

About the author

Aka Frank Muir and T. Frank Muir

Born in Glasgow, Frank was plagued from a young age with the urge to see more of the world than the rain sodden slopes of the Campsie Fells. By the time he graduated from University with a degree he hated, he’d already had more jobs than the River Clyde has bends. Short stints as a lumberjack in the Scottish Highlands and a moulder’s labourer in the local foundry convinced Frank that his degree was not such a bad idea after all. Twenty-five years of working overseas helped him appreciate the raw beauty of his home country. Now a dual US/UK citizen, Frank divides his time between Richmond, Virginia, and Glasgow, Scotland, carrying out research in the local pubs and restaurants. Frank is currently doing some serious book research in St Andrews' local pubs, and working on his next novel, another crime story suffused with dark alleyways and cobbled streets and some things gruesome.

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Für ihren aktuellen Fall müssen DCI Andy Gilchrist und DS Jessie Janes nach Glasgow. Dort wurde die Leiche eines Journalisten gefunden, der offensichtlich im Clyde ertrunken ist. Aber auf den zweiten Blick wird aus dem vermeintlichen Unfall ein Mord. Der Tote war hinter einer Story her, die ihre Kreise in die Unterwelt Glasgows zieht. Alle, die damit zu tun haben, verschwinden spurlos.

Hinter dem Tod des Journalisten steckt mehr als nur der Mord. In der Unterwelt findet ein Umbruch statt. Die Chefin soll abgesetzt und von einem Verwandten ersetzt werden, der eine andere, wesentlich brutalere Richtung einschlagen will. Jeder, der sich ihm in den Weg stellt, wird beseitigt. Bei seinen Ermittlungen wird Andy Gilchrist von beiden Seiten immer wieder ausgebremst.

Trotzdem sind die Ermittlungen für ihn eine willkommene Ablenkung, denn sie sind das einzig Normale in seinem Leben. Die Erkrankung seiner Partnerin ist so weit fortgeschritten, dass ihnen nur noch wenig Zeit bleibt und er kann sich nicht der Vorstellung stellen, bald ohne sie leben zu müssen.

Irenes Krankheit nimmt einen großen Teil im Krimi ein, deshalb ist er eher ruhig und es passiert viel hinter den Kulissen. Trotzdem war er für mich nicht langweilig, im Gegenteil: ich fand die Intrigen innerhalb der Unterwelt von Glasgow sehr interessant.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last. Grave by T F Muir is a DCI Gilchrist police thriller. Glasgow, Scotland is where DCI Andy Gilchrist and his associate, DS Jessie Jane’s are called upon to try to find the matriarch of the notorious Shepherd family who has disappeared. Their investigation uncovers a historical trail of missing persons, who are now presumed dead.
The investigation into violent criminals, ends with countless deaths and police officers seriously injured, as well as a more expected death of someone close to Andy Gilchrist.
A fascinating and sad insight into Scottish policing.

[Sally Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite complicated story about gangland turf wars, with plenty of drama. The balance of power between two notorious drug gangs is changing, and Andy Gilchrist and Jessie Janes are soon deeply involved with the fallout from several murders. In addition, Andy's partner Irene is nearing the end of her battle with cancer, and of course this weighs heavily upon him.
A gripping, if somewhat gruesome, tale which moves along very quickly.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Workings of a crematorium.

Another excellent story with a sad ending but interesting.Overall plot was most enjoyable and full of information which most people were unaware of ie. workings in a crematorium.

[Rachel Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Start of the book the story line was a bit convoluted, but it wrapped up in the end.
The long running story line came to. It’s known conclusion in a heartbreakingly sensitive manner. A definite mascara warning, and a good few box’s of tissues 😢💔😢😢

[pete anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A painful insight

This book challenges our Faith, per.sonal values and our understanding of life, death and Who holds responsibility for life, death and eternity