A Death in Glasgow

by Eva Macrae

Get ready to be addicted to the page-turning new mystery thriller from Scottish crime author, Eva Macrae, perfect for fans of Stuart MacBride, Happy Valley, and Dept. Q.

She bought a return ticket. She never came back…

When Holly Campbell’s body is found on the train tracks at Glasgow Central, police quickly rule it a suicide.

She’d had a troubled past. She’d tried before.

But Sergeant May Mackay can’t let one detail go. If Holly never wanted to come home, why did she buy a return ticket?

Driven by her own haunting loss and a promise to Holly’s grieving mother, May is determined to solve the mystery.

But the deeper she digs, the more sinister the truth becomes.

Someone is hiding a terrible secret. And they’ll do whatever it takes to keep it buried.

Even if it means silencing May for good…

Genres: Thriller

323 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 8, 2026

Reviews

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - 5 stars

A dangerous pursuit and a death on the tracks at Glasgow Central Station. Suicide, accident or??? The victim is student Holly Campbell and her distraught mother Jackie McNally appeals for help to Sergeant May Mackay, stressing her daughter would not commit suicide. May totally understands Jackie’s feelings as she is a grieving mother herself. Jackie pleads with May and she agrees to do what she can because there’s one item in Holly’s possessions that gives her pause for thought and look into it she will, whatever her boss orders. With the help of DC Dimple Sharma from the British Transport Police she begins an investigation which will take her down a very dangerous and sinister path.

This has a breathtaking and tense start which hooks me into the storytelling most effectively. I really like the characters of May and Dimple and a good respectful relationship develops between the two. May has a very interesting background, she has her issues especially her grief which she carries as well as she can. If anything, it makes her more focused with a great determination to pursue the truth. She has a really good partner in Tam who is a good foil for her and grounds her. I grow to admire May’s empathy and her persistence in getting things done as she goes the extra mile. There’s good banter and dynamics between the police team with a good sprinkling of humorous nicknames which raises a smile amongst the dark and gritty.

The novel is rich in atmosphere, an atmosphere unique to Glasgow not least witnessed among the ‘neds’ she interviews to get to the truth and in the dialogue.

I particularly like how the plot starts as a one way enquiry but the deeper it goes it becomes obvious this is about as far from that as it gets. It gets darker and grittier and way more dangerous than May ever anticipates. It’s moving in places, there’s tension and suspense as May navigates all kinds of dirty dealings and downright evil, a multitude of lies and deception until the shocking truth reveals itself. The pace is fast and it holds my interest throughout with plenty of action to keep me gripped.

Overall, I really enjoy this police procedural and hope to meet May and Dimple again in the future.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Cornerstone for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

Publishes in the U.K. 8/1/26

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark and gritty crime novel, set on the mean streets of Glasgow. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough reading A Death in Glasgow by Eva Macrae. I believe this is the start of a new series and already I am eager for the next book. This was so well written, full of emotion and solid police work, it was certainly my cup of tea.

A young student is found in the tracks at Glasgow Central Station. The transport police are quick to rule it a suicide, but the girls mother is not so convinced. Sergeant May Mackay isn’t either, when she finds a return ticket in Hollys coat pocket. Why would she buy a return ticket if she was going to end her life? working with a rogue transport police officer, they set out to find Hollys killer, bringing them into contact with the worst of the worst in Glasgow’s gangs and drug dealers.

May is such a wonderful character, I really liked her and wanted her to get the bad guys. She is dealing with her own grief , but is determined to see justice for Holly and her mother. She won’t take no for an answer, and is not scared to get out there on the streets among the people and ask the hard questions. She is tough one, and I would want her in my corner.

Thank you so much to Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century on NetGalley for my early copy of this book to read. What a great start to 2026. Publishes on January 8th.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Death in Glasgow by Eva Macrae is about...well, I think the title can help you with that one, you don't need me.

The death in question is that of Holly Campbell, whose body is found on the tracks at Glasgow Central station. From the wrong side of town, born into the wrong family and with a history of mental health issues, her death is quickly ruled a suicide and Sergeant May Mackay is told to move on. However, when May discovers that Holly had bought a return ticket, she begins to dig a little deeper and discovers that everything might not be quite as it seems.

Firstly, I love when books are set in places which I know well. There is something so magical about being able to picture every street being walked down and every shop being mentioned. What I also love about books like this is that they aren't all car chases or gun shoot outs just plain, honest, police procedures like interviews, CCTV. I think this gives it a sense of realism so sadly missing from other novels which prioritise more thrilling elements to keep the reader hooked. Not that I don't enjoy those types of novels and they definitely have their place, I just find these more realistic and gripping.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone | Century for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Death in Glasgow is the first book in a new series, and if what I've just read is anything to go by, it's going to be a cracker of a series. 🚓
This police procedural has it all:
- Suspicious deaths
- Organised crime
- Cybercrime
- A ballsy female protagonist
- Atmosphere
- A gritty, gripping storyline
- Twists and turns aplenty 🚓
I'm going to assume you've read the blurb at the top, so I won't bore you with another one. Just know that this story hits the ground running. It takes us through the mean streets of Glasgow, where we meet many interesting characters, some of them quite unsavoury, one or two borderline eccentric. 🚓
Front and centre is Sergeant May Mackay, formerly of CID, but now back on the beat. She's gutsy, and she'll get her man, or die trying. 🚓
I loved this book, and I will definitely be watching out for the next in series. 🚓
Thanks to Random House UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

suicide under a train in Glasgow's main station. A distraught mother with a troubled past insists it's not suicide. A drug dealing ex who doesn't want to accept that the relationship is over.
Seargent May has also lost a daughter to suicide. Is she projecting her grief to make it be another outcome?
A book full of twists and turns, characters that human and flawed.
It kept me gripped and I was sorry when the book ended. Definitely will be looking for other books by Eva.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book should have been right up my street. I love a police procedural/thriller and I was born in Glasgow. Somehow though, it never quite grabbed me. I didn’t find myself rooting for May, the Police Sergeant and main protagonist, I just didn’t find her likeable. I felt for her, having lost her daughter to suicide but couldn’t quite identify with her not wanting to be with her son in Australia and preferring to stay near the ghost of her daughter, despite the fact that both her son and his kids and her husband wanted them both to make the move - just didn’t ring true.

The story line was good, a girl dying in front of a train in Glasgow Central Station with the obvious question: did she jump, did she fall or was she pushed. The girl’s mother is convinced there is no way it was suicide and the return train ticket in her pocket seems support her view.

Honestly, I sussed it out who the perpetrator was long before the reveal - I don’t always.

Although it’s been a long, long time since I lived in Scotland and although born in Glasgow I never really lived there but I did work there and there was a lot of vernacular that I don’t remember and my brother, who still lives there, never uses. I could understand that from the potential suspects but from within the police it surprised me. For example, I do remember that the police were referred to as the ‘polis’ but to hear May call herself a ‘polis’ just didn’t ring true. I am, however, willing to stand corrected by those living there now if that would actually happen.

It is fair to say that I’m not a fan of books full of vernacular. I can use my imagination to input the Scottish accent without it all written out as they would say it. It may suit some, but not me.
Whilst I enjoyed the storyline, I felt it could have been shorter. I felt it dragged on a bit and towards the end I was longing for it to finish. I don’t know if this is part of a series but it’s fair to say I wouldn’t be keen to read the next one.
Still three stars because I enjoyed the style of writing and the storyline.
My thanks go to the author, the publishers and to NetGalley for an advanced e.copy of this book, however, this review is voluntary and entirely my own thoughts and opinions.

[BookishDramas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I read this book as an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion about it based on my completing it.
I picked this book by Eva Macrae who sets the story in Glasgow, a place that feels lived in, weather beaten and the opening scene is immediate and gruesome enough to pull you in. The novel drops you into a case that seems deceptively simple at first glance; a body found on the tracks with police ruling it a case of suicide but a single detail is not letting Sergeant Mackay sleep. I loved that the book trusts its atmosphere to do a lot of heavy lifting and that the city itself becomes a character that presses on every scene.

May Mackay is a solid protagonist and is central to the story. She is flawed without being tiresome and her personal grief threads through the investigation in a way that gives the procedural stakes more bite. Eva writes scenes of police work with convincing specificity and a nose for small details which keeps the investigation feeling grounded. The novel peaks in its quieter moments when May pursues a hunch and when memory or guilt nudges her to ask an awkward question. Those scenes made me care and they carried the book far more than the shouty set pieces ever did.

Plot wise the book is accomplished if not entirely original. There are twists and shocks and a final unmasking that will satisfy many readers except the truly hardboiled and a handful of reveals landed for me with genuine punch. At the same time a few of the red herrings are obvious early and some of the manuscript leans on familiar crime tropes which slightly softens the overall impact. The pacing is mostly excellent with a careful balance between mood and momentum yet there are passages where the narrative feels like it is circling rather than advancing.

Secondary characters are a mixed bag. Some feel textured and human and they amplify May in useful ways. Others are sketched in broader strokes which leaves a couple of emotional beats less resonant than they could have been. The prose is plain, clear and readable.

Overall I enjoyed A Death in Glasgow and I would recommend it to readers who like their crime with atmosphere and an empathetic investigator at the centre. Not flawless but engaging and often moving. If you want a gritty feel of Glasgow and a mystery that rewards patience this will be an entertaining pick.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

When 22-year-old Holly Campbell jumps in front of an incoming train at Glasgow Central, the British Transport Police (BTP) immediately rule it a suicide since Holly was a troubled young woman with a domestically violent background and a history of drug abuse. What is more, Holly had tried to kill herself before, so it seems to be an open-and-shut case. 

But when Sergeant May Mackay finds a return ticket in Holly's coat pocket, she begins to wonder. Holly's mother Jackie believes her daughter's ex-boyfriend and dealer Scott Galbraith is responsible for her daughter's death since he had relentlessly stalked her and sent threatening messages. But there's also Michael McNally, Jackie's estranged brother, a prominent public figure and businessman and, as May suspects, also the head of an organised crime group. Had his niece Holly known something that could have been dangerous for him?

May knows what it means to lose a child and promises Jackie to uncover the truth about Holly's death. With the help of DC Dimple Sharma from BTP, May immerses herself in this case and slowly uncovers a web of lies, secrets and revenge that will pull her deeper than she ever imagined, even putting at risk those she loves. But when another dead body turns up, May and Darma must question everything they have believed so far...

"A Death in Glasgow" by Eva Macrae is an incredibly gripping, atmospheric and realistic crimethriller/police procedural with a very surprising twist at the end. The book had me hooked from the first page since I loved the dark atmosphere of rain-soaked Glasgow, the fast-paced and action-packed plot, the twist and turns, and the complex and authentic characters. The story is told exclusively from May's perspective, so you really get to know her well and can relate easily to her. May is a passionate, dedicated, courageous and utterly human police officer. I loved following her through every dark twist and moral dilemma that came up while trying to solve the case. 

So if you are into crime stories that feel real, with layered characters and tension that builds like a storm… this one is definitely for you. I, for my part, really hope that "A Death in Glasgow" won't be a stand-alone thriller but the first book in a fantastic new series! 

[jeff popple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eva Macrae is better known as the author of the DI Shona Oliver novels under her real name of Lynne McEwan. Now as Eva Macrae is heading in a new direction with A Death In Glasgow.

After a brief Prologue, A Death In Glasgow opens with the discovery of a young woman’s body on the tracks at Glasgow Central Station. The transport police are quick to rule it a suicide, but Holly’s mother is not so convinced that she killed herself. Sergeant May Mackay isn’t either, especially when she finds a return ticket in Holly’s coat pocket. Why would she buy a return ticket if she was going to end her life? Despite the directions from her superiors, May works away at the case with the assistance of a rogue transport police officer. Through Holly’s dodgy, and violent boyfriend, the pair discover links to a major drug gang, and gradually find themselves caught up in something very nasty.

A Death In Glasgow is a well crafted police procedural that steadily draws you in and keeps you interested. The beginning is a bit of a slow burn, but once underway the tension rises and the final sections are quite suspenseful. Eva skilfully broadens the story out from its initial focus, but successfully draws it back to Holly’s death to deliver a good surprise or two at the end.

May is a credible and interesting character who is dealing with her own tragedy, which colours her dealings with Holly’s mother and helps her to see the truth. She is believably tough when she has to be, but also very fragile at times. She is very convincing. The other characters also have a gritty, plausible feel to them and Eva’s use of local slang and phrases helps to build the sense of place. The book is rich in atmosphere and the storyline is drawn from everyday experiences in Glasgow.

In all, A Death In Glasgow is an enjoyable police novel that really grew on me as it progressed.
4-5 rounded up.
Full review and more at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/t...

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of death, secrets and danger. Sergeant May MacKay is called out for a suicide. The thing that doesn't sit right with May is that the girl had a ticket home in her pocket, so it doesn't indicate that she was going to end her life. So what happened?

This is a book that has some tense moments; it is obviously set in Glasgow, and the death occurs at the railway station. May has dealt with suicide on a more personal level, so it is only natural that some of her colleagues think she is trying to prove a crime where there may not be one. The thing is, at the beginning of the book, the reader already meets Holly and is aware of what happened, although not who or why at that point.

May is joined by Dimple Sharma, an officer with the Transport Police, and together they manage to convince their superiors that this is not a suicide, but could be murder. They find themselves scouring the darker side of Glasgow, where drugs and gangs are prevalent, and things then get more intense over time.

This was an interesting book and one that showed the murkier side of Glasgow. It is full of danger, shadows, mystery, and so many people keeping their observations to themselves, making the job of May and Dimple even tougher to crack.

I do like this pairing, May being older and more experienced taking the lead but also listening to what Dimple has to bring to the partnership, well, most of the time. There is also the home life for May and how her husband provides support, and also how May helps the mother of the suicide victim. This, I think, is approached well, but the investigation is focused more on trying to find a murderer.

This is a good story and one that has a steady pace. It involves family, police presence and corruption, and while the crime is solved, there is something left that could see a return of this character. Good duo and one that I would be happy to recommend to fans of crime, thriller, mystery and police procedurals.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is terrific Scottish crime. Really well written and developed, it’s dark and gritty, set in Glasgow, in the wrong side of town ruled by gangs and drug dealers. Where kids grow up in poverty and often violence, and are recruited by the gangs before they have any chance of escaping.

Sergeant May Mackay is a Glasgow cop, born and bred in the mean streets herself, with a toughness that helps her deal with the criminal element. Previously a detective in CID, she moved back to being in uniform after the suicide of her daughter, so she could spend more time with her musician husband Tam.

The novel opens with a young woman, Holly Campbell, falling onto the tracks in front of a train at Glasgow station. The transport police rule her death a suicide, but one young officer, Dimple Sharma, has her doubts. Holly’s mother, Jackie is adamant that Holly would never have killed herself as she was looking forward to a bright future working in cybercrime. Besides, why would she have a return ticket in her pocket if she was planning suicide in the station? After Dimple approaches May with Jackie’s concerns, May agrees to look into it when she has time away from her other cases.

Right from the start this novel draws in the reader in and keeps them hooked. The tension builds steadily as May and Dimple investigate May’s shady ex-boyfriend and the organised crime group he works for, which is headed by Holly’s uncle.

I loved the use of Glaswegian Street vernacular and the local characters which added to the authentic atmosphere of the setting. May is a great main character, tough as old boots, but with a soft and compassionate core. She has a great understanding of people and how to get them to talk to her and takes on a mentoring role for Dimple, the inexperienced but smart as a whip transport police officer. I hope we’ll get to see more of her in the future. 4.5★

With thanks to Random House UK for a copy to read via Netgalley

[Denis Wheller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly Campbell will escape her pursuer if she can catch the train home. Holly, the stalker and the train arrive together. Holly doesn’t survive the meeting. The death, at platform nine in Glasgow’s Central Station, is initially classed as a suicide by the British Transport Police (BTP), a national force separate from Police Scotland (PS) but with the same powers. Crimes on the Railways are under their jurisdiction and normally PS would not be involved. However, Holly’s mother refuses to believe the suicide story and persuades Sergeant May Mackay to take a look at the case. She liaises with DC Dimple Sharma of the BTP and the pair, despite reluctance from their superiors, soon reveal a connection to the McNally’s (the main organised crime group in the Glasgow area), and a disgruntled, drug dealing, ex-boyfriend who works for the latter. The duo must now establish how the connection led to the murder.
This is unequivocally a police procedural and is a good example of the genre. May is a solid character whose own daughter had died from suicide. It is hard to avoid seeing a similarity to Sergeant Catherine Cawood from the TV series “Happy Valley” (she was the image I had while reading). Dimple is an interesting and believable character, clearly growing with her experience on this case – which is a very rare type for BTP investigations. Descriptions of the background, i.e. Glasgow, Loud and Proud, are evocative and contribute strongly to the story. The plot has some minor twists, but I solved the mystery pretty easily so wasn’t as invested as I would have liked. I’m giving it 4 stars because I can’t give fractions.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

[Shona · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Holly Campbell’s body is found on the train tracks at Glasgow Central, police quickly rule it a suicide. She’d had a troubled past & had tried before.But Sergeant May Mackay can’t let one detail go. If Holly never wanted to come home, why did she buy a return ticket? Driven by her own haunting loss and a promise to Holly’s grieving mother, May is determined to solve the mystery but the deeper she digs, the more sinister the truth becomes. Someone is hiding a terrible secret and will do whatever it takes to keep it buried. Even if it means silencing May for good…

The first in a new thriller series, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Sergeant May Mackay on her first investigation. I was gripped from the offset, the introductions to the characters building the tension throughout.

Being the first title in a new series there is a slower pace at first with a lot of background detail provided, the author perfectly communicating the relevance of characters, alongside relevant historic information that supports the current case, but also creates the emotional connection with the reader too. The pace in the latter half of this title really ramps up to provide an action-filled conclusion, and although I’d figured out the twist reveal beforehand, I still really enjoyed the execution.

I also feel that this book has given me an insight into the Glaswegian dialect, it really brought the characters to life when reading, setting the scene perfectly. I look forward to the continuation of this series in the future and to discover more from May & her return to solving crimes.

[Angela Mellor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Death In Glasgow is a well written police procedural that had me gripped from the start.
The book starts with a body on a rail track and Sergeant May MacKay is called out to attend. Holly has supposedly committed suicide but May isn’t convinced as the girl had a return ticket in her pocket, why buy it if you’re not going home? May has had a tough time recently and is the perfect officer to help Holly’s mother but how far can she protect her. Drugs are questioned but Holly had nothing in her system and had been clean for a while so after hearing what others say May is convinced the ex boyfriend part of a drug gang has pushed her to her death. The more May uncovers the deeper she gets and someone Sergeant May and someone wants her to stay away.
This is a hard read at times but it worked well. There are a lot of twists along the way and I didn’t get the right culprit! The story is told so well I can hear the accent when I read it and feel I’m there in Glasgow as well. I like how it’s based around strong women for a change, although there are supporting partners the women shine through well. I don’t know if this is the start of a series but I can see it moving g onto another book.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never read anything by Eva Macrae before so I did not know what to expect with this one. It turned out to be a really atmospheric read and I liked the gritty Glasgow setting.

The story starts with a body on the tracks at Glasgow Central. The authorities are quick to call it suicide but Sergeant May Mackay is not so sure after she finds a return ticket in the victim's pocket. It is a simple detail that could easily have been missed but May is not your 'usual' copper.

May ends up working with an officer from the British Transport Police to get to the truth. May and Dimple Sharma become even more determined to find out what actually happened to Holly Campbell since their respective bosses want to close the case.

I will admit it was a little slow at times partly, I think, because it's the first in a series and there is always a bit of background and story to provide context to the main characters and May is a strong lead whose personal grief definitely colours her perspective and makes her feel very human.

It is a solid police procedural and I would be happy to read more from her and am patiently waiting for the next instalment.

Many thanks to the author, RandomHouseUK, Cornerstone, Century and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts on this, a gritty start to a promising new Glasgow series.

[Paula Sterling-Stead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly Campbell is running for her life. There is someone in hot pursuit, but she can get away if she can catch the next train home. Only she is pushed onto the tracks and killed. The British transport police immediately put it down to suicide and inform her mother Jackie McNally. Jackie however is not convinced. There is her abusive ex-boyfriend, Scott who she is certain murdered her. When Sergeant May MacKay is notified that she is kicking off at the front desk. She begins to think the mother could be onto something. There is a return ticket in Holly’s pocket.

This is a fast-paced murder mystery novel which delves into the black market of intimidation, drug dealing and racketeering. Jackie’s family seem to own everything and everyone in Glasgow and with this in mind it isn’t any wonder that May and DC Dimple Sharma are unable to penetrate the community let alone see how it links to Holly’s murder.

Macrae’s use of dialect and characterisation are superb. There is a real sense that these could be your neighbours on a housing estate in Glasgow. It is this realism that contributed to my enjoyment as I tackled the red herrings and ultimately solved the crime. A worthy read.

Thank you NetGalley and ARC for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication.

[Mrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book I really enjoyed. A young girl is found on the tracks at Glasgow Central Station. Sgt May Mackay cannot get her head round the suicide which the Railway Police are purporting to be the case as Holly had a return ticket home. Why buy a return ticket if she did not plan on going home. Mackay decides to investigate further with the help of D C Sharma of the Railway Police. They are both struggling for anyone in their respective offices to take any notice of their assumptions. Due to Holly taking drugs in the past they feel that the case should be closed even through she had been clean for sometime especially with her relationship with the McNally family, Scott being her boyfriend and who her mom assumed got her into drugs in the first place. The book continues in a relatively fast pace and the central characters of the book were interesting. May and Dimple do not give up on their quest to find out the truth even though their careers could be in jeopardy. They find out that a “bigwig” in Glasgow may have ties to drug gangs and things become very difficult. They do continue and they eventually find the truth to solve the case. A good read

[Alyson]

When a young woman appears to commit suicide on the Glasgow train tracks her death is considered self inflicted by the transport police as she has attempted suicide before. However, her mother does not believe this verdict and appeals to Sgt May Mackay, who is more considerate in her dealings with the woman as she has also lost a daughter to suicide. As May and Dimple from the transport police investigate, May finds her own life is in danger and not everything is as it seems.
This is a well written book with a good level of intrigue and enough development to keep the plot moving. However, I was disappointed to have worked out fairly early the direction it was going in as I would like to have lived in the story a bit longer, as I enjoyed the character of May and her interactions with her colleagues and husband.
I've not read other books by this author but certainly would give them a go.
With thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

[Pauline Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A teenage girl is hit by a train at Glasgow Central Station and the BTP quickly assume it’s a suicide. Sergeant May Mackay has doubts however, not least that the girl, Holly had a return train ticket. Maybe she just wasn’t thinking clearly but also her mother Jackie is adamant she wouldn’t have killed herself and points the finger at Holly’s ex boyfriend Scott Galbraith. May is in the unbearable position of understanding Jackie’s grief as her own daughter committed suicide two years previously. An excellent story that delves into the murky world of drug dealers and a criminal underworld. I appreciated this book as for once it highlighted the amount of work the police have to contend with at any one time. Often a book is written as though the investigating officer only has one crime to solve. While this mentioned other cases, it didn’t detract from the main story. I did guess the outcome, or at least most of it, which is most unusual for me but didn’t spoil my enjoyment of this well written book.

[Steve Capel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new series from an author whose previous crime series was published under a different name. Having not read that series I read this with no preconceived opinions.
This is an excellent read which truly deserves to be described as gritty and realistic . May Malay has reverted to uniform after some time in CID and is the sergeant in charge of a response team in an area of Glasgow when she becomes aware of a death at Glasgow Central railway station. The transport police are happy to class the death as suicide but after speaking to the mother of the deceased young woman May has doubts.
She is joined in her investigation by Dimple a young transport police detective and together they unravel a complex and dark web stretching into the dark Glasgow underworld. I was engaged buy this story from the first chapter and found the characters well drawn and relateable.
This is a great addition to the genre known as Scottish Noir and to British crime writing in general. I look forward to further books in series.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Holly Campbell's is found on the train tracks at Glasgow Central, police quickly rule it a suicide. She'd had a troubled past. She'd tried before. But Sergeant May Mackay can't let one thing go. If Holly never wanted to come home, why did she buy a return ticket? Driven by her own haunting loss and a promise to Holly's grieving mother, May is determined to solve this mystery. But the deeper she digs, the more sinister the truth becomes.

This book is full of twists, flawed characters, and a plot that's believable and gripping. Holly was a troubled young woman with a history of drug abuse. But there are questions to this investigation that Sergeant May Mackay has because she doesn't believe this was a suicide case, as Holly had a return ticket in her pocket. This is a well-written police procedural. This is the first book in a new series and I'm already patiently waiting for the next book.

Published 8th January 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #RandomHouseUk #Cornerstone and the author #EvaMacRae for my ARC of #ADeathInGlasgow in exchange for an honest review.

[Alison Taylor-Muhl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect – what I got was a well written and atmospheric book with great characterisation. Sargeant May Mackay is an engaging lead, and I found myself drawn to her compassion and determination to do the ‘right thing’ from the off. Dimple is another well-developed character that I liked and the emerging relationship between Dimple and May was something I very much enjoyed. I also valued the inclusion of day-to-day policing tasks in addition to the main plot and thought these were interesting fillers. There is a lot of focus on May’s traumatic backstory, which sometimes felt repetitive. The pacing is up and down, and as someone who likes a fast-moving police procedural, I found this a bit frustrating. I did guess the identity of the offender fairly early on, but this didn’t spoil the book for me, and I thought the ending was perfect for this tale.

(3.5 stars rounded up to 4.)

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Holly’s body is found on the train tracks in Glasgow, police quickly rule it as suicide. But sergeant May can’t work out why she would buy a return ticket if this was true. May is determined to solve this mystery but the deeper she digs, the more dangerous it becomes.

I’ve heard some good things about this book and the premise sounded simple but intriguing, so I was interested to read (I also usually enjoy a police procedural). This ended up a solid crime novel with the setting described well, however it wasn’t a favourite read. The characters are well written, however I found I didn’t really connect to them. I found the pacing overly slow so I lost interest and I would have liked to have seen more surprises.

Even though I had a few issues with this story, it was still a decent, well written read and I can see why plenty of readers are rating this highly. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of ‘A Death in Glasgow’ by Eva Macrae, due to be published on 8 January 2026 by Random House UK, Cornerstone.

When a young girl, Holly, appears to have committed suicide at Glasgow Central Station, Sgt May Mackay becomes embroiled in trying to find out the truth of what happened after her mother swears that Holly would not kill herself, was no longer taking drugs and had everything to live for.

May learns that Holly’s ex is a known criminal, and sets out to make a case against him, and the notorious McNally family.

A great police procedural, excellent character development and gritty details of a criminal underworld. I had my suspicions about where to apportion the blame, and whilst they proved to be correct, I was really surprised at how deep the lies and deception ran, and how it tied together at the end. A highly recommended read.

[Gordon Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Death In Glasgow is a good dark police procedural with touches of black humour. The titular death takes place in Glasgow's Central Station and is initially thought to be a suicide. But local beat Sergeant May Mackay thinks otherwise, knowing the dead girl's ex to be local drug dealer. He, and his crew, are the obvious suspects, and May puts herself in the firing line by investigating. There are twists along the way and the eventual revelations are shocking.

The novel is gritty and well written, and the sense of place is strong. The good and bad of Glasgow is on display giving the narrative a sense of realism. May is a strong lead character, driven by a need for justice and haunted by her own daughter's suicide. This could be the start of a series, with some interesting supporting characters within May's team that have scope for development.

[Roroblu'sMum · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* Dreary and grim, a sad and vivid picture of Scotland that doesn't make it into the news, although it exists.

Drugs and Scotland aren't something the press reports on, focusing more on its natural beauty and resources. This very readable but painful tale tells another story, one of drugs and addiction in 'ordinary' kids, one of heavies and protection rackets, and people who live in fear and despondency.

It's a sad, tough read, with a baddie I thought I'd sussed - lots of hints, lots of reasons - but in actuality was the last person I'd thought of. It was a sad waste of a life that'd been turned around and was heading for a positive future. There was, too, sadly, betrayal from more than one, and I admired the victim's mum for what she did despite her loss. Pretty sure I'd have done the same.

ARC courtesy of Penguin Random House and NetGalley for my reading pleasure.

[Patricia Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. A gritty police procedural based in the streets of Glasgow. It concentrates on the uniformed officers rather than detectives as many books do. The main character May Mackay is a sergeant trying to cope with her job and her sorrow after the suicide of her teenage daughter. The storyline was compelling and multi faceted. There were plenty of opportunities to 'guess the bad guy' which I did, but not until quite near the end. The ending was worth waiting for. It was an exciting conclusion to what had been a good read. I believe this may be the first in a series. If so I'll definitely be looking out for the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Big Bertha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The body of Holly Campbell on the tracks at Glasgow Central station didn't really get a second look, Holly was known to the police she'd tried suicide before and it looked like this time she'd succeeded. Holly's mother isn't having it, she's adamant that Holly didn't take her own life and when Sgt May Mackay speaks to the distressed mother just a few hours later it does appear that the British Transport Police have reached their conclusion all too easily.

This action-packed police procedural is a promising start to a new series, Sgt May Mackay is an engaging lead and the narrative was well written with a good mix of characters, policing and domestic drama.

My thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone for the early read, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery thriller, firmly set in Glasgow. The start of a promising new police crime series. Sergeant May Mackay is a Police Officer to watch.

What struck me was the numerous backstories that are embedded in the narrative to bring the story and the characters to life. To give them a solid past before this crime takes place.

If you are familiar with Glasgow you will find yourself able to be a bystander looking on as the action takes place around you.

I’m not entirely sure of the final reveal, or maybe I’m not entirely sure of the time spent on the distracters. But I’m looking forward to more books from Eva Macrae shaping May Mackay’s future.

Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a tense beginning and a definite belief that she is being followed, Holly Campbell is reported as having committed suicide by jumping in front of a train. Her mother Jackie is adamant she didn't jump and Sergeant May Mackay is inclined to believe her when she finds a return ticket in her bag.
This is a good story which has numerous twists and turns. The relationship between May and Dimple from the British Transport Police is interesting and there is much of interest in the book. The relationship between May and her husband Tam is not as convincing but this does not detract from the story.
Three and a half stars for me.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Eva Macrae/Random House UK, Cornerstone for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.