Our Debts to the Past

by Ed James

A cold case. A guilty conscience. A killer still at large.When campaigner Heather McGill forces Police Scotland to reopen the cold case murder of a local sex worker at Scott's View, a beauty spot in the Scottish Borders, she sets off a chain reaction that threatens to unravel decades of secrets.

DCI Rob Marshall is tasked with investigating the crime his predecessors failed to solve – but the evidence leads back to the group of teenagers who found the body, now all grown up with new lives of their own.

Meanwhile, Duncan Brown has returned from Canada to care for his ailing mother, but is he hiding a terrible secret?

As guilt, obsession and long-buried truths collide, someone will do anything to keep the past from coming to light.

Our Debts to the Past is the eighth book in the DI Rob Marshall series, following a sharp-witted detective haunted by his past. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart MacBride, JD Kirk and LJ Ross.If you love darkly funny crime fiction, binge the DI Rob Marshall series

The Turning of our BonesWhere the Bodies LieA Lonely Place of DyingA Shadow on the DoorWith Soul So DeadHis Path of DarknessFalse Dawn (Sgt Rakesh Siyal)Fear of Any KindOur Debts to the Past (31st August 2025)Cuts Both Ways (coming early 2026)

Genres: Crime

426 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2025

Reviews

[Tracy Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Acting DCI Rob Marshall has a problem, one which, if not handled correctly, will land Police Scotland with some very unfavourable press. Social media reporter, Heather McGill, a woman haunted by her past, has been calling loudly for a 25 year old cold case to be reopened, a cold case where she and a friend found a dead body. Convinced she can find the information needed to finally close the enquiry into Sharon Beattie's death, while also assuaging her guilty conscience, she quietly sets up a press conference at the original crime scene. Instead, another body is discovered with an MO similar to the original, and this time it's Rob who has to do the investigating!

Any day there's a new book by Ed James is a good day, and the eighth outing for DCI Rob Marshall is another winner. It's slightly different to his other books but not in a negative way. In fact, it definitely increases the jeopardy and tension. Rob even gets to leave a rainy Scotland for warmer climes, and it's fair to say he's not a natural tourist! I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was a great read, and the scene has been set for another exciting book later in the year. Highly recommended.

[Carolien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twenty-five years ago a group of teenagers found a body, no-one was prosecuted for the murder and now there is a campaign to re-open that cold case. Before DCI Rob Marshall can get his head around the original case, another death occurs and old secrets must be revealed. I love this series, this is a fast-paced addition and the ongoing development of the dynamic between key characters means that I look forward to each new book.

[ann campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

no wonder I’m addicted to Ed James

Omg,,,,Ed James,,,,,it happens every blooming time. I read right up to the latest of whatever police team I’m reading, then I don’t know what to do with myself Ed. Ironically I have around 60 books to read/listen to but YOU, MR JAMES, hav3 totally spoilt it for me to read any of them. .
I’d not read for about 6 mths at one point due to health stuff then I started back with fenchurch and binged the last 6. I absorbed Vicki Dodds, like crazy and backtracked to find anything else from you. I now am having withdrawals from Rob Marshall and await number 9, Please remind me that it is out this mth ie jan 26 or am I. Ow dreaming. lol……boy your some blooming author sir. Ann

[Sebastian Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a good read getting into Rob Marshall and his team. Not only the police work, but also the private lives of our main characters.
A 25 year old unsolved murder rears it's head on the anniversary day with a huge publicity campaign being orchestrated by a close friend of the deceased. Problem is that this then puts the closest to this death at risk.
Great story again and look forward to more in the series.

[David Somerville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!!

T'he characters are well defined, thier thoughts & speech create a visual reality in the reader's mind, Ed James is clever in the manner in which his descriptions of locale furthers the settings for the reader's characters.
The plot(S) challenges the reader to solve the ending before reaching it, the false climax & frustration of non completion, is very well crafted, & the personal emotional conflict leading to a great finish. Great book...read it!

[Sylvia Haines · Rating 3 out of 5]

We know who the murderer is from the beginning. Weird. But it is a good read. As a former Brit, now Canadian, I found the Canadian cop parody rather offensive. I know the term “bub” is used in the States but not something I hear in Canada. And why the dig at our RCMP? Sorry Ed but I preferred your earlier books.

[Hana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having followed DI Rob Marshall from book one, I was curious (and a bit cautious) when I realised Our Debts to the Past was taking a different storytelling route — revealing the murderer from the outset. But Ed James pulls it off brilliantly. Rather than taking away the suspense, it adds a whole new layer of tension. The mystery becomes not who, but why, and more intriguingly, how far it will all go. It’s a bold move this far into a series, and it pays off.

The setting, once again, is a highlight — especially for those of us local to the Scottish Borders. Scott’s View isn’t just name-dropped, it feels lived in. James captures its quiet beauty and emotional weight with a subtlety that only someone who knows the area could write. That sense of place runs through the whole book.

What really stands out — aside from the gripping plot — is the humour. Rob’s dry wit, the team’s banter, even the more awkward moments with locals… there’s a real levity that balances the darker themes. Gritty but never joyless.

Eight books in, and this series still feels fresh. I’m already looking forward to the next one.

[Lisa Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best yet

I have loved all of Ed’s series. I’ve been behind on my reading due to life getting in the way, so I have just read book 7 and 8 together. Book 8 has to be my favourite so far. Loved reading the two sides of the story. This book played out like a film in my head. Brilliant, looking forward to book 9.

[Paul M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve followed the Rob Marshall series since Book 1 and I think this instalment is the best by some way. The characters are so fully fleshed out that I feel I know them. The plot moved smoothly without any major ‘that really couldn’t happen’ moments. All in all a satisfying read and I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting storyline I liked how he was speaking to his parents especially his father until I realized he was dead. Kept me engaged like the Canadian cop angle and the ending, but can't wait to the next one lots to get sorted.

[K Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This series just gets better. I couldn't put it down, it compelled me to keep on reading until end. Even though you knew who the culprit was from the beginning, it did not spoil the suspense. I am so looking forward to the next book.

[David Nicoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent thrill ride

This book keeps you gripped with the realistic characters and the situations they get into. You want to keep reading the next chapter. Unputdownable. Definitely worth a read.

[Crooked Eye · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think DI Rob Marshall is probably one of the most pathetic 'profilers' I've ever experienced. That said, the story was relatively enjoyable but the 'romance' aspect was rather forced. I would have been a better story without the 'new' love interest.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me up till all hours

This is the best one yet. Great character development and good to get to know the characters better. Keep them coming.

[Liz Mistry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cold case murder enquiry links to a current murder. Lots of tension, nicely woven plot line and a couple of additional characters added to the series. Really enjoyed it

[Joanne Fairbrother · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable romp through the borders...and beyond!

[Paul Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Debts to the Past is one of Ed's best books. Thoroughly enjoyed and was captivated by it from start to finish. Strongly recommended.

[wendy geen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I have really enjoyed this series of books and the characters are credible and developing. I look forward to the next one.

[Katherine Utting · Rating 5 out of 5]

a different twist

Love these Rib Marshal books. Always something personal going on as well as the case. Keeps person interested for the whole time!

[Geoff Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Ed! Slightly different approach in parts from the previous books in the series, which I enjoyed.

[Douglas Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great episode for Rob Marshall read in a day & a half.

[Jane Dell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It gets better!!

Great read as all have been. Just about believable with engaging characters and storylines. I’ve read all eight in a week!!

[Hamish Bremner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from Ed James

This is one of the best Rob Marshall books so far. Great plot and finishes with a hook that means you cannot wait for the next volume.

[Mrs Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ed James has pulled the stops out with this Rob Marshall book.... we're led from a 25 year old cold case to current murders which starts with the strangled body of the campaigner at the beauty spot from the unsolved case, acting DCI Rob Marshall helped by newly promoted DI joliene start to piece together both the historical and current facts of the killings, and due to Andrea Elliott being attached to both murdered women is disgusted to be sidelined to media liaison.
the case ends up going global, with Rob meeting up with a fellow police detecive from Canada and travelling to the Dominican Republic where the case ends... sort of!! amongst working the investigation, Rob is trying to get his personal life on track after his split with kirstin, looking at property for himself, so he can stop staying with family, and possibly start up a new romance?? whereas Andrea has her own problems with eldest daughter sam at university. a great read once again 👏 with the added taster for book 9, definitely another 5🌟 winner

[Liz Krummell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like the Rob Marshall in this book is very different from the one where we met a guy with a PhD in criminal psychology. Rob is tired or hungry or drinking bad tea. He is going to buy a house that he barely looked at. We know who the bad person is immediately. The character existed, their father gave him a poor homelife. There may have been a murder or 2 in another country and there were annual murders in another place but the book did not really explore the character much. Isla seems a bit aggressive with the multiple text messages but hey what they heck they get along. Not my favorite

[Mary B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this Marshall book much more gripping than Book 7, maybe because the story had so much more in it - travel, love interest and a cliff hanger of sorts .....
Looking forward to the next one!