The Cursed Road

George Lennox and Richie Stewart #2

by Laura McCluskey

The hauntingly atmospheric and gripping new novel from the author of The Wolf Tree
In a mountainous region of the Scottish Highlands, a young woman's body has been found on a remote stretch of road. Though the manner of her death suggests a terrible accident, a name carved into her arm hints at something more sinister.

And when a personal connection to the name is revealed, DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart are sent to investigate.

As George and Richie question locals, they discover that the road has a bloody history. Fearing that more women will be harmed, they track the killer through a rugged wilderness where ancient feuds, generational curses and the unforgiving elements fight for supremacy.

But there are more secrets to the road than just its history - and the people living along it will do whatever it takes to stop those secrets from coming out.

Praise for The Wolf Tree:

'Absorbing, unsettling, and deeply accomplished' Dervla McTiernan

'An impressive crime debut dripping with atmosphere and threat; it will take you to a chilling cliff-edge of suspense, then hold you there until the very last page.' Hannah Richell

'A spooky delight. Smart, deliciously creepy and simply pitch-perfect - I tore through this spectacular debut!' Hayley Scrivenor

'McCluskey's enthralling plot keeps us guessing all the way through this spellbinding novel. The Wolf Tree is a gripping, thrilling and assured debut, not to be missed.' The Scots Magazine

'I can't recommend it enough. The imagery is stunning, each element pulling you deeper into the island's eerie, captivating world. McCluskey's vivid writing and tense plot make this one a must-read!' Angie Faye Martin, author of Melaleuca

Genres: Scotland

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

Laura McCluskey is a Melbourne-based writer, editor and actor. She created the production company Sibylline Films and co-founded Three Fates Theatre Company. The Wolf Tree is her first novel.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[megs_bookrack]

...and just like that, my dreams have come true! More George and Richie in 2026!!!

💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙

[Hu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cursed Road follows a chilling investigation that forces its characters to confront buried truths, dangerous secrets, and the haunting consequences of past choices. As tensions rise and danger closes in, the story hurtles forward with relentless momentum, delivering an emotional and atmospheric journey that really packs a punch!

Laura McCluskey brings back George and Richie, first introduced in The Wolf Tree, and while returning readers will appreciate the continuity, this novel reads seamlessly as a powerful standalone. From the very first chapter, the atmosphere is thick with tension; the pacing is enough to get anyones heart racing; it is page‑turning, and genuinely hard to put down. I found myself completely gripped by the intensity of the narrative and deeply moved by the emotional undercurrents woven through every chapter.

What elevates this book even further is the way it tackles important, real‑world issues with nuance and care: the portrayal of events in the media and the ripple effects of journalism, the quiet but vital importance of reaching out for help (and accepting it) and the raw, honest exploration of substance abuse & sobriety. I love when authors use their platform to shine a light on topics that matter, and McCluskey does so with both courage and compassion.

Overall, The Cursed Road is an absolute cracker of a story; gripping, atmospheric, and emotionally resonant. It deserves a place on the shelves of every crime thriller fan. I can't wait for my own physical copy!!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for the eARC.

[nina.reads.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might recall I listened to Laura McCluskey’s debut crime novel The Wolf Tree last month in anticipation of reading her second book The Cursed Road via Netgalley this month. I’m glad I did do this because while it would be possible to read the latest as a standalone I think it was richer from having already met the two key detectives Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart.

Events from the last book have impacted the detectives in different ways and they are not as close as they once were. When a woman’s body is found on a remote road in the Scottish Highlands with a name carved into her arm that has a personal connection for one of them the pair are thrust back into partnership again.

They soon discover that the road the body was found on is known locally as the Cursed Road and has been the scene of generations of disagreements. They interview both locals and newcomers to the area and it is clear that there are hidden secrets and people willing to do anything to protect them. Won't go into the details to keep it interesting!

So how did I find this book? Umm loved it! I love that these books are set in Scotland (so atmospheric!) and even reading this one rather than listening to it I could hear the accent in my head. I love that the detectives are flawed characters but not in an over the top way. I love that the plot was completely unique and that I had no idea for the entire book the way it would go until near the end. More ticks for me were that this was more of a slow burn mystery and it didn’t have a lot of front and centre violence or gore.

I am by no means a regular crime/mystery reader but I do like the occasional dabble and I think I have found a new favourite author. I’m intrigued to know why this Australian author is setting her novels in Scotland because it is definitely working for her!

Thank you @netgalley and @harpercollinsaustralia for my #gifted copy.

[Michele (michelethebookdragon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐

Well there were no second book jitters here. The Cursed Road will grab you and drag you into the misty wilderness of the Scottish Highlands and take you on quite the journey.

When a young woman's body is found on a desolate road outside the village of Kirkcree, no-one would be able to foresee what the police investigation will uncover. Not only has she been shot, but a message on her body will reopen a cold case.

With ancestral feuds going back hundreds of years still festering, a convicted sex offender out of jail and working in the area, a missing persons case that haunts DI Richie Stewart, a tense working relationship between Richie and DI George Lennox, cavalier and entitled sports shooters and a cocky investigative journalist in the mix, there are more than enough sparks to start a fire.

Again the location and the whisper of a Gaelic ghostly mystery added another layer to this book and I could feel the chill of the Highland winds.

I couldn't get enough of this book and finished it within twenty four hours of starting it. It was hard seeing the relationship between Richie and George in the state it was, almost a reversal of the way they were in The Wolf Tree. The build up to the ending was nail-biting and had me on edge.

I really enjoyed this one and if you like atmospheric settings, a gripping storyline and gritty policing then this book will fit the bill.

[Tabetha (tabsbooknook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review: The Cursed Road by @lauramccluskey__ published by @harpercollinsaustralia and supplied by @netgalley
Release date: 24 February 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is exactly the follow up that The Wolf Tree deserved. I ate this book up and Laura certainly pumped in the adrenaline for those last 80 odd pages.
The Cursed Road is set nearly a year after TWT and we are seeing the fall out from that investigation and the lingering PTSD that both DI George Lennox and DI Richie Stewart are experiencing. This new case gives them the chance to repair their fractured working and personal relationship while being sent up into the Scottish Highlands to solve the murder of an unknown woman who may also be connected to a 10 year old missing persons case that Richie has carried with him for a decade.
This book can be read as a standalone (but TWT definitely deserves a read if you haven’t yet). If you love crime and thriller stories, then this book is for you!

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cursed Road is a gripping, atmospheric mystery that plunges you straight into the brooding heart of the Scottish Highlands. From the moment a young woman’s body is discovered on the infamous track—steeped in local superstition and a bloody past—the novel builds a sense of unease that never quite lets up.

DI Georgina Lennox and DI Richard Stewart make a compelling investigative duo, their Glaswegian grit clashing beautifully with the insular, tight‑lipped community they’re sent to probe. What begins as a seemingly tragic accident quickly twists into something far darker when a name scratched onto the victim’s arm links the case to an old, unresolved investigation. The past refuses to stay buried, and the Highlands setting—with its rugged landscape, isolated farms, and whispered legends—adds a haunting weight to every revelation.

The strength of the novel lies in its layered tensions: a centuries‑old feud simmering beneath the surface, modern rivalries that feel just as dangerous, and a community bound together by secrets they have no intention of sharing. As George and Richie dig deeper, the atmosphere thickens with suspicion, folklore, and the sense that someone is watching their every move.

The pacing is tight, the twists well‑timed, and the threat of a killer determined to keep the truth hidden gives the story a sharp, unsettling edge. It’s the kind of crime mystery that blends procedural detail with gothic undertones, making the Highlands feel both
breathtaking and deeply menacing.

Dark, immersive, and cleverly plotted, The Cursed Road is a standout addition to the series—perfect for readers who love their crime fiction atmospheric, character‑driven, and tinged with old‑world danger.

My thanks to Laura McClusky, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved The wolf tree by Laura McCluskey and was keen to read another by this clever author. Once again, I became immersed in a gripping mystery featuring DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart who are sent to investigate the murder of a young woman found on a lonely road in the Scottish mountains. Local legends suggest that the road has a dangerous history and the young woman has a name carved on her arm which opens questions about a missing girl from the past. Were there links to the hunting lodge nearby where wealthy clients were taken out to shoot deer? Did the feud between the owners of the lodge and the men in the old crumbling mansion have any connection to the missing girl or the young woman found on the road?
The suspense is breathtaking as George and Ritchie investigate, uncovering secrets in the community and the local area. The brooding atmosphere of the rugged landscape, the terror of gun shots from hunters following deer in the forest and the brooding menace of the old mansion kept me glued to the page, wondering if George and Richie would survive. Another dimension is added with the exploration of the impact that trauma has on individuals. Richie has been ignoring George since the events in The wolf tree, and it has taken George many months to realise the impact that her actions had on him. In The cursed road it is George who must remain calm and keep the investigation on an even keel and Ritchie who examines his commitment to policing as distressing events unfold.
Fans of the detective genre will welcome the return of George and Ritchie and eagerly wait for the next book from Laura McCluskey.

[Kate Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, McCluskey has pulled off that perfect second novel with The Cursed Road. I thought The Wolf Tree was a very classy gothic thriller and this second in the D.I.s George Lennox and Richie Stewart series is equally accomplished. And spectacularly chilling. She has an array of ingredients to whip up suspicion and goosebumps from feuding families with their chosen hunting grounds, prey and weapons, mysterious wailings and vanishing figures, musty crypts, an unidentified young woman with another woman's name carved on her arm, a raft of unpleasantly entitled men, and historical curses.
Not only do we get a decent serve of all the near misses related to gun-toting persons and a nasty taste in our mouths at the very idea of hunting lodges allowing the wealthy to fly around the world shooting at animals, but we also get the very real personal battles of both Richie and George as they deal with the aftermath of their first case—George's addiction and subsequent withdrawal and Richie's own reckoning trauma. McCluskey gives this relationship its deserved relevance, allowing the healing of two damaged people become part of the stakes. It's very nicely done.
A terrifyingly good read that will transport you to a cold and lonely potholed track in the Scottish Highlands and make you want to scoot home as fast as your feet will carry you. Fully immersive. Big Love!

[Siegrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cursed Road is the second outing for DI Georgia Lennox and DI Richard Stewart. Both detectives are still recovering psychologically from the events of The Wolf Tree and their friendship is also suffering. The case they are allocated to solve is a strange one with macabre and gothic overtones. Laura McCluskey is interested in the personal cost of investigating such troubling crimes and connecting with the worst aspects of humanity. George observes ‘I still want to do this job even when it hurts’ and this lingers with the reader at a deeper level.

With thanks to Laura McCluskey, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Cursed Road. If you like your crime fiction with flawed heroes and battle scared redemption arcs this book could be for you.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive an advance reading copy of The Cursed Road from NetGalley and HarperCollins. Although I began reading without realising it was a sequel to The Wolf Tree—which is still waiting on my bookshelf—the author provides sufficient context to understand the characters of DI Georgina Lennox and DI Richard Stewart, and the events of their previous investigation.

Set against the atmospheric backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, the novel sustains a brooding, menacing tone from the outset. The discovery of a young woman’s body on a remote track steeped in local folklore immediately draws the detectives into a community filled with secrets. Their inquiries centre on a nearby hunting lodge catering to wealthy clients, as well as a rival, male dominated family living in a decaying estate.

What initially appears to be a tragic hunting accident quickly reveals itself to be a murder. The unidentified victim—nicknamed “Bambi”—has the name of a long missing girl scratched into her arm, raising unsettling questions about the past and its connection to the present. As the narrative progresses, the tension intensifies, and the pacing becomes increasingly urgent. I found myself racing through the pages, compelled to slow down simply to savour the unfolding mystery.

This gripping and atmospheric thriller has certainly prompted me to return to The Wolf Tree, and I will be eagerly awaiting Laura McCluskey’s next book.

[Carol Nov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura McCluskey creates atmosphere and tension in this clever thriller set in Scotland.
We meet the same detective duo from Wolf Tree but each has been scarred by their previous case. After a body is found near the Cairngorms with links to an old unsolved case this murder becomes a personal challenge for George and Richie. I am recommending this book to all my friends who love a great crime thriller.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Detectives George and Richie are fast becoming a favourite pairing in this well plotted read, set in the Scottish Highlands. Filled with atmosphere, tension and some really interesting characters this fast paced read is an easy 5* from me and one I can highly recommend. Book 2 featuring this duo is equally as good as the first one. This will appeal to lovers of crime fiction, especially Scottish crime thrillers. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I thought The Wolf Tree was good, this is even better! From a slow start this becomes unputdownable. Great atmosphere and great characters. One of the best thrillers I’ve read in ages.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable police detective novel. Set in Scottish highlands, it is atmospheric and engaging. Will be a hit with the crime readers. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

[Melody | Spilt Wine Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detectives Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart return in The Cursed Road after a woman’s body is found on a notorious road in the Scottish Highlands. At first, it looks like a terrible accident, but a name carved into her arm hints at something far more sinister.

Richie suspects this death is linked to an unsolved case of a missing woman he’s been holding onto for years. To work out whether the crimes are connected, Richie and George travel to the nearby town to get a better sense of what’s really going on, slowly sussing out who’s who in this unsettling community.

Atmospheric, dark and eerie. The townspeople are steeped in local lore, with families feuding for centuries and a long, bloody history tied to the cursed road itself. Of course, things are even darker than they first appear. George and Richie are in the thick of it, while also navigating personal challenges as their working relationship and friendship remain bruised after their last case together.

McCluskey’s writing is crisp and layered, and the plot twists and turns in all the right ways. You’ll be guessing right to the end. Haunting, unnerving and deeply satisfying, I’ve been thinking about this one since I finished it.