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.

'An outstanding police procedural with a wonderfully gothic blend of place, character and mystery; Georgie Lennox is one hell of a protagonist' Chris Hammer

'The Cursed Road doesn't just build on the events of the previous novel but surpasses it, showing what an accomplished thriller writer [McCluskey] has become in such a short time [...] An engaging and expertly written thriller' The Herald, Scotland

'Vivid, haunting, twisty and gut-wrenching, The Cursed Road will have you on the edge of your seat right up until the last page (or hiding under the duvet, like me).' Pip Drysdale

'Laura McCluskey has done it again - a spooky, immersive setting, a wickedly clever plot, and a detective duo with their own demons to face. The Cursed Road will have you reading late into the night. Crime fiction at its best!' Tanya Scott, author of Stillwater

'With an eye for iconic scenes and a vivid, photorealistic landscape, McCluskey has such control of her writing that it feels like we have been reading her for decades; yet every book is so fresh and exciting that nothing about it feels old. Tense, chilling and sometimes dark - but without ever snuffing out the light that George and Richie bring - this is an ideal read for those who love Ian Rankin, Garry Disher, and icy cold danger for this Australian summer.' Fiona Hardy, author of Unbury the Dead

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: Thriller, Fiction, Scotland, Mystery, Crime, Murder Mystery, Mystery Thriller

Audible Audio

Published 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.

[Caroline O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride!!

If a book is set in Scotland, you bet your a$s that this Scottish girl is going to want to read it.

This book had me engrossed from the very first page, it was the perfect read to get sucked into on my days off and I didn’t want to put it down.

This book followed George and Richie, both DI’s that have worked together a long time. George had an accident and ended up with a painkiller addiction, this in turn destroyed the relationship she had with Richie (among other things) Let’s just say things were not good between them, there was a lot of tension and a lot of hurt.

I don’t want to spoil anything but what I can tell you is that this book was brilliant, it was a page turner from start to finish, the imagery was great and the storyline was fantastic. I really enjoyed the characters in this book, I loved the tension, the angst, the relationships and how the storyline progressed throughout.

It’s actually book 2 in this series but I honestly felt it could be read as a stand-alone as I feel like I didn’t miss out on anything.

I always forget how much I enjoy thrillers until I read one as good as this was.

I recommend you add this one to your TBR.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

The howling winds and chill of the Scottish highlands and its picturesque beauty make the location a central character in this eerie and enticing story.
A dead body found in a prime hunting terrain leads Detective Georgina Lennox down a road that is cursed with a tainted history.
The isolation and abundance of game make this area a paradise for the hunters and tourists.
Unscrupulous activity and mysterious disappearances allude to embedded secrets and misery.
Historical feuds, wary townsfolk and run down estates add layers to the intrigue and the chilling truth.
The atmospheric setting, captured emotions and the sinister truths transplanted me in Scotland and I was thrilled to reacquaint with George and Ritchie.
The prologue was titled the Doe and it was so well written and anchored my interest immediately as it sets the scene to a fantastic read.

[Anna Loder · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO atmospheric, clever, compulsive, and character driven..I LOVE everything about this second novel by Laura McCluskey!! What a haunting novel..full of curses, secrets and feuds as well as real comments about hunting, addiction, reporting and violence against women..I can’t wait to read the next George and Richie novel!!

[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!

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I spotted on Netgalley a second book in Laura McCluskey’s DI Georgina Lennox series, I quickly expressed my interest. I’d been well entertained by George’s first appearance in The Wolf Tree, a crime novel set on a remote Scottish Island, full of secrecy, superstition and twists. George is a stroppy character, young for a DI but has a good nose for detective work. So she’s partnered with DI Richard Stewart, an experienced avuncular sort, the good cop to George’s bad, doing his best to keep George out of trouble.

But in The Cursed Road, the tables have been turned. The traumatic events of the first book left both cops reeling, George undergoing some months of recovery and therapy, which have made her stronger, steadier. Richie on the other hand has not done the therapy, won’t look George in the eye, and has a short fuse that has their Superintendent worried. When a case comes up – the discovery of the body of a young woman in a remote corner of the Highlands – the two are sent to the town of Kirkcree to investigate, George also tasked with keeping an eye on Richie, reporting back anything that causes concern.

Emotions are running high for Richie. He’s the lead because ten years ago, a young woman disappeared from the same area. Cara Reid had a difficult start to life, lacked family support, but she always kept in touch with her younger brother, until suddenly she didn’t. Richie has never forgotten the case, blaming himself for not finding her. The new victim was found with Cara’s name scratched on her arm. The two cases must be linked, surely.

George and Richie settle in somewhat testily at their small-town inn, supposedly there for just one night to see what they can find out from interviewing the pathologist and investigating the crime scene. It would be easy to see this as a shooting accident gone wrong. Further along the road where the body was found is an exclusive resort catering to international tourists wanting to hunt deer. Investigations unearth disputes the owners have with an old Scottish family that has lived in the area for centuries in their crumbling castle. Suddenly the story is peppered with interesting characters and potential suspects.

Other people on George’s radar include the creepy guy who eyeballs George at the village pub, and the journalist Hendry Shaw who made a big story out of George and Richie’s discoveries on the island. He particularly highlighted George’s part in the case, which hasn’t helped her relationship with Richie. George doesn’t hesitate to give Hendry a piece of her mind, especially when he follows them to Kirkcree. But is he beginning to wear George down?

A curse, a hundreds-year-old feud and a ghostly apparition all add to the atmosphere in this curious case. Clues and suspicious behaviour stretch the stay of the two detectives and with that the danger level rises. The detective’s partnership is put under pressure and George has to be the mature one, adding a bit of depth to the characterisation. The story builds nicely in pace with a nail-biting finish and George shows her mettle. It all adds to a clever, original and entertaining murder-thriller and a four-and-a-half-star read from me.

The Cursed Road was published this week on 24 February. I received a review copy courtesy of Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishers Australia.

[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

[Mary Picken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Laura McCluskey’s The Cursed Road. A police procedural with two strong characters, D.I. Georgie Lennox and DI Richie Stewart, it is set in the Scottish Highlands, an interesting choice for a Melbourne author.

The Cursed Road is a follow-up to McCluskey’s debut novel, The Wolf Tree and features the same characters, both of whom carry the mental scars of that investigation.

As a result, their relationship is somewhat strained, and though they work together efficiently as colleagues, when they begin the investigation of the death of a young woman by a secluded dirt road in a Highland forest, the warmth that had been present when they first worked as a team has dissipated somewhat.

There’s a lovely, eerie, somewhat gothic atmosphere at the crime scene, and the fact that the road is flanked by two sets of warring neighbours heightens the tension effectively.

When it seems that a carving on the young woman’s arm points to another case – that of a missing woman whose case has haunted Richie ever since she disappeared – the suspense and the mystery deepen.

A journalist who has followed and written about Georgie’s career has also arrived in the village, so to complicate matters, Georgie and Richie need to make sure that their case isn’t muddied by press interference.

McCluskey’s descriptions of the landscape and the two very different houses occupied by the feuding inhabitants set the scene well, allowing some very unlikeable characters to raise the police hackles and set Georgie’s spine tingling. When the detectives find a lead, what they discover is so horrifying that I felt my insides bridle with anger.

Verdict: Tense, suspenseful and with great interplay between the two protagonists, I thoroughly enjoyed this dark and, at times, harrowing police procedural.

[Davena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cursed Road by Laura McCluskey
Book two in the George Lennox and Richie Stewart Series.

When I reviewed book one in this series, The Wolf Tree, I gave bonus points for the lighthouse. Spoiler alert for book two: NOT. ONE. SINGLE. LIGHTHOUSE.

The Cursed Road does, however, have a crumbling castle, an insular community tucked away in the rugged wilderness of the Scottish Highlands and an ancient family feud.

I really enjoy the relationship between DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart, which seems genuine and familiar. Laura has a way with dialogue; in fact, there's a scene near the end of the book that might have made my eyes leak. No, I won't tell you which one, you'll know. There's also a scene that made me concerned that this is the end of this particular partnership, all the while hinting at a new partnership forming.

I've heard Laura talk about her writing process, and you can tell from the incredibly detailed descriptions of Scotland that a lot of research went into this book. I imagine that research involved spending a lot of time in misty, damp locations, among mossy rocks, while wearing cosy jumpers.

While there isn't as much symbolism and mythology in The Cursed Road as in The Wolf Tree, there is still more than a hint of spookiness as well as sinister family secrets hidden under the blanket of tradition.

Big thumbs up. I loved it 👍

Bodycount = 2.

The Cursed Road by Laura McCluskey was released on February 24, so if you are after an atmospheric, twisty mystery/thriller with a sprinkling of supernatural spookiness and insular subculture themes, you can grab your copy now.

#designnerd #booksdeevaareads #2025bookshelf

@harpercollinsaustralia #harpercollinsaustralia #TheCursedRoad #NetGalley @NetGalley

[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.

[Amy Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

.....📚 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 📚.....

The Cursed Road by Laura McCluskey is an atmospheric thriller. McCluskey drops us straight into the Scottish Highlands, rugged, wild, and humming with secrets.

A young woman is found dead on a remote road. At first it looks like a tragic hunting accident… until the carved name on her arm says otherwise. When that name reveals an unexpected personal connection, DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart are called in. As George and Richie begin questioning the locals, they uncover whispers of the road’s violent past. With the fear that more women may be in danger, the detectives push deeper into the unforgiving wilderness, where ancient feuds, long‑held grudges, and the brutal elements collide.
But the road holds more than just history. Its secrets run deep—and those who live along it will go to extraordinary lengths to ensure the truth stays buried.

Following after the events in The Wolf Tree, George and Richie are thrust back into yet another deadly situation. But they aren’t just moving through a cursed landscape, they’re carrying their own internal hauntings, and the road becomes this perfect metaphor for the things we try to outrun. Laura McCluskey has crafted another story that feels like stepping onto a fog‑soaked path where every turn whispers don’t look back. The atmosphere is so thick and eerie you can practically taste the cold air. Rugged, emotional, and steeped in shadowy tension, it’s the kind of book that stays with you. Definitely worth adding to your shelf.
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Thank you to @harpercollinsaustralia and @lauramccluskey__  for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Pousali Ghosh (thispandareads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please see the trigger warnings before reading the book.

What a book, what a gripping storyline and what a fitting ending. The atmosphere of Scottish Highlands, the mystery of historical families and the trauma of the main characters made this book a masterpiece! Literally finished it in one setting.

I really loved how the author portrayed difficult topics sensibly. When things in a fiction book happen in the real world it’s scary, but it’s also required to be spoken about. Too many women go missing, too many crimes happen against women and too many men want to claim women as if it’s their birthright. Police like Richie and Lennox are so crucial in the real world!

I am in love btw with both Richie, Lennox and another character. Thank god the miscommunication trope took a backseat in this book!

A woman is dead somewhere called the cursed road with a deer hunting bullet. Too many weird secrets revolve around that road. One is a powerful hunting resort owner who will buy even law with money and the other is a forgotten family with dark secrets. But this wasn’t an ordinary murder because she is linked to a cold case of 10 years. Richie’s care for the old case and Lennox passion in providing justice to the dead woman strikes a great combo. But what secrets are hiding here in the Scottish highlands and how far can they go in finding out the truth?

I’m definitely going to read any book this author writes. This was one of the best crime thrillers I’ve ever read.

The Wolf Tree is not necessary to be read ahead of this (I didn’t but I will). But it does give you some back story on these characters.

Thank you HarperCollins Aus for a copy of this book!

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read McCluskey's debut, the Wolf Tree, I was excited to get my hands on her followup.

This time, McCluskey takes us to the Scottish highlands, where a body of a young woman has been found by the side of a road. There is lots of warring family history in the township of Kirkscree and our two DI's are soon drawn into some of the sinister aspects of it.

I really like George Lennox. She's a vulnerable and courageous character, who is still learning her police craft. She's recovering from the previous case (ie the Wolf Tree) and the fallout including her addiction to prescribed meds. This has created a rift of sorts between her and Richie, her DI partner. The disconnect between the two only adds to the tension of the story. This is exacerbated by the strange reference to a ten year old cold case that Richie was in charge of investigating and has never let go of. Why has Cara Reid's name mysteriously turned up on the body of the Jane Doe found near the border of the two feuding families?

I love how McCluskey draws us into the richness of the highlands lore as we follow our intrepid investigators into the misty, cold and dark hills outside the township. it's wonderful writing.

The final 100 pages are full of surprises and keep the reader on their toes to discover the killer.

I'm looking forward to what McCluskey has in store for her readers in this intriguing crime series.

I feel fortunate to have received an early viewing of the story from the publisher via the Net Galley App, however, this has had no bearing on my review.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Inspectors George and Richie are back again and I was really excited to read more from this Scottish Police duo. In the wake of the events from book 1, The Wolf Tree, Georgina is dealing with the consequences of her actions, including a strained relationship with her partner Richie. When a homicide in a remote Highland village draws these two together again they are forced to work the case and confront past and present issues.

I loved this crime mystery, it initially unfolded as a slow burn as we set the scene, catch up with the characters and start the case. Then it built suspense and became unputdownable by the end as the dark secrets surrounding this remote Highland village are revealed. I also really enjoyed the introduction of a new character, journalist Hendry Shaw and the sparks that flew between him and George.

While you could read The Cursed Road as a standalone I would recommend reading The Wolf Tree first. The characters really do develop so well from book 1 to book 2 and I was much more invested in them for having understood their history.

What a great sequel from Australian author Laura McCluskey. I really do hope we get more crimes to solve with Lennox and Richie as they are fast becoming one of my favorite new detective duos.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC. Both The Wolf Tree and The Cursed Road are available now so if you want a gripping crime thriller set in Scotland this is a great series to try.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed very much, The “Wolf Tree” by Laura McCluskey, I leapt at the chance for another outing with George and Richie. I was not disappointed, this is another compelling read.
Set in the Highlands of Scotland, George and Richie have been sent to investigate the death of a young, unidentified woman. Shot with a powerful hunting rifle, she is found by hillwalkers lying near the “cursed road”. The land nearby is owned by two different families, the Grants and the Fairgrieves, both once powerful families with castles as homes. The Grant family castle and land are now owned by the Selbys who have turned their property into an exclusive hunting lodge. While the few remaining members of the Fairgrieves family still live in their deteriorating family castle, once very powerful , now barely eking out an existence. The Fairgrieves are haunted by a dark history, and the family is not popular in the village. The Selby’s don’t mix with the village either, they cater to very wealthy internationals who are willing to pay to capture a trophy. Long targeted by animal rights campaigners, the Selby’s are very hostile towards outsiders. Due to the proximity of the body, both families are immediately suspect, but George and Richie have to tread very carefully dealing with these two.
Packed with atmosphere and tension, this is a captivating read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this advance copy, I enjoyed it very much and highly recommend.

[Book My Imagination · Rating 5 out of 5]

When this book arrived as my next read in the Harper Collins Bookstagram Club, I was so excited.
I had seen and heard how amazing Laura's debut fiction: The Wolf Tree is, and I knew this would be a book I would love reading.

And honestly, I was hooked from the dedication page.
"To the people who notice when you're not there - even when you're right in front of them"
What a powerful statement.

This has all the feel of lonely roads, quiet towns, dark nights as deep as ink, and vibes that make you shiver.
And it's places like this that secrets are meant to stay hidden.
And when a body is found in such a place, with a name carved in her arm, you know something is coming.

I was right in the hunt with DI's Georgina Lennox & Richard Stewart.
And even though I am yet to read The Wolf Tree, I loved this partnership right away.
Battling scars deeper than both care to admit, they are driven to find out what happened, and along the way unearth secrets, family curses, old feuds and missing people have far more in common out here than one would first believe.

It's a little eerie, a little bit spooky with a great suspenseful build up and an ending that suited.
I had no idea of how this mystery wound itself so well that I did not see the deprivation in plain sight.
This is why crime fiction is so good!

If you are planning on doing #aussieauthorapril then read this.
You won't regret it.

And be like me and hunt down a copy of The Wolf Tree to add to your tbr.

[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!

[marlin1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having listened to and love the authors 1st book ‘The Wolf Tree’, I was excited to be granted access to read the 2nd in the series.
While it’s not imperative to have read the 1st, I think as a reader you understand more of the characters, especially as the once tight team of DIs Georgina and Richie Stewart has now become strained.
With a young woman now having been found on a remote road in the Scottish Highlands, George and Richie are placed together once again. This case could be very close to Ritchie’s heart, as the name of a young woman is carved on the victim’s arm. A 10 year old cold case of which Ritchie was the team leader. With Richie is showing some out of character behaviours, George is teamed with him to keep him in check as they travel to the area to investigate.
There they find interfueding neighbours between a corporate highend deer hunting lodge and the connecting land owners who have been on that land for generations.
Laced with atmosphere and generational curses, the secrets abound.
I found this such a well paced book, especially in the last 1/4 of the story, I could not stop reading till the heart pounding finish.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

[Hanlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another brilliant atmospheric read from Laura McCluskey!

I am a huge fan of any book set in Scotland, especially if it's set in the Highlands.

I loved The Wolf Tree and was so happy to see the return of George and Ritchie. They make a fabulous duo, and this time their roles are reversed because George is the sensible one for a change.

George is back at work after her rehab, and she is not very popular. She has not seen Ritchie since he came clean about her addiction.
Now they are thrown together to investigate a murder in the Scottish Highlands where a woman was found dead with a strange carving on her arm: the name of a woman who has been missing for 10 years. Ritchie worked the case of the missing woman and is very invested, but his boss is worried about his outbursts, and George must keep an eye on him for her.

Will they be able to work together and also work out the issues between them?

[readwithdanica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

George and Richie are back!!
They are back on another case following The Wolf Tree a year ago (go read this before The Cursed Road pls!)

We see the struggles the pair have individually and as a team and working through those challenges. It’s another murder mystery of course, this one set in the Scottish Highlands.
The first half of the book introduces us to the characters, sets the scene and any potential suspects. It really picks up as it unfolds, the suspense was driving me mad…. i absolutely had to get to the ending to find out what happens! (Which I had semi guessed correctly)

The only reason why I didn’t give it a 5 was because I wanted more closure for one of the characters - they were quite integral to the narrative and I feel like the ending wasn’t completely wrapped up, but that’s just me!

I still really enjoyed this read, I hope we get to see another George and Richie adventure

Thanks to Harper Collins for sending me an ARC!

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

DIs Georgina (Georgie) Lennox and Richard (Richie) Stewart have never quite got back to the easy relationship they once had. The events told in The Wolf Tree have left deep scars. A young girl's body is found beside a Cursed Road in the Highlands, on her arm is scratched the name of a girl who went missing years ago. Richie has never been able to forget that case, will this lay his demons to rest? And could it help George and Richie to make peace with the past?

The landscape of the Cursed Road is well described, I could feel the damp & feel the mud! Families caught in age old feuds don't help the pair in their enquiries and neither does the arrival of a journalist who is quite determined to follow up his story on George. It was very easy to get involved with the people and the places in this story and I was up far too late reading it to find out what happened. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book. I do hope there will be another one to follow!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book after loving The Wolf Tree and it did not disappoint.

Two of my favourite detectives are back, George and Richie head out to the Scottish Highlands for an investigation and it is an incredibly atmospheric read.

Laura’s writing really sets the scene, I can see the images like a movie, so eerie, creepy, unsettling and haunting but you can’t stop reading. The characters are a little strange and secretive, they made me feel uncomfortable. It’s impossible to work out what they’re hiding and what is really going on.

It was brilliant. While the detectives are going through their own personal issues, they are unraveling a huge crime, it’s so twisty and clever.

The ending was so intense and brilliant! Fast paced, edge of your seat, scary and riveting! I loved it and highly recommend!

Thanks so much to the team @harpercollinsaustralia for my early copy!

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the events on the remote island which led to a fracturing of their partnership, George Lennox has been focusing on recovery from addiction and counselling. However, when forced to work again with Richie, they have to put their relationship back in order to solve another crime, one which has haunted Richie. A body has been found in the picturesque Highlands, close to where a woman disappeared ten years ago. Now the pair are again dealing with deep held resentments and a family feud about land on each side of the cursed road.
For a writer based in Australia, there is a real sense of authenticity about the writing of the Scottish landscapes and people. This is a fairly obvious plot but the story leading up to it is great, again the characters really shine. My only real quibble is George's 'tingling' sensations which stray a little too far into psychic territory for me. Luckily this is reined back and doesn't spoil an excellent procedural

[Sharon J · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cursed Road by Laura McCluskey is intriguing crime mystery set in the mountainous regions of the Scottish Highlands where family feuds going back for centuries still haunt the current residents. A unknown women’s body is found on an isolated road, shot and with a name of a missing person carved into her arm.

Di Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart are send to investigate. Their investigation digs up more questions than answers and things start to get very messy as local duck and swerve around the truth coming out.

Well written with cleverly developed plots that keep the reader both interested and spell bound by the uncertainty of what is happening and where it is all leading.

Highly recommended read with great characterisation and plot development.


This review is based on a complimentary copy from HarperCollins Publishers Australia via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#TheCursedRoad #NetGalley

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thrill to team up once again with George and Richie! I really enjoyed The Wolf Tree, but I loved The Cursed Road even more.

Like the first book, the characters in The Cursed Road are brilliantly developed. Reflecting on this review, I had to remind myself I hadn’t listened to the audiobook, their voices were that well developed I could have sworn I had heard them speak.

Whilst this could be enjoyed as a standalone, the experience is all the more richer having George and Richie’s backstory. The events of Eader Island has had a lasting impact on them and their relationship, and I loved how McCluskey wove the implications of this through their new adventure.

The Scottish small town and crumbling manses create a gothic and atmospheric setting, elevating the eerie and sinister vibes of the case at hand. It’s a good one to go into blind, it’s great fun trying to piece together the clues as the novel races to a satisfyingly thrilling conclusion.

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Leahna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t think it was possible to love a sequel more than the first book, but then The Cursed Road followed The Wolf Tree (which I have also reviewed, by the way).

Once again, I was drawn to Laura’s ability to make the setting and landscape feel like a character as George and Richie navigated their current case and personal struggles. The Scottish Highlands was the perfect backdrop for a story that is so informed by the ancient feud and folklore of two Scottish families. I was amazed by how seamless the past and present wove together, enhancing the plot, characterisation and overall themes of the book.

The focus on women’s experiences and abuse was handled with upmost care and empathy. I won’t go into too much detail, as I don’t want to spoil anything, but I definitely wanted to unleash my feminine rage after reading certain scenes scattered throughout the book.

The Cursed Road definitely pulled at my heartstrings and made me feel an array of emotions during each scene. The tension between George and Richie was written beautifully, and I love them even more after seeing their flaws and humanity. They are the definition of ‘found family’ and they are my new favourite detective duo!

The Cursed Road was both chilling and gripping, holding my attention the whole way through. I stayed up way past my bedtime more than once in order to unravel the mystery faster. I can catch up on sleep later!

Please check out The Wolf Tree and The Cursed Road if you haven’t done so already!

[Aelin Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

This investigation is extremely disturbing as young women disappear without a trace until a women is found on the cursed road with a bullet in her side like a hunted deer . She is a Jane Doe . DI Lennox and DI Stewart are sent to investigate . The relationship between Richie and George is strained and their history has impacted on their ability to work together. It is essential you read Wolf Tree to understand the complexity of their working life . This has all the elements of a an atmospheric crime fiction. It leaks clues that will make you desperate to understand how and why these women are taken . Simply brilliant . I want more from Lennox and Stewart . They are perfect crime investigators and the introduction of a new face the investigative reporter adds an extra element to the story .