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His Wild Blood
A young woman. A bath full of chlorine. A killer who knew exactly what they were doing.When Brooke Trotter is found dead in her family home in Jedburgh, DCI Rob Marshall arrives to find a crime scene that has been methodically erased. No prints. No DNA. No obvious motive. Just a twenty-year-old student who worked at the local jail museum, a town full of festival strangers and a killer who understood forensics well enough to almost disappear completely.
Almost.
As Marshall digs into Brooke's life, he finds connections that reach far beyond the Borders – and a darkness with roots he never anticipated.
Connor Dyer makes YouTube videos about Borders history. He’s charming on camera and methodical off it, as he watches Janie, his stepsister, go about his life. While Marshall works the case from the outside in, Connor moves through the same small towns, the same festivals, the same streets, hiding in plain sight and running out of reasons to wait.
Who is the killer forensics almost couldn't find? What does a convicted serial killer have to do with a murder in a quiet Borders town? And how far will a man go to silence the person he should have protected most?
His Wild Blood is the tenth Rob Marshall novel, set against the noise and close community of Jedburgh's Callant's Festival, where everyone knows everyone.
Almost.
As Marshall digs into Brooke's life, he finds connections that reach far beyond the Borders – and a darkness with roots he never anticipated.
Connor Dyer makes YouTube videos about Borders history. He’s charming on camera and methodical off it, as he watches Janie, his stepsister, go about his life. While Marshall works the case from the outside in, Connor moves through the same small towns, the same festivals, the same streets, hiding in plain sight and running out of reasons to wait.
Who is the killer forensics almost couldn't find? What does a convicted serial killer have to do with a murder in a quiet Borders town? And how far will a man go to silence the person he should have protected most?
His Wild Blood is the tenth Rob Marshall novel, set against the noise and close community of Jedburgh's Callant's Festival, where everyone knows everyone.
429 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 20, 2026
The body of a young woman is found in a bath full of chlorine. As DCI Rob Marshall's team starts investigating her background, they find that the world of local town history is much more deadly than expected. Another excellent instalment in the series.
July 22, 2026
Loved this book. Great storyline and good to have more of Marshall’s private life
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to the author and Grey Dog Books, but the opinions expressed are my own.
DCI Rob Marshall is in the middle of house renovations when a new case presents him with a dead body at a crime scene devoid of almost any forensic evidence. When he puts the details into the police database he doesn't expect much, but instead discovers three other deaths with similarities to his own confusing investigation. With worrying developments happening in his new home Marshall finds it difficult to stay focused, but as a vital piece of information opens another line of enquiry, it changes everything but it also sets the clock running. Can Marshall and his team piece everything together before more lives are lost or will their forensically savvy killer still have the last laugh?
It can be difficult to review these books without gushing as Ed James is not only my favourite author but also, one of the best proponents of the police procedural and Scottish Noir writing today. Rob Marshall's career has progressed with each storyline and this time there is a sub-plot which both shocked and added another episode of jeopardy to his personal and professional timeline.The main investigation picked up speed gradually at first but eventually became a race against time, in an almost Columbo-esque manner which necessitated completing the second half of the book in one sitting! There were also cameos from recurring characters in both the Marshall and Sam Winter books which I always enjoy. Not an atypical Marshall but definitely an excellent addition to this series which is once again easy to recommend.
DCI Rob Marshall is in the middle of house renovations when a new case presents him with a dead body at a crime scene devoid of almost any forensic evidence. When he puts the details into the police database he doesn't expect much, but instead discovers three other deaths with similarities to his own confusing investigation. With worrying developments happening in his new home Marshall finds it difficult to stay focused, but as a vital piece of information opens another line of enquiry, it changes everything but it also sets the clock running. Can Marshall and his team piece everything together before more lives are lost or will their forensically savvy killer still have the last laugh?
It can be difficult to review these books without gushing as Ed James is not only my favourite author but also, one of the best proponents of the police procedural and Scottish Noir writing today. Rob Marshall's career has progressed with each storyline and this time there is a sub-plot which both shocked and added another episode of jeopardy to his personal and professional timeline.The main investigation picked up speed gradually at first but eventually became a race against time, in an almost Columbo-esque manner which necessitated completing the second half of the book in one sitting! There were also cameos from recurring characters in both the Marshall and Sam Winter books which I always enjoy. Not an atypical Marshall but definitely an excellent addition to this series which is once again easy to recommend.
September 7, 2026
Another problematic case for Rob Marshall
This time we see Rob looking into the case of a girl who was found in a bath of a chlorine like substance, this leads to other possible cases across 3 different forces, Rob gets to meet up once again with ex colleague Hardeep who now does profiling where Rob was originally based.
Together they find a connection to these cases, and this leads them in the hunt for the killer.
A great read once again, throwing in characters from the past ... Andrea Elliott and Kirstin Weir, we see Robs love life blossoming as well, and the odd glimpse of his sister Jen and parents.
5 stars again for this book
This time we see Rob looking into the case of a girl who was found in a bath of a chlorine like substance, this leads to other possible cases across 3 different forces, Rob gets to meet up once again with ex colleague Hardeep who now does profiling where Rob was originally based.
Together they find a connection to these cases, and this leads them in the hunt for the killer.
A great read once again, throwing in characters from the past ... Andrea Elliott and Kirstin Weir, we see Robs love life blossoming as well, and the odd glimpse of his sister Jen and parents.
5 stars again for this book
September 10, 2026
Great series
I have really enjoyed this series of books and the characters are credible and developing. I look forward to the next one.
I have really enjoyed this series of books and the characters are credible and developing. I look forward to the next one.
September 11, 2026
From a borderer
Love all the detail . Anyone interested in the Borders would enjoy but the books work as a crime series
Love all the detail . Anyone interested in the Borders would enjoy but the books work as a crime series
September 13, 2026
A vastly under rated author. Very enjoyable and highly recommended.
September 16, 2026
An engaging read.
The story moves along at a good pace. It adds to the interest that it set out of a city.
The story moves along at a good pace. It adds to the interest that it set out of a city.
September 18, 2026
Ed James never disappoints
Loving following DI Marshall’s career through these books. This one was just as good as previous ones. Would recommend any of his books.
Loving following DI Marshall’s career through these books. This one was just as good as previous ones. Would recommend any of his books.
September 23, 2026
Absolutely loved this book, another cracking read from Ed James. Has he ever written a bad book? Lots of twists and turns, interesting ending with "breaking news"
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews