Davids best mate died falling off a cliff and he was the last to see him alive. Fifteen years later, he returns to Arbroath, where another death forces him to face the past. A darkly funny, gripping debut from one of Scotlands finest writers newly reissued. 20th ANNIVERSARY EDITION INTRODUCTION BY CHRISTOPHER BROOKMYRE Very funny, with a touching and believable romance thrown in Kate Saunders,The Times (A] pacy debut thriller. . . Johnstone skilfully coaxes the reader into identifying with these difficult-to-love characters and maintains the tension and dramaMetro (Leads] to comparisons with the Scots writer Christopher Brookmyre with a touch of romance (and] a gripping action sequence in the final chapters Scotsman ________________ Your best mate just fell off a cliff in mysterious circumstances. You were the last person to see him alive. What do you do? If you're David Lindsay from Arbroath, you leg it and dont go back. Not for fifteen years. Then Nicola Cruickshank yes, that Nicola, the girl you always fancied but never had the guts to speak to gets in touch. She wants you back for a school reunion. At the very place it happened. Of course you say yes. Not to lay ghosts to rest, but because you still fancy Nicola. The thing is, if you are David Lindsay, then returning to Arbroath isnt going to bring closure. Because when someone else tumbles off the cliffs an act the locals now call tombstoning David has a choice: run away again, or finally find out why people around him keep dying ____ Detailed and atmospheric descriptions funny and sparky dialogue Sunday Herald Excellently written, intriguing storyline, and different from anything else around. A very impressive debut Allan Guthrie A brilliant new author a rollicking tale of mystery set in Auld Reekie and the east coast town of Arbroath... The List A vibrant and engaging debut, by turns humorous, irreverent and poignant Bill Duncan A seductive and thrilling evocation of what lurks beneath the surface of small-town Scotland or, indeed, small-town anywhere Christopher Brookmyre Praise for Doug Johnstone Tense, funny and deeply moving Mark Billingham Nobody portrays modern Edinburgh better than Doug Johnstone speaks volumes about the power of story Val McDermid An engrossing and beautifully written tale that bears all the Doug Johnstone hallmarks in its warmth and darkly comic undertones Herald Scotland Wonderful characters: flawed, funny and brave Sunday Times Gripping and blackly humorous Observer A must for those seeking strong, authentic, intelligent female protagonists Publishers Weekly This enjoyable mystery is also a touching and often funny portrayal of grief ... more, please Guardian Some of the most unique characters in crime fiction Daily Express Underlines just how accomplished Johnstone has become Daily Mail Keeps you hungry from page to page. A crime reader cant ask anything more Sun A thrilling, atmospheric book Move over Ian Rankin, Doug Johnstone is coming through! Kate Rhodes Johnstone never fails to entertain whilst packing a serious emotional punch Gytha Lodge One of the greats of Scottish crime fiction´ Luca Veste An unstoppable, thrilling, bullet train of a book I totally loved it Helen Fields Expertly written, with poise, insight and compassion Mary Paulson-Ellis A terrific read with all of Johnstons trademark warmth and wicked wit A K Turner Some of the best female characters in crime fiction. Pitch-perfect balance of dark and light disturbing, compassionate and brilliantly funny Sarah Hilary 'An absolute joy to read full of such wonderful characters, brilliantly realised, with more peril and intrigue' James Oswald A unique brand of crime fiction boasting rare heart and depth Ambrose Parry Autorid: Doug Johnstone