ReviewsPraise for Simon Beckett "Simon Beckett's sixth novel featuring the forensic anthropologist David Hunter is arguably his best." -- The Times (London) "Brilliantly original . . . Simon's first crime novel The Chemistry of Death absolutely blew me away and he just gets better by the book!" --Peter James, UK No. 1 bestselling author "A satisfyingly dark and twisting thriller." -- The Mail on Sunday "An arresting setup . . . Beckett has regained his best form . . . the exigencies of a macabre investigative thriller are dispatched with characteristic aplomb." -- Financial Times "Beckett's masterful storytelling and macabre forensic details make his novels utterly chilling reads." --Tess Gerritsen, author of New York Times- bestseller Harvest "The forensics are chillingly authentic, the writing is both taut and atmospheric." --Anne Cleeves, bestselling author of the Vera Stanhope series "Terrifying . . . Rarely have the mechanics of suspense been so effectively realized outside an Alfred Hitchcock movie." -- Daily Express, Praise for Simon Beckett "Simon Beckett's sixth novel featuring the forensic anthropologist David Hunter is arguably his best." -- The Times (London) "Brilliantly original . . . Simon's first crime novel The Chemistry of Death absolutely blew me away and he just gets better by the book!" --Peter James, UK No. 1 bestselling author "A satisfyingly dark and twisting thriller." -- The Mail on Sunday "An arresting setup . . . Beckett has regained his best form . . . the exigencies of a macabre investigative thriller are dispatched with characteristic aplomb." -- Financial Times "Beckett's masterful storytelling and macabre forensic details make his novels utterly chilling reads" --Tess Gerritsen, author of New York Times- bestseller Harvest "The forensics are chillingly authentic, the writing is both taut and atmospheric." --Anne Cleeves, bestselling author of the Vera Stanhope series "Terrifying . . . Rarely have the mechanics of suspense been so effectively realized outside an Alfred Hitchcock movie." -- Daily Express
Dewey Decimal823/.914
SynopsisA forensic pathologist discovers a vicious killer loose on a remote Scottish isle in this British thriller by "one of the country's best crime writers" ( Sunday Express ). Dr. David Hunter should be at home in London with the woman he loves. Instead, as a favor to a beleaguered colleague, he's on the remote Hebridean island of Runa to inspect a grisly discovery. David is shocked by what he finds: a body almost totally incinerated except for the feet and a single hand. The local police are certain it's an accidental death, but David is not convinced. After examining the scorched remains, it's clear to David that this was no accident--it was murder. But as the small, isolated community considers the enormity of David's findings, a catastrophic storm hits the island. The power goes down, communication with the mainland is cut off, and then the killing begins in earnest . . .