The Sacrificial Man by Ruth Dugdall #Blogathon

Today I'm sharing my review of The Sacrificial Man by Ruth Dugdall, the second Cate Austin casefile. This was a really interesting read. Many thanks to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers for inviting me to take part and to the publisher for my review copy. 

The Blurb

A deadly choice in the name of love.

Probation officer Cate Austin faces the highest‑profile case of her career: Alice Mariani, a celebrated university lecturer, has been charged with assisting in the death of her lover. But at what point does a private pact become a public crime?

Every interview with Alice peels back another layer of secrecy. As media and campaigners swarm the courtroom, Cate is forced into a legal blind spot — and a brutal dilemma.

Will a lover's last request become a deadly price to pay?

The Sacrificial Man was reissued on 21st May by HQ Digital.

My Review

Well, this was a story! Date Austin has to finished her stint working with prisoners and is back in the office with a full caseload. But due to her success with her previous big news case, Alice Mariani's file lands on her desk. Alice is an intelligent, articulate woman who has been accused of helping her lover die. Cate's job is to recommend a sentence to the judge.

Through Cate and Alice's meetings we discover more about Alice and her story. She is certainly an unusual woman, who answered an unusual personal ad, which led her to where she is now. She firmly believes she has done nothing wrong and as the book goes on we learn more about her life and why she believes what she does. We also learn about her lover, which was an interesting read. 

There's one part of the storyline that perhaps won't be for everyone, and a couple of 'ew' moments resulting from a very curious turn of events but a fascinating story. 

The Sacrificial Man is well written and certainly threw up a few surprises. I didn't expect either the denouement, or the conclusion of the story so that was great. The book was interesting, and the storyline was unusual, making for an enjoyable read. 

The Author

Ruth studied English at university and then took an MA is Social Work. Following this she worked in the Criminal Justice System as a social worker then as a probation officer. Part of this time was spent seconded to a prison housing serious offenders. She continues to work within the Criminal Justice System, most recently in Luxembourg.

Ruth's novels are informed by her experience and are "authentic and credible".

Ruth's first novel, The James Version, is a historical fiction based on the actual murder of Maria Marten at the Red Barn in Suffolk. The story is re-told with a fresh light on who really killed Maria.

Her second novel, The Woman Before Me, won the Debut Dagger when it was originally published in 2005. It is the first in a series featuring probation officer Cate Austin.

"Probation officers have more face-to-face contact with criminals than any other profession," says Ruth, "they are the unsung heroes of the Criminal Justice System."

Bloody Scotland Debut Prize 2026 Shortlist

I don't go to many book festivals but Bloody Scotland, held in Stirling, is always on my diary. The festival has always championed and encouraged new writers and today the shortlist for the Bloody Scotland 2026 Debut Prize has been announced. Like a Denise Mina below, I am delighted to see a shortlist made up of women writers. I've only read one of the books so far so I'd better get to reading the rest! 

SHORTLIST FOR THE BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE 2026

The Prize is sponsored by The Glencairn Glass and the winner will be presented on the opening evening of the festival, Friday 18th September 2026.

Bloody Scotland prides itself on supporting new talent and The Bloody Scotland Debut Prize which began in 2019 has launched the careers of numerous Scottish crime writers including Natalie Jayne Clark, Tariq Ashkanani, Allan Gaw, Claire Askew, Kate Foster and Callum McSorley.

For the first time ever, the shortlist for The Bloody Scotland Prize is entirely made up of women, which feels extremely appropriate given that Denise Mina – a vocal champion of women’s rights – is guest programmer for the festival in 2026. She said:

“As a previous judge of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, I am absolutely delighted to see that the 2026 Bloody Scotland Debut shortlist is entirely made up of women. For decades, short lists only had occasional women or none at all. A debut is always a howl into an indifferent abyss. Sometimes the abyss is listening and it thinks you’re fucking brilliant. Congratulations!”

The full shortlist for the 2026 Bloody Scotland Debut Prize is revealed to be:

Frances Crawford with A Bad, Bad Place (Transworld) An alumni of the University of Glasgow creative writing course, she was tutored by bestselling crime writer, Louise Welsh. Described as The List of Suspicious Things meets Shuggie Bain it was acquired by Transworld in a ten publisher auction. It has also just been shortlisted for the Theakston’s McDermid Debut Prize. She lives in Glasgow.

Frances Crawford

Linda Duncan McLaughlin with Original Sins (Into Books). The manuscript for this novel was nominated for the CWA’s Debut Dagger. In the book a troubled young woman discovers that her birth father is a convicted serial killer and confronts the possibility that she has inherited his darkness. Linda is a playwright and a screenwriter for River City on BBC Scotland.

Linda Duncan McLaughlin

Kirsty Lockwood with We Know What You Did (Orion) which will be published on 4 June. Described as Strange Sally Diamond meets Listen for the Lie, it is a character-driven suspense novel from an award-winning Scottish journalist. Kirsty lives in Glasgow.

Kirsty Lockwood

Zoe Rankin with The Vanishing Place (Viper). She grew up in Scotland but now lives in New Zealand where her love of hiking in remote locations inspired the idea for her novel about a young girl who has witnessed a double murder deep in the bush. 

Zoe Rankin

May Rinaldi with Liar Thief (Black Spring). She has previously been selected for Pitch Perfect and won the 2023 Black Spring Press Crime Novel which led to their publishing it in 2025. It’s a psychological thriller about two childhood friends, one a self-confessed serial killer, one a cop. She lives in Dumfries & Galloway. 

May Rinaldi

The judges for 2026 are broadcaster, Bryan Burnett and crime writer, Vaseem Khan chaired by Bloody Scotland founder, Alex Gray who said:

“Lin Anderson and I decided from the start of Bloody Scotland that we wanted to bring on the crime writers of tomorrow as well as showcasing the best of Scotland and elsewhere. Now, as the chair of the judging panel for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, I’m thrilled to read the shortlist and help select the winner each year.”

Alex Gray, chair of judging panel

Kirsty Nicholson, Marketing Director at Glencairn – sponsors of The Bloody Scotland Debut Prize with The Glencairn Glass, the official glass for whisky, said:

“We’re always excited to see the shortlist for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize and this year it’s particularly encouraging to see so many talented women represented. We’re also delighted to see Frances Crawford included following her success in winning our 2023 Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story Competition – it’s wonderful to see her career continuing to flourish. We congratulate all of the shortlisted authors and wish them the very best of luck.”

All but one of the shortlisted authors will be at the Bloody Scotland programme launch in Stirling at noon on 4 June 2026. The winner will be revealed on the opening night of the festival at the Church of the Holy Rude on 18 September. 

The Bone Mother by Suzy Aspley

 
Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Bone Mother by Suzy Aspley, the second book featuring journalist Martha Strangeways, following Crow Moon. It's a novel full of atmosphere. Big thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for the invitation and the publisher for my review copy.

The Blurb

Martha Strangeways has settled into a quiet life in Strathbran, after the horrific events that traumatised the village a year earlier. But all this is turned upside down when her friend at Glasgow CID, DI Derek Summers,

calls on her to help with a disturbing case: a human ear, with an unusual Celtic earring, has been found next to a railway line in the Highlands.

And when the body of a young woman wearing matching jewellery turns up at a landmark church shortly after, the mystery deepens. Why has she been laid out in a ritualistic fashion? Does her trek along the little-known Cailleach Way have anything to do with her death? And who is running the Facebook Group where she posted details of her journey to the shrine of the Bone Mother goddess?

As Martha tries to unpick the threads, she finds herself entwined with a ghost from her own past, and in conflict with the owner of a project that threatens to destroy the goddess’s sacred land.

With Halloween approaching, and someone determined to protect the goddess at all costs, can Martha and Summers catch the killer before they strike again – and this time much closer to home…?

My Review

Well, what a book! Creepy and atmospheric and full of folk history. 

Emma is staying for a few days with a host she connected with through the Facebook group Sofa Sistas before she walks the Caillech Way to the goddess's shrine in time for Samhain, or Halloween, to show how important it is and that it shouldn't be destroyed. To show how important the Bone Mother is. Martha's editor, who is keen for her to get back to work properly, give a her a tip about human remains being found near the railway but she chooses not to get involved. That is, until DI Derek Summers asks her to take a look. And what she finds is terrifying...

The first thing to say is that the scene setting in is terrific. The countryside of the Scottish Highlands is a character in itself, especially when the folklore is weaved into and around it. We see what Emma sees and feel what she feels on her hike, and the same with Martha, whether she is walking the dogs or investigating the crime. 

Speaking of Martha, she's a great character. She's been through so much but is now looking forward, making a life for her and her son, rebuilding her relationship with her partner. She's settled, has friends, particularly Orla, and is being encouraged back to work. She carries her pain well, and is diligent and determined when it comes to getting to the truth. She's trustworthy too, hence she has been able to build a positive relationship with Derek Summers, and we see that develop here. 

The storyline of The Bone Mother is sinister with links to old legends, and is full of fear and violence. Tension rises through the book as Martha, and the reader, realise something is very wrong indeed. The outcome was unexpected for me - I hadn't seen it coming - and hit close to home for Martha but she never stopped. Perhaps she's a little foolhardy and headstrong but I'm going go with brave. And I love that about her. Well worth checking out. 

The Author

Originally from the north-east of England, former journalist Suzy Aspley has lived in Scotland for almost thirty years. She writes crime and short stories, often inspired by the strange things she sees in the landscape around her. She won Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect in 2019 with the original idea for her debut novel and was shortlisted for the Capital Crime New Voices Award. In 2020, she was mentored by Jo Dickinson as part of the Hachette future bookshelf initiative. Crow Moon was longlisted for the Caledonia Novel Award, and shortlisted for the Val McDermid Debut Award and the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize. When she’s not writing, she’s either got her nose buried in a book, or is outside with her dogs dreaming up more dark stories. She lives in Stirlingshire with her family.

Book Blanket 2026

Here is the granny square for The Bone Mother to be added to my crochet book blanket - there are some great colours in the cover when you look closely. You can't see it well by there is a bit of sparkle in the white yarn to try to emulate the shading in and around the skull on the cover. It's not a perfect match but I'm pleased with it. 

The Woman Before Me by Ruth Dugdall #Blogathon

This month - and beyond for a bit - is all about prioritising personal care, rest and recovery where possible (as instructed by a professional), and lots of things have been put to one side in an effort to do just that. I am, however, endeavouring to keep up with my commitments on the blog. 

Today I am helping to celebrate the re-publication of The Woman Before Me, by Ruth Dugdall, the first novel featuring probation officer Cate Austin and the author's debut psychological thriller. My thanks to Tracy Fenton for asking me to take part in the blogathon and to the publisher for my review copy. 

The Blurb

Love can destroy. Obsession can kill.

Emma Hatcher has all that Rose Wilks lacks. Effortless beauty. A loving husband. A healthy son. Until tragedy strikes, leaving Rose the only suspect.

After nearly five years in prison, Rose is just weeks away from freedom. If she is granted parole.

Probation officer Cate Austin must decide whether Rose is remorseful for the shocking crime that put her behind bars, or whether she remains a threat to society. As Cate is drawn in, she begins to doubt her own judgement.

Where is the line between love and obsession? Can justice be served and, if so … by what means?

The Woman Before Me is out today from HQ Digital.

My Review

Rose Wills has always maintained her innocence but still spent years behind bars. Whilst having been a probation officer for a number of years, this is Cate Austin's first time placement in a prison. A women's prison where the majority of staff are men, and seem to be quite misogynistic, and also speak about the women in their care in a very demeaning way. Cate's first big case is to determine whether Rose is fit for parole. 

Rose is such a sad character, one who has known so much tragedy and loss already in her life. She was in a relationship when she went into prison and he still visits  regularly, but their relationship is clearly under strain. The majority of the book is from her point of view, sometimes in  the present day, but often in the form of her black book entries - a volume she is writing to give to her partner - which give us details of events in the past. The problem for the reader is that we don't know how much of a reliable narrator Rose is. Contrasting against her is Cate, brand new to the case, having to make difficult decisions. We see her sometimes unpleasant exchanges with her colleagues and difficult conversations with Rose, her partner and those affected by the crime in question. 

I enjoyed the dual points of view, especially as the women are so different. Cate hasn't experienced the losses that Rose has, but she has her own difficulties nevertheless. But the juxtaposition between the two women is interesting. I was disturbed by attitude of some of the prison staff but the author has experience of the probation service so I guess it might be accurate. 

I enjoyed the story but it is a hard read in places, so be aware going into it. There are so many elements within it that are very sad, and the denouement is heartbreaking. But a good book.

The Author

Ruth studied English at university and then took an MA is Social Work. Following this she worked in the Criminal Justice System as a social worker then as a probation officer. Part of this time was spent seconded to a prison housing serious offenders. She continues to work within the Criminal Justice System, most recently in Luxembourg.

Ruth's novels are informed by her experience and are "authentic and credible".

Ruth's first novel, The James Version, is a historical fiction based on the actual murder of Maria Marten at the Red Barn in Suffolk. The story is re-told with a fresh light on who really killed Maria.

Her second novel, The Woman Before Me, won the Debut Dagger when it was originally published in 2005. It is the story of Rose Wilks, a female stalker imprisoned for killing a child, who claims to be innocent, and is the first in a series featuring probation officer Cate Austin.

"Probation officers have more face-to-face contact with criminals than any other profession," says Ruth, "they are the unsung heroes of the Criminal Justice System."

Book Blanket 2026

And, finally, here is my 'The Woman Before Me' granny crochet square, ready to take its place in my book blanket at the end of the year! 

Shortlist for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize for Women 2026

Now in its sixteenth year, the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize has become a powerful launchpad for emerging fiction, championing women and non-binary writers at a pivotal stage in their careers. Submissions continue to grow year on year, with 2026 being the biggest year yet for submissions, reflecting its growing reputation within the literary landscape.

The Prize which honours Lucy Cavendish, a reformer and pioneer of women’s education and empowerment, was set up in 2010 by the Cambridge college which bears her name. Drawn from a highly competitive longlist, this year’s shortlist showcases inventive, original fiction that reflects the breadth and energy of contemporary writing. Each writer was invited to describe their novel in ten words or fewer, offering a glimpse into the ideas behind their work:

Arden Boshier (from Derbyshire) — Mrs Webster
Love and abuse in the art scene of sixties London

D.A. Connors (originally from Ireland, now London) — The Skylark and the Blowfly
Northern Ireland, 1989: a 12-year-old papergirl investigates the disappearance of a young woman


Fiona Dignan (lives in Surrey) — What the Body Remembers
Women reclaim their bodies across generations of violence and tradition

Virginia Hall (lives in Brighton)— Meatlicker
Dark campus satire: naïve postgrad meets maverick professor

Anna Holdház (lives in London) — A Geography of Escape
An inter-generational ghost story spanning Hungary, London and Hawai'i


Dara Lutes (lives in Brighton) — The Red Flag
A darkly comic psychological mystery about collective guilt and responsibility

WME Agency, who is sponsoring the prize for a second year, took on six authors from 2025’s shortlist and longlist, including Ciara Broderick, whose debut literary thriller Catfish sold for six-figures to 4th Estate in a highly competitive auction and in deals around the world. Previous shortlisted authors include Gail Honeyman (Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine), Sara Collins (The Confessions of Frannie Langton) and Sarah Harman (All the Other Mothers Hate Me).

This year’s judging panel brought together leading voices from across the literary world. Chaired by broadcaster and writer Vogue Williams, the panel includes novelist Ela Lee, Viking Publishing Director Harriet Bourton, College Assistant Professor and Director of Studies in English Dr Clare Walker Gore, and Emeritus Fellow Dr Isobel Maddison.

On the shortlist Clare says: ‘It was such a pleasure to read the longlisted entries, and to be able to discuss them with the other judges.  It was very hard to pick just six out of so many wonderful pieces, but I’m delighted with the final shortlist. It’s so varied, from sweeping family saga to dark thriller to razor sharp social comedy. What all the shortlisted pieces have in common is brilliant, compelling writing. I can’t wait to see these novels out in the world.’

Harriet adds: ‘It has been such an honour to play a role in finding this year’s deserving winner of the Lucy Cavendish Prize, and we were spoilt for choice. The talent we saw was so impressive, and I’ve found it a deeply rewarding and humbling experience. I hope it will help some unique new voices attract the attention they so richly deserve.’

Each shortlisted author receives a one-to-one consultation with a literary agent, offering editorial insight and practical guidance on the path to publication. 

The winner of the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize 2026 will be announced on 21 May at a special ceremony at Lucy Cavendish College.

Biographies of the Shortlisted Authors

Arden Boshier — Mrs Webster

Arden Boshier is a writer from Derbyshire. She studied a BA in English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford, an MSc in Gender Studies at the LSE and she likes to explore feminist issues through fiction. Her master’s dissertation on the British abortion law reform movement was published in Lilith: A Feminist History Journal. She also runs a literary magazine for the Midlands, The Derwent Press. You can find her on Instagram at @_mythweaver_ or Substack @rheaborden.


Anna Holdház — A Geography of Escape

Anna Holdház is a writer and artist based in London. Her work draws on her Eastern European and American inheritances to explore migration, grief and the uncanny. Her short stories and non-fiction have appeared in Passengers Journal and Anthways. She studied in Visual Anthropology and has a professional background in film and media. Outside of her creative practice, she enjoys exploring unusual travel destinations, niche research rabbit holes, and all things esoteric, magickal and strange. She is on Instagram as @annaholdhaz


D.A. Connors — The Skylark and the Blowfly

D.A. Connors grew up in rural Northern Ireland and now lives outside London with her husband and three kids. Her work has placed in the Bath Novel Award Top 100 and has been longlisted for another prize due to be announced later in 2026. She learnt the writing ropes through I Am In Print. A former social worker, she now tutors children excluded from school and occasionally teaches in a prison. She’s a gym goer, but spends more time plotting strange tales than exercising. You can find her on Instagram: @stories_by_d.a._connors


Fiona Dignan — What the Body Remembers

Fiona studied Anthropology and Comparative Religion at the University of Manchester, followed by an MA in Human Resources at the University of Westminster. After a career in HR, she swapped office life for the far less predictable role of raising four children. She began writing during the Covid pandemic, in the midst of homeschooling chaos and toddler negotiations, as a way to stay (relatively) sane. It worked. Mostly. Since then, she has become an award-winning poet, short story and flash fiction writer. Her first novel, What the Body Remembers, has been taking shape over the past three years within a small writing group led by Amanda Saint (The Mindful Writer), where curiosity and deep character exploration matter more than word counts. When she’s not writing or wrangling children, she can be found walking other people’s dogs or volunteering with The Reader, leading shared reading groups in libraries. She believes deeply in the charity’s mission: that literature can connect us and help us live well.


Virginia Hall — Meatlicker

Virginia is a creative consultant, award winning copywriter and poet, and strategic facilitator. With a background spanning journalism, script writing and corporate campaigns, she is passionate about strong female characters, unusual perspectives and helping human skills thrive in an AI world. She has an MA in Critical & Creative Writing from the University of Sussex. When not writing, she spends time in the sea - surfing, swimming or paddleboarding - or choreographing 1980s dance routines with two reluctant border collies. She can be found roaming the coffee shops of Brighton and on Instagram as @virginiahallwrites


Dara Lutes — The Red Flag

Dara Lutes is a writer and communications strategist based in Brighton. Born in the US, she moved to the UK aged ten and made a mixture of good and bad life decisions for a few decades, before completing an MA in Creative Writing at the University of Brighton in 2022. Her first unpublished novel received a commendation in the Comedy Women in Print Prize in 2025, which encouraged her to write another one. As well as writing, she is interested in the art of rhetoric, inter-generational feminism and fashion as a language, but also just for fun. She is currently working on a podcast series about reading as resistance to the alarming surge in book bans. In her spare time, she pretends to ironically watch reality television by claiming it’s an important dystopian/utopian narrative. She could say she likes cooking, exercise, etc., but that would  be a lie. Dara is on Instagram as @daralutes.

Oh, I Do Like To Die Beside The Seaside

Some of you will have seen my post of 15th April explaining my recent absences from the blog and my promise to do better. I should have added a caveat that things will continue to be a little erratic until the beginning of June, while I recover from all that has been going on. 

But I am still getting out and doing some stuff and last Thursday evening (23rd April), my wing woman Lynsey Linn @booksbybindu & I set off for Helensburgh for a Noir at the Bar at the seaside.

It was a beautiful, sunny evening and the view from the front of the venue, The Commodore on Helensburgh's seafront, was gorgeous. Inside, the function room was jam packed for a sold out event. It was hosted by local author Daniel Sellers, with books for sale from Daydreams Bookshop (Milngavie). All the authors were appearing free of charge, and the money raised by ticket sales was going towards Dolly Parton's Imagination Library which helps provide books to 350 pre school children in the Helensburgh area.

 

The first panel of readers were:

DV Bishop, lecturer of creative writing at Napier University and author of the Cesare Aldo series, set mainly in 16th century Italy. He read two passages, one from the first book, City of Vengeance, & one from the fifth book Carnival of Lies. (He was a late addition as George Paterson was unable to be there.)

Alex Kane, author of over ten gangland crime novels and is published by Hera books. She read from the fourth novel The Angels, set in a gentleman's club in Glasgow, featuring three women who work for a crime boss. And sticking with the theme, her piece included a dead body in the beach.

Louise Welsh, author of 11 novels, most recently The Cut Up, published by Canongate Books and has won several awards and is Professor of Creative Writing at Glasgow University. She read from The Cut Up, the third in the Rilke series

Lesley McDowell, author of four novels, most recently Love and Other Poisons, and one non fiction book Between the Sheets on the literary liaisons of mine 20th century women writers and has a PhD on the works of James Joyce. She read from Love and Other Poisons, which is set in the early 20th century and has links with Helensburgh. Her excerpt including a bit of singing!

 

All four authors were available to sign books bought from the bookshop during the break. Before the second panel we heard from a member of the Helensburgh Hub (so sorry, I didn't note her name) and her sidekick Dolly Patron about the Imagination Library and the important work it does.

The second panel of readers was:

Alex Gray, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Inspector William Lorimer series and a co founder of the Bloody Scotland Crime Writing festival. The latest book in the series, number 23, Blood on Old Stones, is out now. To keep with the death at the seaside theme, she read from the 12th book, Keep the Midnight Out

Inga Vesper moved from Germany to UK to be a carer but moved into journalism. She has written two novels and read from The Long Long Afternoon set in California 1959..

Suzy Aspley is a former journalist, and author of gothic novels featuring journalist Martha Steangeways. Winner of Bloody Scotland Pitch Pefect prize with her debut Crow Moon. The second book in series, The Bone Mother, is coming out on 7th May. Read from an Artic set thriller she's been working on but it's not published yet.

There was another pause before the final panel for comfort breaks, refilling glasses (I felt sorry for the young man behind the bar, he was run off his feet at the beginning and during the breaks) and buying books, of course, and having them signed by this batch of authors.

The final panel of readers were:

Ann Cleeve, author of 39 novels and winner of the CWA Diamond Dagger and several other awards. She is the creator of Vera Stanhope ( from TV's 'Vera'), Jimmy Perez (from 'Shetland') & Matthew Venn (from 'The Long Call'). She read from The Killing Stones, the new Jimmy Perez novel, set in Orkney, which came out in paperback last Thursday.

Caro Ramsay was born in Govan and has spent most of her life working out how to kill people. She has been shortlisted for various awards. She spends lots of time in Greggs (these were her words). She is currently working on her 19th and 20th books, and she read from Where She Lies, which is set in Oban.

Russel D McLean is writer, editor, former bookseller and general miscreant (again, his own words). Most of his books are set in Dundee including his latest one, The Friday Girl, set in 1978. Originally from Fife, he now lives in Glasgow. He read from The Friday Girl.

 

There was a final chance for book buying and signings before the evening wrapped up. It was a really fun night, and good for me to get out and about a bit. It was my first visit to Helensburgh, the sun was shining and the venue was great (although I would've appreciate a sign on the ladies loo door! Following the sign on the wall, I reached the external doors before I realised I'd made a mistake!). A lovely time, and I'm really glad I went. Do check out the authors, they're all worth a look!

Secrets from the Grave by Leigh Lewis

As I mentioned in yesterday's post this is hopefully the beginning of my slow return to regular blogging - see yesterday's post for more on that. But I love a political thriller so I'm glad to be coming back with one. Secrets from the Grave is the debut novel from retired senior civil servant Sir Leigh Lewis. But thanks to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers for inviting me on the tour and to the author and publisher for my hardback review copy. 

Yesterday's post also mentioned my crochet book blanket. You'll be able to see my granny square for this book at the bottom of the post. 

The Blurb

Left-of-centre Labour Prime Minister Jack Higson has enjoyed a spectacular rise from backbencher to the highest political office in the land in just a few short years. He is popular, well-liked and supported by a loving wife. But when a prominent Spanish lawyer In Madrid asks to see the British Ambassador, and tells him a story about Higson's grandfather's time in Spain during the Spanish Civil War, Higson's world begins to unravel.

And when that story becomes linked to a skeleton in his personal life of which his wife knows nothing, Higson is suddenly faced with an existential threat to both his political career and his marriage. Over a period of just a few weeks he must make the most momentous decisions of his life. Can he be saved? Or is he the only one who can save himself?

My Review

As I mentioned above I enjoy a political thriller and looked forward to this one as the author has merged his knowledge of the world of politics with his long time interest in the Spanish Civil War to write this book. 

Prime Minister Jack Higson has always been proud of his grandfather's role in the Spanish Civil I'm War, and made much of it in his campaigning to become PM. So he is naturally concerned when it comes to light that perhaps his grandfather was not the man Jack thought he was. A small group of senior civil servants is tasked with finding out more. Meanwhile a more personal issue for the PM is mentioned and he just doesn't know what to do or who to trust. 

There are a lot of characters featured here, but the main players form a fairly small group. Key amongst them is retiree John Warren, at home caring for his sick wife,  called back into active service to help solve the Spanish mystery. An upstanding man, full of integrity, I really liked him. I loved the peak behind the scenes in the world of politics and diplomacy, and the author's insider knowledge really shine through here. The information included in the Spanish Civil War (about which I knew nothing) is interesting and enlightening, whilst never boring. 

The two storylines are both good, the Spanish one particularly, and are intertwined successfully. This is not a book that's full of action, although there is some, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. And there is even a hint of romance! It could perhaps have been a little shorter, and I did feel the ending was a little flat. But, overall, I found Secrets from the Grave to be an enjoyable and entertaining read, populated by interesting characters and an intriguing storyline.  

The Author

Former top civil servant, Sir Leigh Lewis, brings his personal knowledge of Whitehall, counter-terrorism and both modern-day and Civil War Spain to his first novel. Leigh remains close to his former world and features regularly in The Times' letters page.

The Secrets from the Grave granny square for my 2026 book blanket.