Blood Ties

A brutal execution. A relentless detective. A conspiracy rooted in family, loyalty, and deadly secrets.

When Detective Inspector Viv Wylde witnesses a man being executed in broad daylight beneath Stirling Bridge on her very first day with Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, she knows one thing for certain.

This was no random murder.

The victim dies with a shotgun blast to the face. The killer disappears without a trace, leaving behind only a frightened terrier named Finn and a trail of unanswered questions.

As Viv begins investigating, another body is discovered. Then another.

Each murder seems unrelated, yet hidden beneath the surface is a web of organised crime, long-buried family secrets, corruption, betrayal, and revenge stretching back decades.

The deeper Viv digs, the more dangerous the investigation becomes.

Because someone is willing to kill anyone who gets close to the truth.

And Viv has just moved to Scotland with her elderly mother while trying to rebuild a life after unimaginable personal loss. Balancing family responsibilities with one of the biggest murder investigations of her career, she soon discovers that solving this case may cost her everything.

With the pressure mounting, a misogynistic senior detective undermining her at every turn, and enemies watching her every move, Viv must trust her instincts before the killer strikes again.

But in a case built on blood ties...

Who can she really trust?

Perfect for Readers Who Love

Scottish crime fiction

Police procedurals

Detective mystery series

Female detective novels

British crime thrillers

Murder mystery books

Dark investigative thrillers

Twisty serial crime investigations

Strong female detectives

Atmospheric Scottish settings

If you enjoy books by Ann Cleeves, Val McDermid, JD Kirk, Stuart MacBride, Marion Todd, Ian Rankin, Peter May, Elly Griffiths, Rachel McLean, or Angela Marsons, you'll love Blood Ties.

Meet DI Viv Wylde

Sharp, determined, and quietly funny, Detective Inspector Viv Wylde is unlike any detective you've met before.

Recently transferred to Police Scotland, Viv is balancing a demanding new role with caring for her mother, who is living with Alzheimer's. Armed with sharp instincts, dry Yorkshire humour, and an unwavering commitment to justice, she refuses to back down, even when powerful people would rather she did.

Alongside her loyal rescue dog Finn, Viv takes on Scotland's darkest crimes with intelligence, compassion, and stubborn determination.

Why Readers Love Blood Ties

A gripping Scottish detective thriller from the very first page

A brilliantly flawed female detective you'll want to follow through every case

Twisting mysteries packed with shocking revelations

Fast-paced investigations with authentic police procedure

Emotional depth alongside heart-pounding suspense

Richly atmospheric Scottish locations

Memorable supporting characters, including Finn, the scene-stealing terrier

The first novel in an addictive new detective series

Blood Ties is a mainstream Scottish police procedural written for fans of crime fiction. It is not a sapphic romance.