Tombstoning 9781917764186 Paperback

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 EDITIONINTRODUCTION BY CHRISTOPHER BROOKMYREVery funny, with a touching and believable romance thrown inKate 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 chaptersScotsman________________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,thatNicola, 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 calltombstoning David has a choice: run away again, or finally find out why people around him keep dying____Detailed and atmospheric descriptions funny and sparky dialogueSunday HeraldExcellently written, intriguing storyline, and different from anythingelse around. A very impressive debutAllan GuthrieA brilliant new author a rollickingtale of mystery set in Auld Reekie and the east coast town ofArbroath…The ListA vibrant and engaging debut, by turns humorous, irreverent and poignantBill DuncanA seductive and thrilling evocation of what lurks beneath the surface of small-town Scotland or, indeed, small-town anywhereChristopher BrookmyrePraise for Doug JohnstoneTense, funny and deeply movingMark BillinghamNobody portrays modern Edinburgh better than Doug Johnstone speaks volumes about the power of storyVal McDermidAn engrossing and beautifully written tale that bears all the Doug Johnstone hallmarks in its warmth and darkly comic undertonesHerald ScotlandWonderful characters: flawed, funny and braveSunday TimesGripping and blackly humorousObserverA must for those seeking strong, authentic, intelligent female protagonistsPublishers WeeklyThis enjoyable mystery is also a touching and often funny portrayal of grief … more, pleaseGuardianSome of the most unique characters in crime fictionDaily ExpressUnderlines just how accomplished Johnstone has becomeDaily MailKeeps you hungry from page to page. A crime reader cant ask anything moreSunA thrilling, atmospheric book Move over Ian Rankin, Doug Johnstone is coming through!Kate RhodesJohnstone never fails to entertain whilst packing a serious emotional punchGytha LodgeOne of the greats of Scottish crime fictionLuca VesteAn unstoppable, thrilling, bullet train of a book I totally loved itHelen FieldsExpertly written, with poise, insight and compassionMary Paulson-EllisA terrific read with all of Johnstons trademark warmth and wicked witA K TurnerSome of the best female characters in crime fiction. Pitch-perfect balance of dark and light disturbing, compassionate and brilliantly funnySarah Hilary’An absolute joy to read full of such wonderful characters, brilliantly realised, with more peril and intrigue’James OswaldA unique brand of crime fiction boasting rare heart and depthAmbrose Parry