Burnout

By the author of McIlvanney-prize-listed Cross Purpose.

"My husband is trying to kill me": a new client gets straight to the point. This is a whole new ball game for Maggie Laird, who is trying to rebuild her late husband's detective agency and clear his name. Her partner, "Big" Wilma, sees the case as a non-starter, but Maggie is drawn in.

With her client's life on the line, Maggie must get to the ugly truth that lies behind Aberdeen's closed doors. But who knows what really goes on between husbands and wives? And will the agency's reputation – and Maggie and Wilma's friendship – remain intact?

"Excellent … kept me gripped!" Hearst Big Book Award judges: longlisted 2018 Crime Novel of the Year

"Warm, witty, thoughtful, and thrilling, Burnout leaves you with the feeling that Claire MacLeary is only just getting started." Alistair Braidwood, Scots Whay Hae

"Burnout examines a timely subject [violence against women and sexism], but it's the depiction of relationships, all with plenty of nuance, that is the main reason to pick up this book. MacLeary's confidence in her writing and central characters grows with every chapter, building on the fine foundation of Cross Purpose. You should make time to get to know Maggie and Wilma." Louise Fairbairn, Scotsman

"Absorbing. This is a thoroughly entertaining series that could run and run." Shirley Whiteside, Sunday Herald

"MacLeary has a great ear for dialogue and her witty and often gritty prose evokes a strong sense of place and an authenticity that really makes this book sing … It's not often you get such strong advocacy of and for women in the context of a crime novel but that's what makes this such an engrossing read." Live and Deadly

"Incredibly gritty and compelling … absolutely superb writing." The Quiet Knitter

"Harcus and Laird are quite unlike any other characters I am reading – they have self-doubt, worry about paying the bills, feel the world is almost on the brink of slipping away from them yet they have a will and determination to succeed and it makes them joyful to read." Grab This Book

"At a time where the subjugation of women in society be it professionally, emotionally, or sexually has been so in the spotlight through the #MeToo campaign, MacLeary adds a wise and all too pertinent voice to the arena... [Maggie and Wilma] are a formidable partnership, and there's plenty of mileage in them yet I warrant, and I, for one, will await the next book with interest. Highly recommended." Raven Crime Reads

"...makes for an utterly riveting and often unexpected read, absolutely brilliantly done." Liz Loves Books

"I adore the way Claire writes crime fiction, it's refreshing and fast paced with the added bonus of the Aberdonian accent threaded throughout the story... A brilliant and unique take on crime fiction and you would be daft not to dive in!" Loves Book Group blog