19th Century Edinburgh, and Edward Hyde is a burly brute of a man, one who inspires both fear and respect in his role as Captain of Police. Hyde’s also somewhat unstable, having blackouts that cause him to lose hours as a time, as well as strange dreams that take him to a bizarre other-world filled with symbolism from Celtic myth and legend. When Hyde arrives on the scene of a crime that resembles an ancient ritual, he becomes entangled in a web of intrigue that threatens to cast his sanity in doubt.

Craig Russell’s novel plays with the reader’s knowledge and expectations of this familiar character, allowing him to provide a plot that’s filled with twists and turns. There’s no Jekyll here – Hyde himself is the worthy protagonist – although there could be something else lurking underneath. As to what, Russell masterfully keeps the reader guessing until the final showdown; each chapter ends with a need to find out what happens next, making Hyde a book that insists on only being put down when the final page is turned.

Russell’s Hyde himself is a triumph of a character, walking a thin line between reality and what could be delusion. His is a relentless and often brutal journey in which no-one is safe; the streets he prowls are mean and atmospheric, painted with visceral prose and populated by well-realised characters. It’s a delight to read; a Gothic-noir crime novel that will stay with the reader for a long time.

Release Date: February 4th