Blood, Rust and Steel by Stuart MacBride

All good things must come to an end . . .

Acting Detective Inspector Roberta Steel has never been shy, but she’s finally retiring. After thirty years of policing Aberdeen’s underbelly, she’s all set for her twilight years to feature gardening gloves, afternoon tea, crosswords puzzles, and shouting at the telly.

So, when a body turns up in a wheelie bin, it looks like an excellent way to round off her career and go out with a bang. But the Northeast of Scotland isn’t finished with her yet:

There’s a violent protest to stop; far-right populist politicians, and sketchy government spooks; a by-election; drugs, dogs, and baby-doll nighties; and a desperate ex-colleague, begging her for help.

With only her Queen Street Irregulars for backup, and the top brass desperate to get shot of her, these final few weeks might just be the death of her . . .

Praise for Stuart MacBride:

‘Stuart MacBride is an automatic must-read for me . . . always fast, hard, authentic – and different’ – Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher series

‘Dark and brilliantly written’ – Linwood Barclay, author of I Will Ruin You

‘MacBride is a damned fine writer’ – Peter James, author of Picture You Dead

The darkly funny and gripping thriller from Stuart MacBride, bestselling author of This House of Burning Bones.

About the Author: Stuart MacBride is the Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author of the Logan McRae and Ash Henderson novels. He has also published standalones, novellas and short stories, as well as a slightly twisted children’s picture book for slightly twisted children.

Stuart lives in the north-east of Scotland with his wife Fiona, cats Gherkin, Onion and Beetroot, some hens, some horses and an impressive collection of assorted weeds.

For more information visit:

StuartMacBride.com
Facebook.com/stuartmacbridebooks
X: @StuartMacBride

21 May 2026
 

Blood, Rust and Steel by Stuart MacBride ISBN 9781035064991