A sweeping debut crime novel about the far-reaching effects of a murder on a community in Glasgow. An epic story of resilience, redemption and love. Everyone''s talking about Janey Devine... Glasgow, 1979. Towerblock-wean Janey is out for a walk on an abandoned railway with her dog, Sid Vicious, when she finds the body of a woman - and her innocent childhood ends in a shocking moment of trauma. Janey''s nana, Maggie, is distraught, especially when the corpse turns out to be a local hardman''s lassie. Janey claims she can''t remember what she saw that day, but the police think she''s hiding something, and they''re not the only ones. Maggie wont rest until she knows Janey is safe, but she''s got secrets of her own, right bad ones too. As fear stalks the community, Janey starts to remember things she shouldn''t. And Maggie can''t help but wonder if the daughter she loves will ever return to her - or if someone will take Janey away forever.

Autorentext

As a passionate advocate of lifelong learning, Frances was delighted to graduate age 60 with MLitt (Distinction) Creative Writing from Glasgow University. In 2023, she won Bloody Scotland/ Glencairn Crime Short Story Competition and the first chapters of her debut novel, A Bad, Bad Place, won Highly Commended in Moniack Mohr Emerging Writer 2024.

Frances grew up in North Glasgow, and credits the people of Possilpark and Milton as her writing inspiration. She still lives in Glasgow with her family, and likes libraries and punk rock.

Klappentext

Don't miss the debut crime thriller of 2026 - perfect for fans of The List of Suspicious Things. A murder mystery unlike any other...

'Clever, honest, heart-rending.' VAL MCDERMID
'Richly authentic, funny, moving and insightful.' JANICE HALLETT
'I haven't read anything quite as unique as this since Trainspotting.' LIN ANDERSON
'A Bad, Bad Place will stay with me for a long, long time' JENNIE GODFREY
'Part To Kill a Mockingbird, part The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, yet altogether incomparable' A. J. FINN

What happened to the dog walker who found the body?

Glasgow, 1979.

Twelve-year-old Janey won't take her dog, Sid Vicious, for a walk. Not anymore. It's Sid's fault she found the murdered woman.

Janey claims she can't remember what she saw at the abandoned railway, but the police think she's hiding something. And they're not the only ones interested.

Fear and rumour rip through the tight-knit community of Possilpark. Janey and her nana, Maggie, are dragged into the hunt for a murderer. And Maggie's struggle to keep her beloved granddaughter safe becomes ever more desperate.

Because Janey's memories can't stay hidden forever.

And neither can the killer...

**Readers love A Bad, Bad Place:

'Lingers long after the final page'** FIVE-STAR READER REVIEW

'I loved every page!' FIVE-STAR READER REVIEW

'Got under my skin in a way I didn't expect' FIVE-STAR READER REVIEW

'Absolutely brilliant, funny, full of life, completely convincing' FIVE-STAR READER REVIEW

'Brilliant' FIVE-STAR READER REVIEW

'Stunning' FIVE-STAR READER REVIEW

'Scottish writing at its finest' FIVE-STAR READER REVIEW