Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of The Strings of Murder by Oscar de Muriel, read by Andy Secombe, including musical interludes recorded by the author himself. ''A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery'' New York Times''I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic'' Ian RankinEdinburgh, 1888. A virtuoso violinist is brutally killed in his home. But with no way in or out of the locked practice room, the murder makes no sense. Fearing a national panic over a copycat Ripper, Scotland Yard sends Inspector Ian Frey to investigate under the cover of a fake department specializing in the occult. However, Frey''s new boss, Detective ''Nine-Nails'' McGray, actually believes in such nonsense. McGray''s tragic past has driven him to superstition, but even Frey must admit that this case seems beyond reason. And once someone loses all reason, who knows what they will lose next...''This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch.'' Manda Scott''A great cop double-act ... It''s the pairing of the upright Frey and the unorthodox McGray that notches up the stars for this book. Like de Muriel, they''re going places.''Sunday Sport''One of the best debuts so far this year - a brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting... with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It''s clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written - The Strings Of Murder is everything you need in a mystery thriller.''Crime Review

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of A Fever of the Blood by Oscar De Muriel, read by Andy Secombe.New Year''s Day, 1889. In Edinburgh''s lunatic asylum, a patient escapes as a nurse lays dying. Leading the manhunt are legendary local Detective ''Nine-Nails'' McGray and Londoner-in-exile Inspector Ian Frey. Before the murder, the suspect was heard in whispered conversation with a fellow patient - a girl who had been mute for years.What made her suddenly break her silence? And why won''t she talk again? Could the rumours about black magic be more than superstition?McGray and Frey track a devious psychopath far beyond their jurisdiction, through the worst blizzard in living memory, into the shadow of Pendle Hill - home of the Lancashire witches - where unimaginable danger awaits...A Fever of the Blood includes an exclusive interview with the author which is only available to audiobook listeners.* * *Praise for The Strings of Murder:''This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch.'' Manda Scott''One of the best debuts so far this year - a brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It''s clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written - The Strings Of Murder is everything you need in a mystery thriller.'' Crime Review

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of The Hunt by Oscar De Muriel, a Christmas tale from the world of Frey & McGray, read by Andy Secombe.Christmas, 1888. After a thoroughly trying time in Edinburgh, Inspector Ian Frey looks forward to a Christmas break at his family''s country estate back in England.But the welcome respite of home cooking, hunting trips and brandy by the fire is ruined by the arrival of an unwelcome guest . . .*Features an exclusive extract from A Fever of the Blood - the brilliant new Case for Frey & McGray, which publishes in February 2016*Praise for The Strings of Murder:''This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it.''Manda Scott''One of the best debuts of the year. Riveting, genuinely funny, occasionally frightening and superbly written.''Crime Review

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook of A Mask of Shadows by Oscar de Muriel, read by Andy Secombe.''A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery'' New York Times''I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic'' Ian Rankin1889. The Scottish Play is coming home.But before the darling couple of London theatre, Henry Irving & Ellen Terry, take their acclaimed Macbeth to the Edinburgh stage terror treads the boards. A grisly message found smeared across the cobbles in blood, foretelling someone''s demise. As the bloody prophecies continue to appear Edinburgh''s own beloved pair - Detective ''Nine-Nails'' McGray & Inspector Ian Frey - enter the scene. Frey scoffs at this blatant publicity stunt, while McGray is convinced of supernatural affairs. As they scrutinise the key players, they discover that Terry, Irving, and his peculiar, preoccupied assistant (one Bram Stoker) all have reasons to kill, or be killed...But one thing is clear. By occult curse or human hand, death will take bow the night the curtain rises.Praise for the Frey & McGray series:''I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic'' Ian Rankin''A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery'' New York Times''This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch'' Manda Scott''Fun to read and a fast page-turner. Love and murder - they go together like strawberries and cream'' Independent''A brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It''s clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written ... Everything you need in a mystery thriller'' Crime Review''Fast-paced, well-researched and thoroughly spellbinding. The mismatched pair is as entertaining as Holmes and Watson at their best'' Historical Novel Society

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Loch of the Dead by Oscar de Muriel, read by Andy Secombe. A mysterious woman pleads for the help of Inspectors Frey and ''Nine-Nails'' McGray. Her son, illegitimate scion of the Koloman family, has received an anonymous death threat - right after learning he is to inherit the best part of a vast wine-producing estate.In exchange for their protection, she offers McGray the ultimate cure for his sister who has been locked in an insane asylum after brutally murdering their parents: the miraculous waters that spring in a small island in the remote Loch Maree. The island has been a sacred burial ground since the time of the druids, but the legends around it will turn out to be much darker than McGray could have expected. Death and increasingly bizarre happenings will intermingle throughout this trip to the Highlands, before Frey and McGray learn a terrible truth.''A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery'' New York Times''I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic'' Ian Rankin

Madame Katerina, Detective ''Nine Nails'' McGray''s most trusted clairvoyant, hosts a séance for three of Edinburgh''s wealthiest families.The following morning everyone is found dead, with Madame Katerina being the only survivor. When questioned she alleges a tormented spirit killed the families for revenge.McGray, even though he believes her, must find a rational explanation that holds up in court, else Katerina will be sentenced to death.Inspector Ian Frey is summoned to help, which turns out to be difficult as he is still dealing with the loss of his uncle, and has developed a form of post-traumatic stress (not yet identified in the 19th century).This seems an impossible puzzle. Either something truly supernatural has occurred - or a fiendishly clever plot is covering a killer''s tracks...

''Properly creepy and Gothic'' IAN RANKIN on the Frey & McGray mysteries...

THE FINAL FREY & McGRAY MYSTERYAll will be revealed...* * * * *The Devil Has Come to Edinburgh...An ill-fated grave-robbery unearths a corpse with a most disturbing symbol on it. When a patient in Edinburgh''s lunatic asylum is murdered, the same sign is daubed in blood on the walls - the mark of the devil.The prime suspect: inmate Amy McGray, notorious for killing her parents years before. Her brother, Detective ''Nine-Nails'' McGray, must prove her innocence - with the help of an old friend . . .Inspector Ian Frey insists he is retired. But when called upon, he reluctantly agrees to their final case.As twists follow bombshells, leading to secrets that have been waiting in the shadows all along, all will be revealed . . .This rollicking Victorian sensationalist melodrama is the epic conclusion to the marvellous Frey & McGray mysteries.

A wintry and ghoulish Frey & McGray poem for fans of Detective ''Nine-Nails'' McGray and his erstwhile English sidekick, Inspector Ian Frey, in celebration of the pair''s 5th anniversary...Praise for the Fray & McGray Mysteries:''A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery''New York Times''Properly creepy and Gothic''Ian Rankin''Wonderful, brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical''Manda Scott

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of The Strings of Murder by Oscar de Muriel, read by Andy Secombe, including musical interludes recorded by the author himself. ''A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery'' New York Times''I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic'' Ian RankinEdinburgh, 1888. A virtuoso violinist is brutally killed in his home. But with no way in or out of the locked practice room, the murder makes no sense. Fearing a national panic over a copycat Ripper, Scotland Yard sends Inspector Ian Frey to investigate under the cover of a fake department specializing in the occult. However, Frey''s new boss, Detective ''Nine-Nails'' McGray, actually believes in such nonsense. McGray''s tragic past has driven him to superstition, but even Frey must admit that this case seems beyond reason. And once someone loses all reason, who knows what they will lose next...''This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch.'' Manda Scott''A great cop double-act ... It''s the pairing of the upright Frey and the unorthodox McGray that notches up the stars for this book. Like de Muriel, they''re going places.''Sunday Sport''One of the best debuts so far this year - a brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting... with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It''s clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written - The Strings Of Murder is everything you need in a mystery thriller.''Crime Review

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of A Fever of the Blood by Oscar De Muriel, read by Andy Secombe.New Year''s Day, 1889. In Edinburgh''s lunatic asylum, a patient escapes as a nurse lays dying. Leading the manhunt are legendary local Detective ''Nine-Nails'' McGray and Londoner-in-exile Inspector Ian Frey. Before the murder, the suspect was heard in whispered conversation with a fellow patient - a girl who had been mute for years.What made her suddenly break her silence? And why won''t she talk again? Could the rumours about black magic be more than superstition?McGray and Frey track a devious psychopath far beyond their jurisdiction, through the worst blizzard in living memory, into the shadow of Pendle Hill - home of the Lancashire witches - where unimaginable danger awaits...A Fever of the Blood includes an exclusive interview with the author which is only available to audiobook listeners.* * *Praise for The Strings of Murder:''This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch.'' Manda Scott''One of the best debuts so far this year - a brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It''s clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written - The Strings Of Murder is everything you need in a mystery thriller.'' Crime Review

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of The Hunt by Oscar De Muriel, a Christmas tale from the world of Frey & McGray, read by Andy Secombe.Christmas, 1888. After a thoroughly trying time in Edinburgh, Inspector Ian Frey looks forward to a Christmas break at his family''s country estate back in England.But the welcome respite of home cooking, hunting trips and brandy by the fire is ruined by the arrival of an unwelcome guest . . .*Features an exclusive extract from A Fever of the Blood - the brilliant new Case for Frey & McGray, which publishes in February 2016*Praise for The Strings of Murder:''This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it.''Manda Scott''One of the best debuts of the year. Riveting, genuinely funny, occasionally frightening and superbly written.''Crime Review

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook of A Mask of Shadows by Oscar de Muriel, read by Andy Secombe.''A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery'' New York Times''I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic'' Ian Rankin1889. The Scottish Play is coming home.But before the darling couple of London theatre, Henry Irving & Ellen Terry, take their acclaimed Macbeth to the Edinburgh stage terror treads the boards. A grisly message found smeared across the cobbles in blood, foretelling someone''s demise. As the bloody prophecies continue to appear Edinburgh''s own beloved pair - Detective ''Nine-Nails'' McGray & Inspector Ian Frey - enter the scene. Frey scoffs at this blatant publicity stunt, while McGray is convinced of supernatural affairs. As they scrutinise the key players, they discover that Terry, Irving, and his peculiar, preoccupied assistant (one Bram Stoker) all have reasons to kill, or be killed...But one thing is clear. By occult curse or human hand, death will take bow the night the curtain rises.Praise for the Frey & McGray series:''I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic'' Ian Rankin''A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery'' New York Times''This is wonderful. A brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical book - I loved it. Oscar de Muriel is going to be a name to watch'' Manda Scott''Fun to read and a fast page-turner. Love and murder - they go together like strawberries and cream'' Independent''A brilliant mix of horror, history, and humour. Genuinely riveting with plenty of twists, this will keep you turning the pages. It''s clever, occasionally frightening and superbly written ... Everything you need in a mystery thriller'' Crime Review''Fast-paced, well-researched and thoroughly spellbinding. The mismatched pair is as entertaining as Holmes and Watson at their best'' Historical Novel Society

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Loch of the Dead by Oscar de Muriel, read by Andy Secombe. A mysterious woman pleads for the help of Inspectors Frey and ''Nine-Nails'' McGray. Her son, illegitimate scion of the Koloman family, has received an anonymous death threat - right after learning he is to inherit the best part of a vast wine-producing estate.In exchange for their protection, she offers McGray the ultimate cure for his sister who has been locked in an insane asylum after brutally murdering their parents: the miraculous waters that spring in a small island in the remote Loch Maree. The island has been a sacred burial ground since the time of the druids, but the legends around it will turn out to be much darker than McGray could have expected. Death and increasingly bizarre happenings will intermingle throughout this trip to the Highlands, before Frey and McGray learn a terrible truth.''A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery'' New York Times''I enjoyed this - properly creepy and Gothic'' Ian Rankin

Madame Katerina, Detective ''Nine Nails'' McGray''s most trusted clairvoyant, hosts a séance for three of Edinburgh''s wealthiest families.The following morning everyone is found dead, with Madame Katerina being the only survivor. When questioned she alleges a tormented spirit killed the families for revenge.McGray, even though he believes her, must find a rational explanation that holds up in court, else Katerina will be sentenced to death.Inspector Ian Frey is summoned to help, which turns out to be difficult as he is still dealing with the loss of his uncle, and has developed a form of post-traumatic stress (not yet identified in the 19th century).This seems an impossible puzzle. Either something truly supernatural has occurred - or a fiendishly clever plot is covering a killer''s tracks...

''Properly creepy and Gothic'' IAN RANKIN on the Frey & McGray mysteries...

THE FINAL FREY & McGRAY MYSTERYAll will be revealed...* * * * *The Devil Has Come to Edinburgh...An ill-fated grave-robbery unearths a corpse with a most disturbing symbol on it. When a patient in Edinburgh''s lunatic asylum is murdered, the same sign is daubed in blood on the walls - the mark of the devil.The prime suspect: inmate Amy McGray, notorious for killing her parents years before. Her brother, Detective ''Nine-Nails'' McGray, must prove her innocence - with the help of an old friend . . .Inspector Ian Frey insists he is retired. But when called upon, he reluctantly agrees to their final case.As twists follow bombshells, leading to secrets that have been waiting in the shadows all along, all will be revealed . . .This rollicking Victorian sensationalist melodrama is the epic conclusion to the marvellous Frey & McGray mysteries.

A wintry and ghoulish Frey & McGray poem for fans of Detective ''Nine-Nails'' McGray and his erstwhile English sidekick, Inspector Ian Frey, in celebration of the pair''s 5th anniversary...Praise for the Fray & McGray Mysteries:''A hugely entertaining Victorian mystery''New York Times''Properly creepy and Gothic''Ian Rankin''Wonderful, brilliant, moving, clever, lyrical''Manda Scott