Marion Todd

Marion Todd author photo

A native of Dundee, Marion studied music with the Open University and worked for many years as a piano teacher and jobbing accompanist. A spell as a hotel lounge pianist provided rich fodder for her writing and she began experimenting with a variety of genres. Early success saw her winning first prize in the Family Circle Magazine short story for children national competition and she followed this up by writing short stories and articles for her local newspaper.

Now a full-time writer, Marion lives in North-east Fife, overlooking the River Tay. Her debut crime novel, the first in the DI Clare Mackay series, was published by Canelo in October 2019 and the series has gone on to be a huge success.

Books

Bridges to Burn

Marion Todd

Bridges to Burn by Marion Todd cover

How can DI Clare Mackay uncover the facts if nothing is what it seems?

DI Clare Mackay is called to Albany High, where the body of a girl has been found. A suspected suicide – yet Sophie Bakewell was by all accounts a cheerful, talented student. Could she really have been hiding a darker side?

It’s not the only disturbing case to land on Clare’s desk. Across town, an elderly man is in danger. Yet before the police can determine the facts, everything changes and they are presented with two suspicious deaths to investigate.

As Clare and her team face the possibility that anything they believe to be true about the deaths is wrong, they might find that a killer can lurk behind the most innocent of faces…

An unputdownable crime thriller from the queen of Tartan Noir, perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Lin Anderson and JD Kirk.

‘Engrossing and immersive it had me hooked from the first page and I devoured it in one sitting’

— Angela Marsons, author of the Kim Stone series

‘Bridges to Burn is a treat for anyone who loves gripping, well plotted police procedurals with compelling character arcs and relationships running alongside the investigation… I can’t wait to read more’

— Rachel McLean, author of DI Zoe Finch and Dorset Crime series

‘Such a gripping police procedural and a superb cast of characters. I feel like Clare’s team are old friends, and I can’t wait to read more from the Mackay series’

— J.M. Hewitt, author of The Crew

‘Marion Todd just gets better and better. This latest installment keeps the reader turning the pages to a breathless finale’

— Sheila Bugler, author of Ellen Kelly and Dee Doran series

‘Sparkling prose and a nail-biting plot, Marion Todd has enthralled us again’

— Sarah Ward, author of the DC Childs series

A Blind Eye

DI Clare Mackay

Can DI Clare Mackay unravel a dead man’s secrets?

Harry Richards, local Solicitor. Found in his car, throat slit.

DI Clare Mackay is on the case. She soon learns that Harry was no innocent victim.

But when the wife of one of Harry’s colleagues is also discovered dead in her car, Clare realises there might be something bigger at play.

Can she find out who’s behind the murders before they turn their attention to her?

An utterly gripping addition to the bestselling crime series by much-loved Scottish author, Marion Todd. Perfect for fans of Alex Gray, Caro Ramsay and the Karen Pirie series.

‘A smart plot, wonderful St Andrews setting, and a main character who feels real and engaging all make for a hugely enjoyable read. A great addition to the Tartan Noir series’

— Lisa Gray, best-selling author of The Dark Room

‘Clever & intriguing, with a cast of characters to root for’

— Susi Holliday, best-selling author of The Hike

‘Marion Todd masterfully weaves mystery and intrigue through every page. Top tier Scottish crime fiction

— JD Kirk, author of the DCI Logan Crime Thrillers

‘The central characters feel like being in the company of old friends while the brisk plot and the immediacy of the writing really draw the reader along. An enthralling and engaging read

— Caro Ramsay, author of the Detectives Anderson and Costello Mystery series

‘A deeply absorbing mystery, brimming with complex characters, sinister secrets and ingenious reveals. One of the best crime novels I’ve read this year

— B.P. Walter, author of The Dinner Guest

Pacy and enthralling, keeps you turning the pages at great speed… reminds me of the brilliant crime drama Unforgotten

— The Scots Magazine

‘Marion Todd goes from strength to strength… Every bit as cunning, twisty and satisfying as I would expect from such a talented writer

— Alison Belsham, author of Her Last Breath

Old Bones Lie

Marion Todd

DI Clare Mackay is about to face a test of her loyalty…

When a report comes in that a van containing two prison officers and a convicted jewel thief is missing, the police in St Andrews work quickly to locate the vehicle. Their efforts prove in vain when no trace is found and they realise the wives of both officers also appear to have left the area. Is this a case of corrupt guards springing a felon, or innocent people caught in the crossfire?

DI Clare Mackay leads the team but has to do without her right hand man; DS Chris West is a cousin to one of the missing prison officers and must not be involved in the case. With a new sergeant at her side plus a previously unencountered DCI, Clare’s people skills are pushed to the limit. Especially once she realises her boss is keeping her on the sidelines. Just what is it that Clare doesn’t know? And if she has to choose between keeping secrets from a friend, or letting slip something that could see a culprit go free, which path will she take?

A compelling addition to the bestselling series by a much-loved Scottish crime author, perfect for fans of Caro Ramsay, Lin Anderson and Alex Gray

Next in Line

Marion Todd

A murder victim with celebrity connections spells trouble for DI Clare Mackay…

Gabrielle Fox is known to many due to her successful TV career, so when her brother and his pals hire the salubrious Lamond Lodge for his birthday celebrations, it is noted by the St Andrews locals. A ripple of shock goes round the town when Russell Fox is gunned down on the premises.

DI Clare Mackay is attending a wedding when she sees Gabrielle receive a phone call then flee. Soon after, Clare learns why when the news of the shooting reaches her. Instead of trying to enjoy the day – not easy when the groom is her ex-boyfriend – Clare is preoccupied.

Clare gets to work on uncovering the facts surrounding Russell Fox’s death. The guests at the lodge have secrets to hide, but even when Clare begins to unravel the deceit, it doesn’t bring the answers. The detective can’t help but wonder why no one who knew Russell seems capable of telling the truth, and whether there is more than one person with a reason to want him dead…

What They Knew

Marion Todd

It is the stroke of midnight on Hogmanay when Alison Reid admits a caller to her home. When her death is later reported, DI Clare Mackay attends the scene. The initial evidence does not rule out murder, but it’s not possible to say for certain if foul play was involved. Yet when the pathologist informs Clare about a post mortem of a young woman found in the Kinness Burn, and with some similarities to Alison’s case, it seems there’s a strong chance that there’s a killer on the loose in St Andrews.

Clare and her team will have to look past the obvious conclusions and delve deeper into the lives of the victims to get to the truth. But who else risks meeting the same fate while the clock is ticking?

What They Knew was published by Canelo in February 2021.

Lies to Tell

Marion Todd

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer…

Early one morning DI Clare Mackay receives a message from her boss DCI Alastair Gibson telling her to meet him in secret. She does as he asks and is taken to a secure location in the remote Scottish hills. There, she is introduced to ethical hacker Gayle Crichton and told about a critical security breach coming from inside Police Scotland. Clare is sworn to secrecy and must conceal Gayle’s identity from colleagues until the source is found.

Clare already has her hands full keeping a key witness under protection and investigating the murder of a university student. When a friend of the victim is found preparing to jump off the Tay Road Bridge it is clear he is terrified of someone. But who? Clare realises too late that she has trusted the wrong person. As her misplaced faith proves a danger to herself and others, Clare must fight tooth and nail to protect those she cares about and see justice done.

In Plain Sight

Marion Todd

A child’s life is at stake. Which of the residents of St Andrews is hiding something – and why?

When a baby girl is snatched from the crowd of spectators at a fun run, the local police have a major investigation on their hands. DI Clare Mackay and her team are in a race against the clock when they learn that the child has a potentially fatal medical condition.

As Clare investigates she realises this victim wasn’t selected at random. Someone knows who took the baby girl, and why. But will they reveal their secrets before it’s too late?

See Them Run

Marion Todd

In a famous Scottish town, someone is bent on murder – but why?

On the night of a wedding celebration, one guest meets a grisly end when he’s killed in a hit-and-run. A card bearing the number ‘5’ has been placed on the victim’s chest. DI Clare Mackay, who recently moved from Glasgow to join the St Andrews force, leads the investigation. The following night another victim is struck down and a number ‘4’ card is at the scene. Clare and her team realise they’re against the clock to find a killer stalking the streets of the picturesque Scottish town and bent on carrying out three more murders.

To prevent further deaths, the police have to uncover the link between the victims. But those involved have a lot more at stake than first meets the eye. If Clare wants to solve the case she must face her own past and discover the deepest secrets of the victims – and the killer.