A review by portybelle
The Dead Beat by Doug Johnstone

5.0

The Dead Beat by local author Doug Johnstone was a fast paced and gripping thriller. It's about Martha, doing journalistic work experience on The Standard newspaper in Edinburgh. If you know Edinburgh at all you'll know exactly what newspaper the author really means! On her first day she's is working at the obituary desk when she receives a call from someone who apparently commits suicide while on the phone to her. This leads to Martha and colleague Billy (who featured in Hit and Run which I also enjoyed) rushing to try to save the man's life. They then get caught up in all kinds of events which, it soon becomes apparent, are linked to long kept secrets in Martha's family. As with all of Doug Johnstone's books, there are plenty of twists and lots of action. Edinburgh was depicted brilliantly with a fair bit of the story taking place in my side of the city and so very well known to me. The very beautiful front cover is relevant to the story - again if you know Edinburgh you'll recognise the bridge and probably know what occasionally happens there. A very eventful, fast moving race against time through the streets of Edinburgh and a highly enjoyable read.