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The Cursed Road

A new gripping Scottish crime thriller from the bestselling author of THE WOLF TREE
Brief Description
The hauntingly atmospheric and gripping new novel from the author of The Wolf Tree. In a mountainous region of the Scottish Highlands, a young woman's body has been found on a remote stretch of road. Though the manner of her death suggests a terrible accident, a... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3199
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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The hauntingly atmospheric and gripping new novel from the author of The Wolf Tree.

In a mountainous region of the Scottish Highlands, a young woman's body has been found on a remote stretch of road. Though the manner of her death suggests a terrible accident, a name carved into her arm hints at something more sinister.

And when a personal connection to the name is revealed, DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart are sent to investigate.

As George and Richie question locals, they discover that the road has a bloody history. Fearing that more women will be harmed, they track the killer through a rugged wilderness where ancient feuds, generational curses, and the unforgiving elements fight for supremacy.

But there are more secrets to the road than just its history - and the people living along it will do whatever it takes to stop those secrets from coming out.

Praise for The Wolf Tree:

'Absorbing, unsettling, and deeply accomplished' β€” Dervla McTiernan

'An impressive crime debut dripping with atmosphere and threat; it will take you to a chilling cliff-edge of suspense, then hold you there until the very last page.' β€” Hannah Richell

'A spooky delight. Smart, deliciously creepy and simply pitch-perfect - I tore through this spectacular debut!' β€” Hayley Scrivenor

'McCluskey's enthralling plot keeps us guessing all the way through this spellbinding novel. The Wolf Tree is a gripping, thrilling and assured debut, not to be missed.' β€” The Scots Magazine

'I can't recommend it enough. The imagery is stunning, each element pulling you deeper into the island's eerie, captivating world. McCluskey's vivid writing and tense plot make this one a must-read!' β€” Angie Faye Martin, author of Melaleuca

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781460765593

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 24 February 2026

Country: Australia

Imprint: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 250g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Laura McCluskey is a writer, editor and actor. She is also a co-founder of Sybilline Films and the Three Fates Theatre Company, and has performed across theatre, film and television. Her debut novel, The Wolf Tree, the first in a series featuring Scottish detectives George Lennox and Richie Stewart, was published by HarperCollins in 2025, and will be followed by The Cursed Road in 2026. She lives in Naarm/Melbourne.

Also by Laura McCluskey

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  • The Wolf Tree
    A gripping and atmospheric debut crime thriller set on an isolated Scottish island ... where outsiders are not welcome. 'There's always someone whispering about something.' On a small island off the coast of Scotland, an isolated community is grieving. Eighteen-year-old Alan Ferguson was found at the foot of the lighthouse - an apparent suicide. DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart...
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    Backorder
    Ships early September
  • The Wolf Tree
    A gripping and atmospheric debut crime thriller set on an isolated Scottish island ... where outsiders are not welcome. 'There's always someone whispering about something.' On a small island off the coast of Scotland, an isolated community is grieving. Eighteen-year-old Alan Ferguson was found at the foot of the lighthouse - an apparent suicide. DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart...
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