The Cal Lovett Files Series

A woman with no name, a reckoning with the past, a present fraught with danger.

In the most remote spot of the hills surrounding Loch Tay, a woman’s remains were found. She had lay there a while, but any evidence of who she was had long gone or never existed. Crime podcaster Cal Lovett seeks to put ‘Hillside Jane’ to rest, but is he merely running from his own troubles?

With the wife of his sister’s alleged killer missing and a sense that any chance he had of getting justice for Margot is slipping from his grasp, Cal is at a crossroads. Perhaps peace for Hillside Jane will soothe his own fears. But events in the village don’t bring the results anyone expected. Is Cal so stuck in the past that he won’t spot the risk he faces in the here and now?

A gripping instalment of the bestselling Scottish crime series from Bloody Scotland Debut Prize for Scottish Crime-shortlisted author Heather Critchlow. Perfect for fans of Jane Casey, Claire Douglas and Neil Lancaster.

Praise for Heather Critchlow

‘One to watch’ The Critic

‘Evocative, immersive, well written’ Harriet Tyce

‘Exceptionally good’ A. J. Finn

‘Assured and compelling’ Dominic Nolan

‘Gripping and taut’ Sam Holland

‘A darkly twisted tale’ Rachael Blok

‘A tense and gripping tale that explores the complexities of motherhood’ Heather Darwent

‘Heart-racing storytelling with very-real characters’ James Delargy

‘Will keep you reading long after you should have turned out the light’ Kate Simants

What readers are saying about Unknown ‘A heart-pounding case, spanning past and present. Absolutely brilliant’ Sam Holland

‘This series goes from strength to strength… the evocative setting is a blast of fresh Highlands air. A must-read for Scottish crime fiction fans’ Jo Furniss

‘The perfect true-crime thriller. It was suspenseful and kept me turning the pages until the end’ Reader review

‘Heather Critchlow’s storytelling is superb. She weaves threads and timelines together seamlessly and keeps up the page-turning suspense. An outstanding crime series’ Reader review

‘My goodness what a story! With such exquisite writing and plot twists you won’t see coming, you really will be up all night! An absolute must-read’ Reader review

‘As always Heather has written a truly immersive world. I was immediately hooked until the very end. I can’t wait for the next one (already)’ Reader review

‘An excellent series. Cal is a complex believable character and his relationships and the world he inhabits feel real to the reader’ Reader review

‘A brilliant read with a well-thought-out, interesting plot that kept you engaged’ Reader review

‘I absolutely flew through this Another very enjoyable instalment in the Cal Lovett series I don’t think I will ever get enough!’ Reader review

‘An excellent book. Multiple threads are woven into the story with great dexterity, and are tied together at the end with even more skill’ Reader review

‘Well-plotted and atmospheric’ Reader review

‘What I like most about this series is the character development so realistic and so compelling’ Reader review

‘Excellent, twisty storyline. Keeps you guessing right to the end. Thoroughly enjoyable’ Reader review

‘Critchlow has really hit the jackpot with this series Highly recommended to all’ Reader review

Longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the YearHe left for university and never came back

Arran went missing in Edinburgh fourteen years ago. The last time his parents saw him he was withdrawn and on edge where he’d once been happy and carefree. Still searching for their son, they turn to their last hope, true crime podcaster Cal Lovett.

Cal begins looking for answers, but is distracted by his sister’s murder trial. He’s so close to getting the justice Margot deserves. Can he finally leave the past and Margot behind?

As Cal unearths disturbing evidence about Arran’s fate, he suspects the young man’s close-knit group of university friends are keeping secrets to protect each other. It seems old loyalties don’t die easily. But they can’t all stay silent forever

An unputdownable crime thriller perfect for fans of Jane Casey, Cara Hunter and Neil Lancaster.

Praise for Heather Critchlow

‘One to watch’ The Critic

‘Evocative, immersive, well written’ Harriet Tyce

‘Exceptionally good’ A. J. Finn

‘Assured and compelling’ Dominic Nolan

‘Gripping and taut’ Sam Holland

‘A darkly twisted tale’ Rachael Blok

‘A tense and gripping tale that explores the complexities of motherhood’ Heather Darwent

‘Heart-racing storytelling with very-real characters’ James Delargy

‘Will keep you reading long after you should have turned out the light’ Kate Simants

What readers are saying about Unsound ‘Beautifully written, full of empathy and understanding, and at times, utterly devastating’ Louisa Scarr, author of Gallows Wood

‘Darkly compelling… I couldn’t put it down. Heather Critchlow writes characters so real I’m still thinking of them now’ Rachel Wolf, author of Five Nights

‘Unsound is a genuinely moving experience… it captured me. I loved it’ Dominic Nolan, author of White City

‘Heather Critchlow’s writing is razor-sharp’ Robert Rutherford, author of Seven Days

‘Wow, wow, wow. A gripping thriller that left me heartbroken at times. I can’t say that about many books. This was a great read’ Reader review

‘I devoured this! have really enjoyed reading these three novels back to back and look forward to the next one’ Reader review

‘I loved this book! It had a great premise, a gorgeous setting with beautifully written, absorbing descriptions, and good twists’ Reader review

‘I am a big fan of the Cal Lovett Files and it just keeps getting better and better! Tense, dark and gritty, this book completely captivated me and I read it in one day’ Reader review

‘I really enjoyed reading it and didn’t want to put it down’ Reader review

‘HER BEST BOOK YET! I loved the storyline, the characters, the atmospheric setting and the emotions that came with it I honestly cannot recommend this series enough and I cannot wait for book four!’ Reader review

‘The police. They’re digging in the scrapyard.’

Cal Lovett has spent half his life telling other people’s stories on his true crime podcast. But the police are close to solving the mystery of his sister’s disappearance now he might finally get to tell Margot’s story.

A desperate relative begs for his help.

Cal seeks respite on a holiday in the Scottish Highlands, but is dragged into a new cold case: an unsolved murder that shattered a family fourteen years ago.

An isolated community wary of outsiders.

Eyes follow Cal everywhere. And someone makes it very clear that they don’t want him snooping around

How far will he go to find justice? And how far is far enough?

The second thrilling instalment in the Cal Lovett Files, perfect for fans of Helen Fields, Jane Casey and Claire Douglas.

Praise for Unburied ‘Moody and broody and grandly atmospheric, blending the remote-community disquiet of The Wicker Man with the pace and edge of something altogether modern. Exceptionally good’ A. J. Finn, author of The Woman in the Window

‘A tense and gripping tale that explores the complexities of motherhood’ Heather Darwent, author of The Things We Do For Our Friends

‘Exquisite prose, an exhilarating case and expertly crafted. A perfect follow up to a brilliant debut’ Sam Holland, author of The Twenty

‘A palpably intense yet tender novel… Flawlessly crafted, with one mystery nestled within another. An exquisite series’ Dominic Nolan, author of Vine Street

‘Flawless plotting, an atmospheric sense of place and a deep dive into the characters’ lives’ Emma Styles, author of No Country For Girls

‘A cleverly constructed thriller… I adored everything about this book from the remote highland setting to the small town malice that seeps through the pages and across the years’ Robert Scragg, author of End of the Line

‘Riveting… heart-racing storytelling with very-real characters’ James Delargy, author of Into the Flames

‘Wow what a book I could not put it down.’ Reader review

‘A brilliant story that is gripping from start to end. This will keep you on the edge of your seat with some great surprises along the way.’ Reader review

‘This was so good. The characters are well rounded and likeable I can’t wait for more Cal!’ Reader review

‘What a ride!! That book kept me guessing until the very end. I loved the pace and the speed of the book. I can’t wait to read more by this extremely talented author!’ Reader review

‘Gripping. I was hooked from the first chapter so well written, perfectly paced and detailed, I was totally immersed in this world. If you like mystery, suspense and whodunnits this book is definitely for you! Reader review

Shortlisted for Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year 2023’A remarkable suspense debut exciting and unsettling.’ A. J. Finn, author of The Woman in the Window

He won’t rest until he finds out the truth

Cal Lovett is obsessed with finding justice for the families of missing people. His true crime podcast is his way of helping others, even if he can’t help himself.

His sister, Margot, disappeared when he was a child. Only one man seems to know something. But he’s behind bars and can’t be trusted.

So when the family of a missing Scottish woman begs for his help, he heads to Aberdeenshire in search of the truth.

Does Cal have what it takes to unearth the secrets hiding in the hills? And what if he finds something that leads him back to the heart of his own family’s past?

A gripping crime thriller by a brilliant debut novelist, perfect for fans of Jane Casey, Fiona Barton and Loreth Anne White.

Praise for Unsolved

‘One to watch’ The Critic

‘Evocative, with immersive descriptions of the Highlands setting tightly plotted, well written and nicely characterised with a compelling mystery at its heart.’ Harriet Tyce, author of It Ends at Midnight

‘An assured and compelling debut. Elegant, reflective cold case mystery with a thriller’s pace, beautifully written to boot.’ Dominic Nolan, author of Vine Street

‘Gripping and taut, Heather Critchlow’s prose is as beautiful as it is exciting A confident debut.’ Sam Holland, author of The Echo Man

‘A gripping, chiller of a debut. A darkly twisted tale with a touch of grace.’ Rachael Blok, author of The Fall

‘I loved Unsolved. It is both compelling and assured with a wonderful sense of time and place. The whole thing sang to me.’ James Delargy, author of Vanished

‘A nimble plot showcases Critchlow’s keen observation of human nature and the dark motivations of ordinary people it got right under my skin!’ Jo Furniss, author of All the Little Children

‘Whip-smart and razor-sharp had me turning the pages into the small hours.’ Alison Belsham, author of Death in Helmand

‘All the nuance of a Booker winner, all the pace of a bestselling thriller, this spectacular mystery will keep you reading long after you should have turned out the light.’ Kate Simants, author of Freeze

‘A beautifully written, perfectly plotted novel that’s a cracking start to an exciting new crime series.’ Sheila Bugler, author of Black Valley Farm

‘Completely enthralling. Critchlow has perfectly built suspense and tension for the reader. A must for the TBR.’ Reader review

‘Unsolved had me hooked right from the beginning. The characters were all well-developed. Kept me guessing right up to the very end.’ Reader review

‘A brilliant crime thriller. Critchlow does a fantastic job of capturing the reader and building empathy for Cal’s situation. The pace of storytelling is excellent, the narrative is skilfully plotted, and the characters come alive in the reader’s imagination.’ Reader review

‘An exceptionally assured debut from a writer who is surely one to watch. This crime novel is character-led and beautifully written, with the added tension of a twisty plot and the gorgeous backdrop of Scotland.’ Reader review