The Darkness and the Deep

The wreck of the Knockhaven lifeboat with the loss of all three of its crew is a hard blow for the small Scottish town. But it's harder still when DS Tam MacNee discovers that it isn't simply a tragic accident. Was it just the act of vandals, bored in a fishing port stricken with unemployment Could it be linked to the drugs trade which has taken root in the locality Or is there someone who, in their determination to kill one person, is callous enough to take two innocent lives And if so, who is the intended victim As DI Marjory Fleming and her team investigate multiple murders, with a whole community hungry for justice, the pressure - professional and personal - is on.

“It is always a pleasure to read Aline Templeton, but THE DARKNESS AND THE DEEP must surely be her best book to date. Aline's characters are so beautifully drawn . . . - J Wallis MartinThis is a book for a long train journey or a wet weekend with no other demands, the better to immerse oneself in the strongly-delineated characters, complex plotting and rich allegory: a really satisfactory read. - Mystery Women Loved it. She has become the crime czar of the Scottish small town! - Val McDermidIn fictional terms the combination of domesticity and detection is very appealing, especially when it comes with a detailed, vivid portrayal of a complete society . . . an interesting, atmospheric and - I predict - televisual series. - Literary Review Loved it - Val McDermidIt is always a pleasure to read Aline Templeton, but THE DARKNESS AND THE DEEP must surely be her best book to date. Aline's characters are so beautifully drawn that turning the final page is almost like bidding old friends farewell. However, I am sure I will meet the residents of Knockhaven again, and hopefully, that will be in the not-too-distant future. - J Wallis MartinAn unalloyed pleasure - an intelligent, character-driven crime novel. - Andrew Taylor on COLD IN THE EARTHA fascinating cast of possible villains is explored in this skilfully plotted and well-paced novel, each vividly described, entirely believable and never sliding into the usual parodies of country folk. But its real strength is DI Marjory Fleming, both tough and vulnerable as she struggles to track down the killer . . . Templeton moves easily between laughter and tragedy . . . This book is a delight, from its leisurely start to the moving and unexpected finish. Even better, it's the second in a series, so there's more pleasure to come. - Guardian”

It is always a pleasure to read Aline Templeton, but THE DARKNESS AND THE DEEP must surely be her best book to date. Aline's characters are so beautifully drawn . . . - J Wallis Martin

This is a book for a long train journey or a wet weekend with no other demands, the better to immerse oneself in the strongly-delineated characters, complex plotting and rich allegory: a really satisfactory read. - Mystery Women

Loved it. She has become the crime czar of the Scottish small town! - Val McDermid

In fictional terms the combination of domesticity and detection is very appealing, especially when it comes with a detailed, vivid portrayal of a complete society . . . an interesting, atmospheric and - I predict - televisual series. - Literary Review

Loved it - Val McDermid

It is always a pleasure to read Aline Templeton, but THE DARKNESS AND THE DEEP must surely be her best book to date. Aline's characters are so beautifully drawn that turning the final page is almost like bidding old friends farewell. However, I am sure I will meet the residents of Knockhaven again, and hopefully, that will be in the not-too-distant future. - J Wallis Martin

An unalloyed pleasure - an intelligent, character-driven crime novel. - Andrew Taylor on COLD IN THE EARTH

A fascinating cast of possible villains is explored in this skilfully plotted and well-paced novel, each vividly described, entirely believable and never sliding into the usual parodies of country folk. But its real strength is DI Marjory Fleming, both tough and vulnerable as she struggles to track down the killer . . . Templeton moves easily between laughter and tragedy . . . This book is a delight, from its leisurely start to the moving and unexpected finish. Even better, it's the second in a series, so there's more pleasure to come. - Guardian

Aline Templeton lives in Edinburgh with her husband and their Dalmatian dog, in a house with a balcony built by an astronomer to observe the stars over the beautiful city skyline. She has worked in education and broadcasting and has written numerous articles and stories for newspapers and magazines. Her books have been published in translation in several European countries as well as in the United States. COLD IN THE EARTH is her seventh novel, the first in a series featuring DI Marjory Fleming.

The wreck of the Knockhaven lifeboat with the loss of all three of its crew is a hard blow for the small Scottish town. But it's harder still when DS Tam MacNee discovers that it isn't simply a tragic accident. Was it just the act of vandals, bored in a fishing port stricken with unemployment Could it be linked to the drugs trade which has taken root in the locality Or is there someone who, in their determination to kill one person, is callous enough to take two innocent lives And if so, who is the intended victim As DI Marjory Fleming and her team investigate multiple murders, with a whole community hungry for justice, the pressure - professional and personal - is on.

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