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Cruel Summer: a gripping crime mystery (Anna Scavolini Mysteries Book 2) Kindle Edition

4.2 out of 5 stars 681 ratings

Justice has a price, and she’s about to pay it.

Zoe Callahan’s life is going nowhere. She’s in a dead-end job, her relationship is cracking at the seams – and Glasgow is sweltering under a punishing heatwave.

Then her neighbour – a high-end escort – is assaulted by a rising political star. But when the victim is silenced and the case quietly dropped, Zoe takes matters into her own hands – and sets off a chain of events with devastating consequences.

As she spirals deeper into a world of corruption, violence and political scandal, Zoe turns to criminologist Anna Scavolini for help. But with the truth more dangerous than she ever imagined, it may already be too late.

A gripping and unflinching crime thriller, perfect for fans of Denise Mina, Rachel Abbott and Val McDermid.



PRAISE FOR M.R. MACKENZIE

‘One of the most consistently accomplished writers on the current scene.’ – Financial Times

‘Brings a fresh new voice to the field of Tartan Noir.’ – James Oswald

‘Writes with precision and passion.’ – Caro Ramsay

‘An immersive slow burn of a tale, peppered with disquieting fire-crackers of revelation.’ – Morgan Cry

‘Mackenzie has come up with something that defies easy definition and is truly original.’ – NB Magazine

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From the Publisher

McIlvanney Prize-nominated crime fiction author M.R. Mackenzie
Author photo

About the Author

M.R. MACKENZIE is the author of several gritty, character-driven crime fiction novels set mainly in his native Glasgow, including an ongoing series of mysteries featuring criminology lecturer ANNA SCAVOLINI.

The first book in the series, IN THE SILENCE, was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year and longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2019.

“One of the most consistently accomplished writers on the current scene.” — Financial Times

“Writes with precision and passion.” — Caro Ramsay

“Brings a fresh new voice to the field of Tartan Noir.” — James Oswald

Zoe Callahan is having the summer from hell...

Cruel Summer book cover

...and it's about to get a whole lot worse.

In the Silence
Cruel Summer
The Shadow Men
Women Who Kill
The Reckoning
The Secrets We Keep
Customer Reviews
4.1 out of 5 stars 5,936
4.2 out of 5 stars 681
4.5 out of 5 stars 512
4.5 out of 5 stars 380
4.5 out of 5 stars 269
4.5 out of 5 stars 20
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for M.R. Mackenzie:"With well observed characterisation, M.R. Mackenzie writes with precision and passion. He is a writer to watch." - Caro Ramsay, author of the Anderson & Costello thrillers
"Mackenzie brings a fresh new voice to the field of Tartan Noir." - James Oswald, author of the Inspector McLean novels
"M.R. Mackenzie is right up there with the best contemporary authors working today." - David B. Lyons, author of
Whatever Happened to Betsy Blake?

Praise for Cruel Summer:"A fast-moving thriller ... every bit as accomplished as its predecessor." - Barry Forshaw, Crime Time
"Totally compelling." - Noel Megahey,
The Digital Fix
"
In the Silence was a fine addition to the Tartan Noir genre. Cruel Summer sees [Mackenzie] ahead of the field." - Mark Cunliffe, The Geek Show
"Skilfully crafted and beautifully written." -
Grace J Reviewerlady

From the Author

To experience more of the world of Anna Scavolini and Zoe Callahan, sign up to the M.R. Mackenzie Mailing List and get a thrilling short story, The Girl Who Wasn't, absolutely FREE!
Just paste the following URL into your browser:
mrmackenzieauthor.com/mailinglist
Happy reading!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07R571VZC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mad House
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 28, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.9 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 7 ‏ : ‎ Anna Scavolini Mysteries
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 681 ratings

About the author

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M.R. Mackenzie
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M.R. Mackenzie is the author of several gritty, character-driven crime fiction novels set mainly in his native Glasgow, including an ongoing series of mysteries featuring criminology lecturer Anna Scavolini.

The first book in the series, In the Silence, was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year and longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2019.

PRAISE FOR M.R. MACKENZIE:

“One of the most consistently accomplished writers on the current scene.” — Financial Times

“Brings a fresh new voice to the field of Tartan Noir.” — James Oswald

“Writes with precision and passion.” — Caro Ramsay

“An immersive slow burn of a tale, peppered with disquieting fire-crackers of revelation.” — Gordon J. Brown

“Mackenzie has come up with something that defies easy definition and is truly original.” — NB Magazine

“Up there with the best contemporary authors working today.” — David B. Lyons

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
681 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2022
    Although an excellent story, the writer should make a change to a character’s age. In more than one chapter the character is 31 + years old and then she is 34 years old in another chapter. The course of justice is the main subject in this story. The writer does try very hard to show empathy towards women in this male dominated world, but the statistics show, nothing will ever fundamentally change for females in any society. I wish that the writer would not have written Zoe’s last attempt to move on after the events she experienced, as accepting she should just take what she could get. But that’s my own personal opinion as a female.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2025
    This is the 2nd book in the Anna Scavolini series. It had many Swiss and kept me guessing. Great read
  • Carol Bolingbroke
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really Good Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 30, 2024
    Loved this book. Zoe's character is so well portrayed. Her whole situation is a difficult one and her need to right the wrong to Jasmine and her final meeting with the Glasgow hard man is so well written. Her back story regarding her brother Victor is so poignant.
  • Carol Broadfoot.
    5.0 out of 5 stars good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2024
    I enjoyed this one, good storyline going to download the next one, love all the characters and hope Zoe ends up with a better life
  • SPIKE
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very good read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 3, 2024
    I’m liking this author. So far I’ve read four of his books. Like the fact that they are mostly set in Glasgow. I
  • james samuel finlayson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Review
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2024
    Excellent storytelling with believable characters.

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