The new thriller from James McCrone, “Bastard Verdict,” launches on May 18 with a virtual book launch hosted by Cloak & Dagger Bookstore at 8 p.m. Eastern. There is a free sign-up via Eventbrite. There will be an in-person library launch event that weekend at Tredyffrin Library in suburban Philadelphia at 2 p.m. on May 21, followed by a bookstore launch at Hilltop Books in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia at 3 p.m. on May 27. The title is available for pre-order through Cloak & Dagger’s bookshop.org affiliate site… and everywhere else.
For more appearances, you can check out McCrone’s author/about page.
“Bastard Verdict” weaves high stakes and low politics into a noir tale of power, loss and corruption. Set in the aftermath of the Scottish Independence Referendum of 2014, it investigates many of the questions raised in Scotland at the time and still not answered.
YOU DON’T NEED TO WIN, JUST DON’T LOSE
In politics, people cheat to win, or because they’re afraid to lose. The difference can be deadly.
When a Scottish government official enlists FBI Elections Specialist Imogen Trager (on research leave at the University of Glasgow) in the fall of 2023 to look into the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum—ostensibly as a means of ensuring that a possible second referendum will be conducted fairly—he claims that he wants an outsider’s unencumbered view. The trail Imogen follows becomes twisted and deadly, leading to a corrupt cabal intent on holding on to power. None but a very few know the truth. And those few need it to stay hidden. At any cost.
Bastard Verdict, by James McCrone – Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller (politics)
ISBN: 9780999137741 (trade paperback) -and- 9780999137785 (ebook)
Trade paperback: 5.5’ x 8.5” (216mm x 140mm) 293 pages –89,000 words
Publication date: May 18, 2023 – Price: $17.99 US/£14.99 UK/$24.50 CAN