The Wrong Man

A new PI. A dead rockstar. A tangled web of secrets.

When Ethan Adler set up his new PI agency in central Manchester, he wasn’t expecting his first case to be so high profile – investigating the mysterious death of rock star Dylan Vy.

Ethan has been avoiding the spotlight ever since his beloved wife Maggie’s untimely passing. His grief has been complicated by rumours that Maggie was pregnant with another man’s child at the time of her fatal accident. And because said accident took place just hours after Ethan won the lottery, a cloud of suspicion has followed Ethan ever since.

With the help of his assistant Amelia, Ethan throws himself into uncovering the truth about Dylan Vy. In a fast-escalating investigation, they uncover a labyrinth of secrets, lies and deadly connections between bandmates, girlfriends and a volatile manager. And when Dylan's unreleased music is leaked on the dark web, speculation swirls that the lyrics contain hidden clues that might lead to the killer. But who leaked these songs, and what is their secret motive? In the midst of a media frenzy and a storm of fan conspiracy theories, who can Ethan trust?

As Ethan digs deeper, he must also confront his own demons — the lingering questions about Maggie’s death and the growing realisation that those closest to him may have played a role…

Reviews

PRAISE FOR CHRIS McDONALD…

‘Wow! Chris McDonald has written a clever, chilling and absolutely addictive debut novel with A Wash of Black! A pacy read that will keep you turning the pages.’ Noelle Holten, author of Dead Inside

‘A pacy murder mystery full of deceit, suspicion and revenge, Chris McDonald’s debut is a highly entertaining tale with plenty of shocks along the way.’ TM Logan, bestselling author of The Holiday, 29 Seconds and Lies

‘A superb tale deftly told with a human touch and a real eye for detail, with a true ‘just one more chapter’ moreishness, A Wash of Black announces Chris McDonald as a superb new voice not just in the Northern literary scene, but across the national crime landscape. Highly recommended.’ Rob Parker, author of The Ben Bracken Thrillers

‘An addictive, gripping read that pulls you in and has you hooked.’ Sarah Jones, Lost in the Land of Books blog

‘I have found my new series obsession. McDonald creates a strong, rounded lead in DI Erika Piper and I, for one, cannot wait to read the next.’ M.Sean Coleman, author of The Code and The Cuckoo Wood

‘I raced through A Wash of Black. Twisty and turny, gruesome and gripping, it will keep you guessing until the very end.’ John Sutherland

‘Dark, compelling and tightly plotted, McDonald has weaved a gripping tale of rage and justice that keeps his audience enthralled … Perfect for fans of Mo Hayder and Mark Billingham, and any reader who likes their crime novels tinged with a touch of evil.’ Natalie Chandler