Blood, rust and steel. Stuart MacBride. 2026.

Acting Detective Inspector Roberta Steel has never been shy, but she’s finally retiring. After thirty years of policing Aberdeen’s underbelly she’s all set for her twilight years to feature gardening gloves, afternoon tea, crossword puzzles, and shouting at the telly.

So when a body turns up in a wheelie bin, it looks like an excellent way to round off her career and go out with a bang. Only the north-east of Scotland isn’t finished with her yet.

There’s a violent protest to stop, far-right populist politicians scheming senior officers, a by-election, drugs, dogs, babydoll nighties, and a desperate ex-colleague begging Roberta for help.

With only her Queen Street Irregulars for backup, and the top brass eager to get shot of her, these final few weeks might just be the death of her….