High island blues. Ann Cleeves. 2024.

Swarms of migrating birds fall from the sky, seeking shelter as the spring storms begin, but the birders are distracted by a far more shocking sight: Mickey Brownscombe’s dead body……..

Old university friends Rob, Oliver and Mick reunite on a birdwatching tour in America. It is the first time in twenty years the three have been together - not since the fateful graduation trip to America during which they met the enigmatic Laurie. the tour party is hoping for spectacular sights at a high Island on the Upper Texas Coast - but, as the rain pours down and the birds descend, Mick is discovered dead.

Back in Britain, George and Molly Palmer-Jones are working on a minor fraud case with the name of Brownscombe Associates attached. So when George receives a desperate transatlantic call from his friend Rob, he gets on the first plane to Texas.