Title: THE COST
Author: Morgan Cry
ISBN: 9781448315420
Publisher: Severn House
Pages: 272
Blog Tour Organised by Random Things Tours
Disgraced, demoralised and recently retired Glasgow police constable Blake Glover returns to his childhood home of Fraserburgh on the north-east shoulder of Scotland. While driving a taxi to occupy himself and contemplate his future he is asked to discreetly investigate the disappearance of a young woman.
Blake reluctantly agrees to help and stumbles upon a mysterious stately home which appears to be involved in smuggling people from around the world for a highly addictive and deadly narcotic.
The more Blake investigates the more he uncovers a massive plot involving money, blackmail, drugs and murder. With the fear that the narcotic will make it onto the streets of his hometown, Blake must track down the drugs before time runs out or watch people he cares about meet a gruesome end.
Official Summary
03 April 2025
If you’re a fan of gritty, atmospheric mysteries with a distinctly Scottish flair, The Cost by Morgan Cry is one you don’t want to miss. Set against the rugged, wind-lashed backdrop of Fraserburgh, this novel follows disgraced ex-Glasgow police constable Blake Glover as he reluctantly dives into a deadly mystery that hits a little too close to home.
Blake is a compelling character—flawed, haunted by his past, and trying to find his place in a town that no longer feels like his own. After being forced to retire from the police, he’s taken to driving a taxi to pass the time, but a favour for an old friend soon spirals into a life-or-death race to track down a lethal new narcotic before it devastates his hometown. The plot is tense and unflinching, with twists that keep you guessing until the very end.
Morgan Cry (a.k.a. Gordon Brown) expertly weaves together elements of crime, danger, and personal redemption. The pacing is relentless, and just when you think you have a handle on the situation, another layer of deception unravels. The author’s portrayal of Fraserburgh adds a gritty authenticity that grounds the story in a sense of place—you can almost feel the salty breeze and hear the seagulls circling overhead.
One of the most striking aspects of The Cost is its raw, visceral depiction of the impact drugs can have on a community. Blake’s desperation to stop the narcotic from taking hold is evident, making you root for him even when his decisions veer into morally grey territory. The supporting characters add depth to the story, from the mysterious residents of the stately home to the everyday townsfolk caught in the crossfire.
If you’re drawn to complex protagonists and fast-paced mysteries that leave you breathless, this book is a must-read. It’s dark, gripping, and brimming with tension. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next instalment.
REMEMBER TO VISIT THE OTHER TOUR STOPS
Also by Morgan Cry
THIRTY-ONE BONES
When Effie Coulston drops dead on the floor of her bar in a small Spanish town mid-business meeting, her daughter Daniella feels it’s her duty to return for the funeral. But Daniella has been estranged from her mother for over twenty years, and Effie’s life in Spain harbours many secrets. Daniella is soon confronted by a hostile group of ex-pat misfits who frequent the bar and who, along with Effie, are involved in a multi-million-pound property scam. But the money has vanished, and the ex-pats are threatening to implicate Daniella to save themselves.
Meanwhile, a Spanish detective is investigating Effie’s death. He’s convinced Daniella knows more than she is telling. And now a terrifying enforcer has heard about the missing cash. With no idea where the money is and threats coming from all sides, Daniella is up against a seemingly impossible deadline to find the cash. She’s a stranger in a strange town – and she’s seriously out of her depth.
About The Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Morgan Cry is the ex-pat alias of Gordon Brown, a Scottish crime writer with 9 novels to his name. Leaving the dark alleyways of tartan noir and heading for the Spanish sunshine, Morgan Cry debuted with a cracking tale of murder, intrigue, and a daughter flung right in at the deep end with her mother’s secrets in ‘Thirty-One Bones’ and Daniella returns in a ‘whodunnit’ in the sun – ‘Six Wounds’ – ‘It’s Murder When You are Innocent.’
Thank you to Anne Carter from Random Things Tours for including me on this Blog Tour. This is a new-to-me author and I will keep an eye out for more of his books to add to my TBR. Are you a fan? Which is your favourite book? I would love to hear from you, please leave a comment below. Until next time…. Happy Reading.
