A Wash of Black: 1 (DI Erika Piper)

By Chris McDonald

“Pacy … full of deceit, suspicion and revenge” TM LOGAN

Film star Anna Symons is found dead on an ice rink in Manchester, recreating a scene from a blockbuster she starred in years ago.

DI Erika Piper, having only recently returned to work after suffering a near-fatal attack herself, finds she must once again prove her worth as the hunt for the media-dubbed ‘Blood Ice Killer’ intensifies.

But when another body is found and, this time, the killer issues a personal threat, Erika must put aside her demons to crack the case, or suffer the deadly consequences.

A Wash of Black is book 1 in the DI Erika Piper series.

REAL READERS LOVE CHRIS McDONALD

‘I have been reading crime novels for over 50 years and this is one of the best’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘It was impossible to put down’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘At last, a book that its worth having insomnia for’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A spine-tingling, clever and intricately woven game of cat and mouse – will surprise you in the best possible way!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Watch this guy, he’s headed among the big names of crime writing’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘The twist at the end is great. Honestly I didn’t see it coming’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A great story line with strong characters and a plot that kept you gripped’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I can’t wait to read the other 2 in the series!’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘One of those “I’ll just read one more chapter” books’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Chris clearly understands how the police process works’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Erika Piper is a great new character, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time in her head’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Compelling and gritty’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Highly recommended for fans of Rachel Abbott, Mark Edwards and LJ Ross’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Chilling and fast paced with lots of twists’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I’ve already pre-ordered the next in the series’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Fast flowing, totally addictive storytelling’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Love that it is set in Manchester’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘The writing blew me away, left me breathless and hoping that book two in the series will be coming soon (no pressure Chris!)’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Absorbing and adrenaline fuelled from the opening pages’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘This is the perfect book for lovers of crime everywhere’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘It would be a travesty if this isn’t picked up by Netflix’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Format: Paperback
Release Date: 10 Apr 2025
Pages: 272
ISBN: 978-0-00-874421-2
Chris McDonald grew up in Northern Ireland before settling in Manchester via Lancaster and London.He is the author the Erika Piper series, the Stonebridge Mysteries and Little Ghost. Under the name Chris Frost, he has also penned the Kindle top 20 bestseller, The Killer\'s Christmas List.He is a script writer, husband, father to two beautiful girls and a regular voice on The Blood Brothers Podcast. He is a fan of 5-a-side football, heavy metal and dogs.

“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. I already want the next book in the DI Erika Piper series… like yesterday!” 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 -

”'Like a hammer in the dark, A Wash of Black is a debut that hits you with full force and leaves you breathless and stunned. DI Erika Piper is a compelling, hard-as-nails creation, trawling every dark Mancunian corner for the murderer of a movie-star - and as the tension and stakes rack up, so do the bodies and surprises. 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 -