Why We Chose The Wrong Man
We’re always searching for crime novels that feel fresh, addictive, and impossible to put down and The Wrong Man by Chris McDonald delivers exactly that.
The first instalment in a brand-new series, The Wrong Man introduces us to private investigator Ethan Adler. A man with money, a reputation problem, and far more baggage than your typical detective. After winning the lottery on the very same day his wife died in a tragic accident, Ethan has found himself under a cloud of suspicion that refuses to lift. Now running a PI agency in the heart of Manchester, he’s hoping for a quiet start. Instead, he lands a headline-grabbing case: the mysterious death of rock star Dylan Vy.
What follows is a fast-moving investigation packed with secrets, scandals and shifting loyalties. As Ethan and his assistant Amelia dig into Dylan’s life, from feuding bandmates to a volatile manager, the case only grows stranger. When the musician’s unreleased tracks appear on the dark web, rumours swirl that the lyrics hide clues to the killer’s identity. Suddenly the investigation is playing out in front of the media, fans and conspiracy theorists alike and the deeper Ethan goes, the more dangerous the truth becomes.
What made this book stand out to us is its brilliant blend of gritty detective fiction and rock-and-roll intrigue. Chris McDonald brings the Manchester music scene vividly to life while creating a detective who feels complex, flawed, and instantly compelling. Still haunted by the mystery surrounding his wife’s death, Ethan’s personal story adds an emotional thread that makes this far more than just a whodunit. It’s twisty, sharp, darkly funny in places, and moves at a pace that keeps the pages turning.
With a brilliantly original premise and a lead character we’re already eager to follow into future cases, The Wrong Man is exactly the kind of bold, gripping series starter we love to champion.
Join the Crime Collective
If you love discovering thrilling crime fiction before everyone else, the Goldsboro Crime Collective is your invitation into the mysterious side of storytelling.
Our six-month subscription (£24.99 per month + shipping) delivers a brand-new signed first edition every month. Books that we’ve carefully chosen for their gripping plots, unforgettable characters, and edge-of-your-seat suspense.
Each Goldsboro Crime Collective edition is a beautiful collectible, featuring:
📚 Signed & numbered first editions
🎨 Bespoke edges and endpapers
🎀 Ribbon markers
📖 Head and tail bands
But the experience goes beyond the book itself. Members also receive exclusive extras such as behind-the-scenes insights, author interviews, collectibles and surprises designed especially for crime fiction fans.
By signing up, you’ll commit to six months of thrilling reads, with the flexibility to opt out of two selections per year if a title isn’t for you.
And of course, members joining now will receive The Wrong Man as part of their subscription come May 2026; a gripping start to what promises to be an unforgettable new crime series.
