Cuddies Strip

Cuddies Strip is based on true crimes in Perth in 1935

In August 1935, Marjory Fenwick, 17, and Danny Kerrigan, 18, go for a walk on the Cuddies Strip, a lovers’ lane on the outskirts of Perth. There is a full moon and, although it is ten o’clock in the evening, the residual heat from the day’s sunshine lingers. Marjory and Danny kiss, hold hands, walk.

In an instant, their lives are changed forever. A shotgun sounds and Danny collapses to the ground. Terrified, Marjory runs for help but she hears footsteps behind her and as she tries to cross a stile she is dragged back into the fields.

What she doesn’t know then is that her ordeal is only just beginning.

Cuddies Strip is a fictionalised account of true crimes which shocked the quiet city of Perth. The novel follows the investigation, as Inspector Conoboy and PC Bob Kelty struggle as much with their own colleagues as they do with the mystery behind such terrible crimes. And it follows the experience of Marjory, for whom justice would become a bitter commodity.

Cuddies Strip is the first in a series of historical crime novels featuring Bob and Annie Kelty. It was longlisted for the John Creasey (First Blood) Dagger Award.

‘I read this wonderful novel with a tear in my eye. I could hardly bear to read

the ending but it was beautiful.’ Cathi Unsworth, novelist