“Aficionados of British crime fiction can’t get enough, and this fresh mystery will satisfy their cravings” Library Journal Starred Review Introducing outspoken female sleuth Alex Quick in the first of a brand-new mystery series When her business partner, acclaimed art historian and university professor Dr Helena Drummond, disappears, Alexandra Quick is consumed by guilt. Shortly before she vanished, Helena had complained of being menaced by a stalker, and Alex had dismissed her fears as groundless. Now Alex, a former police detective, is determined to use her finely-honed investigative skills to find out what’s happened to her friend and colleague. But the more she uncovers, the more Alex realizes how little she really knew Dr Helena Drummond. As it becomes increasingly clear that the woman she thought she knew so well has been keeping a great many secrets from her, Alex must is Helena a victim … or is she a killer?

Alex Quick investigates the murder of a close family friend in this intriguing, intricately-plotted mystery In her former career as a police detective, Alex Quick was exposed to some brutally violent crimes – but none as horrific as this. A badly mutilated corpse is discovered in a field, the victim castrated, the word ‘cheat’ carved across his chest. The dead man was a close family friend of Alex, and his sister has asked her to find out who killed him – and why. Although they’d been friends as long as she can remember, how well did Alex really know the late Tristan Huber? Why would someone murder him in such a violent and cruel way? Whoever she questions, Alex finds that people are reluctant to talk, keeping things back from her – including Tristan’s sister, Dimsie. The more Alex uncovers, the clearer it becomes that Tristan Huber was not who, or what, he appeared to be. But is she prepared for the shocking truth?