‘A puzzle that will keep you guessing until the final page. Wow!’ Library Journal Discover an unmissable and addictive series of cold-case mysteries from Martin Edwards — one of the most lauded crime writers of his generation. ‘Superb.’ Lee Child ‘A fine writer.’ Ian Rankin ‘A true master.’ Richard Osman ‘A magician.’ Janice Hallett A drowned woman. A man who died by fire. Six years and the missing link? Detective Hannah Scarlett’s partner! Detective Hannah moves to a cosy new home in Ambleside, hoping to put the past behind her. But there’s no chance of that. Not with the infamous Serpent Pool, snaking just beyond her new back door. Six years ago on Valentine’s Day, struggling writer Bethany Friend drowned in these same chill waters. Everyone says she wanted to die. But Hannah’s not so sure. Now, she reopens the case, determined to get closure for Bethany’s grieving mother. But still waters run dangerously deep in this unsolved case. Bethany had history with various men around the village. Not least, Hannah’s own book-dealer boyfriend Marc. Elsewhere, a man burns to death in his boathouse, surrounded by his treasured collection of antique books. Purchased from Hannah’s boyfriend. As Marc’s name surfaces yet again, Hannah begins to think the unthinkable. What if the man she loves is a cold-blooded killer? Discover an utterly addictive, emotionally charged mystery, steeped in all the atmosphere and intrigue of England’s beautiful Lake District. Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Elly Griffiths, P.D. James, Val McDermid and Joy Ellis. **Martin Edwards is the winner of three CWA Dagger Awards, including the prestigious Diamond Dagger — the highest honour in UK crime writing!** MORE PRAISE FOR MARTIN ‘A first-rate complex thriller.’ The Sunday Times ‘Crime fiction is blessed to have Martin Edwards.’ Sarah Weinman, New York Times ‘Beautifully crafted . . . with a delicious twist in the tale.’ ANN CLEEVES ‘Atmospheric, haunting and so tactile you can almost smell the moist air.’ Booklist MEET THE DETECTIVES Daniel Kind isn’t your average Oxford historian. Passionate and charismatic, he’s a celebrity in the city of dreaming spires. Until he throws it all away to move to Brackdale, where his father served as a detective. His dad may be dead and gone. But something about the Lakes still calls to Daniel. Is this somewhere he can finally escape his demons? Daniel thinks so. But the past has a way of following wherever he goes . . . Fiery DCI Hannah Scarlett is smart, intuitive and ready to call out injustice wherever she finds it, even among her superiors. This straight-talking streak has earned her a demotion to Cumbria’s Cold Case team.