Get ready to be hooked by the thrilling and atmospheric murder mystery from the million-copy-selling crime writer. Chris Waters is finally a lead investigator. Now he has to make a career-changing decision.

'Had me gripped from the very start to the extremely satisfying ending.' ***** Reader Review
'Where has Peter Grainger been my whole life?' ***** Reader Review
'An excellent, intelligent and believable crime series which just gets better.' ***** Reader Review
'Engaging characters, intriguing plots and occasional humour make for a page-turning read.' ***** Reader Review
'I read a LOT of murder mysteries and this series is one of the best!' ***** Reader Review

Detective Sergeant Chris Waters got the call at 05.29 that July morning. This is it, said DCI Reeve, you'll be first there, it's all yours, you're the crime scene manager. Suddenly, after months of waiting and wondering, Waters finds himself in at the deep end, and alone at the scene of a puzzling murder.

As the investigation proceeds, the detectives at Kings Lake Central find themselves visiting familiar places and talking to some familiar faces, while old enmities reappear in the incident room. Before this is over, Chris Waters will need to make a career-changing decision, and another member of the CID team will find herself facing an unexpected challenge. And Smith? Gone but not forgotten? Surely, he would say, you cannot write me off with a worn-out cliché like that...

'Ensconced in Kings Lake, in the company of Smith and his team, I didn't want to leave.' FINANCIAL TIMES
'The books are comforting, the writing is subtle and the plots are gripping.' THE TIMES