Brighton, 1950s, mid-winter. Two missing children are found buried under snow in this chilling new case for DI Stephens and Max Mephisto. Max's star turn in Aladdin has been overshadowed by the murder of two local children. With fairy tales in the air, it's not long before the press have found a nickname for the case: 'Hansel and Gretel'.

'An excellent whodunnit, matched by the terrific down-at-heel atmosphere of postwar Brighton' - The Times

DI Edgar Stephens has plenty of leads to investigate. The missing girl, Annie, used to write plays and perform them with her friends. Does the clue lie in Annie's unfinished - and rather disturbing - last script? Or might it lie with the eccentric actor types who have assembled for the pantomime?

Once again Edgar enlists Max's help in penetrating the shadowy theatrical world that seems to hold the key. But is this all just classic misdirection?

About the Author
Elly Griffiths is the bestselling author of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries and the Brighton Mysteries. She has won the CWA Dagger in the Library, has been shortlisted five times for the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, and longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger for The Lantern Men. Her new series featuring Detective Harbinder Kaur began with The Stranger Diaries, which was a Richard and Judy book club pick and won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in the USA. It was followed by The Postscript Murders, shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger and Bleeding Heart Yard. Elly has two grown-up children and lives near Brighton with her archaeologist husband.

Reviews
An excellent whodunnit, matched by the terrific down-at-heel atmosphere of postwar Brighton * The Times *
Griffiths evokes with skill the seedy allure of the provincial theatre and the drabness of a Britain that is still rationed * Sunday Times *
Mixes cosiness and sharpness in a way that recalls the best of Agatha Christie and has a feel for showfolk worthy of Ngaio Marsh * Sunday Express *
Original, lively and gripping * Independent (on The Zig Zag Girl) *


Awards
Short-listed for CrimeFest Last Laugh Award 2016.



Book Information
ISBN 9781784290283
Author Elly Griffiths
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint Quercus Publishing
Publisher Quercus Publishing
Weight(grams) 240g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 128mm * 28mm