Oxford historian Daniel Kind and his partner Miranda both want to escape to a new life. On impulse they buy a cottage in Brackdale, an idyllic valley in the Lake District. But though they hope to live the dream, the past soon catches up with them. Tarn Cottage was once home to Barrie Gilpin, suspected of a savage murder. A young woman's body was found on the Sacrifice Stone, an ancient pagan site up on the fell, but Barrie died before he could be arrested. Daniel has personal reasons for becoming fascinated by the case and for believing in Barrie's innocence. When the police launch a cold case review, Brackdale's skeletons begin to rattle and the lives of Daniel and DCI Hannah Scarlett become strangely entwined. Daniel and Hannah each find themselves risking their lives as they search for a ruthless murderer who is prepared to kill again to hide a shocking secret.

About the Author
Martin Edwards received the CWA Diamond Dagger, the highest honour in UK crime writing, in 2020. The author of twenty novels, he has received various other awards including the Edgar from Mystery Writers of America and the CWA Dagger in the Library, judged by British librarians. He has been nominated for CWA Gold Daggers three times and was shortlisted for the Theakston's Prize for best crime novel of the year for The Coffin Trail. The Arsenic Labyrinth was shortlisted for Lakeland Book of the Year. He is a former chair of the Crime Writers' Association and since 2015, he has been President of the Detection Club.

Reviews
"'First rate...an engrossingly creepy crime thriller' Guardian 'A clever psychological thriller' Sunday Telegraph"



Book Information
ISBN 9780749082918
Author Martin Edwards
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Allison & Busby
Publisher Allison & Busby