Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month, one of The Times Best Crime Novels of 2021, The Sunday Times Crime Club Book of the Week and one of the Observers thrillers of the month!

'Riveting . . . Shindler's second novel displays an acute understanding of family dynamics, easily fulfilling the promise of his debut, The Burning Men' SUNDAY TIMES, CRIME BOOK OF THE MONTH

THE SECOND NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BURNING MEN, FEATURING DI ALEX FINN AND DCI MATTIE PAULSEN

5* RATING ON NETGALLEY
'Don't think I've loved a Detective as much since Idris Elba's John Luther'
'Will Schindler's books have all the hallmarks of future classics of this genre'
'A sharp police procedural with an interesting plot'
'The greatest strengths lies in the terrific police team whose characters are so well fleshed out they feel real'
'I loved the storyline, it kept me on edge till the end'
'A real contender, which is up there with the best'

'Leave your daughter with me, or I will kill you both'

It felt like a normal Friday evening before Karl and his daughter Leah were ambushed by a figure in a blank mask. At knife point, Karl is forced to make an impossible choice. Stay and die, or walk away from Leah and take this thug's word that they both will live.

Should Karl trust a villain and leave his daughter with a knife at her throat? Could he ever live with himself if he did?

It's not long before more seemingly unconnected and innocent people across London are offered a deal in exchange for their life. More blood is spilled, more families shattered, and more people are left to suffer with the consequences of their decisions.

DI Alex Finn and DC Mattie Paulsen must hunt for a killer that appears to have no face, no motive and no conscience before more victims are forced to make their choice.

This is second in Will Shindler's Finn and Paulsen series - a British detective series that ranks with Mark Billingham, M.J. Arlidge and Stuart MacBride.

***Order the third novel in the Finn and Paulsen series, THE HUNTING GROUND, now!***

About the Author
Will Shindler has been a broadcast journalist for the BBC for over twenty-five years, spending a decade working in television drama as a scriptwriter on Born and Bred, The Bill and Doctors. His time on these leading prime time dramas has given him a rich grounding in authentic police procedure, powerful character development and gripping narratives. He currently combines reading the news on BBC Radio London with writing crime novels and has previously worked as a television presenter for HTV, a sports reporter for BBC Radio Five Live, and one of the stadium presenters at the London Olympics. He is the writer of The Burning Men, The Killing Choice and The Hunting Ground. The fourth book in the DI Alex Finn series - The Blood Line - will publish in 2023.

Reviews
The explosive opening hooked me straight in . . . With a cast of credible characters, a twisting plotline and some ingenious twists, the book develops at a cracking pace * Lesley Sanderson, author of The Orchid Girls *
An outstanding page-turner * Robin Morgan-Bentley, author of The Wreckage *
Warm and dealing with recognisable emotions, this is the best kind of police procedural * Literary Review *
DI Alex Finn and DCI Mattie Paulsen are back, this time chasing someone who forces their victims to make an impossible life-and-death decision. This is sitting up and begging to be developed for television * Sunday Times, Pick of the Week *
Riveting . . . Shindler's second novel displays an acute understanding of family dynamics, easily fulfilling the promise of his debut, The Burning Men * Sunday Times, Book of the month *
An excellent second outing for the cop pair following their introduction in The Burning Men - and as fine a police procedural as you'd want for a cold winter's night * Weekend Sport *
The Killing Choice is the second in a series that opened with The Burning Men , and is another adept police procedural, building the sense of dread to breaking point as Finn and Paulsen rush to uncover any links between the victims. This is an immersive read that leaves the reader wondering how they would react if faced with such an unimaginable choice * Observer *
Riveting * The Times, Best thrillers and crime novels of 2021 so far *
This slick tense thriller about families, loyalty, guilt and revenge is top notch * The Sun, Pick of the Week *
This slick, tense thriller about families, loyalty, guilt and revenge is top notch - and no doubt heading to TV screens soon * The Sun *
This riveting novel has a protagonist faced with a choice no parent should have to make: does he save his own life or that of his daughter? His decision has catastrophic consequences * Times Online, 'top 50 best books to read for summer 2021' *
Thrilling * The Killing Choice *



Book Information
ISBN 9781529301755
Author Will Shindler
Format Hardback
Page Count 336
Imprint Hodder & Stoughton
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 520g
Dimensions(mm) 236mm * 158mm * 32mm