An unmarked grave, an old promise and a maverick detective...

When an archaeological investigation of an old prisoner of war camp turns up several bodies in unmarked graves, it should be an open and shut case for DCI John Blizzard.

But, on a foggy November morning, his instinct that something is not quite right is confirmed when forensics show that while most of the victims died during a flu epidemic after the Second World War, one of the deaths was far more recent.

Who is this man? Why was he killed? As Blizzard and his team investigate, they begin to uncover a cruel crime, and a promise of revenge that goes back generations. Worse, the killer is at large and now motivated to strike again. Can Blizzard piece together the puzzle and let old wounds finally heal?

Set in the fictional port of Hafton in northern England, THE LONG DEAD is a contemporary British whodunnit. If you are a reader who likes having to guess the identity of the murderer, you'll enjoy picking up on the various clues. With snappy dialogue and convincing characters, this is a page turner that the whole family will appreciate.

This book is the first in a series of novels featuring detective John Blizzard and his team. The full list, in order of publication, is:

1. THE LONG DEAD

2. STRANGE LITTLE GIRL

3. THE RAILWAY MAN

4. THE SECRETS MAN

5. A BREACH OF TRUST

6. DEATH LIST

7. A FLICKER IN THE NIGHT

8. THE LATCH MAN

9. NO AGE TO DIE

10. THE VENGEANCE MAN

11. THE NAME ON THE BULLET