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Discover a series of British crime mysteries set on the Dorset coast from bestselling author Michael Hambling.
Detective Sophie Allen faces her first major case as head of the newly-formed Wessex Serious Crime Unit. Will she crumble under the pressure?
Exploring a foggy Wiltshire hill path, a walker hears a distant scream and calls the police, but the attending officers find nothing.
Two days later, a farmworker comes across a woman's body, her head bashed in. The victim is quickly identified as Bridget Kirkbride, who lived alone in a small cottage in a pretty nearby village.
Detective Sophie Allen is called in. It's her first major case as head of the newly-formed Wessex Serious Crime Unit - and she's under pressure to get a quick result.
Bridget was a mainstay of village life, always ready to help out her neighbours. No one has a bad word to say about her.
So who killed her?
Bridget had a fiftieth birthday party the week before, which many of the villagers attended, including her supposedly devoted son, Grant. He has now disappeared without trace.
Then a body is pulled out of a reed bed in the River Severn.
Sophie and her team are in a race against time to uncover the truth before anyone else pays the ultimate price.
This tense and gripping mystery is perfect for fans of Joy Ellis, Ann Cleeves, J.D. Kirk, J.M. Dalgliesh and Pauline Rowson.
READERS LOVE HIDDEN CRIMES:
????? 'This was one of the most interesting detective stories that I have read. The characters are realistic and the whole situation is believable.' Natick
????? 'The stories are so well written, and the characters so lovely I just want the author to keep writing more and more. Michael Hambling is now in my top three favourite authors.' Amazon Customer
????? 'An excellent read, well up to Michael Hambling's standard. Loved it!!' Mach1
????? 'Brilliantly paced storyline and so wonderfully described locations and characters.' Chester S.
????? 'The book kept me enthralled from the first page and I did not want to put it down. Looking forward to the next in the series.' Barb Dee
THE DETECTIVE
DCI Sophie Allen is Dorset's acknowledged expert on murder and violent crime. She's just been promoted to Chief Superintendent of the Wessex Serious Crimes Unit, overseeing investigations across Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset. She's in her forties, and lives with her husband in Wareham. She has two grown-up daughters. Sophie has a law degree and a master's in criminal psychology. Her brilliant mind conceals some dark secrets from her past.
THE SETTING
Dorset is beautiful county in the south-west of England, made up of picturesque market towns, traditional farmland and a stunning section of the coastline. Its beauty belies a darkness beneath the surface.
