Read May 2019. Published 16th May 2019.
Sara is just back to her empty home, from a trip to visit her family in Denmark, when she sees a message flashing on her answer phone.
It is an enigmatic message from her estranged husband, Matthew, which ends with the sound of a bloodcurdling scream. Sara is no stranger to danger, having been in the Danish military and spent time in war zones, so she is not afraid to head straight over to her husband's home in the middle of the night to see if he is alright.
Sara finds Matthew's house locked and silent, but when she breaks-in, it is clear that someone has ransacked the house. What also becomes clear is that Matthew is dead - nailed to the floor in one of the upstairs rooms. Sara knows that Matthew was going through a difficult time, but why would anyone want to murder him - especially in such a gruesome way?
Detective Sergeant Nathan Cody is in a bad way. He has recently been part of a case involving a child abduction, which has gone badly and ended up with him being in hospital. His boss is worried about his mental state and has ordered him to seek counselling. When Cody turns up at the murder scene, his boss refuses to let him in to see the body, as she is concerned about the effect this might have upon him,and she is right to be anxious.
When Cody interviews Sara, he is struck by how calm and composed she is, but he believes she has had no part in the murder of her husband - not that his team of fellow officers are so easily convinced. Sara claims she does not know what Matthew's last message to her means, and that she cannot be of any help to the police. Cody feels a kinship with Sara - he recognises that they may be similar underneath, menaing both of them are them willing to go their own way to search for the truth, and he is inclined to let her do so without his interference.
As it happens, Sara is more than capable of pursuing her own investigation into Matthew's death. Her investigation will lead her into dangerous waters.
Cody has problems of his own, that he cannot share with anyone. A spectre from his past has appeared. A malevolent criminal from a previous case, which cost the life of his partner, is playing games with Cody. Games which may cost him his job.
The stakes are high in this game of life or death...
This is a tightly plotted psychological thriller that will keep you guessing. It is deliciously twisty, gruesome, gripping and hugely enjoyable. I read it in one glorious sitting.
I did not realise when I started this book, that it is actually part of a series about DS Nathan Cody. This is book four in the series.
I will certainly be going back and reading the previous three books, which I am hoping will be as twisted and spine-chilling as this one.
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