Behind closed doors, every family has its secrets. The Ingleby family must look to theirs, when Diane Ingleby is shot after a family outing. DI John Handsford and DS Kahlid Ali are called in to investigate and it soon emerges that Diane's husband, Maurice, is widely suspected to be the money behind the local branch of the BNP. He's been on the receiving end of threats before, and it seems his wife might have been caught in the middle. It's a sensitive case, and Handsford and Ali are joined by trainee DC Parvez Miah - son of an influential local Muslim community leader. But when Aisha, Miah's wife, is found badly beaten, it seems that the Inglebys may not be the only family with skeletons in the cupboard. Tension mounts as accusations fly from all sides with the approach of the local elections - but everyone is silent where it matters most. Is it shame, honour, or old-fashioned fear that's keeping everyone quiet? Handsford and Ali must find out before another woman is silenced - permanently.

Lesley Horton was a teacher in an inner-city Bradford school before writing her first novel, SNARES OF GUILT. She has run an educational unit for pregnant schoolgirls, and worked as a volunteer for Victim Support. She lives in Yorkshire. THE HOLLOW CORE is her fourth DI Hansford novel.