No one feels safe when there's a murderer in their midst...

Ann Granger returns to her fan favourite series with the gripping sixteenth Mitchell and Markby novel, featuring her trademark strong and appealing characters, gentle wit and engrossing intrigue.

Superintendent Alan Markby and his wife Meredith have retired for the night when they are disturbed by a visitor. It's not the first time someone has called at the Old Vicarage in search of a priest, but in this case, having just found a dead body in the churchyard, Callum Henderson needs the police. Accompanying Callum to the graveyard, Alan declares that this has all the hallmarks of a murder scene.

News of the incident travels fast in the market town of Bamford, but no one seems willing to admit to knowing the dead man or how he ended up in the cemetery. As Alan and his team search for clues, Meredith becomes convinced that something must have been overlooked. Meanwhile, despite Alan's warnings, Callum appears to be in cahoots with the team's latest recruit, DS Beth Santos. While every lead points to yet more foul play, nothing can prepare Meredith and Markby for the shocking truth behind this mystery...

Characterisation, as ever with Granger, is sharp and astringent * The Times *
Her usual impeccable plotting is fully in place * Good Book Guide *
A clever and lively book -- Margaret Yorke
To be savoured by connoisseurs of characterisation * Publishers Weekly *
Lovely characterisation and a neat plot * Yorkshire Post *
Her characterisation is excellent * Cotswold Life *
Good plotting and believable motivation * Crime Time *

Ann Granger has lived in cities all over the world, since for many years she worked in British embassies as far apart as Munich and Lusaka. She is now permanently based in Oxfordshire.