A derelict building in the New Forest burns down with someone inside it. Believed to be arson, DI Juliet Stern and DS Gabe Martin are called onto the scene to investigate. No one knows who the victim is or how they came to be there.

When they discover the body belonged to Zara, a young influencer who solo-hiked in her free time, Stern and Martin delve into the circumstances surrounding her death and there's no shortage of suspects. Her cold and distant boyfriend, her jealous best-friend, an old acquaintance bent on revenge and a stranger with a history of criminal activity.

Meanwhile, Gabe's past comes back to haunt her. The Barrel Man, the serial killer who kidnapped her and her brother as a child, has abducted someone close to her. Stern and Martin must juggle both cases and hope they make it out the other side

An atmospheric, immersive crime thriller perfect for fans of Susie Steiner, Gytha Lodge and Cara Hunter.

Anna lives with her husband and their chronically clumsy Labrador. An avid reader, she began writing around ten years ago and hasn’t stopped since. Anna works as a freelance editor and loves helping out other authors. When not filling her head with stories, Anna enjoys baking (and eating) cakes and exploring rivers in her kayak.