From multi-million-selling Joy Ellis, one of Britain's best-loved crime writers, with over twenty number-one bestsellers.

Meet Detective Nikki Galena. She will stop at nothing to avenge her daughter. Under the brooding skies of the Lincolnshire Fens, she pursues the most vicious criminals.

A skeleton is found in a shallow grave in the churchyard. But this was not an official burial. The victim was murdered decades ago.

At the same time, Detective Nikki and her team are investigating the brutal slaying of local businesswoman Madeline Prospero. She was a member of an exclusive and secretive drinking club called The Briar Patch. But they've got no suspects and no one is telling them the truth.

Meanwhile, the buried skeleton leads them on a trail to the village of Quintin Eaudyke. This is a troubled place. In the late 1970s and 80s a reign of terror and abuse was unleashed on the close-knit population.

When more women from The Briar Patch come under threat, Nikki faces a race against time to stop more murders.

The Setting

The Lincolnshire Fens: great open skies brood over marshes, farmland, and nature reserves. It is not easy terrain for the Fenland Constabulary to police: with remote Fen villages, dangerous and often misty lanes, and poor telephone coverage. There are still villages where the oldest residents have never set foot outside their own farmland. A visit to the nearest town is a major event. But it has a strange airy beauty to it, and above it all are the biggest skies you've ever seen.

This totally gripping mystery is perfect for fans of L.J. Ross, Angela Marsons, J.D. Kirk, Elly Griffiths and Ann Cleeves.