How far is a detective willing to go to catch the very worst kind of criminal?
DCS Simon Serrailler is asked to go undercover in a high-stakes, dangerous operation to dismantle a prominent child abuse ring. To succeed, he must leave his life—and his family—behind and assume a new, sinister identity.
But as he immerses himself in a world of profound evil, the boundaries of his own psyche begin to blur. In the process, the respected cathedral town of Lafferton is forced to confront the dark secrets lurking beneath its tranquil surface.
A chillingly dark psychological thriller for fans of Ruth Rendell and P.D. James.
In the eighth installment of Susan Hill's acclaimed British series, the risk is greater than ever:
- A personal mission: Serrailler must pose as a convicted pedophile, a role that will test his sanity and force him to witness unimaginable horrors firsthand.
- The family in turmoil: Back in Lafferton, his sister Cat is left to handle a crisis within the family—an accusation of rape against their own father.
- The cost of secrets: The book unflinchingly explores the devastating impact of buried trauma, hidden crimes, and the moral compromises required for justice.
A relentless and profoundly unsettling mystery that will challenge your perceptions of good and evil.