Discover a stunningly twisty new crime thriller, starring Martha Gunn - a sharp-eyed coroner who'll stop at nothing to get justice for the dead.

One dark night in the Shropshire Hills, a car goes hurtling down the lonely track to Clive Quarry. Careering ever closer to the sheer drop at the end of the lane. It teeters on the edge for one heart-stopping moment. Then plummets down to the jagged rocks below.

Next morning, the bodies of two teenage boys are pulled from the twisted wreck. But the real mystery is what's locked inside the boot.

The body of a frail old woman, wrapped in a woolly blanket. Nails painted, hair freshly dyed. Six months dead.

With no leads, no ID and no living witnesses, only Coroner Martha Gunn can piece together this Jane Doe's story.

Someone out there knows exactly who the old woman is.

And they'll do whatever it takes to keep Martha from the shocking truth . . .

Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Aline Templeton, Silent Witness and Patricia Cornwell, this atmospheric crime thriller is sure to keep you turning the pages late into the night.

WHAT EVERYONE IS SAYING ABOUT THE MARTHA GUNN MYSTERIES:

'A simmering mystery, set in a seemingly peaceful town in England . . . A tense page-turner.' Midwest Book Review

'There is no better exponent of the female detective novel in England than Priscilla Masters.' Julian Symans, bestselling author

'Masters packs strength after strength into this book. From the atmospheric city of Shrewsbury . . . to a plot that twists and turns . . . to a strong-willed main character.' Kittling Books

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Love that the series features a strong, independent single mother who is over 40 and happy with it! Perfect . . . for readers of Elly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway and Ann Cleeves.' Sans Washington, NetGalley

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Compelling . . . I had to keep on until I finished.' Damaskcat, Goodreads

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Ho, Priscilla, where have you been hiding! A very clever story . . . keeps you reading until the last page.' David, Goodreads

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Priscilla Masters always delivers.' Valerie, Goodreads

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I loved this book, particularly Martha Gunn . . . a strong woman alone, raising her family.' H. E. Patterson, Amazon

MEET THE SLEUTH

Forty-something coroner Martha Gunn knows a thing or two about grief. After the sudden death of her husband, it's defined her in ways she never imagined. Martha's twin children were toddlers at the time. Now, a pair of secretive and sulky pre-teens, they have the knack of making Martha feel like an outsider in her own home. Dry-humoured, incisive and relentlessly curious, Martha's mind is sharp as any scalpel. When DI Alex Randall seeks her insight on a murder case, she can't resist getting involved - professionally and maybe personally?

THE SETTING

Welcome to Shrewsbury, an ancient market town that will always be defined by its past. The River Severn encircles it on all sides, making it feel like a medieval island frozen in time. With its timbered buildings, narrow lanes and steep streets, its streets are layered with centuries of history. It might seem peaceful at first glance. But a place this old is bound to have its secrets. And they won't stay hidden forever . . .