Author:Ruth Rendell
Like any small community, Linchester has its intrigues: love affairs, money problems, unhappy marriages. But the gossip is elevated to new heights when young Patrick Selby dies on the very night of his beautiful wife's birthday party.
The whole neighbourhood was there, witness to the horrible attack of wasp stings Patrick suffered at the end of the evening. But did Patrick die of a wasp sting? Dr. Greenleaf thinks not. Heart failure, more likely.
Still, Greenleaf isn't at peace about his death. After all, everyone in Linchester hated Patrick. With the help of a certain naturalist, Dr. Greenleaf begins to think about murder.
This is a full-blooded, action-packed male thriller
—— News of the WorldFormer SAS man Ryan knows every inch of his former regiment and uses the knowledge to excellent effect - you're left feeling you know what it's like to wear the famous winged dagger cap badge
—— Daily MailRyan puts his technical know-how to good use in this electrifying story
—— Daily Express'A mixture of poignant, literary Americana and dialogue driven suspense, this impressive debut novel delivers a well-judged final shock and left me looking forward to more from Mr Landay'
—— Morning Star'A gripping and thrilling read which has you completely hooked from its rather violent and shocking opening and he has created a police chief as memorable as James Lee Burke's Dave Robineaux'
—— What's On In London'A first-time novelist has to bring something new to the table - something like the trumps that Landay throws down in his high stakes police procedural'
—— New York Times'A crackling debut that answer the question: who will be the next Grisham...Stylish writing, wickedly convoluted plotting and insider's view of inner city jurisprudence. You'll barely finish this many tentacled tale before you start clamouring for Landay's next'
—— Kirkus Reviews (starred)'Excruciatingly suspenseful...Landay gives us an original detective creation and he also delivers an action-packed plot with a skilfully detonated final surprise'
'An inventive gripping debut...A rich, harrowing and delightful read'
—— Publishers' Weekly (starred)The writing is lean and mean, and the climax will blow you away
—— The IndependentCompelling
—— Daily Mirror