DCI Helen Lavery

Arriving home from a routine day at work, Anna Cottrell has no idea that her life is about to change forever. But discovering the stabbed body of a stranger in her flat, then becoming prime suspect in a murder inquiry is only the beginning. Her persistent claims of innocence start to crumble when new evidence links her irrevocably with the victim.... Leading her first murder investigation, DCI Helen Lavery unravels a trail of deception, family secrets and betrayal. 

When the mutilated body of a police officer is found in a derelict factory, the Hamptonshire police force is shocked to the core. DCI Helen Lavery returns from injury leave and is immediately plunged into an investigation like no other. Is this a random attack or is someone targeting the force? Organised crime groups or a lone killer? As the net draws in, Helen finds the truth lies closer than she could have imagined and finds herself facing a twisted killer who will stop at nothing to ensure their secrets remain hidden. And time is running out.