A missing woman. A gruesome delivery. A terrifying discovery. Where is Caroline Crow?

"Just when you think Payne is at the top of her game, she pulls this out of the bag."—Graham Bartlett

All has been quiet in Liverpool, suspiciously quiet…

So, when a frantic 999 call comes into Hale Street Police Station reporting a missing woman, it seems like there’s work to do. Except for DI Sheridan Holler there are questions. Why did Caroline Crow take her purse, suitcase and even tell friends she was going away? There’s no reason to suspect foul play…until a severed, burned hand is delivered to another address.

With no hard evidence linking the two cases, Holler’s gut is telling her that all is not as it seems and if she’s right, time is running out to find Caroline alive.

As DI Holler attempts to weed out the truth from the lies, will this be one puzzle that runs out the clock? Or can Holler and her team fit the pieces together before it’s too late?

T. M. Payne was born in Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire and now lives on the Wirral with her wonderful partner. Having worked in the criminal justice system for eighteen years, the last fourteen of which as a police case investigator within the Domestic Violence Unit, she has now taken a break to concentrate on her passion for writing crime novels.

T. M. Payne is crazy about animals and if you walk past her with your dog, she will probably ask if she can pat it on the head. Or take it home with her. Or both.

She loves laughing, Christmas, playing golf (badly), walking along New Brighton beach (not walking her dog because she hasn’t got one), snow, sunshine, sunsets, family and friends.

She dislikes beetroot.