In the summer of 1914, a boy’s disappearance is overshadowed by looming war.

Six years later, Detective Sergeant Verity arrives at Darkacre Hall armed with new evidence regarding the boy’s case – evidence which throws the spotlight firmly upon the once-esteemed Stilwell family.

Darkacre’s grandeur has faded, and the Stilwells no longer command the respect they once took for granted. While brothers Maurice and Leonard carry the physical and mental scars of their war service, Maurice's wife, Ida, longs for the lost days of privilege and parties.

As Verity digs deeper into the events of that final halcyon summer, he uncovers dark secrets with far-reaching consequences. And as he does so, Darkacre Hall becomes an unlikely battlefield – one that not all will survive.

‘Exquisitely written, this haunting tale of guilt and grief treads a perfect line between chilling ghost story and gripping mystery’ Tom Hindle

‘A modern classic… I couldn’t put it down’ Claire Dyer

‘Dripping with claustrophobic tension and absolutely unputdownable. I loved it' Rebecca Netley

‘A range of characters alternately agreeable and repellent, and yet all entirely readable, in a blend of history and mystery. A real page-turner’ Mandy Robotham

‘A fabulous book… full of twists and turns and heartbreaking revelations with a sprinkling of spookiness on top’ Laura Shepherd-Robinson

‘A real page-turner… Layers upon layers of secrets and lies… Bravo!’ Liz Hyder

‘A cleverly structured story, with twist after twist… Excellent’ Ragnar Jonasson

‘An absolute gulp of a read… it grabs hold and doesn’t let go’ Fíona Scarlett

‘This clever claustrophobic page-turner delivers in spades’ Carolyn O’Brien