He built an empire on fear. Now his murder threatens to tear it apart.

Barry Dance is found dead in his remote farmhouse, a gun in his right hand. But former mob leader ‘The Dancer’ didn’t shoot himself — this was an execution.

Dance was a man people loved to hate. He might have turned his back on organised crime, but as the ruthless head of a property empire he still spread fear among business associates — and fuelled resentment among his own family.

Detective Pen Darling knows the murder bears all the hallmarks of a professional hit. Now she must return to Newcastle’s murky criminal underworld to catch the killer.

As she follows the trail from glittering city offices to the bleak moors, she uncovers secrets Barry Dance thought he had buried for good. Secrets someone is still willing to kill for.

Can she expose the truth before another life is taken?

Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, P.D. James and L.J. Ross.

Please note this book was previously published as In the Family.

MEET DETECTIVE PENELOPE DARLING
DI Penelope “Pen” Darling is sharp, relentless and rooted in her Northumbrian heritage. The daughter of a miner and a teacher, she combines toughness with empathy and her cases are fuelled by both grit and compassion. Known for her battered leather notebook, wry humour and an overreliance on strong coffee and liquorice, Pen has a knack for seeing patterns others miss. Scarred by a divorce and fiercely protective of her teenage son, she channels personal struggles into an unshakable determination to uncover the truth — no matter how dangerous.

THE SETTING
Northumberland is a place of contrasts — from the bleak, windswept moors where the heather bends under a relentless sky, to the tight-knit villages where everyone knows everyone else’s secrets. Stone farmhouses crouch against the weather, isolated and silent, while just a short drive away Newcastle thrums with neon, money, and menace. It is a region where old grudges linger as long as the peat bogs hold their secrets — and where murder feels as much a part of the landscape as the shifting mist.

READERS LOVE THE DETECTIVE PEN DARLING SERIES:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Brill! Really enjoyed it . . . spot on with the shenanigans up there with the criminals. Excellent read.’ Donna
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Great cast of characters and an excellent storyline. Being set in and around Newcastle makes it more enjoyable and real.’ Kindle Customer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Loved the characters, particularly Darling. 10/10.’ Lennybenny
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘I'll definitely be keeping my eye on this series.’ Emily G.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Great story, couldn't put it down.’ Claire B.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Gripping noir gangster novel set in Newcastle. A great start to a new series.’ Pi 1991
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘A gripping, utterly authentic crime thriller . . . gritty, character-driven, and steeped in Tyneside’s stark contrasts.’ Crimefictionfan