Flames tear through a hilltop farmhouse on a snowy night. As the blaze dies out, Detective Vicki Blunt makes a gruesome discovery in a chest freezer . . .

Inside lies a man’s charred body, roasted by the ferocious heat. But the fire didn’t kill him — two bullet holes in the back of his head prove he was dead before he was put in the freezer.

The victim is Glyn Hurley, a successful documentary maker from Bristol. He made a name for himself exposing corruption and destroyed many careers, and lives, in the process. The police soon have a long list of those with a grudge against Hurley.

Then another body is found. The remains disposed of in the same way.

Someone is trying to settle old scores.

But none of Vicki’s leads are going anywhere. She must break through the silence that has spread across the local community as quickly as the snow . . . before the killer strikes again.

Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Rhys Dylan and Simon McCleave.

MEET DETECTIVE VICKI BLUNT:
Detective Sergeant Vicki Blunt is a seasoned detective with a sharp mind and a relentless drive to uncover the truth. She was once a rising star in the Dyfed-Powys force, but her career was derailed by her outspoken criticism of her superior, DI Glyn Hughes. She uncovered corruption and mishandling of evidence, but with no concrete proof she was demoted back to uniform duty. The demotion was a blow to her, both professionally and personally, but it’s made Vicki determined to prove herself again. She attacks every case with unwavering dedication and she’s determined to see justice served, no matter the personal cost.

THE SETTING:
In the heart of West Wales, where the rugged coastlines meet the peaceful countryside, Pembrokeshire’s remote beauty hides dark secrets beneath its picturesque charm. The cliffs rise sharply from the sea, towering over hidden coves and shingle beaches while the isolated villages, tucked into the folds of the landscape, seem suspended in time and wrapped in a mist that clings to the hills like a shroud. The land has a way of drawing you in, making you feel like you’re both part of its fabric and a stranger to its dark corners. It’s a place where danger lurks just beneath the surface, and even the most serene view might hold a threat you can’t see coming.

READERS LOVE THE VICKI BLUNT MYSTERIES:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Great storytelling and hard to put the book down.’ Little L.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Great story line, and certainly a nice twist.’ Carol W.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘I read a lot of ‘detective novels’ but this is a cut above. Had me guessing to the end!’ Ubique
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Good characters, a gripping mystery and an absolutely beautiful setting! Fab!’ Emily G.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘A must read for lovers of crime fiction.’ Haf D.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘An excellent writer and I have enjoyed all her books.’ DeeDee
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Read this in one sitting as it was so compelling. Well-rounded characters and a twisty plot.’ Dizzy V
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘I always enjoy reading Nicola Clifford's books.’ Banditman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘. . . a carefully crafted tale with totally realistic characters . . . Highly recommended.’ Bookman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ‘Nicola [Clifford]. . . is extraordinary. She never fails to devise fresh plots that are complex and will challenge both the reader’s intuition and reasoning.’ Saffron