A Chief of Police who is looking for a way out...a retired cop...and a murder which reaches back 20 years... The brilliant, award-winning novel from the author of DEFENDING JACOB

A Chief of Police who is looking for a way out...a retired cop...and a murder which reaches back 20 years... The brilliant, award-winning novel from the author of DEFENDING JACOB

In a small town in Maine, nothing much happens. Even the Chief of Police, Ben Truman, is thinking about leaving. That is, until he discovers a body in a cabin up by the lake.

The dead man turns out to be a Boston prosecutor who had been investigating a series of gang-related murders. When Truman heads to the city to follow the few leads he has on the case, he is not welcomed by the local police - after all, big city crime is not something he has had any experience with.

But Truman refuses to let go of the case. With the help of a retired cop, he becomes embroiled in an investigation which reaches back to a killing 20 years ago...

"A most assured debut, cleverly plotted with an unguessable ending" - SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

"Compelling...marks the blooding of a major new talent, with shades of Scott Turow" - GUARDIAN

"Landay writes with eloquent intensity...about the no-win ethical choices that can corrupt or otherwise crush a good cop" - NEW YORK TIMES

"An impressive and constantly surprising debut...the main plot twist knocks you sideways and there's more to come. A marvellous, unexpected novel" - TIME OUT

"What a read! I was really drawn into the storyline and expected a very different conclusion to the one I got! Fabulous! So many twists and turns and lies it makes you dizzy trying to keep up." - NEW BOOKS MAGAZINE

"In all the best thrillers - and William Landay's, like this new book, are among the best - it is crucial that we worry about the insuperable problems loaded on the shoulders of the central characters. Landay always handles that aspect with authority" - GOOD BOOK GUIDE