Hysteria takes over a dying seaside town when sixteen horses' heads are discovered buried in one farmer's field. . .

** Featured on BBC Two's Between The Covers **

'Irresistible' - Val McDermid, author of 1979
'Breathtaking . . . This is crime writing of a striking calibre' - Daily Mail

Near the dying English seaside town of Ilmarsh, local police detective Alec Nichols discovers sixteen horses’ heads on a farm, each buried with a single eye facing the low winter sun. After forensic veterinarian Cooper Allen travels to the scene, the investigators soon uncover evidence of a chain of crimes in the community – disappearances, arson and mutilations – all culminating in the reveal of something deadly lurking in the ground itself.

In the dark days that follow, the town slips into panic and paranoia. Everything is not as it seems. Anyone could be a suspect. And as Cooper finds herself unable to leave town, Alec is stalked by an unseen threat. The two investigators race to uncover the truth behind these frightening and insidious mysteries – no matter the cost.

Sixteen Horses is the debut literary thriller from an extraordinary talent, Greg Buchanan. For fans of Jane Harper’s The Dry.

'Totally gripping' - Alex Michaelides, author of The Silent Patient
'Read it, read it, read it' - B. P. Walter, author of The Dinner Guest
'Original' - Sophie Hannah, author of Haven't They Grown

"A breath-taking debut . . . written with immense panache. This is crime writing of a striking calibre, which constantly surprises as it takes unexpected twist after twist — leaving you desperate for more" - Daily Mail

"Utterly gripping, exquisitely written [. . .] Haunting and very dark, this is certainly worth the read" - Guardian

"A dark, ambitious, and highly intelligent thriller . . . This complex, often gothic tale is definitely an eye-opener" - Publishers Weekly

"A darkly atmospheric crime thriller" - Northampton Chronicle & Echo