WINNER OF THE CWA DEBUT DAGGER AWARD

‘Authentic…diverting debut’ Daily Mail

‘Ruth Dugdall’s novels are intelligent and gripping, with a sophisticated psychological sensibility. She is a huge talent.’ Sophie Hannah

Rose Wilks' life is shattered when her newborn baby Joel is admitted to intensive care. Emma Hatcher has all that Rose lacks. Beauty. A loving husband. A healthy son. Until tragedy strikes and Rose is the only suspect.

Now, having spent nearly five years in prison in Ipswich, Rose is just weeks away from freedom. Her probation officer Cate must decide whether Rose is remorseful for her crime, or whether she remains a threat to society. As Cate is drawn in, she begins to doubt her own judgement.

Where is the line between love and obsession? Can justice be served and, if so… by what means?

'I found this story an irresistible read. It's a psychological crime thriller that seemed to linger'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A must read this book kept me guessing right until the end. I literally couldn’t put it down'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Absolutely loved this book and all subsequent Cate Austin novels'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐