Description

Former London detective Jake Jackson finds his new life in the country threatened when an old case from the past buried deep within an archeological dig site resurfaces in this beautifully written and deeply immersive mystery that will challenge your deductive skills.

A beautiful landscape . . .

It began as the project of a lifetime—a group of archaeologists, uncovering the remains of a Roman settlement on a picturesque hill in the glorious English countryside.

A looming threat . . .

But, the idyll is shattered when they begin receiving threatening letters. Former city detective Jake Jackson, now enjoying a quieter life in the local village, is pulled in to investigate.

A killer closing in . . .

Soon, threatening letters are the least of their problems, when a murderer strikes. Now, the race is on for Jake to find the mysterious culprit, before they kill again . . .

About the author(s)

Stig Abell believes that discovering a crime fiction series to enjoy is one of the great pleasures in life. His first novel, Death Under A Little Sky, introduced Jake Jackson and his attempt to get away from his former life in the beautiful area around Little Sky, followed by Death in a Lonely Place and The Burial Place. Stig is absolutely delighted that there are more on the way. Away from books, he presents the breakfast show on Times Radio, a station he helped to launch in 2020. Before that he was a regular presenter on Radio 4’s Front Row and was the editor and publisher of the Times Literary Supplement. He lives in London with his wife, three children and two independent-minded cats called Boo and Ninja (his children named them, obviously).

Reviews

“Abell’s sterling third outing for ex-detective Jake Jackson (after Death in a Lonely Place) is a taut, atmospheric whodunit that revolves around an archaeological dig in England. . . . The setting recalls Tana French’s In the Woods, but Abell’s prose is singularly searing and evocative. This will stun series fans and newcomers alike.”  — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Terrific characters, locations, action and suspense, all floating on an easy charm in the writing and a deep love of the genre—this series is irresistible." — Lee Child

"The Jake Jackson books get better and better. I loved this excursion into the distant past. Atmospheric and chilling but also humorous and always humane." — Elly Griffiths, author of The Last Remains

“What a gorgeous read. It has the halo of an instant classic. This is a deep, searching novel, as preoccupied with human nature and ordinary evil as it is with detection." — A. J. Finn, #1 bestselling author of The Woman in the Window, on Death Under a Little Sky

"What a joy to spend time with these characters again! An immersive, intelligent delight with huge atmosphere and heart. My favourite new crime series." — Lucy Foley on Death in a Lonely Place