Synopses & Reviews
The question of who killed Sophie Washington is a complex one, possibly implicating the whole community, in this debut crime novel taking place in the gritty underworld of North East England Early one cold November morning in a run-down seaside resort, the body of a young girl is discovered. Found abandoned just five minutes' walk from her home, her face has been mutilated beyond recognition. DI Jack Brady, just back on active duty after recovering from a vicious shooting incident, is on the edge. Struggling to deal with his marriage breakup and his tortured past, his problems intensify when long-standing friend and colleague DI James Matthews confidentially reveals that he was with the victim the night of her murder. As Brady delves ever deeper into Sophie's life, he comes to realize that the three men who should have protected her during her short life are the chief suspects in her murder: her teacher, her stepfather, and a police detective. Brady finds himself unraveling a metaphorical thread that eventually makes him reevaluate not only the seemingly blameless life of the victim, but more disturbingly, Matthews's motivation and ultimately his own.
Review
"A tale of damaged, broken people set against a brutal and decaying North East England coast. British crime fiction needs exceptional new voices and Danielle Ramsay is well on her way to being one." —Martyn Waites, author, The Mercy Seat
Review
"Tightly-plotted book. Brady is a wreck, but knows it and his honesty about his own condition makes him an engaging hero." —Reviewing the Evidence
Synopsis
Early one morning in the seaside resort of Whitley Bay, the lifeless body of a young girl, Sophie Washington, is found brutally murdered - her face mutilated beyond recognition.
Back on active duty after being shot, DI Jack Brady is struggling to deal with his marriage break-up. His problems intensify when his friend and colleague DI James Matthews reveals that he was with the victim on the night of her murder.
Brady's loyal deputy, DS Harry Conrad and police psychologist, Amelia Jenkins are assigned with him to crack the case. But as Brady delves deeper into Sophie's life he discovers a far from rosy picture.
Brady must ask some tough questions if he is to get at the truth. Questions not only about Sophie, but also about himself - and what he finds out isn't going to be pretty.
A hard-hitting thriller that will engross fans of Peter James and Val McDermid.
About the Author
Danielle Ramsay was short-listed twice for the CWA Debut Dagger. This is her debut novel.