Molly Palmer-Jones arrives at her aunt Ursula's house one morning, only to find her body slumped lifeless on the sofa . . . Ursula Ottway's beautiful cottage is wanted by her landlord, politician Marcus Grenville, so that he can convert it into a holiday residence. When Ursula discovers that the illegal use of poisoned bait on Grenville's land has killed not only a rare bird of prey but also her two beloved cats, she storms to his house and threatens revenge. Shocked and saddened to find Ursula's body the morning after this conflict, Molly and her husband George decide to piece together a picture of Ursula's last days. And it soon becomes clear that, for many people on the estate, hers was a very convenient death. The Palmer-Joneses embark on a murder investigation, but even their professional expertise doesn't prepare them for what is to follow. A lifetime's worth of secrets must surface before a killer can finally be brought to justice . . .

Ann Cleeves is the author of more than thirty-five critically acclaimed novels, and in 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime writing, the CWA Diamond Dagger. She is the creator of popular detectives Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Matthew Venn, who can be found on television in ITV’s Vera, BBC One’s Shetland and ITV’s The Long Call respectively. The TV series and the books on which they are based have become international sensations, capturing the minds of millions worldwide.

Ann worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook and auxiliary coastguard before she started writing. She is a member of ‘Murder Squad’, working with other British northern writers to promote crime fiction. Ann also spends her time advocating for reading to improve health and wellbeing and supporting access to books. In 2021 her Reading for Wellbeing project launched with local authorities across the North East. She lives in North Tyneside where the Vera books are set.