‘This is a wonderful novel, powerful, humane and moving. It’s also one of the best police procedurals I’ve read this year’ Ann Cleeves
—–
Can you really keep your child safe?
What if who they are puts them at risk?
And what if they have blood on their hands?
Teenager Allie Kennaway heads off for prom night, cheered on by her dad Steve and little sister Teagan. But Allie never comes home, beaten to death in an apparent hate crime because of her transgender identity.
As police investigate the brutal murder, a crime that has appalled the country, one parent is at her wit’s end with her son’s behaviour. Are his outbursts and silences hiding something much darker than adolescent mood swings? And if her suspicions are correct, then what does she do?
Another parent fights tooth and nail to save his boy from the full force of the law. But if he succeeds then Allie and her family will never get the justice they deserve.
A groundbreaking story of love and hate, loyalty and betrayal, in a world of change.
——
Praise for Cath Staincliffe
‘Staincliffe deserves to be better known. Her books make her readers question how they would respond in a challenging situation’ Ann Cleeves (Best Books of The Week)
‘Harrowing and humane. A real knockout‘ Ian Rankin
‘It’s always exciting to see a writer get better and better and Cath Staincliffe is doing just that‘ Val McDermid
‘Remarkable depth … The most grown-up writer in British crime fiction‘ Telegraph
‘Complex and satisfying’ Sunday Times
‘Her finest novel yet, emotionally unsparing, powerful, humane and moving . . . This is a timely, brave and brilliant book‘ Crime Review
—–
Can you really keep your child safe?
What if who they are puts them at risk?
And what if they have blood on their hands?
Teenager Allie Kennaway heads off for prom night, cheered on by her dad Steve and little sister Teagan. But Allie never comes home, beaten to death in an apparent hate crime because of her transgender identity.
As police investigate the brutal murder, a crime that has appalled the country, one parent is at her wit’s end with her son’s behaviour. Are his outbursts and silences hiding something much darker than adolescent mood swings? And if her suspicions are correct, then what does she do?
Another parent fights tooth and nail to save his boy from the full force of the law. But if he succeeds then Allie and her family will never get the justice they deserve.
A groundbreaking story of love and hate, loyalty and betrayal, in a world of change.
——
Praise for Cath Staincliffe
‘Staincliffe deserves to be better known. Her books make her readers question how they would respond in a challenging situation’ Ann Cleeves (Best Books of The Week)
‘Harrowing and humane. A real knockout‘ Ian Rankin
‘It’s always exciting to see a writer get better and better and Cath Staincliffe is doing just that‘ Val McDermid
‘Remarkable depth … The most grown-up writer in British crime fiction‘ Telegraph
‘Complex and satisfying’ Sunday Times
‘Her finest novel yet, emotionally unsparing, powerful, humane and moving . . . This is a timely, brave and brilliant book‘ Crime Review
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Reviews
A sensitive and humane writer whose talent for characterisation ... is the fuel for real suspense
Cath Staincliffe gets into the heads of ordinary people and makes them extraordinary
It's always exciting to see a writer get better and better and Cath Staincliffe is doing just that
For her insistence on looking real life squarely in the face I would call Staincliffe the most grown-up writer in British crime fiction ... her novel is mercilessly exciting too
Complex and satisfying
This is a wonderful novel, powerful, humane and moving. It's also one of the best police procedurals I've read this year
A powerful, complex, gripping, perfectly paced book that packs a punch
Her finest novel yet, emotionally unsparing, powerful, humane and moving . . . This is a timely, brave and brilliant book
Emotionally unsparing, this expertly written police procedural is also an outstanding thriller, hard to put aside even for the sake of sleep.
Powerful, complex and utterly gripping
An intelligent and emotionally engaging moral workout