When workmen converting former girls' boarding school, Chadleigh Hall, into a luxury hotel find a skeleton in a sealed room, DI Wesley Peterson and his boss, Gerry Heffernan are called in to investigate.

But within minutes they have a second suspicious death on their hands: a team of marine archaeologists working on a nearby shipwreck have dragged a woman's body from the sea. And it soon becomes clear that her death was no accident.

The husband of the dead woman, Sally Gilbert, may be linked with a brutal robbery of computer equipment but Wesley discovers that Sally had secrets of her own. As he investigates Chadleigh Hall's past and Sally's violent death, both trails lead in surprising directions and matters are further complicated when a man wanted for a murder in London appears on the scene...a man who may know more about Wesley's case than he admits.

Could the shipwreck and the Chadleigh Hall skeleton be linked to five apparently unrelated deaths that have occurred in recent years? As Wesley's quest for a dangerous killer reaches its climax, he finds the truth to be as shocking as it is unexpected.

Reviews

"I could not guess whodunnit...in this very well put together tale.  Kate Ellis's way of weaving a number of stories together keeps the reader interested and guessing throughout.  The characters are believable, as is the reason for the murders.  One does wonder, however, if it might not give ideas to the ungodly!" - Bolton Evening News 

"Surprising twists...make this a good addition to Kate Ellis's other Wesley Peterson novels." - Western Daily Press

"Ellis excels herself in this gripping read, entwining detective fiction with a touch of history.  A truly intriguing read."  - Devon Life

"The slow build gathers apace with this lovely series of Devon-based crime tales that always feature an enthralling historical sub-plot. My reader adores them." - The Bookseller

"Kate Ellis manages to juggle many strands without making it seem complicated and still ties everything up satisfactorily at the end. The book gathers pace to an exciting and totally unexpected climax. I missed the first ten minutes of a football match because I was so engrossed in the story, which is the greatest accolade I can give for possibly this author's best book so far." - Sherlock Holmes Magazine

"A gripping read." - Cheshire Life

"A well written book which kept me on the edge of my seat - it was a real page-turner and I didn't want to put it down.  I could read it again." - Yours Magazine