The Hunt for the Silver Killer: The Shocking True Story of a Murderer who Remains at Large

Description

'A truly astonishing murder mystery - this is proper journalism' Jeremy Clarkson Following a long investigation by the world-famous Sunday Times Insight team, David Collins tells the truly unique story of a string of murder-suicides in north-west England and poses the terrifying question: are they the work of a serial killer who has been operating undetected since the mid-nineties? In 1996 and 1999, two elderly couples died in the small town of Wilmslow, Cheshire. In each case the husband was blamed for turning berserk and killing his wife using a horrifying level of violence. The police failed to make a link between the deaths - despite the similarities. That might have been the end of the matter. But when two coroner's officers began to piece together the evidence, it revealed a pattern which may prove the existence of a sadistic attacker known as 'the silver killer'. Using interviews with dozens of witnesses, including police investigators, forensic and crime scene experts, coroner's officers and family members, the author pieces together the clues in an attempt to solve the mystery of what really happened. A gripping true-crime investigation, the book reveals how suspicions were aroused and set investigators on a new trail to uncover the truth. Collins, whose reporting helped the police to convict the serial killer Levi Bellfield of killing Milly Dowler, has written a brilliant account of a crime that nearly went undiscovered which is sure to become a classic of the genre.

David Collins is one of the UK's most respected investigative reporters. In 2011, he became the youngest journalist in the history of the British Press Awards to win News Reporter of the Year for helping police convict the serial killer Levi Bellfield for the murder of Milly Dowler. He joined the Sunday Times as an investigative reporter in 2015, joining the Insight team. He is currently northern correspondent for the Sunday Times based in Manchester.

'A truly astonishing murder mystery - this is proper journalism' -- Jeremy Clarkson 'A book set to become a classic of the true crime genre. This is a page-turning thriller I couldn't put down.' -- Sophy Ridge 'A shocking and thoroughly engaging work more terrifying than any horror story. An I'll Be Gone In The Dark for the north west of England.' -- Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal and The Twyford Code 'The Hunt for the Silver Killer is a gripping and haunting account, all the more so because of its unanswered questions. A serial killer at large is one thing - but a serial killer clever enough never to have been caught is another order of scary.' -- Christopher Hart * Sunday Times * 'Astonishingly good, a true story that grips like the very best thriller - I defy anyone to put this down' -- Peter James 'When the suburban dream becomes the suburban nightmare. Shocking and powerful in equal measure. Investigative journalism at its finest.' -- Nazir Afzal, author of The Prosecutor 'This is a skilful telling of a gripping true story about the investigation and detection of murder. Readers will be captivated, as I was, by the determined quest of one remarkable woman - risking her reputation and career to try and prove the presence of a serial killer among us.' -- David James Smith, author of The Sleep of Reason 'An extraordinary true crime story, written by a Sunday Times journalist, that reveals a string of deaths in the northwest and the as yet unidentified serial killer who may be responsible for them.' * Sunday Times Summer Reading *