A nerve-tingling and atmospheric thriller from master of suspense Nicci French about two families shattered by tragedy and the secrets that have been waiting decades to be revealed. On the day of Alec Salters fiftieth birthday party his wife Charlotte vanishes. Most of the small English village of Glensted is at the party for hours before anyone realizes she is missing. While Alec brushes off her disappearance their four children--especially fifteen-year-old Etty--grow increasingly anxious as the cold winter hours become days and she doesnt return. Then Etty and her friend Morgan find the body of Morgans father--and the Salters neighbor-- Duncan Ackerley floating in the river. The police conclude that Duncan and Charlotte were having an affair before he killed her and committed suicide. Thirty years later Morgan Ackerley returns to Glensted with his older brother to make a podcast based on their shared tragedy with the Salters. Alec stricken with dementia is entering an elder care facility while Etty helps put his affairs in order. But when the Ackerleys ask to interview the Salters the entire town gets caught up in the unresolved cases. Allegations fly secrets come to light and a suspicious fire leads to a murder. With the podcast making national news London sends Detective Inspector Maud OConnor to Glensted to take over the investigation. She will stop at nothing to uncover the truth as a new and terrifying picture of what really happened to Charlotte Salter and Duncan Ackerley emerges.
