Clarissa Morland is twenty-seven, attractive, shy - and standing trial for the murder of her ex-lover John Grant. John was shot at dawn as he answered the door of his isolated farmhouse. But Clarissa has no memory of this. All she can remember is being cut free from the wreckage of her car that same morning, after what looks like a frantic getaway. As intimate details of her life and relationship are laid bare for the court, even Clarissa finds it hard to believe she is innocent. But murdering the man she loved in cold blood? She's just not that evil - is she?

'A splendid debut in crime fiction - more please, Mr Humphreys.' - Colin Dexter

'A genuine spellbinder.' Publishing News

'A most promising debut for the talented Humphreys.' Marcel Berlins, The Times

'A slick and gripping debut.' Maxim Jakubowski, Guardian

The small village of Caxton, on the foggy Norfolk coast, holds many memories for Sarah Delaney - most of which she's tried hard to forget. For Caxton was the place where her boyfriend Tom had lived - and where he died. Now she has been sent back there in the early hours of the morning to investigate a disturbing sighting - the bodies of a man and a woman on the mist-covered beach. Unfortunately, by the time Sarah arrives the tide has come in and the bodies have been washed out to sea. As a murder investigation is launched, Sarah is forced to confront many ghosts from her past.

'It's a clever plot, efficiently delivered, with a sympathetic central character...An accomplished, intriguing story.' Observer

'Sleeping Partner was an auspicious and impressive debut for James Humphreys, and this successor displays the same casual assurance, notably in its nimble plotting.' Waterstones

'Surprising, disturbing and exciting' Scotsman