A dark, intelligent and thoroughly inventive murder mystery that brings together religion, science and death metal.

Liverpool: A body is found on the beach among the Antony Gormley statues; a crucified man with a bible verse above him and a heavy metal band logo carved into his forehead...

Are you one of the elect?

Dr. Helen Hope is a lecturer in eschatology – the study of death, judgement, and the destiny of humankind. She is also a Calvinist nun, her life devoted to atoning for a secret crime.

When a body is found crucified on a Liverpool beach, she forms an unlikely alliance with suspect Mikko Kristensen, lead guitarist in death metal band Total Depravity. Together, they go on the trail of a rogue geneticist who they believe holds the key – not just to the murder, but to something much darker.

Also on the trail is cynical Scouse detective Darren Swift. In his first murder case, he must confront his own lack of faith as a series of horrific crimes drag the city of two cathedrals to the gates of hell.

Science meets religious belief in this gripping murder mystery.

About the Author

CATHERINE FEARNS is an author, journalist and heavy metal guitarist from Liverpool. In previous incarnations she was a financial analyst, a cocktail pianist and a breastfeeding counsellor. Her first novel, Reprobation, was published by Crooked Cat Books in October 2018 and quickly became an Amazon bestseller. The follow-up, Consuming Fire, is currently on pre-order and will be available in early 2019.