Welcome to England’s New Forest, where clinging mists hide many a secret. Step beneath the towering pines — on any twisty heathland path — and you’ll soon realise there’s more to this place than meets the eye . . .

Detective Elinor Saxby leaves the city for a crooked little cottage near sleepy Lyndhurst village. It’s not exactly her dream home, cut off from everything and everyone she’s ever known. But Elinor will do anything to leave her troubled past behind.

She can run from her demons. But she can’t hide.

The very next morning, Elinor gets a call from her new sergeant.

A woman’s been found dead. Drowned in the pool of her luxury woodland spa. Her silk gown is ruined. Her perfect skin marred by livid red hand prints.

But it’s not these details that send Elinor spiralling in panic. It’s the victim’s name. Because the dead woman is no stranger to Elinor. She texted just last night to ask Elinor one last favour.

Now the only favour Elinor can do her is to find her killer.

Fans of Ann Cleeves, Elly Griffiths, Stig Abell and Carol Cole are sure to be mesmerized by this atmospheric British mystery, set amid the hauntingly beautiful terrain of the New Forest.