A hot summer on the Northumberland coast and Julie Armstrong arrives home from a night out to find her son strangled, laid out in a bath of water and covered with wild flowers. This stylised murder scene has Inspector Vera Stanhope intrigued. But then another body is discovered in a rock pool, the corpse again strewn with flowers. Vera must work quickly to find this killer who is making art out of death. As local residents are forced to share their deepest, darkest secrets, the killer watches, waits and plans to prepare another beautiful, watery grave.
Ann Cleeves
Ann Cleeves is a British author known for her crime fiction novels, particularly the Vera Stanhope and Shetland series. Her works are characterized by intricate plots, well-developed characters, and vivid descriptions of the natural landscapes of Northumberland and the Shetland Islands. Cleeves has made significant contributions to the genre of British detective fiction, drawing praise for her ability to create compelling mysteries that keep readers guessing until the very end. Her most famous work is "The Crow Trap," the first book in the Vera Stanhope series, which was later adapted into a popular television series. Cleeves' writing has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated following of fans worldwide.