A Place of Execution

A riveting psychological thriller from the Number One bestselling Queen of crime fiction – Val McDermid.

In the Peak District village of Scardale, thirteen-year-old girls didn't just run away. So when Alison Carter vanished in the winter of '63, everyone knew it was a murder.

Catherine Heathcote remembers the case well. A child herself when Alison vanished, decades on she still recalls the sense of fear as parents kept their children close, terrified of strangers.

Now a journalist, she persuades DI George Bennett to speak of the hunt for Alison, the tantalising leads, and harrowing dead ends. But when a fresh lead emerges, Bennett tries to stop the story – plunging Catherine into a world of buried secrets and revelations.

A Place of Execution has received high praise:

‘One of the all-time greats – special in every way' – Lee Child

‘This book changed everything I thought I knew about crime fiction' – Belinda Bauer, bestselling author of Snap

‘Every now and then, a writer transforms the landscape of the literary canon: Val McDermid is one such writer' – Fiona Cummins, bestselling author of Rattle

‘Just mesmerizing' – Joseph Knox, bestselling author of Sirens

‘A brilliant book' – Holly Watt, award-winning author of To the Lions

'From the first pages, we know we're in the hands of a master' – Jeffrey Deaver

‘Beautifully written' – Daily Telegraph

'One of the best detective stories I've read' – Ruth Rendell

‘Possibly the best McDermid has written' – Sunday Telegraph

Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Elly Griffiths, and Lynda La Plante.