'Butler and West are fast becoming my favourite detective partnership... Addictive reading!' Alison Belsham, author of The Tattoo Thief

Nothing is as it seems, for Butler and West.

One spring evening, a mother and her children are brutally attacked in their home. The unprovoked and violent assault leaves DS Robin Butler and DC Freya West in the dark – the luxury items were left untouched and there is no apparent motive.

The investigation’s only lead is Andrew Grace, the husband who was not home at the time. He and his business partner have created unique virtual reality software which is valuable and extremely dangerous in the wrong hands. Robin and Freya are stonewalled by uncooperative witnesses at every turn but when a woman linked to the work of Andrew and his co-founder is kidnapped, the need for progress becomes critical.

Failure to solve the case will result in murder. Meanwhile, Robin and Freya’s unresolved feelings have come to the surface and they must finally face facts. But is it too late? In a case where nothing is as it seems, are Robin and Freya doomed to never find the truth?

A tense and thrilling instalment of the Butler & West series that fans of Cara Hunter, Jane Casey and Susie Steiner will love.

Praise for Louisa Scarr

'Scarr delivers an immensely satisfying mystery, both timely and timeless, but her real magic lies in Butler and West themselves... This one will break your heart a little bit.' Dominic Nolan, author of Vine Street

'Compelling, fraught...I tore through it! Loved it.' Rachel Blok, author of The Fall

'Before you know it, you're chapters in and can't stop.' Fliss Chester, author of A Dangerous Goodbye

'A punchy and pacy police procedural with heart.' Jo Furniss, author of All The Little Children

'One of the best detective series there is. Smooth, thrilling and full of emotion… a must-read!' James Delargy, author of Vanished

'The latest Butler & West is a tense mystery packed with all of the ‘will they, won’t they’ chemistry that I so love about this series. A triumph.' Heather Critchlow, author of Unsolved

‘Excellent mystery… Reminiscent of Elly Griffith’s Ruth Galloway series... will leave you wanting more.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘This is one of the best police procedural books I’ve read of late. The partnership Freya and Robin have is so well done… I’m going to have to read more so I know what happens.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘Another absolutely unputdownable case for detectives Robin Butler and Freya West. The plot is incredibly clever and twisty and kept me reading until the early hours. Can‘t wait for the next instalment, highly recommended!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘Excellent. It had plenty of twists and turns and kept me guessing. I wholeheartedly recommend this series.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘Wow, another brilliant book by this author. I stayed up well into the night last night to finish it… a great series and I can’t wait for the next instalment.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘Enthralling… This murder mystery was a thrill from beginning to end. The characters are strong and are vividly drawn. So cleverly written and the pacing was on point.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘Love the Butler and West novels. Great writing and premise. Amazing characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review