Set in England’s Black Country – so named because of its sooty industrial past – this is a serial killer novel with a difference. Five people stand round an open grave. Each one swears a vow of silence regarding the grave – and its occupant. But some secrets have a life of their own, and refuse to stay buried. In this assured debut, Angela Marsons introduces a tough new character, DI Kim Stone. Centred around the horribly topical subject of children’s homes where abuse took place, the story sees DI Stone piece together a story which involves dark secrets and forgotten children – both living and dead. Bodies are being discovered, and Stone is faced with the awful possibility that there is more than one killer responsible. Read our full review here.