THE BACK ROAD
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In the quiet country village of Little Melham, secrets abound.
A girl lies close to death in a dark, deserted lane.
A shadowy figure hides in the trees, watching and waiting.
For Ellie Saunders, the truth about the girl’s accident could destroy everything. She too was out that night, but if she reveals where she was and why, her family will be torn apart. She is living on a knife-edge, knowing her every move is being observed.
But Ellie isn’t the only one in that small community with reason to lie, and her sister Leo’s quest for the truth reveals a terrible secret that has been hidden for years.
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Douglas has recently moved to Little Melham, and his every instinct tells him that what happened on the back road of the village was more than a tragic accident. Why was a young girl out alone so late at night? Where was she going? Who was she running from?
Only one person knows the whole story. And that person will protect the truth, no matter what the cost.
The Back Road is an electrifying thriller that will keep you guessing to the very end.
A DCI Tom Douglas Thriller
Books in this series can be read in any order
THE BACK ROAD
Excerpt from The Back Road
Ellie jumped as her mobile started to vibrate on the worktop next to her. Her breath caught, and her arm froze in mid‐air. She knew without looking who it would be.
Should she answer? Would it be worse to speak to him, or to ignore him? She didn’t want to speak to him ever again, but couldn’t predict what he would do if she started to avoid him altogether. Snapping out of her momentary paralysis, she wiped her hands nervously on a tea towel and picked up the phone.
‘Hello,’ she said softly.
‘Why are you crying, Ellie?’ He was here.
Ellie nearly dropped the phone as her eyes flew in panic to the huge bi-folding glass doors that lined one wall of the kitchen, leading out to the side of the house. But the combination of the stormy skies and the brightly lit room made it impossible to see into the murky depths of the garden beyond.
The voice continued. ‘I’m watching you. I love watching you cook. But don’t be sad. It’s going to be okay, I promise you.’
Ellie’s heart pounded but she tried not to let her voice waver. ‘I’m not crying, and I’m not sad. Where are you? Please - you shouldn’t be here. There’s nothing more to say. I’ve said it all before.’
There was a sigh of exasperation from the other end of the phone. ‘Why don’t you let me in, and we can talk? I’m right here. The voice was quiet and persuasive, but Ellie shivered in fear.