DCI Tom Douglas Series by Rachel Abbott, Lisa Coleman

Every moment of Sir Hugo Fletcher’s life has been chronicled in the British press: his privileged upbringing, his high-profile charity work to end human trafficking, even his two marriages. But when the billionaire philanthropist is discovered murdered in his London home, tied naked to a bed, the scandal is only a shadow of the darkness lurking off-camera.Laura Fletcher returns from an Italian vacation to find her husband dead and her home under siege by paparazzi. Is she shocked? Yes... moreEvery moment of Sir Hugo Fletcher’s life has been chronicled in the British press: his privileged upbringing, his high-profile charity work to end human trafficking, even his two marriages. But when the billionaire philanthropist is discovered murdered in his London home, tied naked to a bed, the scandal is only a shadow of the darkness lurking off-camera.Laura Fletcher returns from an Italian vacation to find her husband dead and her home under siege by paparazzi. Is she shocked? Yes. But is she distraught? Not exactly. Especially when Chief Inspector Tom Douglas reveals his suspicions that Hugo’s killer is female. Laura always knew she wasn’t the only woman in Hugo’s life. And she knows she wasn’t the only one with a motive to kill.The deeper Douglas digs, the more sordid details about Hugo Fletcher he uncovers. And yet nothing compares to the secret Laura guards, a secret that could bring the guilty to justice—or destroy an innocent life forever. less

In a quiet country village, secrets abound.When a young girl, Abbie Campbell, is knocked over and left for dead on the back road of the village of Little Melham, waves of shock ripple through the small community and a chain of events, which threatens to expose long-kept secrets, is triggered. For Ellie Saunders, the truth about that night puts both her marriage and the safety of her children in jeopardy–she has to protect her family, no matter what the cost... moreIn a quiet country village, secrets abound.When a young girl, Abbie Campbell, is knocked over and left for dead on the back road of the village of Little Melham, waves of shock ripple through the small community and a chain of events, which threatens to expose long-kept secrets, is triggered. For Ellie Saunders, the truth about that night puts both her marriage and the safety of her children in jeopardy–she has to protect her family, no matter what the cost. And Ellie isn’t the only one with something to hide. She and her sister Leo believe they have put their troubled childhood behind them, but Leo’s quest for the truth reveals a terrible secret that has lain hidden for years.Ellie’s neighbour, former detective Tom Douglas, has escaped to Little Melham in search of a quiet life, but finds himself drawn into the web of deceit as his every instinct tells him that what happened to young Abbie was far more than a tragic accident.In this gripping novel, the peaceful English countryside belies the horrible truths that lurk beneath the trimmed hedgerows, behind the closed doors of smart sitting rooms and within unspoken conversations. less

How far would you go to hold on to the people you love?When Olivia Brookes calls the police to report that her husband and children are missing, she believes she will never see them again. She has reason to fear the worst; this isn’t the first tragedy that Olivia has experienced. Now, two years later, Detective Chief Inspector Tom Douglas is called in to investigate this family again, but this time it’s Olivia who has disappeared... moreHow far would you go to hold on to the people you love?When Olivia Brookes calls the police to report that her husband and children are missing, she believes she will never see them again. She has reason to fear the worst; this isn’t the first tragedy that Olivia has experienced. Now, two years later, Detective Chief Inspector Tom Douglas is called in to investigate this family again, but this time it’s Olivia who has disappeared. All the evidence suggests that she was here, in the family home, that morning. But her car is in the garage, and her purse is in her handbag – on the kitchen table. The police want to issue a national appeal, but for some reason every single picture of this family has been removed from albums, from phones, from computers. And then they find the blood… Has the past caught up with Olivia?Sleep Tight – if you can. You never know who’s watching. less

From the author of number one bestseller, Sleep Tight.One Dark Secret. One act of revenge.When Emma Joseph met her husband David, he was a man shattered by grief. His first wife had been killed outright when her car veered off the road. Just as tragically, their six-year-old daughter mysteriously vanished from the scene of the accident.Now, six years later, Emma believes the painful years are behind them. She and David have built a new life together and have a beautiful baby son, Ollie... moreFrom the author of number one bestseller, Sleep Tight.One Dark Secret. One act of revenge.When Emma Joseph met her husband David, he was a man shattered by grief. His first wife had been killed outright when her car veered off the road. Just as tragically, their six-year-old daughter mysteriously vanished from the scene of the accident.Now, six years later, Emma believes the painful years are behind them. She and David have built a new life together and have a beautiful baby son, Ollie.Then a stranger walks into their lives, and their world tilts on its axis.Emma's life no longer feels secure. Does she know what really happened all those years ago? And why does she feel so frightened for herself and for her baby?When a desperate Emma reaches out to her old friend DCI Tom Douglas for help, she puts all their lives in jeopardy. Before long, a web of deceit is revealed that shocks both Emma and Tom to the core.They say you should never trust a stranger. Maybe they're right. less

A stand-alone novella featuring the same characters as Rachel Abbott's best-selling novel, Stranger Child.Someone is looking for Tasha. But does she want to be found?Eight months ago Tasha Joseph ran away, and her stepmother, Emma, has been searching for her ever since. She is desperate to give Tasha the home and security she deserves. The problem is, Emma isn't the only one looking for Tasha. The police are keen to find her, too... moreA stand-alone novella featuring the same characters as Rachel Abbott's best-selling novel, Stranger Child.Someone is looking for Tasha. But does she want to be found?Eight months ago Tasha Joseph ran away, and her stepmother, Emma, has been searching for her ever since. She is desperate to give Tasha the home and security she deserves. The problem is, Emma isn't the only one looking for Tasha. The police are keen to find her, too. She could be a vital witness in a criminal trial, and DCI Tom Douglas has a team constantly on the lookout for her. But Tasha remains hidden, and nobody appears to have seen her.Suddenly the stakes are raised. Somebody is offering money - a lot of money - for information about Tasha's whereabouts. Tom and Emma know they have never been closer to finding the young girl. But they also recognize that she has never been closer to danger. Can they find her first?She can run - but for how long can she hide? less

When your life is a lie, who can you trust? When Maggie Taylor accepts a new job in Manchester, she is sure it is the right move for her family. The children have settled well although her husband, Duncan, doesn’t appear to be so convinced. But nothing prepares her for the shock of coming home from work one night to find that Duncan has disappeared, leaving their young children alone. His phone is dead, and she has no idea where he has gone, or why... moreWhen your life is a lie, who can you trust? When Maggie Taylor accepts a new job in Manchester, she is sure it is the right move for her family. The children have settled well although her husband, Duncan, doesn’t appear to be so convinced. But nothing prepares her for the shock of coming home from work one night to find that Duncan has disappeared, leaving their young children alone. His phone is dead, and she has no idea where he has gone, or why. And then she discovers she’s not the only one looking for him. When a woman who looks just like Maggie is brutally murdered and DCI Tom Douglas is brought in to investigate, Maggie realises how little she knows about Duncan’s past. Is he the man she loves? Who is he running from? She doesn’t have long to decide whether to trust him or betray him. Because one thing has been made clear to Maggie – another woman will die soon, and it might be her. Praise for Kill Me Again: 'This surpasses the previous novels; I was wowed by Kill Me Again on many different levels...' CleopatraLovesBooks “This one had me awake into the early hours….the twists and turns of the story absolutely gripped me – the pacing is relentless, the timing perfect – and at no point did I guess the unexpected and shocking conclusion. Edge-of-your-seat page turner certainly captures it for me. This was one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a while.” BeingAnneReading “What an incredibly thrilling read this was…An absolutely brilliant book which left me feeling completely exhausted with a twist right at the very end that I NEVER saw coming at all!” Kimthebookworm ‘Darkly complex…full of mystery, intrigue and well-paced action…It is exciting and engrossing and kept me up well past bedtime. I’ll be thinking about this story, and some of the issues it raises, for a long time. I believe it’s the author’s best book to date. Thoroughly recommended” Kath Middleton, Goodreads Praise for Rachel Abbott “Rachel Abbott will keep you guessing long into the night, and just as soon as you’ve figured it out…thing again!” Suspense Magazine “I was left speechless in the first chapter and couldn’t put it down for hours. Rachel is amazing at building tension and keeping you turning page after page” Crime Book Club “Absorbing, complex and brilliantly planned. 10/10.” Novelicious less

THE TRUTH HURTS – BUT LIES ARE DEADLYAfter eighteen months of grieving for her husband Bernie, killed in a horrific hit and run accident, Natalie Gray has found love with her husband’s best friend - Ed Cooper - and has moved herself and fifteen-year-old daughter, Scarlett, into his home. But Natalie begins to suspect Ed has a dark side - and even darker intentions.Desperate to get her daughter to a place of safety, she and Scarlett move to a new home that holds secrets of its own... moreTHE TRUTH HURTS – BUT LIES ARE DEADLYAfter eighteen months of grieving for her husband Bernie, killed in a horrific hit and run accident, Natalie Gray has found love with her husband’s best friend - Ed Cooper - and has moved herself and fifteen-year-old daughter, Scarlett, into his home. But Natalie begins to suspect Ed has a dark side - and even darker intentions.Desperate to get her daughter to a place of safety, she and Scarlett move to a new home that holds secrets of its own. But has removing Scarlett from one potential threat placed her in far greater danger?DCI Tom Douglas is also chasing the truth, as his investigation into the suicide of a teenage girl draws him ever closer to Natalie and Scarlett. But will he be too late to protect them from the peril they face, or from the truths that will tear their lives apart?Praise for The Sixth Window‘I am in awe of Rachel Abbott’s plotting! The Sixth Window is Abbott at her best’ Elizabeth Haynes, author of Into the Darkest Corner‘The tension that built throughout this book simply blew me away’ Angela Marsons, author of Silent Scream‘Masterly and compelling. I couldn't put it down until its heart-stopping conclusion.’ Robert Bryndza author of The Girl in the Ice less

They will be coming soon. They come every night.   Snow is falling softly as a young woman takes her last breath.   Fifteen miles away, two women sit silently in a dark kitchen. They don’t speak, because there is nothing left to be said.   Another woman boards a plane to escape the man who is trying to steal her life. But she will have to return, sooner or later.   These strangers have one thing in common. They each made one bad choice - and now they have no choices left... moreThey will be coming soon. They come every night.   Snow is falling softly as a young woman takes her last breath.   Fifteen miles away, two women sit silently in a dark kitchen. They don’t speak, because there is nothing left to be said.   Another woman boards a plane to escape the man who is trying to steal her life. But she will have to return, sooner or later.   These strangers have one thing in common. They each made one bad choice - and now they have no choices left. Soon they won’t be strangers, they’ll be family…   When DCI Tom Douglas is called to the cold, lonely scene of a suspicious death, he is baffled. Who is she? Where did she come from? How did she get there?   How many more must die? Who is controlling them, and how can they be stopped? less

Yesterday, Scott was dead.Today, he’s back.And Anna doesn’t believe in ghosts.Fourteen years ago Scott was Anna’s boyfriend. She loved him, but he ruined her life. When he died, she should have been free.But today Scott is on the radio, talking about her. Threatening to spill her secrets.Anna is a mother, a wife, and head teacher of a primary school. And she’s a very good liar. She has been lying about herself for so long, she doesn’t really know who she is any more... moreYesterday, Scott was dead.Today, he’s back.And Anna doesn’t believe in ghosts.Fourteen years ago Scott was Anna’s boyfriend. She loved him, but he ruined her life. When he died, she should have been free.But today Scott is on the radio, talking about her. Threatening to spill her secrets.Anna is a mother, a wife, and head teacher of a primary school. And she’s a very good liar. She has been lying about herself for so long, she doesn’t really know who she is any more.Anna used to think she was a good person. She made one stupid mistake, and now she is having to pay for it – over and over again.Scott is the only person who knows the truth about her past. But how can Scott be alive?Soon, DCI Tom Douglas is going to knock on her door looking for answers. But Anna is already running scared: from the man she used to love; the man she watched die all those years ago; the man who has come back to life.She has one week to find him. One week to stop him. less

Some doors should not be opened.Some can never be closed. Jo Palmer’s peaceful and happy life is about to end. Ash – the man she loves – will be arrested by the police.Millie – her precious daughter – will be taken from her. She will lose her friends.She will doubt her sanity. Someone is stealing everything Jo loves, and will stop at nothing. But right now, Jo is laughing in her kitchen, eating dinner with her family, suspecting nothing. It’s raining outside. There’s a knock on the door... moreSome doors should not be opened.Some can never be closed. Jo Palmer’s peaceful and happy life is about to end. Ash – the man she loves – will be arrested by the police.Millie – her precious daughter – will be taken from her. She will lose her friends.She will doubt her sanity. Someone is stealing everything Jo loves, and will stop at nothing. But right now, Jo is laughing in her kitchen, eating dinner with her family, suspecting nothing. It’s raining outside. There’s a knock on the door. They are here. A DCI Tom Douglas Thriller less