"A PERFECT DAY. A TWISTED CRIME.
THE AWARD-WINNING JAKE JACKSON SERIES RETURNS…
'This series is irresistible' LEE CHILD
'Atmospheric and chilling' ELLY GRIFFITHS
'Totally immersive' ANN CLEEVES
'My favourite new crime series' LUCY FOLEY
'Highly recommend' KARIN SLAUGHTER
A beautiful summer day
When young nurse Claire Davidson goes missing on the riverbank, the only clues left behind are her phone and shoes.
A mystery that sweeps the nation
People disappear all the time, but this case sparks an online frenzy. Amateur investigators descend on the rural idyll. Is Claire Davidson just the story of a swim that went wrong, or could there be truth to the conspiracies?
A killer growing bolder
Then another woman is discovered dead in the river. Jake Jackson, a former detective who came to the countryside searching for peace, must investigate before more lives are lost.
What readers are saying about A Twist in the River
'A great read that moves along quickly' 5 stars
'Well written with believable characters and a fast moving plot' 5 stars
'In the crowded market of crime drama, and murder mysteries, these Jake Jackson books are refreshingly different' 5 stars
'I love the beautiful descriptions of Little Sky' 5 stars
'Reading this book is like visiting family, as you get to know all the characters so well' 5 stars
'An engaging read, well paced and peopled with interesting characters' 5 stars
'I love hearing the adventures of Jake and these books always gives me a sense of calm' 5 stars
'A must-read for anyone seeking an immersive and intelligent crime novel' 5 stars
'Very engaging, well written and very atmospheric – I couldn't put it down' 5 stars"
"'This series is irresistible' LEE CHILD
‘An immersive, intelligent delight' LUCY FOLEY
'The Jake Jackson books get better and better' ELLY GRIFFITHS
‘Highly recommend’ KARIN SLAUGHTER
'A pleasure' BERNARD CORNWELL
A beautiful landscape…
It began as the project of a lifetime. A group of archaeologists uncovering the remains of a Roman settlement in the English countryside.
A looming threat…
But strange threatening letters shatter the idyll, and former detective Jake Jackson is pulled in to investigate.
A killer closing in…
Then a murder. And now the race is on for Jake to find the killer, before they strike again…
READERS LOVE THE BURIAL PLACE…
‘Unputdownable’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I’m getting withdrawal symptoms already and looking forward to another book coming out. Soon please!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A mysterious thriller that is both beautiful and terrifying at the same time’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A brilliant book that any mystery fan will love’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘The descriptions blow my mind, and make me want to live off the grid in a small village somewhere’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Compelling and didn’t want it to end!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A gripping and atmospheric thriller that delves into the darker aspects of human nature. Abell’s writing is sharp, with an engaging narrative that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I'm rapidly becoming a big fan of this series! It's beautifully drawn, the setting is fantastic and the personal relationships just work for me. Can't wait for the next one’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Kept me up at night as I read just one more chapter’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I have loved all the books set in Little Sky but I really enjoyed this one set against an archaeological dig’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Bucket loads of atmosphere on every page from the suspicious letters, the ancient artefacts, the strange and eerie folly and the unprovoked attacks’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘The story moves apace and there are twists that will have you suspecting everyone in turn!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Intriguing from the start’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘My first 5-star read of 2025’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"
"A beautifully written new crime thriller you won’t want to miss.
In a beautiful village, a terrible storm is brewing…
A rural paradise…
Detective Jake Jackson moved to the countryside for a quieter life.
A shocking secret…
But the return of an old case shatters the calm, and pulls him into a shadowy group that caters to the darkest desires of the rich and famous.
An enemy closes in…
As the web around Jake tightens, he's about to learn just how far some people will go to protect their secrets.
Praise for Death in a Lonely Place…
‘Loved this. Multiple layers of delight for crime fiction fans’ Lee Child, creator of Jack Reacher
‘Abell is a skilled storyteller and it’s easy to fall into the pages of Death in a Lonely Place. Highly recommend’ Karin Slaughter, creator of Will Trent
'An immersive, intelligent delight with huge atmosphere and heart. My favourite new crime series' Lucy Foley, author of The Paris Apartment
'Utterly beautiful descriptive prose that brings Jake Jackson's world to life’ Jane Casey, author of the Maeve Kerrigan series
‘A darkly elegant, thrilling, escapist slice of countryside crime’ Chris Whitaker, author of We Begin at the End
‘A wonderful tale, magnificently told’ Sam Holland, author of The Echo Man
‘Beautifully written, as ever, and with a twist that truly knocked me sideways’ Andrew Taylor, author of The Ashes of London
'Very recommendable' Financial Times
'It is a pleasure to be back in the company of Jackson and co’ Observer
Readers are saying…
'One of my most anticipated books of 2024 and it was everything I hoped for' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Smart and twisty and ultimately very satisfying' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Stig Abell has such a wonderful way with words, it enthralled me throughout' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'An absolute joy to read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Beautifully written … with an unusual and clever plot' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I cannot express just how much I am looking forward to the next in the series!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Highly recommend to anyone who loves a good crime detective series where the characters become like old friends' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'It's a cracker!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I couldn't put it down. It's full of red herrings and so many twists which had me engrossed' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"
"The stunningly written, atmospheric new debut crime thriller you won’t want to miss!
Winner of the 2024 CrimeFest Debut Crime Novel of the Year!
A detective ready for a new life
Jake Jackson, high-flying ex-city detective, inherits a rural retreat from his reclusive uncle. It’s the perfect chance to start anew.
A death that disrupts everything
But then the local annual treasure hunt spirals into terror when a young woman’s bones are discovered. Suddenly, Jake is back to being a detective, as he tries to unearth a dangerous killer in this most unlikely of settings.
Praise for Death Under a Little Sky
‘Tense but patient, fast but thoughtful, and twisty but substantial – this is a truly excellent debut, and I want the next installment now’ Lee Child
‘I LOVED this. I found it totally immersive, and couldn’t wait to squeeze some time from my day to return to it. The writing is very classy and the conclusion came as a surprise, which is always a treat’ Ann Cleeves
‘Gloriously atmospheric and masterfully plotted with such a strong sense of place, this is a huge treat for crime fiction lovers. I can’t wait for the next instalment!’ Lucy Foley
‘Stylish…a more than promising debut’ The Times
‘Stylishly written by a skilled wordsmith, and an absorbing tale’ Sun
‘A vivid, atmospheric debut’ Daily Mail
‘A cosy crime read with an appealing protagonist’ Guardian"
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