The woman's dark hair was spread out concealing her face, but her body was on display, her skin horribly white against the mud smeared over her in uneven patches like a ghastly spa treatment.

In the midst of a murder investigation surrounding the suspicious death of a sex worker in York, Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel finds herself facing a dual challenge.

Not only does she need to untangle the dark secrets behind the victim's demise, but she's also plagued by worry for her partner and colleague, Ian Peterson, who has mysteriously vanished.

As Steel grows closer to her new DS, Matthew, little does she know that Ian is deep undercover in the dangerous underworld of London.

His mission? To expose a criminal gang who have set their sights on targeting her.

Meanwhile, Ian's life hangs in the balance as a sadistic psychopath threatens his very existence. Failure could spell doom not only for Ian but also for Geraldine herself.

As the stakes reach a boiling point, Geraldine must navigate treacherous paths and face her own fears to unravel the truth.

Will she and Ian emerge unscathed from the shadows, or will their lives be irrevocably shattered?

Fans of Angela Marsons, Mel Sherratt, and Karin Slaughter will be captivated by this thrilling instalment in the Geraldine Steel series.