The Girl in the Grave

An unputdownable crime thriller with nail-biting suspense

‘I loved this book… Sucks you in on the first page and doesn’t let you go until the climactic end… kept me hanging on to every word.’ Bonnie’s Book Talk, 5 stars

She lies so still. A tatty yellow dress, chipped green nail varnish, long eyelashes on pale skin. She should be at a sleepover, not lying in the dirt, her last breath already taken...

When the body of teenager, Chantal Price, is found hidden inside a grave, crushed under the weight of a coffin in a small-town cemetery in The Lake District, an urgent call is made to Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams. In hiding since an attempt on her own life, all Beth’s instincts tell her that it’s a trap, that she should run for safety. But one look at the beautiful girl’s broken body confirms she’s the only one with the expertise to crack this disturbing case.

As threatening gifts start arriving at her home, Beth is faced with the reality that Chantal’s killer knows about her past and wants her attention. She has no choice but to throw herself into her work, trawling through the evidence until she finds tiny traces of material beneath the victim’s fingernails that set the team on the right path. But this critical lead comes at a dangerous price, exposing Beth’s whereabouts and dragging her back into the line of fire once again.

With Beth’s own life on the line, the investigation is already cracking under the pressure. But this time Beth won’t run – she owes it to Chantal.

Then another local girl goes missing…

An absolutely gripping new crime thriller that will grab fans of Patricia Gibney, LJ Ross and Angela Marsons from the very first page and leave them gasping for breath by the last.

Readers adore The Girl in the Grave!

‘Outstanding… Well plotted, gripping in the true sense of the word and a real thriller. This story grabbed me from page one and held me all the way through. One of my favourite summer reads to date!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘It was nail biting... I was completely blindsided when the truth was finally revealed… I loved the speed with which I turned the pages… I want book 2 as soon as possible.’ Book Reviews by Shalini, 5 stars

‘A humdinger of a Crime Thriller that grabs you and draws you in from the brilliantly written and powerful opening scene to the nail-biting, butt-clenching finale… Fabulous first in the series, tightly plotted, gritty narrative and very believable, engaging characters… I look forward to more in the series - loved it and would certainly recommend.’ Netgalley reviewer, 5 stars

‘Oh wow! This is such a gripping read, I was hooked from the first page.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Fabulous start to a new series… the pace just doesn’t let… the wonderful Helen Phifer has a knack of drawing you in to a story with characters… for the life of me I couldn’t work out who the perpetrator was!!… this is definitely going to be a winner!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘A one in a million… it’s written well and feels truly original… it’s like nothing I’ve read before. So excited for the next one!’ Netgalley reviewer, 5 stars

‘An intriguing story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Lots of twists that will keep you guessing… will keep you turning the pages!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Started with a bang and just kept going! The twists kept coming, so I couldn't put it down. I cannot wait to read more from this author!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars