Highly recommended.
Totally gripped me from the first chapters and I flew through this excellent thriller just what I've come to expect from this brilliant author.
I'm already looking forward to the next book by Alex North.
Thanks to Netgalley and Michael Joseph Penguin Random House for the ARC.

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up

The half burnt house is a sprawling mansion, fire burned at the top, leaking and open to the elements. It’s belongs to wealthy retired philosophy professor Alan Hobbes who has been brutally murdered, the investigation led by DI Laurence Page. Page has a multitude of questions not least why Hobbes has been murdered and obviously who by but also why the murdered man has an obsession with infamous local serial killer, Jack Locke. He wonders too why a wealthy man would choose to live a spartan existence in a partially ruined house? Evidence suggests there is a connection to Christopher Shaw who 17 years ago as a loner of a teenager is brutally attacked and though badly wounded he survives but inevitably carries deep scars. The incident has far-reaching consequences not least the guilt carried by his sister Katie who feels she lets him down. Katie is determined not to repeat this but in her wildest dreams she never conceives of the danger her brother is in.

Phew, what a rollercoaster, twisted sister read though with Alex North as the author it’s not entirely unexpected! He always gives the reader meaty plots and this one is accompanied by all the side dishes! It’s a very clever complex plot which forces you to think especially as lurking at the deep dark black hole at the centre of it are some thought provoking philosophical ideas. These are intelligently woven into the storyline, it’s a fascinating aspect which also deepens the mystery which becomes increasingly intriguing and baffles the investigators.

The characterisation is very good, you witness the changes in Chris, the bravery of Katie, the intelligence of Page and two who personify good versus evil. The latter giving us many moments that are chilling with freezing tingles going up and down the spine. There are some seriously scary moments and there’s one where I nearly jump out of my skin! The atmosphere is claustrophobic, it’s very intense with many moments of heart pounding tension. It even feels a bit Gothic in places reinforced by the appearance and atmosphere of the half burnt house.

Through the police investigation you grow to understand that what seems to be several disparate layers are in actual fact all connected. A gigantic jigsaw puzzle begins to fit together and you perceive the audacious whole. I like how it ends, it does feel right but it does leave me wanting a tad more though I do enjoy how it leaves you pondering. In fact, many there’s much here that I’ll keep thinking on …..

Overall, I think this is another exceptionally good novel by a talented author. It challenges you as well as keeps you reading on, gripped in the depths of an engrossing and intelligent plot.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.