When the bones of a child are discovered deep inside a cave, the occult behaviors of a quasi environmental commune are exposed. Is human sacrifice a part of their rituals? With the solstice fast approaching, DI Blackwell and her new partner race against time to uncover their secrets and save the life of another child.This case sees the return to work after maternity leave for Louise and with the pressures of child care and the case, she has some personal decisions to make.

This is the seventh in the DI Louise Blackwell series. Although it is the fourth one I have read, it does work as a standalone. It is yet another fast paced, well plotted addition to the series.

I like the character of Louise, a strong female leader. Fans of British police procedurals will enjoy this book and want to read some of the prior in the series

A thrilling page turner as you would expect from this author, who hasn't let me down yet when it comes to a good thriller. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.

DI Louise Blackwell is returning to the police force after maternity leave. Two cavers have found some bones which are found to belong to a child that disappeared some years ago. There's a cult which claims its members just want to get back to nature, but Louise and her colleague from London, DI Pepperstone, think there is something more sinister going on. As horrifying as it seems, could these people be sacrificing children? Louise will stop at nothing to find the truth. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This gripping story had me addicted from page one. It is the harrowing tale of the historic murder of a young boy with the possibility that this heinous crime is only one in a series of human sacrifices. The fact that there is a suggestion that these murders are still being carried out meant that the book started at a gallop and the pace never let up throughout the story. It is one in a series of police procedurals but could easily be read as a standalone. Be warned though,, as soon as you finish with this read you will be looking to purchase the author's back catalogue.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book