Chris Collett is an author whose crime fiction is deeply rooted in the everyday experiences of ordinary people. Her writing often explores the complexities of human nature and the unexpected turns life can take, drawing from a rich tapestry of past employments in seaside towns and factories. Now retired from lecturing, Collett brings her keen observational skills and understanding of diverse communities to her gripping narratives. She masterfully crafts compelling mysteries that resonate with readers through their authentic voice and intricate plotting.
When a man dies in a house fire, the investigating officers are left baffled as to whether the blaze was started deliberately. It's not the first time the Shah family has been targeted. At the same time, DI Mariner is searching for a missing bridegroom. Two seemingly unrelated investigations - but there is more to each case than meets the eye.
Just when he is prepared to take a well-earned leave of absence, DI Tom Mariner is called back to the case when six-week-old Jessica Klinnemann is abducted from a local day nursery. What at first appears to be a random kidnapping gradually reveals itself to be a meticulously planned operation. The motive remains unclear until Mariner discovers that the baby’s father works for a scientific research company that has long been the target of animal rights activists. A crude note seems to confirm that animal rights protesters were behind the scare, but just when Mariner thinks he’s solved the crime, one of the nursery workers is killed in a hit and run, and the case is blown wide open.