A Private Investigation
Will be published approx. on 20. August 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-80496-149-0 (ISBN)
Description
Get ready to be hooked by the fourth thrilling and atmospheric murder mystery from the million-copy-selling crime writer: DC Smith is ready to retire. But first, he must take one last look into the eyes of a serial killer...
'Pitch-perfect crime writing.' DAILY EXPRESS
'Had me gripped from the very start to the extremely satisfying ending.' ***** Reader Review
'Where has Peter Grainger been my whole life?' ***** Reader Review
'I read a LOT of murder mysteries and this series is one of the best!' ***** Reader Review
When fourteen-year-old Zoe Johnson doesn't come home on a Monday night in early December, the alarm bells in Kings Lake Central police station do not ring straight away - after all, she's from the Dockmills, one of the toughest estates in the town.
But for Detective Sergeant DC Smith, due to retire in just three weeks' time, there are some strange echoes of the case that has haunted him for the past thirteen years. Maybe it's simply his over-developed sense of irony, or maybe, in his final days as a police officer, Smith will once again come face-to-face with the worst criminal he ever put away.
'Ensconced in Kings Lake, in the company of Smith and his team, I didn't want to leave.' FINANCIAL TIMES
'The books are comforting, the writing is subtle and the plots are gripping.' THE TIMES
'Pitch-perfect crime writing.' DAILY EXPRESS
'Had me gripped from the very start to the extremely satisfying ending.' ***** Reader Review
'Where has Peter Grainger been my whole life?' ***** Reader Review
'I read a LOT of murder mysteries and this series is one of the best!' ***** Reader Review
When fourteen-year-old Zoe Johnson doesn't come home on a Monday night in early December, the alarm bells in Kings Lake Central police station do not ring straight away - after all, she's from the Dockmills, one of the toughest estates in the town.
But for Detective Sergeant DC Smith, due to retire in just three weeks' time, there are some strange echoes of the case that has haunted him for the past thirteen years. Maybe it's simply his over-developed sense of irony, or maybe, in his final days as a police officer, Smith will once again come face-to-face with the worst criminal he ever put away.
'Ensconced in Kings Lake, in the company of Smith and his team, I didn't want to leave.' FINANCIAL TIMES
'The books are comforting, the writing is subtle and the plots are gripping.' THE TIMES
Reviews / Votes
If you love British crime fiction such as Morse, then this is a brilliant series for you. -- ***** Reader Review I read a LOT of murder mysteries and this series is one of the best! -- ***** Reader Review An excellent, intelligent and believable crime series which just gets better. -- ***** Reader Review Had me gripped from the very start to the extremely satisfying ending. -- ***** Reader Review Engaging characters, intriguing plots and occasional humour make for a page-turning read. -- ***** Reader ReviewMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Cornerstone
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
500 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80496-149-0 (9781804961490)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Peter Grainger is the 'creator of the greatest fictional sleuth you've probably never heard of' (FT magazine). A former sixth-form English teacher, Peter is the author of 23 self-published novels, 19 of which are now scheduled for release by major British and North American publishers.
Peter lives with his wife, sometimes a grandson and a dog in a cottage in the Cambridgeshire fens. He travels as often as possible to the Norfolk coast he once called home.
Peter lives with his wife, sometimes a grandson and a dog in a cottage in the Cambridgeshire fens. He travels as often as possible to the Norfolk coast he once called home.