A flood is coming to the historic West Midlands city of Shrewsbury. After days of relentless rain, the raging River Severn is an unstoppable force, sweeping through twisty streets and closed doors — where it’s about to dredge up the darkest of secrets . . .Coroner and single mum Martha Gunn is trudging through Tesco when she gets the call.The police have found a body. A John Doe floating in a riverside cottage. Whoever this man is, he’s been dead a while. Left to rot in the cottage’s mouldering cellar.But nature has a way of revealing what people try to bury.Martha’s family dinner will have to wait. Instead, she finds herself standing in a mortuary — the corpse laid out for her like a puzzle the police can’t solve.Only Martha can piece together the truth behind the poor man’s death.
But all her clinical expertise can’t prepare her for what comes next.A funeral wreath — left on Martha’s own doorstep.A warning meant for her and her twelve-year-old twins if she doesn’t leave this case — murky as the filthy floodwaters — well alone . . .Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Aline Templeton, Silent Witness and Patricia Cornwell, this fiendishly twisty and atmospheric crime thriller is sure to keep you turning the pages late into the night.Please note, this book was previously published as River Deep.WHAT EVERYONE IS SAYING ABOUT THE MARTHA GUNN MYSTERIES:‘A simmering mystery, set in a seemingly peaceful town in England . . . A tense page-turner.’ Midwest Book Review‘There is no better exponent of the female detective novel in England than Priscilla Masters.’ Julian Symans, bestselling author‘Masters packs strength after strength into this book. From the atmospheric city of Shrewsbury . . . to a plot that twists and turns . . . to a strong-willed main character.’ Kittling Books⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Compelling . . . I had to keep on until I finished.’ Damaskcat, Goodreads⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Ho, Priscilla, where have you been hiding! A very clever story . . . keeps you reading until the last page.’ David, Goodreads⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Priscilla Masters always delivers.’ Valerie, Goodreads⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I loved this book, particularly Martha Gunn . . . a strong woman alone, raising her family.’ H. E.
Patterson, Amazon⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A totally captivating plot [that] hooks you and never lets go!’ Nelson, AmazonMEET THE SLEUTHForty-something coroner Martha Gunn knows a thing or two about grief. After the sudden death of her husband, it’s defined her in ways she never imagined. Martha’s twin children were toddlers at the time. Now, a pair of secretive and sulky pre-teens, they have the knack of making Martha feel like an outsider in her own home. Dry-humoured, incisive and relentlessly curious, Martha’s mind is sharp as any scalpel. When DI Alex Randall seeks her insight on a murder case, she can’t resist getting involved — professionally and maybe personally?THE SETTINGWelcome to Shrewsbury, an ancient market town that will always be defined by its past.
The River Severn encircles it on all sides, making it feel like a medieval island frozen in time. With its timbered buildings, narrow lanes and steep streets, its streets are layered with centuries of history. It might seem peaceful at first glance. But a place this old is bound to have its secrets. And they won’t stay hidden forever . . .
