A beautifully written and plotted police procedural from a rising star in the genre who has delivered a game-changing fourth book: 'Claire Askew takes us away from the obvious plot and asks us tantalising questions ... an absorbing, thought-provoking entry into crime fiction' - The Times

At 8am the first shots are fired.

At 1pm, the police establish the gunman has a hostage.

By 5pm, a siege is underway.

At 9pm, DI Helen Birch walks, alone and unarmed, into an abandoned Borders farmhouse to negotiate with the killer.

One day. One woman. One chance to get everyone out alive.

The outstanding new novel from the highly acclaimed author of All the Hidden Truths and What You Pay For - both shortlisted for the CWA Golden Dagger.