A gripping standalone thriller from the "first-rate British crime writer" and internationally bestselling author of the Tom Thorne novels (The Washington Post).

Alice Armitage is a police officer. Or she was.

Or perhaps she just imagines she was.

Whatever the truth is, following a debilitating bout of PTSD, self-medication with drink and drugs, and a psychotic breakdown, Alice is now a long-term patient in an acute psychiatric ward.

When one of her fellow patients is murdered, Alice becomes convinced that she has identified the killer and that she can catch them. Ignored by the police, she begins her own investigation. But when her prime suspect becomes the second victim, Alice's life begins to unravel still further as she realizes that she cannot trust anyone, least of all herself.

Praise for Mark Billingham and the Tom Thorne novels

"Morse, Rebus, and now Thorne. The next superstar detective is already with us―don't miss him." —Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher series

"Billingham is a world-class writer and Tom Thorne is a wonderful creation. Rush to read these books." —Karin Slaughter, international bestselling author

"With each of his books, Mark Billingham gets better and better. These are stories and characters you don't want to leave." —Michael Connelly, author of the Harry Bosch series

"Mark Billingham has brought a rare and welcome blend of humanity, dimension, and excitement to the genre." —George Pelecanos, writer and producer of The Wire

"Tom Thorne is one of the most credible and engaging heroes in contemporary crime fiction." —Ian Rankin, author of the Inspector Rebus novels and The Travelling Companion