Black Summer

Synopsis

'A brutal and thrilling page-turner' The Sun

'Compelling' Heat

'The best pure mystery plot of the year' Morning Star

'Gleefully gory and witty, with a terrific sense of place' Sunday Mirror
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After The Puppet Show, a new storm is coming . . .

Jared Keaton, chef to the stars. Charming. Charismatic. Psychopath . . . He's currently serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of his daughter, Elizabeth. Her body was never found and Keaton was convicted largely on the testimony of Detective Sergeant Washington Poe.

So when a young woman staggers into a remote police station with irrefutable evidence that she is Elizabeth Keaton, Poe finds himself on the wrong end of an investigation, one that could cost him much more than his career.

Helped by the only person he trusts, the brilliant but socially awkward Tilly Bradshaw, Poe races to answer the only question that matters: how can someone be both dead and alive at the same time?

And then Elizabeth goes missing again - and all paths of investigation lead back to Poe.

The gripping new thriller in the Washington Poe series from M. W. Craven, winner of the CWA Gold Dagger Award for best crime novel of 2019.

*Longlisted for the Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger 2020*

Praise for MIKE CRAVEN

'Dark, sharp and compelling' PETER JAMES

'Fantastic' MARTINA COLE

'Britain's answer to Harry Bosch' MATT HILTON

'A powerful thriller from an explosive new talent' DAVID MARK

'Truly mind-blowing' A. A. Dhand

'A book that shines with tension, wit and invention' William Shaw

'Washington Poe - a rising giant in detective fiction' Alison Bruce

'A twisty thriller with a killer plot Ed James

'I loved this book!' Jo Jakeman

'One of the best British crime novels I've read in a long time . . . Simply an unputdownable page-turner' Nick Oldham

'Grabs you from the very first page. A dark and brilliantly twisted crime thriller' Colin Falconer

'Dark and twisted in all the right places' Robert Scragg

'In Tilly and Poe, MW Craven has created a stand-out duo who are two of the most compelling characters in crime fiction in recent years' Fiona Cummins

'Dark, thrilling and unputdownable' Victoria Selman

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Summary

Chapter 1:

* Summary: The chapter introduces Molly and her family: her husband, Max, and their two children, Millie and Lewis. Molly is a busy stay-at-home mom who struggles to balance her responsibilities. The family is nearing the end of a hot summer and tensions are high as Molly feels overwhelmed.
* Example: "Molly sighed as she glanced at the clock. It was already 3 pm and she had a mountain of tasks left to do: laundry, meal prep, and tidying up the house. She couldn't help but feel a sense of inadequacy as the days seemed to slip away."

Chapter 2:

* Summary: Molly's frustration boils over when Max dismisses her concerns about their finances and Millie's school performance. She leaves the house in a fit of anger, walking aimlessly through the neighborhood.
* Example: "Molly's temper flared. 'You don't listen to me,' she shouted. 'You always act like my worries don't matter!' With that, she stormed out of the house, tears streaming down her face."

Chapter 3:

* Summary: As Molly walks, she encounters Sarah, an old friend from high school. Sarah offers her a lifeline, inviting Molly to join her for a coffee. They reminisce about the past and Molly confides in Sarah about her struggles.
* Example: "Sarah listened patiently as Molly poured out her heart. She offered sympathetic words and a shoulder to cry on. Molly felt a glimmer of hope that she wasn't alone in her struggles."

Chapter 4:

* Summary: Molly and Sarah continue to meet regularly for coffee, providing each other with support and encouragement. Molly begins to realize that she needs to prioritize her own well-being and learn to set boundaries.
* Example: "Molly made a conscious effort to schedule time for herself each day, even if it was just for a short walk or a bubble bath. She also started saying 'no' when she felt overwhelmed."

Chapter 5:

* Summary: Molly's newfound self-care routine improves her relationships with her family. She is more patient and understanding with Max and the children, and they in turn are more responsive to her needs.
* Example: "Max noticed the positive changes in Molly's demeanor. He made an effort to be more attentive and supportive, helping out more with the household chores and showing his appreciation for Molly's efforts."

Chapter 6:

* Summary: Molly and Sarah decide to start a small business together, using their combined talents and interests. The venture not only provides them with financial stability but also a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
* Example: "They launched an online Etsy store, selling handmade jewelry and other crafts. To their surprise, their products quickly gained popularity, providing them with a steady income and a creative outlet."

Chapter 7:

* Summary: Molly and her family experience a transformative summer. The challenges they faced brought them closer together and helped them to grow as individuals. The "black summer" becomes a time of renewal and rebirth.
* Example: "As the summer drew to a close, Molly and her family reflected on the past few months. They had learned the importance of communication, support, and self-care. They faced the future with a newfound resilience and a deeper appreciation for the bonds that united them."