The Long Shadow

Synopsis

Times Book of the Month: a spine-chilling classic festive Christmas crime mystery from beloved author of Waterstones Thriller of the Month, Uncle Paul.

'Brilliant ... Such clever, witty writing.' Elly Griffiths
'Fremlin packs a punch.' Ian Rankin
'A master of suspense.' Janice Hallett
'Glorious ... Got me hooked.' Ruth Rendell

Jolted from sleep by the ringing of the telephone, Imogen stumbles through the dark, empty house to answer it. At first, she can't quite understand the man on the other end of the line. Surely he can't honestly be accusing her of killing her husband, Ivor, who died in a car crash barely two months ago.

As the nights draw in, Imogen finds her home filling up with unexpected guests, who may be looking for more than simple festive cheer. Has someone been rifling through Ivor's papers? Who left the half-drunk whiskey bottle beside his favourite chair? And why won't that man stop phoning, insisting he can prove Imogen's guilt ..?

'Beautifully written . . . Fremlin's sly, subtly feminist take on the ghost story is a gem.' Sunday Times
'Reads as if it were written yesterday ... Makes you laugh, smile or wince in recognition on virtually every page ... This clever, clear-eyed mystery is the perfect antidote to the often fake bonhomie of the festive season.' Times Book of the Month
'Barbara Pym with arsenic.' Clare Chambers
'A genius.' Nicola Upson

Summary

Chapter 1: The Shadow of the Past

Summary:

Introduces the protagonist, Nick Curran, a private investigator haunted by a tragedy from his past. He is hired by a wealthy widow, Helen Cross, to investigate the disappearance of her husband, Charles. Nick's investigation leads him to a dilapidated mansion, where he discovers a shocking secret: Charles was involved in a satanic cult.

Example:

"The wind howled through the open window, sending a chill down Nick's spine. He stared at the crumbling walls of the abandoned mansion, remembering the horrors he'd witnessed there. The shadow of that night lingered in his memory, a haunting reminder of the darkness that lurked beneath the surface."

Chapter 2: The Ritual of Shadows

Summary:

Nick delves deeper into the investigation and uncovers a sinister plot involving the cult. He learns that Charles was murdered during a ritual and his blood was used to summon a demonic entity. Nick races against time to stop the cult before they unleash the demon upon the world.

Example:

"The candles flickered in the darkness, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Nick watched as the cultists gathered around a pentagram, chanting in an unknown language. The air crackled with energy as the scent of incense filled the room."

Chapter 3: The Enigma of the Raven

Summary:

Nick discovers that a mysterious figure known as "The Raven" is involved in the cult's activities. The Raven is an enigmatic master of the occult who possesses immense power. Nick suspects that he may be the mastermind behind the disappearance of Charles.

Example:

"The Raven peered at Nick from beneath his hooded cloak, his eyes glowing an unnerving crimson. 'You cannot stop what is coming,' he hissed. 'The darkness will consume you all.'"

Chapter 4: The Hunt for the Raven

Summary:

Nick teams up with a fellow investigator, Sergeant Jay Powell, to track down The Raven. Their search leads them to a secret lair where they confront the cult's leader, a charismatic and powerful warlock. Nick must use all his resources and cunning to defeat the warlock and expose the Raven's true identity.

Example:

"Lightning flashed across the sky as Nick and Jay stormed the lair. Guns drawn, they faced off against the warlock. Nick hurled a fireball, but the warlock deflected it with a flick of his wrist."

Chapter 5: The Final Shadow

Summary:

Nick confronts The Raven in a climactic showdown. He learns that The Raven is actually his own father, who had been possessed by a demon. With the help of a mysterious ally, Nick banishes the demon and frees his father from its grip. The long shadow of the past is finally lifted, clearing the way for a new dawn.

Example:

"Nick stared into his father's eyes, no longer filled with darkness. 'It's over,' he whispered. 'The shadow is gone.'"