What happens to a town when a child disappears without a trace? Detective Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler is still grappling with the unresolved murder of a colleague when a call summons him back to the English cathedral town of Lafferton. A nine-year-old boy, David Angus, has been snatched from his own front gate. The police investigation is relentless, but as days turn into weeks, the boy’s family begins to unravel under the immense grief and suspicion. A haunting psychological mystery for fans of Ruth Rendell and P.D. James. In the second installment of Susan Hill's acclaimed British series, the town is rocked by multiple crises: The unraveling of a family: As the boy's disappearance wears on, the Angus family is torn apart by despair and secrets. The struggle for redemption: An ex-con, recently returned to Lafferton, finds it nearly impossible to escape his past and the prejudice of his community. A detective pushed to the edge: With pressure mounting and multiple tragedies closing in, Serrailler must navigate his own demons while trying to solve a seemingly unsolvable case. This isn't just a police procedural. It's a gripping exploration of human nature, a testament to the complexities of family, and a powerful look at how grief can tear lives apart.