In the early hours of the morning DI Mark Tartaglia is sent to a London hotel to investigate the murder of a young woman. When he recognises the victim, the case takes a dark and personal turn.

Another case he has been investigating - the body of a homeless man found in a burnt out car - is also not what it seems. Tests reveal that the body has been assembled from the parts of four different people.

Tartaglia now has a far more macabre puzzle to solve. With the clock ticking, and torn between the two investigations, he must decide where his priorities lie.

Elena Forbes grew up in London. After completing a degree in French and Italian at Bristol University, she worked in portfolio management for a number of international groups before becoming a full-time writer. She lives in central London with her husband and two children. Previous books featuring DI Mark Tartaglia and DS Sam Donovan are Die With Me, Our Lady of Pain and Evil in Return.

'For Tartaglia fans it is a worthy addition to the now four-book series. For others it is an engrossing read. Verdict: Absolute page-turner.' Courier Mail

'Complicated, but a compelling if somewhat gruesome read.' Otago Daily Times