Cry Baby

Its 1996. Detective Sergeant Tom Thorne is a haunted man. Haunted by the moment he ignored his instinct about a suspect, by the horrific crime that followed and by the memories that come day and night, in sunshine and shadow.

So when seven-year-old Kieron Coyne goes missing while playing in the woods with his best friend, Thorne vows he will not make the same mistake again. Cannot.

The solitary witness. The strange neighbour. The friendly teacher. All are in Thornes sights.

This case will be the making of him . . . or the breaking.

The gripping prequel to Mark Billinghams acclaimed debut, Sleepyhead, Cry Baby is the shocking first case for one of British crime fictions most iconic detectives.

Cry Baby is the perfect prequel to send us back to revel in Tom Thornes twenty years. As if we needed reminding how good Mark Billingham is
VAL MCDERMID

Tom Thorne is one of the most credible and engaging heroes in contemporary crime fiction. Mark Billingham is a master of psychology, plotting and the contemporary scene - making the Thorne novels the complete package. Twenty years in and better than ever
IAN RANKIN

Mark Billingham is one the biggest names in crime fiction and one the genres most formidable talents
PETER JAMES

Billingham is always a must read
HARLAN COBEN