Better Off Dead: An unmissable Liverpool set police procedural novel from a rising star in crime thriller fiction

A body is unearthed after decades, leading Liverpudlian detective duo DCI de Silva and DS Barclay to hunt a vengeful killer whose victims’ pasts would be better left buried. BLACK WATER RISING SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2025 MCDERMIT DEBUT AWARD 'Sean Watkin brings Liverpool to life in all its rich dark colours' Val McDermid Some secrets are best left buried. The emotional fallout from their last case has left DCI de Silva and DS Barclay's lives in tatters. Barclay's marriage has failed and de Silva is still haunted by the loss of her husband and wondering whether she ever really knew him. When the National Crime Agency takes over their investigation, the duo are reassigned to a cold case. A dismembered body found in Formby woods. Hidden for decades. And then, another body is discovered. As they dig deeper into the identities of the victims, they uncover a tangled web of awful crimes. And they learn that they can't trust anyone even those closest to them. A dark and gritty crime thriller, perfect for fans of Luca Veste, M. W. Craven and Russ Thomas.