Ben Harper

Ben Harper's life changed for ever the day his older brother Nick was murdered by two classmates. It was a crime that shocked the nation and catapulted Ben's family and their idyllic hometown, Haddley, into the spotlight. Twenty years on, Ben is one of the best investigative journalists in the country and settled back in Haddley, thanks to the support of its close-knit community. But then a fresh murder case shines new light on his brother's death and throws suspicion on those closest to him.

JJournalist Ben Harper is on his way home when he sees the flames in the churchyard. The derelict community centre is on fire. And a boy is trapped inside. With Ben's help the boy escapes, only to flee the scene before he can identified. Now the small town of Haddley is abuzz with rumours. Was this an accident, or arson? Then a skeleton is found in the burnt-out foundations. And when the identity of the victim is revealed, Ben is confronted with a crime that is terrifyingly close to home.

More than a decade ago, Madeline Wilson established herself as one of the most controversial and successful figures in modern British media. Even so many years later, she is best remembered as the figure behind a twelve-month public campaign against a man the police failed to convict of murder, which ended in a re-trial and conviction for manslaughter. Now, he has just been released. After a night out in late February with her father, Sam, and Ben, Madeline is kidnapped. What follows is a chase, as Ben and Sam seek to uncover the kidnapper, and the truth behind the original case.

When journalist Ben Harper is asked to help re-examine an unsolved murder case from thirty years ago, he immediately agrees. It's not just that the victim was also a journalist, murdered after she'd published a series of shocking interviews with victims of domestic abuse. It's also that he understands all too well the need of victim's daughter, Doctor Uma Jha, for answers.