When journalist Kate Waters finds out a baby’s skeleton has been excavated on a building site in Woolwich, London, she is compelled to discover the truth of its past. During her research, she learns of a cold case from the late 70s, where a baby had been stolen from a maternity ward. Digging deeper, Kate becomes heavily engrossed in the network of characters whose secrets can uncover more truth than she anticipated.

The story alternates from Kate’s perspective to Angela, the mother of the missing baby from the 70s, and Emma, a distressed middle-aged woman with a haunting past and ‘daddy’ issues. The number of narrators increases as more secrets are unveiled, increasing the complexity of the unsolved crime.

It’s a gift to be able to frame a crime thriller in such a way that isn’t predictable and doesn’t reveal too much too soon.

From the outset, this book propels you to read just that one page further even when you’re on the verge of sleep and it’s gone midnight. The author’s description of the moment Angela realises her baby has been kidnapped during one tiny moment when she was at her most vulnerable radiates frantic desperation and unimaginable heartbreak. I was subconsciously trying to read faster as I yearned to discover the next clue that could lead to Angela’s closure and fulfil my underlying need to know the truth. Barton’s journalistic style captivates readers in a way that invites them to uncover the case.

This was definitely a suspenseful, thrilling read and wraps up with a satisfying ending that would wrench any reader’s heartstrings. Although it is a solid standalone novel, it has ignited my interest to pick up a copy of the novel’s prequel The Widow which also features Kate Waters.

Reviewed by Rosie Bisset