A stunning debut - part psychological thriller, part detective novel - from a powerful and distinctive new voice.The murder of a first-year university student shocks the city of Durham. The victim, Emily Brabents, was from the privileged and popular set at Joyce College, a cradle for the country's future elite.As Detective Inspector Erica Martin investigates the college, she finds a close-knit community fuelled by jealousy, obsession and secrets. But the very last thing she expects is an instant confession . . .The picture of Emily that begins to emerge is that of a girl wanted by everyone, but not truly known by anyone. Anyone, that is, except Daniel Shepherd. Her fellow student, ever-faithful friend and the only one who cares. The only one who would do anything for her . . .* * *Praise for Bitter Fruits:'There is a gripping, economic precision in this highly charged thriller.'Ralph Fiennes'Grabbed me from the first page and wouldn't let go. A compelling read, beautifully written ... A tense, captivating tale, brilliantly told'Rachel Abbott'Once I started reading it I couldn't stop. A brilliantly plotted and utterly gripping thriller.' Emma Kavanagh'Superbly gripping ... A very assured page-turning storm I read in one sitting.'Stav Sherez'A psychological police procedural ... An intelligent and thrilling debut.'Peter Guttridge, author and former Observer crime critic'Intriguing and sinister with masterful plotting and tension. A bittersweet read by a new crime author I can't wait to read again.' Mel Sherratt'A thought-provoking, atmospheric and emotional page turning thriller - brimming with mystery and suspense. I absolutely loved this novel, and devoured it from cover to cover.'Paul Pilkington
A tense and powerful police procedural set in the city of Durham where a murdered preacher may be more monstrous than his own killer.
There's the lost.
There's the missing.
And there's the taken.
She asked me once if we had any secrets, and I shook my head.
'No secrets between us,' she said.
'No,' I answered. 'Never ever.'
In a Durham hotel at dawn, celebrated preacher Tristan Snow is murdered as he prays. None of the other guests - not even his daughter, his wife, or her sister - saw or heard anything.
But then again, they all had a motive for murder.
Detective Inspector Erica Martin is confronted by secrets and lies, lost in a case where nothing is what it seems.
With no answers, DI Martin is consumed by questions: Is anyone in this family innocent? When the victim might have been a monster - is there such a thing as justice? And does anyone deserve to die?
Praise for Alice Clark-Platts:
'Had me on the edge of my sun lounger. Excellent plotting and a genuinely unguessable resolution to the mystery'
Sophie Hannah
'Grabbed me from the first page and wouldn't let go. A compelling read, beautifully written ... A tense, captivating tale, brilliantly told'
Rachel Abbott
'A gripping, highly charged thriller'
Ralph Fiennes
'A brilliantly plotted and utterly gripping thriller'
Emma Kavanagh
'Superb ... A very assured page-turning storm I read in one sitting'
Stav Sherez
'Intriguing and sinister with masterful plotting and tension'
Mel Sherratt
