Dancing with the Virgins - Softcover

Booth, Stephen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 095723791X ISBN 13: 9780957237919

Publisher: Westlea Books, 2012

Synopsis

A tense psychological thriller, the sequel to Stephen Booth's stunning debut BLACK DOG, featuring young Derbyshire police detectives Ben Cooper and Diane Fry.

In a remote part of England's Peak District stand the Nine Virgins, a ring of stones overshadowed by a dark legend. Now, as winter closes in, a tenth figure is added to the circle - the body of Jenny Weston is discovered, her limbs arranged so she appears to be dancing.

Weeks earlier another woman had been attacked on the moors. Maggie Crew was found by a local farmer's wife, severely traumatized, her face savagely cut open. Is there a maniac on the loose, knifing women at random?

Unlocking the memories trapped in Maggie's mind is now a matter of utmost urgency for the detectives of Derbyshire 'E' Division. But while DS Diane Fry attempts to draw out the truth, DC Ben Cooper is left with too many lines of enquiry leading to too few answers.

As they struggle to make sense of a murder that seems motiveless, it becomes clear that the moors have witnessed more bloodshed than either Ben or Diane could imagine. And there is more to come before an answer can be found...

*Winner of the Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel of the Year 2001

*Finalist for the CWA Gold Dagger Award for Best Crime Novel of 2001

"An atmospheric, psychological stunner." - The Bookseller

"Convoluted, suspenseful and supremely engaging. Booth has done a wonderful job." - Los Angeles Times

"Another first-rate mystery. Booth is particularly good at creating credible characters." - Sunday Telegraph

"Booth's canny and deceptively smooth overturning of conventional expectations lifts this book well above the crowd." - Houston Chronicle

"Even more demanding, more substantial, and more knowing about the darkest recesses of the heart." - Kirkus Reviews

"A dark, tense, always gripping novel. The writing is wonderful." - Sherlock Magazine

"Highly recommended - a great series!" - Seattle Mystery Bookstore

"Grows scarier and scarier by the page. Make sure you read it with the lights on!" - World Books

"Booth truly is a master." - I Love a Mystery

"One of the brightest new stars in the British crime firmament." - Mystery and Thriller Club

"If you read only one new crime writer this year, he's your man." - Yorkshire Post

About this title

Review:

‘Another first-rate mystery ... Booth is particularly good at creating credible characters’ Sunday Telegraph

‘Includes several sinuous turns and surprises’ Scotsman

‘On this form, Booth could soon be up there with the likes of Reginald Hill. If you read only one new crime writer this year, he’s your man’ Yorkshire Post

From the Back Cover:

A brooding psychological thriller from the acclaimed author of 'Black Dog'

In a remote part of the Peak District stand the Nine Virgins, a ring of stones overshadowed by a dark legend. Now, as winter closes in, a tenth figure is added to the circle – the body of Jenny Weston is discovered, her limbs arranged so she appears to be dancing.

Weeks earlier another woman had been attacked on the moors. Maggie Crew was found by a local farmer's wife, severely traumatized, her face savagely cut open. Is there a maniac at loose, knifing woman at random? Unlocking the memories trapped in Maggie's mind is now a matter of utmost urgency, and Detective Sergeant Diane Fry is given the task of drawing the truth out of her.

For DC Ben Cooper there are too many lines of enquiry leading to too few answers. Two travellers, sleeping rough near the scene of the murder, baffle the detectives with their strange rituals and language which may or may not be hiding vital information. Then there is the Park ranger, Owen Fox, whose past hides a shameful secret. And what of the farmer, Warren Leach, on whose land the Nine Virgins stand: a desperate man whose own children fear him.

Against the dramatic backdrop of the White Peak, Ben and Diane struggle to make sense of a murder that seems motiveless. But the moors have witnessed more bloodshed than either realize, and violence is to beget more violence before the answer is found.

Praise for 'Black Dog'

”An exceedingly good first novel: wholly engrossing, it has well-drawn characters and a real sense of place”
TJ BINYON, 'Evening Standard'

”In this atmospheric debut, Stephen Booth makes high summer in Derbyshire as dark and terrifying as midwinter”
VAL McDERMID

About this edition

• Publisher: Westlea Books
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 095723791X
• ISBN 13: 9780957237919
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 430