Cry Baby

''One of the great series of British crime fiction'' --- THE TIMES

''Cry Baby is the perfect prequel to send us back to revel in Tom Thorne''s twenty years. As if we needed reminding how good Mark Billingham is'' --- VAL MCDERMID

It''s 1996. Detective Sergeant Tom Thorne is a haunted man. Haunted by the moment he ignored his instinct about a suspect, by the horrific crime that followed and by the memories that come day and night, in sunshine and shadow.

So when seven-year-old Kieron Coyne goes missing while playing in the woods with his best friend, Thorne vows he will not make the same mistake again. Cannot.

The solitary witness. The strange neighbour. The friendly teacher. All are in Thorne''s sights.

This case will be the making of him . . . or the breaking.

The gripping prequel to Mark Billingham''s acclaimed debut, Sleepyhead, Cry Baby is the shocking first case for one of British crime fiction''s most iconic detectives.

''Tom Thorne is one of the most credible and engaging heroes in contemporary crime fiction. Mark Billingham is a master of psychology, plotting and the contemporary scene - making the Thorne novels the complete package. Twenty years in and better than ever''
IAN RANKIN

''Mark Billingham is one the biggest names in crime fiction and one the genre''s most formidable talents''
PETER JAMES

''Billingham is always a must read''
HARLAN COBEN