Author: LJ RossCrime & mysteryPublished on 22nd January 2026 by Cornerstone (Penguin (Cornerstone)) in the United Kingdom as part of 'The DCI Ryan Mysteries' series.Paperback / softback | 416 pages 197mm x 128mm | 289g FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF HOLY ISLANDThe clock is ticking…For Detective Chief Inspector Ryan, the stakes have never been higher. Most of the world thinks he’s dead, killed by an assasin's rifle in his own home. But another man took the bullet intended for him, and now Ryan’s living on borrowed time. As long as he stays ‘dead’, in the sanctuary of his parents’ home in Devon, there’s a chance to find the people behind the deadly killing network. It’s only a matter of time before his secret’s uncovered, and nowhere will be safe.Back in Northumberland, Ryan’s team are called in to investigate the mysterious death of a man in Alnwick, who collapsed yards from the walls of its Mediaeval castle. When a second person is rushed to hospital with the same symptoms, her life hangs in the balance unless they can discover the toxic substance that’s killing her. For DCs Lowerson and Reed, there’s only one place to look for inspiration—the Poison Garden…Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit, set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.---------------------------------PRAISE FOR LJ ROSS"LJ Ross is the queen of Kindle" - Sunday Telegraph"She keeps company with the best mystery writers" - The Times"Holy Island is a blockbuster" - Daily Express"A literary phenomenon" - Evening Chronicle
