The Companion

A SUNDAY TIMES BEST CRIME BOOK OF 2022In a grand old mansion in the middle of the Sussex countryside, seven people have seen more than they should... The new chilling thriller from Lesley Thomson. In a small communityJames Ritchie was looking forward to spending the day with his son, though he was a little late picking him up from his ex-wife, Anna. In the middle of nowhereLater that afternoon, they are found dead, the victims of a double stabbing. Anna will never see her family again. You need to keep your secrets close... As DI Toni Kemp unravels the case, she is brought to a grand country mansion, long ago converted into flats. In this quiet, peaceful place, seven long-term residents have seen more than they should. But this is a tight-knit group – and they are good at keeping secrets... PRAISE FOR THE COMPANION:'Like the best of Barbara Vine and Agatha Christie crossed with the unique Lesley Thomson brilliance.' Elly Griffiths'This modern take on the country-house mystery shocks from the off.' The Times'Colourful characters and devious plotting.' Ian Rankin'Electrifying, gritty.' Woman's Own

In a grand old mansion in the middle of the Sussex countryside, seven people have seen more than they should... The new chilling thriller from Lesley Thomson.James Ritchie was looking forward to a boys'' day out with his son, Wilbur – even if he was a little late picking him up from the home of his ex-wife, Anna. Annoyed by his late arrival, and competing for their son''s attention, Anna leaves the two of them to their day with the promise of a roast dinner when Wilbur returns.But Anna will never see her family again. That afternoon, James and Wilbur are found dead, the victims of a double stabbing on the beach.DI Toni Kemp, of Sussex police, must unravel a case which has shocked the county to its core. What she discovers will lead her to Blacklock House, a grand country mansion, long ago converted into flats. Here in the middle of nowhere, where a peacock struts the lawn, and a fountain plays intermittently, seven long-term residents have seen more than they should.But this is a community who are good at keeping secrets...''Like the best of Barbara Vine and Agatha Christie crossed with the unique Lesley Thomson brilliance.'' Elly Griffiths ''This modern take on the country-house mystery shocks from the off.'' The Times ''Colourful characters and devious plotting.'' Ian Rankin ''Electrifying, gritty.'' Woman''s Own