THE CIPHER GARDEN an absolutely gripping and unputdownable British crime mystery

‘Beautifully crafted . . . with a delicious twist in the tale.’ ANN CLEEVES

Discover an unmissable and utterly addictive series of cold-case mysteries from Martin Edwards — one of the most lauded crime writers of his generation.

‘Superb.’ LEE CHILD

‘A fine writer.’ IAN RANKIN

‘A true master.’ RICHARD OSMAN

‘Martin Edwards is a magician.’ JANICE HALLETT

Welcome to the Lake District — a breathtaking wilderness where still waters hide the darkest secrets . . .

Gardener Warren Howe has been buried ten long years. But the villagers of Old Sawrey still shudder at the mention of his name. It’s not his tattooed biceps or his infidelities that they remember. Or even his long-suffering wife and kids. It’s his grisly murder. Cut down by his own scythe while he was out tending a tangled cottage garden.

DCI Hannah Scarlett of Cumbria’s cold-case team has given up hope of ever catching his killer. Until she gets an anonymous tip-off, pointing the finger at Warren’s wife, Tina.

Tina’s alibi seemed solid at the time. But Detective Hannah’s done some digging of her own and now she’s not so sure.

It’s not long before a second body is found, in another of the village’s lush green gardens.

Can Detective Hannah solve the case — with a helping hand from historian Daniel Kind — before the reaper’s scythe takes another swing . . . ?

Discover an utterly addictive, emotionally charged mystery, steeped in all the atmosphere and intrigue of England’s beautiful Lake District. Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Elly Griffiths, P.D. James, Val McDermid and Joy Ellis.

**Martin Edwards is the winner of three CWA Dagger Awards, including the prestigious Diamond Dagger — the highest honour in UK crime writing!**

MORE PRAISE FOR MARTIN

‘A first-rate complex thriller.’ The Sunday Times

‘Crime fiction is blessed to have Martin Edwards.’ Sarah Weinman, New York Times

‘Fans of the British village mystery who are very particular about setting should trek to The Cipher Garden.’ Marilyn Stasio, New York Times

‘Atmospheric, haunting and so tactile you can almost smell the moist air.’ Booklist

MEET THE DETECTIVES
Daniel Kind isn’t your average Oxford historian. Passionate and charismatic, he’s a celebrity in the city of dreaming spires. Until he throws it all away to move to Brackdale, where his father served as a detective. His dad may be dead and gone. But something about the Lakes still calls to Daniel. Is this somewhere he can finally escape his demons? Daniel thinks so. But the past has a way of following wherever he goes . . .

Fiery DCI Hannah Scarlett is smart, intuitive and ready to call out injustice wherever she finds it, even among her superiors. This straight-talking streak has earned her a demotion to Cumbria’s Cold Case team.