When Sloane, an unsuccessful painter but a successful forger, is released from prison after taking part in a high-profile art scam, he finds a letter from a woman with whom he had a passionate affair in his youth. On her death bed she tells him that years ago she gave birth to a daughter - his daughter - Connie, from whom she has since become estranged. She implores Sloane to find her and make peace between them. Sloane agrees - but when eventually he finds Connie she is locked into a highly charged relationship with Vincent Delaney, a man whom the police believe has killed once and will not hesitate to kill again. Initially rebuffed by Connie, Sloane has to decide whether to walk away or stay and fight for her. As the police dig deeper into Delaney's business affairs and begin to uncover underworld associations, so Sloane comes to understand the depths of violence which bind Connie and Delaney together. And the more Delaney feels cornered and under pressure, the more unpredictable and dangerous he becomes...

Author Biography

John Harvey is the author of the richly praised Charlie Resnick novels, the first of which, Lonely Hearts, was named by The Times as one of the '100 Best Crime Novels of the Century'. His first novel featuring Frank Elder, Flesh and Blood, won the CWA Silver Dagger in 2004, and a Barry Award for the Best British Crime Novel published in the US in 2004. In 2007 John Harvey was awarded the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger and in 2009 he was awarded an honorary degree, Doctor of Letters, by the University of Nottingham. To find out more about John Harvey visit his website at: www.mellotone.co.uk