'Spine-tinglingly frightening, but also poignant and caring, it hits the bull's eye on the board from the word go.'

'A welcome new British voice. I have no doubt that Beckett will find a lot more gore to disinter for our delight.''

'A cut above the average, with a convincing central character, a gripping plot, and a fine store of morbid information.'

'A gruesome forensic mystery... A promising start to what has the makings of an intriguing series.'

'In the mould of Patricia Cornwall, but by a Brit... Brilliant.'

'Terrifying... Rarely have the mechanics of suspense been so efficiently utilised oiutyside an Alfred Hitchcock movie.

'Plotted and written with panache, with high marks for characterisation and shock value.'

'A truly gripping thriller that manages to breathe new life into all the old-cliches... The depiction of the fenlands shimmering in a heatwave, and the atmosphere of creeping menace, are beautifully achieved.'

'Beckett pushes all the right buttons as his story unfolds, incorporating gruesomely-accurate details with nicely-hidden plot twists and, rather like a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat, saving the best till last.'

'A tense and frightening ride into the darker side of human nature.'

'The most frightening thriller I have ever read - just don't read it alone at night!'

'I stormed through this book - and suggest you do the same.'

'An outstanding page-turner... If you like Mo Hayder you'll love THE CHEMISTRY OF DEATH. And the twist in the tail is the kind guaranteed to make you squawk loudly should any film or TV company decide to make a version of what would be a sure-fire hit.'

'Twisted, moody and atmospheric... An inventive, ingenious story written with relish and imagination.'