Strangers: The unforgettable crime thriller from the #1 bestseller

Strangers: The unforgettable crime thriller from the #1 bestseller
Paul Finch

‘A fast-paced, terrifying journey.’ RACHEL ABBOTT‘A born storyteller.’ PETER JAMESA stranger is just a killer you haven’t met yet… The SUNDAY TIMES bestseller returns with the next big thing to hit the shelves. If you haven’t discovered Paul Finch yet, this book will have you hooked.Unknown, alone, and fearing for your life: as PC Lucy Clayburn is about to find out, going undercover is the most dangerous work there is.But, on the trail of a prolific female serial killer, there's no other option – and these murders are as brutal as they come. Lucy must step into the line of fire – a stranger in a criminal underworld that butchers anyone who crosses the line.And, unknown to Lucy, she's already treading it…Dark, gritty and ALWAYS edge-of-your-seat: Paul Finch will leave fans of Rachel Abbott and MJ Arlidge gasping for more.What readers are saying about Strangers:‘A book that every crime fan needs to read.’ Book Addict Shaun‘OMFG what a cracker of a story! Would I recommend this book? WTAF, are you serious? HELL YEAH I would! ’ Crime Book Junkie‘Crime fiction of the highest calibre.’ Grab This Book‘Completely brilliant…the market is saturated with crime thrillers but I really believe that Strangers is one of the best books in the genre and Paul Finch one of the most talented writers.’ Linda’s Book Bag‘Strangers is one hell of a read, full of adrenaline…there isn’t a single page that doesn’t make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.’ Chick Library Cat‘A fast-paced and thrilling read…there is so much to keep the reader guessing.’ The Quiet Knitter‘Life will not resume until you’ve solved the mystery…captivating, strong and bloody good!’ Gin, Books and Blankets‘I seriously hope that this is the first book in a series because Lucy Clayburn is one hell of a woman.’ Bookaholic Swede

Copyright (#u2f927b29-5c60-544a-ae1f-0bc835080202)

Published by Avon an imprint of

HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd

1 London Bridge Street

London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk (http://www.harpercollins.co.uk)

First published in Great Britain by HarperCollinsPublishers 2016

Copyright © Paul Finch 2016

Cover photographs © Arcangel Images / GalleryStock / Stephen Mulcahey

Cover design © Henry Steadman 2016

Paul Finch asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

Source ISBN: 9780007551316

Ebook Edition © September 2016 ISBN: 9780007551323

Version: 2017-10-26

PRAISE FOR PAUL FINCH (#u2f927b29-5c60-544a-ae1f-0bc835080202)

‘Wonderfully dark and peppered with grim humour. Finch is a born storyteller and writes with the authentic voice of the ex-copper he is.’

PETER JAMES

‘Edge-of-the-seat reading … formidable – a British Alex Cross.’

THE SUN

‘An ingenious and original plot. Compulsive reading.’

RACHEL ABBOTT

‘A deliciously twisted and fiendish set of murders and a great pairing of detectives.’

STAV SHEREZ

‘Avon’s big star … part edge-of-the-seat, part hide-behind-the-sofa!’

THE BOOKSELLER

‘An explosive thriller that will leave you completely hooked.’

WE LOVE THIS BOOK

Dedication (#u2f927b29-5c60-544a-ae1f-0bc835080202)

For my Dad, Brian, who never lived to see any of my published novels, but who if he had would have been 80 this year. You were always the spark, Dad. You lit the flame that burns in these books.

Table of Contents

Cover (#ud8d07d5c-883b-5d0e-8ddc-2c4e7564ae68)

Title Page (#u5871cae1-7a3f-5a2a-81fb-3558cdf026e3)

Copyright (#ue84543e9-bb67-514e-bc0c-c2d98b46ea1f)

Praise for Paul Finch (#u03cec447-9465-55aa-a227-6883f6ea459e)

Dedication (#u64d0bf08-2494-5c17-8e43-06abedd09348)

Prologue (#ud9dbe156-aa46-568a-851b-9de5b8cfea19)

Chapter 1 (#u25a64fd2-09b1-54ce-8e63-68dfe471781d)

Chapter 2 (#uaef8987d-8b7b-5ad3-adbb-cbeba0cb45d1)

Chapter 3 (#u60802a4f-b88e-5abd-868f-bd4606cced63)

Chapter 4 (#uae8a8684-6fa5-57ac-bfc5-7e4bf379eac9)

Chapter 5 (#uc489b28a-a86f-5ca4-be7f-98b6533337b3)

Chapter 6 (#u855531f7-68c1-5eb0-a461-cc9d261305a0)

Chapter 7 (#u32019c46-8e91-5ea0-a782-0473145d4195)

Chapter 8 (#ub720d91b-5d3a-538f-9744-c2e852b85288)

Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)