It is 20 years since Dani Lancing went missing and was found dead.

Her parents, now divorced, are still suffering from the death of their only child, with her father still seeing and talking to her and her mother not eating or sleeping.

Dani’s best friend is now a detective and knows that the police case into her death could be reopened – but not for another four years. This is too long and when Dani’s mother sees a way of getting revenge on the person responsible she willingly takes it, with tragic results and terrible revelations.

This is a remarkable debut novel from an award-winning film-maker. While it took me a little while to get involved with the characters and their situation, I am pleased I stuck with them as the book got better and better.

While, at times, there seems a little implausibility, the writer does make it seem believable and has the reader turning the pages to find out the truth. As all the revelations unfold it almost leaves you breathless. This is a novel about love, mistakes and the consequences of one’s actions.

It is a compelling read and the author deserves to be a success.