The Clearing
A chilling thriller of disappearances and dark secrets
Format:Hardback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers
Published:20th Jul '23
Should be back in stock very soon
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£9.99(9780007551781)
In The Clearing, Dr. Laughton Rees investigates a series of mysterious disappearances in Cinderfield, uncovering dark secrets and sinister truths.
In The Clearing, a chilling new thriller from the author of the Sanctus series, readers are introduced to forensic specialist Dr. Laughton Rees and Detective Inspector Tannahill Khan. The story unfolds in the eerie setting of Cinderfield, where a series of mysterious disappearances of women have left the local community on edge. While some residents attribute these vanishings to runaways or transient individuals, others whisper about a sinister figure known as the Cinderman, a local legend said to haunt the dark woods in search of victims.
Dr. Rees, a determined investigator, is drawn to Cinderfield to uncover the truth behind the latest disappearance of Maddie Friar. Unlike the townsfolk, she does not believe in monsters; however, as she delves deeper into the area’s troubled history, she encounters a web of secrets and lies. The locals, from the gruff leader of an off-grid commune to the enigmatic Earl residing in a decaying abbey, all seem to be hiding something. As Laughton investigates, she realizes that the truth may be more terrifying than she ever imagined.
As the tension escalates, Laughton finds herself in a race against time, with someone shadowing her every move. With DCI Tannahil Khan assisting her from London, the stakes rise as they work to piece together the dark puzzle of Cinderfield. In The Clearing, suspense and intrigue intertwine, leading to a jaw-dropping conclusion that will leave readers breathless.
‘Nail-biting and as haunting as the forest itself.’ Daily Mail
‘Everything you would expect from a thriller and then some’ Central Bylines
‘Beginning with a creepy abduction that unnerved me to my core, The Clearing follows an unsettling case where old myths and new greed collide. A welcome return for Laughton Rees and DCI Tannahill, getting to know them again as they reach the next stage of their budding relationship.’ Sam Holland
‘Scared the bloody daylights out of me. The very definition of haunting. Toyne is a guru of suspense writing, and this is him at the top of his craft. Makes for a breath-taking read.’ Helen Fields
‘Simon Toyne is one of the best storytellers writing today, but even by his high standards, The Clearing is something really special. In a story where not everything is as it seems, and as creeping death stalks the claustrophobic Forest of Dean, the returning Laughton Rees desperately searches for a missing girl, unaware that there are much bigger things at stake than the maybe-not-a-myth Cinderman. The pacing is frantic but not rushed, the tension is almost unbearable, and the ending is genuinely one of the most jaw-dropping ones I’ve read in a long time. Absolutely superb.’ M.W. Craven
‘In the spirit of Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta… Toyne makes the most of her creepy setting, and effectively conceals the truth behind the legend of the Cinderman until she’s ready to reveal it. Everything here suggests that Rees merits a long series run.’ Publisher’s Weekly
‘THE CLEARING is a spine-chilling, creepy-suspenseful mystery masterpiece! … This book had me hooked right to the end. I loved it!’ Steph Broadribb
ISBN: 9780007551750
Dimensions: 240mm x 159mm x 36mm
Weight: 580g
368 pages