This dark and disturbingly compelling thriller from bestselling and prize-winning author Mo Hayder is not for the faint-hearted. Perfect for fans of Stephen King, Stuart MacBride and Karin Slaughter, it is one read you won''t be able to forget easily...

''A first-class shocker . . . a frightening mix of forensics, thrills, analytical police work and poetic images.'' -- Guardian
''Wickedly constructed . . . The detail, if you can stomach it, is fascinating.'' -- Daily Telegraph
''Hayder''s vibrant narrative and crunchy characterisation propel the book along to its denouement with fearsome velocity'' -- The Times
''WOW! This is one scary thriller, gripping from the first page to the last'' -- ***** Reader review
''I was hooked!'' -- ***** Reader review
''An exhilarating, but disturbing, read that has you on the edge of your seat from the get go'' -- ***** Reader review

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THE RITUAL HAS TO END. SOON.

Greenwich, south-east London: Detective Inspector Jack Caffery - young, driven, unshockable - is called to one of the most gruesome crime scenes he has ever seen. Five young women have been ritualistically murdered and dumped on wasteland near the Millennium Dome. Subsequent post-mortems reveal a singular, horrific signature linking the victims.

Soon Caffery realises that he is on the trail of that most dangerous offender: a serial killer. Beset by animosity within the police force, haunted by the memory of a very personal death long ago, Caffery employs every weapon forensic science can offer to hunt him down.

Because he knows that it is only a matter of time before this sadistic killer strikes again...