The Fourteenth Letter

Book excerpt: 'Exuberant plotting and witty prose. Great fun.' The Times Phoebe Stanbury was killed in the summer of secrets... One balmy June evening in 1881, Phoebe Stanbury stands before the guests at her engagement party: this is her moment, when she will join the renowned Raycraft family and ascend to polite society. As she takes her fiancé's hand, a stranger holding a knife steps forward and ends the poor girl's life. Amid the chaos, he turns to her aristocratic groom and mouths: 'I promised I would save you.' The following morning, just a few miles away, timid young legal clerk William Lamb meets a reclusive client. He finds the old man terrified and in desperate need of aid: William must keep safe a small casket of yellowing papers, and deliver an enigmatic message: The Finder knows. With its labyrinth of unfolding mysteries, Claire Evans' riveting debut will be adored by fans of Kate Mosse, Carlos Ruiz Zafon and Jessie Burton. 'A darkly brilliant romp packed with intrigue and romance . . . curl up and prepare to become immersed' Heat 'Claire Evans has created a cast of deliciously sinister and mysterious characters. A hugely satisfying read' Good Housekeeping 'I stayed up far too late reading this night after night. IT WILL GET YOU HOOKED' Herald Sun 'A brilliantly plotted, unpredictable page-turner that builds to a devastating conclusion' Jack Williams, co-creator of The Missing and Rellik 'Claire Evans's debut novel is exciting, ingenious' Good Reading Magazine 'Will keep you guessing' Crime Fiction Lover 'The Fourteenth Letter is well researched, well plotted, well written and a jolly good read' Promoting Crime Fiction blog 'A delicious and surprising debut novel. Thrilling' Love It Magazine 'Builds to a shattering conclusion - it will repay your patience over and again. this is a superb story, well worth the read' Crime Review 'A truly thrilling read, and I will be looking out for this author's next book. Highly recommended' MyShelf (blog)