White bones

People have always played with fire. And sometimes, in doing so, they awaken their own demons… The inhabitants of the Irish countryside are used to skeletons in their closets, but what is discovered on the Meagher farm one rainy November morning shakes everyone to the core. The jumbled bones of eleven women, all of whom died violent deaths more than three-quarters of a century ago, long before the bloody conflict between the local Catholics and Protestants began. It even looks like the remains are from some ancient ritual, one requiring human sacrifice! In any case, it's a case more for historians than the police. Or is it? Soon after, a young American tourist disappears and her flesh-stripped bones are found at the site of the previous gruesome discovery. With a heart broken by grief and a head full of worries, DSI Katie Maguire will have to deal not only with the terrifying legacy of the past, but also with a merciless killer who could strike again at any moment. The opening volume of a chilling detective series with a charming and fearless police superintendent who has lost her only child and is investigating unexpectedly dark and brutal crimes against the harsh but picturesque Irish backdrop.     “The author makes no secret of his extensive experience in the horror genre and doesn't pull any punches with his readers. Some of the descriptions are genuinely spine-chilling, and some Nordic noir authors could learn a thing or two from Masterton.” – LaCultura.cz “Finally, a detective story with some balls. No lengthy descriptions of the weather, it gets straight to the point, even if that point is sometimes pretty disgusting.” – Reader review on Megaknihy.cz “The atmosphere of Cork in Ireland is practically palpable in Masterton’s telling – it’s raw, dark, and full of ancient secrets. The author masterfully intertwines ritualistic murders with a modern police investigation.” – The Independent “This is not a read for the faint-hearted. Masterton doesn't shy away from graphic descriptions, but they serve a purpose here. Katie Maguire is a strong, believable heroine who must battle not only the killer but also prejudice within her own ranks.” – Crime Review (UK) “A chilling and original thriller. Masterton’s transition from horror to crime fiction is absolutely seamless, and he retains his flair for macabre details that will keep you awake at night.” – Daily Mail Fiona woke up to the most excruciating pain she had ever experienced. It felt as if someone had forced her right thigh through the grate of a red-hot oven. She opened her mouth and tried to scream, but the agony was so intense that she couldn't even draw a breath, managing only a choked gurgle. My God, I can't stand this, I just can't stand this. She tried to move her leg, but nothing happened. She tugged at the ropes that bound her to the bed frame and thrashed her head from side to side, but she couldn't break free, and the searing pain in her hip would not let up. She tried to scream again. This time, a sharp, unintelligible cry escaped her. The bedroom door opened with a loud click. At first, he just stood there silently, smiling at her. Only after a moment did he approach the bed. “I told you I would hurt you. Do you believe me now?” – excerpt from the book