For DS Kat Ballantyne, finding the murderer might mean looking closer to home.

DS Kat Ballantyne is still reeling from a revelation that turned life as she knew it upside down. But when a dog walker discovers the body of a woman among the standing stones known locally as the Three Sisters, there’s no time to focus on her own troubles. Kat is drawn back to work to investigate.

At first, the death appears to be an accident. But then Kat discovers an infinity symbol branded onto the dead woman’s abdomen. She’s convinced there’s a vicious killer at large. Still juggling her turbulent private life with her professional duty, she begins to dig into the victim’s past. There, she uncovers shocking secrets and several potential suspects.

When a second woman is found killed in similar circumstances, Kat needs answers fast. Does she have a serial killer on her hands? Or is the perpetrator motivated by something more personal? What connects the victims? And can she catch the killer before anyone else turns up dead?

Published
May 16, 2024
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Detective Kat Ballantyne

The series

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In the gritty underbelly of the city, where corruption runs deep and danger is never far behind, Detective Kat Ballantyne stands as an unflinching force of justice. The Detective Kat Ballantyne series invites readers into a dark world of suspense, where every case is a puzzle, and no one is as innocent as they seem.

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Kat is a seasoned detective with a razor-sharp mind and an unwavering moral compass—traits that both serve her well and complicate her personal life. Tasked with solving cases that range from heart-stopping murder mysteries to complex conspiracies, Kat’s determination to uncover the truth often pushes her into dangerous territory, where she must confront not only the criminals she pursues but the ghosts of her own past.

With every investigation, Kat navigates a city that is as much a character in the story as the people she encounters. The tension between right and wrong, truth and deception, runs through the city’s very streets. Andy Maslen masterfully weaves a tapestry of suspense, offering readers not only high-stakes crime solving but a deep dive into the psyche of a woman who has seen it all and still holds onto her integrity.

What sets this series apart is its rich character development. Kat isn’t just a detective—she’s a woman battling her own demons, grappling with loss, and making tough decisions that reveal her vulnerability and strength. The people she meets, from allies to enemies, are multi-dimensional, making every interaction pulse with tension and unpredictability.

As the Detective Kat Ballantyne series unfolds, it plunges readers deeper into a world where justice isn’t always clear-cut, and the line between right and wrong is often blurred. Maslen's writing is taut, atmospheric, and utterly immersive, leaving readers at the edge of their seats, eager to see where Kat's journey will take her next.

For fans of gritty detective novels that balance action with emotional depth, the Detective Kat Ballantyne series is an unforgettable ride. Each twist and turn pulls readers further into Kat’s world—one where nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and the cost of uncovering the truth may be more than she’s willing to pay.

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