'I was drawn into the book in the best way. It was way more than a thriller and really dug into parts of my soul' Reader review 'An ending that took my breath away and left my mind reeling!' Reader review Love can destroy. Obsession can kill. Rose Wilks' life is shattered when her newborn baby is admitted to intensive care. Emma Hatcher has all that Rose lacks. Effortless beauty. A loving husband. A healthy son.
Until tragedy strikes and Rose is the only suspect. Now, after nearly five years in prison, Rose is just weeks away from freedom. Her probation officer Cate Austin must decide whether Rose is remorseful for her crime, or whether she remains a threat to society. As Cate is drawn in, she begins to doubt her own judgement. Where is the line between love and obsession? Can justice be served and, if so. by what means? The first book in the award-winning Cate Austin Casefiles series, The Woman Before Me will keep you glued to the pages. Fans of K.L.
Slater, Claire Douglas and TM Logan will devour this gripping psychological thriller. The Woman Before Me won the CWA DEBUT DAGGER Award. See what readers are saying about The Woman Before Me: 'I thought I saw the ending coming but I didn't see it all!' 'Chaotic, messed up and totally unhinged. My kind of thriller ' 'Goodness . this gripped me and I wasn't able to put it down' 'Authentic.diverting debut' Daily Mail 'Ruth Dugdall's novels are intelligent and gripping, with a sophisticated psychological sensibility. She is a huge talent.' Sophie Hannah 'I found this story an irresistible read.
It's a psychological crime thriller that seemed to linger' 'A must read this book kept me guessing right until the end. I literally couldn't put it down' 'Absolutely loved this book and all subsequent Cate Austin novels' * Book 1 in the series, THE WOMAN BEFORE ME, won the CWA Debut Dagger * Book 4 in the series, NOWHERE GIRL, was instrumental in changing policies on child abduction in Luxembourg, and has been taught in schools there * The series has been optioned for TV and the author is working with the BBC on adapting script for Book 1. No solid news yet but agent expects an announcement by Jan 2026 * All books in the series cover contentious but highly topical themes, including assisted dying and child criminals (BOY B feels very reminiscent of the 2025 TV show Adolescence) * Most books are set in Suffolk so there is strong potential for local indies/bookshops in East Anglia to stock * Author has connections in literary world: often judges on prizes, has interviewed lots of high profile authors, and has a lot of contacts willing to read and quote * Ruth's background in the prison system/probation is an opp. for PR & the author is always happy to talk about her experiences Competition: Don't Let Him In;Our Beautiful Mess;The;Pyschopath Next Door;Daughter;Surf House;New Neighbours;Famous Last Words;Other People's Houses;She Didn't See It Coming. by;Lisa Jewell;Adele Parks;T.M. Logan;Gillian McAllister;Lucy Clarke;Claire Douglas;Clare Mackintosh;Shari Lapena;Mark Edwards;C.L.
Taylor.