'Reading this book was like a drug. I could not put it down' 'Chilling, gripping and stomach-lurchingly twisted' A deadly choice in the name of love. Probation officer Cate Austin faces the highestprofile case of her career: Alice Mariani, a celebrated university lecturer, has been charged with assisting in the death of her lover. But at what point does a private pact become a public crime? Every interview with Alice peels back another layer of secrecy. As media and campaigners swarm the courtroom, Cate is forced into a legal blind spot -- and a brutal dilemma. Will a lover's last request become a deadly price to pay? Don't miss this gripping thriller, perfect for fans of Joy Ellis from award-winning, Kindle #1 bestselling author Ruth Dugdall, as discussed on Radio 4's 'Woman's Hour'. Readers love The Sacrificial Man: 'Gripping, original, authentic' Erin Kelly 'Ruth Dugdall has the ability to get under a character's skin so thoroughly that they seem real, making them all the more scary' 'Another dark and disturbing read in a brilliant series' 'I would strongly recommend this to anyone who likes thrillers with bizarre and unsuspecting twists' 'There has always been something exceptional about the words written by Ruth Dugdall' * 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.