Secrets can be fatal – but so can the truth.

When the murdered body of Lauren Shaw is discovered laid out on the altar of St Mary the Virgin church in Eastbourne it sends a chill to the core of those who have lived in the area for a long time. They remember another woman, also young and pretty, whose slain corpse was placed in the same spot 60 years ago.

Dee Doran is as intrigued as the rest but focused on her investigation of the whereabouts of a missing person from the Polish community. The police weren’t interested but Dee’s journalistic instincts tell her something is amiss.

But as she starts asking questions Dee finds the answers all point to the same conclusion – someone is keeping secrets and they will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.

A chilling and gripping crime thriller that fans of Fiona Barton and Alex Marwood will love.

Praise for When the Dead Speak:

‘Reminscent of Agatha Christie at her innovative peak, this is the best crime novel I’ve read in 2020’ NetGalley reviewer

‘Sheila Bugler has a real gift for summoning up powerful images and she does it here with a flamboyant murder – a dead young woman on a church altar surrounded by her own shorn hair.’ Chris Curran, author of All The Little Lies

‘Leave yourself plenty of time to read this; if not, you will seem like an uncaring mother, partner or friend that lets the world go by without you while you finish the book.’ Books From Dusk till Dawn blog.