The Puppet Show (Washington Poe 1)

A serial killer is burning people alive in the Lake District’s prehistoric stone circles. He leaves no clues and the police are helpless.

When his name is found carved into the charred remains of the third victim, disgraced detective Washington Poe is brought back from suspension and into an investigation he wants no part of.

Reluctantly partnered with the brilliant, but socially awkward, civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw, the mismatched pair uncover a trail that only he is meant to see. The elusive killer has a plan and for some reason Poe is part of it.

As the body count rises, Poe discovers he has far more invested in the case than he could have possibly imagined. And in a shocking finale that will shatter everything he’s ever believed about himself, Poe will learn that there are things far worse than being burned alive . . .

Praise for The Puppet Show

“A thrilling curtain-raiser for what looks set to be a great new series”

– Mick Herron, author of Slow Horses and the Jackson Lamb series

“Dark, sharp and compelling“

– Peter James

“I loved this book. It’s dark and twisty with a wonderful sense of place and it has characters that you genuinely care about. I can’t wait for the next in the series” 

– Elly Griffiths

“Fantastic“

– Martina Cole

“A Powerful thriller from an explosive new talent. Tightly plotted and not for the faint-hearted, this is incendiary stuff, throwing a flickering flame into Cumbria’s dark and hidden places” 

– David Mark, author of the DS Aector McAvoy series

“A gripping start to a much anticipated series” 

– Vaseem Khan

“Reading The Puppet Show, we were immediately drawn to the brilliant and surprising partnership of Detective Washington Poe and analyst Tilly Bradshaw. Mike Craven has created a distinctive, darkly humorous and compelling series that we can’t wait to develop for British and worldwide television viewers.”

– Susan Hogg, Head of Drama: Studio Lambert

“Tilly and Poe are surely set to become firm favourites with crime fiction aficionados. The setting worked well with the murders – brutality set among England’s finest scenery. The plot was satisfyingly twisty and clever and the little bright-spots of humour worked well to offer the reader a little respite from the thrill of the read.”

– Michael J. Malone, author of A Suitable Lie

“Nothing you’ve ever read will prepare you for the utterly unique Washington Poe.”

– Keith Nixon, author of Dig Two Graves

“Washington Poe is a name destined to be spoken by crime fiction enthusiasts everywhere: Britain’s answer to Harry Bosch. The Puppet Show is a wickedly twisting and turning mystery that will have readers breathlessly turning the pages until the final shocking conclusion. Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are an unlikely pairing that shouldn’t work, but works perfectly. I can’t wait to read where MW Craven takes this incredible crime fighting duo next.”

– Matt Hilton, author of the Joe Hunter thriller series

“This book is twisted and dark and I loved it – not sure what that says about me!”

– Simon Toyne, author of the Sanctus Trilogy

A sensational, daring thriller! Washington Poe is a fierce, compelling new character. I cannot praise this highly enough.”

– AA Dhand

“A brilliant start to what promises to be a fantastic series; get it now or kick yourself for missing out”

– Graham Smith

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