Chapter One

'A mess-with-your-mind, spine-tingling thriller with an unguessable twist that will send shivers through you. Wood is quite simply a genius' A.A. ChaudhuriFrom the bestselling author of the DCI Matilda Darke series and Dr Olivia Winter series, comes a standalone thriller to keep you up all night! Since being left for dead in a brutal attack, crime writer Aidan Cullen hasn't left his house. For five years his paranoia and fear have confined him to the walls of his rural home with just his dog for company. Not even his hugely successful, much-longed-for publishing career could tempt him from his self-imposed prison.But when a murder happens so close to Aidan's home that he can see the lights of the police cars and the white suits of the forensic team, even his elaborate security system and iron gates can't keep the world out.Aidan finds himself at the heart of DS Katherine Marshall's investigation, as a string of seemingly unrelated murders start to show a terrifying pattern, a pattern that only he can see. As Aidan starts to feel his world closing in on him, his paranoia grows - is someone out to get him, or is it all in his mind?***'A disturbing tale with a sense of claustrophobia threaded through the chilling narrative. Extraordinarily good' Marion Todd'An original, compelling and dark thriller. The characters are captivating, and the suspense builds just perfectly' John Marrs'Brilliant. I loved it. Very clever' Sophie Hannah'A tense and at times terrifying tale of trauma, violence and paranoia, told with Michael Wood's trademark propulsive style' B P Walter'Part murder mystery, part psychological thriller, Chapter One is a dark, twisted story of paranoia and claustrophobic fear' Russ ThomasPraise for Michael Wood'A master of horror and suspense' ?????'One of the best books ever, in one of the best series ever! It is THAT good!' ?????'Wow what a book... I adore this series and every book is better and better' ?????'This book sets off at a hundred miles an hour and never lets off... this is my favourite detective series' ?????'Exciting, tense and compelling... shocking and brilliant' ?????'Wow! Wow! Wow! The twists keep on coming to the last page' ?????'I don't have words! Wow just wow! This blew me away. DCI Matilda Darke and her team are my favourite detectives' ?????'This book had a bit of everything... some crazy twists and turns' ?????'Another cracking, nail-biting read' ?????