Stephen Booth

Dancing with the Virgins (Volume 2) Stephen Booth

A tense psychological thriller, the sequel to Stephen Booth's stunning debut BLACK DOG, featuring young Derbyshire police detectives Ben Cooper and Diane Fry.

In a remote part of England's Peak District stand the Nine Virgins, a ring of stones overshadowed by a dark legend. Now, as winter closes in, a tenth figure is added to the circle - the body of Jenny Weston is discovered, her limbs arranged so she appears to be dancing.

Weeks earlier another woman had been attacked on the moors. Maggie Crew was found by a local farmer's wife, severely traumatized, her face savagely cut open. Is there a maniac on the loose, knifing women at random?

Unlocking the memories trapped in Maggie's mind is now a matter of utmost urgency for the detectives of Derbyshire 'E' Division. But while DS Diane Fry attempts to draw out the truth, DC Ben Cooper is left with too many lines of enquiry leading to too few answers.

As they struggle to make sense of a murder that seems motiveless, it becomes clear that the moors have witnessed more bloodshed than either Ben or Diane could imagine. And there is more to come before an answer can be found...

*Winner of the Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel of the Year 2001

*Finalist for the CWA Gold Dagger Award for Best Crime Novel of 2001

"An atmospheric, psychological stunner." - The Bookseller

"Convoluted, suspenseful and supremely engaging. Booth has done a wonderful job." - Los Angeles Times

"Another first-rate mystery. Booth is particularly good at creating credible characters." - Sunday Telegraph

"Booth's canny and deceptively smooth overturning of conventional expectations lifts this book well above the crowd." - Houston Chronicle

"Even more demanding, more substantial, and more knowing about the darkest recesses of the heart." - Kirkus Reviews

"A dark, tense, always gripping novel. The writing is wonderful." - Sherlock Magazine

"Highly recommended - a great series!" - Seattle Mystery Bookstore

"Grows scarier and scarier by the page. Make sure you read it with the lights on!" - World Books

"Booth truly is a master." - I Love a Mystery

"One of the brightest new stars in the British crime firmament." - Mystery and Thriller Club

"If you read only one new crime writer this year, he's your man." - Yorkshire Post