Please note this is a revised edition of How Skin Burns.

Love thy neighbour . . .

Claire Ellis’ neighbour watches her reading in her garden over their shared fence. He holds Claire’s knickers up to his face and takes a deep breath.

Ahh, skin.

He stole her knickers off her washing line last week, same as he’s done many times before. Maybe he’ll steal a bra next . . . Or maybe he’ll steal her.

Claire Ellis. You belong to me.

Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Bethany Smith is called out to a remote patch of woodland.

Two bodies are buried in shallow graves a few metres apart. The victims are in separate plastic bags adorned with holly and ribbons. Both bodies are covered in burn marks and scabs, their skin scorched . . . while they were still alive.

Then Bethany receives another call.

Claire Ellis is missing . . .