Grave Mistake

By: Ashford, Helen

A vanished journalist. A buried secret. And a team on the edge.

When the remains of famed investigative reporter Declan Rafferty are unearthed in the haunted depths of Epping Forest, Scotland Yard's SIU is called in to solve a mystery nearly two decades cold. But what begins as a recovery turns into something far more disturbing.

The clues don't add up. The burial is too deliberate. The story-too tidy. As Dr. Charlie Morrow digs into Rafferty's past, her instincts whisper that the case was meant to stay buried. But uncovering the truth comes at a cost.

Tensions rise within the team as buried grief, old grudges, and unspoken loyalties fracture their once-solid bond. DCI Redfern's cynicism clashes with Charlie's intuition, while Calder's rigid control begins to slip. In the silence of the forest, it isn't only secrets that echo-it's doubt.

Can they solve the mystery before their own foundation collapses? Or will the truth about Rafferty destroy more than just reputations?

Grave Mistake is a haunting, character-driven police procedural that tests the boundaries of justice, loyalty, and the ghosts we carry with us. Book 5 in the Cold Bones Chronicles brings forensic nuance, emotional fallout, and eerie atmosphere to the forefront-perfect for fans of Tana French, Ann Cleeves, and Broadchurch.

In this gripping installment, you'll find:

A chilling cold case brought into the lightFractures within a beloved investigative teamRich, atmospheric writing and sharp dialogueA forest that holds its silence-and its dead

Some secrets stay buried. Others wait to tear you apart.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FXYTFTZJ
• ISBN13: 9798349640766
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: SLJ Publishing
• Length: 402 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.5"