''Frances Brody has made it to the top rank of crime writers'' Daily Mail

Dead one minute

Young Harriet and her brother Austin have always been scared of the quarry where their stone mason father works. So when they find him dead on the cold ground, they scarper quick smart and look for some help.

Alive the next?

When help arrives, however, the quarry is deserted and there is no sign of the body. Were the children mistaken? Is their father not dead? Did he simply get up and run away?

A sinister disappearing act...

It seems like another unusual case requiring the expertise of Kate Shackleton. But for Kate this is one case where surprising family ties makes it her most dangerous - and delicate - yet...

Praise for the Kate Shackleton series:

''Brody''s writing is like her central character Kate Shackleton: witty, acerbic and very, very perceptive'' Ann Cleeves

''The series is right up there with Miss Marple'' Sunday Sport

''Kate Shackleton is a splendid heroine'' Ann Granger

''Delightful'' People''s Friend

''Frances Brody matches a heroine of free and independent spirit with a vivid evocation of time and place . . . a novel to cherish'' Daily Mail