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. Chaudhuri From 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 hasnt 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 Aidans 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 cant keep the world out. Aidan finds himself at the heart of DS Katherine Marshalls 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 'A tense and at times terrifying tale of trauma, violence and paranoia, told with Michael Woods 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 Thomas Praise 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 dont 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