Description
The darkly compelling new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Chalk Man, The Taking of Annie Thorne and The Other People
Reverend Jack Brooks and daughter Flo are looking for a fresh start and Chapel Croft appears the perfect place. But this village has a dark and dangerous history – and the ghosts of its past refuse to stay buried. Five hundred years ago, eight Protestant martyrs were burnt at the stake.
Thirty years ago, two girls disappeared without a trace. And two months ago, the last vicar committed suicide – but not before leaving a message for Jack. Jack must uncover the truth, or risk sacrificing the village to the evils that lie within.
But the truth is hard to find, when everyone has something to hide. And as long-buried secrets of Jack’s own resurface, faith alone will not save them…
Praise for C. J. Tudor:
‘C. J. Tudor is terrific. I can’t wait to see what she does next’ Harlan Coben
‘Britain’s female Stephen King’ Daily Mail
‘A mesmerizingly chilling and atmospheric page-turner’ J.P. Delaney
‘Her books have the ability to simultaneously make you unable to stop reading while wishing you could bury the book somewhere deep underground where it can’t be found. Compelling and haunting’ Sunday Express
‘Some writers have it, and some don’t. C. J. Tudor has it big time’ Lee Child
‘A dark star is born’ A. J. Finn
Tracey Harriman –
The Blurb
500 Years ago: eight martyrs were burnt to death.
30 Years ago: two teenagers vanished without trace.
Two months ago: the vicar committed suicide.
WELCOME TO CHAPEL CROFT
For Reverend Jack Brooks and teenage daughter Flo it’s supposed to be a fresh start. New job, new home. But, as Jack knows, the past isn’t easily forgotten.
And in a close knit community where the residents seem as proud as they are haunted by Chapel Croft’s history, Jack must tread carefully. Ancient superstitions as well as a mistrust of outsiders will be hard to overcome.
Yet right away Jack has more frightening concerns.
Why is Flo plagued by visions of burning girls? Who’s sending them sinister, threatening messages? And why did no one mention that the last vicar killed himself?
Chapel Croft’s secrets lie deep and dark as the tomb. Jack wouldn’t touch them if not for Flo – anything to protect Flo.
But the past is catching up with Chapel Croft – and with Jack. For old ghosts with scores to settle will never rest…
Last year I read all three of Tudor’s previous books. I loved each one of them. She has a gift for writing about the super-natural in a way that makes even old sceptics like me believe. With The Burning Girls the creepiness factor is ratcheted up a good few notches and I loved it even more!
A remote village with old derelict buildings, residents with secrets, and a tragic history that is worn like a badge of honour. Chapel Croft not a place to find peace and tranquillity.
Curiosity is aroused for all of the characters through Tudor’s ability to give enough away to keep the reader interested but to hold enough back to not know the full story. The constant allure is the overall feeling that everyone is hiding a little bit of themselves. The amateur detective within us is tantalised with clues and mis-directions with enough information hidden within the pages that maybe we should see the twist coming – but I certainly didn’t.
Tudor is one of the few authors whose books I will read without question. I don’t need to have a recommendation or read a review. I know it will be good. The only disappointment is knowing I’m going to have to wait a while for the next one.