Description

The stunningly written, atmospheric new debut crime thriller you won’t want to miss!
Winner of the 2024 CrimeFest Debut Crime Novel of the Year!
A detective ready for a new life
For years, Jake Jackson has been a high-flying detective in the city. One day he receives a letter from his reclusive uncle – he has left Jake his property in the middle of the countryside. It is the perfect opportunity for a fresh start.

A rural idyll the stuff of dreams
Life in the middle of nowhere is everything Jake could wish for. His home is beautiful and his surroundings are stunning. While the locals are eccentric, they are also friendly, and invite him to join their annual treasure hunt.

A death that disrupts everything
What starts as an innocent game turns sinister, when a young woman’s bones are discovered. And Jake is thrust once again into the role of detective, as he tries to unearth a dangerous killer in this most unlikely of settings.

Praise for Death Under a Little Sky
‘Tense but patient, fast but thoughtful, and twisty but substantial – this is a truly excellent debut, and I want the next installment now’ Lee Child

‘I LOVED this. I found it totally immersive, and couldn’t wait to squeeze some time from my day to return to it. The writing is very classy and the conclusion came as a surprise, which is always a treat’ Ann Cleeves

‘Gloriously atmospheric and masterfully plotted with such a strong sense of place, this is a huge treat for crime fiction lovers. I can’t wait for the next instalment!’ Lucy Foley

‘Stylish…a more than promising debut’ The Times

‘Stylishly written by a skilled wordsmith, and an absorbing tale’ Sun

‘A vivid, atmospheric debut’ Daily Mail

‘A cosy crime read with an appealing protagonist’ Guardian

Publisher Review

'I LOVED this. I found it totally immersive, and couldn't wait to squeeze some time from my day to return to it. The writing is very classy and the conclusion came as a surprise, which is always a treat' Ann Cleeves, the No. 1 Bestselling Author of Vera and Shetland 'Superb! A pitch-perfect blend of psychological thriller and classic detective fiction, rich with smart plotting and characters so real we feel we know them. And with the keen eye of the journalist that he is, Abell gives us a compelling portrayal of life-and death-in the countryside. As for our hero, Jake Jackson, what can I say except I expect him back soon. No, I demand his return!' -Jeffery Deaver, Sunday Times Top 10 Bestselling Author 'Tense but patient, fast but thoughtful, and twisty but substantial - this is a truly excellent debut, and I want the next installment now' Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher series 'What a gorgeous read. It has the halo of an instant classic. This is a deep, searching novel, as preoccupied with human nature and ordinary evil as it is with detection' AJ Finn, the No. 1 Bestselling Author of The Woman in the Window 'Gloriously atmospheric and masterfully plotted with such a strong sense of place, this is a huge treat for crime fiction lovers. I can't wait for the next instalment!' Lucy Foley, author of The Paris Apartment 'Stig Abell's love of the genre shines through in his crime fiction debut, Death Under a Little Sky. The narrative follows a city detective who quits the force and moves to a rural idyll at the termination of a troubled marriage. But fate never leaves a good detective in peace, and he soon finds himself investigating a possible local murder. An atmospheric, often meditative, and beautifully written crime novel.' Vaseem Khan, author of the Baby Ganesh Agency series and the Malabar House novels "Stylishly written by a master wordsmith, and an absorbing tale" The Sun