Melverley Grange was once a sight to behold. A secluded Victorian mansion, set amid acres of lush green land. Its owners — the Barton family — were the envy of the entire village. Until someone struck a match in the dead of night . . .

By dawn, the Grange is a smouldering shell. And the Bartons’ luck is all run out. Coroner Martha Gunn and her team pull three charred bodies from the wreckage.

A mother and daughter, locked in their bedrooms and left to burn. And an elderly man — the grandfather — collapsed in the hallway. Only the son survived.

Whoever lit the fire sealed all the Bartons’ fates when they doused the ground floor in petrol and threw away the key. And the police don’t need to look far to find their arsonist.

Frail old Mr Barton wasn’t the full ticket before he died. It wouldn’t be the first time his temper got the better of him.

But Martha can’t believe he’s guilty. To her, this fire looks like the handiwork of someone far more devious.

When a second house goes up in smoke — a stone’s throw from the Grange — Martha realizes she’s playing with fire. And she might just be the next one to get burned . . .

Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Aline Templeton, Silent Witness and Patricia Cornwell, this fiendishly twisty and atmospheric crime thriller is sure to keep you turning the pages late into the night.

Please note, this book was previously published as Smoke Alarm.