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About The Book

‘Will suck you in from the first page’ Stephen Booth, author of Fall Down Dead

In a small northern town, girls are disappearing.

You won’t see it in the papers and the police aren’t taking any notice, but the clues are there if you know where to look.

Becca sees that something is wrong, but she’s been labelled ‘difficult’ thanks to her troubled past. So when a girl is so savagely beaten she can’t be identified, and Becca claims she knows who she is, no one will believe her.

With the police refusing to listen, Becca digs for evidence that will prove what she is saying. But her search for justice will put herself and those closest to her in danger – and once she finds the truth, will anyone even listen?

WHY READERS LOVE LIFE RUINS . . .
'A powerful, thought-provoking story, which perfectly evokes the bleak Yorkshire landscape . . . a vital read for any crime fan' Kate Rhodes, author of Pulpit Rock

‘I couldn’t put it down . . . If you’re looking for a crime thriller set firmly in the real world and populated with characters who feel completely authentic, Life Ruins is the book for you’ Sheffield Telegraph

'Life Ruins has all the elements I love in a novel - complex characters, an insidious underlying menace, and haunting landscapes. This dark story will suck you in from the first page' Stephen Booth, author of Fall Down Dead
'Explores real issues, from the perspective of real, damaged people, and told with a real warmth and understanding. Danuta Kot raises the bar for all crime writers' Michael Jecks, author of Pilgrim's War

‘Poignant about the lives of people who struggle against grief, loneliness, abuse or hardship in their lives . . . A terrifically good read’ Amazon reader

‘A real belter of a book. There isn't a minute to catch your breath. Tension, suspense, mystery, it's almost supernatural. Highly recommended’ Amazon reader

About The Author

Danuta Kot grew up with stories. Her Irish mother and her Polish father kept their own cultures alive with traditional tales they shared with their children. For many years, she worked with young people in Yorkshire who were growing up in the aftermath of sudden industrial decline. She uses this background in her books to explore some of the issues that confront modern, urban society: poverty, alienation and social breakdown, using the contexts of the modern crime novel. She now works as a senior education consultant, work that involves travel to establish education and training in other parts of the world. She is a regular academic speaker at conferences and literary festivals, and has appeared on radio and television.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (February 7, 2019)
  • Length: 480 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781471175923

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