When They Die: A gripping British detective crime thriller

by Mark Yarwood

On a storm-lashed summer night, Arthur Hitcham is found dead in the bath at his vast, isolated manor house. His solicitor discovers the body, and to the police the death appears it was a heart attack, nothing more.

But DCI Philip Radford sees something else entirely.
Hitcham had recently changed his will, leaving everything to a young woman living in a caravan on his land. And when a wealthy woman dies who also recently altered her will, Radford realises something far darker is at play.

As the body count rises, the victims no longer fit a single pattern. Rich and poor alike are dying, and Radford suspects the killer is driven not by money, but by revenge.

With Inspector Morris at his side, and the ghostly presence of Michelle Carr lingering close, Radford is drawn into a shadowy world of wealth, guilt, and haunted lives. The killer is patient, deliberate, and always one step away.

The trail tightens, and the danger becomes personal. Radford must uncover the truth, all before the past claims another life, possibly his own…

425 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2026

Reviews

[Cidney]

Oh dear, I just never warmed to the main character, Detective Chief Inspector Philip Radford who is looking for a serial killer connected to the death of Arthur Hitcham, a recluse living in a very large old house, nor his sidekicks who came across as teenagers fighting in a car and not police officers. Sigh. Radford keeps communicating with his old Sergeant Carr, forgot her first name, and he has discussions with her frequently throughout the day, aloud. But she's dead. This man is in serious need of a therapist. All this was a bit of a distraction from the actual story, which really was quite sound, it's just Radford and the fairly useless young police officers around him who are not. I did plough on til the end but am certain if there are sequels I won't be seeking them!

[Taryn Estcourt]

Another mystery full of twists and turns

The second book is just as good as the first at thinking you know who did it then questioning everything and everyone all over again within the first few chapters. It's a thrilling and exciting ride with a great imagination for murder. If you love Sherlock, Agatha Christie or Poirot (even the game Cluedo) these books are a great. It's a modern take on all of the above and leaves you guessing until the very end!

[Dorothy Ward]

When they die

I loved this book because of the descriptions that flowed through the pages you could see and hear and sense that you were there also the characters were life like showing that not everyone is perfect great read could not put it down well done.

[john tanner]

Fabulous

I loved this story and just could put it down. I just hadn't worked it out until the final reveal! Now for the next in this series.