Death at the White Hart

About the book

THE MUST-READ CRIME DEBUT OF 2025 FROM THE MIND BEHIND BROADCHURCH AND DOCTOR WHO

Small-town secrets, a detective running out of time, and the killer hiding in plain sight.

'A masterclass whodunnit' Gillian McAllister
'A craftily plotted mystery, full of memorable characters' Mail on Sunday
'Snappy dialogue, confident. Turns expectations of village life on their head' Sunday Times
'A strong pace, good characterisation and an excellent sense of place get this projected series off to a flying start' Guardian
–

When Nicola Bridge moves back to Dorset after years as a CID detective in the big city, the last thing she expects is for the picturesque village of Fleetcombe to become a grisly crime scene.

Jim Tiernan, landlord of the White Hart pub, has been found dead, the body staged with macabre relish on an isolated country road. As soon as she starts asking questions, Nicola realises everyone in the village has something to hide.

Frankie, the hairdresser who isn’t a skilled enough actor to conceal they’re lying about the night of the murder.

Eddie, the delivery driver whose heart starts racing every time he drives past the crime scene.

Deakins, the embittered farmer still living in the shadow of a supposedly murderous ancestor.

And even the little girl, hidden at the top of the playground slide, who’s watching them all.

Whispers. Rumours. Lies. But Nicola knows that somewhere among them, a killer is hiding in plain sight.

Because sometimes the smallest villages hide the darkest secrets…

–

PRAISE FOR DEATH AT THE WHITE HART

'I loved it. A murder mystery that feels like it’s set right now, packed with vivid characters and a detective I adored – and I didn’t guess who did it. A wonderful book' - Russell T Davies

'Layered, human, suspenseful and surprising - this guy knows how to tell a story, that's for sure' - Lee Child

'Fans of Broadchurch are going to LOVE Death at the White Hart! With its compelling pair of detectives and tense, creepy atmosphere, once you start reading, I defy you to stop' - Shari Lapena

'Chibnall distils his talent for blockbusting screen drama into a deliciously gritty and well-written police procedural. A searing debut crime fans will love!' - Janice Hallett

'Literally unputdownable. SO pacy and delicious, I loved the stream of new reveals, the plot kept me guessing and the excellent characterisation was my favourite bit. Just a huge treat to read' - Marian Keyes

'With a confounding crime and a stellar cast of characters, Death at the White Hart is everything I love in a crime novel' - Jennie Godfrey, bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things

'Brilliant characterisation and fabulous suspense - as unputdownable as you'd expect from the writer of Broadchurch' - Jenny Colgan

'A sleek and sinister debut that grips you from the first page and doesn't let go' - Celia Walden, Richard and Judy bestselling author of Payday

'A promising start to a crime career – old ideas with a fresh spin, and a great ending' - Geoffrey Wansell, Daily Mail

'A clever, compelling crime drama' - Sun