Death Under a Little Sky

The stunningly written, evocative new debut crime thriller you won’t want to miss! "Stylishly written by a master wordsmith, and an absorbing tale"The Sun “A more than promising debut”The Times “A tense and twisty crime thriller”inews A detective ready for a new life…For years, Jake Jackson has been a high-flying detective in London. But then one day he receives a letter from his reclusive uncle – he has left Jake his property in the middle of the countryside. For Jake, it is the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. A rural idyll the stuff of dreams…At first, life in the middle of nowhere is everything Jake could wish for. His new home is beautiful, his surroundings are stunning, and he enjoys getting back to nature. A death that disrupts everything…But then, what starts as a fun village treasure hunt turns deadly, 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.

‘With his awkward but likeable hero, a compelling relationship between Jake and Livia, and the skillfully realized setting, Abell’s new career in crime fiction is off to a promising start.’ Daily Mirror ‘I was charmed and engrossed – by Jake’s self-reinvention, by Abell’s eccentric cast of characters’ Observer ‘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 ‘A beautifully written portrait of a burned-out cop’s new life in the countryside, where a cold case is never far away. Part romance, part cosy, 100% crime, I utterly adored it’Sam Holland, author of The Echo Man and The Twenty ‘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

Stig Abell loves detective novels above any other literature, films, plays or television. This is the first one he has actually written. Away from books, he presents the breakfast show on Times Radio, a station he helped to launch in 2020. Before that he was a regular presenter on Radio 4’s Front Row and was the editor and publisher of the Times Literary Supplement. At one time or another he has written for almost every newspaper in Britain, and one or two in America as well. He lives in London with his wife, three children and two independent-minded cats called Boo and Ninja (his children named them, obviously).

Book Partnerships

For the Fans