Ten-year-old Jacob Rossi vanishes on his walk home from school, only for his body to be discovered days later in a burning building. DCI Anna Tate is tasked with investigating the case, which quickly reveals a complex web of grudges against the boy's father. Tate must determine if these animosities led to the child's death and if the perpetrator is closer than anyone suspects. The narrative unfolds through Tate's perspective as she navigates the investigation, facing the dual challenges of a missing child and a murder.

Readers describe this book as a page-turner that is both delightful and creepy, keeping them awake as they need to know what happens next. The fast-paced narrative is praised for its suspense, well-developed characters, and original story, leading to anticipation for future installments in the DCI Anna Tate series. Reviewers highlight its hard-hitting, gripping, and suspenseful nature, likening the cat-and-mouse, race-against-the-clock plot to a whirlwind. The book is noted for its different premise and the way it twists and turns, compelling readers to continue.