Skin of Their Teeth

Meet Detective Nicki Hardcastle in this gripping Suffolk-based crime series.

One broken body. Seven missing teeth. A killer who's only just begun.

Detective Nicki Hardcastle is midway through painting her living room — she's supposed to be off-duty — when the call comes in. "You might want to see this one, boss." Minutes later, she's standing at the foot of a four-storey townhouse in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. A man lies impaled on a black iron spike, his body blood-soaked and broken.

It appears Jacob Towers took his own life. But the details don't add up. Why was the dead man carrying seven of his own teeth in his pockets?

Then a chilling voicemail surfaces: "It's time to pay for what you did." Two days later, there's another death. Just as sudden. Just as brutal. And once again — seven teeth.

Someone is dealing out justice, one gruesome death at a time. And they've only just begun . . .

Perfect for fans of Helen H. Durrant, Joy Ellis, Ann Cleeves, Angela Marsons and Rachel McLean, this twist-filled thriller will keep you hooked until the final jaw-dropping page.

The Detective

Detective Nicki Hardcastle is in her early thirties. She's an independent, determined woman who is good at her job and treats her team with the respect they deserve. When she was ten years old, her little brother Dean disappeared. Nicki was supposed to be watching him. Now, she is estranged from her family, and finds it difficult to let people get close to her. Contentedly single, Nicki's perfect evening consists of a long run followed by a hot bath. Her closest companion is her cat, Luna.

The Setting

Bury St Edmunds is a picturesque market town in the heart of Suffolk, on the east coast of England. Founded in the 11th century, the town is notable for its rich and colourful history. Tourists flock to see the ruins of the medieval abbey and maybe catch a glimpse of the infamous ghostly "Grey Lady". It's also home to the Angel Hotel, once frequented by Charles Dickens, and the Nutshell, famous for being Britain's smallest pub. It's an unlikely setting for murder. But its tranquil surroundings and stunning architecture hide a darker side.