‘A totally captivating and addictive read. I loved this book!… Had me totally mesmerised from the very first page. This has to be on your 2019 to-be-read list!’ Booked Up Girl, 5 stars

Call it mother’s intuition, but I knew she was dead the moment she was late home. As I listened to her phone ring and ring, that’s when I knew for sure. My little girl was gone.

Fifteen-year-old Shannon Ross is missing and her parents are distraught. With her long blonde hair, easy laugh and perfect grades, she’s the girl everyone at school wants to be.

Detective Jessie Blake is called to Inverlochty, the missing girl’s home town in the Scottish Highlands, and finds Shannon was keeping a diary full of friends’ and neighbours’ secrets. She knows the kind, outgoing boy who’s sleeping with his teacher and the quiet woman who’s been having an affair with her best friend’s husband.

Just as Jessie and her team are beginning to understand Shannon’s complicated world, her lifeless body is found on an ice-cold river bank on the outskirts of town. And when Jessie tells Shannon’s family the heart-breaking news, she senses something isn’t right. The loving family is beginning to show cracks. Did Shannon know about her father’s alcohol problems and violent past? Why does Shannon’s mother keep finding excuses to leave the room, when Jessie wants to ask her questions?

As Jessie begins to piece together the final days of Shannon’s life, her own history comes back to haunt her. Putting aside her personal demons, Jessie vows to do whatever it takes to catch Shannon’s killer. But what if the killer is ready to strike first?

This unputdownable crime thriller set in the dramatic Scottish Highlands will have you reading well into the night. If you like LJ Ross, Cara Hunter or Robert Bryndza, you will absolutely love this.

What readers are saying about Heartlands:

‘WOW, WOW, WOW. I was hooked from the first page, could not put this book down. I read it in one sitting and it kept me reading late into the night… A gripping read.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘WOW. Kerry Watts had me on the edge of my seat… I literally couldn’t put it down… By far the best book I have read this year – for a crime thriller it ticks all of the boxes. A must-read and worthy of 5 stars.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘I was absolutely hooked from page one… I had to rush back to it every time I had to put it down. An ending you won’t see coming.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Compelling, addictive, surprising at times and overall a great story very well told… If you enjoy a police drama where the plot twists and turns in a shocking but credible manner and keeps you guessing all the way through, then you’ll love Heartlands.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘The storyline pulls you in from page one. I was very gripped… If you like a good twist, this is for you.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Gripping read from start to finish… a great read with lies, secrets, deceits, betrayals and loss. Can’t wait for the next in the series.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Great book!!… Definitely will read the next in the series.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Unbelievably good crime novel.’ Goodreads reviewer, 4 stars

‘The first story in the Detective Jessie Blake series and I can’t wait for more from this author!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Murders, mystery and so many secrets to uncover… The characters are interesting and so very intense. This is a great start to a new series. I’m ready to read the next one.’ Netgalley reviewer, 4 stars

‘Great book… I will recommend this book to others.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars