C.B. Everett is the pen name for author Martyn Waites. He trained at the Birmingham School and worked as an actor for many years before becoming a writer. His novels include the critically acclaimed Joe Donovan series, The Old Religion, and The White Room. In 2013, he was chosen to write Angel of Death, the official sequel to Susan Hill's The Woman in Black, and in 2014 won the Grand Prix for Born Under Punches. He has been nominated for every major British and French crime fiction award and has also enjoyed international commercial success with eight novels written under the name Tania Carver.

"CB Everett is a master of fiendishly-plotted, intelligent mysteries."--Mark Edwards, internationally bestselling author of THE WASP TRAP

*Praise for the other novels of CB Everett/Martyn Waites*

"A blackly funny twist on the country house mystery, with bodies and wit galore."--John Connolly, New York Times bestselling author of THE CHILDREN OF EVE

"Spectacular."--Lee Child, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series

"A deftly plotted, gripping, pulse-racing rollercoaster of a thriller. . . Stunning."--Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author of I WILL FIND YOU

"Mesmerising."--Ian Rankin, #1 internationally bestselling author of the John Rebus series

"Chilling . . . Great stuff."--Mick Herron, CWA Award-winning author of SLOW HORSES

"A metafictional tour de force...Buckle up for a darkly funny mystery about friendship, rivalry, ambition and - wannabe novelists look away now - the more soul-destroying aspects of authorship."-- "The Guardian, "Best Recent Crime and Thrillers""

"A clever piece of crime-fiction crime is concealed within this intriguing novel within a novel."-- "The Times (London)"

"[A] slyly entertaining metafictional mystery...Adventurous mystery fans are likely to enjoy this one." -- "Publishers Weekly"

Publisher: Atria Books

Pub date: 2026-06-02

Length: 384 pages