In the shadowed depths of a canal, the life of thirteen-year-old Stacey Read was tragically extinguished shattering the world around her. A decade of unanswered questions weigh heavily on the unsolved case. Gus Freeman and his team unravel a chilling tapestry of deception and malevolence, where the boundaries between innocence and corruption blur beyond recognition. As Gus peels back the layers of a haunting mystery, the true extent of horror emerges, demanding every ounce of his skill and determination. This perfect blend of detective mystery and everyday life will delight fans of Sally Rigby, Faith Martin, Joy Ellis, Simon McCleave, and Pauline Rowson. PRAISE FOR TED TAYLER: \"Ted Tayler brilliantly weaves the details of the mysterious murder dropping breadcrumbs for readers to follow. We follow Freeman and his team as they interview witnesses, suspects, and friends of the victim. Along with his liberal use of British colloquialisms, he enriches the flavour of the tale. His prose brings the investigation to life. I think Gus Freeman will be as appealing as The Phoenix. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a solid mystery.\" Elizabeth. \"The pacing is excellent, the characters believable and the cold case work excellent as well. I already know that I will be reading all of this series\" Jenna. \"Gus Freeman is a multi-dimensional character who is not only called on to help solve a crime, but also deal with his personal issues. It is always a joy to read this author\'s stories. He is not just a writer but a great storyteller.\" Amy Shannon. \"A fabulous find! Ted Tayler is gifted in making sure the reader becomes an integral part of what he has written, become one with the book.\" Dora.