The gripping new thriller in the brilliant Constance Fairchild series, from one of Scotland’s foremost crime writers.
On compassionate leave following the death of her mother, Detective Constable Constance Fairchild thought renting a cottage near Aberystwyth, Wales would get her far enough from London to finally relax. But trouble always seems to find Con, and it’s not long before she is cooling off in a police station cell after defending herself from two would-be rapists.
In custody she meets a young Ukrainian woman, Lila, who confides in Con that she’s been forced by her manipulative boyfriend into prostitution and running drugs. Fearing for her life, she has run away from him, only to end up in the cells.
Con offers to help, but when her cottage is ransacked, and Lila subsequently disappears, she realises she’s stumbled into very dangerous company. International drug smugglers and ruthless people traffickers – those who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. Out here at the end of the line, will Con find that there’s nowhere left to run?
Praise for James Oswald:
‘The new Ian Rankin’ Daily Record
‘Creepy, gritty and gruesome’ Sunday Mirror
‘Crime fiction’s next big thing’ Sunday Telegraph
Dive into the gripping world of Detective Constable Constance Fairchild in James Oswald's latest thriller, "Nowhere to Run." This compelling read plunges Con into a maelstrom of danger and intrigue far from her London beat, testing her resilience and instincts to their absolute limits. Reeling from the recent loss of her mother, Con seeks solace and respite in a remote cottage nestled near Aberystwyth, Wales. Hoping for tranquility, she anticipates a period of healing and reflection. However, peace proves elusive as trouble, it seems, is an unwelcome shadow that persistently follows her. An act of self-defense against a violent attack lands her in a local police cell, a stark contrast to the quiet retreat she envisioned. Within the confines of her temporary confinement, Con encounters Lila, a vulnerable young Ukrainian woman ensnared in a web of exploitation and fear. Lila confides in Con, revealing a harrowing tale of manipulation, forced prostitution, and drug running orchestrated by her ruthless boyfriend. Desperate to escape her perilous circumstances, Lila's flight for freedom has led her to this very cell. Compelled by a sense of justice and empathy, Con offers her assistance, unaware of the treacherous path that lies ahead. When Con's cottage is ransacked and Lila vanishes without a trace, it becomes chillingly clear that Con has unwittingly stumbled upon a sinister network of international drug smugglers and ruthless people traffickers. These shadowy figures operate with impunity, willing to stop at nothing to protect their secrets and maintain their illicit empire. Far removed from the familiar landscape of London, Con finds herself isolated and vulnerable in the rugged Welsh countryside. As she delves deeper into the investigation, she confronts a ruthless enemy with seemingly unlimited resources and a chilling disregard for human life. "Nowhere to Run" explores themes of exploitation, human trafficking, and the corrupting influence of power, set against the atmospheric backdrop of the Welsh landscape. James Oswald, often hailed as "crime fiction's next big thing" and compared to the legendary Ian Rankin, masterfully crafts a suspenseful and intricately plotted narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With his signature blend of gritty realism, chilling suspense, and compelling characters, Oswald delivers a thriller that is both thought-provoking and relentlessly entertaining. Constance Fairchild is a character that resonates with readers; her strength, determination, and vulnerability make her a uniquely compelling protagonist. Will Con find justice for Lila and expose the dark underbelly of this criminal enterprise, or will she discover that, in this desolate corner of the world, there truly is nowhere left to run? Prepare to be captivated by this thrilling installment in the Constance Fairchild series, a testament to James Oswald's status as one of Scotland's foremost crime writers.