[Angela Tate Investigations 02] • The Third Estate · A Crime Thriller (The Women Sleuths Series)

A gripping suspense mystery from a prize-winning crime writer.

A missing child

Nine-year-old Casey Collins is missing and time is running out. The chances of finding her alive get slimmer with each agonising hour.

As hopes for her safe return fade, attention turns to Casey's mother, Trisha. Living in social housing, with five children by different fathers, it's not long before the desperate police and scandal-hungry press turn on her, questioning not just her lifestyle choices, but her innocence.

Soon the previously tight-knit community on the run-down council estate in south London suspect little Casey's mother knows more about her daughter's disappearance than she is letting on.

Only one woman can help

Hard-nosed newspaper reporter, Angela Tate is the only person who believes Trisha Collins is incapable of harming Casey. But the ruthless hack has her own reasons for involving herself in the lives of Trisha's family. Always on the hunt for an exclusive, Tate promises front-page headlines and unlimited coverage of the case in return for information: she presses Trisha to give up a secret she's been keeping for over 30 years.

An unsolved mystery

Thirty-three years ago two little blonde girls disappeared from the same south London neighbourhood. One was discovered on waste ground by Angela Tate, who was led to her body by a 7-year-old Trisha, but the other girl was never found. Although a local youth was tried and convicted of the first murder, Tate was never convinced of his guilt and is determined to solve the mystery once and for all.

Racing against time and opposed by the Metropolitan Police and an anonymous enemy, Angela Tate puts her own life on the line to uncover a truth more shocking than she could ever have imagined.

Fans of The Loyal Servant will welcome the return of Angela Tate, but will this story be the last she ever investigates?

The Third Estate is part page-turning suspense thriller, part gritty police procedural for fans of authors like Nicci French and Mark Billingham. A story of guilt, revenge and repentance, it is a murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Praise for The Third Estate

"Pacey, well-plotted crime thriller... This story is a cut above many thrillers"

"There are enough twists and surprises to keep even the most seasoned reader on her toes... The Third Estate is fast-paced and fascinating"

"The mystery element is superb - enough twists and turns to keep crime readers happy... And the ending WILL shock you"

Praise for Eva Hudson

"A brilliantly-paced thriller... Perfectly balanced between character and plot. Very gripping and suspenseful" - Sophie Hannah

"It immediately draws you in... there's suspense right from the beginning" - Penny Smith

"Great dialogue" - Mark Billingham

Other crime thrillers and mystery books by Eva Hudson

- The Loyal Servant: A Very British Political Crime Thriller

- The Senior Moment: A Humorous and Romantic Suspense Thriller

- The Long Drop: A Psychological Thriller Short Story

- The Last Ride: A Hard Boiled Crime Short Story

About Eva Hudson

After years of enjoying suspense mysteries and British detective police procedurals by authors like Sophie Hannah, Ann Cleeves, Mark Billingham and Stuart MacBride, Eva was inspired to write her own murder myste