Salt Lane

SHE ALWAYS WENT TOO FAR

DS Alexandra Cupidi has done it again. She should have learnt to keep her big mouth shut, after the scandal that sent her packing – resentful teenager in tow – from the London Met to the lonely Kent coastline. Murder is different here, among the fens and stark beaches.

SHE WAS THE ONE WHO FOUND THE KILLERS

The man drowned in the slurry pit had been herded there like an animal. He was North African, like many of the fruit pickers that work the fields. The more Cupidi discovers, the more she wants to ask – but these people are suspicious of questions.

AND NOW IT WAS KILLING HER

It will take an understanding of this strange place – its old ways and new crimes – to uncover the dark conspiracy behind the murder. Cupidi is not afraid to travel that road. But she should be. She should, by now, have learnt.

Salt Lane is the first in the new DS Alexandra Cupidi series. With his trademark characterisation and flair for social commentary, William Shaw has crafted a crime novel for our time that grips you, mind and heart.

---

“A sharp eye for detail, turned on 21st-century phenomenon of people-trafficking. There are some touching moments in this vivid tale, which recognises that decent people don’t always behave well.” Joan Smith, The Times

“Shaw scores subtle political points in this atmospheric, state-of-the-nation thriller that, as always, features intricate plotting, realistic dialogue and believable characters. A modern crime master.” Simon Cooper, The Sun

“Detective Sergeant Alexandra Cupidi, a recent transfer from London to the coastal Kent police department, is having a hard time adjusting in William Shaw’s excellent Salt Lane… [It’s] a web of events that reverses readers’ expectations.” Tim Nolan, Wall Street Journal

“Salt Lane is taut, terrifying and timely; the emotional tension never slackens.” Val McDermid

“A fine police heroine emerges here… living in the shadow of the power station at Dungeness. It is a splendid backdrop for a troubled detective.” Mail on Sunday

“DS Alexandra Cupidi (introduced in The Birdwatcher) is complex, conflicted, and conscientious… Shaw’s rattling good writing will hold readers to the very end.” Publisher’s Weekly (starred review).

“Cupidi is a convincing character and William Shaw’s evocation of the unforgiving Kent landscape is very well done. All this, however, is secondary to the social commentary. This murder mystery has a message that comes over loud and clear.” Jessica Mann, Literary Review

“William Shaw is one of the great rising talents of UK crime fiction. This is his best book to date, instantly engaging, beautifully written with really well observed and rounded characters.” Peter James

“Brilliant. Atmospheric, immersive scene setting, highly engaging main protagonist and a superbly crafted plot, written beautifully.” Liz Loves Books

“Intriguing and atmospheric, Salt Lane covers tough topics with sensitivity, a dash of humour and above all, beautiful writing. I love the whole Cupidi family – mother, daughter and child. I don’t think there are any other crime novels I’ve read that are exploring this kind of family dynamic.” Susi Holliday

“Cupidi is one of my current favourite crime fiction police characters. Shaw writes female characters and tackles the issues around motherhood so well. A page-turning police procedural with a thoughtful, character-driven heart, an astounding sense of place, and a quirky sense of humour.” Julia Crouch, author of Her Husband’s Lover

“Gritty, hard-hitting crime rarely sits beside brooding atmosphere, flawless writing, and characters so real you could have a chat with them, but Salt Lane is that rare gem. A fabulous start to what I’m sure will be a must-read series.” Barbara Copperthwaite

“Tense and brutal . . . Intelligent, beautifully written and with an emotional resonance that stays long after the book is finished, this is a tight and compelling read that rewards the reader in spades.” Live and Deadly

“Stark beauty . . . The investigations raise issues important to 21st-century Brexit Britain – immigration, racism, sexism, poverty and inequality.” Literary Shed

“Evokes setting in every way possible – the darkness, the way of living on this land, the workers, illegal and otherwise, the land changing over the years, the rawness of the sea and the elements … it’s exposed, raw and hard to deal with at times, and all of this is also the essence of this very immersive read. This novel really shone for me as it weaves social commentary, great writing and unique observation of landscape into one neatly tied package.” Book Trail

“I loved this first book an unreasonable amount, I was so delighted by how good it was… there are so many layers and it’s so real…A great mystery and a great police procedural…two enthusiastic bird thumbs up.” Bookriot

“I discovered the novels of William Shaw last year, and read The Birdwatcher, and then a trilogy set in 1960s London featuring Detectives Tozer and Breen. There is now a fourth book in that series in my “to read” pile. And, you’ll find a very satisfying connection between that series and Salt Lane. These are both terrific series — I can say “read one and you’ll read them all” and feel entirely confident that you will agree.” Parry Sound North Star

Longlisted for the Theakston Crime Novel of the Year 2019