The Valley of Fear

When a cryptic cipher arrives at Baker Street from a treacherous informant, a brilliant detective decodes a chilling prophecy of imminent murder. But the warning comes too late. Deep in the heart of Sussex, the wealthy and enigmatic John Douglas lies dead within the impenetrable walls of Birlstone Manor, his head shattered by an American sawed-off shotgun, his wedding ring missing, and a bizarre brand burned into his arm.

In The Valley of Fear, author James Harvey revives a timeless labyrinth of brilliant deduction and terrifying secrets. With the drawbridge raised and the moat undisturbed, how did the killer escape? And what sinister conspiracy links a tranquil English country house to the shadowy, blood-soaked history of an American mining valley?

As layers of deceit are peeled back, investigators find themselves confronting an adversary whose web of evil spans continents. Rich with atmosphere, razor-sharp dialogue, and master-class plotting, The Valley of Fear is a quintessential locked-room puzzle that will keep you guessing until the final, shocking revelation.