A murder-for-hire goes wrong in this thriller by ';one of the most consistently entertaining, insightful crime writers working today' (Gillian Flynn). After Alan Langford's charred remains were found in his burnt-out Jaguar, his abused, long-suffering wife, Donna, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to ten years at Wakefield Prison. It was worth the time. But shortly before her release, Donna receives a nasty shock: an anonymous letter containing a recent photo of her husbandthe man she despised and feared, the man she paid to have killed, the man she's now begging London inspector Tom Thorne to find. Even for a seasoned DI like Thorne, this is a first: tracking a man who's come back from the dead. But when Donna's daughter suddenly disappears, Thorne finds himself following two trails of revenge and double cross. And they're both leading into the menacing shadow of a killer who wants the case buried for good. With his multiple award-winning series, ';Mark Billingham has brought a rare and welcome blend of humanity, dimension, and excitement to the genre' (George Pelecanos). From the Dead is not only ';a good crime story, but... [a] novel...about the complexities and pitfalls of love' (The Washington Post). ';Engrossing... chillingly clever.' Publishers Weekly ';Mark Billingham is one of my favorite new writers.' Harlan Coben ';Tom Thorne is a wonderful creation. Rush to read these books.' Karin Slaughter, New York Timesbestselling author