The Chemistry of Death

Terrifying suspense and chillingly authentic forensics come together in this stunning thriller from a frighteningly good British crime-writing talent.

• Don’t miss ‘THE CHEMISTRY OF DEATH’ TV SERIES – now streaming on Paramount+ *

Adapted from The Chemistry of Death and Written in Bone – starring Harry Treadaway as Dr David Hunter

‘A classy debut’ The Times
‘Best thriller I’ve read all year’ Tess Gerritsen

Dr David Hunter hoped he might at last have put the past behind him. But then they found what was left of Sally Palmer . . .

It isn’t just that she was a friend that disturbs him. Once he’d been a high-profile forensic anthropologist and all too familiar with the many faces of death, before tragedy made him abandon this previous life.

Now the police want his help.

But to become involved will stir up memories he’s long tried to forget. Then a second woman disappears, plunging the close-knit community into a maelstrom of fear and paranoia.

And no one, not even Hunter, is exempt from suspicion.

Gruesome and gripping, this startling new British crime thriller has an unnerving and original twist.

Author Biography

Simon Beckett is the No.1 international bestselling author of the David Hunter series- The Chemistry of
Death, Written in Bone, Whispers of the Dead, The Calling of the Grave, The Restless Dead and The Scent of Death. His books have been translated into 29 languages, appeared in the Sunday Times top 10 bestseller lists and sold over 10 million copies worldwide. A former freelance journalist, he has written for The Times, Daily Telegraph, Independent on Sunday and Observer. The inspiration for the first David Hunter novel came after a visit to the world-renowned Body Farm in Tennessee introduced him to the work of forensic anthropologists.
Joint-winner (with Arne Dahl) of Europe’s largest crime fiction prize – the Ripper Award 2018/19 – he has also won the Raymond Chandler Society’s Marlowe Award and been short-listed for the CWA Gold Dagger, CWA Dagger in the Library and Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year awards. He is
also the author of several stand-alone novels including Stone Bruises and Where There’s Smoke. Simon Beckett lives in Sheffield.