Sixteen Horses
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Pan Macmillan
Published:29th Apr '21
Should be back in stock very soon
In a struggling seaside town, the discovery of sixteen buried horse heads triggers panic and paranoia. As investigators uncover dark secrets, they confront a web of crime and hidden dangers.
In Sixteen Horses, a small, fading seaside town grapples with chaos and fear after the shocking discovery of sixteen horses' heads buried in a farmer's field. Each head is positioned with a single eye directed toward the winter sun, a haunting detail that sets the stage for the unfolding mystery. The local police detective, Alec Nichols, teams up with forensic veterinarian Cooper Allen to investigate the grim scene. Their inquiry reveals a disturbing pattern of crimes plaguing the community, including disappearances, arson, and mutilations, all hinting at a deeper, more sinister force at work beneath the surface.
As the investigation progresses, the town of Ilmarsh descends into a state of panic and paranoia. The atmosphere is thick with suspicion, as residents begin to question one another, and the line between friend and foe blurs. Cooper finds herself trapped in the town, unable to escape the mounting tension, while Alec becomes increasingly aware of an unseen threat stalking him. Together, they must navigate a labyrinth of fear and uncertainty, racing against time to uncover the truth behind the chilling events that have shaken their community to its core.
Greg Buchanan's debut novel is a gripping literary thriller that explores themes of guilt, trauma, and the consequences of buried secrets. Set against the backdrop of a seaside town that feels abandoned by the world, Sixteen Horses invites readers into a haunting narrative that lingers long after the final page is turned. With its intricate plotting and richly drawn characters, this story promises to captivate those who enjoy dark, atmospheric mysteries.
Unlike anything else you’ll read this year, Sixteen Horses is a deeply disconcerting ride. Irresistible -- Val McDermid
Dark, visceral and disturbing, this highly suspenseful and beautifully written thriller is totally gripping from start to finish. A hugely impressive debut -- Alex Michaelides, author of The Silent Patient
Original, beautifully written, terrifying and haunting. I won't forget this novel -- Sophie Hannah, author of Haven't They Grown
A breath-taking debut . . . written with immense panache. This is crime writing of a striking calibre, which constantly surprises as it takes unexpected twist after twist — leaving you desperate for more * Daily Mail *
Utterly gripping, exquisitely written [. . .] Haunting and very dark, this is certainly worth the read * Guardian *
Sometimes you come across a work of fiction so staggeringly good, it’s almost impossible to find words that can do justice to its brilliance and adequately describe how it made you feel. In the end, all that needs to be said is this: read it, read it, read it -- B. P. Walter, author of The Dinner Guest
Compelling . . . The corkscrew twists leave you begging for more * Daily Mail *
Utterly brilliant. Poetry and cinema at once. If this isn’t one of the biggest titles of 2021 I’ll eat my hat -- CJ Cooke, author of The Nesting
Poignant, chilling, eerie, and gruesome, Sixteen Horses is a thriller with a literary soul, perfect for fans of Netflix's Dark or BBC's Top of the Lake. Buchanan impressively balances horror and empathy, showing real evil while also exploring the human cost of economic collapse. A unique, ambitious debut that left me shocked and enthralled -- Sara Sligar, author of Take Me Apart
A dark, ambitious, and highly intelligent thriller . . . This complex, often gothic tale is definitely an eye-opener * Publishers Weekly *
ISBN: 9781529027167
Dimensions: 242mm x 163mm x 47mm
Weight: 698g
464 pages