Mo Hayder does know how to write a good thriller. They can be quite dark and delve into the depressing side of humanity. But in an addictive way, even if I did find some of the references in here a bit distressing. I've not been reading these in order, and I didn't find it a problem (interesting to see nods to both Skin, and Gone, which both come after this and I've already read) but I do kind of wish I'd read the series more in order, at least from this book onwards, as I think this is the point where Flea comes into the series. She is a petite underwater search diver, and I find her far more interesting than Cafferty, who is supposed to be the lead figure in this series.

Set in Bristol, a hand is spotted in the harbour. Everyone assumes it's a body part knocked off a rotting suicide corpse somewhere, but when the hand is recovered, they realise it's a lot fresher. And worse still, that the owner was probably still alive when the hand was removed. Then the other hand turns up...

We're delving in to rituals from South Africa, with muti (magical offerings, often human parts), tokoloshe (witches familiars/devils) and a whole bundle of superstitions and black magic. The ex-pats living in the area seem to be frightened of a devil stalking them, and are getting involved in dark rituals to protect themselves. Whether its all true or someone is conning them and making a whole bundle of cash remains to be seen.