Death at the White Hart - by Chris Chibnall (Hardcover)

About the Book

"From the internationally award-winning creator of Broadchurch comes a brilliant new detective story following one man's death and the secrets that unravel in a coastal English village Nothing keeps a village together like secrets. The villagers of Fleetcombe like to think of it as one of the most picturesque spots on England's coast. But now, it's a disturbingly macabre crime scene. A man is found dead, tied to a chair in the middle of the road, a stag's antlers on his head. The gruesome scene stuns the town, especially when the victim is identified: Jim Tiernan, who ran the White Hart pub. Tierney's pub is at the center of village life and he knew everyone's secrets. Detective Nicola Bridge grew up in Fleetcombe and has now returned, for the good of her family, from a life away in Liverpool. DC Harry Ward is ten years younger and, despite his newcomer status, determined to earn Nicola's trust. Because they don't have long to crack the storybook faðcade and find out just what the people of Fleetcombe have to hide. And now, in the place she thought she knew so well, Detective Nicola Bridge is asking questions. Is she ready for what she's about to find?"--

Book Synopsis

"Layered, human, suspenseful and surprising - this guy knows how to tell a story, that's for sure." --Lee Child, # 1 New York Times bestselling author

"Fans of Broadchurch are going to LOVE Death at the White Hart! With its compelling pair of detectives and tense, creepy atmosphere, once you start reading, I defy you to stop." --Shari Lapena

From the internationally award-winning creator of Broadchurch comes a brilliant new detective story following one man's death and the secrets that unravel in a coastal English village

Nothing keeps a village together like secrets.

The villagers of Fleetcombe like to think of it as one of the most picturesque spots on England's coast.

But now, it's a disturbingly macabre crime scene.

A man is found dead, tied to a chair in the middle of the road, a stag's antlers on his head. The gruesome scene stuns the town, especially when the victim is identified: Jim Tiernan, who ran the White Hart pub. Tiernan's pub is at the center of village life and he knew everyone's secrets.

Detective Nicola Bridge grew up in Fleetcombe and has now returned, for the good of her family, from a life away in Liverpool. DC Harry Ward is ten years younger and, despite his newcomer status, determined to earn Nicola's trust. Because they don't have long to crack the storybook façade and find out just what the people of Fleetcombe have to hide.

And now, in the place she thought she knew so well, Detective Nicola Bridge is asking questions. Is she ready for what she's about to find?

Review Quotes

Praise for Death at the White Hart

"Layered, human, suspenseful and surprising - this guy knows how to tell a story, that's for sure."
--Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series

"A page-turning delight. . . a superlative murder mystery."
--Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Chibnall's spectacular novel offers intriguing suspense and drama, plus an outstanding cast of characters and a mystery that will keep readers riveted until the fulfilling climax. Fans of Knives Out and Murder on the Orient Express should thoroughly enjoy."
--Library Journal

"Broadchurch creator Chibnall flexes his talents for characterization and complex plotting in his engrossing first novel. . . . lived-in and consequential. This deserves a sequel."
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Despite the contemporary setting, there's a classic feel to this police procedural. The mystery is rooted in human emotions, like classic whodunits of a century ago. The cast of suspects is varied and interesting, much more than stereotype or even archetype, but the true delight is the introduction of Nicola and her team, a group of misfits who complement each other with dry humor and absolute commitment to their jobs. Hopefully, this is the start of a beautiful series."
--Kirkus

"Death at the White Hart is a deft, probing police procedural that works on its own terms--no Broadchurch comparisons necessary."
--Airmail

"Fans of Broadchurch are going to LOVE Death at the White Hart! With its compelling pair of detectives and tense, creepy atmosphere, once you start reading, I defy you to stop."
--Shari Lapena, New York Times bestselling author of The Couple Next Door

"A masterclass whodunnit from the creator of Broadchurch - moody, immersive, and surprising too. I didn't dare hope it would be better than Broadchurch, but it is."
--Gillian McAllister, New York Times bestselling author of Wrong Place, Wrong Time

"One of those oh-so-rare crime novels offering up both a palm-sweating switchback of a plot and a richly nuanced psychological glimpse into the hearts and minds of the multi-layered characters who populate its pages. . . [Chibnall's] assured and compelling voice is gripping."
--Jeffery Deaver, New York Times bestselling author of the Colter Shaw series

"A strong pace, good characterization, and an excellent sense of place get this projected series off to a flying start."
--The Guardian

"A craftily plotted mystery, full of memorable characters. A fine start to a highly promising new series."
--The Mail on Sunday (London)

"This confident first novel from the creator of the television series Broadchurch turns expectations about village life on their head. . . . The novel's snappy dialogue benefits from [Chibnall's] experience writing for TV but it's also full of details, like the staging of the crime scene, that seem contrived to shock."
--The Sunday Times (London)

"A chilling crime scene pulls two well-drawn detectives into the lives of so many memorable characters (and suspects?) within a charming village community. A masterful, multi-layered, savor-every-page debut."
--Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author of The Note

"A disturbing murder, a village with a gruesome past and a new detective determined to uncover the truth. With Death at the White Hart, Chris Chibnall distills his talent for blockbusting screen drama into a deliciously gritty and well-written police procedural. A searing debut crime fans will love!"
--Janice Hallett, international bestselling author of The Appeal

"A tremendous page-turner. Chris Chibnall marries a cool, sleek police drama with a warm, lived-in sense of his characters' inner lives. The result is exuberant, compassionate, and bewitching."
--Flynn Berry, New York Times bestselling author of Northern Spy

"A small town, big heart mystery full of deep dark secrets and cleverly breadcrumbed clues - authentic, pacy, rich and extremely satisfying."
--Andrea Mara, international bestselling author of Someone in the Attic

"My kind of story! It grabs you by the throat from the start and doesn't let you breathe easy until the final page."
--Tami Hoag, New York Times bestselling author of Bad Liar

"Literally unputdownable. . . Just a huge treat to read."
--Marian Keyes, international bestselling author of My Favorite Mistake

"I loved it. A murder mystery that feels like it's set right now, packed with vivid characters and a detective I adored. . . A wonderful book."
--Russell T Davies, showrunner and head writer, Doctor Who

"Brilliant characterization and fabulous suspense - as unputdownable as you'd expect from the writer of Broadchurch."
--Jenny Colgan, international bestselling author of The Bookshop on the Corner

About the Author

Chris Chibnall is a BAFTA-, Peabody-, and Royal Television Society-Award winning screenwriter, producer, and playwright. He is the creator of the internationally acclaimed Broadchurch. Chibnall was also the showrunner of the BBC's Doctor Who. He has honorary doctorates from Edge Hill University and Sheffield Hallam University. Chibnall lives in West Dorset, England.