Talking to Strangers - by Fiona Barton

Book Synopsis

Detective Elise King's investigation into a woman's murder is getting derailed by a reporter who insists on doing her own investigation in this nail-biting mystery from the author of Local Gone Missing.

When Karen Simmons is murdered on Valentine's Day, Detective Elise King wonders if she was killed by a man she met online. Karen was all over the dating apps, leading some townspeople to blame her for her own death, while others band together to protest society's violence against women. Into the divide comes Kiki Nunn, whose aggressive newsgathering once again antagonizes Elise.

A single mother of a young daughter, Kiki is struggling to make a living in the diminished news landscape. Getting a scoop in the Simmons murder would do a lot for her career, and she's willing to go up against not just Elise but the killer himself to do it.

Review Quotes

"Tense and topical" -- People

"Barton effortlessly toggles between each woman's viewpoint, maintaining suspense as she builds to the plot's devastating resolution." -- Publishers Weekly

"This novel hits home. And it hurts. Tapping into very real fears faced by all women at some time in their lives, it delivers a terrifyingly real and addictive story." -- Sharon Bolton

"This latest from best-selling Barton is a twisty and highly satisfying nail-biter that will have her fans and new readers burning the midnight oil." -- Library Journal

"A police procedural like no police procedural you have ever read." -- BookPage (starred review)

"Compelling." -- Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Fiona Barton is the New York Times bestselling author of The Widow, The Child, The Suspect, and Local Gone Missing. She has trained and worked with journalists all over the world. Previously, she was a senior writer at the Daily Mail, news editor at the Daily Telegraph, and chief reporter at the Mail on Sunday, where she won Reporter of the Year at the British Press Awards. She lives in England.