Every three years, a new victim appears, marked by the same sinister symbol…

The small town of Oak Creek is rocked by the discovery of a body branded with a mysterious black mark. Investigations soon link the killing to a slew of unsolved murders from years before where every victim was left with an identical symbol.

Newly retired, Detective Charlotte Dawes is brought back to town to lend her expertise, having worked on the murders as a rookie. She soon uncovers a disturbing pattern where bodies appear every few years to the day, murdered as if by clockwork.

Drawing closer to the shocking truth, Charlotte must race against time to figure out who is behind such meticulously calculated crimes, before the clock strikes its last…

Published
April 22, 2026
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Author

Alex Sigmore

Alex Sigmore writes gripping mystery thrillers with heart. Known for strong, complex female leads, Alex’s stories blend edge-of-your-seat suspense with emotional depth, exploring the costs of justice and the bonds that hold us together. Whether unraveling secrets in Her Dark Secret, tracking a killer across the New Mexico desert in The Passage, or going undercover in Blood in the Sand, Alex delivers stories where empathy is as sharp as the detective’s mind. Each book stands alone but is part of a larger, multi-book arc, offering readers the satisfaction of a complete case and the thrill of an evolving mystery. The Emily Slate Mystery…