Book excerpt: The first “devilishly good” (The New York Times Book Review) book in the thrilling bestselling crime series featuring British inspector Alan Banks as he seeks to catch a Jack the Ripper-like killer who is prowling the countryside. Chief Inspector Alan Banks moved away from London to the quaint village of Eastvale to find some peace, but trouble can be found in a village as well as in the city. Soon Banks must contend with a Peeping Tom, a group of thieving young thugs, and the brutal murder of an elderly woman in her home. A growing friendship with psychologist Jenny Fuller and tension with wife Sandra complicate matters, particularly when Jenny and Banks’s family are threatened. Ultimately, as the story builds to a surprising and terrifying climax, Banks must make some hard decisions.