Book excerpt: In the heart of Winterbourne, where the whispers of the past echo through the streets, a chilling discovery awaits. Danny and his loyal dog Jack stumble upon a grim secret hidden within the tall grass of Millar's field. The body of a young boy, Billy Anglin, lies there, a silent witness to a horror that has haunted the town for decades. Danny, a ward of the foster system, knows all too well the harshness of the world. Yet, in the midst of his own struggles, he finds himself at the centre of a mystery that defies comprehension. With each passing decade, a child is taken, their life snuffed out by a force that remains elusive. The townsfolk whisper of a creature, something hungry that stalks the night, leaving a trail of terror in its wake. Detective Floyd Guthrie, an adult friend to Danny, is a beacon of hope in the boy's tumultuous life. Guthrie is a reluctant mentor, drawn into the darkness that surrounds Danny. Together, they navigate the treacherous waters of Winterbourne, where the line between predator and prey blurs. As the investigation deepens, the bond between Danny and Guthrie strengthens a fragile alliance against the encroaching shadows. But the truth is a slippery thing, and as they delve into the murky history of the town, they uncover a ritual as old as Winterbourne itself. A ritual that demands the blood of the innocent, a sacrifice to a hunger that can never be sated. "Sleeping Dogs" is a tale of loss, resilience, and the unyielding quest for justice. It is a story of a boy and his dog, a detective and his duty, and a community haunted by a past that refuses to stay buried. In the end, will Danny and Guthrie find the strength to confront the darkness, or will they become its next victims?