The Hanging Tree

Sandra Stewart and her daughter are brutally murdered in 2006. Stephen Stewart, her husband, is wanted in connection with their deaths, having disappeared on the night of Sandra’s murder. Why has he returned eight years later? And why is he systematically slaughtering apparently unconnected people? Could it be that the original investigation was flawed? Detective Inspector Peter Graveney is catapulted headlong into an almost unfathomable case. Thwarted at every turn by faceless individuals intent on keeping the truth buried. Are there people close to the investigation, possibly even within the force, determined to prevent him from finding out what really happened? As he becomes ever more embroiled, he battles with his past as skeletons in his own closet rattle loudly. Tempted into an increasingly dangerous affair with his new Detective Sergeant, Stephanie Marne, Graveney finds that people he can trust are rapidly diminishing. But who’s manipulating who? And as he moves ever closer to the truth, he finds the person that he holds most dear is threatened. Graphically covering adult themes, ‘The Hanging Tree’ is a relentless edge-of-the-seat ride, exploring the darkest of secrets and the lengths people will go to keep those secrets hidden. Culminating in a horrific and visceral finale, as Graveney relentlessly pursues it to its final conclusion. “Even the darkest of secrets deserve an audience.”
The story has been re-edited and revised in 2024 to reflect the author’s continued progress as a writer.