The Replacement

from the bestselling author of Little Darlings comes a brand new suspenseful thriller full of twist and turns for 2023


'A modern spin on a folk tale where the improbable can happen ... the twists are lovely; dark and deep' The Times

'Golding folds together a folklore-inspired plot with the modern twists and tension of a police procedural novel to create a bitingly unnerving story' Adele Parks, Platinum

'A modern spin on a folk tale where the improbable can happen ... the twists are lovely; dark and deep' The Times

'Golding folds together a folklore-inspired plot with the modern twists and tension of a police procedural novel to create a bitingly unnerving story' Adele Parks, Platinum

'Powerful imagery and captivating characters, this a grabbing book' Magic Radio Book Club

'The most original book you'll read this year' Crime Monthly

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When a small child is found wandering alone, the local shopkeepers call the authorities immediately. Twenty minutes later, the girl's mother turns up, panicked and distraught. It doesn't take long to clear things up, and mother and daughter are soon reunited and sent on their way.

Miles away, the body of a man is discovered, floating in a bathtub, but the most surprising discovery of all is that he isn't dead. Despite his injuries, he is ve ry much alive.

Two seemingly unrelated events. But as DS Harper begins to investigate, disturbing connections between the two incidents start to surface, and suddenly it's not clear where the danger truly lies. Harper must find out, and quickly. Because someone, or something, is closing in and she needs to uncover the truth before it's too late...

Weaving together the trademark folklore inspiration that readers loved in Little Darlings, with the procedural narrative force of a brilliant mystery, this is the excellent and unnerving new novel from Melanie Golding.

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Readers are captivated by The Replacement!:

I don't think I breathed properly throughout this brilliantly crafted thriller . . . This is by far one of the best psychological thrillers I've read and I was totally engrossed throughout' Reader review, _____

'A book with so many twists and unexpected outcomes. So unusual but totally gripping. I wanted the book to last forever' Reader review, _____

'This book is brilliant . . . I love psychological thrillers and stories with myths and folklore [and Melanie] blends the two together [to] create the perfect book in my eyes' Reader review, _____

'A deliciously dark and creepy tale which will have you addicted' Reader review, _____