Death At The White Hart

From the multi-award winning creator of BROADCHURCH and showrunner of DOCTOR WHO, get ready for the most exciting crime fiction debut of 2025...

“A masterclass whodunnit” Gillian McAllister
“Everything I love in a crime novel” Jennie Godfrey
“As unputdownable as you'd expect from the writer of Broadchurch” Jenny Colgan

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When Nicola Bridge moves back to Dorset after years as a CID detective in the big city, the last thing she expects is for the picturesque village of Fleetcombe to become a grisly crime scene.

Jim Tiernan, landlord of the White Hart pub, has been found dead, the body staged with macabre relish on an isolated country road. As soon as she starts asking questions, Nicola realises everyone in the village has something to hide.

Frankie, the hairdresser who isn’t a skilled enough actor to conceal they’re lying about the night of the murder.

Eddie, the delivery driver whose heart starts racing every time he drives past the crime scene.

Deakins, the embittered farmer still living in the shadow of a supposedly murderous ancestor.

And even the little girl, hidden at the top of the playground slide, who’s watching them all.

Whispers. Rumours. Lies. But Nicola knows that somewhere among them, a killer is hiding in plain sight.

Because sometimes the smallest villages hide the darkest secrets...

I loved it. A murder mystery that feels like it’s set right now, packed with vivid characters and a detective I adored – and I didn’t guess who did it. A wonderful book -- Russell T Davies
Snappy dialogue, confident. Turns expectations of village life on their head -- Joan Smith Sunday Times
Layered, human, suspenseful and surprising - this guy knows how to tell a story, that's for sure. Lee Child
A craftily plotted mystery, full of memorable characters. A fine start to a highly promising new series -- John Williams Mail on Sunday
A strong pace, good characterisation and an excellent sense of place get this projected series off to a flying start -- Laura Wilson Guardian
A promising start to a crime career – old ideas with a fresh spin, and a great ending -- Geoffrey Wansell Daily Mail
A disturbing murder, a village with a gruesome past and a new detective determined to uncover the truth. With Death at the White Hart, Chris Chibnall distils his talent for blockbusting screen drama into a deliciously gritty and well-written police procedural. A searing debut crime fans will love! -- Janice Hallett
Literally unputdownable. SO pacy and delicious, I loved the stream of new reveals, the plot kept me guessing and the excellent characterisation was my favourite bit. Just a huge treat to read -- Marian Keyes
Fans of Broadchurch are going to LOVE Death at the White Hart! With its compelling pair of detectives and tense, creepy atmosphere, once you start reading, I defy you to stop. -- Shari Lapena
A masterclass whodunnit from the creator of Broadchurch - moody, immersive, and surprising too. I didn’t dare hope it would be better than Broadchurch, but it is -- Gillian McAllister

Chris Chibnall is a BAFTA, Royal Television Society, Broadcasting Press Guild and Peabody award-winning screenwriter, executive producer, and playwright whose work has been seen, translated and remade all around the world. He is the recipient of the prestigious FIPA Prix D’Honneur, and honorary doctorates from Edge Hill University and Sheffield Hallam University. His television work includes Broadchurch – remade as Gracepoint in the US and Malaterra in France – The Great Train Robbery, Doctor Who, Torchwood and Life on Mars. Death at the White Hart is his debut novel.

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