Listen to an extract of The Replacement 🎧

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

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 very much alive.

Two seemingly unrelated events. But as DS Harper begins to investigate, disturbing truths start to come to light that connect the man to the mother and child, 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…

Listen to the first chapter of The Replacement below! Out now in hardback, eBook and audio.

Other Articles

Read an Extract of Calling Una Marson by June Sarpong and Jennifer Obidike!

Read an exclusive extract from the groundbreaking history of the BBC’s first Black woman radio broadcaster by June Sarpong and Jennifer Obidike, Calling Una Marson, out now! CHAPTER 1 When Kingston Beckons Kingston, Jamaica, May 1928 ‘This is the age of woman,’ Una Marson declared. ‘What man has done… Read More

Read an Extract of The Dark Hours by Amy Jordan!

Read an exclusive extract from the dark, gritty psychological suspense crime thriller by Amy Jordan, The Dark Hours new for 2025! 2 1994 ‘What do you reckon?’ Garda Adrian Clancy parked the squad car against the kerb and leaned forward, peering into the semi-darkness. ‘Turn the engine off,’ Julia… Read More

Read an Extract of First Wife’s Shadow by Adele Parks!

Read an exclusive extract from the gripping psychological suspense crime thriller by Adele Parks, First Wife’s Shadow, now out in paperback! Prologue The body was pinned up against the tree. Dead. Obviously dead. No RIP here. The detective didn’t see many RIPs in his line of work. He saw… Read More