Smokescreen Ashely

A factory worker disappears after witnessing something she shouldn't have. Her friends know she didn't just walk away — but proving it means going up against people who'd rather the truth stayed buried. This tightly-wound thriller moves fast through industrial England, where everyone's got secrets and loyalty costs more than most can afford. The tension builds like smoke under a door: you know something's burning, you just can't see the flames yet. Perfect for readers who like their mysteries grounded in working-class grit, where the stakes are personal and the danger feels real. If you're into Ruth Rendell's darker corners or Minette Walters' social thrillers, this one's got that same unsettling pull.