How well do you know your neighbours? Would you notice if they lived or died? Police analyst Annabel wouldn't describe herself as lonely. Her work keeps her busy and the needs of her ageing mother and her cat are more than enough to fill her time when she's on her own. But Annabel is shocked when she discovers her neighbour's decomposing body in the house next door, and appalled to think that no one, including herself, noticed her absence. Back at work she sets out to investigate, despite her police officer colleagues' lack of interest, and finds data showing that such cases are frighteningly common in her own home town. A chilling thriller and a hymn to all the lonely people, whose individual voices haunt the pages, Elizabeth Haynes' new novel is a deeply disturbing and powerful thriller that preys on our darkest fears, showing how vulnerable we are when we live alone, and how easily ordinary lives can fall apart when no one is watching.
Industry Reviews
'A fantastic read, full of twists and turns and a book I have no hesitation in highly recommending.' - E-thriller: Thriller of the Month; 'One of the most interesting books I have read for a long time and has an ending that I didn't even come close to guessing. Extremely highly recommended.' - Euro Crime; 'A provocative examination of a controversial issue: the right to die... An artfully woven tapestry of stories.' - Kirkus Reviews; 'Well-crafted and skillfully told.' - Mystery People; 'This unusual thriller is a compelling story of obsession descending into madness.' - Booklist; 'From the gruesome opening gambit to the thrilling denouement, this might not be one for the fainthearted (or lonely), but it's very hard to leave it alone.' - Sunderland Echo; 'This is a story that makes you sweat and your pulse race, 100% believable, magnificently dark, incredibly exciting.' - Being Anne; 'Human Remains has cemented Haynes' place as a must-read crime author.' - Turnaround Book of the Month; 'Creepy, but beautifully written... it has some important things to say about isolation and friendship in contemporary society.' - Listener; '[Human Remains] achieves a meditation on death. And therein lies both the compulsion and the fascination of crime fiction that dares to imagine the unimaginable.' - The Age; 'Disquieting yet absolutely gripping. Highly recommended.' - South Coast Register; 'A deeply disturbing and powerful psychological thriller that will have you checking the locks on your doors and windows... Haynes is a master at creating memorable characters in a terrifying but thought-provoking story.' - Badass Book Reviews; 'This is an original, disturbing, chilling and scary book which reveals a great deal about modern life.' - Crime Fiction Lover; 'Another compelling story, with characters that get under your skin, a mystery and investigation that keeps you turning the pages, and with a dark, creepy air pervading it all.' - Little Reader Library; 'This is truly a psychological thriller... [it's] fascinating to watch the characters of Colin and Annabel develop over the course of the book. It's thought-provoking and certainly makes you question the power of the mind.' - Novel Heights; One of the most exciting and original thrillers I have read for some time. More than just a page-turner.' - Savidge Reads; 'With a glimpse into an extremely creepy protagonist's mind and a desperate race to rescue a potential victim, the whole novel left a lingering aftertaste of fear.' - Turnaround Pick of 2013; 'I think it's now safe to say that Elizabeth Haynes is no longer just a rising star. She is a star.' - The Bookbag; 'Ready for a chilling thriller which will send shivers down your spine? Dare to pick up Human Remains by this award-winning author, and you may find you can't put it down.' - Peterborough Telegraph; 'A chilling thriller.' - Booktime; 'There are few writers who could write such disturbing prose so beautifully.' - Books and Writers; 'Be prepared to be pinned to your chair by the skin-crawling brilliance of Human Remains. Haynes has a unique gift...' - Pamreader; 'Creepy and atmospheric and had me holding my breath... Lots for reading groups to discuss as well.' - newbooks; 'A disturbing, exciting and powerful story that is beautifully and eloquently written, prepare to sleep with the light on!' Spirit FM; 'A deeply unsettling psychological thriller.' - Bella; 'Wonderfully and grimly fascinating... Human Remains could be one of the thrillers of the year.' - We Love This Book; 'Haynes is the most exciting thing to happen to crime fiction in a long time.' - Sophie Hannah
