A widowed farmer's act of kindness entangles him in a web of human trafficking and organised crime in this gripping thriller set in the heart of Yorkshire. When Frank Peter's wife dies, he feels that his once-idyllic life on the Yorkshire Moors is over.With a daughter emigrating to Australia and a son facing his own marital problems, Frank resigns himself to a lonely existence.But one night, he discovers a frightened young woman named Irena hiding in his farmhouse.She claims a man had promised her the world, only to force her into prostitution. As heavy snowfall prevents Irena from leaving, Frank extends his hospitality.However, the longer she stays, the easier it becomes for her pursuers to track her down.Frank soon realises that people-trafficking is just the tip of the iceberg, and he has no idea what these dangerous criminals are truly capable of. In Brutal, top ten bestselling author Mandasue Heller delivers a gritty, engrossing thriller that will keep you captivated until the very last page. 'A real blinder' – Martina Cole, author of the DI Kate Burrows series'Heller doesn’t mince words' – Peterborough Evening Telegraph