Kisscut by Karin Slaughter (Paperback)

A Saturday night at the local skating rink in the small town of Heartsdale ends in tragedy when a teenage argument erupts into a deadly shooting. What appears to be a shocking but isolated incident quickly becomes something far darker. Sara Linton, the town’s paediatrician and medical examiner, is drawn into the case when her examination of the victim uncovers disturbing evidence that suggests long-term abuse and ritualistic self-harm.

As Sara and police chief Jeffrey Tolliver begin to investigate, they encounter resistance at every turn. The young people connected to the victim refuse to talk, and their families seem determined to keep painful secrets hidden. The more questions they ask, the more apparent it becomes that the truth extends far beyond one terrible night at the skating rink.

When a young girl is abducted, the investigation takes on an even greater sense of urgency. Connections begin to emerge between the shooting and a far more sinister crime, forcing Sara and Jeffrey into a race against time. Meanwhile, detective Lena Adams is still trying to rebuild her life following personal tragedy and a brutal attack. Her search for answers leads her towards a young man who may hold vital information, but uncovering the truth comes with risks of its own.

As the three investigators are pulled deeper into the case, they discover a community bound by silence and fear. Hidden secrets, fractured relationships, and dangerous truths threaten to surface, and the consequences of failure are unthinkable.

Perfect for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers, police procedurals, small-town mysteries, dark crime fiction, and character-driven suspense filled with shocking twists and emotional intensity.