River of Souls

Jude Shelley, the daughter of a prominent cabinet minister, was assaulted and left for dead in the river Thames. Her attacker was never caught. A year later, forensic psychologist Alice Quentin is asked to re-examine the case.

Then another body is found: an elderly priest, washed up at Westminster Pier. An ancient glass bead is tied to his wrist.

Alice is certain that the Shelleys are hiding something - and that there will be more victims unless she can persuade them to share what they know.

The Thames has always been a site of violent sacrifice. And Alice is about to learn that some people still believe in its power...

“Praise for Kate Rhodes - .There are some great twists, turns and surprises in this debut novel. - Sun Quentin is one of a cast of really believable and entertaining characters and both the plot and the writing keep one thoroughly engaged throughout. A stylish debut - Daily Mail Alice is a vividly realised protagonist whose complex and harrowing history rivals the central crime storyline - Sunday ExpressLike Nicci French, Kate Rhodes excels at character, pace and sense of place.A terrific new heroine on the block - Woman & HomeA pacy psychological thriller that makes good use of its London setting. - GuardianAn atmospheric, smart, often terrifying read.”

Praise for Kate Rhodes - .

There are some great twists, turns and surprises in this debut novel. - Sun

Quentin is one of a cast of really believable and entertaining characters and both the plot and the writing keep one thoroughly engaged throughout. A stylish debut - Daily Mail

Alice is a vividly realised protagonist whose complex and harrowing history rivals the central crime storyline - Sunday Express

Like Nicci French, Kate Rhodes excels at character, pace and sense of place.

A terrific new heroine on the block - Woman & Home

A pacy psychological thriller that makes good use of its London setting. - Guardian

An atmospheric, smart, often terrifying read.

Kate Rhodes was born in London. She has worked as a teacher and university lecturer, and now writes full-time.

Kate began her writing career as a poet, publishing two prizewinning collections. She has held a Hawthornden fellowship and been shortlisted for Forward and Bridport Prizes. She has written five novels in the Alice Quentin series, CROSSBONES YARD, A KILLING OF ANGELS, THE WINTER FOUNDLINGS, RIVER OF SOULS and BLOOD SYMMETRY, the first of which was selected by Val McDermid for the Harrogate Crime festival's New Blood panel championing new crime writers. In 2014 Kate Rhodes won the Ruth Rendell Short Story Award, sponsored by the charity InterAct.

Visit her website at or follow her on Twitter @K_RhodesWriter.

Jude Shelley, the daughter of a prominent cabinet minister, was assaulted and left for dead in the river Thames. Her attacker was never caught. A year later, forensic psychologist Alice Quentin is asked to re-examine the case.Then another body is found: an elderly priest, washed up at Westminster Pier. An ancient glass bead is tied to his wrist. Alice is certain that the Shelleys are hiding something - and that there will be more victims unless she can persuade them to share what they know. The Thames has always been a site of violent sacrifice. And Alice is about to learn that some people still believe in its power...

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