Who are the Special Girls? Are they victims or merely 'troublesome'? In this chilling psychological thriller, a case of historical child sex abuse is linked to the murder of a young and popular doctor at a summer camp deep in the Essex woods. For fans ofLynda La Plante's PRIME SUSPECT, Katerina Diamond's THE SECRET and Susie Steiner's MISSING, PRESUMED.
A young psychiatric registrar is found beaten to death in woods close to a summer camp for young patients suffering from eating disorders. It is run by the charismatic, world-renowned Professor Ned Chesham. DI Grace Fisher investigates, but it is not long before she is pulled from the case - to head up a Metropolitan Police review into a cold case involving Chesham himself.
Nearly twenty years ago, one of Chesham's patients made allegations that he sexually assaulted her. The investigation at the time found no conclusive proof, but Grace soon discovers another victim, and a witness whose shocking account never reached the police. Does this mean the original investigation was wrapped up too soon? Scotland Yard would certainly prefer Grace to make it all go away.
As Grace uncovers the secrets and lies that led to the young doctor's murder, she discovers the full extent of the damage done to the 'special girls' - and the danger they are still in.