In the shadowed alleys of Leek, Detective Jessica Ryan uncovers a town’s darkest secrets when the brutal, ritualistic murder of a homeless man shakes the community. The victim is found stoned to death, the crime scene marked with ominous biblical messages—plunging Jess into a harrowing investigation.
The echoes of violence lead her to the abandoned St. John the Evangelist church, where betrayal, fanaticism, and revenge fester in silence. As Jess digs deeper, she unearths chilling ties to a forgotten children’s home—and a relentless present-day killer who won’t stop until justice is served in blood.
Guided by a priest’s haunting diary, blocked at every turn by the wary homeless community, and met with secrecy from a Catholic-run drop-in centre, Jess races against time to expose three decades of buried abuse. With lives on the line, can she unmask the killer before another victim is sacrificed in God’s name?
Judgement on the Peaks is a dark, twisting prequel in the Detective Jessica Ryan series from J.F. Burgess, bestselling author of the Detective Tom Blake mysteries. Perfect for fans of Priscilla Masters, Mel Sherratt, LJ Ross, Joy Ellis, Rachel McClean, and Simon McCleave.
What readers are saying about the DI Jessica Ryan series:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Compelling! An intense, well-written narrative with unforgettable characters. This book will stay with you long after you’ve finished it!” – Goodreads
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A powerful story of murder and revenge… a real page-turner!” – Reader Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Please tell me the next one’s out already! Loved it!” – Lisa Morris Horton, Facebook Reader
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Utterly gripping. A psychological thriller at its best.” – Reader Review
OUT NOW – DI Jessica Ryan Murder Mystery Series
Prequel: Judgement on the Peaks
Book 2: Killer on the Peaks
Book 3: Taken on the Peaks
Book 4: TBA
