Mark Rose

In his small pub in the northern English town of Oldham, Harry is something of a local celebrity. But what's the second-best hangman in England to do on the day they've abolished hanging? Amongst the cub reporters and pub regulars dying to hear Harry's reaction to the news, his old assistant Syd and the peculiar Mooney lurk with very different motives for their visit.

Malcolm lost everything to the recession. To pay off his debts he needs to renovate and sell his last house fast but a dreadful secret lies entombed within its walls.