“[Kernick is] a writer to be reckoned with.” —-Mark Billingham, bestselling author of Sleepyhead Praise for The Business of Dying “Gallows humor and a sardonic voice mark Kernick’s remarkable debut. Pathos, pace, twists, and a savage sense of place make this a guilty pleasure.” —-Guardian [U.K.]“Gripping and thought provoking, Kernick weaves his web with the assurance of a seasoned professional.” —-Time Out [U.K.]“The crime debut of the year so far...Kernick tells it straight with no embellishments, which is exactly how I like my crime fiction. A prizewinner if ever I saw one.” —-Independent on Sunday [U.K.]“An exquisitely tortuous piece of characterization that should challenge both author and readers in the books to come.” —-The Times [U.K.]“An uncommonly assured first novel, quite brilliantly plotted...done with the kind of dash which inspires total reader confidence and involvement...formidable stuff. There is a pro at work here.” —-Literary Review [U.K.]“Taut, gripping, disturbing—-a most assured and original debut.” —-Reginald Hill