Body of Lies

‘Sarah Bailey knows her stuff.’ Kate Mildenhall


‘The plot is brilliant, the pace is relentless…A book of great emotional power and depth.’ Chris Hammer


‘Australian crime at its best.’ JP Pomare


‘Sarah Bailey’s writing is both keenly insightful and wholly engrossing, weaving intriguing and multi-layered plots combined with complicated and compelling characters.’ The Booktopian


‘Bailey always writes a killer thriller.’ Readings


‘I must say, a trilogy seems just a bit too short when it comes to Detective Gemma Woodstock. A series seems more fitting. Maybe when we get to book fifteen you can think of winding it up Sarah, but until then, we’re not quite ready to let go…you can get back to me with a date for book four.’ – Theresa Smith Writes on Where the Dead Go





A car crash victim clings to life and is rushed to hospital but can’t be saved. Hours later, the body is stolen from the morgue. No one knows who the dead woman was or why her body was taken.



Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock is back in her hometown of Smithson on maternity leave when the bizarre incident occurs. She is intrigued by the case but reluctant to get involved, despite the urging of her journalist friend Candy Fyfe. But in the days after the body goes missing, the town is rocked by another shocking crime and Gemma can’t resist joining the investigation.



Candy and Gemma follow the clues the dead woman left behind. As they attempt to discover the identity of the missing woman, Gemma uncovers devastating secrets about the people she thought she knew best. The closer Gemma gets to the truth, the more danger she’s in. She desperately needs to confide in someone – but is there anyone she can trust?



A gripping, white-knuckle thriller from the bestselling author of The Dark Lake and The Housemate.




Praise for Sarah Bailey:



‘An exceptional and powerful novel from an outstanding author…takes the reader on an intense and thrilling psychological journey. A highly recommended read.’ – Canberra Weekly on The Housemate



‘The Dark Lake adds to the trend of haunting, rural Australian crime fiction, and provides a welcome addition to the genre for those left bereft after finishing Jane Harper’s The Dry.’ – Books + Publishing



‘Melbourne’s wintry streets come alive on the pages, keeping the dramatic tension high…Bailey’s writing has grown stronger and more assured in this novel.’ – Good Reading on Into the Night



‘Next level crime fiction…Gritty, realistic, atmospheric and chilling. An absolute cracker of a read that I can’t even begin to recommend highly enough.’ – Theresa Smith Writes on Where the Dead Go



‘An addictive and thoroughly entertaining read.’ – The Weekly Review on The Dark Lake



‘Bailey crafts a provocative and thought-provoking thriller, accurately portraying the dance between police and media, with plenty of red herrings to keep readers enthralled to the last page.’ – The Courier-Mail on The Housemate

Format: Paperback
Pages: 480
Imprint: Allen & Unwin
Publication date: 27/02/2024