The first full-length novel from The Edmund Cryer Journals. Step into Haslingden, Lancashire, in 1905, where murder, memory and a single white rose draw Detective Sergeant Edmund Cryer into an investigation that will leave its mark long after the case is closed.
Haslingden, Lancashire. 1905. When the body of an elderly woman is discovered on Prinny Lane at dawn, the crime initially appears to be another grim tragedy in a town that has learned to keep its secrets.
But Detective Sergeant Edmund Cryer soon discovers that there is something deeply unsettling about the murder. A white rose, seemingly insignificant at first, becomes the thread leading him through old memories, buried relationships and a past that someone has gone to great lengths to conceal.
As Cryer and his partner, Detective Constable Arthur Mallory, follow the evidence, they find themselves drawn into a case where every answer reveals another question — and where the truth may have been waiting far longer than anyone imagined.
The White Rose is the opening novel in a planned trilogy following Detective Sergeant Edmund Cryer. Each book will take readers deeper into his world, his investigations and the shadows that continue to follow him.
This is where Edmund Cryer’s story begins.
A selection of verdicts from readers who have entered the world of Edmund Cryer.
I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of The White Rose ahead of its release, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Whilst the story is a slow burn to begin with, it gradually draws you deeper into Edmund Cryer’s world as the mystery unfolds. By the end, I was left with the feeling that there is much more still to come, and I’m looking forward to seeing where Edmund Cryer’s story leads next.
Having previewed The White Rose ahead of its release, I can assure readers they will not be disappointed. It's clearly obvious that there is much more to Edmund Cryer and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
This, as a first novel totally gripped me in a way only a few established authors have. It is well written and researched and enjoyable beyond expectation. Well done Chris and Vicki, I’m waiting, expectantly, for the sequel!
The White Rose will be available to purchase from Amazon from 1 September 2026.