Derek Pedley

Dead by Friday Derek Pedley

He was once a bronzed lifesaver but is now a balding, overweight Beaurepaires manager nearing 40, an ambitious man with desires his marriage cannot satisfy. She is 29, the wife of one of his employees; a serial cheater and manipulator, she can curl her lips into a knowing smile and bat bedroom eyes at any man who cares to take a second look. Kevin Matthews and Michelle Burgess are made for each other.

The affair begins with furtive sex in parks and offices, moving on to whiskey fuelled, lunch-time trysts in motels. Their marriages crumble, his career and finances suffer and the obsession deepens. Pillow talk turns sinister and two murder plots are hatched. Contracts are issued. From the suburbs that brought us the Snowtown killers, enter the hitman, David Key.

But their lust and greed are infectious; Key is instantly infatuated with Michelle, the 'high-class sheila', and a second, parallel affair begins. Key buys drugs instead of a gun with his down-payment, forcing them to hatch a new plan. Michelle tips over the edge, leading to a shocking crime.

Recounted through the eyes of witnesses, families, friends, lovers and one of the intended victims, Dead by Friday draws on the meticulous police investigation and puts readers at the detectives' sides as they hunt the killers.