Butler & West Series

The man you love has been murdered. You’d do anything to find out the truth. Wouldn’t you? A man lies dead in a hotel room, and the police attend his home address to inform the widow. Nothing unusual, until DC Freya West realises that the victim is the man she has been having an affair with. The future she imagined has been snatched away. Meanwhile, her new boss, DS Robin Butler, is preoccupied with his own problems. Mistakes he thought were buried deep in his past now threaten to be exposed. Before long, both Butler and West are keeping secrets that could end their careers – and worse. When the detectives have a chance to tell the truth, they choose to keep quiet. But once that line is crossed, is there any going back? After all, breaking the law is easy when you know how to uphold it. Don’t miss this tense and compulsive police procedural thriller. Perfect for fans of Sunday Times bestselling authors Cara Hunter, Susie Steiner and Jane Casey. Praise for Last Place You Look ‘This is punchy, police procedural stuff: just as her protagonists don’t play by the book, so Scarr takes the traditional set-up into darker, dirtier, more intriguing terrain.’ Hampshire Living ‘A superbly crafted, perfectly paced thriller... The fact that Butler & West have just as much to hide as the people they hunt, makes this such a compelling read, and the start of a captivating new series that’s hooked me in from the very first book.’ Robert Scragg ‘The delicious joy of discovering a brilliant new crime series! ... Our detectives, Butler and West, are a duo for our days; bound by their troubles, loneliness and secrets into an unlikely alliance. You’ll fall for them, and this novel, in a big way!’ Jo Furniss ‘Tightly plotted with superb characterisation … It’s a book you won’t be able to turn away from until you reach the very last page.’ Alison Belsham ‘Fantastic story and characterisation with a pair of detectives who are battling their own demons amidst an apparent suburban suicide’ James Delargy ‘The darker side of suburbia shows its underbelly in this gritty domestic thriller. A procedural with a kick in its tail!’ Rachael Blok ‘Crime fans are going to love Last Place You Look … believe me, this is a detective team you’re going to want to meet again and again.’ Amy McLellan ‘A seriously pacy plot and a tangled case that defies expectation. I eagerly await the next installment in this gripping and perfectly written series.’ Heather Critchlow ‘I was not expecting that! I was just so invested in the brilliant partnership of Butler and West that I couldn’t put it down…. together they’re dynamite. I was kept on my toes the whole time, not sure where the story was going, and there were so many twists along the way that I was expecting a shocking ending… and yet I still didn’t see what was coming!’ Elle Croft ‘An exciting page turner and entirely believable police procedural thriller featuring a new pair of detectives whose secrets are as mysterious as those of the criminals they are trying to hunt. Highly recommended.’ A. J. Park ‘If you like tense, complex and compulsive procedurals with well observed characterisation this is definitely the book for you! A great start to a promising series.’ N. J. Mackay

One dead body. One witness. One answer. Early one morning, DS Robin Butler is summoned to a crime scene. Not as a policeman, but as best friend to renowned meteorologist, Dr Finn Mason. The morning after studying an enormous storm, Finn has locked himself in a van. Bloodied, confused, and with no memory of how he came to be there. And alongside him – a dead body. Butler sets out to prove Finn’s innocence, his friend now accused of murder. Meanwhile, DC Freya West is struggling to cope. She has been plagued by nightmares since the events of nine months ago. Freya assists her boss on his quest to clear Finn’s name, but while Butler becomes increasingly desperate to help his boyhood friend, Freya is crumbling under the weight of the secrets she is keeping. As the past threatens to consume them both, do both detectives stand to lose more than they can bear? A tense and atmospheric police procedural from the author of the unforgettable Last Place You Look. Praise for Under a Dark Cloud 'A great and unique locked room mystery that had me guessing all the way through to a fantastic ending. Under a Dark Cloud is full of drama, mystery and tension. One of my favourite series around.' James Delargy ‘A coiled and wholly satisfying mystery, elevated by melancholic piquancy. The authentic police thrills and teasing dynamics of the characters are handled with the same elegance as the rueful climax, which long after the book is closed still feels perfect and inevitable.’ Dominic Nolan ‘Once again Louisa Scarr has created a thoroughly believable world in which to set a brilliantly compulsive story. The characters are so well-drawn that it’s a pleasure to spend time with them, and I can’t wait for number three!’ Alison Belsham 'Characters I care about, inventive plot and expert storytelling –a big thumbs up from me.' Fliss Chester ‘A fast-paced and deft meteorological mystery that twists its way to a brilliant conclusion. Scarr’s characters are beautifully realised, flawed and complex – their stories make the quiet moments every bit as rewarding as the dramatic ones. If you haven’t already read Butler & West, you’re in for a treat…’ Heather Critchlow ‘A must read for fans of U.K. Crime Fiction. A fast paced addictive story. A locked room murder with an original twist’ NetGalley review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ‘The plot is original, superbly woven and the cast of characters is made up of well developed and engaging individuals. Overall, a captivating, suspenseful and atmospheric page-turner with more than enough going on to keep you invested. Highly recommended.’ NetGalley Review ‘I absolutely loved this!’ NetGalley Review ‘I read this very happily in two sessions and am await more in the series. Well worth reading!’ NetGalley Review ‘Great premise. Well written. A page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing .The ending leaving everything tied up left me satisfied. Definitely will read her next offering.’ NetGalley Review

Five friends meet. Only four come home. On Christmas morning, DS Robin Butler has no plans to celebrate. He’ll be glad to get back to work – a wish that comes true sooner than he anticipates. A dog walker at a local beach has discovered five unresponsive people strewn across the shingle. By the time Robin arrives, one is pronounced dead, and the other four are being treated in hospital. DC Freya West is less than pleased when the romantic day with her boyfriend is scuppered, but duty calls. As she and Butler speak to those involved, it’s clear something is being left unsaid. They claim they are friends, and that they don’t know how one of the group was killed. But why are they so cagey? A cold case investigation unlocks some answers about the history between the beach-going gang, yet they’re tight-lipped about what prompted them to meet on Christmas Eve. Butler and West are getting nowhere, and their partnership is about to face another test. When Freya wants to come clean about events in her past, it’s not just her neck on the line, but Robin’s too. Can their relationship survive if their pact of silence is broken? The thrilling new instalment from policing’s most dauntless duo. Perfect for fans of Cara Hunter, Jane Casey and Susie Steiner. Praise for Blink of an Eye 'A thrilling and unusual mystery, spiced with sadness, masterfully unspooling past secrets into present danger. Butler and West would make high quality Sunday night network television.' Dominic Nolan, author of Vine Street 'Butler and West are fast becoming my favourite detective partnership... Addictive reading!' Alison Belsham, author of The Tattoo Thief 'The untangling of the long-held web of lies from The Five was expertly done... the story telling seems so effortlessly easy, and before you know it, you're chapters in and can't stop.' Fliss Chester, author of A Dangerous Goodbye 'Blink of an Eye is a blindingly brilliant return to the Butler and West series, with a tight-knit and claustrophobic friendship group at the core of its mystery. The chemistry between detectives Freya and Robin is the absolute star of the show – the twists and turns of their partnership will leave you desperate for more. Cannot recommend this series enough!' Heather Critchlow 'I’ve just raced through Blink of an Eye and couldn’t put it down. A Christmas Day body found on a beach, and a suspicious group of old friends... What’s not to love! Tense, brilliant plotting and the perfect duo.' Rachael Blok, author of The Fall 'A punchy and pacy police procedural with heart.' Jo Furniss, author of All The Little Children 'One of the best detective series there is. Smooth, thrilling and full of emotion, this series of books are a must-read!' James Delargy, author of Vanished ‘Great characters and a compelling mystery. Highly recommend.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Blink of an Eye, the fourth in Butler and West series, is one of the most intriguing British police procedurals published today.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘A solid mystery with a tangled web at heart, perfectly crafted characters and a smart narrative. Both compelling and immersive.’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘So perfectly paced and boy do the jaw-dropping moments never cease. Superbly done.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

'Butler and West are fast becoming my favourite detective partnership... Addictive reading!' Alison Belsham, author of The Tattoo Thief Nothing is as it seems, for Butler and West. One spring evening, a mother and her children are brutally attacked in their home. The unprovoked and violent assault leaves DS Robin Butler and DC Freya West in the dark – the luxury items were left untouched and there is no apparent motive. The investigation’s only lead is Andrew Grace, the husband who was not home at the time. He and his business partner have created unique virtual reality software which is valuable and extremely dangerous in the wrong hands. Robin and Freya are stonewalled by uncooperative witnesses at every turn but when a woman linked to the work of Andrew and his co-founder is kidnapped, the need for progress becomes critical. Failure to solve the case will result in murder. Meanwhile, Robin and Freya’s unresolved feelings have come to the surface and they must finally face facts. But is it too late? In a case where nothing is as it seems, are Robin and Freya doomed to never find the truth? A tense and thrilling instalment of the Butler & West series that fans of Cara Hunter, Jane Casey and Susie Steiner will love. Praise for Louisa Scarr 'Scarr delivers an immensely satisfying mystery, both timely and timeless, but her real magic lies in Butler and West themselves... This one will break your heart a little bit.' Dominic Nolan, author of Vine Street 'Compelling, fraught...I tore through it! Loved it.' Rachel Blok, author of The Fall 'Before you know it, you're chapters in and can't stop.' Fliss Chester, author of A Dangerous Goodbye 'A punchy and pacy police procedural with heart.' Jo Furniss, author of All The Little Children 'One of the best detective series there is. Smooth, thrilling and full of emotion… a must-read!' James Delargy, author of Vanished 'The latest Butler & West is a tense mystery packed with all of the ‘will they, won’t they’ chemistry that I so love about this series. A triumph.' Heather Critchlow, author of Unsolved ‘Excellent mystery… Reminiscent of Elly Griffith’s Ruth Galloway series... will leave you wanting more.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘This is one of the best police procedural books I’ve read of late. The partnership Freya and Robin have is so well done… I’m going to have to read more so I know what happens.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Another absolutely unputdownable case for detectives Robin Butler and Freya West. The plot is incredibly clever and twisty and kept me reading until the early hours. Can‘t wait for the next instalment, highly recommended!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Excellent. It had plenty of twists and turns and kept me guessing. I wholeheartedly recommend this series.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Wow, another brilliant book by this author. I stayed up well into the night last night to finish it… a great series and I can’t wait for the next instalment.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Enthralling… This murder mystery was a thrill from beginning to end. The characters are strong and are vividly drawn. So cleverly written and the pacing was on point.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Love the Butler and West novels. Great writing and premise. Amazing characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

Stalking. Arson. Murder. Butler and West are back together… and the stakes have never been higher. When an old friend tells DS Freya West that she’s being stalked by someone she met online, Freya promises to help. But there are no leads, and the dating site refuses to give up their data. To make matters more complicated, DI Robin Butler is back in town. He’s investigating a string of arson attacks that have escalated to murder, and the cases seem to be connected somehow. They’re going to need their wits about them… Because this is a killer more devious than any they’ve hunted before, and he wants to obliterate everything they hold dear. The climatic finale of the gripping Butler & West series, perfect for fans of Cara Hunter, Jane Casey and Susie Steiner. Praise for Louisa Scarr ‘From the first flicker of fire to the final explosive climax, Out Of The Ashes is a scorching finale to a riveting crime series. The narrative crackles with menace and suspense, and I enjoyed every moment!’ Cameron Ward, author of A Stranger On Board ‘What an ending to the series! Louisa masterfully weaves together the strands of the investigation and the characters’ personal lives. Full of intrigue and threat and superbly paced.’ James Delargy, author of Vanished ‘Scorchingly brilliant. A heart in the mouth thriller with the ultimate chemistry between its leads, this is a breathtaking end to the series.’ Heather Critchlow, author of Unsolved ‘Scarr has finished her series with a heart-pounding flourish. It may be the last we see of Butler and West, but rest assured I’ll keep reading her, whatever she comes up with next.’ Alison Belsham, author of The Girls on Chalk Hill ‘I love this series... the last one was perfect. A finish so tight I couldn’t breathe.’ Rachael Blok, author of The Fall ‘I loved every instalment of this brilliant series, but Scarr has saved the best ’til last. Masterful.’ Jo Furniss, author of All the Little Children What readers are saying about Out of the Ashes ‘One of my favourite series. I love the characters and the team dynamics are excellent. There is plenty of suspense, red herrings and the ending all wrapped up neatly. A brilliant ending to an excellent series which I highly recommend.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Keeps you guessing until the explosive ending. And what an ending! I feel sad when I come to the end of a Butler and West book; it’s like having to say goodbye to dear friends. An exciting read with believable characters, a solid plot, and page-turning action.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘Oh my Louisa Scarr you have saved the best for last. An absolute cracker of a book and I got the ending I hoped for! A hell of a book to end a hell of a series.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! This book had a bit of everything – suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, arson, a great whodunnit and great police work! The storyline had me glued to my Kindle!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review ‘This cannot be the last in the Butler & West series! These police procedurals quickly became one of my favourites. There are so many strong, well described characters.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review