Body of Lies

DS Gemma Woodstock returns to Smithson in a mysterious new thriller from the bestselling author of The Housemate.


'Sarah Bailey just gets better and better. Body of Lies is nuanced, compelling and so very entertaining.'

Chris Hammer, author of Scrublands and The Seven


'Bailey blasts through more twists in the first fifty pages of Body of Lies than some writers manage in a whole book.'

Jack Heath, author of Kill Your Brother


'With Body of Lies, Sarah Bailey proves she is the master of the relatable protagonist and the queen of dramatic tension. I defy readers to put down this book once they start.'

Hayley Scrivenor, author of Dirt Town


A car crash victim clings to life and is rushed to hospital but can't be saved. Hours later, her corpse 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 is 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