The Forest

<p><em><b>-First Place</b></em> (Mystery and Mayhem) and <em><b>Finalist</b></em> (Thriller and Suspense) Fiction (Chanticleer International Book Awards - 2024)<br />-<strong>London Book Festival Award (2024)</strong></p><p><strong>When danger hides behind boardroom doors the truth can be deadlier than any weapon.</strong></p><p>A seasoned corporate investigator Saskia van Essen is called in to probe suspicious dealings at a family-owned timber mill. When a routine white-collar inquiry erupts into a deadly game of cat and mouse Saskia finds herself entangled with the powerful Rowland family where loyalty ambition and long-buried secrets collide. As threats close in and bodies begin to fall she must untangle a maze of corruption drugs and animal trafficking before she becomes the next casualty.</p><p>Amid danger and deception unexpected bonds form with members of the Rowland clan and their beloved animals drawing Saskia deeper into a world she is no longer sure she can trust. Atmospheric and character-driven this mystery blends corporate intrigue family drama and high-stakes crime inviting readers to question every assumption right up to the final reveal.</p><p><strong>***** Spell Bound Thriller </strong>… Intricately woven plot which can easily make you part of the story (<em>Rajish Kumar – Amazon</em>)<br />***** Verbeek expertly challenges the reader’s assumptions and creates a puzzling mystery … <strong>Atmospheric and thoroughly engaging</strong>. (<em>Prairies Book Review</em>)</p>