The Sacrificial Man, Ruth Dugdall
The Sacrificial Man, Ruth Dugdall
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The Sacrificial Man

Author: Ruth Dugdall

Series: The Cate Austin Casefiles #2

Narrator: Jane Fox, Isabella Inchbald

Unabridged: 9 hr 19 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HQ Digital

Published: 05/21/2026

Synopsis

‘Reading . I could not put it down’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘, is an outstanding thriller that I will be thinking about for a long time to come’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Probation officer Cate Austin faces the highest‑profile case of her career: Alice Mariani, a celebrated university lecturer, has been charged with assisting in the death of her lover. But at what point does a private pact become a public crime? Every interview with Alice peels back another layer of secrecy. As media and campaigners swarm the courtroom, Cate is forced into a legal blind spot — and a brutal dilemma. Will a lover's last request become a deadly price to pay? Don't miss this gripping thriller, perfect for fans of Joy Ellis from award-winning, Kindle #1 bestselling author Ruth Dugdall, as discussed on Radio 4’s ‘Woman’s Hour’. 'Gripping, original, authentic' '' Erin Kelly ‘Ruth Dugdall has , making them all the more scary’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Another '⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I would strongly recommend this to anyone who likes thrillers with'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'There has always been something exceptional about the words written by Ruth Dugdall'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A deadly choice in the name of love. Readers love :

About Ruth Dugdall

Ruth Dugdall was born in Hull and studied English literature at Warwick University before training as a probation officer. She decided to concentrate on her writing career when her novel The Woman Before Me won the 2005 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award. Her novels are informed by her direct experiences working within the criminal justice system and are published internationally. My Sister and Other Liars is her sixth novel. Ruth lives in Suffolk with her husband and two children.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Ceecee on November 30, 2019

Blimey. The start is 0-60 in 3 seconds, talk about high octane! Alice Mariani has been convicted of the assisted suicide of David Jenkins also known as Smith. She believes everyone has the right to die on their own terms. Cate Austin is a probation officer who assesses the convicted and their crimes......more

Goodreads review by Linda on November 29, 2019

Probation Officer Cate Austin is handed a different care to analyze and recommend sentencing. The person charged is Alice ... she has been convicted of assisted suicide and cannibalism. Alice has a story to tell ... but is it true? There's a fine line between euthanasia and murder. There's another fi......more

Goodreads review by Michelle on July 17, 2023

Second in the series and just as good as the first. Probation officer Cate deals with a case which involves death and the eating of flesh - not for the faint hearted trust me. Had me gripped throughout and was nice to see Colchester featured. Four stars.......more

Goodreads review by Mark on January 02, 2014

The story of a woman charged with murder for her role in an assisted suicide. Is this murder, or compassion? Such is an ethical dilemma for our time, but here the implications are deeper for the woman consumed some of the dead man's flesh. Was this just offering a merciful helping hand or something......more

Goodreads review by Gary on April 09, 2019

This is the second book in the Cate Austin series by author Ruth Dugdall but works as a stand-alone novel. I love the writing of Ruth Dugdall and I am yet to be disappointed. I first read her novel 'Humber Boy B'and was totally hooked and since then have eagerly awaited the next book. 'The Sacrificia......more

Quotes

Praise for Ruth Dugdall: 'Twisty, profound and completely convincing, it grips the reader by the heart. Unputdownable' ‘Ruth Dugdall’s novels are intelligent and gripping, with a sophisticated psychological sensibility. She is a huge talent’ ‘Authentic … diverting debut’ 'A chilling tale of betrayal and obsession…keeps its secrets well' 'Well plotted…The author understands how to build suspense and create atmosphere' 'The menace is skillfully intensified by Dugdall… a twisting labyrinth of child-trafficking and police cover ups' ‘Timely and beautifully-written… Highly recommended’ ‘An absolute tour de force that left me thinking for days’ ‘A chilling psychological thriller with a shocking twist. I read it one day and couldn’t put it down’ 'Dugdall’s background as a probation officer shines as she gets inside the heads of a range of characters, some quirky, some terrifying, all fascinating. In this chilling psychological thriller, she doesn’t so much prod the seedy underbelly of Europe as rips it wide open' 'An intelligent mystery, beautifully written, with an intriguing storyline. This one will keep you up to the wee small hours' 'Utterly chilling' 'Ruth Dugdall has created a child killer who is no evil stereotype. She skillfully reveals his thoughts and his motives, pulling the reader into a story that spirals towards a shocking conclusion. One to make you think' 'Intelligent, thought-provoking and tense, deals with an emotive subject sensitively whilst continually piling on the suspense. Once you start reading you won’t be able to stop until you reach the heart-stopping end' 'A thought-provoking and tension-filled novel – with evocative characters and an ending that I didn’t expect'

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