“One Small Sacrifice is a terrific thriller with a big heart. A smart, compelling examination of guilt, blame, and responsibility that will keep you turning the pages. Hilary Davidson is a rising star of suspense.”

—Jeff Abbott, New York Times bestselling author of The Three Beths

“Hilary Davidson is one of the best crime writers on the planet. This novel is a dazzling work by a master operating at the height of her abilities. Dark, twisty, and psychologically complex, One Small Sacrifice kept me guessing and gasping until the final page. I couldn’t put it down, even though I didn’t want it to end.”

—Chris Holm, Anthony Award–winning author of The Killing Kind

“One Small Sacrifice hooked me hard. Hilary Davidson has written a riveting and beautifully layered thriller that satisfies on every level. The characters surprise, the plot twists, and the pages turn themselves.”

—Lou Berney, Edgar Award–winning author of November Road

“I tore through this book! Hilary Davidson is at the top of her game with this masterful and twisty new novel that’s jam-packed with suspense. Filled with wonderfully diverse characters, breakneck pacing, and surprises at every turn, this modern mystery will thrill even the most old-school crime fiction lovers. This book satisfied me on so many levels.”

—Jennifer Hillier, author of Jar of Hearts

OTHER TITLES BY HILARY DAVIDSON

Don’t Look Down

One Small Sacrifice

Blood Always Tells

The Black Widow Club

Evil in All Its Disguises

The Next One to Fall

The Damage Done

TITLE PAGE

COPYRIGHT PAGE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Text copyright © 2021 by Hilary Davidson

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Published by Thomas & Mercer, Seattle

Amazon, the Amazon logo, and Thomas & Mercer are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.

ISBN-13: 9781542028691 (hardcover)

ISBN-10: 1542028698 (hardcover)

ISBN-13: 9781542028707 (paperback)

ISBN-10: 1542028701 (paperback)

Cover design by Faceout Studio, Lindy Martin

First edition

DEDICATION

For Eli, Zoë, and Sage

With love always

PART ONE

PART ONE

Everyone sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are.

—Niccolò Machiavelli

CHAPTER 1 DEIRDRE

CHAPTER 1

DEIRDRE

I didn’t know what to wear to the funeral. Any other day, I would’ve called my sister for advice, because Caro always knew the right way to do things. But she was dead, and I’d never hear her soft, husky voice again.