Angels of Clay by Madeleine Eskedahl

In the latest thrilling crime novel from Leigh local, bestselling NZ author Madeleine Eskedahl, a killer stalks the shadows of a quiet town. There are two victims, one message, and a truth that has been buried since the war.

At the beginning of summer, a young Lotto millionaire is found dead in the clay pit of a renowned pottery retreat. The body is laid out in the shape of an X, with markings in the earth that resemble an angel—deliberate, unsettling, and inexplicable. 

As the investigation begins, Sergeant Bill Granger and Constable Niko Sopoaga find themselves drawn into a case that quickly becomes more complex. The town of Matakana is already under pressure: a youth gang is leaving a trail of fear and fury in their wake—shoplifting sprees, smash-and grab raids, and brazen dine-and-dashes that are pushing local shopkeepers to the brink.

At the same time, Annika Granger is immersed in a family history project when she uncovers wartime notebooks and forgotten photographs— remnants of the days when US Marines were stationed in the area during WWII. But one discovery leads to another, and soon Annika is staring down a secret buried for generations.

As Sergeant Granger receives devastating news that the Matakana station may be closing, a second victim is discovered—laid out in the same chilling manner. Links emerge to a historical crime, and the question looms: what dark motive connects the past and present? 

 Set in the lush, sun-soaked wine country of New Zealand, the Matakana Series delivers gripping, atmospheric mysteries where small-town charm collides with chilling crimes. Featuring a cast of unforgettable characters and layered investigations that span generations, each novel offers a tense, emotionally rich journey into the heart of a seemingly peaceful community with a dark undercurrent. Perfect for fans of Jane Harper, Ann Cleeves, Camilla Läckberg and Tana French.  

Author note:

‘The book Angels of Clay was inspired by discovering that during WW2, thousands of US Marines were stationed in and around the Warkworth area. This led me to an in-depth study of what life was like in New Zealand, especially around Whangateau, Pakiri, and Matakana during that time. The struggles, lack of produce and essential items, but also the immense contribution and imprint left on the community by the Marines. Many New Zealand girls met and fell in love with the handsome “Yanks,” with some experiencing a happy ending and others not. This got me thinking, what if there was a romance that wasn’t condoned by the local young woman’s family? And what if there was a connection to the present?’

About the author:

Madeleine Eskedahl was born in Sweden and has lived in New Zealand for over thirty years. She’s married and has two daughters, as well as Walter and Dottie, the family’s two West Highland Terriers. She lives in Leigh, north of Auckland, in a rural community and loves to spend time at the beach and doing coastal walks. Madeleine is passionate about conservation, and in her spare time, she enjoys being a ‘Penguin Ranger,’ which includes monitoring the Little Penguins around the coast where she lives. 

Madeleine’s first thriller Blood On Vines was released in 2021 and is the first instalment in The Matakana Series.

Blood On Vines was voted into the prestigious Whitcoulls Top 100 list. Rings on Water was the second in the series, with Angels of Clay publishing this year. Apart from writing crime fiction, she also loves writing for children and was recently awarded the Storylines Janice Marriot Award. As for her Matakana crime series, she feels that her voice and Scandinavian Noir writing style come from where she grew up on the windswept island of Gotland, which in turn perfectly complements her imagination, love and appreciation of life in New Zealand.

Book Launch at the Vintry Sunday the 12^th of October at 2pm-4pm.

Welcome to the launch of Angels of Clay, the third instalment of The Matakana Series. Join Madeleine for a complimentary glass of wine and some nibbles to celebrate the new book.

Please RSVP directly to Madeleine, as numbers are limited. Madeleineeskedahlauthor.com

If you’re unable to attend the launch, Angels of Clay is available for pre-order now through Matakana Village Books, or any of your favourite booksellers.