Contemporary Fiction Books

Book Synopsis''Forna's voice is relentlessly compelling, her ability to summon atmosphere extraordinary ... A thing of lasting beauty'' OBSERVERSHORTLISTED FOR THE RSL ONDAATJE PRIZE 2019SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2019A breathtaking novel from Orange Prize-shortlisted and Commonwealth Writers' Prize-winning author Aminatta FornaWaterloo Bridge, London. Two strangers collide. Attila, a Ghanaian psychiatrist, and Jean, an American studying the habits of urban foxes. From this chance encounter in the midst of the rush of a great city, numerous moments of connections span out and interweave, bringing disparate lives together.Attila has arrived in London with two tasks: to deliver a keynote speech on trauma and to check up on the daughter of friends, his niece', Ama, who hasn't called home in a while. It soon emerges that she has been swept up in an immigration crackdown and now her young son Tano is missing.When, by chance, Attila bumps into Jean again, Trade ReviewPiercingly intelligent and interrogative … Registers tectonic shifts taking place in the world and provokes us to think anew about war, and what we take for peace and happiness * Spectator *An unusual novel that wears its cleverness lightly; tender, but with an eyes-wide-open recognition that the world is harsh * The Times *Forna is a risk-taker, a writer who doesn’t hold back from tackling big themes … Happiness is one of a handful of contemporary novels that take both the human condition and the animal condition seriously. Entering Forna’s sweeping universe transports you to a place that feels familiar, but also totally feral and full of surprises * Financial Times *Forna’s voice is relentlessly compelling, her ability to summon atmosphere extraordinary, her sympathetic portrayal of traffic wardens, street performers, security guards, hotel doormen a thing of lasting beauty. It is as if the author has privileged access into multiple spheres of existence, learning the secret languages of each, conferring dignity and consequence on these figures who often pass unseen and unrecorded in our accounts of contemporary life * Observer *Forna’s writing exudes an excitable kind of curiosity – about people, about the world. She has a magpie eye for interesting facts and observations … She has a big heart and impressive breadth, writing with equal acuity and empathy about women and men, Americans and Africans, professors and traffic wardens ... There is so much to enjoy in this book * New Statesman *Aminatta Forna expertly weaves her characters’ stories, past and present, in and out of the larger story of London, which becomes as rich a character as the human beings and, indeed, the foxes; and she makes us care deeply about them all, the foxes, the people and the city. A terrific novel * Salman Rushdie *One of the best novels I’ve read in quite a while – intelligent, deep and poignant. It sheds smooth, unflinching light upon the unseen. Forna is at the top of her game * Rabih Alameddine, author of The Angel of History and An Unnecessary Woman *Both generous in spirit and thought-provoking * Mail on Sunday *She has a deft touch and a warm style … Happiness is full of elegantly-written passages that you will want to revisit to make sense of changing circumstances in an increasingly tumultuous world * Evening Standard *From the understated and inexorable pull of plot and emotion to the luxuriousness of the details of varied ways of living and being to the tidal pull of language, Happiness is a great accomplishment -- Viet Thanh NguyenPowerfully affecting -- Alex Preston, 'The Best Fiction of 2018' * Observer *A deeply moving novel about love, trauma and the ties that bind us together. Beautifully written and ingeniously allegorical. Aminatta Forna is a writer of phenomenal talent, with a clear eye, a fearless voice, and an extraordinary range * Laila Lalami, author of The Moor’s Account *Her prose quietly grips us by the throat and then tightens its hold. It is storytelling at its most taut … A gifted writer -- Praise for 'The Hired Man' * Independent *- The best writer of fiction in this field … The intelligence of Forna’s storytelling is testament to a woman who has deep emotional resources -- Praise for 'The Hired Man' * Evening Standard *A fresh, immaculate stylist and an unsparing chronicler of human vices … Profound -- Praise for 'The Hired Man' * The Times *

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Book SynopsisHow do you find your soul mate when you don't have a soul?Iris has a secret ... she is a soulless hollow. But when she stealsa ring from a lady of nobility, she is reunited with her Spark,the first part of her soul. Iris must enlist the help of Evander,a young scholar, to find out what happened to her.

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Book SynopsisIn a seamless mosaic of dreams and games, a young boy reflects on events as his hometown in Albania falls to a series of invaders. Amid floods and bombings, his own innocence and wonder are lost forever in the madness and brutality of the Second World War.A disturbing mix of tragedy and comedy, politics and sexuality, Chronicle in Stone is a fascinating masterpiece about what it means to grow up in a turbulent world.Trade ReviewA great novel . . . A joyful, often comic piece of work -- James Wood * * New Yorker * *Sophisticated and accomplished in its poetic prose and narrative deftness -- John Updike * * New Yorker * *A master storyteller -- JOHN CAREYIsmail Kadare has sometimes been compared with Kafka, and you can see why * * Mail on Sunday * *There are very few writers alive today with the depth, power and resonance of this remarkable novelist * * Herald * *Chronicle in Stone is stunning, the quintessential tale of war seen through a child's eyes -- Susan Salter Reynolds * * Los Angeles Times * *Writing like this is hard to stop quoting . . . It is musical not only in rhythms that survive in this deft . . . translation but in its most elemental perceptions -- Evan Eisenberg * * The Nation * *[Albania's] most remarkable export: the novels of Ismail Kadare -- Ken Kalfus * * The Village Voice Literary Supplement * *Chronicle in Stone is epic in its simplicity; the history of a young Albanian and a primitive Albania awakening into the modern world -- Michael Dregni * * Minneapolis Star Tribune * *

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES AND TIMES BESTSELLER_______________________'A gripping historical adventure that feels sharp, fresh and modern' STYLIST'So beautiful, so daring, so complete' TAYLOR JENKINS REID'A masterpiece' NIGELLA LAWSON'Extraordinary' NEW YORK TIMES'Wonderful' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING MAGAZINE_______________________A soaring, breathtakingly ambitious novel that weaves together the astonishing lives of a 1950s vanished female aviator and the modern-day Hollywood actress who plays her on screen.Marian Graves is driven by a need for freedom and danger. From her days as a wild child in prohibition America to the blitz and glitz of wartime London, she is determined to live an independent life.But it is an obsession with flight that consumes her most.Having become one of the most fearless pilots in her time, she sets out to do what no one has done before: to circumnavigate the globe from pole to pole.But shortly before completing the journey, her plane disappears, lost to history.Over half a century later, troubled film star Hadley Baxter is offered to play Marian in the comeback role of a lifetime. From the first pages of the script, Hadley is drawn inexorably to the female pilot.It is a role that will lead her to an unexpected discovery, throwing fresh and spellbinding light on the story of the unknowable Marian Graves._______________________WATERSTONES FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH JUNE 2022SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2022SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2021A ROYAL READING ROOM PICK 2023SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA GOLD CROWN 2022TIME MAGAZINE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER MAY 2021TIMES BESTSELLER JUNE 2022_______________________'Full of adventure, passion and tragedy' THE TIMES'Soars from the very first page' SUNDAY EXPRESS'Luminous, masterful. Glides seamlessly through the 20th century' TELEGRAPH, Best Fiction of 2021'Breathtaking' OBSERVER'Truly exceptional storytelling, combining a sweeping arc of history with writing that, at sentence level, is near-flawless.' THE BOOKSELLER'A tour-de-force' DAILY EXPRESS'Impressive and gripping' SUNDAY TIMES'Surprising and moving at every turn' GUARDIAN'Audacious and Immersive' DAILY MAIL'Accomplished and ambitious' FINANCIAL TIMESReaders love GREAT CIRCLE:***** What a read! Immense story with beautifully created characters***** The story is so well researched and planned; historical fiction standing side by side with history itself***** This is a stunning achievement, my perspective feels fundamentally transformed through reading it***** A wonderful saga, covering a large chunk of the twentieth centuryTrade ReviewLuminous, masterful ... glides seamlessly through the 20th century immersing the reader. Tremendously well-written * TELEGRAPH, 'Best Fiction of 2021' *A gripping historical adventure that feels sharp, fresh and modern * STYLIST MAGAZINE *Shipstead turns phrases and observes people beautifully. Full of adventure, passion and tragedy... a glorious tribute to women who push the boundaries of their one, brief life, breaking the bonds of their place in history and their female bodies, to soar higher and faster than others; and the price they pay to live so fast * THE TIMES, 'Best Fiction of 2021' *Impressive and gripping * SUNDAY TIMES *What's so impressive is how deeply we care about each of these people, and how the shape and texture of each of their stories collide to build a story all its own. GREAT CIRCLE grasps for and ultimately reaches something extraordinary * NEW YORK TIMES *The Marian portions rove from Montana to Manhattan to Scotland and Antarctica, and read like a carnival of early-20th-century American history, packed with bootleggers, treacherous boxcar rides, and tragic shipwrecks. The Hadley chapters offer a delectable dissection of life as a celebrity, serving up an intelligent skewering of the Hollywood machine and allowing the book to take flight * VOGUE *GREAT CIRCLE is a novel of our insatiable need to stare down the terrible, magnificent vastness of it all: love, war, desire, fear ... A sweeping, swashbuckling book, full of oversaturated colour and grand destiny. The joy of this dynamic, soaring novel is not a welcome extra but its very engine * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *Encompasses flight, travel adventure, identity, sexuality, family, the celebrity age - and in such beautiful writing. A masterpiece. * NIGELLA LAWSON *Rocked by the cool cadences of Shipstead's prose, readers will embark on a journey through time and space. Across 600 pages, they'll link arms with its characters as they stroll along the decks of early-1900s ocean liners, then board private jets to eavesdrop on the poolside parties of 21st-century Hollywood. They'll spot eagles arcing over the wild frontiers of Prohibition-era America then feel the lonely, existential chill of the white expanses of Antarctica - in between city breaks in Europe and Australia * INDEPENDENT *This wonderful novel weaves together the story of two women: a female aviator who goes missing in the1950s and the Hollywood star playing her in a film in the present day. A commitment that rewards with memorable characters and vivid storytelling * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, 'Best Fiction of 2021' *From near-death experience in childhood, to marriage to a bootlegger, Marian rockets off the page in this gripping novel. A staggering story * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MAGAZINE *Accomplished and ambitious... Most novelists have their limits and cut their cloth accordingly. Shipstead is a writer who can vividly summon whatever she chooses, taking the reader deep inside the world she creates. * FINANCIAL TIMES *A clever, poignant story about ambition, love and sacrifice that'll completely draw you in * COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE *This ambitious, wide-ranging and psychologically insightful novel is a tour-de-force * DAILY EXPRESS *It is rare to read a novel that is as beautifully built as it is elegantly written. Moving and surprising at every turn * GUARDIAN *A gorgeous soaring story that takes flight from the very first page * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Vast and entrancing * BA HIGH LIFE *A riveting novel with powerful characters that will excite, shock and enthral * PSYCHOLOGIES MAGAZINE *Nothing short of brilliant * OPRAH DAILY *A work of epic proportions and rich, cinematic detail * FINANCIAL TIMES, BEST OF SUMMER BOOKS *Grand, audacious and completely engrossing * DAILY MIRROR *This epic novel tops 600 pages but you'll still want more. Ambitious, cannily constructed and entertaining * MAIL ON SUNDAY *Beautifully written and endlessly readable, this rapturous novel soars * GUARDIAN *Ambitious, intricately detailed, rich and considered * INDEPENDENT *A WOMAN'S WEEKLY BOOK CLUB READ * MY WEEKLY *Daringly ambitious... a novel that invites the reader to immerse themselves in the sweep of history, the rich and detailed research... breathtaking * OBSERVER *Great Circle is an epic trip-through Prohibition and World War II, from Montana to London to present-day Hollywood-and you'll relish every minute * PEOPLE MAGAZINE *Glitz and guts square off in Great Circle: a tale of two women set apart by a century, fighting to retain control of their own lives in a society that demands subservience. Shipstead is adept at writing so vividly, the reader can feel the thrill and pain of her characters. Cunningly crafted. . . richly layered, a joy to read . . . riveting * THE SPOKESMAN REVIEW *Mesmerizing * TATLER *An enthralling epic about aviation and adventure. A big, baggy blast of a book bulging with sex and drugs, taking in Prohibition-era Montana, wartime London, present-day Hollywood, painting and physics. I loved it * REBECCA JONES, BBC ARTS CORRESPONDENT *A generous, escapist treat * i-PAPER, 30 BEST BOOKS FOR SUMMER *A soaring epic of female adventure and wanderlust * GUARDIAN *Bestselling novelist Maggie Shipstead was struggling to depict a female adventurer. So she became one. The stakes of GREAT CIRCLE are high-for its heroine, literally life or death. Though Shipstead never learned to fly herself, she aligned with her main character Marian Graves in more important ways . . . She is interested in testing her limits * L A TIMES *Relentlessly exciting . . . My top recommendation for this summer. Shipstead's sweeping new female-centered epic intertwines the story of Marian, an aviator who wants to circumnavigate the globe with that of actor Hadley Baxter, cast a century later to play Marian in a film. What can Marian's life tell Hadley about her own? * WASHINGTON POST *Dazzling prose in the service of an expansive story that covers more than a century and seems to encapsulate the whole wide world. With detailed brilliance, she lavishes heart and empathy on every character. She never wavers, pulls out a twist or two that feel fully earned, and then sticks the landing * BOSTON GLOBE *Swinging from one century to the next, from the moneyed splendor of cities to the shifting Antarctic ice, Shipstead's prose overflows with meticulous detail * MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE *Enthralling. Moving and surprising at every turn * GUARDIAN *Sweepingly panoramic and immersive. An audacious epic * DAILY MAIL, 'Best Fiction of 2021' *In a moment when our quarantined worlds have become so small, GREAT CIRCLE offers more than just wanderlust; it feels like a liberation. * ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY *Maggie Shipstead combines cinematic scope with a poet's eye for detail * THE TIMES *The beginning of Maggie Shipstead's astounding novel, a Booker finalist, includes a series of endings: two plane crashes, a sunken ship and several people dead. The bad luck continues when one of the ship's young survivors, Marian, grows up to become a pilot-only to disappear on the job. Shipstead unravels parallel narratives, Marian's and that of another woman whose life is changed by Marian's story, in glorious detail. Every character, whether mentioned once or 50 times, has a specific, necessary presence. It's a narrative made to be devoured, one that is both timeless and satisfying. * TIME, BOOK OF THE YEAR *Absolutely dazzling * NEWSWEEK *Thrilling * DAILY MAIL *GREAT CIRCLE flew us to a different world. A book to devour * TELEGRAPH, BOOK OF THE YEAR *A sweeping saga that alternates between the life of a tenacious female aviator in the 1930s and that of a millennial film star cast to play her in a biopic. In death, 'each of us destroys the world,' the author observes - but her engrossing novel is a moving reflection on the will to survive * THE ECONOMIST *Artfully constructed and exhuberantly entertaining * THE MAIL, BOOK OF THE YEAR *Shipstead soars in this expansive, beautiful novel about women and flight * THE STRAITS TIMES *Engrossing, ambitious, beautifully written * DAILY EXPESS, Summer Reading *Completely engrossing from the very first page. You won't be able to put this down * HELLO MAGAZINE *A brilliant saga of a book. It will absolutely captivate you * JANE GARVEY, Fortunately Podcast *

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Book Synopsis* THE NEW ADDICTIVE THRILLER FROM THE MASTER OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE *   ‘Expertly paced, psychologically sharp, thoroughly enjoyable' Louise Candlish ‘Meticulously plotted, psychologically astute’ Sarah Vaughan 'Confirms Nicci French as the giant of the genre' Erin Kelly ‘A pure adrenaline rush’ Jenny Colgan  Neve Connolly looks down at a murdered man. She doesn't call the police.    ‘You know, it’s funny,’ Detective Inspector Hitching said. ‘Whoever I see, they keep saying, talk to Neve Connolly, she’ll know. She’s the one people talk to, she’s the one people confide in.’   A trusted colleague and friend. A mother. A wife.   Neve Connolly is all these things. Trade Review'Confirms Nicci French as the giant of the genre, upon whose shoulders other writers stand' -- Erin Kelly‘French, the pseudonymous couple who single-handedly revamped the psychological thriller in the 1990s, show they remain as expert at suspense, plot and the psychology of stressed heroines’ * Sunday Times *'The Lying Room is a return to their roots, and oh boy, is it a good one... With its terrifying premise – how easy it is for an ordinary woman to find herself faced with evil – The Lying Room isn't merely a return to the form of Nicci French's earlier chillers – it's even better' * Observer *‘It’s Nicci French perfection – which, as we all know, is the best kind of perfection. So, so gripping and brilliantly clued' -- Sophie Hannah‘The Lying Room reasserts Nicci French as the master of duplicity, suspense and sleight of hand’ -- Sam Baker'The hook of The Lying Room is chilling: a woman discovers the dead body of a man she knows and doesn’t tell a soul. From the very first page, Nicci French remains one step ahead of us as we race to unpick Neve Connolly's deadly tangle. Expertly paced, psychologically sharp, thoroughly enjoyable' -- Louise Candlish‘You know a book's gripping when you sneak away at any opportunity to read it. Meticulously plotted, psychologically astute’ -- Sarah Vaughan‘This book is a pure adrenaline rush!’ * Jenny Colgan *

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Book SynopsisThe bewitching first novel from the bestselling author of THE IMMORTALISTS''Benjamin is a gifted writer, a creator of quiet asides and haunting images'' Financial Times''Matches the subtle surrealism of a dream with the underpinnings of a thriller'' Emma Straub''You wonder if here is a writer who is truly capable of anything'' Daily MailSylvie and Gabe meet and fall in love at boarding school in Northern California when they are just teenagers. Their headmaster is the enigmatic and mysterious Dr Keller, a man obsessed with the idea that people''s waking stress and trauma can be cured in their dreams. The young couple can''t help but be drawn into his magnetic pull and slowly become involved in his research. Years later, Sylvie and Gabe are once again working on Dr Keller''s experiments and Sylvie slowly begins to realise there is more both to her employer and her lover than meets the eye, and that the Trade ReviewMatches the subtle surrealism of a dream with the underpinnings of a thriller -- Emma StraubA debut novel of subtlety, depth, intrigue and tenderness -- Lorrie MooreA moving love story wrapped in the trappings of a sci-fi thriller. Benjamin has a deft hand for rendering both the stomach-twisting nature of early infatuation and the way relationships mellow over time. Sentences have a dreamy rhythm. A sly, promising, and ambitious debut * Publishers Weekly *Chloe Benjamin's prose - lyrical, tender, perceptive - compels you to linger on every exquisitely crafted sentence * Sunday Express *Benjamin is a gifted writer, a creator of quiet asides and haunting images, who mines a seam of sad wisdom * Financial Times *Such is her dazzling sureness of touch that you wonder if here is a writer who is truly capable of anything * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisDon't miss the next heartwarming novel in the Rockwood series from No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author Dilly Court!I foresee happiness for you, Nancy. I hear bells and I see snow, and your heart's desire comes true'A chance encounter brings Nancy Sunday to the streets of London, where she finds herself amongst a band of street urchins.Her heart may have been broken by love but it's big enough to help those less fortunate than herself, and Nancy takes these unloved orphans in but when one of them is accused of a serious crime, the neighbourhood turns against her.The colder the cruel grip of winter grows, the more mouths she finds herself having to feed. Can Nancy's good heart and strength bring them all through?*And don't miss the sixth and final book in The Rockwood Chronicles Dolly's Dream available to pre-order now!*Dilly's novel Sunday's Child hit #1 in the Sunday Times bestselling charts the w/e 25th June 2022.Trade Review Praise for Dilly Court: ‘Feisty female characters to fall in love with in a spirited, adventurous novel’ Sunday Express ‘Dilly Court’s latest novel is another page-turner that will keep you gripped to the end – 5 stars’ The People’s Friend ‘As always Dilly keeps you absorbed right to the end’ Choice ‘A rollicking, fast-paced adventure with a hint of romance!’ My Weekly ‘Spellbinding . . . you just keep turning the pages’ Daily Mail ‘Perfect for Downton Abbey fans … heart-tugging’ Peterborough Telegraph Readers love Dilly Court! ‘Dilly Court never fails to satisfy and as always leaves me wanting more from her.’ ‘It is hard to put the book down. The stories are so absorbing. You feel a part of the family.’ ‘All books have been amazing…Was spellbound [and] couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to read another…’ ‘She never disappoints. This adventurous novel will keep you gripped till the end.’ ‘There [are] always twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. It deserves the five stars.’ ‘Finding [it] hard to put down. Occasional tear and lots [of] smiles.’ ‘Can’t wait for the next book…’

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Book SynopsisA story about family, politics and journeying through a fractured country in a delicate time, The Havoc of Choice explores the long reaching effects of colonisation and corruption within the context of a singular household and the disparate experiences of class and clan they encapsulate. 2007, Kenya. Long held captive by her father's shadow of corruption, Kavata has spent her life suffocated by political machinations. When her husband decides to run in the next election, these shadows threaten to consume her home. Unable to bear this darkness, Kavata plots to escape. As her family falls apart, so too does her country. In the wake of Kenya's post-election turmoil, Kavata and her family must find their way back to each other across a landscape of wide-spread confusion, desperation, and heartrending loss. One of the first pieces of long fiction from Kenya to explore its 2007 post-election violence (PEV) in such detail, The Havoc of Choice is a delicate and deeply personal attempt to understand the root of this spontaneous yet organised conflict and to figure out what healing looks like for the people of Kenya.Trade ReviewWanjiru Koinange turns the story of a Kenyan election into a study of Nairobi and Kenya itself. Her vision is warm and intelligent, her storytelling impeccable, and her cast of characters unerringly plausible and fascinating. One of the best accounts of the new Africa in years. -- Imran Coovadia * author of The Wedding and The Posioners *Through the intimate and abiding lens of family, Koinange - a new and compelling voice - skilfully weaves an intricate story of corruption, betrayal, love and loss. Tension-filled and moving. -- Yewande Omotoso * author of Bom Boy and The Woman Next Door *

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Book Synopsis*A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*A ZOELLA BOOK CLUB PICK'This book filled me with excitement and possibilities.' Jenny Colgan'Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous.' @savidgereads'Say hello to the book of the summer' @bettysbooksuk'Fantastic . . . I cannot put it down.' @thebibliotucker____________Have you fallen for this INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING novelist's sizzling hot entrance into the world of romance?It's the opportunity of a lifetime:Feyi is about to be given the chance to escape the City's blistering heat for a dream island holiday: poolside cocktails, beach sunsets, and elaborate meals. And as the sun goes down on her old life our heroine also might just be ready to open her heart to someone new.The only problem is, she's falling for the one man she absolutely can't have.____________'A must read for all romance lovers' @between2books_'Emezi is a

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Book Synopsis ‘The Rule of Three absolutely blew me away. An incredibly intense and original creepy page-turner that made me keep turning the pages in a desperate need to finish it and find out the answers! Utterly paranoia-inducing and brilliant. I loved it. It came for me and now it will come for you!' SARAH PINBOROUGH 'Ingenious, creepy and compelling. Sam Ripley is an exciting new voice in the field of chilling thrillers' ALEX NORTH The Whisper Man meets The Chalk Man with the paranoia of The Blair Witch Project in this chilling suspense thriller. That’s the one.That’s the girl who’s going to die.   I didn’t believe in the Rule of Three. Not at first. It was just one of those urban myths you hear about all the time. A story my boyfriend told me about a girl cursed by the number th

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Book Synopsis'Seven Exes made me laugh out loud. It's fresh, fast-paced and joyous. Lucy Vine's writing is so warm and funny - her books are the literary equivalent of an amazing girls' night out' BETH O'LEARY Esther is out with her two friends, bemoaning her lack of relationship, when she finds a magazine from the noughties. Seeking comfort – and a laugh – she turns to the dating advice only to find an article that feels a little too close to home. According to the journalist, there are seven people a woman will date before finding the one: The First Love, The Work Mistake, The Friend with Benefits, The Overlap, The Missed Chance, The Bastard and The Serious One.  Her friends laugh but Esther realises each of her exes fits these roles perfectly. Deciding that she’s mistaken her true love in the reject pile she decides to contact each of her exes to find out which is the one that got away...Trade ReviewClever, perceptive and screamingly funny, Seven Exes is a joyous commentary on the mores and mysteries of modern dating and how past loves can shape our future. Throw in some delicious nostalgia, some genuinely sexy love interests and Vine's mastery of female friendships in all their frank and messy glory, and it's a book you'll never, ever want to break up with. -- Lauren BravoFunny, hopeful and agonisingly relatable, Esther is all of us. Lucy Vine writes with such compelling honesty, Seven Exes made me laugh, made me cry and made me want to call all my friends to tell them I loved them then call my exes to apologize/punch them in the nuts. Equal parts romcom and life lesson, it's a must-read. -- Lindsey KelkOne of the freshest, funniest rom-coms I've ever read… with so much heart and depth. -- Daisy BuchananSeven Exes is a bit of me! A shimmering rom-com with plenty of gorgeous romance and even more achingly funny comedy. I loved the nostalgia, I loved the tenderness and I absolutely adored the friendship between Esther and her best pals. This is a joyous must-read. -- Hannah Doyle, author of The A to Z of UsBursting with sparky humour. Esther and her female friends are a joy and Esther’s search for the boy from her past who may or may not have got away is both funny & moving. -- Jill MansellHilarious, relatable, heart-warming, extremely binge-able -- Kate Weston-BrookesAppallingly funny, relatable and wise -- Rosie WalshLucy Vine always knocks it out of the park and Seven Exes is no exception. I couldn’t put it down! It’s so smart, so funny, and so warts-and-all real. A nostalgic, comforting romcom. I loved it! -- Lia LouisRiotously funny, charming, and nostalgic, Seven Exes is a truly optimistic look at turning 30 and all the mess that can come with. Superb! -- Laura Jane WilliamsFun, playful and warm, SEVEN EXES is a whirlwind of book. Riotous yet sincere, lighthearted yet thoughtful, this book is absurdly entertaining and will make you laugh like you’re with old friends -- Caroline HulseI really enjoy SEVEN EXES! It was like a therapy session cleverly wrapped up in rom-com packaging. A bright, sparky rom-com that will make you question your relationship with the past, for sure! -- Justin Myers/The GuylinerSEVEN EXES was such a joy to read. I adore everything Lucy writes but I think this is her best one yet. -- Holly BourneHilarious and heart-warming, SEVEN EXES is unputdownable and deeply relatable. I gobbled it up! Esther is endearing, realistic, and I was rooting for her every step of the way in her mission to track down her exes and take a look back on her journey so far. It's got gorgeously written female friendships and is packed with laugh-out-loud moments, SEVEN EXES is an absolute TRIUMPH. -- Beth ReeklesFun, funny, feisty, and fabulous. Lucy Vine is a firework. -- Milly Johnson'A beautiful testament to female friendship and the power of women in your life. Lucy Vine writes about the messy glory of female friendships with such ease and joy that you immediately want to exist in her world. Seven Exes is the only thing you need to pack this summer' Salma El-Wardany 'A rather lovely ode to the power of friends' Stylist 'A brilliantly absorbing tale' Women & Home ‘Funny and heart-warming’ Daily Mail ‘hilariously funny and sharply observed… fresh, sexy and smart romcom’ Heat ‘funny and frank’ Best ‘endearing’ Times 'The beauty of Lucy's writing is that you'll cry and laugh in the same chapter. With it tapping into 2023's dating culture... It feels both refreshingly modern and satisfyingly traditional in the same breath' Belfast Telegraph ‘A sweary, panic-sweaty but ultimately rather endearing take on facing your demons — and realising that women’s magazine features should rarely be believed. Definitely don’t try this at home’ The Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisAfter killing his brother Abel, Cain must wander for ever. He witnesses Noah's ark, the destruction of the Tower of Babel, Moses and the golden calf. He is there in time to save Abraham from sacrificing Isaac when God's angel arrives late after a wing malfunction.Written in the last years of Saramago's life, Cain wittily tackles many of the moral and logical non sequiturs created by a wilful, authoritarian God, forming part of Saramago's long argument with God and recalling his provocative novel The Gospel According to Jesus Christ. Trade ReviewThere are some very funny moments in this reimagining of the story of Adam and Eve's fratricidal son... Hats must be doffed once again to Margaret Jull Costa, Saramago's fearless long-time translator, for taming his punctuation-free prose, rendering it not only readable, but enjoyable, and for bringing the late Portuguese author's often challenging work to a worldwide readership * Financial Times *José Saramago's final novel is an inventory of God's less noble moments...as flawed and wonderful a place to inhabit as the world his cosmic nemesis created * Sunday Herald *Every page of this novella, translated with a fluent and light touch by Margaret Jull Costa, has its charm. Every page raises difficult questions...as the final testament of Portuguese master, it is suitably disturbing and a pleasure to read * Scotsman *Saramago's breathless prose, expertly rendered into English by Margaret Jull Costa...conveys the sheer enjoyment of a writer bowing out at the top of his form * Sunday Times *Cain reminds us why Saramago's work remains vitally important * Metro *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Melding blistering humor with razor-sharp insight, The Teller of Secrets heralds a marvel of a writer, one capable of deftly balancing questions of sexuality, politics, and feminism in a novel that is a pure joy to read. This book is impossible to put down. What an exciting, masterful novel by an uncommonly gifted writer.” — Maaza Mengiste, author of The Shadow King, shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize “Bisi Adjapon writes with incredible vividness and clarity. Her similes and attention to all of the senses are really extraordinary.” — Dave Eggers, publisher of McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius “Bisi Adjapon’s The Teller of Secrets unfolds with grace, and a quiet spellbinding beauty to reveal the fascinating journey of Esi to self-discovery through family drama, betrayal and passion. A poignant, witty and delightful read delivered by a storyteller of note. — Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, author of Season of Crimson Blossoms, Winner of the Nigeria Prize for Literature “Sharp, observant, and often bitingly funny, Adjapon’s novel captures a country divided by class, ethnicity, and political loyalty and a character who might have a chance to soar on the winds of social change. This is a winner.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Bisi Adjapon has written a deeply compelling, humorous coming-of-age story. Esi Agyekum is brave, perceptive, and precocious; traits she needs to survive the oftentimes perilous journey that most African girls must take on their way to full womanhood. It is a testament to Adjapon’s skill as a writer that the story is told with such vulnerability and sensitivity. An utterly captivating and entertaining read!” — Ama Ata Aidoo, author of Our Sister Killjoy and Changes, Winner of the Commonwealth Prize Award for Best Book "Breathtaking...Esi ultimately takes control of her body, her mind, and her whole being in ways that will merit a fist pump among feminists everywhere." — Booklist (starred review) "Adjapon is a masterful storyteller who has created the best friend I wish I had when I was growing up. In Esi, she gives readers a hero who will 'ignite their fires.' This is a feminist manifesto in the form of a novel. Watch Esi as she navigates secrets and sexism, and thank Adjapon for her skill at unpacking patriarchal hypocrisy with clear-eyed gusto" — Mona Eltahawy, author of The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls "There's nothing like a coming-of-age story to reminds us of how connected we all are. You'll both cry and cheer as Esi learns the hard lesson that not all secrets are worth keeping." — Essence

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Book SynopsisWhite Shroud (Balta drobule, 1958) is considered by many to be Lithuania's most important work of modernist fiction. Drawing heavily on the author's own refugee and immigrant experience, this psychological, stream-of-consciousness work tells the story of an emigre poet working as a bellhop in a large New York hotel during the mid-1950s. Via multiple narrative voices and streams, the novel moves through sharply contrasting settings and stages in the narrator's life in Lithuania before and during WWII, returning always to New York and the recent immigrant's struggle to adapt to a completely different, and indifferent, modern world. Skema uses language and allusion to destabilise, drawing the reader into an intimate, culturally and historically specific world to explore universal human themes of selfhood, alienation, creativity and cultural difference. Written from the perspective of a newcomer to an Anglophone country, the novel encourages an understanding of the complexities of immigrant life.

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Book SynopsisTwo former college friends run into each other on the morning train and find themselves reflecting on the very different paths their lives have taken...A counterfeiter, forever living outside the law, starts to envy a friend who? s managed to get out of the game and establish a normal life... A security officer in a futuristic version of Beijing West Railway Station chases down a passenger who the screens say is ? intentionally lost? ...Beijing may be known to us, in the West, as the political powerhouse of the most populous country in the world, but to the characters in these stories it is a protean city, forever changing, evasive and difficult to read... It turns close friends into strangers, up-ends carefully thought-out life choices, and leaves next-door neighbours completely unaware of each other? s true identity. The stories collected in this anthology show people in all contexts ? from wannabe protestors to future users of facial expression reading tech ? desperate to stake their name on the city, as well as surprised by it at every turn.

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Book Synopsis''Once I started reading The Immortalists, I resented every moment I had to spend away from the book until I''d finished'' Stylist''A compelling and utterly absorbing read with virtuoso storytelling on display'' Sunday ExpressIt''s 1969, and holed up in a grimy tenement building in New York''s Lower East Side is a travelling psychic who claims to be able to tell anyone the date they will die. The four Gold children, too young for what they''re about to hear, sneak out to learn their fortunes.Such prophecies could be dismissed as trickery and nonsense, yet the Golds bury theirs deep. Over the years that follow they attempt to ignore, embrace, cheat and defy the ''knowledge'' given to them that day - but it will shape the course of their lives forever.Readers love The Immortalists:''I read this book over three days and will remember it for a lifetime'' ***** ''This is a book that I never wTrade ReviewA boundlessly moving inquisition into mortality, grief and passion...The Immortalists is not just a novel about grief; it conjures characters with such dimension that you mourn them too, a magic rare enough to leave one astonished * Observer *Immersive and impressive * The Sunday Times *A captivating family saga * New York Times Book Review *The Immortalists is a compelling and utterly absorbing read with virtuoso storytelling on display. The drive to discover how each character's story unfolds gives the novel a sense of urgency yet Chloe Benjamin's prose - lyrical, tender, perceptive - compels you to linger on every exquisitely crafted sentence: The Immortalists is rich in historical detail and displays immense wisdom in its portrayal of the intensity and messiness of sibling bonds. It is a hugely powerful novel and asks fundamental questions about fate, mortality and life and the ways we choose to live it * Sunday Express *For someone who loves stories about brothers and sisters, as I do, The Immortalists is about as good as it gets. A memorable and heartfelt look at what might happen to a family who knows too much. It's amazing how good this book is -- Karen Joy FowlerMesmerising, like a well-crafted illusion...Benjamin is a gifted writer, a creator of quiet asides and haunting images, who mines a seam of sad wisdom * Financial Times *Big themes of fate and free will, superstition and rationalism, guilt and legacy bounce back and forth with the lightness of ping-pong balls through this rambunctious novel, as each vividly drawn character grapples with the question of how to live. Benjamin crams her novel with incident, while never stinting on detail. Such is her dazzling sureness of touch that you wonder if here is a writer who is truly capable of anything. * Daily Mail *A stunning, immersive novel, which has echoes of Donna Tartt and Elizabeth Strout, but Benjamin's gift for story-telling is all her own. It's a novel that you'll lose yourself in and foist on all your friends and will still be thinking about it long after you've read the final page. I expect this one to be on all the book award shortlists for 2018 and deservedly so * Red Magazine *One of those books that whenever I wasn't reading it, all I could think about was getting back to it... Incredibly absorbing, hugely moving and that perfect balance of beautiful writing and brilliant storytelling * The Pool *Skilled storytelling, a complex structure that spans decades and vivid characters make this an intelligent, entertaining read * Woman & Home *Once I started reading The Immortalists, I resented every moment I had to spend away from the book until I'd finished. It's an extraordinarily moving, beautifully told and, at times, almost unbearably tense read * Stylist *Skilled storytelling, a complex structure that spans decades and vivid characters make this an intelligent, entertaining read * Woman & Home *As deft and dizzying as a high-wire act... the reader is beguiled with unexpected twists and stylish, crisp prose...[an] ambitious, unorthodox tale * Economist *A great new talent -- Lorrie MooreThe very best kind of literary thriller -- Richard RussoA captivating idea, executed with wit, care and enormous charm * Big Issue *THE IMMORTALISTS made me want to hug my siblings. I couldn't put it down -- Carys BraySuch a beautiful, melancholy, absorbing book -- Anna JamesA beautiful, compassionate, and even joyful novel. Chloe Benjamin has written an inspiring book that makes you think hard about what you want to do with the time you're given. This is not really a book about dying - it's a book about how to live -- Nathan Hill, author of THE NIXThe four siblings were so real to me that when I turned the last page I immediately missed their company... I loved how Benjamin conveyed the intimate details of these people, which made them and their stories come alive -- Claire Fuller, author of OUR ENDLESS NUMBERED DAYSBenjamin is at turns funny, tragic, informative, and mystical. And, like a good magic act, you'll be wondering what on earth she'll pull out of the hat next. The Immortalists demands to be discussed, dissected, and pondered long after reading -- Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, author of HARMLESS LIKE YOUOne for those who like a rich story along the lines of Manhattan Beach or The Time Traveler's Wife * Irish News *Not many books have this sort of vivid immediacy -- Sara Taylor, author of THE LAURAS * Lady *Like literary nectar. I LOVE it -- Hannah BeckermanImaginative and satisfying . . . A cleverly structured novel steeped in Jewish lore and the history of four decades of American life. The four Gold siblings are wonderful creations, and in Benjamin's expert hands their story becomes a moving meditation on fate, faith, and the family ties that alternately hurt and heal * Publisher’s Weekly *To describe Chloe Benjamin's second novel as a story about the evolution of a family would be true, but wholly insignificant for the breadth and depth of this amazing work of fiction....Her spare, yet gorgeously robust prose belies her youth and every page is imbued with her obvious storytelling skill * Washington Post *Thought-provoking, suspenseful, moving, intelligent. Exquisite. -- Will Dean, author of DARK PINESMoving, rather beautiful, a mystery about how our lives and fate intertwine, this is a novel that will stay on your mind for ages after you've read it and I cannot recommend it any higher * Crime Time *A special book that stays with you long after the last page * Good Housekeeping *A wonderful story of family and life * Prima *Intriguing, page turning and wonderfully written... a story of family, loss and love that's brave enough to ask big questions. It completely captivated me from beginning to end -- Kate HamerAn unpredictable and thought- provoking novel * Lady *Beautifully written and brilliantly well-plotted * Irish Examiner *In its scope and themes, The Immortalists brings to mind Hanya Yanagihaya's A Little Life * Independent *This is quite possibly the book of spring 2018 - it's been everywhere, with salutary quotes from Karen Joy Fowler and The New York Times. Happily, it lives up to the hype * Stylist *The Immortalists worms its way under your skin. Benjamin writes with verve and charm and her four protagonists are resolutely real. She is particularly good at the sibling bond, the unbreakable ties that bind brothers and sisters together even as they drive each other to distraction.It is a testament to Benjamin's skill that, as her story pulls focus from the wild nightclubs of the Castro and the glitter of Las Vegas to life in the suburbs, as youthful exhilaration and recklessness give way to grief and anger frustration and fear, the novel itself does not narrow but instead grows deeper and more absorbing * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis“Queer writing at its most exhilarating.” **—Times Literary Supplement **The slums of Buenos Aires, the government, the mafia, the Virgin Mary, corrupt police, sex workers, thieves, drug dealers, and debauchery all combine in this sweeping novel deemed a ‘revelation for contemporary literature’ and ‘pure dynamite’ (Andrés Neuman, author of Traveller of the Century & Talking to Ourselves ).When the Virgin Mary appears to Cleopatra, she renounces sex work and takes charge of the shantytown she lives in, transforming it into a tiny utopia. Ambitious journalist Quity knows she’s found the story of the year when she hears about it, but her life is changed forever once she finds herself irrevocably seduced by the captivating subject of her article. Densely-packed, fast-paced prose, weaving slang and classical references, Slum Virgin refuses to whitewash the reality of the poor and downtrodden, and jumps deftly from tragedy to comedy in a way that has the reader laughing out loud.Trade ReviewSilverio Cañada Memorial Prize (Shortlist)"Queer writing at its most exhilarating." —The Times Literary Supplement"Cámara’s breakout tale is mind-blowingly good." —Publishers Weekly, starred review"A revelation for contemporary literature."" —Andrés Neuman , author of TRAVELLER OF THE CENTURY and TALKING TO OURSELVESGlobetrotting: Your sneak preview of books in translation —New York Times"Cámara has a powerful voice, one to be taken seriously." —Library Journal"Cabezón Cámara’s exuberant range of styles truly shines." —Asymptote"Book of the Year 2009." —Rolling Stone (Argentina)**********Praise for Gabriela Cabezón CámaraInternational Booker Prize (Shortlist)"A thrilling and mystical miniature epic."** —The Guardian**"[The Adventures of China Iron] reminds us, in Cabezón Cámara’s entrancing poetry, how magical and frankly unpleasant it is to live through history."** —New York Times**"[The Adventures of China Iron] compels readers to examine critically not only the biases of the myths we celebrate, but also how they seep into our contemporary understandings of nationhood."** —LA Review of Books**"Brilliantly translated by Fiona Mackintosh and Iona Macintyre, this is a heartfelt, dreamlike paean to Argentina’s past and what might have been had the pampas been left alone."** —The Times Literary Supplement**"Cabezón Cámara’s exciting LGBTQ look at pioneers of the pampas makes for a rewarding and subversive treat."** —Publishers Weekly**"Shaking loose new possibilities for how we might reshape the present precisely by unsettling something seemingly so settled as the past."** —Music & Literature**"Daring."** —The Financial Times**"A daring, playful story."** —New Statesman**"A wonderful reading experience, filled with light, joy, discovery, friendship, and love."** —The Massachusetts Review**"An unexpected ride that delivers on all accounts."** —DIVA Magazine**"By disrupting pedagogical nationalist representations, Cámara’s story enables all those places in the margins to re-signify constructs of the Argentine people."** —WasafiriBest books published in Latin America 2017. —New York Times (Español)"A transformative adventure, wholly romantic and sublime, at times even supernatural in its message of discovery." —Books and Bao**"A thrilling book that has a little of everything that I look for in a novel."** —SubText**"10 Best Translated Books 2019"** —Books and BaoGlobetrotting: Your sneak preview of books in translation —New York Times**"It’s moving and intelligent and funny and all of it is fun (so much fun)."** —Mark Haber, Brazos Bookstore**"Best books dealing with feminism, sisterhood and queerness"** —Pagina/12**"With a touch of whimsy, ‘The Adventures of China Iron’ rewrites a historical narrative and renders spaces inclusive."** —Daily Star**"Best Books of 2017"** —Los inRockuptibles**"20 Best Latin American books 2017"** —El País**

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Book Synopsis'Chilling.' Vogue'As unusual as it is alluring.' Elle'Delightfully disturbing.' Refinery 29'Very powerful.' Sayaka Murata'Disquieting.' Paula Hawkins'You will be obsessed.' Leila SlimaniThe Woman in the Purple Skirt is being watched. Someone is following her, always perched just out of sight, monitoring which buses she takes; what she eats; whom she speaks to. But this invisible observer isn't a stalker - it's much more complicated than that.Trade Review'Very powerful . . . Meticulous and extremely precise . . . Reading this book made me feel like I was in an unstable and strange world.' - Sayaka Murata'A breathless novel that depicts with sly humor the strange relationship between two women in contemporary Japan. You too will be obsessed with the Woman in the Purple Skirt and held in suspense until the last page.' - Leila Slimani'Imamura definitely has a rare talent for depicting people who are a little out of the ordinary. . . . By the time I got to the end, a powerful sense of the narrator's loneliness forcing its way through the madness gripped my heart.' - Yoko Ogawa'Reading this novel, you can really hear Natsuko Imamura's unique voice, which comes across quite unsparingly and beautifully.' - Hiromi Kawakami'Imamura offers her reader crisp, refreshing prose. The Woman in the Purple Skirt will keep you firmly in its grips with its persistent, disquieting, matter-of-fact style.' - Oyinkan Braithwaite'A chilling tale of envy and vulnerability. Clear space on your reading list now.' - Vogue'A voyeuristic thriller . . . This study in fascination, translated from Japanese, is as unusual as it is alluring.' - Elle'Delightfully disturbing . . . Imamura does weird singularly well, and keeps the suspense taut throughout the novel, always teasing an answer to the questions: Why this woman? What makes her so special? What makes any of us worth watching at all?' - Refinery 29'Disquieting and wryly funny, The Woman in the Purple Skirt is a taut and compelling depiction of loneliness and obsession.' - Paula Hawkins

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Book SynopsisWhether you're new to the world of Jackie Collins, or you know her books intimately, you’ll find something to love in the achingly sexy Hollywood Wives, featuring an introduction from Helen Ellis. ‘When I was thirteen, Jackie Collins showed me how to be brave. You write what no one thinks you can write. You ask for money no one wants to admit that you’ve earned. You fight for your marriage when your husband has failed you’ HELEN ELLIS'Forty years after Hollywood Wives was published, it’s as relevant and enjoyable as it ever was' COLLEEN HOOVER They lunch at Ma Maison on salads and hot gossip. They cruise Rodeo Drive, turning shopping at Giorgio and Gucci into an art form. These are Hollywood wives and they hold the keys to the kingdom. But when your ticket to ride is a famous husband, there are no guarantees. This scorching blockbuster exposes the glitteri

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Book SynopsisWow! This book kept me on the edge of my seat and every time I thought I knew what was going to happen there was another fabulous twist. I loved it.' Reader review?????Well! I HORSED through The Nurse, pure HORSED! Tense, pacey, unputdownable.' MARIAN KEYESSomeone is watching her. She just doesn't know it yet.Nell Sweeney has led an ordinary life. Every day she walks to and from the hospital where she works as a nurse, believing that no harm can befall her.Until one day she is taken.Because someone out there has a secret. Someone out there has been watching Nell and they've been watching others like her too.Nell is the unlucky one she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. And if she isn't found soon, someone will make sure that she isn't the last woman to disappearA chilling, gripping read, perfect for fans of Clare Mackintosh and Gillian McAllister.Readers are OBSESSED with The Nurse!Electrifying and frighteningly believable. Loved it.' ?????Wow! This book kept me on the edge oTrade Review Further praise for The Nurse: ‘One of those stories that stays with you after you read the final page. It got under my skin. Highly recommended.’ – bestselling author PATRICIA GIBNEY ‘A rollercoaster of a book that will have you gripped from the get-go.’ – JANE FALLON ‘I was gripped from start to finish. It’s a heart-thumping stomper of a book. Edge-of-your-seat, page-turning fiction that shines a light on very dark and real places. Bravo.’ – ANNA Mc PARTLIN ‘Wrought with tension and menace. I read it in one terrified gulp’ – SHARON DEMPSEY, author of Who Took Eden Mulligan? ‘A gripping thriller that is timely and topical’ – LOUISE BEECH, author of This is How We Are Human ’A pacy, propulsive thriller – undoubtedly Allan’s best yet. Don’t miss it.’ – BRIAN McGILLOWAY, author of Blood Ties ‘Spine chilling and terrifyingly believable, I was hooked from the first page’ – SAM BLAKE, author of Remember My Name Further praise for Claire Allan: ‘Peppered with tension and fear’ Sunday Independent ‘AMAZING. I read it in one go. I was totally hooked.’ MARIAN KEYES ‘Ask No Questions is Claire Allan’s best. This will shock and surprise!’ LOUISE BEECH ‘A brilliantly paced, intriguingly plotted and thoroughly enjoyable story. One of the best psych thrillers I've read this year.’ LIZ NUGENT on HER NAME WAS ROSE 'A powerful and emotional psychological thriller that will keep you guessing and leave you breathless.' C. L. TAYLOR, author of The Fear ‘Utterly addictive! Literally couldn’t put it down all day! Compulsive, twisty, tense. And LOVED the ending.’ CLAIRE DOUGLAS, author of Local Girl Missing ‘I devoured it in a couple of days. Claire Allan managed to maintain an unsettling sense of unease that started at the very beginning and didn't let up at all.’ ELLE CROFT ‘SUCH a good read! It made me feel so uncomfortable, but I still kept gobbling up the pages.’ LISA HALL

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Book SynopsisA gorgeously illustrated gift edition of the standalone companion to the Sunday Times bestselling DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE series.Trade ReviewWOW. I wish I had written this book. - Patrick Rothfuss on DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONEDAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE is that rare beast: a novel that takes the familiar and makes it appear startling and new. Taylor has embraced the mythology of angels and reworked it in an extraordinary form, so that by the end of this lyrical, haunting book, I wanted to believe in the existence of these violent, tormented beings. I can hardly wait for the next installment. - John Connolly on DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONEI like to spread the word when I come across a book that excites me. . . I'm all fired up about it. Thank you, Ms. Taylor, for a thrilling couple of days. I am in your debt. (Warning readers: this is one of those series that will have you tearing at your hair and gnashing your teeth waiting for the next instalment. Be prepared.) - Stephanie Meyer on DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHTThis is Romeo and Juliet on a sprawling fantasy stage. - Guardian on DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHTHeartbreak, war and magic spells abound in this captivating romance . . . There's slaying aplenty, but Taylor mitigates the violence with an unquenchable belief in the restorative powers of love and hope - and magic. - Marie Claire on DREAMS OF GODS AND MONSTERS

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Book SynopsisCalifornia is still the world's biggest hideout. The only thing more western is the Pacific Ocean, where, if the Big One happens, California might find a home at the bottom. One of those hiding out is Peter Bowman, a former army brat, and lecturer at Woodrow Wilson Community College, who is being hunted for a quality most men would crave. But for Bowman, nicknamed Boa, it has become burdensome. When an opportunity comes, he has to choose between becoming financially solvent or exposing himself to his pursuers. Along the way, he runs into some memorable characters both in reality and in his dreams, including Ishmael Reed. In Ishmael Reed's Conjugating Hindi, stories, histories and myths of different cultures are mixed and sampled. Modern issues like gentrification addressed. It is the closest that a fiction writer has gotten to the hip-hop form on the page. Once again, Ishmael Reed has pioneered a new form. If his first novel, The Free-Lance Pallbearers, was an early Afro-Futurist novel, Mumbo Jumbo recognized as “a graphic novel before we used the term” (according to Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Margo Jefferson), Yellow Back Radio Broke Down Blazing Saddles's “important precursor,” Flight To Canada his "Neo Slave Narrative," a concept that he coined–Conjugating Hindi is his global novel. One that crosses all borders.Trade Review"One of the most inventive and prolific of contemporary American writers . . . Reed's prose style resembles the youthful Ali's ring style. It is unorthodox, brash, yet controlled." * New York Times *"Ishmael Reed makes the language boogaloo." * Rolling Stone *"The only novelist who is a match for the comic intensity of Richard Pryor." * Chicago Tribune *"As a top-flight postmodern novelist and feisty cultural critic, Reed consistently challenges our status quo sociopolitical arrangements." * The Dallas Morning News *"His own groundbreaking literary output over six decades, in multiple languages and every form—essays, fiction, poetry, film, even editorial cartoons—has infected a generation of artists." * The Paris Review *"The novel [Conjugating Hindi] is what some academics have dubbed a trickster text, a text informed by the mischievous, shape-shifting, slippery figure of the trickster, found in folklore throughout the world. Implicit in Reed’s formal style, as well as his content, is the trickster disregard for caste of any kind. Heedless of boundaries and resistant to being pinned down or hemmed in, the novel is driven almost entirely by Reed’s deep, free-wheeling curiosity about why things are the way they are in regard to the use of the model minority myth against Black communities....As the United States’s ideals come under increasing attack, we need more flame-throwers like septuagenarian Ishmael Reed — more fighters, more tricksters, more eagle-eyed observers with an incendiary spirit, more dazzlingly original artist-writers — willing to defy what is permissible to say, willing to catch it on all sides, and willing to run over boundaries of all kinds into genuinely new or neglected territory." * Anita Felicelli, Los Angeles Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisIn a marriage built on lies, the truth will destroy BOTH OF YOU.Absolutely gripping' Richard OsmanChilling and entirely unputdownable' Lisa JewellHad me gasping at the twist' Ian RankinAmbitious, nail-biting, darkly voyeuristic'' Louise CandlishSmart and thought-provoking' T.M. LoganHappy. Married. Missing.Leigh Fletcher, devoted wife and stepmum, goes to work one day and never returns home.Same week, different world Kai Janssen leaves her sexy, wealthy husband and their luxurious penthouse, and vanishes into thin air.Both husbands seem distraught, claiming they have no idea where their wives have gone.DC Clements wants answers. Did these women run away or were they taken? Most importantly, where are they now? When the detective discovers a shocking link between the missing women, it's clear the truth can devastate. Now Clements must work against a ticking clock, before both wives disappear forever.The Sunday Times Number One bestseller Adele Parks returns with her most provocative book to date: Both Of You.Praise for Both Of You:As always with Adele Parks this is an absolutely gripping read' Richard OsmanYet another stick of literary dynamite from Adele Parks: chilling, gripping and entirely unputdownable'Lisa JewellReally enjoyed this! Kept me guessing and had me gasping at the twist' Ian RankinAmbitious, nail-biting, darkly voyeuristic I tore through it in two sittings'' Louise CandlishClever and twisty'FabulousSmart and thought-provoking with an absolutely brilliant mid-point twist' T.M. LoganSizzling. Shocking. Sassy' Jane CorryA dark and intense tale that will keep you turning the pages' Jane FallonCrackleswith toxic relationships, dark desires and shocking twists' Eve ChaseClever and full of unexpected turns' Woman & HomeTaut, raw, emotionally astute, clever and shocking. Parks gets better and better a writer at the mind-blowing top of her game' Gillian McAllisterDeliciously dark, sharp and intriguing Another brilliant page-turner from domestic noir queen Adele Parks' Tasmina PerryWildly compelling' Rachel EdwardsTrade Review Praise for Both Of You: ‘As always with Adele Parks this is an absolutely gripping read’ Richard Osman, No. 1 bestselling author of The Thursday Murder Club ‘Yet another stick of literary dynamite from Adele Parks: chilling, gripping and entirely unputdownable’ Lisa Jewell, No. 1 bestselling author of The Family Upstairs ‘Really enjoyed this! Kept me guessing and had me gasping at the twist’ Ian Rankin, No. 1 bestselling author of A Song for the Dark Times ‘I've always loved Adele Parks’s gripping, immersive novels and Both Of You is one of her very best. Ambitious, nail-biting, darkly voyeuristic – I tore through it in two sittings' Louise Candlish, bestselling author of The Other Passenger ‘Clever and twisty, this will keep you hooked’ Fabulous ‘Smart and thought-provoking with an absolutely brilliant mid-point twist’ T.M. Logan, bestselling author of Trust Me ‘Sizzling. Shocking. Sassy. Made me sit bolt upright … Adele has the gift of making you feel you are right there. Inside her characters. Your heart pounding’ Jane Corry, bestselling author of I Made a Mistake ‘Clever and full of unexpected turns, it’s a must read’ Woman & Home ‘A dark and intense tale that will keep you turning the pages… Gripping and surprising’ Jane Fallon, bestselling author of Worst Idea Ever ‘Crackles with toxic relationships, dark desires and shocking twists. An utterly engrossing read that unsettles as it entertains. I loved it’ Eve Chase, bestselling author of The Glass House ‘Taut, raw, emotionally astute, clever and shocking. Parks gets better and better – a writer at the mind-blowing top of her game’ Gillian McAllister, bestselling author of How to Disappear ‘Deliciously dark, sharp and intriguing…Another brilliant page-turner from domestic noir queen Adele Parks’ Tasmina Perry, bestselling author of The Singles Table

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Book SynopsisPRE-ORDER THE CLEVER AND INTRIGUING CRIME MYSTERY FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE TOP TEN SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, THE TURNGLASS. A new Sherlock Holmes novel, endorsed by the Conan Doyle Estate.  Two adversaries. One deadly alliance. Together, can they unlock the truth?  Sherlock Holmes and his faithful friend, Dr John Watson, have been hired by actor George Reynolds to help him solve a puzzle. George wants them to find out why the audience who comes to see him perform every night are the same people, only wearing disguises. Is something sinister going on and, if so, what?   Meanwhile, Holmes’ archenemy, Professor James Moriarty is having problems of his own. Implicated in the murder of a gang leader, Moriarty and his second, Moran, must go on the run from the police in order to find out who is behind the set-up.   But their investigation puts them in the way of Holmes and Wa

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'What a glorious, beautiful sea-shanty of a book this is. A fairy tale of wild, sea-swept children and wolfish fear. Written in a compelling, rushing language.' Daisy Johnson, author of the Man Booker-longlisted Everything UnderEllie Fleck has a question for everything, except the one she cannot ask.Where have they taken her mother?Ten years old and irrepressibly curious, Ellie lives with her fisherman father, Peter, on the wild North Yorkshire coast. It’s the 1980s and her mother’s breakdown is discussed only in whispers, with the promise ‘better by Christmas’ and no further explanation.Steering by the light of her dad’s sea-myths, her mum’s memories of home across the water, and a fierce spirit all her own, Ellie begins to learn – in these sudden, strange circumstances – who she is and what she can become. By the time the first snowdrops show, her innocence has been shed, but at great cost.

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Book Synopsis'Chilling and poised, I loved it' MAGGIE O'FARRELLThe Breakstone family arrange themselves around their daughter Heather, and the world seems to follow: she is the greatest blessing in their lives of Manhattan luxury. But as Heather grows, her radiance attracts a dark interest and their perfect existence starts to fracture. A very different life, one raised in poverty and in violence, is beginning its own malign orbit around Heather.Trade ReviewHeather, The Totality is superb. It gripped me at once. There was no question of turning away at any point. Weiner conveys the sense that beyond the brilliantly chosen details there was a wealth of similarly truthful social and psychological perception unstated. Then there was the ice-cold mercilessness, of a kind that reminded me (oddly, I suppose, but there it was) of Evelyn Waugh. This novel is something special -- PHILIP PULLMANBeautifully written . . . Curious and unexpected -- JOHN BANVILLE * * Guardian * *A lean, sharp meta-thriller. The writing is laconic and assured . . . . Superb * * Spectator * *Holds you in a way novels seldom do . . . It should be consumed at one sitting * * Financial Times * *This short novel of upper-crust anomie and class-divide obsession is a scorcher! It's the classic noir construction: the short walk off the long ledge and the plummet to an indifferent Hell. Matthew Weiner demonically delivers the goods! Read this book in one gasping breath -- JAMES ELLROYObsession, wealth, anomie, parenting and sociopathic fantasy; about what happens when a young girl comes into contact with an evil man . . . Engaging and brilliant * * Sunday Times * *Chilling and poised, I loved it -- MAGGIE O'FARRELLA bleakly elegant tale of ennui and class envy . . . Weiner has a knack for writing sentences that grab and grip . . . addictive, even thrilling * * Observer * *An exciting debut novel with a fast-paced plot and plenty of suspense * * Vogue * *Short and rapier-sharp, Matthew Weiner's Heather, The Totality compels and unnerves in equal measure. Like the great Patricia Highsmith, Weiner renders the disturbing not just plausible but exquisitely, agonisingly inevitable. A tour de force -- CLAIRE MESSUD

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Book SynopsisThe return of the famous shared-world superhero books created and edited by George R. R. Martin, author of the A Song of Ice and Fire series.The American Triad Series#1: Mississippi Roll#2: Low Chicago#3: Texas Hold ''EmA time for crime has come.The stakes where already high enough at Giovanni Galante's poker table that night in Chicago. Poker. Dealer's choice. Seven players. A million-dollar cash buy-in.But after a superpowered disaster, the most high-profile criminals in the city are scattered throughout the past and their schemes across time threaten the stability of the world.Featuring a fresh cast of characters, the latest tale set inGeorge R.R. Martin''sWild Cards universe is a time travel adventure that leads to the criminal underworld of 1920s Chicago.Includes a brilliant collection of original stories from such giants of the world of science fiction and fantasy as Saladin Ahmed, Paul Cornell, Marko Kloos, John Jos. Miller, Mary Anne Mohanraj, Kevin Andrew Murphy, Christopher RTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE WILD CARDS SERIES: “Deep and complex”Starburst “Perhaps the most original and provocative of the shared worlds books.”Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn "Martin has assembled an impressive array of writers. . . . Progressing through the decades, Wild Cards keeps its momentum to the end."Locus "The shared-world series known as Wild Cards has had a long and illustrious history of contributors and achievements." SciFi.com

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Book Synopsis'A sharply written story with messy, deeply moving characters' Taylor Jenkins Reid 'I was captivated by the writing from page one... Powerful' Lizzie Damilola Blackburn 'The story of Kemi, Muna and Brittany-Rae – Black women hoping to start anew in a society that does not see them – is a story for these times' Chika Unigwe 'A sexy, surprising, searing debut about love, loss, desire, and the many dimensions of Black womanhood. Timely and terrific!' Deesha Philyaw Three very different women are desperate for their lives to change. Though strangers, they are drawn to the same place: Stockholm, a city famed for its egalitarianism. But beneath the city's glittering surface lurk challenges old and new. Challenges that threaten to tear them down once and for all...Trade ReviewA sharply written story with messy, deeply moving characters, raising brutal questions and steering clear of easy answers. A book that will stick with you long after you've turned the last page -- Taylor Jenkins Reid, bestselling author of Daisy Jones and the SixThese characters will pull at your heartstrings. L?lá writes with a contemporary flair, highlighting the layered subtleties of the Black woman's plight -- Nicole Dennis-Benn, bestselling author of novels Here Comes the Sun and PatsyA sexy, surprising, searing debut about love, loss, desire, and the many dimensions of Black womanhood. Timely and terrific! -- Deesha Philyaw, award-winning author of The Secret Life of Church LadiesThis is a very different and unpredictable portrayal of Black women's search for love and self, and it's pure magic -- Kim Golden, author of Maybe BabyAt once enjoyable and disturbing as it explores the painful price millions of women around the world pay for walking around with black skin -- Imbolo Mbue, New York Times bestselling author of Behold the DreamersCaptivating. Åkerström describes what it is to be an ambitious black woman in today's world. The story of Kemi, Muna and Brittany-Rae – black women hoping to start anew in a society that does not see them – is a story for these times, and their fate is a stark reminder that the seaweed isn't always greener in somebody else's lake -- Chika Unigwe, author of On Black Sisters' StreetA striking debut... As entertaining as it is revealing, Åkerström's novel has readers hoping that each of these women is able to break free from toxic expectations and achieve her every dream and ambition. Along the way, Åkerström also delivers poignant commentary on Swedish culture and the price Black women pay by virtue of the color of their skin. A guaranteed favorite for fans of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah' * Booklist *Take three Black women in search of a better life. Add love and desire to a mix of family expectations and what it's like to have no family whatsoever. Akinmade Akerstrom's voice is fresh and insightful as she tells a compelling story of what it means to be a Black woman in a globalised world. From a rich, cushioned elite to a determined refugee, she takes us from the US and London to Sweden. This ambitious novel is beautifully realised. Akinmade Akerstrom is definitely a writer to watch! -- Yaba Badoe, author of A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars and WolflightLolá Ákínmádé Åkerström’s debut novel is as much a liberating battle cry as it is a searing, multifaceted examination of the hearts and minds of Black women navigating white-dominated spaces... Rather than shying away from or oversimplifying difficult and complex topics, Åkerström has effectively packaged themes of racism, immigration, fetishism and otherness into an engrossing story that will enlighten its readers, regardless of their nationality or race' * BookPage *A beautiful novel [...] that highlights what it's really like to be a Black woman today... Contemporary and vivid, this story will captivate and educate' * Good Morning America *A rich narrative, weaving together each woman's perspective to unpack nuances around foreignness and belonging. Through lively prose and spirited dialogue, Åkerström shows that for all the protagonists' differences, being a Black woman in a white-dominated society will inevitably lead them to the same fate * Vulture *An engaging novel that presents the nuanced experiences of Black women from all walks of life. The author takes on misogynoir masterfully in this book that's never quite what you think it is * Essence *I loved In Every Mirror She's Black so much. I was captivated by the writing from page one, and the characters kept me turning. I was heavily invested in Brittany, Kemi, and particularly, Muna, whom I had become protective of. Although it had sad notes, I appreciated how Lola didn't shy away from exploring heavy themes, as it made the book even more powerful -- Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka Where Is Your Husband?Incisive, thought-provoking and un-put-down-able... Riveting, moving and stirring (with punch-packing endings you won't see coming), In Every Mirror She's Black is a magnificent must-read' * LoveReading *Each must find their way in a society depicted as more concerned with hygge than humanity in this hectic and ultimately extremely sad story * The Gloss Magazine *The book provides a pointed look at how Black women must navigate the world around them * Independent *An immersive novel about three Black women building new lives in Sweden and how racism manifests in an already-insular society * Red Magazine *A thought-provoking read * Prima Magazine *Stunning thought-provoking contemporary fiction from Akinmade Åkerström shines a deeply nuanced light on the Black woman experience in the Nordics * Bella Naija *In search of escape these three women find themselves in Stockholm – but instead of a fresh new start, they find the same problems just wear a different name * Closer *As their lives intersect, this smart, unflinching novel reveals facets of how it is to be a Black woman living and working in a white-dominated society * Heat *There are powerful, important themes underpinning the narrative, but what really shines through is the distinctness of the different characters and the depiction of real lives and emotions * South Wiltshire Living *Åkerström writes all too convincingly about racism, fetishism, identity and loneliness, giving additional depth and texture to this vivid, involving novel * Daily Mail *Åkerström sustains an undercurrent of darkness, a pulse of anxiety, so you as the reader never quite know where you will be from page to page * Bad Form *Drawing comparisons to Queenie and Americanah, it promises to be one of the most discussed novels of 2021 * Stylist *

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Book SynopsisIn many respects, Their Four Hearts is a book of endings and final things. Vladimir Sorokin wrote it in the year the Soviet Union collapsed and then didn’t write fiction for ten years after completing it––his next book being the infamous Blue Lard, which he wrote in 1998. Without exaggerating too much, one might call it the last book of the Russian twentieth century and Blue Lard the first book of the Russian twenty-first century. It is a novel about the failure of the Soviet Union, about its metaphysical designs, and about the violence it produced, but presented as God might see it or Bataille might write it. Their Four Hearts follows the violent and nonsensical missions carried out by a group of four characters who represent Socialist Realist archetypes: Seryozha, a naive and optimistic young boy; Olga, a dedicated female athlete; Shtaube, a wise old man; and Rebrov, a factory worker and a Stakhanovite embodying Soviet manhood. However, the degradation inflicted upon them is hardly a Socialist Realist trope. Are the acts of violence they carry out a more realistic vision of what the Soviet Union forced its “heroes” to live out? A corporealization and desacralization of self-sacrificing acts of Soviet heroism? How the Soviet Union truly looked if you were to strip away the ideological infrastructure? As we see in the long monologues Shtaube performs for his companions––some of which are scatological nonsense and some of which are accurate reproductions of Soviet language––Sorokin is interested in burrowing down to the libidinal impulses that fuel a totalitarian system and forcing the reader to take part in them in a way that isn’t entirely devoid of aesthetic pleasure. As presented alongside Greg Klassen’s brilliant charcoal illustrations, which have been compared to the work of Bruno Schulz by Alexander Genis and the work of Ralph Steadman as filtered through Francis Bacon by several gallerists, this angular work of fiction becomes a scatological storybook-world that the reader is dared to immerse themselves in.Trade ReviewFinalist, Russian Booker, 1992 "Generously spiced with filthy and vulgar terms... an absurdist work, a veritable encyclopedia of... the bizarre." —Liza Rozovsky "Sorokin’s sudden exposure is long overdue as he is probably both the most acclaimed and the most controversial author in Russia today, hailed by critics as a ‘living classic’ even as his subject matter takes the tradition of Russian grotesque into areas Gogol or even the Stalin-era absurdist Daniil Kharms never dared venture." —Daniel Kalder, Publishing Perspectives

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Book SynopsisThe narrator of The Longcut is an artist who doesn’t know what her art is. As she gets lost on her way to a meeting in an art gallery, walking around in circles in a city she knows perfectly well, she finds herself endlessly sidetracked and distracted by the question of what her work is and how she’ll know it when she sees it. Her mental peregrinations take her through the elements that make up her life: her dull office job where she spends the day moving items into a “completed” column, insomniac nights in her so-called studio (also known as her tiny apartment), encounters with an enigmatic friend who may or may not know her better than she knows herself. But wherever she looks she finds only more questions—what is the difference between the world and the photographed world, why do objects wither in different contexts, what is Cambridge blue—that lead her further away from the one thing that really matters. An extraordinary feat of syntactical dexterity and comic ingenuity, The Longcut is ultimately a story of resistance to easy answers and the place of art and the artist in the world.Trade ReviewShortlisted for the Novel Prize "I remember how Knut Hamsun’s Hunger scared & excited me when I was young & now, later on, Emily Hall’s The Longcut has produced its own inimitable effect. I think of a mayor I read about who advocated digging a hole so big there’s no alternative to filling it. Emily Hall’s digging (for art) is bedraggled and ecstatic (“I was a lunatic for miles”). It makes its mark and I am helplessly subsumed in it still. Her Longcut is like an Artist’s Way for bad kids." —Eileen Myles"The anxieties of the artist are vigorously analyzed to the point of near insanity in Emily Hall's schizophrenic debut. An artist walks through a city to an appointment, asking the simple and unanswerable question: what is my work? Hilarious and claustrophobic, angular and digressive, The Longcut questions the role of capitalism in creation, while proving it's nearly impossible to make art if one thinks about it too much." —Mark Haber “Bold and irreverent: like a DYMO machine gone nuts on a Mondrian print, The Longcut is a hilariously inventive take on what it means to be making “work” in the self-conscious world of art-making while also, at the very same time, trying get through the many material distractions of an office job. A striking debut!” —Jen Craig

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Book SynopsisTwo gripping novellas from the No.1 international bestselling authorTrade ReviewPraise for Camilla Lackberg: ‘A sexy, sensational novel with intoxicating vengeance and an unexpected tenderness – The Golden Cage is tensely and skillfully drawn’ Karin Slaughter ‘Lackberg’s new embrace of a terrifying revenge scenario furnishes visceral psychological crime.’ Financial Times ‘The Golden Cage is a twisting, brutal tale of betrayal and revenge. Lackberg paints a vivid portrait of a dark and complicated anti-heroine who is both the abused and abuser, victim and victimizer. A chilling, timely read sure to thrill her international legion of fans!’ Lisa Unger,New York Times bestselling author of The Stranger Inside ‘A wonderful, take-no-prisoners mashup of Gone Girl, Billions, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ Chris Bohjalian, New York Times best-selling author of The Flight Attendant and The Red Lotus ‘Camilla Läckberg is a master of psychological suspense: she grabbed me by the throat with this sharply written, wildly entertaining tale of wealth, power and revenge and kept me up straight through the night’ Cristina Alger, New York Times best-selling author of Girls Like Us ‘Domesticity and brutality are Lackberg staples… Tightly plotted… Unflinching’ Sunday Times ‘Heart-stopping and heart-warming … a masterclass in Scandinavian crime writing’ Val McDermid ‘Pacy … with flashing insight into the dark places of the psyche’ Sunday Times ‘A top-class Scandinavian crime writer’ The Times ‘The rock star of Nordic Noir’ Independent ‘Lackberg is an expert at mixing scenes of domestic cosiness with blood-curdling horror’ Guardian ‘Both chilling and thrilling’ Sun ‘A satisfying and counterintuitive clash between the cosy and gruesome strands of the genre’ Guardian

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Book SynopsisDon't miss the fourth book in the heartwarming six-part series from the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author Dilly Court!Left on the steps of an orphanage when she was just days old, Nancy Sunday was brought up in hardship until the kindly Rosalind Carey took her in. Now eighteen years old, Nancy is an adopted member of the Carey family. But she can't help wondering who her parents really wereWhen Nancy is sent away to finishing school, she finds herself in the midst of London society. There she meets Freddie Ashton kind and warm-hearted, he might just be the man of Nancy's dreams. But she knows his wealthy parents would never let him marry a penniless foundling.And she has also caught the eye of another man the charming and dangerous Gervase North, who has reasons of his own for discovering Nancy's parentage.Will Nancy ever find where she truly belongs?Trade Review Praise for Dilly Court: ‘Feisty female characters to fall in love with in a spirited, adventurous novel’ Sunday Express ‘Dilly Court’s latest novel is another page-turner that will keep you gripped to the end – 5 stars’ The People’s Friend ‘As always Dilly keeps you absorbed right to the end’ Choice ‘A rollicking, fast-paced adventure with a hint of romance!’ My Weekly ‘Spellbinding . . . you just keep turning the pages’ Daily Mail ‘Perfect for Downton Abbey fans … heart-tugging’ Peterborough Telegraph

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE COMEDY WOMEN IN PRINT PRIZE 2022/23'Poignant as well as savagely witty' Observer'Stylish and funny' Sunday Times'Hits every note perfectly' Kamila ShamsieA life-changing app.The woman who created it.And the man who took the credit.When Asha starts work on a revolutionary app together with her new husband Cyrus, she's thrilled. But while she creates an ingenious algorithm, Cyrus' charismatic appeal throws him into the spotlight. What happens when the app explodes into the next big thing? Gripping, witty and razor-sharp, The Startup Wife is a blistering novel about big ambitions, speaking out and standing up for what you believe in.Trade ReviewPulses with up-to-the-minute topicality . . . as high-octane entertainment that hits notes poignant as well as savagely witty, it soars * * Observer * *Fresh, funny, brave, savage, smart - Tahmima Anam hits every note perfectly in this novel about our new reality and the age-old problems of men and women that no app can fix -- KAMILA SHAMSIEImpossibly timely and bewilderingly smart -- ELIF SHAFAKA funny, poignant, and piercingly satirical take on startup culture -- TULIP SIDDIQExcellent on the intricacies of sexism and racism (Asha is Bengali) and how migrant experiences differ . . . Anam's writing is stylish and funny . . . and she guides the reader deftly towards a satisfying conclusion * * Sunday Times * *A sparkling comedy about love, work and the search for meaning in our lives, that is funny, tender, sometimes raunchy, always smart. It satirises these crazy times, but with compassion and elegance. A rambunctious, radiant riot of a novel -- MONICA ALI[A] sparky satire of startup culture and the modern search for meaning . . . Smart and funny on culture clashes, male-female dynamics and the cult of wellness * * Guardian * *An extremely enjoyable, feminist rom-com - gloriously readable, irresistibly funny and even smarter than you realise until you turn the final, triumphant page. I loved this novel -- GILLIAN ANDERSONWell-observed and funny: Anam deftly skewers a world of polished concrete and exposed brick, deranged venture capitalists and apocalypse-obsessed entrepreneurs . . . zippy and smart * * Sunday Telegraph * *I raced through this beautifully written, often hilarious and always thought-provoking book about big tech, love, faith and chasing dreams . . . fabulous * * Mail on Sunday * *

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Book SynopsisIn a single eye-opening year two women, worlds apart, experience parallel awakenings. In New York, Jane Takagi-Little lands a job producing a Japanese television show sponsored by an American meat-exporting business, exposing some unsavoury truths - about the meat industry and herself. In Tokyo, housewife Akiko Ueno diligently prepares the recipes from Jane's programme. Struggling to please her husband, she increasingly doubts her commitment to the life she has fallen into. As Jane and Akiko both battle to assert their individuality on opposite sides of the globe, they are drawn together in a startling story of strength, courage and love.Trade ReviewSmart, funny, irreverent * * Guardian * *There are not many novels that can justify the label "extraordinary" . . . It grapples with a quite astonishing pantheon of themes . . . The writing is witty, intelligent and passionate * * Independent * *An amazingly assured debut, My Year of Meats is a wonderfully irreverent novel, with wacky cross-cultural collisions and hilarious characters . . . a joy to read * * Elle * *Ozeki offers a remarkably fresh view of the rocky road many women travel to love and motherhood * * Glamour * *Pulsates with passion . . . Ozeki's first novel detonates an attack on the meat industry that would make Upton Sinclair sit up and smile . . . yet all this energy doesn't obscure the novel's quirky charm * * USA Today * *A meaty novel about relationships, cultural boundaries and the beef industry . . . Ruth Ozeki masks a deeper purpose with a light tone . . . delightful -- JANE SMILEY, author of A Thousand Acres

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Book SynopsisPapa always told us that to be brave doesn't mean you have no fear. It just means you can move forwards in spite of that fear. 2019. When Imogen Wren's husband dies, she must realise their dream of moving to France on her own. She finds a beautiful abandoned chateau and starts to rebuild her life among its ruins. But she soon notices that the locals won't come near. A dark web of secrets surrounds the house, and it all seems to centre on the war... 1944. Since the moment German troops stepped foot in her village, the sole aim of Simone Varon's life has been to avoid them. Until one soldier begins leaving medicine bottles for her sick brother, and she gets to know the man behind the uniform. Then the Resistance comes calling, and she must choose between love and duty – with devastating consequences that will echo through the decades. As Imogen restores the chateau, she's determined to uncover the truth – and set to rest the ghosts of the past. A beautiful and devastating dual timeline novel that spans from occupied France in World War Two, to the war-ravaged chateau in 2019. Perfect for fans of Gill Paul, Lucinda Riley and Lorna Cook. Reader love All That We Have Lost! 'Will truly sweep you away... I could really imagine the characters. A standout novel and Suzanne Fortin's best yet!' NetGalley 5* Review 'It will crush you then revive you... Absolute stunner of a book! I hope we will be blessed with many more books by this author' Goodreads 5* Review 'An excellent read! I really enjoyed the double time eras and the stories of both modern and WWII kept me enthralled. Such brilliant research and warm characters that brought the French countryside to life' Anne Marie Brear, 5* Review 'Wonderful novel – historical fiction at its best. I really enjoyed the dual timeline the book drew me in kept me reading late into the night... Highly recommend' NetGalley 5* Review 'Fabulous read from beginning to end... Amazing characters who worked so well together, it really was a story off love and loss in during WW2... I want to give nothing away only that I highly recommend ?' Goodreads 5* Review 'Brilliant dual timeline historical fiction story... Hard to put down and five stars from me. I highly recommend' Karen Reads Books, 5* Review 'A brilliant read... This book had it all, part romance, part mystery, throw in intrigue and a little history and you come up with this excellent book... Heartening and at times heartbreaking story' Goodreads 5* ReviewTrade ReviewAn excellent dual-time novel and a memorable one. Readers who enjoy the genre will love it * Historical Novel Society *

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Book SynopsisFROM THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED AUTHOR OF A GIRL RETURNED, COMES A MOVING NEW NOVEL ABOUT SISTERHOOD, THE PAST AND ITS INDELIBLE MARKS * NATALIE PORTMAN'S BOOK CLUB PICK FOR JULY 2022* *A Strega Prize 2021 finalist * It’s the darkest time of night. Adriana, a baby in her arms, hammers on her sister's door. Who is she running from? What uncomfortable truth will she deliver? Like a whirlwind, Adriana breaks into her sister’s life bringing chaos and cataclysmic revelations. Years later, the narrator gets an unexpected, urgent summons back to Pescara. She embarks on a long journey through the night, and through the folds and twists of her memory, from her and her sister’s youth, their loves and losses, their secrets and regrets. Back in Borgo Sud, the town’s fishermen’s quarter, in that impenetrable yet welcoming microcosm, she will discover what really happened, and perhaps make peace with the past. Donatella Di Pietrantonio, expert chronicler of the bonds between mothers and daughters, revisits the places and characters of A Girl Returned with a novel focussed on the ambivalent, ambiguous, wavering but steadfast relationship between sisters.Trade Review"This book is wonderful — a super touching story of two sisters who mother themselves out of a curse and who are in and out of a complicated relationship with each other." * Natalie Portman (July 2022 book club pick) *“Di Pietrantonio has a lively way with a phrase (the translator, Ann Goldstein, shows the same sensitivity she does with Elena Ferrante) and a fine instinct for detail.” * Washington Post on A Girl Returned *"A piercing examination of dysfunctional family relationships that centers on sororal breaks and bonds." * Shelf Awareness *"Intimate and sharp." * Il Foglio *“Di Pietrantonio’s gift for storytelling is sustained by the understated poetry of her language.” * The Skinny *“It moves fluidly between the past and the present.” * The New Yorker *"A true jewel." * Huffington Post (Italy) *"A Sister's Story carries the same message of the greatest Italian literature of the 20th century, from Elsa Morante to Primo Levi, a message at once tragic and hopeful--that, while suffering may be an inevitable part of life, we can choose not to let it define us." * La Repubblica *

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Book SynopsisAn emotional, atmospheric summer read about family secrets and loyalty from the author of Kindle bestseller A Bookshop Christmas. The secrets of Summer House are about to come out at last... 1976. Rushing out of the University Library, undergraduate Alice Kenzie bumps straight into PhD student Tristan Somers. There begins a whirlwind romance, and Alice falls pregnant and gives birth to a baby girl. Then Tristan is killed in a car accident. Unable to cope, Alice takes her baby to Summer House, Tristan's family home in Suffolk, leaves her there and disappears. 2018. Olivia Somers has always been told that her mother died in the same accident as her father. But when she finds a bundle of old letters in Summer House, everything she ever believed about her mother is called into question. Can she find her – and even more importantly, forgive her? Praise for Rachel Burton: 'Enticing and atmospheric... Packed with love and mystery that will keep you wanting more from the first page to the last' Lauren North, author of Safe at Home 'A wonderful escape... I adored the characters, the headiness of their first loves, and vulnerabilities as they hoped for their own happily-ever-afters' Jenny Ashcroft 'With her signature nostalgia, swoon-worthy hero and wistful setting, this is a romance to whisk you away any time of the year' Victoria CookeTrade ReviewEnticing and atmospheric! Burton really knows how to pull those emotional heart strings. The Secrets of Summer House is packed with love and mystery that will keep you wanting more from the first page to the last -- Lauren North, author of Safe at HomeThe Secrets of Summer House is such a wonderful, page-turner of a novel, brimming with emotion, and secrets. With her beautiful writing, great cast of characters, and signature warmth, Rachel has done it again – I think this might just be my favourite of hers yet! -- Jenny AshcroftPRAISE FOR RACHEL BURTON: 'Rachel Burton once again proves her versatility as a writer. With her signature nostalgia, swoon-worthy hero and wistful setting, this is a romance to whisk you away any time of the year' -- Victoria Cooke

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Book SynopsisThree severed hands. No clues. A race against time.Three embalmed hands are discovered in a disused Victorian house. Is it a gangland ritual? The work of a cult? Or just a prank played by Medical Students? And what happened to the bodies?Meanwhile the Coroner needs to issue a Presumption of Death certificate on a teenage girl who vanished eleven years ago in mysterious circumstances.As hints emerge the two cases are connected, DI Ridpath pushes himself to the limit to find out what really happened. It soon emerges the house is a former children’s home. When another woman, a local social worker, disappears, he is under immense pressure to find answers. What really happened at Daisy House Children’s Home all those years ago?He has just one week to discover the truth…The latest in the #1 bestselling DI Ridpath crime thriller series, perfect for fans of Mark Billingham and Peter James.

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Book SynopsisA brilliant, bruising depiction of the dark side of 1950s Hollywood, from the author of In Love.At a Hollywood party, a screenwriter rescues an aspiring actress from a drunken suicide attempt. He is married, disillusioned; she is young, seemingly wise to the world and its slights. They slide into a casual relationship together, but as they become ever more entangled, he realises that his actions may have more serious consequences than he could ever have suspected. Hayes'' exquisite novella, written in his cool, inimitable style, holds a revealing light to the hollowness of the Hollywood dream and exposes the untruths we tell ourselves, even when we think we have left illusions behind.''A masterpiece ... an insider''s manual for all those who would aspire to fame, the ghostly glamour of the movies'' Nicholas Lezard, Guardian''Hayes is the poet of the things we think about while lying in bed, when sleep refuses to carry us off'' David ThomsonTrade ReviewA masterpiece ... An insider's manual for all those who would aspire to fame, the ghostly glamour of the movies -- Nick Lezard * Guardian *More than fifty years later, Hayes strikes me as more interesting and honest than so many of those famous novelists of the era ... It is time we recognized him as the author of two novels no reader will easily forget -- David ThomsonAn exciting, engrossing work, written with beautiful economy and the sure skill of an artist who knows what he is doing ... Hayes has created characters that are the essence of human hopes and frailty * The New York Times Book Review *Hayes has done for bruised men what Jean Rhys does for bruised women, and they both write heartbreakingly beautiful sentences -- Paul Bailey * Guardian *Like a delayed Fitzgerald (think The Last Tycoon) or an encounter with Pavese in an unexpected quarter, elegant in its hopelessness, or hopeless in its elegance: a real find -- Michael HofmannThe most vivid picture of Hollywood since Nathanael West's Day of the Locust -- Nelson AlgrenIntimate, disconsolate, acute * Kirkus Reviews *His most achieved portrait of male self-deception ... A sharp, forensic examination of power and money ... Hayes charts the couple's disintegration with luminous precision and lends it an air of dream-like inevitability ... His novels perfectly capture the texture of midcentury American life * Los Angeles Review of Books *Hayes has recently become something of a passion for those who find in his writing the mastery that makes a work of literature take up a permanent place in a reader's inner life -- Vivian Gornick * New York Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisFROM THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHORTerence Cave, owner of Cave Antiques, has already experienced the tragedies of his mother's suicide and his wife's murder when his teenage son, Reuben, is killed in a grotesque accident. His remaining child, Bryony, has always been the family's golden girl and Terence comes to realise that his one duty in life is to protect her from the world's malign forces, whatever that may take.But as he starts to follow his grieving daughter's movements and enforce a draconian set of rules, his love for Bryony becomes a possessive force that leads to destruction.Trade ReviewA compelling book; a page-turner in the best sense of the word -- John Burnside * * Guardian * *Chilling, riveting, heart-breaking * * New York Times * *A devastating portrait of one man's relentless self-destruction * * The Times * *Cave's grotesque zeal commands the reader's almost voyeuristic attention, and delivers an enthralling addition to the literature of demented protagonists * * Independent * *A sleek, enthralling novel that tries to wrestle with the human condition * * Literary Review * *Matt Haig is a writer for children and adults who is adept at digging into the human heart * * Sunday Times * *Haig writes exquisitely from the perspective of the heart-sore outsider, but at their most moving his novels reveal the unbearable beauty of ordinary life * * Guardian * *

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Book Synopsis"Highly recommended" Sunday Times"Utterly captivating" Woman and Home"Sympathetic and clear-eyed" Financial Times Summer Reads of 2021"Unfailingly impressive" Irish Times"Sparse and precise" Telegraph"A beautiful novel of what it is to be a women in modern Europe" New European"An intelligent study of female desire, ambition and frailty" ObserverBookseller Paula has lost a child, and a husband. Where will she find her happiness? Fiercely independent Judith thinks more of horses than men, but that doesn't stop her looking for love online. Brida is a writer with no time to write, until she faces a choice between her work and her family. Abandoned by the "perfect" man, Malika struggles for recognition from her parents. Her sister Jorinde, an actor, is pregnant for a third time, but how can she provide for her family alone? Love in Five Acts explores what is left to five women when they have fulfilled their roles as wives, mothers, friends, lovers, sisters and daughters. As teenagers they experienced the fall of the Berlin Wall, but freedom brings with it another form of pressure: the pressure of choice. Punchy and entirely of the moment, Love in Five Acts engages head-on with what it is to be a woman in the twenty-first century.Translated from the German by Jamie BullochTrade ReviewKrien excels in the detail on which a life turns and she uses understated humour to great effect...Krien is unfailingly impressive in her depiction of the lives of these five very different women. -- Michael Cronin * Irish Times *Love in Five Acts is written - and translated - sparsely, five disparate voices cramming a world of nuance into a rare and elegant conciseness. -- Charlie Connelly * New European *This exquisite portrait of five middle-class women's lives is utterly captivating . . . A beautifully written masterclass in human frailty. * Woman and Home *Krien has produced a sensitive, intricate study of the connected stories of her characters. * Library Journal (USA) *Nothing in this life is for free. And this is why this book entertains and is food for thought, with remarkable women in their thirties and forties * Berliner Zeitung *The polyphony and the way in which every single voice is being led midway between the protagonist and the narrator constitute the special quality of this book * Süddeutsche Zeitung *Maybe that is the artistry, the literary concept of Daniela Krien, the familiar truthfulness of her characters, their touching intimacy * Stern *With psychological refinement Daniela Krien recounts the chaos of feelings and the short half-life of modern ways of living * Vogue (Germany) *She is a good listener, [...] Maybe this is why her novel Love in Five Acts is so entertaining * Sueddeutsche Zeitung *Krien expertly connects fortunes that only seem simple at first glance to create an altogether excellent book * Brigitte *Daniela Krien is an impressive storyteller for emergency case called love, which silences many of us. Daniela Krien gives them a strong voice * Hamburger Morgenpost *Few intelligently entertaining German novels don't ooze relevance yet are not afraid of existential seriousness. Fortunately, Krien has written one * Neue Zürcher Zeitung *It's the book of the summer * Stuttgarter Zeitung *Written in unsentimental, affecting prose, this is an intelligent study of female desire, ambition and frailty. -- Hannah Beckerman * Observer *Krien's writing (translated, excellently, by Jamie Bulloch) is sparse and precise. It hops about in time, but chronological confusion fades in teh face of the self-contained intensity of the chapters. -- Francesca Carrington * Telegraph *The writing is spare but meticulous, cutting to the heart of the matter in each of the five intimate novellas. Occasionally mordantly funny, it is all gloriously Germanic . . . All these women are children of Unification and the GDR casts a long shadow. Highly recommended. -- Patricia Nicol * Sunday Times *A multifaceted examination of female longing and loss . . . A sympathetic and clear-eyed view of modern womanhood. -- Angel Gurria-Quintana * Financial Times Summer Books of 2021 *Characterised by the way its beautifully direct and lucid prose conveys complexities, and by a fierce intelligence that shows how closely connected someone's thoughts and emotions can be to daily experience of the physical world -- Kerryn Goldsworthy * Melbourne Age & Sydney Morning Herald *A chronicle of ordinary women enduring extraordinary crises . . . These are universal problems distilled down to the particular, the domestic, the small-print of human bondage and the yearning for it, that underpins our daily lives. -- Anne Cunningham * Irish Independent *Written in pleasingly exact and unfussy prose - crisply translated by Jamie Bulloch - this German bestseller interweaves the stories of five straight women, all around 40 years of age, living in Leipzig. -- Lucy Scholes * Financial Times *Fans of Sarah Dunn, Elisabeth Egan, and Isabel Gillies will relate to the multifaceted lives of Krien's characters, brilliantly rendered in her vivid voice. * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisWe''re Mennonites. As far as I know, we are the most embarrassing sub-sect of people to belong to if you''re a teenager.Sixteen-year-old Nomi Nickel longs to hang out with Lou Reed and Marianne Faithfull in New York City''s East Village. Instead she''s trapped in East Village, Manitoba: a town with no train station, no bar, and where job prospects consist of slaughtering chickens at the Happy Family Farms abattoir.Since her mother and sister have left home, Nomi lives with her father, Ray, a sweet yet hapless schoolteacher. Fighting against the restraints of the town, Nomi''s longing for a future of opportunity and hope sets her on course towards a climax at once startling and inevitable.

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Book SynopsisA gloriously festive, warm and cosy hug of a book. If this doesn't get you in the mood for mince pies, eggnog and pine tree scents, nothing will!' NetGalley reviewer, ?????'Tis the season for mulled wine, mince pies, and magic under the mistletoeFlora loves Christmas more than anything else in the world, so she's gutted when her Scrooge-like boss fires her from Deck the Halls Christmas emporium. But now she finally has a chance to follow her dreams and what better place to start than the home of Christmas?Before she can say sleigh bells', Flora's on her way to Lapland in a campervan-Christmas-shop. She can't wait to spend her days drinking hot chocolate and taking reindeer-drawn carriage rides, but something Flora didn't expect was meeting Connor, a Norse god of a man who makes her heart flutter and snowflakes swirl in her stomach. There's just one problem: Connor hates Christmas.Can Flora convince Connor of the joys of Christmas and will she find a festive romance along the way?Tropes:?? Enemies-to-lovers?? Grumpy x sunshine?? Festive?? Small-townReaders LOVE Flora's Travelling Christmas Shop!An absolutely delightful festive feel good book! Perfect for snuggling up with a steaming mug of hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire!'?????A quirky heroine, a lovely story and filled with festive vibes just fabulous!' ?????Rebecca Raisin has done it againI've loved all of [her] books and this is no different, it just has a little Christmas sparkle on top!' ?????A gloriously festive, warm and cosy hug of a book. If this doesn't get you in the mood for mince pies, eggnog and pine tree scents, nothing will!' ?????Trade Review Praise for Rebecca Raisin: ‘A charming page-turner of a book. This is a delightful story of new beginnings…Definitely not to be missed!’ Bella Osborne, bestselling author of Meet Me at Pebble Beach ‘A poignant and whimsical second-chance-at-love story.’ Susan Mallery, New York Times bestselling author of Sisters by Choice ‘A heart-warming adventure that sweeps you along.’ Woman’s Weekly ‘A story with a LOT of heart… a truly wonderful cast of characters!’ Lucy Coleman, bestselling author of Summer in Provence ‘Exuberant and funny… refreshing as a breath of country air, it warmed my heart like a summer's day.’ Jane Linfoot, bestselling author of The Little Cornish Kitchen ‘WONDERFUL! I could not put this book down!… A book to warm your heart and spirit you away to a brighter place. 5 big glittering gold stars! I love it!’ Colleen Coleman, bestselling author of Don’t Stop Me Now

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Book SynopsisFrom the million-copy Sunday Times bestseller comes an enchanting story about one woman's move to the house of her dreams. ‘Tender and funny, warm and wise, the story of one woman’s search for the perfect life which isn’t quite where she thought she would find it’ Cathy Kelly   ‘Warm, very true to life and totally engrossing’ Jenny Colgan Everyone has a dream of their perfect house in a perfect setting.   When Kate Hutchinson and her family move from London to the peace and quiet of the Suffolk countryside, Kate is full of hope.  Staying with her mother-in-law must surely be temporary before they find a wonderful home of their own.   Then Kate stumbles upon the house of her dreams, a beautiful place, full of memories, but tantalisingly out of reach. Its owner is Agnes, elderly and frail, whose story – as it

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Book SynopsisThe hilarious and incisive debut novel from Ryan O'Connell, the award-winning writer and star of Netflix's SpecialTrade ReviewJust By Looking At Him is a horny romp that makes you think, laugh, and feel. Ryan O'Connell is one of my favourite writers because he always finds the perfect balance between cutting and contemplative -- Monica Heisey, author of REALLY GOOD, ACTUALLYFunny, horny, heatbreaking. If you liked Detransition Baby you might like this: all anarchic queerness and great jokes -- Caroline O'Donoghue, author of PROMISING YOUNG WOMENA very funny novel about falling for a fantasy and finding love for one's own self . . . Ryan O'Connell explores the lessons that the vulnerable human body has to teach us, and he does so with humor, heart and heat -- Melissa Broder, author of THE PISCESI've loved Ryan O'Connell's voice in every iteration, but his turn to fiction is my favorite Ryan yet: sharp, bawdy, yet still deeply touching. It's shockingly elegant, and elegantly shocking -- Lena Dunham, author of NOT THAT KIND OF GIRLA novel about self-discovery following a character at the intersection of queerness and disability, with plenty of sex involved * Gay Times *The writing is dazzling, so funny and free, it's like making friends with someone new and exciting at a party and instantly becoming their best friend. Ceaselessly entertaining, no-filter comedy, scathing, sparkling and uplifting -- Justin Myers, author of THE LAST ROMEOWith his singular voice and unforgettable wit, O'Connell movingly explores how our messiest moments can lead to radical self-acceptance. Elliott's journey may be his own, but what he discovers about the absurdity of the human condition is universal -- Steven Rowley, author of LILY AND THE OCTOPUSFilthy, funny and outrageous. This novel is full of painfully recognisable characters who are impossible not to fall for. I loved it -- Laura Kay, author of THE SPLITA perfect summer beach read: very funny but also with important things to say about the intersections of disability and queer identity -- Andrew McMillan, author of PHYSICALJust By Looking At Him is a revelation - Ryan manages to perfectly encapsulate the nuances of disability, while avoiding the air of self-pity that so often clouds disabled narratives crafted by able bodied people. The book is consistently hilarious and relatable. I'm obsessed! -- Ione Gamble, author of POOR LITTLE SICK GIRLSI'm breathless in admiration - it's super sharp, staggeringly funny, hot as hell and stealthily moving. It's going to be a mega-hit! -- Matt Cain, author of THE SECRET LIFE OF ALBERT ENTWISTLE

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Fingerprint Award for Thriller of the Year THE NEW CAUTIONARY TALE OF OBSESSION, LOVE, JEALOUSY AND DECEPTION FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF OUR HOUSE AND THE OTHER PASSENGER Wrong time. Wrong place. Wrong man.   Alex lives a comfortable life with his wife Beth in the leafy suburb of Silver Vale. Fine, so he’s not the most sociable guy on the street, he prefers to keep himself to himself, but he’s a good husband and an easy-going neighbour.   That’s until Beth announces the creation of a nature trail on a local site that’s been disused for decades and suddenly Alex is a changed man. Now he’s always watching. Questioning. Struggling to hide his dread . . .   As the landscapers get to work, a secret threatens to surface from years ago, back in Alex’s twenties when he got entangled with a seductive yoTrade ReviewLouise Candlish has done it again! The writing is exquisite and I devoured every succulent twist and turn on my way to the wholly satisfying conclusion -- Russ Thomas A superstar of psychological thrillers -- Daily Mail Candlish controls the drip feed of information and ramps up the tension to great effect -- The Guardian [Candlish] confirms her reputation for unsettling, well-carpentered plots -- Sunday Times You’ll have a delightful sense of disorientation on the long road to discovering how the two storylines are connected, before arriving at the immensely satisfying conclusion -- Daily Express/Daily Mirror Candlish has a distinctive take on the contemporary psychological thriller. She skilfully mixes a droll portrayal of middle-class London suburban life with some extremely cunning plots -- Mail on Sunday This dual-timeline, domestic-noir tale is a tense, read-in-one-sitting thriller -- The Sun on Sunday Fabulous Magazine The plot is clever, the characters are unpleasantly credible and the revelations give the tiniest sense of reassurance -- Literary Review When it comes to mind-blowing twists, award-winning author Louise Candlish knows her stuff -- Woman & Home I’m a huge fan of this thriller writer’s clever, serpentine stories. When the waste ground behind his house is approved for development, it spells trouble for Alex, who is hiding a big secret – but what? Just when I thought I’d figured it out, along came another twist! -- Good Housekeeping From an author who really does know how to knock it out of the park with her gripping plots… taut and tense, this is fabulous -- Prima Tense, taut and twisty. Candlish is a master of her craft -- Plantinum Just when you think you’ve got this twisty thriller sussed, the rug gets pulled yet again -- Crime Monthly Expect twists and double twists from the queen of the domestic noir thriller -- Red The queen of mind-blowing twists, Louise Candlish has done it again with her latest can’t-put-it-down thriller -- Woman’s WeeklyA compelling, nerve-tingling treat -- Nicci FrenchA twisting, seductive, ingenious thriller from the consistently brilliant Louise Candlish. I'm a huge fan -- Chris WhitakerIncredibly tense. Louise Candlish is one of my favourite writers and this is her best book yet -- Clare MackintoshCompletely addictive and devilishly clever - the queen of the killer twist strikes again! -- T. M. LoganSuch a vivid sense of place, a gripping plot, elegantly told, and a twist that left me reeling - brilliant! -- Sarah PearsePsychological suspense has a new adjective - pure Candlish -- Cara HunterI'm blown away by how good it is. A gripping tale of love, secrets and deception - it's the best psychological thriller I've read in a long time -- Mark EdwardsI loved The Only Suspect: a heady dose of mid Nineties nostalgia, with trademark whiplash twists and satire. Louise Candlish has surpassed her own, always high standards. Quite possibly her best yet -- Sarah VaughanThe Only Suspect is a suspenseful, thrilling and breath-taking mystery about the dark secrets that live in the past, and the paralysing fear that they'll be uncovered. If you thought you misbehaved in the nineties you've got nothing on the devious, duplicitous cast of this book. Gripping, unpredictable and tense, it'll keep you guessing all the way through -- C. L. TaylorI was completely pulled in by the story and the layers of clever plotting; the twists and turns - though well set up, took me completely by surprise and I found myself staying up late to finish it, utterly absorbed by the excellent story telling -- Jane ShemiltThe Only Suspect kept me guessing all the way through. It’s the book version of a Rubik's Cube with so many unexpected twists and turns. An adrenaline burner for sure! -- Liz NugentAs good as I hoped it would be. Messy relationships, deception and some big surprises. Loved it! -- Jane FallonWOW. As always Louise Candlish has written a taut, unsettling, compulsive and ingenious novel with gasp-out-loud twists and fatally flawed characters forced into tragedy by circumstances. I LOVED it! -- Isabelle BroomI was sucked in from the beginning, hooked and hoodwinked. A masterclass in psychological thriller writing -- Diane JeffreyI couldn't put it down -- Shari LapenaI couldn't put it down! Fantastic characters, a trip down memory lane into '90s London and I honestly didn't see that ending coming AT ALL. Deliciously dark and devastating -- Nikki SmithTense, taut and twisty. Candlish is a master of her craft -- Adele ParksA nerve-shredding plot that kept me guessing to the finish. Another triumph! -- Fiona BartonI absolutely adored The Only Suspect. Tightly plotted and brilliantly written with twists so perfect they made me gasp out loud on more than one occasion. The story was so tense I couldn’t stop turning the pages, desperate to know the outcome. My favourite Louise Candlish book so far. Highly recommended -- Claire DouglasAn incredible page-turner…An absolute must-read. Get this on your 2023 wish list -- BA ParisThe Only Suspect is a heady pleasure from the very first page. It's both a page-tearing mystery and a pitch-perfect 90s period piece. Shimmers with mystery, tension, and dirty glamour -- Abigail DeanThis book should come with a warning: you won't speak to anyone until the last page -- Celia Walden

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