Contemporary Fiction Books

Book SynopsisFROM THE WINNER OF THE AUTHORS' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2022'Reading The Saint of Lost Things was one of those perfect reading experiences that come along very occasionally; it's moving, funny, tragic, triumphant, totally gripping, a pure gift of a novel' DONAL RYAN'Superb' FINANCIAL TIMES'You'll be moved, you might laugh and there may well be redemption' EVENING STANDARD'Thoroughly absorbing' GUARDIANLindy Morris is stuck. She lives in rural Ireland, banished to a lonely bungalow by her Granda Morris, with only her Auntie Bell and the TV for company.But one day Lindy realises that life is not quite what she thought it was: her mother's disappearance and her own lost years need to be brought out into the light. Suddenly Lindy is awake, uncovering the very secrets that will release her from her past.Told with devastating wit and poignancy, THE SAINT OF LOST THINGS is the triumphant story of an unlikely heroine as she makes her bid for freedom.Trade ReviewTish Delaney's first novel, Before My Actual Heart Breaks, suggested that she was an author of rare promise and acuity. This follow-up confirms her as one of the most arresting voices of her generation. The tale of an aunt and niece living in uncomfortable proximity and mutual antagonism with each other in rural Donegal, it combines deep psychological insight with unexpected touches of lightness and humour. Delaney never succumbs to cliche, but creates a vividly realised narrative in which you long for her characters to break free and triumph * Observer *Reading The Saint of Lost Things was one of those perfect reading experiences that come along very occasionally; it's moving, funny, tragic, triumphant, totally gripping, a pure gift of a novel -- Donal RyanSuperb. An assured second novel. The destructive impulses driving Delaney's characters reap a bitter harvest. Delaney has a long and fruitful career ahead of her * Financial Times *Delaney has an effortless skill to unlock the fabric and nuances of working-class family life. Thoroughly absorbing, it didn't let me down -- Alex Wheatle * Guardian *You'll be moved, you might laugh and there may well be redemption * Evening Standard *An engrossing read * Image Magazine *This is a fantastic read * Henley Life *Striking. In creating a protagonist who is steely against the odds, Delaney shows deftly that our dreams need never abandon us * Irish Times *Novel never loses its humanity in portrayal of a troubled life: authentic and complex [...] elegantly paced. [A] warm, truthful, character-driven novel worth a read for its unusual and entirely believable characters * Business Post *

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Book SynopsisFROM THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR'A beautifully written, literary tour-de-force' John Ironmonger, author of Not Forgetting the Whale'A wonderfully written story of art, but also of obsession, friendship and love - I absolutely adored this novel' Jillian CantorThe Mona Lisa has hung in the Louvre for over two-hundred years. She has watched alone in silence as millions of people have admired her behind the glass.Now, she is finally ready to tell her own story.Over five centuries, from da Vinci's bustling Florentine studio to the opulent French court, Mona will be desired, stolen, heartbroken, curious, furious, and above all, she will be heard.'Solomons' prose is lyrical and her detail immense. No longer can I look at the Mona Lisa without hearing her. But more, now I know her' PRESS ASSOCIATIONTrade Review[A] lively, tender tale . . . In her zingy new novel [Solomons] gives the Mona Lisa . . . power, casting her as the fanciful narrator of her own story * The Times *Solomons' prose is lyrical and her detail immense. No longer can I look at the Mona Lisa without hearing her. But more, now I know her * Press Association *A wonderfully written story of art, but also of obsession, friendship and love - I absolutely adored this novel -- Jillian Cantor, author of The Lost Letter and In Another TimeOh, my god, I love this book! Extraordinarily inventive, a beautifully written, literary tour-de-force - a delicious historical and artistic feast -- John Ironmonger, author of Not Forgetting the WhaleA vividly beautiful tribute * Woman's Own Magazine *

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Book SynopsisFrom the number one bestselling author of Miss Austen, a powerful and moving novel featuring Jane Austen's closest friend and confidante . . .* Waterstones Fiction Book of the Month *'So envious of anyone yet to read this. A triumph!' Nigella Lawson'A masterly piece of storytelling.' Helena Kelly'The great writer is brought to life in this clever, well-researched piece of fiction' The Times'Thoroughly entertaining, Godmersham Park has some of the same understated wit and sharp observation as Austen's novels' Sunday Times'Displays a keen sense of wit and rich characterisation ... a thoroughly enjoyable book' Observer________________January 1804: Anne Sharpe arrives at Godmersham Park in Kent to take up the position of governess.At thirty-one years old, she has no previous experience of either teaching or fine country houses. But her mother has died and she desperately needs an independent income if she is to survive.For her new charge, twelve-year-old Fanny Austen, Anne's arrival is all novelty and excitement.But Anne is keenly aware that her new role is an awkward one: she is neither one of the servants nor one of the family, and to balance a position between the 'upstairs' and 'downstairs' members of the household is a diplomatic chess game. One wrong move may result in her instant dismissal.She has just begun to settle into her position when dashing Henry Austen and his younger sister Jane come to stay.Both take an immediate interest in the pretty, clever governess who quickly becomes drawn into the above stairs life of the Austen family.Despite her best endeavours, Anne finds that she is beginning to fall in love. But has her survival at Godmersham Park just become a good deal more precarious?________________More love for Godmersham Park . . .'If you love Jane Austen you're sure to enjoy Gill Hornby's stylish glimpse into the life of young governess Anne Sharp ... this elegantly written tale skilfully recreates a world where governesses are midway between the family upstairs and the servants downstairs.' The Independent 'Utterly absorbing and illuminating ... Gill Hornby's best book yet.' Esther Freud'I read it straight through without looking up.' Karen Joy Fowler'Meticulously researched, Hornby's absorbing novel revels in the joys and tensions of life above and below stairs.' Mail on Sunday'An invigorating riff on an author whose life and works keep on giving, and an ideal companion for your beach towel this summer.' Metro'Gill Hornby has created another winning tribute to the genius of Jane.' Woman________________Readers can't get enough of Godmersham Park . . .***** 'An utter joy - powerful, moving, clever and entirely delightful.'***** 'I enjoyed the pace of the story as well as learning about the family.'***** 'I was quite transported by Godmersham Park, which often feels as if from Austen's own pen.'***** 'I have never loved a book so much!'***** 'I thoroughly enjoyed the story.'Sunday Times bestseller, January 2023

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Book Synopsis'Brimming with all the ingredients for the best of novels: love, community spirit, family, friendship and four-legged friends.' Milly Johnson 'Heartwarming and full of hope. Lucy Dillon brings warmth to every page' Sarah Morgan After the storm it's time for a fresh start . . . First, the clouds... Tara Hunter is a therapist on a mission to restore Longhampton's community spirit after catastrophic flooding. But with her boyfriend AWOL, her family fragmented, and only a cat for company, Tara's own life is crumbling. Then the storm... On top of everything, Tara's father - last seen as he walked out on her when she was ten years old - is suddenly back, with a surprising offer that could change everything. And after the rain... Dr David Dalloway is Longhampton Wellness Centre's new star counsellor. He's charming, caring and has a knack for reading people's minds - which is the last thing Tara needs right now. Will having David and her dad around make for a bigger storm on the horizon? Or is this Tara's chance for a fresh start? 'Beautifully written with humour and insight' Katie Fforde ------- Readers love After the Rain: 'I enjoyed this book immensely... Her characters are people you want to spend time with' ***** 'This really tugs on your heartstrings' ***** 'This book is a joy to escape into.' ***** 'I have to confess I look forward to a new Lucy Dillion book every year, I get into a hot bubble bath, apply a face back and settle in for a good cosy read... and I was not disappointed with this year's offering...' ***** 'This is a book that becomes a friend and you never want it to end because you know you will miss their company.' *****Trade ReviewBeautifully written with humour and insight * Katie Fforde *Heartwarming and full of hope. Lucy Dillon brings warmth to every page * Sarah Morgan * Brimming with all the ingredients for the best of novels: love, community spirit, family, friendship and four-legged friends. I adored it! * Milly Johnson *A wonderful, wise, hopeful novel * Katy Regan *A joyous read about the power of new beginnings * The Sun *A lovely story * Bella *A gorgeous story of friendship and self-care * Fabulous *Lucy Dillon fans will be delighted with this heart-stirring story capturing messy and wonderful lives * Woman *

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Book Synopsis'So immense and beautiful, it's both gorgeously composed and an addictive page-turner. Sue Rainsford is an extraordinary writer' DONAL RYAN'Unnervingly, thrillingly strange . . . a masterpiece of literary horror' CAL FLYN'Lyrical, hypnotic and provocative, I devoured Redder Days in a single, slightly furious sitting and have been haunted by it ever since' JAN CARSONTwins Anna and Adam live in an abandoned commune in a volatile landscape where they prepare for the world-ending event they believe is imminent. Adam keeps watch by day, Anna by night. They meet at dawn and dusk.Their only companion is Koan, the commune's former leader, who still exerts a malignant control over their daily rituals. But when one of the previous inhabitants returns, everything Anna and Adam thought they knew to be true is thrown into question.Dazzling, unsettling and incredibly moving, Redder Days is a stunning exploration of the consequences of corrupted power, the emotional impact of abandonment, and the endurance of humanity in the most desperate of situations, from the author of Follow Me to Ground.

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Book Synopsis - Goodreads Choice: Best Fiction 2021 shortlisted - Author's Club First Novel Award longlisted - Voted Best Uplifting Book in the independent'Emotional, involving, witty and sad. Everyone is going to love Lenni and Margot' JILL MANSELL'Lenni and Margot are two of the most wonderful, warm, witty and wise heroines I've ever met. Beautiful and glorious' CLARE POOLEY, author of The Authenticity ProjectFiercely alive, disarmingly funny and brimming with tenderness, THE ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF LENNI AND MARGOT unwraps the extraordinary gift of life, and revels in our infinite capacity for friendship and love when we need them most._______________________________________Life is short.No-one knows that better than seventeen-year-old Lenni. But as she is about to learn, it's not only what you make of life that matters, but who you share it with.Dodging doctor's orders, she joins an art class where she bumps into fellow patient Margot, a rebel-hearted eight-three-year-old from the next ward. Their bond is instant as they realize that together they have lived an astonishing one hundred years.To celebrate their shared century, they decide to paint their life stories: of growing old and staying young, of giving joy, of receiving kindness, of losing love, of finding the person who is everything.As their friendship deepens, it becomes vividly clear that life is not done with Lenni and Margot yet.An extraordinary friendship. A lifetime of stories. Their last one begins here.---------------------------------------------VOTED BEST UPLIFTING BOOK OF 2021 BY THE INDEPENDENT'Full of wisdom and kindness. It is just the kind of book I adore' JOANNA CANNON'Such a delight! I fell head over heels for Lenni and Margot, their wit and vibrancy and marvellous outlooks on life. An utter joy' ABBIE GREAVES'Charged with light and colour. Gloriously original and full of wisdom, humour, and hope. It made me think and care and laugh and cry. One of my all-time favourite books' HAZEL PRIOR, author of Away with the Penguins'This is something special: moving, joyful and life-affirming' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Book of the MonthTrade ReviewA gorgeous, heartbreaking story readers won't soon forget * ELLE MAGAZINE *Charged with light and colour. Gloriously original and full of wisdom, humour, and hope. It made me think and care and laugh and cry. One of my all-time favourite books * HAZEL PRIOR, author of AWAY WITH THE PENGUINS *Cronin's characters are fully drawn, and chime together to tell a sweet story about connection, loss and living * IRISH TIMES *A gorgeous, heartwarming novel. The perfect antidote to the world right now * FABULOUS MAGAZINE *Filled with kindness and quirky characters who restore your faith in life. This debut will stay with you, answering the question, What is life made of? * MY WEEKLY, BOOK OF THE WEEK *Full of honesty and warmth. A beautiful debut * CULTUREFLY *An extraordinary tale of living, love and heartbreak * The Sun *A beautiful, funny, and incredibly assured story filled with rich characters. * INDEPENDENT *A special and lovely read. Guaranteed to leave you wanting a hug * STYLIST, Best New Fiction *Heartwarming and remarkable stories of two loveable characters * BBC NEWS, ones to watch, 2021 *

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Book Synopsis'Wonderfully haunting' JANE HARPER, author of The Dry'Extremely well written, fantastic' HARRIET TYCE, author of Blood Orange'Conjuring up... Twin Peaks and Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects' Stylist'Spellbinding.... a stunning debut' Woman & Home'Irresistible' PAULA HAWKINS, author of The Girl on the Train 'Clever, twisting' FRANCINE TOON, author of Pine'A nuanced thriller that will haunt you long after you race through its pages' Grazia'One of the most exciting debuts of the year' Sunday Express________________________________________________When Emma leaves her friend Abi at a party in the woods, she believes that their lives are just beginning. Many things will happen that night, beneath the stark beauty of the stars, but Emma will never see her friend again.But what happens next in Whistling Ridge is so much more than the story of a missing girl.It's a spellbinding story that will keep you guessing, a story of surprises and secrets, regrets and rage, love and lies. Abi's disappearance cracks open the façade of this small town, peeling away the layers of its past. Even within Abi's own family there are questions to be asked - of the older brother whom Abi betrayed, of the shining younger sibling who hides his wounds, of her mother and her father - both in thrall to the fiery preacher who has an unsettling grasp on the whole town. And then there is Rat, the outsider, whose exciting presence is a catalyst for change.Anything could happen in a tinder-box like Whistling Ridge. All it will take is just one spark...the truth of what happened that night at the Tall Bones. Beautifully written, arresting, and constantly surprising, TALL BONES is a gripping read from a stunning new voice.______________________________________READERS AND REVIEWERS praise TALL BONES:'A striking first novel' Observer'Fast-paced and moving' Literary Review'Will haunt you long after you race through its pages' Grazia (Book of the Month)'A compulsive literary crime-drama' Culturefly'Bailey writes like a dream' Emma Flint, author of Little Deaths'Brilliant, could not put it down' Katie Fford'One of my all-time favourite reads' Goodreads'I loved this book from the very first line' GoodreadsTrade ReviewBeautifully written and very moving, this is an assured debut. * Laura Wilson, GUARDIAN *A nuanced thriller that will haunt you long after you race through its pages. * GRAZIA *One of the most exciting debuts of the year. * SUNDAY EXPRESS *Spellbinding and darkly beautiful.... intricately plotted and exquisitely written, Tall Bones is a stunning debut. * WOMEN & HOME *Fast paced and moving. * LITERARY REVIEW *With Tall Bones, Anna Bailey bursts onto the scene with a wonderfully haunting debut. Small-town intrigue, exquisitely drawn. * JANE HARPER, author of The Dry and The Lost Man *The best kind of small-town crime novel... one that drips with atmosphere... an intricately weaved and haunting story that will stay with you for days after. * Culturefly *Both menacing and haunting, a compelling and atmospheric debut. * DAILY MAIL *Anna Bailey writes like a dream about teenage love and lust, the terror of knowledge and the claustrophobia of families and of small towns. * EMMA FLINT, author of Little Deaths *Bailey writes with perfect poise. She is destined for great things - I feel it in my bones. * SAGA magazine *Cleverly written, Anna Bailey's debut shines a light on the darker and more oppressive side of small-town society. * INDEPENDENT *One of the most exciting debuts of the year. * OK magazine *Tall Bones is as atmospheric as it gets... a stunning debut that delivers on every level. Reminded me of Jane Harper's The Dry. * RENEE KNIGHT, author of Disclaimer *'A clever, twisting debut about the dark side of small town America. It is packed with secrets like firecrackers ready to ignite.' * FRANCINE TOON, author of Pine *Anna Bailey's debut is irresistible, a compelling and nuanced psychological thriller suffused with small town prejudice and dark family secrets. * PAULA HAWKINS, author of The Girl on the Train *An intricate and compelling thriller, beautifully nuanced. Brilliant. * SJ WATSON, author of Before I Go to Sleep *I felt so strongly about some of the characters that I had to check the ending to make sure they were ok! Extremely well written... fantastic. * HARRIET TYCE, author of Blood Orange *Its portrait of small-town intrigue is scarily credible. Bailey understands that the dynamics that drive small-town relationships are the same the world over. * VAL McDERMID *A terrific debut about guilt, secrets and complex family dynamics - the writing is vivid & assured: Anna Bailey is definitely one to watch. * LUCY ATKINS, author of Magpie Lane *Gripping and so beautifully written Tall Bones is spellbinding; dark and menacing, but also so full of love and hope. I loved it. I cried. * CRESSIDA McLAUGHLIN, author of The Cornish Cream Tea Christmas *Haunting... Emma's path to where the truth lies will carry the reader's soul along in both moving and compassionate ways. * Maxim Jakubowski, CRIME TIME *Brilliant! Could not put it down. It's utterly gripping and beautifully written. * KATIE FFORDE *Smart and compassionate, full of poetry and rage and shy hopes and shredded dreams and missing girls and family secrets. * TAMMY COHEN, author of Stop At Nothing *This is a striking first novel, a chilling insight into an oppressive world, where bad thoughts and bad deeds ripple just below the surface, out of sight. * Alison Flood, OBSERVER *Chilling and compulsive... a dazzling debut. * KATE HAMER, author of The Girl in the Red Coat *

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Book SynopsisA story of hope, forgiveness and kindness, Lost Property reminds us to keep our loved ones (along with our bags and umbrellas) close...'An enthralling read, full of rich descriptions and characters you can't help but love' Hazel Prior, bestselling author of Away with the Penguins'A lovely novel about loss and reconnection...both satisfying and joyful' Lissa Evans----------------One lost purse. One lost woman.A chance encounter that changes everything.Dot Watson has lost her way. Wracked with guilt and struggling with grief, she has tucked herself away in the London Transport Lost Property office, finding solace in the process of cataloguing misplaced things. It's not glamorous or exciting, but it's solitary - just the way Dot likes it.That is, until elderly Mr Appleby walks through the door in search of his late wife's purse and Dot immediately feels a connection to him. Determined to help, she sets off on an extraordinary journey, one that could lead Dot to reclaim her life and find where she truly belongs...Perfect for fans of Matt Haig, Rachel Joyce and AJ Pearce, this is a moving and uplifting novel about finding your place in the world.Readers have fallen in love with Lost Property:***** 'A beautiful book and one of my best reads this year'***** 'An emotional journey that had me hooked'***** 'A wonderful, uplifting debut novel'***** 'Dot is an inspiration'***** 'Full of sorrow, love and a light humour'***** 'I am so pleased to have found Dot'Trade ReviewAn enthralling read, full of rich descriptions and characters you can't help but love * Hazel Prior, bestselling author of Away with the Penguins *A wonderfully rich, funny book. Shades of Eleanor Oliphant and Dear Mrs Bird, but also entirely its own. Dot is a treasure waiting to be found * Beth Morrey *A lovely novel about loss and reconnection...both satisfying and joyful * Lissa Evans *Emotionally rich and character-led, Lost Property is a sharply funny, wise and warming story * Anne Cater, The Daily Express *A deeply moving and richly detailed story that genuinely tugs at the heartstrings * CultureFly *A beautifully written book ... a truly uplifting read * NB Magazine *Filled with beautiful prose, this is a life-affirming novel * My Weekly *Gentle and warm * Magic Book Club *

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Book SynopsisThe inspiring, feel-good Richard & Judy Book Club pick about a small boy with a big heart - and even bigger dreams.'One of those gorgeous books that completely lifts your spirits and restores your faith in humanity' - Ruth Jones, co-creator of Gavin and Stacey and bestselling author of Us ThreeIt was a journey they would always remember . . . for a friend they'd never forget.Norman and Jax are a legendary comedic duo in waiting, with a five-year plan to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe by the time they're fifteen. But when Jax dies before they turn twelve, Norman decides a tribute act for his best friend just can't wait, so he rewrites their plan:1. Look after Mum 2. Find Dad 3. Get to the Edinburgh FringeSadie knows she won't win Mother of the Year and she's not proud she doesn't know who her son's father is. But when she finds Norman's list, all she wants is to see her son smile again. So, enlisting the help of eccentric friend Leonard - an 84-year-old veteran with superior planning skills and a thirst for adventure! - they set off on a pilgrimage to Edinburgh, making a few stops to find Norman's dad along the way.-'An uplifting tale of love, loss and the redemptive power of humour' - Mail on Sunday'Charming, funny and cheering' - Beth Morrey, author of Saving Missy'As moving as it is funny. And it's very funny' - Romesh Ranganathan'He's wheedled his way into my heart, and I suspect I'll have a Norman-shaped hole there forever' - Clare Pooley, author of The Authenticity ProjectReaders are in love with Norman:***** 'This has everything a feel good book should have. I loved it'***** 'Norman is one of the most lovable characters I have ever met'***** 'A book to make you laugh and cry in the same moment, a bittersweet read'***** 'A charming, uplifting tale of love, family, friendship and hope'***** 'A beautifully written novel about having the courage to hold on to and chase your dreams'Trade ReviewOne of those gorgeous books that completely lifts your spirits and restores your faith in humanity. An utterly lovely tale. * Ruth Jones *An uplifting tale of love, loss and the redemptive power of humour. * Mail on Sunday *What a charming, funny and cheering read. There's such a lovely, buoyant innocence to Norman and his quest - a coming-of-age that tickles and moves in equal measure. The writing is sharp but tender and in the same way that Marcus in About a Boy strengthens his house of cards, Norman builds the eccentric, loving network he deserves. * Beth Morrey, bestselling author of SAVING MISSY *As moving as it is funny. And it's very funny. * Romesh Ranganathan *The funny thing about Norman Foreman is that he's wheedled his way into my heart, and I suspect I'll have a Norman shaped hole there forever. * Clare Pooley, author of THE AUTHENTICITY PROJECT *Tender and hilarious... the perfect tonic for our current times * Katherine Parkinson *What a delightful read! This book is about what's really important: caring for each other and finding ways through the problems life throws at us, no matter how terrible they can be. The story is both hilarious and heart-warming, with one 'helluva' brave, wise, and lovable twelve-year-old hero... Three cheers for Norman Foreman! * Hazel Prior, author of AWAY WITH THE PENGUINS *

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Book Synopsis'If you have never entered the curious world of Bryant and May, you're in for a treat.' THE TIMESIt was the kind of story that barely made the news.When 91-year-old Amelia Hoffman died in her top-floor flat on a busy London road, it's considered an example of what has gone wrong with modern society: she slipped through the cracks in a failing system.But detectives Arthur Bryant and John May of the Peculiar Crimes Unit have their doubts. Mrs Hoffman was once a government security expert, even though no one can quite remember her. When a link emerges between the old lady and a diplomat trying to flee the country, it seems that an impossible murder has been committed.Mrs Hoffman wasn't the only one at risk. Bryant is convinced that other forgotten women with hidden talents are also in danger. And, curiously, they all own models of London Bridge.With the help of some of their more certifiable informants, the detectives follow the strangest of clues in an investigation that will lead them through forgotten alleyways to the city's oldest bridge in search of a desperate killer.But just when the case appears to be solved, they discover that Mrs Hoffman was smarter than anyone imagined. There's a bigger game afoot that could have terrible consequences. It's time to celebrate Bryant and May's twentieth anniversary as their most lunatic case yet brings death and rebirth to London's most peculiar crimes unit.Trade ReviewOne of the glories of the modern crime fiction field? The deliriously eccentric books by Christopher Fowler . . . this exuberantly written entry is as entertaining as any of its predecessors -- Barry Forshaw * FINANCIAL TIMES *Clever, funny * THE SUN *As always, Fowler does a masterly job of balancing humour with an ingeniously crafted plot. Devoted fans will be more than satisfied. * PUBLISHERS WEEKLY starred review *Christopher Fowler's writing is exquisite. His deep reverence for - and knowledge of - the dark and lonely pathways trodden by centuries of Londoners is compelling . . . the dialogue sparkles and the jokes are laugh-out-loud.' * FULLY BOOKED 2017 *There is always room for comic crime capers on the bookshelves of discerning readers, with Christopher Fowler's books having long been on the forefront of the subgenre. Here's to many more tales of our intrepid heroes as they solve seemingly impossible crimes in the most entertaining fashion. * CRIMINAL ELEMENT *

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Book Synopsis'A darkly sumptuous tale of wicked spectacle, wild injustice and the insuppressible strength of women' EMMA STONEX, author of THE LAMPLIGHTERS'An essential story of women resisting the unjust exertion of male power' SUNDAY TIMES____________________ The Salpêtrière asylum, 1885. All of Paris is in thrall to Doctor Charcot and his displays of hypnotism on women who have been deemed mad or hysterical, outcasts from society. But the truth is much more complicated - for these women are often simply inconvenient, unwanted wives or strong-willed daughters. Once a year a grand ball is held at the hospital. For the Parisian elite, the Mad Women's Ball is the highlight of the social season; for the women themselves, it is a rare moment of hope. Geneviève is a senior nurse. After the childhood death of her sister, she has shunned religion and placed her faith in Doctor Charcot and his new science. But everything begins to change when she meets Eugénie, the 19-year-old daughter of a bourgeois family. Because Eugénie has a secret, and she needs Geneviève's help. Their fates will collide on the night of the Mad Women's Ball...____________________'In this darkly delightful Gothic treasure, Mas explores grief, trauma and sisterhood behind the walls of Paris' infamous Salpetriere hospital' PAULA HAWKINS, author of A SLOW FIRE BURNING 'A beautifully written debut...I have absolutely no doubt it will be one of my favourite novels of 2021.' AJ PEARCE, author of DEAR MRS BIRD'Essential reading' COSMOPOLITAN 'A deftly woven tale of hope and pain, judgement and redemption, cruelty and kindness. Utterly captivating and profoundly affecting.' Sunday Times bestseller, MIRANDA DICKENSON 'Enter the dance of this little masterpiece and let yourself be dazzled. Assured of hitting the bestseller lists' THE PARISIAN____________________AN AMAZON PRIME ORIGINAL FILM STARRING MÉLANIE LAURENTTrade Review[Victoria Mas's]... portrait of women who were unfairly banished to asylums often because they did not fit into the straightjacket of 19th-century society is moving... beautifully drawn. * THE TIMES *THE MAD WOMEN'S BALL is a darkly sumptuous tale of wicked spectacle, wild injustice and the insuppressible strength of women. Mas brings the world of La Salpêtrière to life with passion and fury, unveiling a hypnotic theatre that is as moving as it is macabre. * Emma Stonex, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lamplighters *[An] essential story of women resisting the unjust exertion of male power. * SUNDAY TIMES *In this darkly delightful Gothic treasure, Mas explores grief, trauma and sisterhood behind the walls of Paris' infamous Salpetriere hospital. * PAULA HAWKINS, Sunday Times bestselling author of A SLOW FIRE BURNING and THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN *Elegantly written, Victoria Mas's slender, potent debut celebrates sisterhood, while also exposing the corrupt powers of the patriarchy at home and in the wider world. * DAILY MAIL *Enthralling and wonderfully imagined... written with terrific verve and sympathy. * LITERARY REVIEW *A deftly woven tale of hope and pain, judgement and redemption, cruelty and kindness. Utterly captivating and profoundly affecting, the story of The Salpêtrière lingers long in the mind after the stunning conclusion. I loved it. * Miranda Dickinson *A beautifully written debut set in Paris in 1885, Victoria Mas' characters come to life within a sentence while her storytelling compels you to turn the page. I loved The Mad Women's Ball and have absolutely no doubt it will be one of my favourite novels of 2021. * AJ PEARCE, author of DEAR MRS BIRD *'Beautifully written and captures the world so well. A delight to read.' * Renee Knight *A gothic, feminist book ...so cinematic it is already being turned into a film...it evokes the Brontës, with its dormitories, its phials and its ghosts. But thematically, it is bang up to date. * BIG ISSUE *The Mad Women's Ball is as lush on the inside as it is on the outside! It's richly immersive, taking us right into the heart of nineteenth-century Paris. From Genevieve, Eugenie and the women of Salpêtrière we learn what it is that keeps women locked up - and the extraordinary ways in which they might escape. * Shelley Harris, author of Jubilee *'Enter the dance of this little masterpiece and let yourself be dazzled. Assured of hitting the bestseller lists' * THE PARISIAN *A well-written historical novel... book groups will thoroughly engage with the plot and characters. * NB Magazine *

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Book SynopsisHe doesn't just want your identity. He wants your life...No one sees him coming.A stock-market trader is pushed from a high-rise balcony and falls to his death on the street below. The only clue the police can find is a box of matches.No one survives for long.The decomposing body of a member of the Saudi Royal Family is discovered in a car. Evidence suggests the killer took the man's life, then stole his identity, wore his clothes and lived in his hotel room - before vanishing into thin air like smoke.Nothing but matchsticks are left behind.Dr Bloom realizes the only thing linking these murders is a trail of burnt matches and broken lives. Time is running out - and if she isn't careful, she might be the next to burn ...Coming soon and available to pre-order now!'Stylish, glamorous, and clever, The Imposter had me hooked, right from its killer opening - Leona Deakin is the real deal.' Andrea MaraREADERS LOVE THE DR BLOOM THRILLERS:'Jam-packed with excitement and twists around every corner' *****'Once again Leona Deakin has hit the ball out of the park' *****'What a gripping book, so many brilliant twists and turns' *****'This book is unlike any other crime/mystery novel that I have ever read' *****'A really intense and gripping read' *****'Well written and a real page-turner' *****'I was completely riveted by this book' *****Trade Review'Stylish, glamorous, and clever, The Imposter had me hooked, right from its killer opening - Leona Deakin is the real deal.' * Andrea Mara *'A gut-wrenching read.' * Woman's Own *

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Book SynopsisTHE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER'It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue.' Jodi Picoult'A knock-out twist' Gillian McAllister'Will have book clubs across the country in hot debate! Brilliant.' Clare Mackintosh****Two best friendsElizabeth and Bryony are polar opposites but their unexpected friendship has always worked. They're the best of friends, and godmothers to each other's daughters - because they both trust that the safety of their children is their top priority.One little secretLittle do they know that they differ radically over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child's birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined.Every parent's worst nightmare . . . ****'Compelling and nuanced. A hugely impressive page-turner' Ashley Audrain'Really beautifully written, compassionately told and incredibly thought provoking. A truly immersive telling of both sides of a story' Susan Lewis'Insightful, compassionate and nuanced. The Herd is so good.' Louise O'Neill'A genuine rollercoaster that asks big moral questions with beautifully drawn characters.' Sharon Horgan, co-creator of CATASTROPHEHere's what readers are saying about The Herd:'A timely and dramatic novel showing both sides of an ongoing debate. Loved this read!' *****'Such a genuine tale with such high stakes emotion and sensitivity' *****'A fantastic, thought-provoking and gripping book which would make a cracking book club read' *****'A complex, layered, wholly character-driven look at a complicated and controversial subject' *****Trade ReviewIt is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue * Jodi Picoult, NYT bestselling author of WISH YOU WERE HERE *Controversial, addictive and clever, and the characters are so multi-layered and complex they are wholly believable. * Woman & Home *Wow! What an incredible book, and so timely. I was riveted! Really beautifully written, compassionately told and incredibly thought provoking. A truly immersive telling of both sides of a story. * Susan Lewis *Fans of Liane Moriarty will love it! * Stella *Will have book clubs across the country in hot debate! Brilliant. * Clare Mackintosh *

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Book Synopsis***A RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB book 2023***'Nora-Ephron-style wit...comforting, so funny, moving... one of my favourite books ever' MARIAN KEYES'Newman writes loss and laughter in equally brilliant amounts.' BONNIE GARMUS'Dazzling, heart-wrenching, snorty-hilarious... An utter joy to read' RACHEL JOYCE'An absolute masterpiece in characterisation... utterly beautiful.' JOANNA CANNON_______Who knows you better than your best friend? Who knows your secrets, your fears, your desires, your strange imperfect self? Edi and Ash have been best friends for over forty years. Since childhood they have seen each other through life's milestones: stealing vodka from their parents, the Madonna phase, REM concerts, unexpected wakes, marriages, infertility, children. As Ash notes, 'Edi's memory is like the back-up hard drive for mine.' So when Edi is diagnosed with cancer, Ash's world reshapes around the rhythms of Edi's care, from making watermelon ice cubes to music therapy; from snack smuggling to impromptu excursions into the frozen winter night. Because life is about squeezing the joy out of every moment, about building a powerhouse of memories, about learning when to hold on, and when to let go.For fans of Nora Ephron and Sorrow & Bliss, We All Want Impossible Things is a deeply moving, jubilant celebration of life and friendship at its imperfect, radiant, and irreverent best.***COMING SOON: SANDWICH, the new novel from CATHERINE NEWMAN***_____'You'll stay up late devouring every word' KATHERINE HEINY'One of the best novels on friendship I've ever read' AJ PEARCE'I absolutely adored this...what a beautiful, emotional novel' JILL MANSELL'Shot through with whip-smart humour and boundless compassion. It's one of the best debuts I've read in a long time.' HANNAH BECKERMANTrade ReviewRather a treat ... this novel is less about death than it is about life - the messy unpredictability, hideous unfairness and perplexity of it, as well as its one magnificent certainty: love. * THE SUNDAY TIMES *Remarkable ... A whip-smart, funny, beautifully observed and exquisitely characterised novel about how even the deepest of losses can be accompanied by a joyous affirmation of life. * OBSERVER *Imbued with love and humour ... this special book is in a class of its own. * EVENING STANDARD *Newman's clearsighted and bracingly funny first novel is a moving celebration of friendship, love and cherished memories * DAILY MAIL *I adored this book. Jubilant, devastating, tender, heartbreaking, I found myself both in tears and 'snorty-laughing'. I know it will be one of those novels I return to time and time again, and recommend to everyone. There is so much love, funniness, honesty, courage, mess, bounce and surprise in this book, and not shred of it is mawkish. Loss might be the central theme but it is also the most robust and glorious affirmation of life. A masterclass on friendship, family love, memory, and the messiness of life and love and dying. Pure genius. * RACHEL JOYCE *

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Book SynopsisAN OBSERVER BEST DEBUT NOVEL OF 2023WINNER OF THE 2021 #MERKY BOOKS NEW WRITERS' PRIZENik has lots of questions about his late father but knows better than to ask his mother, Avani. It's their unspoken rule.But when his grandfather dies, Nik has the opportunity to learn about the man he never met. Armed with a key and new knowledge about his parents' past, Nik sets out to unlock the secrets that his mother has been holding onto his whole life.The Things That We Lost is a beautifully tender exploration of family, loss and how far we will go to protect the ones we love.Trade ReviewAn assured debut from a vital new voice. About family, grief and belonging, Patel weaves an intricate story that will stay with you. * Nikesh Shukla, author of Brown Baby and The Good Immigrant *Brilliant. * Candice Brathwaite *Incredible. * Guz Khan *Effortlessly weaving intricate intergenerational stories across time, Jyoti has written a poignant debut. * Christian Adofo, author of A Quick Ting on #Afrobeats *A big book, full of assured and affecting writing. . Secrets spill and relationships sour, sacrifices are made and promises are broken, as plot twists propel the narrative forward to a dramatic finale. * The Guardian *One of the best books I've read this year. * gal-dem *A thoughtful meditation on family, grief and the lengths we'll go to protect the ones we love. * Good Housekeeping *A deftly assured debut novel about a fractured family and how words left unspoken can be more devastating than the truth. * Red Magazine *Patel's novel revolves around the lingering trauma of bereavement and shows the lengths we go to to protect those closest to us. Sensitively written with a deep, emotional undercurrent. * Mr Porter *Highly recommended. * Huffington Post *The debut novel from 2021 Merky Books New Writers' Prize winner Jyoti may be one of the best books you read this year. The Things That We Lost is an achingly tender and heartfelt exploration of family, loss, and the lengths to which we go to protect the ones we love... Jyoti Patel is an exciting new writer, deftly exploring deep family intricacies, love and grief in equal measure. * Platinum *An invigorating narrative centred around family, loss and protection. * The Handbook *There is an immersive and intimate quality about Patel's writing - from its portrayal of London teenage slang to the detailed depiction of British-Gujarati culture. Her characters have a depth that brings a poignant reality to issues around coping with grief, abuse and racial prejudice, and navigating family and friendship dynamics. An enthralling read." * Breaking News.ie *Immeasurably moving, a poignant and touching story about love and family bonds, and an especially tender portrait of a mother and son. * Huma Qureshi *A deeply reflective, searching depiction of grief. * Rabeea Saleem, The Times Literary Supplement *The Things That We Lost took me by the hand and guided me through my worst ever reading slump! Patel writes about the complexities of family life with such wisdom and heart. * Sairish Hussain *Captivating and deeply moving. * Mohsin Zaidi *Frank, funny and light on its feet, it's a novel about generations, hopes and grief. A writer with a deft turn of phrase. * Ali Smith *A beautiful novel; it feels real and honest, with characters that seem to lift off the page and come alive…[it] is a book bursting with love * The List *

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Book SynopsisThe first collection of extraordinary stories from one of the greatest writers of our time. With astonishing clarity, Booker Prize winner Galgut explores both the intimacies and violence of family life against the complex landscape of 1980s South Africa.From a mother who experiences a devastating unmooring after her child falls gravely ill, to a son retracing his late father's brief yet passionate affair, the stories ripple out from one another, tenderly exposing those bonds we cannot escape.PRAISE FOR DAMON GALGUT:'Galgut seems to deliver effortlessly...there's nothing he can't do' Times'Damon Galgut is very nearly without peer...an essential writer' Garth Greenwell'Terrifically agile and consistently interesting...certainly up there with Nadine Gordimer and JM Coetzee' Guardian Trade ReviewOne of the world's greatest writers -- Edmund WhiteRemarkable...astonishingly mature, subtle and understated * Sunday Express *Galgut explores grief, despair and love in a way that feels ageless * Literary Review *In Mr. Galgut's fiction South Africa materialises, vast, astonishing, resonant. And on this vastness, he stages intimate dramas that have the force of ancient myth * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisGive yourself up. Whatever you've done. They'll find you. In the end.A man with no name staggers down a lonely stretch of road that cuts through the simmering veld of rural South Africa. He is exhausted and hungry yet dives for the long grass whenever cars approach. He is on the run. When a minister on his way to a new congregation offers help - at a price - the fugitive's desperation boils over. Stealing the minister's identity, he is successfully taken in by the township. But when a body is discovered in a nearby quarry, and the local police captain's suspicions grow, the hunt reignites with devastating consequences.'One of South Africa's great literary voices' Economist'Galgut's prose feels as if it's been fired through a crucible, burning away all the comfortable excess until only a hard, concentrated purity remains' Daily Telegraph Trade ReviewAn extremely atmospheric book in a hazy, raw and entirely realistic sense.... Galgut's story suggests that such points on the map, despite their ghostly quiet, are seething with repressed violence, ready to explode.... A compelling read about guilt and evasion of truth * The Spectator *In a bleak morality tale about a fugitive from justice, Galgut again demonstrates his flair for charting the vicissitudes of human despair in modern-day South Africa * Publisher's Weekly *An...uncompromising journey into the heart of South Africa's darkness, written in prose that is at once stark and striking. The Quarry is Galgut's homage to Dostoevsky * Literary Review *A remarkable achievement...Galgut's prose has a spare beauty, suggesting volcanic emotions held rigorously in check * Kirkus Reviews *This taut existential thriller...divulges little but manages to suggest volumes... Stark, almost brutal minimalism * Boston Globe *

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Book Synopsis'O'Keeffe brings the world Skylark inhabits to vibrant life, painting the passions of her activists so vividly that the reader - and Dan himself - are drawn into their desire to change the world.' - Observer 'Alice O'Keeffe deftly renders the shocking truth of the spy cops scandal into a moving tale of love, identity and betrayal. Essential reading.' - Jake ArnottTheir ideals brought them together, but how closely should you follow your heart?It's the mid-90s, and rebellion is in the air.Skylark is an activist, a raver, a tree-dweller, a world-changer.Handsome, dependable Dan appears on the scene, offering her the security she has never had. When they fall in love, she shows him a new way to live; he will never be the same.But Dan has a secret, which Skylark must never, ever know.A secret so powerful that its fault-lines run from their ordinary council flat right up to the highest echelons of the state.Their story is the story of Britain's undercover police.As Skylark comes to doubt not only Dan's commitment to their shared ideals, but his very identity, she finds herself asking: can you ever really know the person you love?

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Book SynopsisWhat do you do when the wedding of your dreams turns into a nightmare?When Lizzie calls off her wedding in the south of France only a week before the big day, not even her closest friends know why. But since the chateau is already paid for, they figure it's the perfect place to take Lizzie's her mind off her suddenly single state.But when the group arrives, the wedding is waiting for them - food, flowers, and all.The next day, Lizzie wakes to find her friends have drunkenly revelled in the wedding-that-wasn't - but not all their antics were benign. Someone is set on tormenting Lizzie, and she can't think who.The more the friends try to piece together exactly what happened that night, the more secrets start to come out . . .Trade ReviewA thriller for people who hate thrillers: tightly plotted, smartly drawn characters, captivating story with a satisfying twist at the end. Delicious -- Pandora SykesAn intricate and surprising story of friendship, revenge and redemption where no-one and nothing are quite as they seem . . . The Wedding Night places female friendships at the centre of both the story and the lives of its characters, who are so real you feel you know them. Harriet's writing is beautiful and immersive, and bristles with wry observation -- Charlotte PhilbyA fantastically compelling portrait of female friendship and toxic relationships, as well as a tense, atmospheric thriller -- Katherine FaulknerTwisty, suspenseful, thought-provoking and terrifically written - another brilliant book by Harriet Walker * Leaf Arbuthnot *A real page-turner * Woman's Weekly *Riveting * Grazia *Must read - an unputdownable page-turner * Closer *We couldn't put this down * Bella *Sinister * Heat *A tale of dangerous fragile egos and female solidarity, packed into a holiday-nightmare psychological thriller * The Times *An epic twist makes this a real page-turner * Woman *This tale is full of sparkle and wit * Woman's Own *An intricately plotted portrait of revenge, toxic relationships and female friendship * You Magazine *A stylish, taut thriller - and an ideal poolside read * Telegraph Online *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARDSHORTLISTED FOR THE IRISH BOOK AWARDS NEWCOMER OF THE YEARSHORTLISTED FOR THE COMEDY WOMEN IN PRINT PRIZELONGLISTED FOR THE ONDAATJE PRIZE'Milkman meets Derry Girls. A cracking read' Sinead Moriarty'A thrillingly fresh, provocative and touching voice' Marian Keyes'Bawdy yet beautiful, full of everyday tragedy, absurdity and truth. I grew extraordinarily attached to Majella' Sara Baume Routine makes Majella's world small but change is about to make it a whole lot bigger.*Stuff Majella knows*-God doesn't punish men with baldness for wearing ladies' knickers-Banana-flavoured condoms taste the same as nutrition shakes-Not everyone gets a volley of gunshots over their grave as they are being lowered into the ground*Stuff Majella doesn't know*-That she is autistic-Why her ma drinks-Where her da isOther people find Majella odd. She keeps herself to herself, she doesn't like gossip and she isn't interested in knowing her neighbours' business. But suddenly everyone in the small town in Northern Ireland where she grew up wants to know all about hers. Since her da disappeared during the Troubles, Majella has tried to live a quiet life with her alcoholic mother. She works in the local chip shop (Monday-Saturday, Sunday off), wears the same clothes every day (overalls, too small), has the same dinner each night (fish and chips, nuked in the microwave) and binge watches Dallas (the best show ever aired on TV) from the safety of her single bed. She has no friends and no boyfriend and Majella thinks things are better that way. But Majella's safe and predictable existence is shattered when her grandmother dies and as much as she wants things to go back to normal, Majella comes to realise that maybe there is more to life. And it might just be that from tragedy comes Majella's one chance at escape.'It's a smasher' Kathy BurkeTrade ReviewIt's a smasher * Kathy Burke *A thrillingly fresh, provocative and touching voice * Marian Keyes *Milkman meets Derry Girls. A cracking read * Sinead Moriarty *Bawdy yet beautiful, full of everyday tragedy, absurdity and truth. I grew extraordinarily attached to Majella * Sara Baume *Wild and engrossing . . . unexpected and wonderful * Roddy Doyle, Irish Times *The funniest debut I've ever read * Claudia Carroll *I loved Majella from the first page . . . Utterly brilliant and deliciously hilarious! With humour, wit and beauty, Gallen subtly unveils a violence and conflict that lies beneath, exploring the legacy of the Troubles and the deeply felt effects through generations * Christy Lefteri *What a voice: I felt as though I knew Majella intimately by the end . . . Big Girl, Small Town is a darkly hilarious novel about small-town life, which manages to be wildly entertaining despite being mostly set in a chip shop - a fine place in which to loiter with such a filthy, funny, clever companion * Guardian *It's the humour, dry and gritty, that sets Big Girl, Small Town apart . . . to think that this is Michelle Gallen's debut is astonishing, as Majella's narration is bold and assured . . . evocative, caustic and compelling * Sunday Business Post *Northern Ireland is currently producing more exceptional writers per square inch than possibly anywhere else . . . Michelle Gallen will most certainly earn her place in the honours list. Big Girl, Small Town is even funnier than Derry Girls, while being just as fraught as Anna Burns's Booker Prize winner * Sunday Independent *A winning evocation of a small Irish community whose people burst from its pages. Engaging and satisfying * Daily Mail *Superb * Irish Examiner *Captivating . . . a confident debut with a very memorable protagonist in Majella * Irish Times *Darkly funny * Mail on Sunday *Gallen's debut deserves comparisons with Anna Burns' Milkman for its depiction of the impact of the Troubles on a vulnerable young woman but this terrifically imagined tender black comedy is very much its own book * Metro *Charming . . . there is an easy warmth to Big Girl, Small Town * Sunday Times *Gallen's unrelenting eye for the bizarre and Coughlan's talent for deadpanning make it an absolute winner * Financial Times *Sensational . . . Gallen's effortless immersion into a gritty, endlessly bittersweet world packs a dizzying punch * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *An irreverent portrait of small-town Northern Ireland that is both bleakly and uproariously funny * Kirkus *Majella is a nuanced and complicated heroine, reliant on routines and largely dismissive of change. Infused with local diction, inflection, and slang, her voice envelops readers in the sounds of small-town Ireland * Booklist (starred review) *Majella is a compelling character caught in a fascinating slice of time, and her journey is exquisitely rendered. With echoes of Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine crossed with the 1990s-set British sitcom Derry Girls, this debut is recommended for fans of Ottessa Moshfegh, Emma Donoghue, and Sally Rooney * Library Journal (starred review) *Hugely charming * Irish Independent *[A]n inventively foulmouthed gem of a novel . . . a novel that is, above all, an intimate portrait of a peculiar - and peculiarly resilient - woman who is fated to notice everything and forget nothing * Wall Street Journal *An immensely lovable debut novel * Washington Post *Gallen's darkly comic debut is an unforgettable portrait of a young woman whose rich internal life offers a brilliantly observed commentary on her bleak surroundings * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisWritten By Sophie Hannah, BA Paris, Clare Mackintosh, and Holly Brown, this psychological thriller is perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Louise CandlishHOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO PROTECT YOUR DAUGHTER?Carolyn, Bronnie, Elise, and Kendall are bound together by one thing - their four daughters are best friends at the highly competitive Orla Flynn Academy for the Performing Arts.Imogen Curwood is a new girl at the Academy and her behaviour is odd from the start. On the day she arrives, bad things start to happen. As one threatening incident follows another, the four mothers begin to ask themselves: are their girls in danger? When an attempted murder rocks the school, Imogen is pleased to report that she has an alibi. If she isn't the guilty party, someone else must be.Carolyn, Bronnie, Elise and Kendall are determined to uncover the truth and protect their daughters. But are they prepared to risk their own secrets being exposed?THE UNDERSTUDY IS THE OUTSTANDING NEW NOVEL FROM FOUR MASTERS OF SUSPENSETrade ReviewA powerhouse of a gripping, bitchy thriller, that zeroes in on the jealousy riven dark heart of female friendship - On My Life

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2020'A story for now, an important story . . . told with incredible freshness' Martha Lane Fox, Chair of Judges, Women's Prize 2020'The harsh reality of immigration is balanced with a refreshing dose of humour' The Times'This compassionate and ingenious novel has an endearing vibrancy in the storytelling that, page after page, makes it addictive reading' Irish Times'Engrossing . . . the story itself and Ana, the protagonist, are terrifically interesting. Loved this' Roxane Gay'This book is a valentine to my mom and all the unsung Dominicanas like her, for their quiet heroism in making a better life for their families, often at a hefty cost to themselves. Even if Dominicana is a Dominican story, it's also a New York story, and an immigrant story. When I read parts of Dominicana at universities and literary venues both here and abroad, each time, audience members from all cultures and generations came up to me and said, this is my mother's story, my sister's story, my story' Angie CruzFifteen-year-old Ana Canción never dreamed of moving to America, the way the girls she grew up with in the Dominican countryside did. But when Juan Ruiz proposes and promises to take her to New York City, she must say yes. It doesn't matter that he is twice her age, that there is no love between them. Their marriage is an opportunity for her entire close-knit family to eventually immigrate. So on New Year's Day, 1965, Ana leaves behind everything she knows and becomes Ana Ruiz, a wife confined to a cold six-floor walk-up in Washington Heights. Lonely and miserable, Ana hatches a reckless plan to escape. But at the bus terminal, she is stopped by César, Juan's free-spirited younger brother, who convinces her to stay.As the Dominican Republic slides into political turmoil, Juan returns to protect his family's assets, leaving César to take care of Ana. Suddenly, Ana is free to take English lessons at a local church, lie on the beach at Coney Island, dance with César at the Audubon Ballroom, and imagine the possibility of a different kind of life in America. When Juan returns, Ana must decide once again between her heart and her duty to her family.In bright, musical prose that reflects the energy of New York City, Dominicana is a vital portrait of the immigrant experience and the timeless coming-of-age story of a young woman finding her voice in the world.Trade ReviewA story for now, an important story . . . told with incredible freshness * Martha Lane Fox, Chair of Judges, Women's Prize 2020 *Engrossing . . . the story itself and Ana, the protagonist are terrifically interesting. Loved this * Roxane Gay *Through a novel with so much depth, beauty, and grace, we, like Ana, are forever changed * Jacqueline Woodson, Vanity Fair *The harsh reality of immigration is balanced with a refreshing dose of humour * The Times *This compassionate and ingenious novel has an endearing vibrancy in the storytelling that, page after page, makes it addictive reading * Irish Times *A . . . portrait of what it means to be doubly disenfranchised as a female illegal immigrant in an oppressively patriarchal community, but Angie Cruz gives her heroine a glimpse of a different life * Observer *Poignant . . . In nimble prose, Cruz animates the simultaneous reluctance and vivacity that define her main character as she attempts to balance filial duty with personal fulfilment, and contends with leaving one home to build another that is both for herself and for her family * New Yorker *An intimate portrait of the transactional nature of marriage and the economics of both womanhood and citizenship * New York Times Book Review *Cruz (who drew the story from her mother's experience) keeps the tone light, even comic, while expertly generating tension from the plot's mounting tally of secrets and lies * Metro *Sensational . . . At once tender, musical, and electric, this novel meditates on how immigrations shapes lives, from both without and within * Esquire *In Cruz's rendering, the inevitability of hardship and the excitement of new possibilities makes for an affectingly complex journey into adulthood. Expect this to mark the author's breakout * Entertainment Weekly *Cruz tells the story with a raucous sense of humour and writes in short, present-tense chapters that help make this a propulsive though heartbreaking read * BuzzFeed *This stunner of a novel thrums with vitality, a singular addition to the canon of immigration narratives, and introduces readers to the wonderfully complex and resilient Ana * Nylon *Eminently readable and offers an affecting exploration into the trade-off between autonomy and obligation * Evening Standard *An insightful and vibrant examination of what it means to be an immigrant . . . short present-tense chapters have the effect of forcing one to sit up and take notice that something real is happening here * Irish Examiner *Cruz uses beautiful, simple language, a dreamy brush, filling her novel with a sense of awe that perfectly complements her narrator * TLS *

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Book Synopsis'EXQUISITE' Vanity Fair 'REMARKABLE . . . POISED, INTELLIGENT, VERY GROWN-UP WRITING, EQUALLY AT HOME IN ALL ITS ENVIRONMENTS.' Guardian'AS HONEST AS IT IS ENGROSSING' NPR'A TIMELY, SWEEPING TALE . . . BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN.' Boston Globe'ARTICULATES THE FULL-BODIED CHORUS OF EGYPT'S VOICES' New York TimesSisters Rose and Gameela Gubran could not have been more different. Rose, an Egyptologist, married an American journalist and immigrated to New York City, where she works in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gameela, a devout Muslim since her teenage years, stayed in Cairo. During the aftermath of Egypt's revolution, Gameela is killed in a suicide bombing. When Rose returns to Egypt after the bombing, she sifts through the artifacts Gameela left behind, desperate to understand how her sister came to die, and who she truly was. Soon, Rose realizes that Gameela has left many questions unanswered. Why had she quit her job just a few months before her death and not told her family? Who was she romantically involved with? And how did the religious Gameela manage to keep so many secrets? Rich in depth and feeling, A Pure Heart is a brilliant portrait of two Muslim women in the twenty-first century, and the decisions they make in work and love that determine their destinies. As Rose is struggling to reconcile her identities as an Egyptian and as a new American, she investigates Gameela's devotion to her religion and her country. The more Rose uncovers about her sister's life, the more she must reconcile their two fates, their inextricable bond as sisters, and who should and should not be held responsible for Gameela's death. Rajia Hassib's A Pure Heart is a stirring and deeply textured novel that asks what it means to forgive, and considers how faith, family, and love can unite and divide us.Trade ReviewExquisite * Vanity Fair *A timely, sweeping tale that examines the intersection of fate and choice, the pull of culture and identity, family and love . . . Beautifully written. * Boston Globe *Hassib is a perceptive writer with a real understanding of how people act - not how they ought to act . . . a novel that's as honest as it is engrossing. * NPR *Remarkable . . . poised, intelligent, very grown-up writing, equally at home in all its environments. * Guardian *Shines as one of the finest explorations of identity, religion, and culture in modern American literature. Her background leaves her particularly well situated to develop these themes ... brilliantly illuminates the complications of our world: the clash of religious beliefs, the uneven division of wealth, our classist snobbery, the failure of our best intentions. Yet the story is not simply an examination of problems. It is also a fervent illustration of the strength and beauty of familial bonds, ties that persist even after death. * Southern Literary Review *Hassib . . . articulates the full-bodied chorus of Egypt's voices . . . dismantling stereotypes of her country and culture. In so doing she exposes mankind's best and worst qualities, our universalities and differences, illuminating all the while the myriad ways in which a heart can be pure. * New York Times *A profound and deeply affecting examination of fate and free will, family and identity, sin and redemption, and the unique bond between sisters. * Buzzfeed, 'Summer Books to Be Excited About' *Characters are deeply woven and veiled in their own facades . . . a stellar entry into the world's library. * Irish Examiner *A captivating novel about family, love, and home. Hassib masterfully excavates the secret loyalties that drive women to make fateful choices and, in so doing, explores important themes of guilt and responsibility, shame and forgiveness. * Laila Lalami, author of Pulitzer Prize finalist The Moor's Account *A Pure Heart is an emotional portrait of sisterly relationships and how political strife and change affects even the most personal aspects of our lives. * Real Simple's "Best Books of 2019 (So Far) *[A] gripping contemporary novel about two Muslim sisters. . . . When one sister is killed, the other uncovers continuous challenging questions in her quest for understanding and closure. * Ms. Magazine *A Pure Heart grapples with the question of how to be many things at once. . . . Hassib is especially talented at rendering the small details of daily Egyptian life-not in some exoticized fashion but rather as a foundation on which to lay the wide variety of experiences, ideologies, and aspirations of the country's citizenry. These details found throughout the book, shine. . . . What's most impressive about A Pure Heart . . . [is] the novel's meditation on the nature of multiple identities. * Omar El Akkad, BookPage (starred review) *A multifaceted look at the complicated legacies of identity, religion, and politics in Egypt after the Arab Spring emerges. Even the story of the suicide bomber is given careful consideration in this enlightening, heartrending novel. * Booklist (starred review) *[A Pure Heart] fluidly explores how even seismic historical events can mix with everyday emotions such as sibling rivalry and insecurity to concoct a potent brew. . . . A devastating definition of the new normal in which revolution does not always deliver real power to institute change. * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *A profound tale of two Egyptian Muslim women in the 21st century, and the decisions they make in work and love that determine their destinies. This is a timely, thought-provoking novel that explores the intersection of religion, identity, and politics in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. * BookRiot's “7 of The Buzziest Beach Reads of The Year *Hassib's impressive second novel is a fascinating depiction of sisters Rose and Gameela, their shared heritage, and the country that ultimately divides them. . . . Hassib seamlessly transports the reader from one culture to another, eloquently showcasing the triumphs, heartaches, and beliefs shared by the protagonists. * Publishers Weekly *Hassib draws an intimate portrait of contemporary Egypt, deftly explaining the complexity of political viewpoints regarding the revolution and post-revolutionary years. Through her characters, she shows the subtle differences in class, culture, and religious belief that can cause fractures in families, marriages, and societies. . . . Giving a voice to everyone, even the bomber, Hassib displays empathy and compassion steeped in a deep knowledge of her subject. Recommended. * Library Journal *A captivating novel about family, love, and home. Hassib masterfully excavates the secret loyalties that drive women to make fateful choices and, in so doing, explores important themes of guilt and responsibility, shame and forgiveness. * Laila Lalami, author of Pulitzer Prize finalist The Moor's Account *Full of intelligent reflections about exile, this moving novel about two Egyptian sisters-one in New York, the other in Cairo-carefully dramatizes the curdling of individual dreams in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. * Karan Mahajan, author of National Book Award finalist The Association of Small Bombs *A stunner of a book. Weaving through the lives of two sisters split by destiny, Hassib's latest novel is a story of excavation: of countries and people. With the Egyptian revolution as backdrop, Hassib masterfully explores the loyalties, geographies and histories that can both partition and bind family. * Hala Alyan, author of Dayton Literary Peace Prize and Arab American Book Award winner Salt Houses *It would be unjust to call Hassib's A Pure Heart anything but heartbreaking and beautiful. Nearly every character is trapped between political, religious, and geographic extremes, trying to figure out who they are and what they love. These goals are always in sight, but, for some, ever beyond reach. * Ian Bassingthwaighte, author of Live from Cairo *Rajia Hassib's latest novel is a lyrical, heartfelt reflection on the Egyptian revolution as well as on the painful secrets that separate two sisters. * Susan Muaddi Darraj, author of Arab American Book Award winner A Curious Land *A gripping tale of two sisters whose lives intersect with tragic consequences. A Pure Heart beats to its own rhythm of heartaches, joy, loss and courage. An extraordinary achievement. * Zeba Talkhani, author of My Past is a Foreign Country *'An intimate portrait of "fractured souls in a fractured nation"' * TLS *

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Book SynopsisSisters Rose and Gameela Gubran could not have been more different. Rose, an Egyptologist, married an American journalist and immigrated to New York City, where she works in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gameela, a devout Muslim since her teenage years, stayed in Cairo. During the aftermath of Egypt's revolution, Gameela is killed in a suicide bombing. When Rose returns to Egypt after the bombing, she sifts through the artifacts Gameela left behind, desperate to understand how her sister came to die, and who she truly was. Soon, Rose realizes that Gameela has left many questions unanswered. Why had she quit her job just a few months before her death and not told her family? Who was she romantically involved with? And how did the religious Gameela manage to keep so many secrets? Rich in depth and feeling, A Pure Heart is a brilliant portrait of two Muslim women in the twenty-first century, and the decisions they make in work and love that determine their destinies. As Rose is struggling to reconcile her identities as an Egyptian and as a new American, she investigates Gameela's devotion to her religion and her country. The more Rose uncovers about her sister's life, the more she must reconcile their two fates, their inextricable bond as sisters, and who should and should not be held responsible for Gameela's death. Rajia Hassib's A Pure Heart is a stirring and deeply textured novel that asks what it means to forgive, and considers how faith, family, and love can unite and divide us.Trade ReviewExquisite * Vanity Fair *A timely, sweeping tale that examines the intersection of fate and choice, the pull of culture and identity, family and love . . . Beautifully written. * Boston Globe *Hassib is a perceptive writer with a real understanding of how people act - not how they ought to act . . . a novel that's as honest as it is engrossing. * NPR *Remarkable . . . poised, intelligent, very grown-up writing, equally at home in all its environments. * Guardian *Shines as one of the finest explorations of identity, religion, and culture in modern American literature. Her background leaves her particularly well situated to develop these themes ... brilliantly illuminates the complications of our world: the clash of religious beliefs, the uneven division of wealth, our classist snobbery, the failure of our best intentions. Yet the story is not simply an examination of problems. It is also a fervent illustration of the strength and beauty of familial bonds, ties that persist even after death. * Southern Literary Review *Hassib . . . articulates the full-bodied chorus of Egypt's voices . . . dismantling stereotypes of her country and culture. In so doing she exposes mankind's best and worst qualities, our universalities and differences, illuminating all the while the myriad ways in which a heart can be pure. * New York Times *A profound and deeply affecting examination of fate and free will, family and identity, sin and redemption, and the unique bond between sisters. * Buzzfeed, 'Summer Books to Be Excited About' *Characters are deeply woven and veiled in their own facades . . . a stellar entry into the world's library. * Irish Examiner *A captivating novel about family, love, and home. Hassib masterfully excavates the secret loyalties that drive women to make fateful choices and, in so doing, explores important themes of guilt and responsibility, shame and forgiveness. * Laila Lalami, author of Pulitzer Prize finalist The Moor's Account *A Pure Heart is an emotional portrait of sisterly relationships and how political strife and change affects even the most personal aspects of our lives. * Real Simple's "Best Books of 2019 (So Far) *[A] gripping contemporary novel about two Muslim sisters. . . . When one sister is killed, the other uncovers continuous challenging questions in her quest for understanding and closure. * Ms. Magazine *A Pure Heart grapples with the question of how to be many things at once. . . . Hassib is especially talented at rendering the small details of daily Egyptian life-not in some exoticized fashion but rather as a foundation on which to lay the wide variety of experiences, ideologies, and aspirations of the country's citizenry. These details found throughout the book, shine. . . . What's most impressive about A Pure Heart . . . [is] the novel's meditation on the nature of multiple identities. * Omar El Akkad, BookPage (starred review) *A multifaceted look at the complicated legacies of identity, religion, and politics in Egypt after the Arab Spring emerges. Even the story of the suicide bomber is given careful consideration in this enlightening, heartrending novel. * Booklist (starred review) *[A Pure Heart] fluidly explores how even seismic historical events can mix with everyday emotions such as sibling rivalry and insecurity to concoct a potent brew. . . . A devastating definition of the new normal in which revolution does not always deliver real power to institute change. * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *A profound tale of two Egyptian Muslim women in the 21st century, and the decisions they make in work and love that determine their destinies. This is a timely, thought-provoking novel that explores the intersection of religion, identity, and politics in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. * BookRiot's “7 of The Buzziest Beach Reads of The Year *Hassib's impressive second novel is a fascinating depiction of sisters Rose and Gameela, their shared heritage, and the country that ultimately divides them. . . . Hassib seamlessly transports the reader from one culture to another, eloquently showcasing the triumphs, heartaches, and beliefs shared by the protagonists. * Publishers Weekly *Hassib draws an intimate portrait of contemporary Egypt, deftly explaining the complexity of political viewpoints regarding the revolution and post-revolutionary years. Through her characters, she shows the subtle differences in class, culture, and religious belief that can cause fractures in families, marriages, and societies. . . . Giving a voice to everyone, even the bomber, Hassib displays empathy and compassion steeped in a deep knowledge of her subject. Recommended. * Library Journal *A captivating novel about family, love, and home. Hassib masterfully excavates the secret loyalties that drive women to make fateful choices and, in so doing, explores important themes of guilt and responsibility, shame and forgiveness. * Laila Lalami, author of Pulitzer Prize finalist The Moor's Account *Full of intelligent reflections about exile, this moving novel about two Egyptian sisters-one in New York, the other in Cairo-carefully dramatizes the curdling of individual dreams in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. * Karan Mahajan, author of National Book Award finalist The Association of Small Bombs *A stunner of a book. Weaving through the lives of two sisters split by destiny, Hassib's latest novel is a story of excavation: of countries and people. With the Egyptian revolution as backdrop, Hassib masterfully explores the loyalties, geographies and histories that can both partition and bind family. * Hala Alyan, author of Dayton Literary Peace Prize and Arab American Book Award winner Salt Houses *It would be unjust to call Hassib's A Pure Heart anything but heartbreaking and beautiful. Nearly every character is trapped between political, religious, and geographic extremes, trying to figure out who they are and what they love. These goals are always in sight, but, for some, ever beyond reach. * Ian Bassingthwaighte, author of Live from Cairo *Rajia Hassib's latest novel is a lyrical, heartfelt reflection on the Egyptian revolution as well as on the painful secrets that separate two sisters. * Susan Muaddi Darraj, author of Arab American Book Award winner A Curious Land *A gripping tale of two sisters whose lives intersect with tragic consequences. A Pure Heart beats to its own rhythm of heartaches, joy, loss and courage. An extraordinary achievement. * Zeba Talkhani, author of My Past is a Foreign Country *

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Book Synopsis'Conway . . . has devised one of the greatest villains in 21st Century spy literature' Sunday Times'A brilliant and unpredictable climax' Times thriller of the year 2020'Top echelon, adrenalin-pumping entertainment all the way' Irish Independent'The sense of danger is deep and unsettling' Financial Times_________________________________________________ISIS can't control him.MI6 can't find him.But he's coming...Things change quickly in the world of espionage and clandestine operations. Jude Lyon of MI6 remembers the captured terrorist bomb-maker. He watched him being flown off to Syria, back when Syria was 'friendly'. No-one expected him to survive interrogation there.Yet the man is alive and someone has broken him out of jail.Bad news for the former foreign secretary who authorised his rendition. And Jude's boss Queen Bee who knew he wasn't a terrorist at all, but an innocent bystander. Now she calls Jude back from a dangerously enjoyable mission involving a Russian diplomat's wife.He has a new job: close down this embarrassment. Fast.But embarrassment is only the beginning. Someone is using the former prisoner to front a new and unspeakably terrifying campaign. Someone not even ISIS can control.He is like a rumour, a myth, a whisper on the desert wind. But he is real and he is coming for us . . . He is the genius known only as . . .The Stranger.From the corridors of Westminster to the refugee camps of Jordan, the back streets of East London to the badlands of Iraq, The Stranger is a nerve-shredding journey of suspense as Jude Lyon pieces together the shape of an implacable horror coming towards him - and a conspiracy of lies behind him.Trade ReviewConway . . . has devised one of the greatest villains in 21st Century spy literature * The Sunday Times *Top echelon, adrenalin-pumping entertainment all the way * Irish Independent *The sense of danger is deep and unsettling * The Financial Times *Skilfully balancing elements of the action thriller with a deeper look at the war in Syria and its refugee crisis, Simon Conway deserves to be a bigger name in the spy firmament. * James Owen, The Times (Saturday Review) *a bit of Homeland, a touch of Spooks and an undercurrent of The Thick Of It * Sunday Mail *A story SO strong, you suspect it MUST be true! The Stranger renders Simon Conway one of the 21st century's masters of the thriller genre * Jon Snow *Probably my favourite book of the year . . . a fabulous thriller, full on, remarkable and ingenious. If you don't read it, you're missing out big time! * Michael Jecks *The plot delivers chilling terrorist action and plenty of surprises * Sunday Times Crime Club *All the ingredients of a classic spy thriller, expertly executed. Heart-pounding stuff * Michael Ridpath *A novel with visceral thrills and the grand chess of international espionage. Throw in a hero and an anti-hero for our times, and you have one of the best thrillers of recent years * Misha Glenny, author of McMafia *It seems wrong somehow that events so terrible should be so enjoyable. It's testament to Conway's skill as a writer and his experience of conflict that this novel is so bloody thrilling * Rowan Somerville, author of Beat *Top echelon adrenaline-pumping entertainment all the way * The National *Conway is the master of the modern thriller . . . A taut, tight tale of divided loyalties * The i *A white-knuckle ride to hell and back delivered with exhilarating authenticity * Chris Brookmyre *Sharp, topical, contemporary and full of great action * Robert McCrum *This book puts Simon Conway into the top flight of thriller writers probing the darker corners of the 'war on terror' * Allan Little, BBC special correspondent and Chairman of the Edinburgh Book Festival *Conway doesn't just talk the talk, he's walked minefields in war zones making them safe . . . this story of terror plots and British agents charged with stopping them reeks of authenticity * Peterborough Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisSometimes it takes losing everything to find the person you need . . .Most people travel to Croatia for its endless sunshine, pebbly beaches and crystal clear sea. Kate goes there to disappear. She needs to escape from a life that has fallen apart in spectacular and public fashion, and no one on the beautiful island of Hvar knows who she is or what she's running away from. Until she meets another lonely soul. Alex is different to any man Kate has ever known, yet the connection between them is undeniable. She soon begins to open up in ways she never has before - not even to herself. But Kate is not the only person in Hvar hiding secrets. And, as she is about to discover, it is always only a matter of time before the truth catches up with you . . . ---Praise for Isabelle Broom: 'Gloriously escapist, unashamedly romantic, witty and hugely enjoyable'Sunday Mirror'I totally lost myself in this heart-warming, charming tale of love, family and gorgeous Greece. I adored it'Milly Johnson'A writing powerhouse'Carrie Hope Fletcher'Brilliantly evocative - it's left me longing for a Greek holiday!Paige Toon'A gorgeous story of heartbreak, forgiveness and self-discovery. I can't wait to read her future books!'Giovanna Fletcher'This book takes you on holiday'Adele Parks'Well-written and perfect for a lazy afternoon on the sofa'Daily Mail'Combines a wonderful setting with the poignancy of self-discovery and a touching romance'Katie Fforde'Brilliant, warm and beautifully judged - I raced through it' Cathy Kelly'An evocative and enchanting story' Cathy BramleyTrade ReviewLovely characters, a wonderful setting, a beautiful story. Insightful and sensitive - Isabelle Broom at her very best. -- Milly JohnsonI absolutely loved it - the romantic, evocative escape everyone needs this summer * Rachael Lucas *Q: What do you get if you cross a born travel writer with an incurable romantic? A: The novels of Isabelle Broom. With its shimmering setting and heart-swelling, offbeat romance plot, The Getaway is exactly that - a much-needed, totally immersive escape from real life. I loved it * Louise Candlish *A breathtaking romance in a stunning location: the perfect summer escape. I adored The Getaway and I think I'm in love with Croatia too! * Cathy Bramley *The Getaway is even better than the real thing. Vivid, funny, tender and warm - no, hot! Red hot. A simply stunning setting and a gloriously romantic plot that will put a smile on your face. Isabelle Broom always sweeps you away * Veronica Henry *I loved this evocative, emotional and escapist read * Liz Fenwick *A one-way ticket to sunshine and romance, the story of two people finding each other and - in doing so - learning how to live. Uplifting, funny and full of heart, Kate and Alex's story is as addictive as sunset cocktails, full of characters you want to meet and settings that make you want to jump on the next plane to Croatia. It is compelling, beautiful and wholeheartedly romantic. An absolute delight. * Katie Marsh *A gorgeous, warm-hearted love story, beautifully depicted and filled with characters you'll fall for . . . the very best of tantalising and escapist fiction, set against the heavenly backdrop of Croatia. A compelling read about self-discovery, sun and secrets I found impossible to put down * Holly Miller *Evocative and escapist, I feel like I got to travel to Croatia from my sofa! Isabelle writes such warm, relatable characters. I inhaled this. * Laura Jane Williams *This is armchair travel at its best * My Weekly *A sunny location, a smart plot and a dash of romance - perfect escapism * Best *This escapist novel is the ray of sunshine we all need in our lives! * The Sun *An absolute treat of a book that made us long to be on a beach! * Bella *This joyful slice of sunshine is exactly what we need in our lives right now * Heat *Romantic and charming, it will whisk you away to sunnier climes * Woman's Own *We couldn't turn the pages fast enough reading this - a brilliant story * Closer *This escapist novel is the ray of sunshine we all need in our lives! * Fabulous *A reminder of when you could just hop on a flight to the beautiful coast of Croatia * Peterborough Telegraph *An emotional, romantic read * People’s Friend *A treat of a book that made us long to be on a beach * Closer *Isabelle Broom excels at writing about exotic locations and this engrossing tale is the perfect summer escape * Daily Record *

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Book Synopsis'A feminist page-turner that reads like a thriller' Mail on SundayThe New York Times and USA Today BestsellerHedy Lamarr possessed a stunning beauty. She also possessed a stunning mind. Could the world handle both?Her beauty almost certainly saved her from the rising Nazi party and led to marriage with an Austrian arms dealer. Underestimated in everything else, she overheard the Third Reich's plans while at her husband's side, understanding more than anyone would guess. She devised a plan to flee in disguise from their castle, and the whirlwind escape landed her in Hollywood. She became Hedy Lamarr, screen star.But she kept a secret more shocking than her heritage or her marriage: she was a scientist. And she knew a few secrets about the enemy. She had an idea that might help the country fight the Nazis...if anyone would listen to her.A powerful novel based on the incredible true story of the glamour icon and scientist whose groundbreaking invention revolutionised modern communication, The Only Woman in the Room is a masterpiece.Trade ReviewThe Only Woman in the Room is page-turning tapestry of intrigue and glamour about a woman who refuses to be taken for granted. Spell-binding and timely -- Fiona Davis, national bestselling author of THE MASTERPIECEBenedict paints a shining portrait of a complicated woman...Readers will be enthralled * Publishers Weekly *A captivating story of a complicated woman blazing new trails. * Kirkus *[A] compelling fictionalized biography pays tribute to the overlooked scientific contributions and the hidden depths of a stunning beauty and beloved movie star * Booklist *Relevant today, especially women's worth in a man's world... a worthy read about this gorgeous and talented woman * New York Journal of Books *Benedict's compelling novel illuminates a fascinating woman * Shelf Awareness *A feminist page-turner that reads like a thriller -- Mail on Sunday

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Book Synopsis'This powerful, unforgettable crime novel is a coming-of-age book to rival some of the best, such as William Kent Krueger's Ordinary Grace or Larry Watson's Montana 1948 . . . A must-read.' Library Journal (starred review)In a small town where loyalty is valued above all, defying unspoken rules can be deadly. A coming-of-age novel for fans of Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter.At fifteen, Boady Sanden dreams of being anywhere other than Jessup, Missouri. Then the Elgins move in across the road. Getting to know his new neighbours - a black family in a community where notions of "us" and "them" still carry weight - Boady is forced to rethink the world he took for granted.Secrets hidden in plain sight begin to unfold. There's the mother consumed by loss of her husband, the neighbour who carries the wounds of a mysterious past, the quiet boss fighting a hidden battle.But the biggest secret of all is the disappearance of Lida Poe, the African-American woman who keeps the books at the local factory. Although Boady has never met the missing woman, he discovers that the threads of her life are woven into the deepest fabric of his world.As the mystery of Lida's fate plays out, Boady begins to see the stark lines of race and class that both bind and divide this small town - and he will be forced to choose sides.Trade ReviewPraise for Allen Eskens * - *Elegant but chilly prose, like winter in the blood * New York Times Book Review *A taut, intelligent, heart-ripping story that explores the darkest places in the human psyche -- William Kent KruegerSatisfying in every way. I loved it -- Lee ChildThe tension builds to an all-stops-out finale that works on every level. Thriller fans should keep their eyes on Eskens * Booklist *Gripping...Eskens tells us in an author's note that he started this book in 1991 and kept putting it away, never quite feeling it was ready. He can proudly pronounce it ready now * Minneapolis Star Tribune *

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Book SynopsisGabrielle Levy's The Insomniac Society is the international phenomenon for those having sleepless night's everywhere . . . Five people. One thing in common: none of them can sleep.Claire, who sits awake beside a snoring husband and a little boy who is not hers. Jacques, a psychiatrist at the end of his career whose lonely nights are punctuated only by anonymous phone calls. Michèle, a retiree whose dark secret compels her out of bed and to church. Lena, a young goth who cannot brave the dawn, volunteering at a local café. Hervé, a shy accountant who sits in bed, panicking about his job while scrolling through emails into the early hours. As meetings led by sleep specialist Marie-Hélène draw them together, friendships will be formed and confessions made... but will they discover what's keeping them awake? And more importantly: will they be able to get to sleep?Trade ReviewGabrielle Levy does an admirable job characterising her hodgepodge collection of insomniacs and draws from a varied palette of types, demonstrating how anyone, from any strata of society, can lose their sleep * Buzz Magazine *

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Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE DESMOND ELLIOTT PRIZESHORTLISTED FOR THE BOLLINGER EVERYMAN WODEHOUSE PRIZE'A writer out to do whatever the hell he wants . . . a grisly, gross-out slice of medieval life and death, it's vigorously, writhingly itself, spilling out of any box you put it in' Observer'A dark and bloody tale, well leavened with bone-dry humour, and with a dramatic climax that has about it the flavour of a Jacobean tragedy' Guardian 'Set to become an Irish cult classic' Sunday Business Post'A tremendously engaging and fun read . . . a crazed, quixotic odyssey' Kevin BarryAn ambitious noble and his three serving men travel through the Irish countryside in the stifling summer of 1348, using the advantage of the plague which has collapsed society to buy up large swathes of property and land. They come upon Nobber, a tiny town, whose only living habitants seem to be an egotistical bureaucrat, his volatile wife, a naked blacksmith, and a beautiful Gaelic hostage. Meanwhile, a band of marauding Gaels are roaming around, using the confusion of the sickness to pillage and reclaim lands that once belonged to them. As these groups converge upon the town, the habitants, who up until this point have been under strict curfew, begin to stir from their dwellings, demanding answers from the intruders. A deadly stand-off emerges from which no one will escape unscathed.'Nobber is hallucinatory and sly, conjuring a densely strange and savagely captivating world. There are lots of novels, and there are lots of novels that are all much alike, but there is nothing like Nobber' Colin Barrett'A skilled storyteller with a rich command of language and rare comedic flair' Irish TimesTrade ReviewPlague-ridden, trippy and violent, it's uniquely told and full of startling images * Observer, Books of the Year *The wildest novel I read all year was easily Nobber, an eye-poppingly anarchic tale of greed and gore in a medieval Irish village struck by the Black Death * Daily Mail, Books of the Year *A tremendously engaging and fun read . . . a crazed, quixotic odyssey * Kevin Barry *Nobber is hallucinatory and sly, conjuring a densely strange and savagely captivating world. There are lots of novels, and there are lots of novels that are all much alike, but there is nothing like Nobber * Colin Barrett *Amid a strange, dark tale come glimpses of a striking new talent * The Times *Pestilence, the Black Death and comedy combine to bemusing and occasionally potent effect in this debut novel from the rising star of Oisin Fagan . . . Nobber is a lively and mischievous work that does a wonderful job of painting pictures for us of abject horror and suffering right before turning them over on to their backs to reveal soft comedic underbellies * Irish Independent *Utterly original, yet reminiscent of Flann O'Brien or Eimar O'Duffy. Nobber is the work of a fierce imagination and an even fiercer pen * Meath Chronicle *A writer out to do whatever the hell he wants . . . a grisly, gross-out slice of medieval life and death, it's vigorously, writhingly itself, spilling out of any box you put it in * Observer *All tremendously good fun: if noir whimsy and highfalutin' bawdiness are your thing, you will find a chortle-worthy moment on every couple of pages . . . Fagan is a skilled storyteller with a rich command of language and rare comedic flair * Irish Times *A bloody and brilliant first novel . . . a dark and bloody tale, well leavened with bone-dry humour, and with a dramatic climax that has about it the flavour of a Jacobean tragedy * Guardian, Book of the Day *Fagan's gleefully ornate prose is full of sly jokes and infused with humour that is less black than acid-bright . . . enough energy, absurdist wit and genuine strangeness to carry the reader through until the end of this ambitious, inventive novel * Sunday Times Ireland *Oisin is a true original. Nobber is brilliant, innovative, relevant, zany, and highly readable * Irish Examiner *[This] surreal, plague-ridden tale is set to become an Irish cult classic * Sunday Business Post *Fagan imbues the book with a hallucinatory shimmer, an almost overpowering medieval viscerality beginning at the edge of madness and gleefully pushed ever further. It's a wild ride * Herald *Nobber may well be one of the most original and entertaining Irish novels since The Butcher Boy * Dublin Review of Books *

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Book Synopsis'A sincere, poignant and moving story of a group of teenage girls coming to terms with the world they've inherited' Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones and the SixAn all-girls boarding school in a hilly corner of Connecticut, Atwater is a haven for progressive thinking and feminist intellectuals. The students are smart, driven and worldly; they are also teenagers, learning to find their way. But when they arrive on campus for the start of the fall term, they're confronted with startling news: an Atwater alumna has made a troubling allegation of sexual misconduct against an unidentified teacher. As the weeks wear on and the administration's efforts to manage the ensuing crisis fall short, these extraordinary young women come to realise that the adults in their lives may not be the protectors they previously believed.All Girls unfolds over the course of one tumultuous academic year and is told from the point of view of a small cast of diverse, interconnected characters as they navigate the social mores of prep school life and the broader, more universal challenges of growing up. The trials of adolescent girlhood are pitched against the backdrop of sexual assault, consent, anxiety and the ways that our culture looks to young women as trendsetters, but otherwise silences their voices and discounts their opinions. The story that emerges is a richly detailed, impeccably layered, and emotionally nuanced depiction of what it means to come of age in a female body today.Trade ReviewThe pages turn fast and the girls are complex, compelling and written with incredible tenderness. Layden excels at rendering the everyday details of boarding school life * Kate Elizabeth Russell, New York Times *An exciting, innovative debut from a fresh and assured new voice * Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones and the Six *A shimmering, intelligent portrait of young women on the cusp of adulthood * Therese Anne Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of Z *An engrossing novel from start to finish, with characters who feel as real as your best friends * Carola Lovering, author of Tell Me Lies *All Girls kept me turning pages * Chloe Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Immortalists *Sexual awakening and institutional reckoning intertwine in Emily Layden's rich, kaleidoscopic debut * Elizabeth Ames, author of The Other’s Gold *Incisive, astute . . . Layden succeeds at bringing the effects of an institutional cover-up into sharp relief * Publishers Weekly *An important take on sexuality and #MeToo from the perspective of the young * Library Journal *Astutely captures the claustrophobic and toxic culture of conformity among teenage girls * Observer *Readers will find themselves thinking about the vividly and compassionately rendered characters long after their chapters end . . . Give it to grown-up fans of Gossip Girl and readers of Curtis Sittenfeld and Emma Straub * Booklist *Call it a 21st-century Prep or a Litchfield County Gossip Girl, but don't miss what's sure to become a touchstone among the beloved niche of boarding-school novels * Town & Country *Diving into the unprocessed underworld of adolescence, Layden creates space for a conversation about feminism and the unsung difficulties of surviving in a male-dominated world. Intelligent, evocative, and empathetic * Kirkus *

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Book SynopsisEverybody got a story, everybody got a taleQuestion is: Is it despair or prevail?'Bold, funny and gloriously flawed voices of New York . . . a bravura debut' Observer'Sidik Fofana has an acute ear and a perfect eye' Lorrie Moore, author of Bark'Every once in a while a new writer comes along and refreshes our notions of what fiction can do . . . Buy this book, and prepare to be blasted by the brilliance inside' Ben Fountain, author of Beautiful Country Burn AgainBanneker Terrace on 129th and Fred Doug ain't pretty, but it's home. Home to young and old, folk just trying to get by. Cookouts with beer and wings, summertime with souped-up cars bumpin music. People don't come here for the bad; they came here to make a good life.It is home to Swan down in 6B, reconnecting with his boy Boons, just out of prison. Home to Mimi in 14D, raising Swan's child, doing hair on the side. Home to Quanneisha in 21J, longing to leave but it's where she grew up. Home to Mr Murray in 2E, who has played chess outside on the sidewalk for years. Some of the residents of Banneker have got it together, some can't make rent or pay bills, some are raising kids, some are hustling on the side, all are living.Stories from the Tenants Downstairs expertly showcases the strengths, struggles and hopes of one Harlem community, who are grappling with the effects of gentrification alongside their own personal challenges. It captures the joy and pain of the human experience and heralds the arrival of a uniquely talented writer.Trade ReviewBold, funny and gloriously flawed voices of New York . . . a bravura debut * Observer *Absolutely brilliant . . . tender and tough * Daily Mail *Outstanding . . . [Fofana] masterfully paints a portrait of the people most impacted by gentrification * New York Times Book Review *Ambitiously voiced and inventively structured . . . The sentences are infused with energy and dark humour, heralding an impressive debut voice and a skilful, pleasing collection * Sunday Business Post *Fofana makes us feel viscerally the weight of life's injustice. He doesn't idealize or airbrush his characters, yet he enables us to know their wit, ingenuity, joy, and resilience * Harpers *His characters exude life and the different voices stay with the reader long after the book has been shelved * Boston Globe *Heralds an indelible, inimitable new literary voice . . . full of humanity and humor and hope, full of insight into the plight of people too often pushed to the margins of America-the-dream . . . not only a great joy to read, it's evocative, essential art * Mitchell S. Jackson, author of Survival Math and The Residue Years *Full of tenderness and truth . . . The voices of the residents of Banneker Terrace linger and echo long after the last page. A tremendous debut! * Deesha Philyaw, author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies *Every once in a while a new writer comes along and refreshes our notions of what fiction can do. Sidik Fofana is one of those rare and wonderful writers . . . nothing short of revelatory. Buy this book, and prepare to be blasted by the brilliance inside * Ben Fountain, author of Beautiful Country Burn Again *The book I've been waiting for . . . The author knows this community and its predicaments and has assembled a cast that will break your heart but also at times put your heart back together again. Mr. Fofana has an acute ear and a perfect eye, and he doesn't rush. This is important American art * Lorrie Moore, author of Bark *A huge canvas of life where every detail has been lovingly rendered. Immersive, artful and moving. A wondrous debut * Oisín Fagan, author of Nobber *Stories which are often as funny as they are poignant . . . It's an impressive collection, so confident and assured it's hard to credit that it's Fofana's first * A Life in Books *It impressed not only for its ingenuity, but its tenderness and compassion * Irish Times, Books of the Year *

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Book SynopsisA stunning, apocalyptic standalone sequel to The Stranger.The Terrorist Guy Fowle, known as the Stranger, escapes from prison. A mysterious Russian hacker is murdered in London and his thumb cut off.At the heart of government, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is desperate to keep a secret.It's a puzzle that Jude Lyon of MI6 must solve, and quickly.If he doesn't the world will literally go up in flames.*****'Violent, authentic and alarmingly believable story about modern spying' - Sun'There's a healthy crop of younger spy writers ripening just now, and Simon Conway is among the pick of the bunch' - The Times'A superb writer, with great imagination, inventiveness and the ability to portray events with simplicity and urgency' - Michael Jecks, author of Act of Vengeance'Conway has created, with Jude Lyon, a very modern hero, and one who will run for many more stories, I hope. Basically, if you are going to read any thriller this year, make it this one' - Shots MagazineTrade ReviewGripping political thriller . . . Conway mixes bloody action scenes in Syria with a wider story about loyalty and even love * Financial Time, Best books of 2021: Thrillers *Spy wars -- for real -- by the man who knows * Tom Mangold *A superb writer, with great imagination, inventiveness and the ability to portray events with simplicity and urgency * Michael Jecks, author of Act of Vengeance *Conway has created, with Jude Lyon, a very modern hero, and one who will run for many more stories, I hope. Basically, if you are going to read any thriller this year, make it this one * Shots Magazine *His military background renders the action scenes bloodily and the novel's apocalyptic scenario plausibly * The Times *Violent, authentic and alarmingly believable story about modern spying * the Sun *Brilliantly written, this sequel manages to be even more exciting and nail-bitingly intense than the original * Irish Independent *The most brilliant spy thriller * Charlotte Philby, author of A Double Life *This'll keep readers up all night. It's a hugely entertaining read, featuring the nastiest, most charismatic villain of recent years, and barely pauses for breath throughout * Mick Herron, author of Slough House *The Saboteur takes his storytelling to a new level * Financial Times *A very fast-paced thriller that smoothly moves through one explosive set-up after another. Conway keeps his foot firmly on the accelerator as the body count mounts and the book rockets to the large scale climax * Deadly Pleasures magazine, Best of 2021 *You just know when a book has been penned by a knowledgeable hand . . . this explosive thriller is alarmingly authentic * Scottish Field *This spy thriller had me holding my breath every few pages, desperate to know how things were going to pan out. A perfect festive read for anyone who loves spy novels and pacey thrillers * Dumfries & Galloway Life *

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Book Synopsis'This unsparing debut novel portrays the unromantic side of Cornwall few visitors see and which so many novelists choose to overlook. Charlie Carroll inhabits his damaged heroine completely' Patrick Gale 'A moving and affecting novel about life on the edge, with a very special flavour of wild and rugged Cornwall.' Emma Stonex, author of THE LAMPLIGHTERSAway from the hotels and holiday lets, there is an unseen side of Cornwall, where the shifting uncertainties of the future breed resentment and mistrust. Melody Janie is hidden. She lives alone in a caravan in Bones Break: a small cliff-top on Cornwall's north coast. She spends her time roaming her territory, spying on passing tourists and ramblers, and remembering. She sees everything and yet remains unseen. However, when a stranger enters her life, she is forced to confront not only him but the terrible tragedies of her past. The Lip is a novel about childhood, isolation and mental health, told in the unique and unforgettable voice of Melody Janie. 'All of this is Bones Break. All of this is mine. I know every inch of it; I know it as intimately as the seagulls. I stand at dead-centre, my feet teetering on the edge of the lip. Below, the thundering tattoo of waves on rock. Wind catches the tips of my hair, lifting them above my ribs: less force than it takes to knock me down; enough to make me right myself with a step to the left, and then another back again. Here on the lip, it is vital to know where my feet are.'Trade ReviewThis unsparing debut novel portrays the unromantic side of Cornwall few visitors see and which so many novelists choose to overlook. Charlie Carroll inhabits his damaged heroine so completely, and with so little trace of first-novel-ego that I can't wait to see what he writes next; I suspect his publishers have backed a winner. * Patrick Gale *Atmospheric, haunting writing, a heroine you instantly love. * Ilona Bannister, author of When I Ran Away *Viscerally described... I'm still thinking about it. * The Daily Mail *[Melody Janie's] life weaves intimately close to this place, vesting a lyrical magic over these weather-beaten landscapes. * The Telegraph *A novel as much about isolation as it is grief, mental health and enforced change, it builds to a moving conclusion with a mighty twist. With The Lip now added to his repertoire, Carroll is proving to be very much like a modern-day Orwell, with social awareness and humanity at the core of what he writes. * Buzz Magazine *A moving and affecting novel about life on the edge, with a very special flavour of wild and rugged Cornwall. * Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters *Beautiful. . . the last time I read a book that affected me as much as this one it was The Loney. * The Bookbag *Beautifully complex, heartbreaking and atmospheric. I was completely immersed in Melody Janie's world and really 'got' the possessive charge of her land and the past that she was trying so desperately to save. Fabulous read. * LV Matthews, author of The Prank *Redeeming and beautiful and full of brave characters and heart. . . I bloody loved it. The story grew roots that went far deeper than I expected. I found myself racing to the climax and it was executed perfectly. A triumph.' * Ericka Waller, author of Dog Days *Really enjoyed the story of Melody Janie, a young Cornish woman struggling to come to terms with a recent bereavement in an environment which, although wild and beautiful, only echoes her grief and isolation. . . I loved The Lip and particularly the mental health story line which is such an important one. Brilliantly written, too.' * Mary Karras, author of The Making of Mrs Petrakis * A moving meditation on making judgements, on place, home and independence. * Zoe Somerville, author of The Night of the Flood *I loved this story of Melody Janie, and her life lived on the very edge. The sense of connection after disconnection is so movingly and subtly evoked, as we see distrust and fear turning, eventually, to understanding and tenderness. The Lip is a stirring reminder that each of us has the capacity to make a big difference in small ways. Throughout, the Cornish coast is powerfully conjured, as beautiful as it is brutal, and perfectly in keeping with a story that manages to be both uplifting and uncompromising. * Emylia Hall, author of The Book of Summers *A powerful story, poignant, and beautifully told. Melody Janie's past and present come alive in a voice that moved me and will stay with me for a long time. * Matson Taylor, author of The Miseducation of Evie Epworth *

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Book SynopsisA storm. A disappearance. A race against time . . .Mustique is in a state of breathless calm as tropical storm Cristobal edges towards it across the Atlantic. Most villa owners have escaped the island but a few young socialites remain, unwilling to let summer's partying end. American heiress Amanda Fortini is one such thrill-seeker - until she heads out for a morning swim and doesn't return.Detective Sergeant Solomon Nile is just 28 years old and the island's only fully trained police officer. He quickly realises he needs to contact Lord and Lady Blake, who bought the island decades ago and have invested time, money and love creating a paradise. Jasper is in St Lucia designing a new village of luxury villas but Lady Veronica (Vee to her friends) catches a plane immediately. Her beloved god-daughter, Lily, is on the island and this disappearance has alarming echoes of what happened to Lily's mother many years ago. Lady Vee would never desert a friend in need, and she can keep a cool head in a crisis.When Amanda's body is found, a murder investigation begins. Nile knows the killer must be an islander because flights and ferry crossings have stopped due to the storm warning, but the local community isn't co-operating. And then the storm hits, and someone else disappears . . .Trade ReviewDazzling . . . full of glamour, intrigue and gossip * Telegraph Magazine *Packed with glamorous detail, the novel gives a sense of behind-the-scenes familiarity with the playground of the rich and famous . . . along with fascinating hints of the more troubled side of paradise * Daily Mail *Anne Glenconner's memoir Lady In Waiting, which recalled her long friendship with Princess Margaret, was a runaway bestseller last year. This polished thriller evokes the same gilded world . . . A well-plotted thriller that unfolds at a clip . . . it's sure to find readers among fans of Lady In Waiting * Daily Express *What makes this vicarious Caribbean holiday worth taking is the pleasure of our hostess's company - the book is suffused not just with mere charm, but with the author's genuine, and genuinely attractive, personality * Sunday Telegraph *Like slipping into a bath after a long, cold day * i paper, Best books for Christmas 2020 *captures the outrageous lifestyle of its wealthy and privileged denizens . . . huge fun from start to finish * Irish Independent *A tropical whodunnit and a race against time * Woman *A tantalising fact-and-fiction mix * Daily Express *Lady Vee combines high-octane charm with redoubtable forensic skills. * Daily Mail *

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A storm. A disappearance. A race against time . . .Mustique is in a state of breathless calm as tropical storm Cristobal edges towards it across the Atlantic. Most villa owners have escaped the island but a few young socialites remain, unwilling to let summer's partying end. American heiress Amanda Fortini is one such thrill-seeker - until she heads out for a morning swim and doesn't return. Detective Sergeant Solomon Nile is just 28 years old and the island's only fully trained police officer. He quickly realises he needs to contact Lord and Lady Blake, who bought the island decades ago and have invested time, money and love creating a paradise. Jasper is in St Lucia designing a new village of luxury villas but Lady Veronica (Vee to her friends) catches a plane immediately. Her beloved god-daughter, Lily, is on the island and this disappearance has alarming echoes of what happened to Lily's mother many years ago. Lady Vee would never desert a friend in need, and she can keep a cool head in a crisis. When Amanda's body is found, a murder investigation begins. Nile knows the killer must be an islander because flights and ferry crossings have stopped due to the storm warning, but the local community isn't co-operating. And then the storm hits, and someone else disappears . . .

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Book SynopsisThe thrilling new novel from the acclaimed author of Murder on Mustique, based on the childhood described in her international bestseller Lady in Waiting.January 1950. Lady Anne Coke, daughter of the 5th Earl of Leicester, is in Scunthorpe on a business trip when she is called home after a sudden death in the family. She returns to Holkham Hall to discover a mystery: her beloved grandfather has been found dead at the bottom of a flight of stairs with a valuable piece of jewellery in his pocket. No one can find a cause of death, and some even suspect foul play from the ghost who supposedly haunts the house. But Anne's suspicions are aroused; she grew close to her grandfather when they lived together during the war and she is determined to discover the truth.During World War II, Holkham Hall was an army base with large sections out of bounds, and 11-year-old Anne was in the care of a new governess, whom she hated and believed to be deceitful. Although she had been told to stay away from certain parts of the house, Anne used the secret passageways and the cellars to move around unnoticed. And something she saw then could unlock the mystery of her grandfather's death now ...Full of rich historical detail, this is a gripping novel of wartime secrets, intrigue and deceit.Trade Review[A] winning, well-plotted read . . . the mystery's denouement at the dance makes a glamorous and dramatic conclusion -- Wendy Holden * Daily Mail *A breezily entertaining read from the author of Lady In Waiting, with clever plotting and a beautiful setting * Daily Mirror *Stirring story of wartime secrets and intrigue * Best *Delightfully intriguing * Peterborough Telegraph *Thrilling . . . The atmosphere is perfect, the anxieties and fears of the young Anne are particularly realistic, and the mystery is the perfect riddle. This is a superb story, told with verve and love. Lady Anne Glenconner seems to have been born to write, and one wonders why she came to it so late in life . . . Hats off to Lady Anne for producing such a brilliant story! * Books-Monthly.co.uk *Lady Glenconner's intimate knowledge of Holkham shines through . . . an enjoyable winter read to be savoured over the upcoming holiday season * The Wee Review *It is the picture of life at Holkham and the training of an aristocrat to take on anything that may be thrown at her that makes this novel stand out * Literary Review *The story's main hero is the magnificent house of the title . . . it will certainly give pleasure to many readers * Spectator *Lady Anne Glenconner - who turns 90 in July - is remarkable . . . This, her second mystery, takes place in the grand house and estate where she grew up . . . As light as a soufflé but just as delicious * Irish Independent *A truly great read with a brilliant twist at the end * Yours *

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Book SynopsisSHE CAME TO STAY is the stunning debut novel from the author of THE UNSPEAKABLE ACTS OF ZINA PAVLOU, now a feature title on BBC2's Between the Covers, and also named one of Woman & Home's Best Historical Fiction Reads of 2020.'Secrets and lies, poverty and elegance, old loyalties and new friendships all combine to make Eleni Kyriacou's debut novel a compelling page-turner' - Fiona Valpy, bestselling author of The Dressmaker's GiftIn a city of strangers, who can you trust?London, 1952. Dina Demetriou has travelled from Cyprus for a better life. She's certain that excitement, adventure and opportunity are out there, waiting - if only she knew where to look.Her passion for clothes and flair for sewing land her a job repairing the glittering costumes at the notorious Pelican Revue. It's here that she befriends the mysterious and beautiful Bebba.With her bleached-blonde hair and an appetite for mischief, Bebba is like no Greek Dina has ever met before. She guides Dina around the fashionable shops, bars and clubs of Soho, and Dina finally feels life has begun.But Bebba has a secret. And as thick smog brings the city to a standstill, the truth emerges with devastating results. Dina's new life now hangs by a thread. What will be left when the fog finally clears? And will Dina be willing to risk everything to protect her future?Further praise for SHE CAME TO STAY:'An atmospheric page-turner perfectly set in the smoke and glitter of a vanished world . . . gripping' - Erin Kelly, bestselling author of He Said/She Said'Compelling and beautifully observed. Kyriacou brilliantly evokes the violence and the grime beneath the sequins and surface glamour of 1950s Soho' - Rachel Rhys, bestselling author of Dangerous Crossing 'I absolutely loved it. A gripping, enthralling story . . . I was completely engrossed' - Laura Marshall, bestselling author of Friend Request 'An absorbing story of friendship, betrayal and resilience' - Sarah Maine, bestselling author of Beyond the Wild River 'A gripping, evocative story . . . well researched and utterly convincing. A real gem of a book' - Gill Paul, bestselling author of The Lost Daughter'An evocative page-turner full of memorable characters. A wonderful debut' - Jenny Quintana, author of The Missing GirlReaders are loving SHE CAME TO STAY!'I can highly recommend this book. You will be hooked from start to finish.' 5 STARS'A cracking storyline packed with secrets, as well as unexpected twists and turns make this, cliche or no, a proper page-turner.' 5 STARS'A brilliant read.' 5 STARS'The plot moves quickly and is gripping. I didn't want to put the book down but then was sorry to leave the characters and their London haunts behind when I got to the end.' 5 STARS'A really enjoyable read.' 5 STARSTrade ReviewShe Came To Stay is a gripping story about friendship, family and the meaning of home. An atmospheric page-turner perfectly set in the smoke and glitter of a vanished world. -- Erin KellySet in the dazzling world of 1950s Soho, She Came to Stay is an evocative page-turner full of memorable characters who stayed inside my head long after I had finished reading. Eleni Kyriacou has written a wonderful debut -- Jenny Quintana, author of The Missing GirlSecrets and lies, poverty and elegance, old loyalties and new friendships all combine to make Eleni Kyriacou's debut novel a compelling page-turner, following Dina as she struggles to escape her past in rural Cyprus and make a better life for herself in 1950s Soho. * Fiona Valpy, bestselling author of The Dressmaker's Gift *Compelling and beautifully observed. Kyriacou brilliantly evokes the violence and the grime beneath the sequins and surface glamour of 1950s Soho * Rachel Rhys, bestselling author of Dangerous Crossing *An absorbing story of friendship, betrayal and resilience amongst the immigrant community where the struggle for survival brings out the best - and the worst - in characters who choose conflicting, often dangerous, ways to get ahead in a post war London. * Sarah Maine, bestselling author of Beyond the Wild River *I absolutely loved it - a gripping, enthralling story with characters I loved (and hated!), and so atmospheric, I was completely engrossed in the world of 1950s SohoA gripping, evocative story of the dangers facing a young Cypriot girl in 1950s Soho. Even breathing the air is a risk as the great smog descends. The descriptions of the louche world of cafés and strip clubs are well researched and utterly convincing. It's a real gem of a book. * Gill Paul, bestselling author of The Lost Daughter *An intriguing tale that is supported by wonderful characterisation * Woman's Own *

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Book Synopsis'Exquisite'New York Times'A superb family drama'Daily Mail'A searingly intelligent writer' Jennifer Egan'A twist of eerie magic'Tessa Hadley'A singular, extraordinary delight' Claire Lombardo'Every novel of Margot Livesey's is a joyous discovery'Alice Sebold'A tender, deeply humane exploration of what it means to hold another's heart in yours with tenderness and mercy'Elizabeth WetmoreOne September afternoon in 1999, teenagers Matthew, Zoe, and Duncan Lang are walking home from school when they discover a boy lying in a field, bloody and unconscious. Thanks to their intervention, the boy's life is saved. In the aftermath, all three siblings are irrevocably changed.Matthew, the oldest, becomes obsessed with tracking down the assailant, secretly searching the local town with the victim's brother. Zoe wanders the streets of Oxford, looking at men, and one of them, a visiting American graduate student, looks back. Duncan, the youngest, who has seldom thought about being adopted, suddenly decides he wants to find his birth mother. Overshadowing all three is the awareness that something is amiss in their parents' marriage.Over the course of the autumn, as each of the siblings confronts the complications and contradictions of their approaching adulthood, they find themselves at once drawn together and driven apart.A New York Times Notable Book of the Year and Daily Mail and O Magazine Book of the year.Trade ReviewThis is the kind of book you ration yourself reading because you don't want to get to the end. A gripping, beautifully written novel showing the light and shade of modern family life * Daily Mail *Written in elegant, spare prose, this story flies swiftly forward from the transfixing opening pages. A charming, complicated family dynamic, a twist of eerie magic -- Tessa HadleyExquisite . . . Livesey's writing is quiet, observant and beautifully efficient * New York Times *A superb family drama -- Wendy Holden * Daily Mail, Best Books of 2020 *I loved every single sentence of The Boy in the Field. This novel is so intricately woven, its world so vibrantly built, its characters so beautifully and empathically wrought. To experience the world as rendered by Margot Livesey is a singular, extraordinary delight. -- Claire Lombardo, author of THE MOST FUN WE EVER HADElegant writing, intriguing and subtle -- Lucy AtkinsLuminous... Livesey's language is crystalline-clear and immersive, replete with vibrant imagery... Full of kindness * Boston Globe *How lucky the world is that Margot Livesey has turned her usual keen and sympathetic writer's eye to the Lang children - Duncan, Zoe, and Matthew- as they struggle to make sense of a terrible crime and the sensitive, mysterious young victim who suffers in the aftermath. From its taut and frightening opening chapter to its final, mournful pages, The Boy in the Field is a tender, deeply humane exploration of family, philosophy, and what it means to grow up, to keep secrets, to care for one another, and most importantly, what it means to hold another's heart in yours, always, with tenderness and mercy -- Elizabeth Wetmore, author of VALENTINEFamily bonds are fraught, fragile, yet ultimately enduring in Livesey's nuanced account of the siblings' separate but conjoined odysseys . . . Livesey demonstrates . . . respect for the mysteries of the human heart . . . Quietly yet powerfully affecting. * Kirkus (starred) *Every character rings true; every observation and reaction feels real. Braiding three separate views of the same incident, Livesey weaves a masterful tapestry of emotion and action focused on the indelible impact of random events * Booklist (starred review) *Livesey deftly portrays the rich inner lives of adolescents . . . [she] does well by her teenage protagonists while offering a vivid portrait of life among intellectuals in an Oxford-vicinity village. * Library Journal *Margot Livesey has the unique ability to find the hidden darkness beneath the surface of our lives, no matter how deeply buried. A deceptively simple story that explores the aftermath of a moment of violence, The Boy in the Field amazed me with its insight, and the subtlety of Livesey's beautiful, almost dreamlike prose. -- Kevin Wilson, author of NOTHING TO SEE HEREFilled with detailed observation and a precisely delineated plot, The Boy in the Field will please readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories written with psychological precision and empathy. * BookPage *A stunning novel of tenderness, interconnectedness, cause and effect . . . this brilliant novel offers a sense of beauty and safety in its quiet ruminations * Shelf Awareness *Margot Livesey is a searingly intelligent writer at the height of her powers. -- Jennifer EganEvery novel of Margot Livesey's is, for her readers, a joyous discovery. Her work radiates with compassion and intelligence and always, deliciously, mystery -- Alice Sebold, author of THE LOVELY BONESMargot Livesey should be better known . . . [She] writes as well as anyone and is clearly steeped in the literary canon . . . She's a patient builder of complex characters who are often brought face to face with uncomfortable truths about themselves. -- Mark Kamine * Wall Street Journal *Livesey knows her way around human desire and disappointment. * New York Times *MERCURY explores that thrilling, terrifying moment when grief turns blind, when passion becomes obsession. As always, Livesey tells her tale masterfully, with intelligence, tenderness and a shrewd understanding of all our mercurial human impulses. -- Lily King on MERCURYConsuming . . . Explores themes of honesty and understanding by showing the impact that obsessions - grief, rapacity - can have on a marriage * New Yorker on MERCURY *

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Book Synopsis'[A] masterly novel' - The Sunday Times'Strong echoes of George Smiley' - Financial Times'A novel of real quality. Top brass' - The Times Thriller of the Month*****Beware of Russians bearing gifts.Defectors are not always welcome.Is the information they bring worth the cost of protecting them for the rest of their lives? Is it even genuine? Might they be double agents? These are some of the questions facing MI6 when a Russian agent hands himself in to them in Denmark.As a team begins to assess his value, his former employers in the Kremlin develop a brutal plan to show that no defector will ever be safe.And they know where to find him. Which means there must be a mole in MI6.So it is that the cavaliers of Six find themselves being interrogated by nondescript Jonas Merrick of Five - the man called back from retirement and his beloved caravan, the man the young guns call the Eternal Flame because 'he never goes out.'But while he may be grey, Jonas is also ruthless. As he quietly works through the suspects in London, and violent mayhem breaks out in Denmark, Jonas plans not just to unmask a traitor, but to hit back at the Russians with deadly force.First encountered in The Crocodile Hunter, Jonas Merrick is set to become one of the great figures of modern spy fiction.*****Readers love THE FOOT SOLDIERS:'I was completely gripped by the plot and interdepartmental jealousies and rivalries. I couldn't put it down!'*****'A book that fans of the George Smiley series will love' *****'A brilliant, suspenseful and contemporary thriller . . . A wonderfully complex and unputdownable tale of defectors, traitors, internal politics . . . and assassination'*****'Seymour continues to carry the flame for the espionage genre, and his sublime creation, Jonas Merrick, a 21st-century George Smiley . . . is slowly but surely becoming a classic literary creation'****Trade ReviewA cleverly nuanced climax in which tables are unexpectedly turned more than once . . . marks this as a novel of real quality. Top brass * The Times *Seymour's finger is always on the current socio-political pulse, and the new book is a welcome return for his curmudgeonly MI5 man Jonas Merrick * i news *This is multi-layered spy-fi at its best, with Seymour showing that even after thirty-seven novels he has lost none of his talent for thrilling plots and creating credible and sympathetic characters, nor his journalist's eye for modern espionage tradecraft and techniques * Shots Magazine *Supreme spy writer * Peterborough Telegraph *If le Carré had written about spies on the front line . . . Seymour makes more than le Carré of treachery's potential impact on frontline personnel. [A] masterly novel * The Sunday Times *There are strong echoes of George Smiley in Merrick's mild and unprepossessing manner, which disguises a razor-sharp brain and considerable courage when necessary * Financial Times *Praise for Gerald Seymour:-He has never lost his journalist's eye for the stories behind the news * The Sunday Times on The Crocodile Hunter *Compelling novel . . . Seymour's feel for the Kent landscape and his realisation of minor characters, such as Cameron's heart-hardened mother, are almost Dickensian * The Times on The Crocodile Hunter *Ask aficionados who is Britain's finest thriller writer, and many would answer the veteran Gerald Seymour * Guardian on Beyond Recall *The three British masters of suspense, Graham Greene, Eric Ambler, and John le Carre, have been joined by a fourth - Gerald Seymour * New York Times on The Outsiders *Seymour produces the most intelligent writing in the thriller genre * Financial Times on Beyond Recall *Britain's finest thriller novelist is still the veteran Gerald Seymour, whose touch remains sure * i Paper on A Damned Serious Business *

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Book SynopsisAS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4'S BOOK AT BEDTIMEWINNER OF THE FICTION PRIZE AT THE EAST ANGLIAN BOOK AWARDS 2021'A poignant and page turning apocalyptic tale of the foibles, strengths and hopes of humanity. I was gripped, both terrified and emotional throughout and I loved every minute of it.' SIMON SAVIDGE'An immersive end of the world story full of hope and imagination' THE GUARDIAN'A terrific debut. Brave, unexpected... transfixing and captivating... full of hope, resilience and love' THE SUNDAY TIMES'Holds the big within the small, the intimate within the epic' - Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies'A captivating read' THE SUN'GORGEOUS and original and captivating' - Marian Keyes, international bestselling author of Grown Ups'A captivating read... (a) beautiful, surprising novel' FABULOUS 'A novel that has stayed with me for weeks afterwards . . . Perceptive and unflinching' - Jessie Burton, author of The Miniaturist'A quiet, piercing contemplation on what really matters when it comes to the end of the world. Strange and beautiful' - Abigail Dean, author of Girl A'Beautiful and harrowing but also optimistic and extremely moving . . . a truly arresting depiction of an unlikely relationship' - Clover Stroud, author of The Wild Other'I didn't want this book to end. It blew me away, and moved me beyond belief' - Bryony Gordon, author of Mad GirlHER WORLD FELL TO PIECES.FROM THE BONES SHE BUILT A NEW LIFE.Ruth lives in the heart of the city. Working, drinking, falling in love: the rhythm of her vivid and complicated life is set against a background hum of darkening news reports from which she deliberately turns away. When a new romance becomes claustrophobic, Ruth chooses to leave behind the failing relationship, but also her beloved friends and family, and travels to the other side of the world in pursuit of her dream life working with whales in New Zealand. But when Ruth arrives, the news cycle she has been ignoring for so long is now the new reality. Far from home and with no real hope of survival, she finds herself climbing into the mouth of a beached whale alongside a stranger. When she emerges, it is to a landscape that bears no relation to the world they knew before. When all has been razed to the ground, what does it mean to build a life? The Stranding is a story about the hope that can remain even when the world is changed beyond recognition.Trade ReviewIt's GORGEOUS and original and captivating . . . Beautiful writing and characters I cared for as if they were my own family * Marian Keyes, international bestselling author of Grown Ups *Brilliant and original, THE STRANDING illuminates the beauty and fragility of humanity with a story so immersive and tender; I was surprised to find myself still in familiar surroundings when I surfaced from it. Kate Sawyer masterfully weaves a gripping narrative between a world disappeared and a world that must begin anew in this ultimately hopeful tale of love, loss and survival in the face of overwhelming odds. With characters you'll be thinking about long after the end, THE STRANDING is an absolute must read! Get one for yourself and one for a friend * Buki Papillon, author of An Ordinary Wonder *The Stranding is the perfect book, both intellectually stimulating and a page-turner. Kate Sawyer's writing awakened all of my senses, transported me into other worlds. I could not put it down * Olia Hercules, author of Summer Kitchens *What a fabulous piece of storytelling. So original and compelling and Kate Sawyer writes like a dream * Julie Owen Moylan, author *The Stranding is a breathtaking book about relationships, love and human resilience at the end of the world; it's beautifully written and I know I'll be thinking about it for a very long time! * Lex Croucher, author of Reputation *Powerful, atmospheric and utterly transfixing * Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne *An extremely powerful, bold but unassuming book about connection, the planet, sexuality and family * Alice Ash, author of Paradise Block *Sensitive, gripping, thought-provoking and edifying, THE STRANDING is a book of our times, and reminds us that no life lives forever; how precious our moments are * Laura Carlin, author of The Wicked Cometh and Requiem for a Knave *A beautiful, heart-wrenching, moving novel. The depth of love, passion and authentic feeling amongst the backdrop of a bleak post-apocalyptic world is quite extraordinary * Susannah Wise, author of This Fragile Earth *The Stranding is an original, compelling and brilliantly written story. I loved the dual timelines of 'before' and 'after' and could not put it down. It's a thought-provoking and timely read, about hope, survival and the human spirit * Aliya Ali-Afzal, author of Would I Lie To You *A truly unique and gripping read * Marianne Cronin, author The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot *It is extraordinary, and quietly revolutionary, for a novel centred around the end of the world to feel so affirming, so luminous, so hopeful. In both the Before and After times, Ruth's seeking of what it is that matters is moving, complex, and vividly drawn. I've not stopped thinking about The Stranding since I put it down * Kate Young, author of The Little Library Cookbook *Kate Sawyer has created a dystopia so unerringly familiar that it can make you laugh and shiver simultaneously. Sensual and hopeful, this is a pacey and surprisingly relatable read * Gemma Reeves, author of Victoria Park *Post-apocalyptic fiction that's beautiful, moving and strangely uplifting * Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man *Haunting and hopeful. Eerie and evocative * Jacqueline Bublitz, author of Before You Knew My Name *A tender, affirming, luminous debut * Melinda Salisbury, author of Hold Back the Tide *A beautiful exploration of motherhood, stripped back to its barest, most fragile bones * Polly Crosby, author of THE ILLUSTRATED CHILD *I didn't want this book to end. It blew me away, and moved me beyond belief. I want to read it again and again and again * Bryony Gordon, author of Mad Girl *A stunning, unforgettable novel that I can't stop thinking about. A truly brilliant debut * Katherine Webber, author of Only Love Can Break Your Heart *This book is quite devastating but still left me with a gorgeous feeling of hope. The perfect blend of love, life and apocalypse * Emer McLysaght, author Oh My God, What A Complete Aisling *Original, visceral, rich with themes of refuge and redemption, it's a beautifully imagined story about the hiding places in our hearts and minds * Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters. *The Stranding is a soaring, lyrical and contemplative vision of the end of humanity. A beautiful story about learning to love yourself and others, and of experiencing the end of the world at the ends of the earth * Bethany Clift, author of Last One At The Party *Beautiful and harrowing but also optimistic and extremely moving . . . a truly arresting depiction of an unlikely relationship * Clover Stroud, author of The Wild Other *Wholly original, haunting and beautiful, this is a novel about life and survival, death and grief plus everything in between * Neema Shah, author of Kololo Hill *This book absolutely captivated me. Ruth's story is full of love and hope, but is also brutally honest about mistakes, regrets and missteps, and how they impact our lives. The Stranding felt completely real, while being almost unimaginable. A unique, imaginative story that's brilliantly told. And a book that will stay with me for a very long time. * Jamie Fewery, author of Our Life in a Day *A quiet, piercing contemplation on what really matters when it comes to the end of the world. Strange and beautiful * Abigail Dean, author of Girl A *Kate Sawyer brings her settings to life - both the Before and After - with vivid detail. Peopled with characters that challenge stereotypes and linger in the mind long after reading, this is a moving story of love, loss and, despite all, hope. I loved it * Elizabeth Lee author of Cunning Women *Beautifully written, it's truly something special * Stylist *Incredibly moving, totally gripping and (considering it's about the end of the world and living in a dead whale) strangely relatable * Ellie Taylor, author of My Child and Other Mistakes *A truly original and moving debut * Charlotte Northedge, author of The House Guest *An exceptional debut * Yorkshire Times *A terrific debut. Brave, unexpected . . . transfixing and captivation . . . full of hope, resilience and love * The Sunday Times *A captivating read . . . [a] beautiful, surprising novel * Fabulous Magazine *Captivating and strangely hopeful * Waitrose Weekend Magazine *A captivating read * Sun *A compelling tale of what it means to be alive. It breaks your heart while filling it with hope. Kate's writing is beautiful * Grazia’s Book Club *Sawyer's debut is an assured and intriguing character drama * SFX *Sawyer has done an especially brilliant job . . . a spellbinding fantasy of trading past mistakes for a clean start * Daily Mirror *

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Book SynopsisTHE THIRD NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BURNING MEN AND THE KILLING CHOICE, FEATURING DI ALEX FIN AND DCI MATTIE PAULSENTHE THIRD NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BURNING MEN AND THE KILLING CHOICE, FEATURING DI ALEX FIN AND DCI MATTIE PAULSENSadie Nicholls has been found dead, brutally and strangely murdered, in her South East London flat. Her little boy is missing.DI Alex Finn and DC Mattie Paulsen know that, in the case of a missing child, it's the first 24 hours that count. They don't have many left to find out where Sadie's son might be and the identity of her killer. Why would anyone want a struggling single mother, loved by many, dead?But when they realise a similar crime was committed at the same house nearly 20 years ago, a question is on everyone's lips: is this more than just a coincidence?This is third in Will Shindler's Finn and Paulsen series - a British detective series that ranks with Mark Billingham, M.J. Arlidge and Stuart MacBride.PRAISE FOR THE DI ALEX FINN AND DC MATTIE PAULSEN SERIES'Arresting ... an unusual novel with a rising sense of menace' The Sunday Times'Warm and dealing with recognisable emotions, this is the best kind of police procedural' Literary Review'An outstanding page-turner' Robin Morgan-Bentley, author of The Wreckage'A gripping debut with well-rounded characters and an intriguing plot. You won't want it to end' Heat'The explosive opening hooked me straight in . . . With a cast of credible characters, a twisting plotline and some ingenious twists, the book develops at a cracking pace' Lesley Sanderson, author of The Orchid GirlsTrade ReviewPraise for the DI Alex Finn series * : *Arresting ... an unusual novel with a rising sense of menace * The Sunday Times *Well-rounded characters and an intriguing plot. You won't want it to end * Heat *The pace is good and Finn is a great character. There is also an excellently portrayed organised crime boss * Literary Review *Praise for The Hunting Ground: * - *I thoroughly enjoyed this - expertly paced and meticulously planned, with sharp twists and turns all the way through. It's loaded with sub-plots, blind alleys and dark secrets, all leading to a satisfying grim finale * Ben Creed *A complex and riveting storyline with an intriguing cast of characters * Rachel Abbott *A clever thriller with characters you don't want to leave behind * Lesley Sanderson *[Shindler's] third book proves he'll be a long-term bestseller. It's a crime cracker! * Peterborough Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisTHE THIRD NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BURNING MEN AND THE KILLING CHOICE, FEATURING DI ALEX FIN AND DCI MATTIE PAULSENSadie Nicholls has been found dead, brutally and strangely murdered, in her South East London flat. Her little boy is missing.DI Alex Finn and DC Mattie Paulsen know that, in the case of a missing child, it's the first 24 hours that count. They don't have many left to find out where Sadie's son might be and the identity of her killer. Why would anyone want a struggling single mother, loved by many, dead?But when they realise a similar crime was committed at the same house nearly 20 years ago, a question is on everyone's lips: is this more than just a coincidence?This is third in Will Shindler's Finn and Paulsen series - a British detective series that ranks with Mark Billingham, M.J. Arlidge and Stuart MacBride.PRAISE FOR THE DI ALEX FINN AND DC MATTIE PAULSEN SERIES'Arresting ... an unusual novel with a rising sense of menace' The Sunday Times'Warm and dealing with recognisable emotions, this is the best kind of police procedural' Literary Review'An outstanding page-turner' Robin Morgan-Bentley, author of The Wreckage'A gripping debut with well-rounded characters and an intriguing plot. You won't want it to end' Heat'The explosive opening hooked me straight in . . . With a cast of credible characters, a twisting plotline and some ingenious twists, the book develops at a cracking pace' Lesley Sanderson, author of The Orchid GirlsTrade ReviewPraise for the DI Alex Finn series * : *Arresting ... an unusual novel with a rising sense of menace * The Sunday Times *Well-rounded characters and an intriguing plot. You won't want it to end * Heat *The pace is good and Finn is a great character. There is also an excellently portrayed organised crime boss * Literary Review *Praise for The Hunting Ground: * - *I thoroughly enjoyed this - expertly paced and meticulously planned, with sharp twists and turns all the way through. It's loaded with sub-plots, blind alleys and dark secrets, all leading to a satisfying grim finale * Ben Creed *A complex and riveting storyline with an intriguing cast of characters * Rachel Abbott *A clever thriller with characters you don't want to leave behind * Lesley Sanderson *[Shindler's] third book proves he'll be a long-term bestseller. It's a crime cracker! * Peterborough Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE FICTION PRIZE AT THE EAST ANGLIAN BOOK AWARDS 'Captivating and unique' THE STYLIST 'A terrific debut. Brave, unexpected... transfixing and captivating... full of hope, resilience and love.' THE SUNDAY TIMES"Holds the big within the small, the intimate within the epic" - Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies'A captivating read' THE SUN'GORGEOUS and original and captivating' - Marian Keyes, international bestselling author of Grown Ups'A story that is powerfully familiar and yet utterly original.' - Afua Hirsch'A captivating read... (a) beautiful, surprising novel' FABULOUS 'A novel that has stayed with me for weeks afterwards . . . Perceptive and unflinching' - Jessie Burton, author of The Miniaturist'A quiet, piercing contemplation on what really matters when it comes to the end of the world. Strange and beautiful' - Abigail Dean, author of Girl A'Beautiful and harrowing but also optimistic and extremely moving . . . a truly arresting depiction of an unlikely relationship' - Clover Stroud, author of The Wild Other'I didn't want this book to end. It blew me away, and moved me beyond belief' - Bryony Gordon, author of Mad GirlEVERY ENDINGIS A NEW BEGINNING.Ruth is ignoring the news. Like most people, she has relationship problems, job stress, friends and family who need her. Ruth has a life.But the news is about to catch up with Ruth, and her problems are going to be swept away...along with the rest of the world.Only when the comforts and complications of her old existence are gone, does Ruth finally realise how she might be able to live to the fullest.Trade ReviewIt's GORGEOUS and original and captivating . . . Beautiful writing and characters I cared for as if they were my own family * Marian Keyes, international bestselling author of Grown Ups *The Stranding is a breathtaking book about relationships, love and human resilience at the end of the world; it's beautifully written and I know I'll be thinking about it for a very long time! * Lex Croucher, author of Reputation *Powerful, atmospheric and utterly transfixing * Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne *The Stranding is an original, compelling and brilliantly written story. I loved the dual timelines of 'before' and 'after' and could not put it down. It's a thought-provoking and timely read, about hope, survival and the human spirit * Aliya Ali-Afzal, author of Would I Lie To You *I didn't want this book to end. It blew me away, and moved me beyond belief. I want to read it again and again and again * Bryony Gordon, author of Mad Girl *Original, visceral, rich with themes of refuge and redemption, it's a beautifully imagined story about the hiding places in our hearts and minds * Emma Stonex, author of The Lamplighters. *Beautiful and harrowing but also optimistic and extremely moving . . . a truly arresting depiction of an unlikely relationship * Clover Stroud, author of The Wild Other *A quiet, piercing contemplation on what really matters when it comes to the end of the world. Strange and beautiful * Abigail Dean, author of Girl A *Beautifully written, it's truly something special * Stylist *A terrific debut. Brave, unexpected . . . transfixing and captivation . . . full of hope, resilience and love * The Sunday Times *

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Book Synopsis*DON'T MISS RACHELLE ATALLA'S NEW THRILLING BOOK THIRSTY ANIMALS - OUT NOW****SHORTLISTED FOR THE SCOTTISH FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR***'Rachelle Atalla nails the claustrophobic atmosphere and brings this world to life convincingly in her impressive debut' THE SUNDAY TIMES, PAPERBACK OF THE WEEK'This horrendously claustrophobic, utterly absorbing debut. The fiercely controlled narrative beautifully translates the horrendous grip of dismal routines and tiny, stolen pleasures' DAILY MAIL'There are shades of George Orwell in this stunning writing debut, but Rachelle Atalla's voice is highly original. And wholly her own' THE HERALD'A compulsive, claustrophobic but wonderfully compassionate read, beautifully written and set within a brilliantly realised world. Rachelle Atalla is a major talent and I can't wait to see where her mind goes next' KIRSTIN INNES, AUTHOR OF SCABBY QUEEN'Atalla's speculative literary thriller debut draws you in with its mounting sense of tension, disquiet and desperation' CULTUREFLYTHE BUNKER IS DESIGNED TO KEEP THEM ALL SAFE.In the end, very few people made it to the bunker. Now they wait there for the outside world to heal. Wolfe is one of the lucky ones. She's safe and employed as the bunker's pharmacist, doling out medicine under the watchful eye of their increasingly erratic and paranoid leader.BUT IS IT THE PLACE OF GREATEST DANGER?But when the leader starts to ask things of Wolfe, favours she can hardly say no to, it seems her luck is running out. Forming an unlikely alliance with the young Doctor Stirling, her troubled assistant Levitt, and Canavan - a tattooed giant of a man who's purpose in the bunker is a mystery - Wolfe must navigate the powder keg of life underground where one misstep will light the fuse. The walls that keep her safe also have her trapped.How much more is Wolfe willing to give to stay alive?Beautifully written and utterly gripping, The Pharmacist will be a guaranteed conversation starter when it is published.'An unflinching portrayal of what we might all be capable of, Atalla's stunning debut is essential reading for our times' HELEN SEDGWICK'Though set in a speculative future, The Pharmacist is very much a book for our own broken times. Its story grips and never lets go, unflinching in its portrayal of abused power, moral confusion and betrayal, but also fully alive to the redemptive possibilities of compassion, resistance and love. This is a powerful and memorable debut from an exciting new voice' WAYNE PRICE'A triumph of a book. Character-led but taut and purposeful with action' LIAM MURRAY BELLTrade ReviewA compulsive, claustrophobic but wonderfully compassionate read, beautifully written and set within a brilliantly realised world. Rachelle Atalla is a major talent and I can't wait to see where her mind goes next * Kirstin Innes, author of Scabby Queen *An unflinching portrayal of what we might all be capable of, Atalla's stunning debut is essential reading for our times * Helen Sedgwick, author of Where the Missing Gather *Atalla's speculative literary thriller debut draws you in with its mounting sense of tension, disquiet and desperation * CultureFly *There are shades of George Orwell in this stunning writing debut, but Rachelle Atalla's voice is highly original. And wholly her own * The Herald *This horrendously claustrophobic, utterly absorbing debut. The fiercely controlled narrative beautifully translates the horrendous grip of dismal routines and tiny, stolen pleasures * Daily Mail *Sitting somewhere on the spectrum between Paul Auster's heart-rending In the Country of Last Things and Bong Joon-ho's pulse-thumping film Snowpiercer, The Pharmacist is a slow-burn nightmare about how ordinary human decency gets eroded - and also how it perseveres * The Times *Rachelle Atalla is obviously a talented and gifted writer * On Magazine *Reminiscent of Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, this unsettling story is a nightmare for our times of end-of-the-world prepping, increased nuclear insecurity and political inequality * Guardian *A breathtaking, tense debut. ***** * The Sun *It's really remarkable how she makes this bland, bleak, limited world so vivid and engrossing * SFX *Rachelle Atalla's debut is a thought-provoking addition to the post-apocalyptic genre * Press Association *The twists and turns in this brilliantly written, post-apocalyptic tale make for compulsive reading * Woman's Weekly *Atalla nails the atmosphere of claustrophobia and brings this world to life convincingly, as well as fostering sympathy for her protagonist, despite her flaws. This debut author is one to watch * The Sunday Times *Dystopian fiction, yes, but so much more. This book forces its readers to consider what it means to be good or evil, what motivates us to act as we do, and what matters to us in the end. A wonderful mix of tense drama and provocative ideas, I loved it * Elissa Soave, author of Ginger and Me *The Pharmacist is the perfect dystopian novel. Post-apocalyptic fiction masterfully handled. Addictive, claustrophobic, tense. I'm obsessed with this novel. Easily in my top reads this year * Chloe Timms, author of The Seawomen *The Pharmacist is a confident debut, in which Rachelle Atalla fully lives up to the promise of her New Writers Award . . . This literary thriller is highly original, asking difficult questions about morality and motherhood. And its claustrophobic atmosphere perfectly reflects the setting. * The List *Rachelle Atalla's elegant debut novel is a compelling account of a society whose rigid inhumanity is pierced with glimmers of hope * Daily Mail *Rachelle Atalla nails the claustrophobic atmosphere and brings this world to life convincingly in her impressive debut * The Sunday Times, PAPERBACK OF THE WEEk *Highly original * The Herald, Best Scottish Books of 2022 *This elegant debut novel is a compelling account of a society whose rigid inhumanity is pierced with glimmers of hope * Sunday Mail *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE SWEDISH ACADEMY'S NORDIC PRIZE 2023Winner of the Nordic Council Literature Prize 'Enchantingly poetic . . . spellbinding . . . magical . . . exceptional' Independent On a stark Icelandic mountainside, the imposing Reverend Baldur Skuggason hunts an elusive blue vixen for her near-mythical pelt. The treacherous journey across snow and ice will push his physical and mental endurance to the limit.In Baldur Skuggason's parish, a young woman with Down's Syndrome is buried. After being found shackled to the timbers of a shipwreck in 1868, she was rescued by the naturalist Fridrik B. Fridjonsson. Now he will open the package she always carried with her, hoping to solve the puzzle of her origins.As the ice begins to melt, the mystery surrounding the trio's connected fates is unravelled in this spellbinding fable, an exquisite tale of metamorphosis by one of Iceland's most acclaimed writers.'A magical novel' Björk'Describes its world with brilliant, precise, concrete colour and detail... Comic and lyrical.'AS Byatt, The TimesTrade Review'Enchantingly poetic . . . spellbinding . . . magical . . . exceptional' * Independent *'A magical novel' * Björk *'Describes its world with brilliant, precise, concrete colour and detail... Comic and lyrical.' * A.S. Byatt, The Times *'A taut, poetic and beautifully judged fable.' * TLS *'Wondrous . . . with a strange black humour at its core.' * Dazed & Confused *

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