Family life fiction / Stories about family

Book SynopsisI absolutely devoured every single word.' NetGalley reviewer, ?????One broken marriage. One broken heart. One chance to meet someone new.Hannah leaves her unhappy marriage with her daughter Ava and moves to the village of Leadsham to start afresh. She plans to keep a low profile, focusing on Ava and making a new life for them, far away from her violent ex-husband.What she hadn't counted on was Andrew Brody. A police officer with a strict moral code, he knows something's wrong as soon as he meets Hannah, and he wants to help. But Hannah has been let down by the police and men before, and pushes him away.But the more Hannah tries to ignore Brody, the more she's drawn to him. Caring, kind and patient, he's nothing like the man she's running from. Can Hannah finally put her past behind her, and open her heart to someone new?Readers LOVE Someone Like You!Really loved it!' NetGalley reviewer, ?????Left me begging for more! Fun and enjoyable read. Highly recommend!' NetGalley reviewer, ????

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Book SynopsisDon't miss Sarah Clarke's gripping new thriller,THE SKI TRIP. Out now!A fast-paced, twisty story . . . A thrilling read' Catherine Cooper, bestselling author of The ChaletFrom the outside, it seems Grace has it all. Only she knows about the cracks in her picture-perfect life and the huge secret behind them. After all, who can she trust?Her brother Josh is thousands of miles away, and he and Grace have never been close he was always their parents' favourite.Her best friend Coco walked away from her years ago, their friendship irreparably fractured by the choices they've made.And her husband Marcus seems like a different man lately. Grace can't shake the feeling that he's hiding something.But when her seven-year-old daughter makes a troubling accusation, Grace must choose between protecting her child and protecting her secret before she loses everything.A totally addictive suspense novel from the bestselling author of A Mother Never Lies, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Shalini BolaTrade Review‘Suspenseful, gripping and nightmarish, I barely breathed as I read the final chapters. Every Little Secret should come with a health warning! Just WOW!’ Jane Jesmond, author of On the Edge ‘Sarah Clarke has done it again! An utterly gripping page-turner that kept the twists and turns coming right until the end.’ Sophie Flynn, author of All My Lies Praise for A Mother Never Lies ‘Brilliantly tense, with an unexpectedly dark heart – a totally compelling read.’ Sunday Times bestselling author Sophie Hannah ‘Distinctive and original – Sarah Clarke brings a new and exciting voice to the thriller genre.’ Sophie Flynn, author of All My Lies ‘Impossible to put down… a smart new voice in the thriller genre – and definitely one to watch.’ Katie Lowe, author of The Furies ‘A read-in-one-sitting kind of book – a heart-breaking exploration of the ripples one act of violence causes through the years and the lengths to which a mother will go. A confident and bold debut.’ Louise Mumford, bestselling author of Sleepless

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Book SynopsisWhen moving on means moving outSurely there should be a rule book to guide you through the tumultuous twenties, or a to do list' at the very least? Fresh out of university in Manchester and struggling to climb the career ladder in London, Flick's devastated when her boyfriend dumps her with no warning and leaves her looking for a new place to live.Being forced into a houseshare with three complete strangers isn't exactly how Flick saw things going. But the residents of Carlisle Avenue are quickly on hand to help her navigate the ups and downs of the life she's currently winging.With their help, along with her big sister, Flick manages to focus her energy on ticking off items that she's added to her twenties list' the perfect bucket list for any twenty-something reclaiming their life post-break up.And all is going well, that is until her boss catches wind of it and asks her to create a new magazine column documenting her progress. Enter Teddy, a sweet guy who becomes Flick's friend aftTrade ReviewWhat readers on NetGalley are saying about Heartbreak Houseshare: ‘I really connected with this book’ ‘A great read for the summer’ ‘Such a good feeling when you read this book’ ‘Very well written and I loved all the characters’ ‘I relived my twenties reading Heartbreak Houseshare’ ‘The characters were relatable and made me wish I had an opportunity like theirs when I was their age!’ ‘A cute book about moving on and finding love again’

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Book SynopsisA breathtaking thriller! Spine tingling.' NetGalley reviewer, ?????As Bella drops her son off at university, she's devastated. It's been the two of them ever since Asher was born. The only thing helping her through is an upcoming week-long wilderness retreat in Sweden, a surprise gift from her sister and Asher.The lodge is modern and luxurious but the surrounding forest is foreboding. Named Dead Man's Forest after the legend of a local bandit left to die inside a wooden coffin, there are rumours that, on quiet nights, you can still hear the scratching of his fingernails against the lid.When someone begins leaving unsettling notes, and a figure from her past comes back to haunt her, Bella's unease grows. This certainly isn''t the restful retreat she signed up for. And when another guest suddenly disappears, Bella fears she might not make it home aliveDon't miss this gripping psychological thriller about a blissful holiday that turns into a nightmare, perfect for fans of The Sanatorium Trade ReviewReaders LOVE Jennifer Moore! ‘A really good psychological thriller, totally recommend. I couldn’t put it down’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An enjoyable book which kept me on the edge of my seat. The main character was very relatable … The mystery kept me guessing and the ending was satisfying!’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A really clever book … with a hugely satisfying ending’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Spooky and gripping thriller. I enjoyed it from beginning to end’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Such a good read, twisty and unpredictable, it left me on the edge of my seat and guessing the whole way through. I loved it’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I loved this book so much and read it practically in one sitting’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Had me intrigued right from the start … Well written and kept me in suspense’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Brilliantly written … with the believable characters and great twists’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A gripping psychological thriller – well written and very atmospheric’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I absolutely loved this book’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Kept me hooked right up until the end’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Lots of twists and turns. Brilliant’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An ideal book for thriller lovers’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Absolutely brilliant book. Had me hooked from the first chapter’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Really enjoyed this ghostly book. It gave me the shivers at times. Very unputdownable’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Book SynopsisDark, twisty, gripping and dripping with authenticityI loved it' Peter James An electrifying thriller' Woman''s OwnPR guru Lola Lovett's client has gone missing, but that's not the problem. It's the fact that he's meant to be at home. Already dead.But Lola hasn't come this far in life to let an inconvenience like an undead actor stop her from getting what she wants, so she immediately sets about getting close to the investigation into his disappearanceand DCI Sue Fisher.Sue's been laying low ever since the Medford nail bar case, determined to focus on her grieving son Tom and moving on from the horrors they've faced, but the search for actor Sam Stevens throws up unexpected challenges. Because in the glitzy, glamorous world of showbiz it's not a matter of discovering who might be keeping secrets, but rather, determining who is willing to kill to keep themPraise for Natalie Tambini:An explosive thriller not for the faint-hearted'' Woman''s OwnSecrets and lies on every page. Utterly absorbing'' BestA brilliant thriller' BellaWe couldn't put this down' Crime Scene MagazineCreepy, shocking, addictive' Tammy Cohen

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Book SynopsisI'm a sucker for a cute farm a sweet, easy read with a HEA' ????? NetGalley ReviewerCharlie S. Hughes is 27 and needs a plan. Her life's a mess and up until now her love life has been less than thriving. But a job offer at the local city farm feels like an opportunity too good to missBut when not one but three guys take an interest in her, things get a lot more interesting:Will, the enigmatic farmer from Yorkshire.Franco, the edgy and yet completely unpredictable artist.Or Gabriel, the brooding but supportive friend she just happens to have a lot in common withDating in your twenties should be fun, but when trouble walks through the door, will Charlie be able to separate her head from her heart and make the right decisionInspired by Thomas Hardy's classic novel Far from the Madding Crowd, this is a story of second chances, love, betrayal and finding your own happiness. Readers have devoured I Knew You Were Trouble:A fun, light read, perfect for the summer' ?????A story of relationships

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Book SynopsisJane Cockram makes her thrilling debut with this page-turning tale of psychological suspense in which a young woman whose life is in tatters flees to the safety of a family estate in England, but instead of comfort finds chilling secrets and lies.Miranda’s life and career has been a roller-coaster ride. Her successful rise to the top of the booming lifestyle industry as a social media influencer led to a humiliating fall after a controversial product she endorsed flopped. Desperate to get away from the hate-spewing trolls shaming her on the internet, she receives a mysterious letter from a young cousin in England that plunges her into a dark family mystery. Miranda’s mother Tessa Summers, a famous author, died when Miranda was a child. The young woman’s only connection to the Summers family is through Tessa’s famous book The House of Brides—a chronicle of the generations of women who married into the infamous STrade Review“Jane Cockram captivates with her haunting debut novel, The House of Brides. With echoes of Daphne du Maurier, it examines the inescapable ties of family and what happens when a complex tangle of secrets starts to unravel. Gripping, atmospheric and with an ending you won’t see coming, this book held me in its spell long after the final page. A sure-fire bestseller.” — Sally Hepworth, bestselling author of The Mother-in-Law Jane Cockram’s The House of Brides is a twisty, turny ride through the English countryside. Set in a spooky manor home on a rocky coast, this is the story of multiple generations of powerful women whose actions lead to a mystery that winds through the ages. Cockram’s descriptions are so lush that you’ll have no problem immersing yourself in the location but you won’t be prepared for the explosive ending. Fans of Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Rebecca will love this! — Ellen LaCorte, author of The Perfect Fraud “An atmospheric and surprising debut… an ongoing theme of misdirection flows throughout, maintaining the tension and suspense.” — Booklist “Atmospheric…clever...Cockram’s plot crackles with tension, hitting all the right notes for readers fond of gothic-flavored tales.” — Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisLike all my favorite books, The Mothers is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and it leaves you with a lot to think about after you turn the final page. I sobbed my way through this wonderful book.-Sally Hepworth, New York Times bestselling author of The Good SisterWhat if you gave birth to someone else’s child? An emotional family drama about two couples, one baby, and an unimaginable choice. Inspired by a real-life case of an IVF laboratory mix-up.Grace and Dan Arden are in their forties and have been on the IVF treadmill since the day they got married. Six attempts have yielded no results, and with each failure a little piece of their hope dies. Priya Laghari and her husband Nick Archer are being treated at the same fertility clinic, and while they don’t face the same time pressure as the Ardens, the younger couple have their own problems. On the same day that Priya is booked for her next IVF cycle, Grace goes in for her final, last-chance embryo transfer. Two weeks later, both women get their results. A year on, angry and heartbroken, one of the women learns her embryo was implanted in the other’s uterus and must make a devastating choice: live a childless life knowing her son is being raised by strangers or seek custody of a baby who has been nurtured and loved by another couple. 

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Book Synopsis“Graceland is a sparkling, warm-hearted, witty debut. I so enjoyed joining these three generations of women on their action-packed road trip to Memphis!” —Liane Moriarty, #1 New York Times bestselling authorHope Robinson can’t seem to please anyone lately, especially not her mother, the flamboyant soap star Olivia Grant. Olivia loves Elvis more than Jesus and, convinced she’s dying, insists on a final visit to Graceland. Unfortunately, that’s the one place Hope can’t take her. Hope fled Memphis years ago with a shameful secret and a vow never to return.Olivia, though, doesn’t understand the word no. Instead, she wrangles Hope’s pink-haired daughter, Dylan, to drive her to Memphis by promising to reveal the mystery of her long-lost father. Hope must stop them before they expose the truth and all hell breaks loose.As the women race from Boston to Memphis, encountering jealous soap actors, free-range ferrets, and a trio of Elvis-impersonating frat boys, everyone’s secrets begin to unravel. In order to become the family they long to be, Hope, Olivia, and Dylan must face hard truths about themselves and one another on the bumpy road to acceptance, forgiveness, and ultimately, grace.Irresistible, addictive, and utterly entertaining, Graceland is bound to win readers'' hearts... This story of family secrets, broken promises, and the healing power of love will stay with you long after the final page is turned. —Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling authorNancy Crochiere writes with such warmth and wit that I felt I was there alongside the women, cheering them on at every step of their crazy journey. — Sarah Haywood, New York Times bestselling author of The CactusTrade Review“Graceland is a sparkling, warm-hearted, witty debut. I so enjoyed joining these three generations of women on their action-packed road trip to Memphis!” — Liane Moriarty, #1 New York Times bestselling author "Irresistible, addictive, and utterly entertaining, Graceland is bound to win readers' hearts. There are few things more delightful than a mother-daughter-granddaughter trio on a road trip. To Graceland! This story of family secrets, broken promises, and the healing power of love will stay with you long after the final page is turned." — Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author “Funny and touching. Every debut novel should be this entertaining. You’ll love these women. Prepare to enjoy!" — Susan Elizabeth Phillips, New York Times bestselling author "Who doesn’t love a road trip especially when it’s a quirky, page-turning debut? Fasten those seatbelts as Crochiere introduces three generations of women, all packing their own secrets and baggage, as they go en route to Graceland to find some grace of their own. About mothers and daughters, the end of life and the beginnings, and mostly about how life has its own ideas about the roadmaps we think we have to follow." — Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of With or Without You "Brimming with mischief and mystery, Nancy Crochiere’s Graceland is as heartfelt as it is hilarious. This generational road trip pulls you in with speed and locks you in for the ride—much like the feisty force of nature, Olivia, who models for her daughter and granddaughter living life with vigor despite fears and challenges. Make time in your schedule because you won’t be sleeping until you finish this charming gem of a novel." — Ann Garvin, USA Today bestselling author of I Thought You Said This Would Work "If you like road trips, soap opera villainesses, lost loves, and found fathers—and who doesn't like them?—you'll love Nancy Crochiere’s delightful, never-a dull-chapter first novel. Graceland is an expertly structured tale of family secrets that get revealed over the course of a trip to Memphis and with Elvis’s greatest hits playing in the background. Crochiere delivers enough humor and surprises to keep the reader eagerly turning pages and enough heart to make this one memorable and satisfying journey." — Stephen McCauley, author of My Ex-Life “With a charming cast of characters, intrigue, adventure, and touching mother-daughter relationships, Graceland sparkles from start to finish.” — Sonya Lalli, author of Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat and Holly Jolly Diwali "Graceland is a sheer delight. With just the right mix of humor and heart—plus plenty of big, juicy secrets—Nancy Crochiere takes us on a road trip through the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, the power of the past, and the importance of being honest, both with the people we love and with ourselves. All this and Elvis, too." — Jane Roper, author of The Society of Shame "I can’t help falling in love with this hair-raising road trip to Graceland! I was hooked on page one of this big-hearted laugh-out-loud debut. Secrets, unexpected turns, and a mother-daughter-grandmother trio show that sometimes the right way can’t be found on any map." — Rachel Barenbaum, author of Atomic Anna “A fun, warm-hearted story with fresh and original passengers, Graceland is a new spin on the family road trip, complete with a love-story-mystery at its center. I loved it!” — Laurie Petrou, author of Stargazer "Graceland is an utterly enchanting update of the American road story. Combining classic madcap antics with an up-to-the-minute look at family dynamics and forgiveness, the novel is at once funny and probing, personal and political, full of both youthful verve and the wisdom that comes with age. Imagine getting to hear slim Elvis and fat Elvis crooning together in harmony—that’s how fun it is to read this book!" — Michael Lowenthal, author of Charity Girl "If a book could be a Cadillac convertible taken out for a joyful spin by three generations of strong-minded women, Graceland is it. With twists and turns aplenty, this warmhearted comic novel will leave you believing that love really does conquer all." — Holly Robinson, author of Folly Cove "Filled with heartfelt adventure and loveable characters." — Women’s World "A humorous and entertaining exploration of matriarchal family dynamics that will leave readers with a smile...a charming novel that will delight fans of Elyssa Friedland." — Booklist

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Our shelves could use more women like Rachel and Sam as a counterpoint to men in midlife who’ve dominated fiction for decades. . . . It’s exhilarating to read an uninhibited female character who is rife with contradictions. . . . Christensen also does a skillful job of animating difficult family relationships while avoiding a conventional arc of forgiveness. . . . In the end, it is surprising to see where Rachel meets herself.” — The New York Times "A deeply endearing story about confronting one’s past and constructing a new future—under extreme duress . . . . Welcome Home, Stranger . . . arrives at the most lovely ending of a novel I’ve read all year." — The Washington Post "Kate Christensen’s new novel, Welcome Home, Stranger, is a revelation, offering characters as real as your family and friends, a rich, vividly drawn setting, grab-you-by-the-throat drama and always, lurking in the shadows, a fierce authorial intelligence. What more could you ask?" — Richard Russo, author of Somebody’s Fool "A fantastic study in loss—the grief kind and the yearning too, oh my god the yearning! Plus menopause. Plus Portland, Maine. I loved it." — Catherine Newman, author of We All Want Impossible Things "To the great literature of going home again we can now add Kate Christensen’s superb new novel Welcome Home, Stranger, a triumph of intelligence and wit (which will surprise none of her many fans). The prodigal here is a brilliant journalist grieving the loss of a very difficult mother while attempting peace with those she left behind: a resentful sister and an ex-lover who can be neither trusted nor forgotten. A spellbinding book from one of our best chroniclers of the very American struggle to strive for excellence while still living in community with others." — Ann Packer, author of The Children’s Crusade "Rachel Calloway is a compelling heroine for the present moment—angry, honest, independent, witty, brilliant, and in pain. She sometimes makes impulsive choices, but her integrity is always intact. This is the most contemporary novel I have ever read, and I immersed myself in Rachel's Portland, Maine, her family and friends, her knowledge of coming climate catastrophes, and her confusion about where home is for her. Then suddenly, I realized that I was reading about the entire human condition, portrayed in crystal sentences I will return to many times. Welcome Home, Stranger is a novel for now and for the ages." — Alice Elliott Dark, author of Fellowship Point and In the Gloaming “Kate Christensen's eighth novel is a brief, brilliant story of grief and love. It's Job on menopause, crying, 'Why am I still here?' but without the biblical overtones. It's your next book club book. It's the novel your husband should read even though I've mentioned menopause. It's your coolest friend's most astute tirade on life. I loved it from page one.” — Minneapolis Star Tribune “With wit and a never-ending supply of humanity, Christensen’s characters navigate anger, grief, frustration, and pain like we all do: by putting one foot in front of the other. And the result is a disarmingly genuine and nuanced portrait of living.” — Amazon Best of the Month Pick "If you're looking for some dysfunctional-family schadenfreude to sweeten your holidays, look no further." — People "This snarky, vulnerable, complicated main character feels so real, you’ll swear you actually know her." — Real Simple “Christensen is a psychological Geiger-counter, registering every particle of emotion; a wizard at dialogue and redolent settings, and an intrepid choreographer of confoundment. From gasp-inducing absurdities and betrayals to a profound sense of our paralysis in the glare of climate change to a full-on embrace of family, love, home, and decency, Christensen’s whirligig tale leaves readers dizzy with fresh and provocative insights.” — Booklist (starred review) " An intricate novel, exploring family, mothers and daughters and the choices we make.” — Lee Woodruff "A satisfying, intimate novel about complicated people at middle age, coming to terms with lost love, and the ghosts who shaped your life.” — Boston Globe “Reading Kate Christensen’s incisive eighth novel, a quote from 19th century author Ivan Turgenev came to mind: 'A poet must be a psychologist.' As evidenced in her previous works, Christensen is both. Her prose glimmers and glints, more sensation than exposition, whether she’s shining her light on broken family, broken dreams or our broken Earth. In this short but mighty novel, Christensen does a psychologist’s job with a poet’s lyrical pen.” — San Francisco Chronicle "An astute novel of grief and reconciliation. . . . One of the joys of a Kate Christensen book is her signature exuberance. No one writes about excess and appetite with such gusto, making over-the-topness a mainstay. . . . By the end, this book satisfies on a number of fronts. It’s about the pull of family you thought you knew, but didn’t; of long-buried resentments and freshly minted ones, as well. As a meditation on grief, it is, by turns, raucous and fiery, despairing and resolute—and wittily entertaining throughout.” — Portland Press Herald "Few writers have a wit as razor sharp as Kate Christensen’s . . . . Her new novel follows an environmental journalist as she returns to her small Maine hometown after the death of her mother, and grapples with grief, family, and aging. I would trust no less deft a hand than Christensen’s to manage the balance of humor, devastation, and squabbling." — Literary Hub "Christensen skillfully portrays the issues at play in many families: there are deep bonds, but also deep resentments, 'volcanic' emotions, and decades-old misunderstandings. The character Lucie, an immature, thwarted tyrant, is particularly well drawn. Readers in search of an engrossing family drama will find much to like." — Publishers Weekly “The novel has a psychological element that invites readers to understand the behavior of its principal characters . . . . [and] The state of Maine itself is a warm, embraceable character.” — Albuquerque Journal

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Book SynopsisAt home, Paul shares a private world with his sister Elisabeth, a world from which parents are tacitly excluded. Their room is where the Game is played, the Game being their own bizarre version of life. All that they do outside is effectively controlled by the rules of the Game: unfortunately the rules of the Game prescribe that the two children must die...Trade ReviewThe lasting feeling that his work leaves is one of happiness; not of course in the sense that it excludes suffering, but because, in it, nothing is rejected, resented or regretted -- W. H. AudenCocteau's tale of young beauties whose isolation leads them towards premature decay...a genuine tragedy * Independent on Sunday *The novel Les Enfants Terrible has become a rite of passage in every French childhood * Guardian *If La Belle et la Bête his romance, then Les Enfants Terribles is his tragedy. Like the others, it articulates Cocteau's belief in the power of imagination to transform the ordinary world into a world of magic -- Philip GlassCocteau never meant his work to pass as anyone else's, and even when it is imitative it bears a maker's mark that would disqualify any forger: the stamp of a master of paradox and aesthetic epigram, who supplied a unique - and enduring - connection between the classic and the new -- Francis Steegmuller

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Book SynopsisTHE FOURTH CLIFFEHAVEN NOVEL BY SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR ELLIE DEANFebruary 1941. Can love survive in a time of war? Julie Harris is working in London's East End as a midwife when a bombing raid destroys her family and the house she grew up in. All she has left is her motherless baby nephew William. Determined to uphold her promise to her sister to keep William safe until his father, Bill, returns from the war, she accepts a post as a midwife in Cliffehaven on the south-coast of England. Here they are taken under the wing of the Reilly family at the Beach View boarding house.But all too soon Julie learns that Bill is missing in action' and William falls dangerously ill. As she begins the long vigil by William's beside, she fears she will lose the little boy she has grown to love as her ownA fabulous, heart-warming Second World War novel in Ellie Dean''s bestselling Cliffehaven series (previously called theTrade ReviewTHE FOURTH CLIFFEHAVEN NOVEL BY SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR ELLIE DEANFebruary 1941. Can love survive in a time of war? Julie Harris is working in London’s East End as a midwife when a bombing raid destroys her family and the house she grew up in. All she has left is her motherless baby nephew William. * from the publisher's description *This compelling wartime tale will delight saga lovers. * Choice magazine *Moving and heart-warming saga. * Peterborough Evening Telegraph *

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Book Synopsis''Serrailler, Hill''s brilliant detective, is the central character in the great writer''s crime fiction novels'' CAMILLA, DUCHESS OF CORNWALLA deadly new threat awaits Simon Serrailler in this compulsive thriller from Susan Hill, the bestselling author of The Woman in Black DC Simon Serrailler''s devastating last case was nearly the death of him. Recovering on a remote Scottish island, his peace doesn''t last long. When a woman''s body is washed ashore, Simon is pulled in to a murder inquiry by the overstretched local police who are desperate for help. But it''s when Simon returns to Lafferton and a cold case is reopened that things start to get dangerous... ''Modern crime writing with a dark, fierce edge'' Daily MailDiscover the bestselling crime series that over ONE MILLION readers have devoured.Trade ReviewOpens with a shock for fans... Serrailler's struggle to come to terms with the recent past is thoughtfully done * Sunday Times *Susan Hill offers something different... fans cherish Hill's work for its judicious mix of the professional and personal... one of the most richly drawn coppers in the field * Guardian *Hill paints a powerful picture of a proud but damaged man trying to remake his role in the world * Mail on Sunday *

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Book SynopsisFor nine years Adam has been the centre of his mother, Cara's, world. And, she thinks, she has been the centre of his. Until the day he disappears. When he is found in the woods behind his school, beside the body of a little girl whom Cara has never heard of before, it feels as if her world has been torn apart. As Adam is locked into silence, unable to tell his mother what he has seen, Cara's desperation to understand her little boy becomes fiercer than ever. A heartrending, utterly unputdownable story of the tangled bond between mother and child, Eye Contact engages the heart and will not let it go.Trade Review'Compulsively addictive . . . heartbreaking . . . a moving picture of a boy whose weakest subject is life' Daily Telegraph 'Riveting and unforgettable . . . brilliant' Julie Orringer, author of How to Breathe Underwater

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Book Synopsis***ONE OF TELEGRAPH''S BEST NOVELS OF 2021******SHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHORS'' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2022***''Supple, artful, skilful storytelling - it takes an immediate grip on the reader''s imagination and doesn''t let go'' HILARY MANTEL______________________________________________Mary is a difficult grandmother for Durga to love. She is sharp-tongued and ferocious, with more demons than there are lines on her palms. When Durga visits her in rural Malaysia, she only wants to endure Mary, and the dark memories home brings, for as long as it takes to escape.But a reckoning is coming. Stuck together in the rising heat, both women must untangle the truth from the myth of their family''s past. What happened to Durga''s mother after she gave birth? Why did so many of their family members disappear during the war? And who is to blame for the childhood tragedy that haunts her to this day?In her stunning debut novelTrade ReviewSupple, artful, skilful storytelling - it takes an immediate grip on the reader's imagination and doesn't let goA brilliant novel about homecoming and the layered, unstable past that haunts and hurts . . . I admire it enormouslyAn impressive debut, atmospheric and unsettling * Telegraph, 5 stars *A striking debut . . . A bold, interesting novel . . . I'm excited to see what Menon comes up with next * Sunday Times *A bravura debut novel . . . It's clever, satisfying, and often playful * Guardian *This is a book saturated with the sensations of southeast Asia; where, in Menon's pungent turns of phrase, you feel as though you could "grab the air in two hands and wring it out"; where guilt can be "squatting in the room . . . stringy as spit", and where tiger princes and jungle spirits lurk amid a painful colonial past * The Times, pick of the latest fiction *A rich and moving family history takes shape, filled with love and heartache, guilt and grief, and no end of secrets and lies . . . Gripping, compelling . . . Menon's story shows that, though time flows on, history's waves still ripple decades downstream * Economist *Menon is a sparky storyteller whose thickly atmospheric debut keeps us guessing as its many ghosts press in ever closer * Daily Mail *A beautiful, richly textured absorbing read. I was utterly transported * Irenosen Okojie *A propulsive debut scattered with gems of fresh and surprising imagery. Menon is at her best exploring the intricate bond between women over generations, their histories strung tight over the fraught realities of a nation coming into being * Preti Taneja *Always here for a cross-generational family story, especially one that involves moral ambivalence * Marian Keyes selection for her PageTurners top reads *An intriguing, fast-paced, imaginative novel * Bad Form *A beautifully written story of one Indian Malaysian family's history, entwined with secrets and hidden heartbreak . . . Fragile Monsters is a story of homecoming which illustrates the tension of returning to a past which remains painfully present . . . a cleverly-crafted family saga which explores themes of truth, belonging and shame across multiple generations * Asian Review of Books *Leavened with a brisk, dry humour, Fragile Monsters is as propulsive as any mystery, with a bewitching sense of place . . . an accomplished feat of multi-stranded storytelling * Evening Standard *Lyrically beautiful writing * i *Spellbinding * Tatler Malaysia *A story about love, betrayal and redemption with an electric daughter-grandmother relationship at its heart * Sheer Luxe, reading recommendation *

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Book SynopsisBen Sherwood is the author of The Man Who Ate the 747. He was an award-winning journalist with NBC and ABC News, and his writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. Educated at Harvard and Oxford, he lives with his wife in New York and Los Angeles and is working on a new novel. To contact him, please visit his website at www.bensherwood.com.

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Book SynopsisUsing the cover artwork of our much-loved Virago Modern Classics hardback range, these elegant unlined notebooks celebrate three of our most popular titles: The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith; The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter; and Good Behaviour by Molly Keane. These beautiful notebooks are a must-have for all Virago fans - surely the most stylish way of collecting notes on your favourite books. Or maybe they will inspire you to write a novel of your own . . . Each notebook features a ribbon bookmark, high-quality paper and matching endpapers.The Talented Mr Ripley and The Magic Toyshop feature artwork by vintage textile designers Marian Mahler and Jacqueline Groag. Good Behaviour features a cover by award-winning designers Eley Kishimoto: http://www.eleykishimoto.com/Trade ReviewShe was . . . marvellous * Guardian *A fine novel, wickedly alive -- Victoria Glendinning * Sunday Times *Molly Keane's Good Behaviour presents a character whose own strict Christian code wreaks havoc on all those around her. Though she herself tells the tale, we somehow see her morality's disastrous consequences. Hilarious and sinister * New York Times *I really wish I had written this book. It's a tragi-comedy set in Ireland after the First World War. A real work of craftsmanship, where the heroine is also the narrator, yet has no idea what is going on. You read it with mounting horror and hilarity as you begin to grasp her delusionI have read and re-read Molly Keane more, I think, than any other writer. Nobody else can touch her as a satirist, tragedian, and dissector of human behaviour. I love all her books, but Good Behaviour and Loving and Giving are the ones I return to mostKeane's distinctive blend of elegant savagery and deep affection . . . its human relationships tortured like bonsai by good form, its open-hearted, sensual passion for horses, dogs and landscape * Evening Standard *Molly Keane is a mistress of wicked comedy * Vogue *Enchanting -- Edna O'Brien * Observer *Dark, complex, engaging . . . a wonderful tour de force -- Marian KeyesWily, shrewd, and terribly sad all at the same time: the story of a soul shrivelling against cool, dark, shiny backgrounds * Kirkus Reviews *I admired many authors. But Molly, I loved -- Diana AthillA writer of genius * Wall Street Journal *Good Behaviour includes very little good behaviour, featuring instead delicious and deleterious accounts of illicit sex and wild high jinks, and a mother-daughter duo who can scrap with the best of them * Vulture *A witty, black comedy of manners, Good Behaviour is a memorable novel by an Irish writer whose only equal is Elizabeth Bowen * Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisA REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK A BBC 2 BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOK CLUB PICK SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN''S PRIZE FOR FICTION FUTURES PRIZE AN AMAZON BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR''A captivating story about a mixed-race British woman who goes in search of the West African father she never knew'' REESE WITHERSPOON''Hard to put down'' DAILY MAIL''A real pleasure, it''s funny, thought-provoking and holds a light up to everything from cultural differences to colonialism'' STYLIST''I LOVED Sankofa SO MUCH'' MARIAN KEYES''Slick pacing and unpredictable developments keep the reader alert right up to the novel''s exhilarating ending'' GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE DAY''Onuzo''s sneakily breezy, highly entertaining novel leaves the reader rethinking familiar narratives of colonisation, inheritance and liberation'' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW''A really great book, veTrade ReviewUtterly compelling ... A disarmingly moving, surprisingly hilarious and fascinating journey * Stylist *I LOVED Sankofa SO MUCH. It explores identity, duality, belonging, racism, post-colonialism ... and the writing style is beguilingly cool, wry, detached * Marian Keyes *Onuzo displays astonishing imagination and versatility in this fantastic novel about a woman's search for her personal, familial and national identity, delivered with deadpan humour in captivating prose * Sefi Atta *Captivating... A beautiful book about a woman brave enough to discover her true identity * Reese Witherspoon (2021) *Slick pacing and unpredict able developments keep the reader alert right up to the novel's exhilarating ending * Guardian Book of the Day *Onuzo's sneakily breezy, highly entertaining novel leaves the reader rethinking familiar narratives of colonization, inheritance and liberation * New York Times Book Review *A real pleasure, it's funny, thought-provoking and holds a light up to everything from cultural differences to colonialism * Stylist Unmissable 2021 Fiction *I loved venturing from London to the fictional African nation of Bamana in Sankofa, a novel I found hard to put down -- Maggie Shipstead * Daily Mail *A really great book, very poignant but also told really straight * Sara Cox, Radio Times *A stirring narrative about family, our capacity to change and the need to belong * Time *Wonderful. Poignant and powerful and so timely and the beautiful ending had me in tears, reminding me to look within as well as without for my answers * Stella Duffy, 2021 *Spellbinding . . . Onuzu's spare style elegantly cuts to the core of her themes. The balancing of Anna's soul-searching with her thrilling discoveries makes for a satisfying endeavour * Publishers Weekly *Unscrupulous politicians, irresponsible journalism, and the yawning gap between rich and poor feel deeply personal as Anna's journey unfolds . . . Fresh and new * Library Journal *A hugely compelling novel about identity and the stories we tell about ourselves * Anna James (2021) *An engagingly written journey of self-discovery * Kirkus Reviews *Uniquely layered and lovingly written * Ms Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA GRAZIA BOOK OF THE YEAR''A daring, compelling novel about motherhood'' Cosmopolitan''Beautifully written'' i Paper''Brilliantly explores the societal expectations put on women'' Harper''s Bazaar''Utterly compelling'' Irish Independent''I devoured this book'' Clover Stroud''A richly textured novel showing what it means to be a woman with multiple sides ... I was absolutely glued to it'' Emma Gannon''Layered, rich and captures so much I can relate to. Bravo'' Emma Barnett_____________________________________________________________________What if the thing you most wanted feels nothing like you expected?Stevie''s life seems full: she has a successful career and a glamorous social life in New York. But what she wants most is a baby, an aspiration that feels impossible for a single woman in her late 30s.Determined to be a motherTrade ReviewThis beautifully written debut explores what it really means to choose to go it alone as a single mother, as well as the unforeseen consequences of that choice... I loved everything about this emotionally intelligent, compelling, raw and original book. Fabulous * Daily Mail *An unflinching look at both work-as-identity and modern parenting * Grazia, a Hot Debut *Hush dishes out brutal honesty around motherhood and is by turns shocking and tender * Metro *Skilfully written by the fresh new voice, Kate Maxwell, this debut brilliantly explores the societal expectations put on women through the compelling Stevie, and gives us a worthy protagonist for this modern age * Harper's Bazaar *A beautifully written meditation on motherhood * The i Paper *A daring, compelling novel about motherhood * Cosmopolitan *In terms of hype, debuts don't come any hotter than Kate Maxwell's Hush, which features a new riff on motherhood in an increasingly crowded pen... Utterly compelling * Irish Independent *I devoured this book - it was so compelling * Clover Stroud *Hush is layered, rich and captures so much I can relate to. Bravo * Emma Barnett, BBC Broadcaster *A richly textured, exciting and mysterious debut novel showing the push and pull of motherhood, career identity and what it means to be a woman with multiple sides. Relatable and entertaining. I was absolutely glued to it * Emma Gannon, author of OLIVE *A vivid, compelling story about the unspoken truths of motherhood, family and feminine ideals. Tender, unflinching and beautifully evoked * Francesca Hornak, author of Seven Days of Us *An engaging parable about the ambiguity of modern motherhood, told with warmth and wit * Leah Hazard, bestselling author of Hard Pushed *Maxwell explores uncomfortable but important truths about motherhood brilliantly in her story of a mother falling apart, and piecing herself back together * Julia Bueno, author of THE BRINK OF BEING *Hush is a beautifully-written meditation on motherhood, identity and belonging - at once tender and resilient, incisive and heart-breaking. In this assured debut, Kate Maxwell captures how love grows and morphs and, ultimately, endures * Charlotte Philby, author of Edith and Kim *Kate Maxwell's debut novel explores the complexities and emotional roller-coaster of single motherhood... Well-researched and compelling * The Lady *Hush will break and remake your heart in one sitting. A wry and tender story that considers the potential for all strands of female life - friends, family, career - to become the loves of your life. This poignant tale of the blur of new motherhood will make you check in on your children if you have them - and on the woman you were before they arrived. I loved it * Harriet Walker, author of The New Girl *I ADORED Hush. I have never read anything that so accurately voiced the struggles I experienced as a new mother. It felt totally real to me and I was hooked from start to finish. I also loved all the other relationships that were so nuanced and heartfelt. I finished the book with that wonderful ache you get after reading a book that has moved you and uplifted you in equal measure * Libby Page, bestselling author of The Island Home *With sharp, perceptive, and tender prose that is at times scathing, Maxwell pushes the boundaries of what society tells us is acceptable, and perhaps what the reader feels she can forgive, then brings us back again to not only empathize with but root for her protagonist. Maxwell shows a type of motherly love seldom written about, one that's not instantaneous, but grows slowly, with difficulty, and is no less beautiful as it blossoms into something so incredible it takes your breath away * Charlene Carr, author of Hold My Girl (2023) *Longing to have a child, Stevie changes her Manhattan career-oriented life for single parenthood in her native England in Maxwell's powerful, nuanced meditation on the struggles experienced by new mothers * Waterstones *Beautifully written, with a nuanced understanding of what it means to lose sight of who you are, for whatever reason, and what it means to get yourself back or burn it all down and start again * Sophia Blackwell *

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Book SynopsisUp on the North Yorkshire moors, the Hartle family is about to have a life-changing year. Ann and Joe, with more than thirty years of marriage and two sons between them, are torn between giving up and pressing on with their struggling farm. Max, their older son, is set to inherit the farm and his wife Primrose has news to share, but is he ready for these new responsibilities? Their younger son, Bartholomew, escaped to the south as soon as he could, building a new life for himself with his girlfriend Ruby. But when tragedy strikes he is forced to return home - and must come to terms with his past, in order to create a future.Filled with both the joys and losses of ordinary life, Homecoming is a big-hearted drama about how a family falls apart and comes back together again from a hugely talented new writer.

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Book Synopsis''It''s really, really, really funny'' David Walliams Mole Press - a brand new imprint of Penguin Books - is proud to announce the first publication of The Collected Poems of Adrian Mole to mark the author''s 50TH birthday.--------------------------- ''Edgy politics, tortured eroticism, misunderstood intellect, changing Britain - a whiff of the sublime. Mole''s contribution is significant'' Daily Telegraph Featuring poems scattered over nearly thirty years of writing and salvaged from the diaries ''authored'' by one Sue Townsend, this slim volume features more than thirty pieces of Adrian''s unique art. From his timeless first documented poem - The Tap - via classic odes to his muse, first and only true love Pandora (I adore ya), we follow Adrian''s life in verse form. We not only witness his burgeoning political anger in works like Mrs Thatcher (Do you weep, Mrs Thatcher, do you weep?) but Trade ReviewMole Press - a brand new imprint of Penguin Books - is proud to announce the first publication of The Collected Poems of Adrian Mole to mark the author's 50TH birthday. * from the publisher's description *Edgy politics, tortured eroticism, misunderstood intellect, changing Britain - a whiff of the sublime. Mole's contribution is significant * Daily Telegraph *People will want to read The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole forever. The reason is simple: it's really, really, really funny * David Walliams *The funniest person in the world * Caitlin Moran *One of the great comic creations * Daily Mirror *The publishers could offer a money back guarantee if you don't laugh and be sure they wouldn't have to write a single check * Jeremy Paxman *Adrian Mole is one of literature's great underachievers; his tragedy is that he knows it and the sadness of this undercuts the humour and makes us laugh not until, but while, it hurts * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisIs Wendy''s dream house about to turn into her worst nightmare? From the moment Wendy Thornton first laid eyes on number 37, The Ashes, she knew she had to have it. It may seem neglected on the outside, but Wendy is convinced it''s her perfect family home. It just needs to be loved. It needs her.When Wendy receives an unexpected sum of money from her aunt''s will, her dream of buying The Ashes becomes a reality. But as Wendy moves in with her young family and starts uncovering its past, she soon learns that The Ashes is hiding a number of dark secrets.Is Wendy''s dream house about to become her worst nightmare? As she is drawn further into The Ashes'' dark history, Wendy''s own life starts to unravel in the most spectacular and devastating way . . .

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Book SynopsisSheila O''Flanagan''s MY FAVOURITE GOODBYE is a delicious novel about finding love in unexpected places - not to be missed by readers of Veronica Henry and Freya North. Ash O''Halloran is happy with her futon, her flat, her cat and her job as a party caterer. She doesn''t do impulsive. She is absolutely, perfectly in control of her single woman''s life. And if she can''t have relationships without complications - then she''s content to carry on as she is. Ms Self-Contained. But when she''s employed to cook the supper over which Dan Morland plans to propose to his girlfriend, suddenly she becomes party to someone else''s relationship - in all its tangled, heart-breaking complexity. And, as she watches Dan struggling to sort out the mess his emotions have got him into, Ash starts to realise she''s not Ms Invulnerable after all...What readers are saying about My Favourite Goodbye:''An absolutely excellent book - I don''t thinTrade ReviewTouching and funny * Woman's Way *Well written and very readable...a refreshing change from the usual stable of women's contemporary fiction * Publishing News *

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Book SynopsisAn irresistible tale of love, friendship and sweet revenge, perfect for readers of Cathy Kelly and Erica JamesDarcey and Nieve were best friends - until Nieve stole Aidan, the boy Darcey had fallen in love with while Nieve was travelling. Aidan was going to propose the very night Nieve caught his eye - Darcey had seen the ring.Over the next ten years, Darcey has been haunted by the memory of her humiliation. Nothing can heal the wound - no career success, no comfort her eccentric but loving family can offer, not even her (short-lived) marriage to Neil.And then the invitation arrives: to the wedding of Aidan and Nieve. She''s seen neither of them since they left Ireland for life in the USA. They''re coming home to have the wedding of a lifetime at Ireland''s most expensive hotel.Will Darcey be there? Will there be fireworks? And can the past be put to rest at last?What readers are saying about Bad Behaviour: ''Read it from cover to cover in two days and loved every minute. Excellent'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''Amazing read, just loved this book . . . On par with Mave Binchey'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''Wonderful and totally absorbing'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐''This author gets better with every book'' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐Trade Review'Complex characters woven into an easy, feel-good read - you'll stay up late to finish it!' * Candis *'A perceptive page-turner' * Closer *'Sheila O'Flanagan's best book yet' * Cork Evening Echo *

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Book SynopsisBillly Hopkins'' delightful novel HIGH HOPES is based on his own experiences as a young teacher in Manchester in the aftermath of war in the 1940s. From the author of OUR KID.It''s September 1945 and Billy Hopkins is off to London to train as a teacher, with only ten bob in his pocket. Despite his dad''s gloomy warnings that he''ll pick up bad ways from the toffs down South, Billy survives two years in the Big City, and returns to take up his first teaching job in Manchester - on 300 a year! The catch is his first class, Senior Four, who bitterly resent the raising of the school leaving age, and are all set to take it out on their teacher. Luckily the kid from Collyhurst has some tricks up his sleeve. And then Billy meets the beautiful Laura. But is she, as his dad says, ''too good for the likes of us''?

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Book SynopsisIt''s 1950, and when Laura and Billy Hopkins return to Manchester from their honeymoon, they''re in seventh heaven despite the austerity that has been going on since World War II. But the euphoria gradually evaporates and they settle into a penny-pinching existence on Billy''s teaching salary, as babies and bills appear with alarming regularity. When Billy spots an advertisement for Education Officers in Kenya, it sounds like the answer to all their prayers, despite worries about the Mau Mau rebellion and the omnipresence of dangerous creatures. After much family debate, Laura, Billy and the junior Hopkins set off to Nairobi on a BOAC Argonaut and start on the biggest adventure of their lives...

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Book SynopsisIt''s December 1963 when Billy Hopkins and his wife Laura arrive home in Manchester after five years in Africa. The world has changed beyond recognition: it''s the swinging sixties, with headlines full of the Beatles and the pill, LSD and mini skirts. Billy''s youngest son still believes in Santa Claus and while his daughter''s reading Jackie, she''s not even a teenager yet, so Billy''s not too worried about the impact of modern society on his family. He''s more concerned about the welfare of his increasingly forgetful father and about the daily challenges he faces as a college lecturer. When the four junior Hopkins start to choose their own, unexpected paths in life, though, Billy finds it harder than usual to see the funny side of things...

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Book SynopsisThis timely, moving debut novel follows a teen's efforts to keep his family together as his parents face deportation. Mateo Garcia and his younger sister, Sophie, have been taught to fear one word for as long as they can remember: deportation. Over the past few years, however, the fear that their undocumented immigrant parents could be sent back to Mexico started to fade. Ma and Pa have been in the United States for so long, they have American-born children, and they're hard workers and good neighbors. When Mateo returns from school one day to find that his parents have been taken by ICE, he realizes that his family's worst nightmare has become a reality. With his parents' fate and his own future hanging in the balance, Mateo must figure out who he is and what he is capable of, all as he's forced to question what it means to be an American. Daniel Aleman's Indivisible is a remarkable story—both powerful in its explorations of immigration in America and deeply intimate in its portrait of a teen boy driven by his fierce, protective love for his sister and his parents.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“A love letter to the power of music, this thoughtful, humorous exploration of what constitutes living versus mere survival sees Chen (Light Years from Home) at the top of his game.” —Publishers Weekly starred review"A propulsive, poignant ode to vampire mythos, human connection, and the enduring power of punk rock.” —Sarah Kuhn, author of Heroine Complex "Mike Chen is at his best here, with a sharp-as-fangs reinvention of the vampire mythos centered on the power of family, born and chosen, and, of course, punk rock. This book will sink its teeth right into your heart." —Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author"Never getting old sucks! Mike Chen's Vampire Weekend is a kicky homage to punk rock and a delightful exploration of what it means to be 'other,' teaching us that while vampire blood helps, true healing comes from family and forgiveness." —Sierra Godfrey, author of A Very Typical Family "Fresh, intelligent, and darkly funny, Vampire Weekend is my favorite vampire novel since Interview With The Vampire." —Stina Leicht, author of Persephone Station“Vampire Weekend rocks. It’s a fanged love song to punk, guitars, and vampires, and it shines with hope and humor. I loved every beat.” —New York Times Bestselling Author Chloe Neill"Vampire Weekend finally gives us the painfully relatable vampires we've always needed: awkward, cringey, their clothes never quite in style. But with that comes a story of genuine kindness and the gentle wonder of understanding and friendship found in the least likely place imaginable—in your own family, vampire or not." —Natalie Zina Walschots, author of Hench"A strong emotional core carries Chen’s (Light Years from Home, 2022) latest, which is ultimately about healing from old wounds and learning how to embrace life again after loss—even if you’re dead." —Booklist"The narrative shifts through time to tell a story of family and battling loneliness with music for an altogether unique tale." —Book Riot"It’s funny, it’s suspenseful, it’s sometimes heartbreaking but always thrilling. The story will never go where you expect it to go, and that’s just one of many reasons you won’t be able to put it down once it’s open in your hands." —Culturess"Anyone looking for a cute, family story that happens to star someone who lives off blood will be fully satiated." —Tor.com"An ode to a love for vampires, music, and family." —Library Journal“Vampire Weekend by Mike Chen was a fun supernatural romp.” —io9

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Book SynopsisIs motherhood supposed to feel like this? Trade Review'Brilliant… Molnar's sentences give up riches and terrors... An essential and surprisingly thrilling book about motherhood.' -- New York Times'An oddly affirmative novel, alive with a dangerous self-aware humour.' -- Daily Mail'Riveting and precise, The Nursery does extraordinary things amidst the confinement of early motherhood.' -- Megan Hunter, author of The End We Start From'Molnar has written a daring and much-needed novel that has some of the hothouse, unflinching quality of Sylvia Plath's late poetry.' -- The Atlantic'Gripping... Every page is drenched in equal parts anguish and charm.' -- Kyra Wilder, author of Little Bandaged Days'The Nursery is a mesmerising read, a deeply affecting account of early motherhood that's full of honesty and power, tenderness and fragility. I loved it.' -- Emylia Hall, author of The Book of Summers'Precisely, scaldingly true. A tense, thrilling debut that explores how a love story can also be a horror story.' -- Clare Pollard, author of Delphi'With unsparing, hypnotic, and fearless prose, Szilvia Molnar captures the texture, rhythms, and agonies of the post-partum body and mind. I found so much pleasure in the tension between this haunting debut's warm, vibrant intimacy and its clear-eyed, occasionally violent accounting of the body at war with itself. The Nursery is a devastating work of elegance and ambiguity.' -- Patrick Cottrell, author of Sorry to Disrupt the Peace'I was blown away by this book... At once somber and joyful, sly and earnest, nimble and painstaking, perverse and profoundly invigorating.' -- Lydia Kiesling, award-winning author of The Golden State'A radical novel about the harrowing early days of motherhood, as well as love, ambition, and survival, The Nursery gives precise, gorgeous language to an experience that so often feels indescribable. Szilvia Molnar’s astounding debut powerfully demonstrates that the intricate workings of the female mind and a woman’s bodily metamorphosis and struggles deserve our most reverent attention. I’m obsessed with this book.' -- Jessamine Chan, author of The School for Good Mothers'"I used to be a translator and now I am a milk bar." So begins Molnar's brilliant debut novel about a new mother falling apart within the four walls of her apartment. With horror and honesty, this book tackles the total, painful and deeply baffling transformation of a woman into a nurturer.' -- New York Times Book Review, Editors' Choice'Molnar takes apart the language of new motherhood and turns it into something deliriously fresh. This is the book I wish I'd had when I was in the narrator's shoes.' -- Jessica Friedmann, author of Things That Helped'A powerful brew of a novel, emitting unpleasant sights, smells, and emotions that are rarely captured in print; it is frequently disquieting in its brutal, insistent candor.' -- LitHub'Molnar's wellspring is universal; her features are particularly of our moment; and her flourishes of darkness let in the sublime... The Nursery deserves to be widely read.' -- Compact Magazine'Told with radical honesty and emotional precision, The Nursery is an essential addition to the growing canon of literary works reckoning with the complexities of motherhood.' -- The Millions'The Nursery dares to question the inviolable dictates of a mother’s love when a human is reduced to her suffering.' -- BOMB Magazine (Editor's Choice)'A postpartum page-turner... The tenebrous attention Molnar offers to her taboo topic is, outside of transgressive cinema, almost never examined, let alone made into such art. Works this brave are not allowed to exist unless they are exceptional.' -- Texas Observer

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Book SynopsisTwo families. Two wartime loves. Their lives changed forever . . .Trade ReviewAnnie Murray’s superbly drawn characters will live with you long after you have finished reading -- Margaret DickinsonHeart-warming... gripping read, full of drama, love and compassion * Take a Break *

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Book Synopsis*WINNER OF THE CWA GOLD DAGGER AWARD 2023 FOR BEST CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR*The apotheosis of Southern Gothic Noir'' NEIL GAIMAN''Compelling characters and vivid settings make this impressive Southern narrative stand out among the best . . . not to be missed'' KARIN SLAUGHTER''A rich, sprawling, dazzling mystery . . . I savoured every page'' RILEY SAGERIt begins quietly on a balmy Southern night in Savannah as some locals gather at Bo Peep''s, one of the town''s favourite watering holes. Within an hour, a man will be murdered and his companion will have ''disappeared''.An unlikely detective, Morgana Musgrove, doyenne of Savannah society, is called upon to unravel the mystery of these crimes. Morgana is an imperious, demanding, and conniving woman, whose four grown children are weary of her schemes. But one by one she inveigles them into helping with her investigation, and soon the family uncovers some terrifying truths - truths that wTrade ReviewA novel about a place and the people in that place that reads like a thriller but could only have been written by someone who knows Savannah and its stories intimately and wants them to be told. It's the apotheosis of Southern Gothic Noir -- Neil GaimanA rich, sprawling, dazzling mystery that's also a journey into history - of a nation, of a city, and of one unforgettably dysfunctional family. I savored every page -- Riley SagerCompelling characters and vivid settings make this impressive Southern narrative stand out among the best . . . not to be missed -- Karin SlaughterI've never read a mystery novel any finer than this one. It impeccably fulfills every requirement of the genre - idiosyncratic heroes and villains, exotic milieus, ugly secrets, surprising twists, gratifying turns . . . all depicted in gorgeous prose. The Kingdoms of Savannah is utterly satisfying -- Kurt AndersenDeeply rooted in Savannah's at times horrific history, yet looking hopefully toward the future, this provocative page-turner is sure to enthrall a broad spectrum of readers. Green is writing at the top of his game * Publishers Weekly, STARRED review *Green's novels may not come around often, but when they do, they hit hard and stay with you long after the end * Kirkus, STARRED review *A novel about a place and the people in that place that reads like a thriller but could only have been written by someone who knows Savannah and its stories intimately and wants them to be told. It's the apotheosis of Southern Gothic Noir -- Neil GaimanA rich, sprawling, dazzling mystery that's also a journey into history - of a nation, of a city, and of one unforgettably dysfunctional family. I savored every page -- Riley SagerCompelling characters and vivid settings make this impressive Southern narrative stand out among the best . . . not to be missed -- Karin SlaughterI've never read a mystery novel any finer than this one. It impeccably fulfills every requirement of the genre - idiosyncratic heroes and villains, exotic milieus, ugly secrets, surprising twists, gratifying turns . . . all depicted in gorgeous prose. The Kingdoms of Savannah is utterly satisfying -- Kurt AndersenDeeply rooted in Savannah's at times horrific history, yet looking hopefully toward the future, this provocative page-turner is sure to enthrall a broad spectrum of readers. Green is writing at the top of his game * Publishers Weekly, STARRED review *Green's novels may not come around often, but when they do, they hit hard and stay with you long after the end * Kirkus, STARRED review *

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Book SynopsisOne of NPR's Books We Love for 2022 A New Yorker Best Books of 2022 So Far One of Time's 100 Must-Read Books of 2022 An Oprah Daily Favourite Book of 2022 A stunning new novel from the author of A Children's BibleTrade Review"Minimalist, well-crafted…Millet is exceptionally skilled at what she does." -- Sandra Newman - The Guardian"This gentle, redemptive novel follows a damaged, trusting man as he heals through human connection and requited love…it leaves a warm afterglow and an optimism that lingers." -- Sally Morris - The Daily Mail"Deceptively simple and quietly lovely." -- Adrienne Westenfeld - Esquire"[S]harp and implacably funny…The novel is both aubade and vesper. It implies that some people can’t escape the prisons of who they are…. Millet’s novels draw solace from the idea that we are infinitely bigger than ourselves." -- Katy Waldman - The New Yorker"Dinosaurs solidifies a new phase of Millet’s career.…The spaciousness of the style makes the sense of loss richer and the questions posed—what constitutes moral action, how best can we help one another—at once simpler and more profound…. Millet’s g" -- Christine Smallwood - The New York Times"Dinosaurs solidifies a new phase of Millet’s career.…The spaciousness of the style makes the sense of loss richer and the questions posed—what constitutes moral action, how best can we help one another—at once simpler and more profound…. Millet’s g" -- Christine Smallwood - The New York Times

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Book Synopsis'The last line will make you literally shout with shock' Good Housekeeping'Terrifically twisty ... hooks from the first page' Sunday TimesOn a bright morning in the London suburbs, a family moves into the house they’ve just bought on Trinity Avenue. Nothing strange about that. Except it's your house. And you didn’t sell it.FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE. When Fi Lawson arrives home to find strangers moving into her house, she is plunged into terror and confusion. She and her husband Bram have owned their home on Trinity Avenue for years and have no intention of selling. How can this other family possibly think the house is theirs? And why has Bram disappeared when she needs him most?FOR RICHER, FOR POORER. Bram has made a catastrophic mistake and now he is paying. Unable to see his wife, his children or his home, he has nothing left but to settle scores.

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Book Synopsis''If you loved Fleabag, you''ll love this'' LAURA KEMP, on Definitely FineFour sisters. One house. It''s about to get messy...Poppy, Saffron, Rosemary and Sorrell might be sisters, but they could not be more different... Oldest Poppy has hit all the milestones before turning thirty, but constantly being in control is starting to feel a bit suffocating; peacemaker Saffron will do anything to keep her sisters together even at her own expense; Rosemary has crafted a perfect façade, but cracks in her engagement are beginning to surface; youngest Sorrell is pregnant after a one-night stand, and is determined to do it all on her own for once - without any help from her sisters! But when they inherit their family home, the four must make the decision to keep or sell the house - and they''re about to discover that no one gets under your skin quite like family... Can they ever put their differences aside and find a way to

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAgain, Rachel has all of Keyes's trademark wit, humour and whip-smart dialogue, but it's also a novel teeming with compassion and redemption * Observer *Delightfully funny * Daily Telegraph *Perceptive, hilarious and moving, it's a captivating roller coaster of a read and it's a joy to be reunited with Rachel and the rest of the Walsh clan. * Daily Record *Again, Rachel is fabulous. Beautifully written, pure 5-star Keyes - clever, lively, funny, compelling -- Nina StibbeFunny, heartbreaking, achingly real - Keyes has done it again. Gorgeous. I absolutely loved it -- Jane FallonIt will break your heart and nourish your soul . . . No one can evoke deep feeling with such a light touch as Marian Keyes. She brings her characters to life with Dickensian brio. I think it might be her finest novel yet -- Nigella LawsonIt's excellent and it's everything. Funny, gorgeous, but a painful, powerful story about addiction, emotions and humanity. Exquisite -- Daisy BuchananA sequel worth the wait . . This garrulous, fast-paced read offers the joy of a reunion with not just Rachel, but the rambunctious Walsh clan. An entertaining, growingly poignant contemporary tale * Sunday Times *No other author marries heartbreak and hilarity so seamlessly * Mail on Sunday *Addictive . . . Marian's mastery of story and character is as impressive as ever, and the whole thing rings totally true from start to finish * Heat, Book of the Year 2022 *This new novel is like slipping into a warm, bubbly bath * Good Housekeeping *Funny, heart-breaking and so wise * Daily Mail *It's beautifully written, funny, heart-breaking and always wise. I was so happy to be reunited with this iconic protagonist and her fabulous family - a proper treat * Daily Mail *Utterly brilliant, wise and funny. So fabulous. I adore it -- Cathy KellyHer particular gift is the ability to settle the reader into a comfortable seat, then carry them to the darkest places; to make serious things funny - and moving. She handles with intelligence and humour the issues that the question of long-term addiction recovery throws up * The Times *A smashing sequel. Keyes delivers punchy home truths with wit and charm as we revisit her best-loved heroine. There is a real genius to the way Keyes brings deep, awful truths to the surface. Keyes has mastered the art of writing books that read like treats, but turn out to be good for you * Telegraph *Brilliant * Stylist *You'll devour this unputdownable tale * OK! *Beautifully moving and funny -- Sinead MoriartyWise and witty, this is destined to be as successful as its forerunner * Woman's Weekly *A welcome return for Keyes' messy heroine. In Rachel, Keyes has created a character that takes her readers through the rough and the smooth - and we are more than happy to go along for the ride * Metro *Warm-hearted, witty and fearless in the face of life's sorrows, Again, Rachel is a celebration of the enduring power of love * Daily Mail *Brilliant. Truly wonderful. Like sinking into a deep, luxurious, bubble bath. Sharply observed, this big-hearted book has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and is a treat of a novel * My Weekly *Keyes has always been an excellent storyteller but here she is at the peak of her powers, her writing even more honest and vulnerable than usual. A profound and smart book that will be enjoyed by die-hard fans and new readers alike. And Luke Costello is sexier than ever. * iNews *Brilliant -- Lucy ManganAssured, wise and witty with superb observational detail, reading Marian Keyes is like being cradled in safe arms. This book is destined to be as successful as its forerunner * Woman & Home *Bereavement, grief, addiction, family, fun, humour, love, romance. It's all there -- Sheila O’ FlanaganWarm, witty and wise - a joy to read * Sun *There's a wisdom to Marian Keyes' iconic Rachel * Sainsbury's Magazine *Keyes is an exceptional storyteller and her ability to blend comedy, high drama and emotional depth is second to none. Empathetic, insightful, romantic and witty, Again, Rachel is again a delight from start to finish. * Daily Express *Again, Rachel is a tour de force. A fearless novel about loving and losing and hoping. It's perfection -- Gillian McAllisterA brilliant reminder of just how comforting it can be to return to characters that once captured our hearts. * Stylist *Set to be one of the biggest books of the year * i *Joyful, wise, empathetic, funny, sexy, and so thoughtful on addiction, too -- Sarah VaughanDarkly comic . . . Just as tender, heartbreaking and laugh-out-loud funny as her first outing * Best *Again, Rachel is like a six hundred page hug and is Marian Keyes at her hilarious yet heartbreaking best -- Sarra Manning * Red Magazine *I loved Again, Rachel. Such a beautiful, wise, powerful book -- Elly GriffithsRachel somehow helps us all to find our better, truer selves. I've still got 100 pages to go, but part of me wishes it was 1,000 * Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, The Week *Keyes is a giant of Irish writing who has not so much defined a genre, as she has created it -- Natasha PoliszczukPerceptive, hilarious and deeply moving, this is a wise and insightful look at modern life * Sunday Express *Switch the phone to silent, banish all distractions: it's time for a book binge * Saga Magazine *Fabulous. I loved becoming reacquainted with the Walsh family * My Weekly Special Series *A masterclass in creating the perfect follow-up story . . . This sequel shone -- Jane Harper * Daily Express *Included in 'Best Paperbacks of April 2023' * THE TIMES *There aren't many books that come along . . . where on one page you can be laughing hysterically, and then you turn the page and you're nearly in tears for the opposite reason. This is that book. Beautifully told. Loads of warmth, loads of humour. -- Phil Williams * Times Radio *She is a genius stylist. Her characters are so vivid, her situations feel so real and authentic. This is my favourite book of hers. -- Hannah Beckerman * Times Radio *Amazing -- Beth O'LearyEnticing * Stylist *There's light and dark in all Keyes' novels, equal measures of hilarity and heartbreak * Scotsman *Hard to put down * Sunday Express *Lovable, funny. Doesn't disappoint * Sunday Life *Keyes at the peak of her powers * Scotsman *Praise for Marian Keyes -- :Messy, tangled complex humans who reminded me that few of us ever really sort out our lives at all -- Jojo MoyesA novel that is warm and witty but never afraid to tackle the big stuff -- Elizabeth Day * Mail on Sunday *Magnificently messy lives, brilliantly untangled. Funny, tender and completely absorbing! -- Graham NortonKeyes knows how to make serious issues relatable - and get a few grownup laughs, too * Guardian *There should be a word to describe the sadness and satisfaction you feel when you read the last page of a Marian Keyes novel: the ending is perfect but you still want more, more, more -- Liane MoriartyCharming, funny and poignant. But also profound, heartbreaking -- Nina StibbeKeyes at her best: capturing everyday voices with humour and empathy with writing that you'll devour in a weekend. Just pure and simple joy * Stylist *Funny, thought-provoking and will get you right in the feels * Red *Sensitive, funny, wonderful, immensely touching -- Nigella LawsonMarian Keyes's gift for storytelling is utterly magnificent -- Liz NugentRachel Walsh is back with a bang. Wickedly shrewd and fun * RTE Guide, 'Top 10 Fiction of 2022' *

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Book SynopsisTHE DARK AND PROPULSIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER THAT WILL KEEP YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT''A creepy, twisty page-turner where nothing is as it seems'' Andrea Mara, Sunday Times bestseller''A compulsive and propulsive read: I would give it ten stars if I could'' 5***** READER REVIEW''I couldn''t put this down'' 5***** READER REVIEW''A thrilling read. Full of twists and turns and shocks. Brilliant!'' 5***** READER REVIEW''I was totally absorbed in this book from cover to cover'' 5***** READER REVIEW''A book I didn''t want to put down'' 5***** READER REVIEW ''A definite 5 stars - brilliant'' 5***** READER REVIEWRead this on holiday it's the PERFECT beach thriller' 5***** READER REVIEWI devoured this book in a day!' 5***** READER REVIEW Read it, read it , READ it a first class psych-thriller' 5***** READER REVIEW Trade ReviewA creepy, twisty page turner where nothing is as it seems. The Truth About Her is immersive and atmospheric, an incredible novel. I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended -- Andrea MaraHonest, relevant, and full of twists. A seriously compulsive read! -- Lauren NorthI absolutely devoured The Truth About Her. Brilliantly twisty and fast-paced, it will make you question everything you ever see on social media again. I couldn't put it down! -- Lisa HallExploring the dark world of influencer culture, this is an absolutely gripping thriller that combines a seductive setting, a twisty plot, and complex characters. An incisive look into female friendships with a truly shocking ending, I devoured this book in a day - unputdownable! -- Heather Darwent * Sunday Times bestselling author of The Things We Do To Our Friends *

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Book SynopsisSet in the tumultous times of World War II, The Colours of Love by Rita Bradshaw is a story of a capable and resourceful woman who proves that nothing is stronger than a mother's love.Can love survive when all is lost?England is at war, but nothing can dim land girl Esther Wynford's happiness at marrying the love of her life - fighter pilot Monty Grant. Their short honeymoon results in a baby, but on the birth of her daughter, Joy, Esther's world falls apart. Esther's dying mother confesses to a dark secret that she has kept to herself for twenty years: Esther is not her natural daughter but the result of an exchange of babies after her own child was stillborn. Esther's real mother was forced to give up her baby to an orphanage by her furious family who were incensed about the unsuitability of their daughter's lover, and Joy's birth makes the reason clear. Harshly rejected by Monty, and with the man

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Book SynopsisA dramatic story of bitter rivalry and forbidden love, Pam Evans'' London saga, LAMPLIGHT ON THE THAMES, is sure to appeal to fans of Kitty Neale, Katie Flynn and Kate Thompson. Since the end of the war, when Bob Brown had taken over the car workshop in London, Frank Bennett had been trying to get his hands on it. An East Ender made good, Frank was determined to get the prime site - whatever the cost.As children, Bob''s daughter Bella and Frank''s son Dezi became unlikely friends, though both families disapproved. Years later, their love blossomed, and it seemed that nothing, not even the feud between their fathers, could prevent their marriage. Until Bob''s tragic death and his dying request to Bella . . .Trade ReviewA touching novel - Daily ExpressVery readable - BellaA special kind of warmth with all the right ingredients - Lancashire Evening PostHistory and Romance. A touching saga - My Weekly

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