Description
Book Synopsis'A mesmerising tale of secrets and lies' - VAL MCDERMID 'As good as it gets' - DENISE MINA 'An arresting new talent' - CHRIS BROOKMYRE NOT EVERY CHILD IS A BLESSING... It was Ali who found the body of a murdered newborn baby, hidden in the garden of her convent school. In an Ireland riven by battles of religion and reproduction, the case becomes a media sensation, even as the church tries to suppress it. But this is not the first dead baby Ali has found. For Detectives Vincent Swan and Gina Considine, the pressure to discover the identity of the dead child is little help against a community with secrets to protect. Gina knows all too well how many of Ireland's girls are forced to make difficult decisions in terrible circumstances, silenced by shame. Is Ali one of those girls? Because what evidence there is, points to Ali herself... A compelling mystery that will keep you gripped until the last page, perfect for readers of Val McDermid, Denise Mina, Tana French and Jo Spain. *** WINNER OF THE DUNDEE INTERNATIONAL BOOK PRIZE *** ________________________________________ 'A superb debut' - IRISH TIMES 'A vivid thriller. Engrossing' - IRISH INDEPENDENT 'A compulsive, page-turning crime novel' - DECLAN HUGHES
Trade ReviewA mesmerising tale of secrets and lies rising from the past to strangle the present -- Val McDermid
An unusual but absorbingly twisting narrative is hugely enhanced by White's creation of Detective Swan, a complex man whose own frustrated paternal instincts ensure that a highly politicised case becomes very personal indeed. A superb debut * Irish Times *
A vivid thriller. Engrossing right up to its sombre resolution ... an arresting debut * Irish Independent *
As good as it gets: a debut shot through with the real, horrifying cruelty of true crime and a heart-race ending -- Denise Mina
A crime story with real purpose and conviction, hopefully the first of many from an arresting new talent -- Christopher Brookmyre, author of
Want You GoneLike A Famished Heart, the first book in this excellent series, this novel is really a piece of quality literary fiction -- Rachel Sargeant, author of
The Perfect NeighboursA moving, intelligent and courageous book - both a family story and a genuine thriller -- A.L. Kennedy, author of
DayA compulsive, page-turning crime novel, a haunting slab of Irish family gothic and a moving study of a young woman coming of age in a society deeply unsympathetic to women. Nicola White writes beautifully, with wit, verve, a gift for scene-setting and a compassionate eye for the foibles of her characters -- Declan Hughes, author of
The Colour of BloodNicola White is a stupendous talent -- Kate Simants, author of
Lock Me InDazzling, exceptional -- Brian Cox, Dundee International Book Prize judge
