HQ Fiction Catalogue July - December 2023

Fiction

978-0-00-860771-5

6 Jul 2023

£ 16.99

Homebodies

Tembe Denton-Hurst

•A sharply observed and witty coming-of-age debut novel following a Black woman in her twenties trying to navigate life and love when she returns to her hometown, after being unceremoniously fired from her job, and her post calling out racism within the media industry suddenly goes viral.

•The book was inspired by her own experiences, when, a couple of years ago, Tembe was laid off from her media job and forced to confront a new kind of reality after everything she built stopped working out.

•Beautifully captures many timely and socially relevant issues and themes in today’s society: complex relationships, office politics, workplace discrimination, life in your twenties, cancel culture, social media.

•Perfect for fans of Sally Rooney, The Other Black Girl, Candice Carty-Williams and Maame.

•Tembe is a beauty and culture editor for the New York magazine and you can find her on Instagram, with nearly 14k followers.

The hotly anticipated and brilliant debut coming-of-age novel from a new voice in fiction – coming summer 2023! * * *

She’s stayed quiet for too long. Now it’s time to speak her truth.

Tembe Denton-Hurst (known on the internets as @tembae) is a book-obsessed beauty and culture writer and author. She currently works as a staff writer at New York Magazine's The Strategist where she covers beauty, lifestyle, and books. When she’s not writing, Tembe can be found on her couch in Queens where she lives with her partner and their two cats Stella and Dakota.

Homebodies is her debut novel.

Until twenty-four hours ago, Mickey Hayward was living the life she’d always dreamed of:

- Working as a full-time writer for a trendy media company (tick)

- In a committed, loving relationship (tick)

Now she’s fired, tossed aside for a younger, more ‘agreeable’ Black writer. Sick of always being overlooked and undervalued, she responds with an online letter detailing the racism she’s faced within the industry. But when it’s met with overwhelming silence, and her girlfriend suggests they go on a break, Mickey’s carefully crafted life starts to fall apart.

As Mickey flees to her hometown, the simplicity of her old life – and the arms of an old flame – are all too tempting. But her life in New York refuses to be forgotten. And when a media scandal turns Mickey’s post into a viral sensation, suddenly everyone wants to hear what she has to say.

It’s what Mickey’s always wanted – isn’t it?

Intimate, witty, and deeply sexy, Homebodies is a testament to those trying to be heard and loved in a world that refuses to make space for them.

978-0-00-856659-3

6 Jul 2023

£ 8.99

The Seven Year Slip

•Cute, funny and magical high-concept rom-rom from the bestselling author of The Dead Romantics, about a book publicist who can travel back seven years in the past when she stays in her recently deceased aunt’s apartment

•The Dead Romantics was a New York Times, USA Today and Kindle top 100 bestelling book

•The Dead Romantics was a TikTok hit, with over 3.2 million views of the hashtag; The Seven Year Slip will appeal to the same audience

•Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Christina Lauren and Erin Sterling

•The Dead Romantics was selected for a much-coveted special edition slot by FairyLoot, who took 3k copies

•Hugely engaged author with a big profile in the writing community and strong social media stats (over 14k Instagram followes, 11k Twitter followers, 26k likes on TikTok)

An overworked book publicist with a perfectly planned future hits a snag when she falls in love with her temporary roommate…only to discover he lives seven years in the past, in this witty and wise new novel from the bestselling author of The Dead Romantics.

Ashley Poston writes stories about love and friendship and ever afters. A native to South Carolina, she now lives in a small grey house with her sassy cat and too many books. You can find her on the internet, somewhere, watching cat videos and reading fan-fiction.

Tweet her at @ashposton and find out more about her at www.ashposton.com.

PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

Six months ago, Clementine West had the worst day of her life. So, she came up with a plan to keep her heart safe: stay busy, work hard, take no risks. And it’s been working.

That is until one day she finds a strange man standing in her kitchen. A man with kind eyes, a crooked smile, and a recipe for the perfect lemon meringue pie. The kind of man that, before everything, she could have fallen for . . .

He’s perfect but for one thing: he lives in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact.

This should be impossible, but Clementine used to love impossible things. And maybe, just maybe, she will again. After all, love is never a matter of time – but a matter of timing.

Praise for The Dead Romantics:

‘We could all use a good summer ghost story, and you can't get much better than Ashley Poston's adult fiction debut.’

Entertainment Weekly

‘This is a book to make you laugh and cry.’ New York Times

‘A tender, nuanced love story that fans of Emily Henry will adore’ Red

‘I LOVED this book. A beautiful, poignant story, full of beautiful, poignant characters… at the end all the pieces fall perfectly into place, and the picture that they form is at once touching, funny, breathtaking, hopeful, and dreamy.’

Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis

‘Smart, quirky and funny. I loved this one.’

Sarah Morgan, The Sunday Times bestselling author of Beach House Summer

‘What fun – the Emily Henry/Casey McQuiston reader (aka me) is going to gobble this book up. Smart, quick, delicious.’

Emma Straub, New York Times bestselling author of This Time Tomorrow

‘An absolute and unexpected delight. Voicy and quirky and fun; the pages will probably sparkle (but with black glitter).’

Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners

384pp B 198x129, Paperback

978-0-00-833598-4

20 Jul 2023

£ 16.99

You Were Always Mine

Christine Pride and Jo Piazza

•The much-anticipated second novel from the powerhouse writing duo that brought us the provoking and important debut novel, WE ARE NOT LIKE THEM.

•YOU WERE ALWAYS MINE is a poignant story about a Black woman who finds an abandoned white baby. This sends her on a collision course with her past, her family, and a birth mother who doesn't want to be found.

•For fans of THE MOTHERS by Brit Bennett, LOVE MARRIAGE by Monica Ali, Tayari Jones and Jodi Picoult.

•A provocative and conversation-starting novel that explores what makes a mother, who deserves to be a mother, and whether motherhood is a privilege or a right. It is a story about race, motherhood, and the families that we make.

•Perfectly hits the sweet spot in the ‘reading group meets women’s fiction’ space. Will be a word-ofmouth hit for book groups across the world.

•First novel’s success. WE ARE NOT LIKE THEM:

–Over 20,000 copies sold across formats.

–One of HQ’s most widely reviewed novels – endorsements from a broad range of media (Prima to Daily Mail, Heat to Guardian), and authors and TV personalities (Laura Dave, Rhys Stephenson, David Lammy, Greer Hendricks). We’ll be aiming for a similar spread with YWAM.

Christine Pride worked in publishing for fifteen years, having worked with a variety of established and debut writers and published many New York Times bestsellers and critically acclaimed books including, From Scratch, Heaven is Here, and A Reason to Believe. Christine pens a regular column, ‘Race Matters’, for Cup of Jo alongside her novel-writing.

Jo Piazza is an award-winning journalist and editor who has written for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Glamour and Elle. The bestselling author of The Knockoff, How to Be Married, Fitness Junkie, and Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win, she currently lives in Philadelphia with her husband and three children.

–Almost 4,000 Amazon reader reviews, 90% of which are 4- or 5-star reviews.

–Retailer support: Waterstones and the indies got behind publication, with various special editions across formats, and we saw a high level of engagement from booksellers, creating strong platform to launch YWAM.

‘Sits squarely at the tender intersection of race, class, and ethics – wrapped in beautiful prose and a killer plot that keeps you turning the pages’ JODI

PICOULT

Is the truest family the one we’re born into, or the one we make for ourselves?

Cinnamon Haynes has fought hard for everything she has – her marriage, a stable job as a career counsellor, and home of her own. She’s overcome the difficult circumstances of her childhood to build this life, and yet, she can’t help but wonder . . . is this all there is?

Just nineteen years old, Daisy Dunlap has already faced her share of hardships, but she has big dreams for her future. A future which is threatened when she gets unexpectedly pregnant and, desperate and alone, she makes a drastic decision with devastating consequences.

When Cinnamon finds an abandoned baby in the park, she takes the newborn into her home, not realising the chain reaction this will set off. Cinnamon must deal with the shocking judgements from friends, strangers, even her own husband, about why a Black woman like her would take in this blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby, but all Cinnamon wants is to do right by this innocent child. Then, Cinnamon’s fragile hold over the baby is threatened and she must fight for the family she wants –even if that costs her everything she once held dear . . .

PRAISE FOR CHRISTINE PRIDE & JO PIAZZA:

‘A powerful story about friendship, race, love, forgiveness, and justice . . . Empathetic, riveting, and authentic’ Laura Dave, author of The Last Thing He Told Me

‘An absolute must-read for your book clubs for debate and discussion’ Nina Pottell, Prima (Book of the Month)

‘Powerful and timely’ Guardian

‘Guaranteed to get people talking’ Good Housekeeping

400pp Royal 234x153, Hardback

978-0-00-856665-4

20 Jul 2023

The Revels

•Bewitching upmarket historical debut set in 17th century and following an aspiring playwright who’s apprenticed to a notorious witch-hunter during the witch trials but is harbouring a dark secret that he can hear the songs of the dead

•Hamnet meets The Witchfinger’s Sister for fans of Jessie Burton, Stacey Halls and Bridget Collins

•Witchcraft is a perennially popular genre but this offers a fresh perspective by exploring witchcraft from a male perspective

•Stacey Thomas is an exciting new talent and has been mentored by Clare Mackintosh and was awarded a bursary by Jessie Burton

•Stacey is a contributor to Bad Form Review

The stage is set and the witch-hunt is about to begin…

‘I am no witch. I have not sold my soul to the devil for powers. What I am has never openly been whispered of, yet it is enough that people would hang for it.’

England, 1645.

Stacey Thomas is a contributor to Bad Form Review. She is an alumna of the Curtis Brown Creative novel writing course where she was awarded the Clare Mackintosh Scholarship for Black Writers. In 2021, she was announced as one of the three winners of HarperCollins’s inaugural Killing It Competition for Undiscovered Writers.

The Revels is her debut novel.

After his half-brother dies, aspiring playwright Nicholas Pearce is apprenticed to Judge William Percival, an infamous former witch-hunter who is under pressure to resume his old profession.

In a country torn apart by civil war, with escalating tensions between Catholics and Protestants, Royalists and Roundheads, and rumours of witchcraft, Nicholas hides a secret: the dead sing. He hears their secrets, but will he find the courage to speak up to save innocent lives, even if it means putting himself in great danger?

A spellbinding debut novel perfect for fans of Stacey Halls, Laura Purcell and Bridget Collins.

Praise for Stacey Thomas’s spellbinding debut, The Revels:

‘A darkly fascinating, spellbinding novel that captivated me with its fresh perspective and twists’ Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Elektra

‘What can I say about The Revels? Beautiful prose, lyrical dialogue, a sense of intrigue and possibility challenging the reader’s assumptions and weaving a spell throughout the highly accomplished plot. Truly a debut for the ages!’

Natalie Chandler, bestselling author of Believe Me

368pp

Royal 234x153, Hardback

978-0-00-843098-6

384pp

B

20 Jul 2023

£ 8.99

Tough Crowd

Andi Osho

•A laugh-out-loud, funny and heartwarming romantic comedy about navigating dating someone with children and becoming a step-parent

•Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Beth O’Leary, Ruth Jones and Mel Giedroyc

•Andi’s debut novel Asking For A Friend was longlisted for the Comedy Women In Print Prize and was a breakout debut, spending 6 weeks in The Bookseller Heatseeker Chart and selling over 28k copies to date

•Andi Osho is an accomplished writer, actor and stand-up comedian whose profile continues to grow thanks to high-profile roles in recent TV hits including Line of Duty and The Sandman

Don’t miss the new laugh-out-loud novel from Andi Osho, the bestselling author of Asking for a Friend!

A NEW MAN ON THE SCENE.

Aspiring comedian Abi has always been told that she’s too much, but never felt like enough. Until she meets Will, who changes everything she’s been made to believe by men, the media and her mum. He loves her just the way she is.

HIS KIDS.

Andi Osho is an accomplished actor, writer, stand up comedian and film-maker. As an actor, Andi has appeared in TV shows including Line of Duty, I May Destroy You, Good Omens, Sex Education, Breeders, The Sandman,and Blue Lights Shazam and Lights Out are among her film credits.

Andi has written for Sky, Fox, BBC TV and BBC Radio and several UK newspapers and publications. She also wrote and starred in Sky Arts short, Twin Thing, and wrote and produced award-winning films Brit.I.am, The Grid and Amber

She’s made appearances on TV comedy shows including Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Room

But Will is a package deal and comes with two daughters from a previous relationship. Suddenly Abi finds herself thrown into the spotlight, and not just on the stage…

CAN SHE WIN OVER THIS TOUGH CROWD?

Abi is used to playing to difficult audiences, but step-parenting, and winning over the girls, is going to be her toughest challenge yet. Can she finally prove her critics wrong and triumph at her biggest gig to date?

A fun and feel-good romantic comedy about love, friendship and family for anyone who’s struggled to feel like enough and find their place. Fans of Beth O’Leary and Ruth Jones will love this warm and witty page-turner.

Praise for Andi Osho:

‘A mistressclass in combining humour and lovely characters’ Jo Brand

‘Witty, pacy and joyful’ Beth O’Leary

‘A fresh, funny, relatable page-turner’ Deborah Frances-White

‘Written with so much heart’ Daisy Buchanan

Praise for Andi Osho’s debut novel Asking For a Friend:

‘Witty, pacy and joyful, Asking For a Friend is a truly uplifting celebration of friendship’ Beth O’Leary, The Flatshare

PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

‘A sparky, spunky, sassy romcom’ Red

‘A mistressclass in combining humour and lovely characters, all wrapped up with a cracking story’ Jo Brand

’An impressive debut about the strong relationships between friends. Osho’s wit and charm give the story a lively warmth and character’ Woman & Home

‘A massively entertaining tale of wingwomen recharging each other’s love lives. Funny, spiky and fab!’ Beth Morrey, Saving Missy

198x129, Paperback

978-0-00-841848-9

400pp

B

198x129, Paperback

The Little Italian Hotel

Phaedra Patrick

Escape to Italy this summer with The Little Italian Hotel, the uplifting new book from Phaedra Patrick, the bestselling author of The Library of Lost and Found.

'The perfect book to read when you want to give your heart a holiday' Sally Page, bestselling author of The Keeper of Stories

20 Jul 2023

£ 8.99

Ginny Splinter, acclaimed radio host and relationship expert, prides herself on knowing what’s best for others. So, she’s sure her husband, Adrian, will love the special trip to Italy she’s planned for their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. But when Ginny presents the gift, he surprises her with his own very different plan: a divorce.

Beside herself with heartache, Ginny impulsively goes live on air to invite four heartbroken listeners to join her instead. From hiking the hills of Bologna to sharing a gondola in Venice and dancing until dawn, Ginny and her guests embark on a holiday of full of fun, hope and healing.

Sunny, tender and brimming with charm, The Little Italian Hotel explores love, the importance of friendship, and reclaiming the present moment – even if it means leaving the past behind.

Phaedra Patrick studied art and marketing and has worked as a stained glass artist, film festival organiser and communications manager. Her books have been translated into twenty-five languages worldwide and her first three novels were all USA Today bestsellers. Her second novel Rise and Shine Benedict Stone has been made into a Hallmark movie. Phaedra lives with her family in Saddleworth where she writes full-time.

I Did It For You

•50,000 copies of The Roanoke Girls sold through Bookscan UK

•The Roanoke Girls was a Richard & Judy pick and a #1 ebook bestseller

From the bestselling author of The Roanoke Girls comes a riveting mystery and poignant exploration of guilt, loss and devastation.

978-0-00-861387-7

400pp Royal 234x153, Hardback

3 Aug 2023

£ 16.99

Amy Engel is the author of THE FAMILIAR DARK, THE ROANOKE GIRLS, and THE BOOK OF IVY series. A former criminal defense attorney, she lives in Missouri with her family.

A murdered girl. A convicted killer. Justice served… Or is it?

It’s been fourteen years since Greer’s older sister Eliza was murdered. Her family has never been the same. Nor has the small town of Ludlow.

The killer was convicted and executed but another body has been found.

A copycat, according to the authorities, but Greer is convinced there is more to the story. And she is returning to Ludlow in search of the truth.

Praise for Amy Engel:

•An atmospheric, claustrophobic thriller set in a small town Missouri, USA Author home

'Beautiful and harrowing and everything in between' CHRIS WHITAKER

‘Darkly sexy and compelling’ HEAT

‘You’ll be gripped’ RICHARD MADELEY

'This is fierce and brilliant' OBSERVER

‘A must-have’ SUNDAY EXPRESS

978-0-00-829758-9

384pp

B 198x129, Paperback

3 Aug 2023

£ 8.99

The Fifth Guest

Jenny Knight

•A stunning psychological suspense novel marking a fresh chapter for a bestselling digital author

•Perfect for fans of Harriet Tyce and Lucy Foley

•During a dinner party, five friends unpick a deadly secret hidden for 20 years

•Perfect ‘dark academia’ for readers of Anatomy of a Scandal

•A delicious peek into the privileged world of Oxford in the 2000’s

The invitation you don’t want to receive…

Five friends. One deadly secret.

Five old university friends gather on the eve of their flatmate’s memorial at a beautiful riverside house.

Host Caro is as perfect as always

Shy, awkward Lily’s now a bestselling author

Sports hero George loves suburban fatherhood

Bad-boy Travis only gets his highs from meditation

And gatecrasher Elle is still a troublemaker!

Jenny Knight studied English literature at university before going on to work in journalism and the publishing industry. For many early mornings alongside this she coached rowing – a job that inspired the initial idea for her first crime novel, The Fifth Guest

Jenny lives with her husband, son and a black-and-white cat.

Estranged for years, they’re finally ready to reminisce over dry martinis and delicious food. But there’s more than that on the menu…

Because each guest is hiding a dark secret about their time at Oxford.

They’re all guilty of something. Is one of them guilty of murder?

Praise for The Fifth Guest:

‘Will keep you turning the pages late into the night’ Lucy Clarke, author of One of the Girls

‘Old friends gather at a memorial for their former student housemate, dark secrets and buried truths begin to surface. The Fifth Guest is an intriguing crime novel that will keep you turning the pages late into the night’ Lucy Clarke, author of One of the Girls

PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

978-0-00-864834-3

320pp B 198x129,  Paperback

Maidens of the Cave

Lloyd Devereux Richards

TIKTOK SENSATION: Richards became an overnight success when his daughter posted about his first novel, Stone Maidens, on TikTok. The original video, posted 2/9/23, has 49.2 million views and counting, and people cannot get enough of this feel-good story. The book shot to #1 on Amazon with 83K sales across formats and counting.

MEDIA APPEARANCES: Richards and his daughter have had amazing media appearances including the TODAY show, NPR, Fox news and more to discuss their incredible story.

1 Aug 2023

£ 8.99

STRAIGHT TO THE MARKET: These are strong, carefully-constructed serial killer thrillers with lots of gritty forensic details and a strong heroine for fans of Lisa Gardner, Michael Connelly, Patricia Cornwell, and Karin Slaughter.

CHARISMATIC AUTHOR: Richards lives with his wife in rural Vermont where he can be found walking their dogs and feeding the neighbour’s sheep. In February 2023 a series of TikTok videos featuring his day-to-day went viral. Readers have fallen for the Richards and his protagonist Christine Prusik.

The sequel to the viral TikTok sensation Stone Maidens

From Lloyd Devereux Richards comes the next pulse-pounding thriller in which FBI agent Christine Prusik races to track down a serial killer who leaves a peculiar mark on his victims.

Lloyd Devereux Richards was born in New York City and travelled extensively in Europe, Africa and Central America before attending law school. He served as a senior law clerk for an Indiana Court of Appeals judge, researching and writing drafts for dozens of published opinions, including the appeal of a serial killer sentenced to death. A father of three, he lives with his wife, Cameron O’Connor, and their two dogs in Montpelier, Vermont. This is his second novel, after Stone Maidens

PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Forensic anthropologist Christine Prusik has a knack for solving the most unusual cases – and for bending the rules in the process.

When the bodies of young women start appearing in the caves of Indiana and Illinois, Christine immediately jumps into action. But her Chicago field office is undergoing a reorganization, and the boys’ club at the top seem more interested in getting all the paperwork in order than solving the murders.

Christine isn’t going to let a little red tape stop her, and when she discovers that all the bodies contain the same mysterious pin-sized bruise on the back of their necks, she realizes she’ll have to confront her own inner demons to find the killer.

978-0-00-863847-4

3 Aug 2023

£ 8.99

The Kings of Avalier (3) The Ruthless Fae King

Leia Stone

·Book 3 in a romantasy series of four loosely interconnected titles featuring a different sexy mythical hero and the woman he marries. Each book can also be read as a standalone.

·Fast-paced, accessible and great fun to read, full of intense character chemistry but nothing too explicit, perfect for an audience of girls aged 12+ and fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer

L. Armentrout and Scarlett St. Clair

·Books 1 and 2 were originally self-published by the author to incredible success, gaining over 39k digital sales across the UK and Commonwealth since September 2022.

·Ready-made engaged fanbase and smart, savvy author: TikTok stats are building with #kingsofavalier 8.5k views; #thekingsofavalier 4.5k views; #leiastone 333.7k views; author has 12.2k followers on Instagram and 7k followers on TikTok. Huge potential to blow up on TikTok.

·Huge budget-busting potential for Fairyloot, Illumicrate and similar subscription boxes

Leia Stone is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple series. She's sold over three million books and her Fallen Academy series has been optioned for film; her novels have been translated into five languages and she even dabbles in script writing. She lives in Spokane, Washington with her husband and two children.

Book 3 in the Kings of Avalier series: a full-length fantasy romance that also stands alone…

Lucien Thorne is the most vile monster in all of Thorngate. As Winter King, he rules our land with an iron fist and a cold, dead heart. And my father has just informed me that I am betrothed to marry him….

As the Princess of Fall, it is my duty to marry whatever suitor my father chooses for me, but even duty can’t make me spend the rest of my life with someone like Lucien. However the more time I spend with this mysterious man, the more I wonder if the rumours about him are even true.

As I get to know the real Lucien, I start to discover the secrets and dark history of his family. A history that explains his ruthless behaviour… And one I plan to expunge if I am ever to live out my life in the Winter Palace in peace.

As much as I want to hate Lucien Thorne and everything he’s done to our realm… I cannot deny my heart.

The Ruthless Fae King is book THREE of FOUR in the Kings of Avalier series. It's a full-length enemies-to-lovers standalone fantasy romance about the Winter King Lucien Thorne.

PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Paperback

978-0-00-863844-3

400pp

B 198x129, Paperback

3 Aug 2023

£ 8.99

The Kings of Avalier (4)

The Forbidden Wolf King

Leia Stone

·Book 4 in a romantasy series of four loosely interconnected titles featuring a different sexy mythical hero and the woman he marries. Each book can also be read as a standalone.

·Fast-paced, accessible and great fun to read, full of intense character chemistry but nothing too explicit, perfect for an audience of girls aged 12+ and fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Scarlett St. Clair

·Books 1 and 2 were originally self-published by the author to incredible success, gaining over 39k digital sales across the UK and Commonwealth since September 2022.

·Ready-made engaged fanbase and smart, savvy author: TikTok stats are building with #kingsofavalier 8.5k views; #thekingsofavalier 4.5k views; #leiastone 333.7k views; author has 12.2k followers on Instagram and 7k followers on TikTok. Huge potential to blow up on TikTok.

·Huge budget-busting potential for Fairyloot, Illumicrate and similar subscription boxes

Leia Stone is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple series. She's sold over three million books and her Fallen Academy series has been optioned for film; her novels have been translated into five languages and she even dabbles in script writing. She lives in Spokane, Washington with her husband and two children.

PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Book FOUR of FOUR in the Kings of Avalier fantasy romance series

A full-length book that focuses on the Wolf King Axil Moon…

978-0-00-839567-4

17 Aug 2023

Just Between Us

Adele Parks

•Adele’s last two books, One Last Secret and Both Of You, were Sunday Times Top Five bestsellers and Number One bestsellers in audio

•Both Of You was also Number Two in paperback and Number One in eBook

•Just My Luck and Lies Lies Lies were Number One bestsellers

•Just My Luck and Lies Lies Lies have just been optioned for development for TV

•Adele has sold over 4.5 million copies in the UK

•Another compelling and brilliant domestic thriller, Just Between Us is Adele’s 23rd book in 23 years 448pp

£ 14.99

An unmissable thriller of 2023 from the Sunday Times Number One bestselling author of One Last Secret and Both Of You…

Lost. Missing. Murdered?

How do you find a woman who didn’t exist?

Adele Parks MBE was born in North Yorkshire. She is the author of 22 bestselling novels including the recent Sunday Times bestsellers Both Of You and One Last Secret Over four and a half million UK editions of her work have been sold and her books have been translated into 31 different languages. Adele’s Sunday Times Number One bestsellers Lies Lies Lies and Just My Luck were shortlisted for the British Book Awards and have been optioned for development for TV. She is an ambassador of the National Literacy Trust and the Reading Agency: two charities that promote literacy in the UK. Adele has lived in Botswana, Italy and London and is now settled in Guildford, Surrey. In 2022 she was awarded an MBE for services to literature.

Backlist

I Invited Her In

Lies Lies Lies

Just My Luck

Both Of You

One Last Secret

Kylie Gillingham’s disappearance has gripped the nation: the woman with a shocking secret – married to two men at the same time – is missing, presumed dead. And both her husbands are suspects.

DCI Clements knows the dark side of human nature and that love can make people do treacherous things; you can’t presume anything when it comes to crimes of the heart. While Kylie's two husbands remain prime suspects, her sons won't accept that she is dead. Until a body is found, this scandalous and sad case remains wide open.

Stacie Jones lives a quiet life in a small village, nursed by her father as she recovers from illness, and shielded from any disquieting news of the outside world. But their reclusive life is about to be shattered.

How are these families linked, and can any of them ever rebuild their lives in the wake of tragedy? This explosive thriller from Number One bestseller Adele Parks examines what it is to be a family and the dangerous lengths that people will go to for those they love.

Praise for Adele Parks:

‘Absolutely gripping… I was left breathless at the final twist’ Lisa Jewell

‘I’ll drop anything for a new Adele Parks: she nails it every time’ Lucy Foley

‘Utterly compelling’ Peter James

‘As always with Adele… this is an absolutely gripping read’ Richard Osman

‘Kept me guessing and had me gasping at the twist’ Ian Rankin

‘Poolside perfection’ Daily Mail

‘A whip-smart protagonist, immensely satisfying twists’ Karin Slaughter

‘The queen of the unpredictable thriller’ Gillian McAllister

‘Ambitious, nail-biting, darkly voyeuristic – I tore through it' Louise Candlish

‘Deliciously deceptive and darkly satisfying’ Jane Fallon

‘Escapism laced with tension and darkness’ Cosmopolitan

Royal 234x153, Hardback

978-0-00-845522-4

400pp

17 Aug 2023

£ 16.99

The Good Liars

Anita Frank

•Anita Frank’s debut novel, THE LOST ONES, was shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award and the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown.

•Her second book, THE RETURN, was shortlisted for the RNA’s Historical Romantic Novel Award.

•A classic crime mystery set in the 1920s where everyone has something to hide

•For fans of Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh who love a modern take on period crime

•Chosen as a Goldsboro Book of the Month

In the hot summer of 1914 a boy vanishes, never to be seen again.

Now, in 1920, the once esteemed Stilwell family of Darkacre Hall find their already troubled lives thrown into disarray when new evidence leads to the boy’s case being reopened – and this time they themselves are under police scrutiny.

Anita Frank was born in Shropshire and studied English and American History at the University of East Anglia. She lives in Berkshire with her husband and three children and is now a full-time carer for her disabled son. Her debut novel The Lost Ones was shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books

Glass Bell Award and the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown Award. The Good Liars is her third novel.

Backlist

The Return

The Lost Ones

As the dead return to haunt the living, old resentments resurface and loyalties are tested, while secrets risk being unearthed that could destroy them all.

Praise for Anita Frank:

‘An engaging story of secrets, sacrifice and the persistence of love’ Sunday Times

‘A truly wonderful novel, so beautifully written and with an engrossing plot … From now on, Anita will be a must-read author for me’ Jill Mansell, bestselling author

‘Draws you in with a deeply held secret so that just when you think it should all be over, it’s really just beginning – an enticing slant on wartime life’ Mandy Robotham, bestselling author of The Girl Behind the Wall

‘An engrossing story of loss, betrayal and love … that immerses the reader in the struggles of women in wartime and the traumas of the men who returned’ Carolyn Kirby, author of The Conviction of Cora Burns

‘Beautiful, atmospheric writing and masterful storytelling’ Jenny Ashcroft

‘Utterly gripping. It wrapped me in its spell from the first page to the last. Anita Frank is a beautiful writer and a wonderful storyteller’ Iona Grey, author of The Glittering Hour

‘A page-turner crafted with care and respect. A love poem to a lost agricultural way of life’ Caroline Scott, author of When I Come Home Again

‘A beautiful tale of love, loss and survival … with characters that live on well after the last page’ Fíona Scarlett, author of Boys Don’t Cry

‘A gripping… wartime drama’ Samantha King, author of The Secret Keeper’s Daughter

‘A tribute to the ordinary working lives of extraordinary people’ Claire Dyer, author of The Significant Others of Odie May

Praise for Anita Frank:

‘An engaging story of secrets, sacrifice and the persistence of love’ Sunday Times

‘A truly wonderful novel, so beautifully written and with an engrossing plot … From now on, Anita will be a must-read author for me’ Jill Mansell, bestselling author of And Now You're Back

From the author of stunning historical fiction books comes a new story of crime, deceit, and murder, set in the early 1920s…

Royal 234x153, Hardback

978-0-00-855947-2

17 Aug 2023

336pp Royal 234x153, Hardback

The Sentence

Christina Dalcher

•The pulse-pounding high-concept thriller from the bestselling author of VOX for fans of The Chain and Thirteen

•Poses a brilliant moral question: If prosecutors faced the death penalty themselves over wrongful conviction, would they seek it for those they prosecute?

•Female protagonist fighting to get the truth about the one murderer she sent to the chair – who may have been innocent after all. Now her life is on the line.

The gripping new thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling phenomenon, VOX

A law intended to end capital punishment.

£ 16.99

Prosecutors who seek the death penalty put their lives on the line if the guilty are later found innocent. A lawyer convinced beyond reasonable doubt.

Justine Boucher is presented with overwhelming evidence in a brutal murder case. Her request for execution is granted.

But what if she’s wrong?

Christina Dalcher is the Sunday Times bestselling author of VOX, Q and Femlandia She earned her doctorate in theoretical linguistics from Georgetown University, specialising in the phonetics of sound change in Italian and British dialects. She and her husband split their time between the American South and Naples, Italy.

Praise for Christina Dalcher

‘A truly compulsive novel’ STYLIST

‘Intelligent, suspenseful, provocative, and intensely disturbing – everything a great novel should be’ LEE CHILD

‘Thought-provoking and thrilling’ WOMAN & HOME

‘Extraordinary’ LOUISE O’NEILL

‘A fast-paced, twisting thriller’ DAILY MAIL

‘Terrifyingly plausible’ LOUISE CANDLISH

‘[Dalcher] knows how to hit the emotional buttons . . .compelling’ GUARDIAN

978-0-00-855876-5

384pp B

17 Aug 2023

£ 8.99

I’m Not Done With You Yet

Jesse Sutanto

•Jesse is the award-winning author of DIAL A FOR AUNTIES which is soon to be a major Netflix film

•Psychological thrillers are a perennially popular area of the market and this focus on dark academia is very on trend

Pre-order the new must-read psychological thriller from the bestselling author of Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice For Murderers

Jane is unhappy. She’s a struggling writer trapped in an underwhelming marriage with husband Ted, scraping by to pay for a mortgage for a house and a life that she’s never really wanted.

There’s only ever been one person she cared about, one person who truly understood her: Thalia. Jane’s best and only friend nearly a decade ago during their time together at Oxford. But then the night of the formal which should have bound them together for good, drove them apart. Until now.

Because after years of searching, Thalia is everywhere as she tops the New York Times bestseller list. And now Jane has found Thalia after all these years, she won’t let her go…

Praise for Jesse Sutanto and Dial A For Aunties:

Jesse Sutanto is an author of books for children and adults. She is the author of The Obsession, a YA suspense novel forthcoming from Sourceboks Fire in February 2021, and Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit, the first in a middle grade series set to publish in early 2022 from Imprint.

She received her Masters from the University of Oxford. She grew up in Indonesia and Singapore and currently lives in Jakarta with her husband and two daughters.

You can find out more about Jesse on her website www.jesseqsutanto.com and follow her on Twitter @thewritinghippo and on Facebook and Instagram @JesseQSutanto

PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

‘Had me laughing aloud within its first five pages. Charming, hilarious and heartfelt’ Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read

‘A dazzling debut full of humour and love. A comedy caper, doused in black humour, comical references, mixed with romance – fans of Crazy Rich Asians will love it’ My Weekly

‘Brilliant, wicked and dead, dead funny’ Andi Osho, Asking For A Friend

‘A gloriously screwball crime caper (with a dusting of romance) which will have you snortlaughing’ Red

‘Dial A For Aunties is one of the funniest, smartest, most compelling books I’ve read in a long time and I couldn’t put it down’ Lucy Vine, Hot Mess

‘Rejoice over Dial A For Aunties’ Elle

‘This smart, funny charming novel has all the right ingredients to make you laugh out loud… A heartfelt rom-com’ Platinum

‘A tightly-plotted, highly comic romp, Dial A For Aunties keeps you guessing till the very last twist’ Lauren Ho, Last Tang Standing

‘Has redefined what “page-turner” means with laugh-out-loud humour and delightful twists and turns at every corner’ Buzzfeed

‘A rip-roaring treat! Dark comedy at its finest and a set of catastrophes that had me roaring’ Abigail Mann, The Lonely Fajita

‘This laugh-out-loud read is a real breath of fresh air’ Fabulous

‘Dark humour at its best. We had such a laugh reading through’ Magic Radio Bookclub

‘The comedy jackpot! Fresh, funny and fabulous’ Kirsty Eyre, Cow Girl

‘A laugh-out-loud read’ Bella

978-0-00-855569-6

400pp

31 Aug 2023

£ 22.00

The Lie Maker

Linwood Barclay

•A exhilarating new thriller from the international bestseller Linwood Barclay…

•TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY and FIND YOU FIRST were Top Five Sunday Times bestsellers.

•He has sold over three million copies of his novels in the UK and is a regular hardback and paperback Top Ten bestseller.

•This will be a major publication backed by an unmissable campaign.

From the international bestseller Linwood Barclay comes an explosive new crime thriller!

In this twisty thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Take Your Breath Away, a man desperately tries to track down his father—who was taken into witness protection years ago—before his enemies can get to him.

Linwood Barclay is an international bestselling crime and thriller author with over twenty critically acclaimed novels to his name, including the phenomenal number one bestseller No Time For Goodbye. Every Linwood Barclay book is a masterclass in characterisation, plot and the killer twist, and with sales of over seven million copies globally, his books have been sold in more than 39 countries around the world and he can count Stephen King, Shari Lapena and Peter James among his many fans.

Many of his books have been optioned for film and TV, and Linwood wrote the screenplay for the film based on his bestselling novel Never Saw It Coming

Backlist

Look Both Ways

Take Your Breath Away

Find You First Elevator Pitch

Your dad’s not a good person. Your dad killed people, son. These are some of the last words Jack Givins’s father spoke to him before he was whisked away by witness protection, leaving Jack and his mother to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives as best they could.

Years later, Jack is a grown man with problems of his own. He’s a talented but struggling author, barely scraping by on the royalties from his moderately successful first book. So when the U.S. Marshals approach him with a lucrative opportunity, he’s in no position to turn them down. They’re recruiting writers like Jack to create false histories for people in witness protection—people like Jack’s father.

The coincidence is astonishing to Jack at first, but he soon realises this may be a chance to find his dad. Only there’s one problem—Jack’s father hasn’t made contact with his handlers recently, and they have no idea where he is. He could be in serious danger, and Jack may be the only one who can find him.

But how will he find a man he’s never truly known? A man who has done terrible things in his lifetime and made some deadly enemies in the process—enemies who wouldn’t think twice about using his own son against him.

PRAISE FOR THE LIE MAKER:

'Barclay (Look Both Ways) nails this riveting standalone thriller about a washed-up writer’s search for his long-lost parent… Barclay expertly knits the strands together and constructs a fully realized everyman in Givins. Crafty plotting and rich characters make this a winner' Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

PRAISE FOR LINWOOD BARCLAY:

‘A superior thriller’ SUNDAY TIMES

‘The twists keep coming’ THE TIMES

‘Find You First starts with a bang and ends with an even bigger one. Barclay is a terrific writer, but he’s outdone himself with this. It’s the best book of his career. I couldn’t put it down, and you won’t be able to either. If you enjoy thrillers, this is the real deal. It never lets up’ STEPHEN KING

‘A full-throttle powerhouse of a thriller – Linwood Barclay is in a class of his own’ T.M. LOGAN

‘Genius … but terrifying’ THE SUN

‘This novel moves as fast as a falling elevator and hits with just as much force. Linwood Barclay is a stone-cold pro and Elevator Pitch is a shameless good time’ JOE HILL

Royal 234x153, Hardback

978-0-00-858982-0

400pp

31 Aug 2023

£ 14.99

Phoenicia Rogerson

A FEMINIST, QUEER RETELLING OF THE HERCULES MYTH: book’s characters are in the public consciousness through myth and the 1997 Disney movie and are given unique voices that have never been heard before, with a focus on the forgotten women of the myth.

THOROUGHLY COMPELLING READING EXPERIENCE: at once a revisionist, brutal, gripping, witty and tender narrative that takes you to a faraway mythical world.

READY-MADE FANBASE: perfect for fans of The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris, Ariadne by Jennifer Saint, A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes, and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, and everyone who has ever known a complicated soul.

Royal 234x153, Hardback

Phoenicia Rogerson is altogether mortal with a rather less chequered past than Hercules. After a decade of not being able to find his complete story on bookshelves, she decided to pull her socks up and write it herself. She's had two short stories published in the UCL Publisher’s Prize. She lives and works in London. Herc is her first novel.

FEMINIST RETELLINGS MORE POPULAR THAN EVER: topic a perennial seller since 2018 with Madeline Miller’s Circe (hbk: 44k UK pbk: 251k UK), and more recently with Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne in 2021hbk: 26k UK, pbk: 56k UK) which was a Waterstones book of the month and had an exclusive signed edition with Waterstones. Greek myths one of the biggest trending topics at LBF 2022.

TOPIC A BOOKTOK FAVOURITE: #songofachilles has 133.1 million views, #ariadne 5.8 million views, #madelinemiller 42.1 million views, #circe 86.4 million view, #greekmythology 1.2 billion views and #hercules 1.3 billion views.

‘Astonishingly vivid’ Jodi Taylor

This should be the story of Hercules: his twelve labours, his endless adventures… everyone’s favourite hero, right?

Well, it’s not.

This is the story of everyone else:

Alcmene: Herc’s mother (She has knives everywhere)

Hylas: Herc’s first friend (They were more than friends)

Megara: Herc’s wife (She’ll tell you about their marriage)

Eurystheus: Oversaw Herc’s labours (He never asked for the job)

His friends, his enemies, his wives, his children, his lovers, his rivals, his gods, his victims.

It’s time to hear their stories.

Told with humour and heart, Herc gives voice to the silenced characters, in this feminist, queer (and sometimes shocking) retelling of classic Hercules myth.

Perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Joanne M. Harris

‘Alternately hilarious and shocking, this is an astonishingly vivid retelling of the story of Hercules, and these are not the Greek myths I learned in school.’ Jodi Taylor, author of Just One Damned Thing After Another

‘A brilliant debut! Rogerson has produced a fresh and totally original retelling of the Hercules myth. For the first time, long-silent characters from the hero’s story are given a voice. They provide a sparkling new perspective on the club-wielding, all-daring son of Zeus. A Herculean triumph of creative writing, and a joy to read. Finally, a Hercules for the twenty-first century!’ Alex Rowson, author of The Young Alexander

Three Card Murder

J.L. Blackhurst

•Richard Osman meets Lucy Foley – cosy-adjacent crime for readers who like their crime novels with a bit more grit

•Three locked-room mysteries and two sisters on opposite sides of the law investigating the crimes – to which they also have a personal connection

•J.L. Blackhurst is a pseudonym for bestselling author Jenny Blackhurst whose knowledge and admiration of classic crime shines through

978-0-00-856724-8

31 Aug 2023

•Will be supported by an incredibly creative and engaging campaign from the publisher of The Marlow Murder Club 320pp

£ 8.99

One sister is a cop. The other a con artist. Both are suspects.

198x129, Paperback

J.L. Blackhurst is a pseudonym for Jenny Blackhurst who was born and grew up in Shropshire, where she still lives with her husband, two boys and two beagles. She has a Masters degree in Occupational Psychology and has worked in administration for the Fire Service and retail management before leaving to write full time. She wrote her first book, How I Lost You after giving birth to her son in 2011 and since has written seven psychological thrillers, her first of which won her a silver Nielsen award and became a kindle number one bestseller in the UK and a Spiegel Bestselleren in Germany. She can solve a Rubix cube in three minutes.

When DI Tess Fox arrives at her first murder scene there are already two big problems. First, the victim was thrown from the balcony of an apartment locked from the inside. Second, Tess knows the victim, and a clue left at the scene means the killer knows that too.

Only one person knows about Tess’s link to the victim and has the skills and criminal background to mastermind a locked-room murder. But Tess’s half-sister Sarah is a con-artist, not a killer. And Tess is going to need her expertise if she’s ever going to crack the case.

Soon two more bodies turn up in equally mysterious circumstances and also known to the sisters. Tess now has three locked room mysteries to solve and even more reason to be suspicious of Sarah. Can she trust someone who breaks the law for a living, even if she is family?

PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

B

978-0-00-859851-8

384pp B

31 Aug 2023

£ 8.99

The Steel Girls (4) Steel Girls at War

Michelle Rawlins

•A wartime saga for fans of Nancy Revell’s THE SHIPYARD GIRLS and Daisy Styles’s THE BOMB GIRLS

•Based on the true story and experiences of the forgotten heroines who became the backbone of Sheffield’s steel industry during WW2

•Saga continues to be a buoyant area of the market and we know that themes of women doing men’s jobs during wartime and female friendships are perennially popular

•Strong regional angle and local interest – the author lives in Sheffield and the city recently campaigned to raise money for a statue commemorating the real life women of steel

•Michelle Rawlins is a freelance journalist and also the author of non-fiction work THE WOMEN OF STEEL – she’s the only person to have interviewed the surviving women who actually worked in the steelworks in wartime

Pre-order the next book in the heart-warming WW2 historical romance saga series, The Steel Girls

In their darkest days, they’ll find the courage to carry on…

Michelle Rawlins is an award-winning freelance journalist with over 20 years’ experience working in print and digital media. After learning her trade, Michelle began her freelance career writing for national newspapers and women’s magazines, concentrating on real-life stories – living by the mantra: ‘it’s always the most ordinary people who have the most extraordinary stories’.

Regional interest

Yorkshire

PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Summer 1940

The war is raging on but the Steel Girls are fighting their own battles closer to home. After patching things up with Archie, Patty is miffed when he appears to have forgotten all about her 18th birthday.

New girl Hattie has a lot to deal with as she trades the counter at Woolworths for the Vickers factory floor. But is she keeping a secret and are things tougher at home than she’s been letting on?

Meanwhile, Nancy is besides herself when she receives word that Bert is missing in action and is struggling to keep it together.

As the Steel Girls come together to be there in Nancy’s hour of need, will life ever be the same again?

Praise for The Steel Girls:

‘A riveting saga about love, courage and, above all, female friendship’ Best

‘A lovely read’ Bella

‘Hardship, courage and hope on the Home Front’ Kate Thompson, bestselling author of Secrets of the Lavender Girls

‘A heart-warming story perfect for saga lovers’ Nancy Revell, bestselling author of The Shipyard Girls on the Home Front

‘A great read’ Yorkshire Post

’A heart-warming tale of the brave women who stepped up to become the backbone of Sheffield’s steel industry during the Second World War’ Yours

978-0-00-865419-1

5 Sep 2023

£ 16.99

Evil Eye

Etaf Rum

•The highly anticipated new novel from the author of the much-loved A WOMAN IS NO MAN.

•EVIL EYE is a striking exploration of the expectations of PalestinianAmerican women, the meaning of a fulfilling life, and the ways our unresolved pasts affect our presents.

•A book club’s dream read: explores feminist themes, the role of women in Palestinian-American culture, and the mother-daughter dynamic across the generations.

•Perfect for fans of Khaled Hosseini, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Elif Shafak, and The Stationery Shop of Tehran.

•A WOMAN IS NO MAN (2019):

- Over 50,000 copies sold, across formats

- A Kindle bestseller

- A New York Times bestseller

- An Amazon Editor’s Pick

- A Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist for Best Fiction and Best Debut

- A Marie Claire Best Women's Fiction of the Year pick

- A Washington Post 10 Books to Read of the Month

The daughter of Palestinian immigrants, Etaf Rum was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She has a Masters of Arts in American and British Literature as well as undergraduate degrees in Philosophy and English Composition and taught undergraduate courses in North Carolina, where she lives with her two children. Etaf also runs the Instagram account @booksandbeans and is also a Book of the Month Club Ambassador, showcasing her favourite selections each month. Her debut novel, A Woman is No Man, was a New York Times bestseller and was published to wide critical acclaim. Evil Eye is her second novel.

‘A complicated mother-daughter drama that looks at the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma and what it takes to break the cycle of abuse’ Time magazine, ‘The Most Anticipated Books of the Year’

The powerful and poignant new novel from the author of the much-loved A Woman is No Man.

Raised in a conservative Palestinian family in Brooklyn, Yara thought she would finally feel free when she married a charming entrepreneur. Now, she has a good job at the local college, and balances that with raising her two daughters and taking care of their home. Yara knows that her life is more rewarding than her mother’s – so why doesn’t it feel like enough?

After Yara responds to a colleague’s racist provocation, she is put on probation at work and must attend mandatory counselling. Her mother blames a family curse for Yara’s troubles, and while Yara doesn’t believe in superstitions, she still finds herself growing increasingly uneasy about falling victim to the same mistakes as her mother.

Yara’s carefully constructed world begins to implode and suddenly she must face up to the difficulties of her childhood, not fully realising how that will impact not just her own future, but that of her daughters too.

Praise for Etaf Rum:

‘A love letter to storytelling’ New York Times

‘Garnering justified comparisons to Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns . . . a must-read about women mustering up the bravery to follow their inner voice’ Refinery 29

Praise for Etaf Rum:

‘Rum accomplishes the high-wire act of telling a story that feels both contemporary and timeless, intimate and epic . . . lingers in your heart and mind long after the last page’ Tara Conklin, author of The Last Romantics

‘This mesmerizing novel will take all your attention from the very beginning’ Washington Book Review

352pp Royal 234x153, Hardback

Nineteen Steps

Millie Bobby Brown

•The debut novel from global star Millie Bobby Brown who has 62.5 million Instagram followers

•Millie is an actress and producer, best known for playing Eleven in Netflix hit series Stranger Things and the popular Netflix mystery film franchise Enola Holmes and its sequel

•Her debut novel is inspired by the true events of her family’s history and her grandmother who grew up in Bethnal Green during WW2 as well as the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster

978-0-00-853026-6

12 Sep 2023

£ 16.99

The debut novel from global star Millie Bobby Brown

•This dazzling debut about the lengths that we will go to fight for love is perfect for fans of emotive historical fiction like Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See 384pp Royal

Love blooms in the darkest days…

London, 1942.

Millie Bobby Brown is an actress and producer best known for playing Eleven in the Netflix hit series Stranger Things

On the big screen, Brown has starred in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and its sequel Godzilla vs. Kong. She also starred in and produced the popular Netflix mystery film franchise Enola Holmes and its 2022 sequel Enola Holmes 2.

In 2019, Brown launched her own vegan and cruelty free makeup and skincare line, florence by mills. The brand received the “Launch of the Year” honour at Women’s Wear Daily’s Beauty Inc Awards.

Despite the raging war, spirited 18-year-old Nellie Morris lives a quiet life in the tight-knit East End community of Bethnal Green. Her family and friends all tease that she will marry air raid warden Billy, the boy next door who’s always been sweet on her.

The arrival of Ray, a handsome American airman stationed nearby, causes Nellie to question everything she thought she knew about her future.

Nellie’s newfound happiness is short-lived when a tragic accident occurs during an air raid. Even the closest family can’t escape the devastation of war, and as the secrets and truth about that fateful night become clear, they threaten to tear Nellie – and those dearest to her – apart.

Inspired by the true events of her family history, Millie Bobby Brown’s dazzling debut novel is a moving tale of longing, loss and secrets, and the lengths that we will go to fight for love.

234x153, Hardback

978-0-00-849495-7

14 Sep 2023

£ 16.99

Harlem After Midnight

Louise Hare

•Patricia Highsmith meets Agatha Christie, for fans of Tom Hindle.

•An exquisite historical mystery that also explores class, pre-WWII politics and race, and packs a massive emotional punch

•Over 50,000 copies of Louise Hare novels sold.

•THIS LOVELY CITY was:

- A BBC TWO Between The Covers TV Book Club pick

- Shortlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize

- Longlisted for the HWA Debut Crown Award

- An Indie Book of the Month, selected by the Booksellers Association

- Included in several ‘Best of 2020’ round-ups.

- The most applauded debut of 2020

•Louise was selected for the Observer Top 10 Best Debut Novelists list in 2020.

Praise for Miss Aldridge Regrets

‘A brilliant murder mystery…I loved it’ Harriet Tyce

Louise Hare is a London-based writer and has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck, University of London. Originally from Warrington, she has found inspiration in the capital for much of her work, including This Lovely City and Miss Aldridge Regrets

This Lovely City was featured on the inaugural BBC Two TV book club show, Between the Covers, shortlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize, and longlisted for the HWA Debut Crown Award. Louise was selected for the Observer Top 10 Best Debut Novelists list in 2020, securing her place as an author to watch.

‘A thoroughly absorbing and thought-provoking historical crime novel that oozes glamour’ Cathy Rentzenbrink

‘An engrossing read’ Guardian

1936, September 17th, 1am…

In the middle of Harlem, in the dead of night, a woman falls from a second storey window. In her hand, she holds a passport and the name written on it is Lena Aldridge…

Nine days earlier…

Lena arrived in Harlem less than two weeks ago, full of hope for her burgeoning romance with Will Goodman, the handsome musician she met on board the Queen Mary. Will has arranged for Lena to stay with friends of his, and this will give her the chance to find out if their relationship is going anywhere. But there is another reason she's in Harlem – to find out what happened in 1908 to make her father flee to London.

As Lena's investigations progress, not only does she realise her father lied to her, but the man she’s falling too fast and too hard for has secrets of his own. And those secrets have put Lena in terrible danger…

Praise for Lena Aldridge:

‘Charming characters, a cross-Atlantic setting, jazz, cocktails, sex and a brilliant murder mystery. You couldn’t ask for more! I loved it’ Harriet Tyce

‘This is a cracker. A thoroughly absorbing and thought-provoking historical crime novel that oozes glamour’ Cathy Rentzenbrink, The Last Act of Love

‘An engrossing read’ Guardian

‘Oozes glamour . . . Did someone mention Agatha Christie? Yes, but with the bonus of subtle reflections on race and class’ Observer

384pp

Royal 234x153, Hardback

978-0-00-845071-7

21 Sep 2023

£ 16.99

Upon a Frosted Star

M.A. Kuzniar

•A bewitching literary fairy tale that’s The Great Gatsby meets Swan Lake with strong Christmas gifting potential

•Perfect for fans of upmarket historical from Jessie Burton and Stacey Halls as well as fans of literary fantasy from Erin Morgenstern, Stephanie Garber and Robert Dinsdale

•M.A. Kuzniar’s debut Midnight in Everwood was a Times bestseller and sold 11k HBs TCM

•M.A. Kuzniar has a great platform bookstagramming @cosyreads and has over 35,000 Instagram followers

When the snow falls, she will be free…

The invitations always arrive the same way – without warning, appearing around the city on the first snowfall of the year, simply inscribed with ‘Tonight.’

When struggling artist, Forster, finds an invitation, he’s bewitched by the magic of the evening, swept up in the glamour of this notorious annual party and intrigued as to who is behind them.

Determined to find out more about the mysterious host, Forster discovers an abandoned manor house silent with secrets and a cursed woman who is desparate to be free…

M.A. Kuzniar spent six years living in Spain, teaching English and travelling the world which inspired her children’s series The Ship of Shadows. Her adult debut novel Midnight in Everwood was inspired by her love of ballet and love of The Nuctracker. She lives in Nottingham with her husband, where she reads and writes as much as can and bookstagrams @cosyreads.

From the bestselling author of Midnight in Everwood, comes another spellbinding literary fairy tale that’s The Great Gatsby meets Swan Lake.

Praise for Midnight in Everwood:

‘Perfect autumnal reading in this enchanting and fantastical retelling of The Nutcracker. A showstopping book’ Woman & Home

‘A glittering rush of sugar-sweet enchantment laced with sparkling prose and bewitching storytelling. Beware of entering this magnificent world; Everwood will dazzle and seduce you and then steal you away’ Stephanie Garber, Sunday Times bestselling author of Once Upon A Broken Heart

‘An absolute dream of a read. A magical, enchanting retelling of The Nutcracker’ LoveReading, Book of the Month

‘Magical and evocative, the perfect winter fairy tale’ Sarah Morgan, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Christmas Escape

‘This retelling of The Nutcracker will transport you to a fairy tale world where magic happens’ Good Housekeeping

‘The perfect Christmas treat, with every word a jewel. You will fall under its spell from the first page to the last. Enchanting’ Veronica Henry, Sunday Times bestselling author of Christmas at the Beach Hut

‘A sumptuous and spellbinding read’ Heidi Swain, Sunday Times bestselling author of Underneath the Christmas Tree

‘Deliciously dangerous and darkly enchanting’ Sophie Anderson, The Girl Who Speaks Bear

‘I ADORED this adult retelling of The Nutcracker. A lyrical winter fairy tale full of snow, magic and whimsy. So beautifully written – every page was a delight’ Alex Bell, The Winter Garden

‘Whisks us away in its sugar spun dance of enchantment. For fans of The Night Circus, as delicious as its sweetest confection, it’s a real delight’ Nydia Hetherington, A Girl Made of Air

‘A magical and dark story told like a beautiful fairy tale’ Fabulous

‘A quintessential Christmas read’ Culturefly

384pp Royal 234x153, Hardback

978-0-00-833688-2

400pp

28 Sep 2023

£ 14.99

Tell Me Your Secrets

Mel McGrath

•Bestselling author: Mel has sold over 100,000 copies for HQ across all formats and counting!

•Standout hook: this is the chilling story of a therapist who becomes obsessed with the couple she’s counselling, inserting herself into their lives with devastating consequences

•Mel writes gripping, clever, nail-biting thrillers combined with topical, provocative themes, positioning her nicely in the bookclub/thriller crossover sweet spot. Her novels are perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Louise Candlish and Sarah Vaughan

•GIVE ME THE CHILD hit the Kindle Top 40 in the UK, #4 on Kobo, held the #3 position on iBooks for over a fortnight and reached #4 on Amazon Australia. THE GUILTY PARTY received a wealth of critical acclaim, hit the Kindle Top 40, and was #1 in the Bookseller Heatseeker chart for three weeks running

Royal 234x153, Hardback

•Mel is exceptionally well-connected among the crime community, in part as a result of her being the cofounder of Killer Women, who run a Crime festival and mentorship scheme.

Praise for Mel McGrath’s Two Wrongs:

’UTTERLY chilling’ PAULA HAWKINS

’The perfect read’ B A PARIS

’Deliciously disturbing’ ANN CLEEVES

Mel McGrath is an Essex girl, the author of the critically acclaimed and bestselling family memoir Silvertown. She won the John Llewellyn-Rhys/Mil on Sunday award for Best Writer Under 35 for her first book, Motel Nirvana. She has published three Arctic mysteries featuring the Inuit detective Edie Kiglatuk under the name MJ McGrath, the first of which, The Boy in the Snow, was shortlisted for a CWA Gold Dagger.

In the last year she has been one of the founders and moving lights of the website Killer Women, which has rapidly established itself as one of the key forums for crime writing in the UK.

Author home

London

The blistering new novel from bestselling author Mel McGrath.

A therapist becomes obsessed with the couple she's counselling, who have come to her after suddenly and tragically losing their only daughter. Little by little, she insinuates herself into their lives without them noticing – until she's in a position to take everything…

Dark, sharp and sinister, this novel will make you question those whom you trust most, and the final twist will shock you to your core.

PRAISE FOR MEL MCGRATH

‘This roller-coaster read will have you hooked’ Closer

‘This well-crafted, chilling tale of guilt and innocence has a compelling moral anchor’ Woman

‘Lots of twists and turns in this toxic thriller.’ Hello!

‘A dextrously written thriller and examination of guilt and innocence…[McGrath is] a diamond-hard talent’ Financial Times

‘McGrath excels in creating believably flawed characters, and her masterful control of suspense and pacing make for a psychological thriller that is both perceptive and disturbing’ Guardian

‘Unsettling, disturbing and vital. 5*’ Heat

‘Exploring guilt and innocence through several dark distinct perspectives, Cassie becomes a compelling moral anchor in this well-crafted and chilling tale’ Woman’s Own

‘Easily the best [of the subgenre]…psychologically acute and deeply satisfying’ Telegraph

‘Perceptive…McGrath is a thoughtful writer’ Daily Mail

‘Utterly compelling right from the start…a deeply unsettling look at modern sexual behaviour and bystander culture’ Crime Monthly

‘Chilling, fiendishly plotted and surprising, this stayed with me long after reading’ Woman & Home

‘Absorbing … McGrath asks: should it be a crime to witness a violent event, and say nothing?’ The Times

‘Brimming with trust issues and deceit, this will make you question whether we ever know who our friends really are’ Prima

978-0-00-855893-2

12 Oct 2023

£ 8.99

One Christmas Morning

Rachel Greenlaw

•A stunning high-concept Groundhog Day/A Christmas Carol style debut love story with a speculative twist about a woman who wakes up on Christmas morning in a different body. And it’s through these perspectives she starts to realise how close she’s come to losing her husband. Can she save their marriage before it’s too late?

•Strong commercial appeal – perfect for fans of Holly Miller, Josie Silver, Sophie Cousens, IN FIVE YEARS and ONE DAY.

•Set in the wild moorlands of Cornwall, author has close connections to this area.

•A moving story also about womanhood and touches upon life-affirming and relatable themes (grief, identity, family, friendship, love).

Don’t miss this spellbindingly heartwearming and emotional romance – coming soon!

‘Wonderfully heart-warming, it made me cry, filled my heart with hope, and cast a magical spell on me until I’d turned the very last page’ M.A. Kuzniar, Midnight in Everwood

‘Haunting, magical and sparkling with Christmas spirit, One Christmas Morning is a festive love story with a difference . . . A warm and powerful debut’ Holly Miller, The Sight of You

Rachel Greenlaw grew up in North Cornwall, surrounded by wild moorland. She studied English with Creative Writing at Falmouth University before moving to an island in the middle of the Atlantic, where she lives with her husband and two children. One Christmas Morning is her debut novel.

PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

'The book I didn't know I needed to read – gorgeous, Christmassy and compelling’ Ella Allbright, The Last Charm

‘An intelligent, romantic story of star-crossed lovers, I was completely absorbed . . . Greenlaw’s debut is a shimmering success’ Laura Shepperson, The Heroines

They say you know when you meet the one.

The moment Eva locked eyes with James over a library bookshelf, she knew she’d found her soulmate. Over ten years, they fell in love, got married and made plans to start a family. Until everything changed one Christmas three years ago, and they’ve been drifting apart ever since.

Eva hopes a friend’s Christmas party at an old manor house in Cornwall will give them the chance to reconnect… but the last thing she expects is to wake up on Christmas morning in the body of a different guest. As Eva’s forced to keep reliving Christmas Day from the perspectives of those closest to her, she realises just how much her life has fallen off track.

But can Eva break the cycle and save her future with James, before it’s too late?

Praise for One Christmas Morning

‘Haunting, magical and sparkling with Christmas spirit, One Christmas Morning is a festive love story with a difference. A clever and cathartic novel about healing, grief, facing up to ourselves and letting go, it tugged on my heartstrings and took me through every emotion possible. A warm and powerful debut’ Holly Miller, The Sight of You

'The book I didn't know I needed to read – gorgeous, Christmassy and compelling’ Ella Allbright, The Last Charm

‘Wonderfully heart-warming, One Christmas Morning is a beautifully festive second-chance romance that made me cry, filled my heart with hope, and cast a magical spell on me until I’d turned the very last page’ M.A. Kuzniar, Midnight in Everwood

‘One Christmas Morning by Rachel Greenlaw is a festive treat. An intelligent, romantic story of starcrossed lovers, I was completely absorbed by the millennial Scrooge Eva’s predicament. Greenlaw’s debut is a shimmering success’ Laura Shepperson, The Heroines

Paperback

978-0-00-855800-0

26 Oct 2023

Murder on the Dance Floor

Shirley Ballas

•A murder mystery meets Strictly Come Dancing in this sparkling and utterly fabulous debut novel from Queen of Latin Ballroom and Strictly’s head judge Shirley Ballas

•Perfect for fans of Anton Du Beke, Carol Kirkwood and Michael Ball

•Features cosy crime’s most unlikely but charming all-female crime duo: dance legend and one-time world champion Lily Richmond and former student-turned-private-investigator Susie Cooper, as they unravel the rumbas from the rumours to reveal a murderer’s identity

•Shirley is the Queen of Latin Ballroom, head judge on Stricty and one of the most renowned dancers in the world. With a strong and engaged social media following, she has a solid fan base

•Co-writer Sheila McClure is an experienced women’s fiction and Mills & Boon author and commands her own fan base 400pp

£ 18.99

The first novel in the sensational The Sequin Mysteries series, from world-renowned dancer and Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas. Available to pre-order now!

Behind the sequins and sparkle of Blackpool Tower Ballroom’s famous Dance Festival, the competition is about to turn deadly…

The Sequin Mysteries are written by Shirley Ballas & Sheila McClure.

Shirley Ballas is Queen of Latin Ballroom, an author, and head judge on BBC One’s prime time show Strictly Come Dancing. Originally from Wallasey, Shirley has been dancing since the age of 7. She is 3-time ‘British Open to the World’ Latin American Champion, 10-time US Latin American Champion, and multiple-times British National Champion. Shirley is one of the most renowned dancers in the world.

Behind the Sequins, her autobiography published by Ebury is an Amazon bestselling book. The Sequin Mysteries will take inspiration from Shirley’s 40-year career on the dance floor.

When a promising young dancer collapses during the opening tango of the festival, Lily Richmond, dance legend, teacher and one-time world champion, is convinced that murder is afoot. There’s only one person who can help her delve into the mystery: her former student and private detective, Susie Cooper. But Susie vowed she’d never return to the ballroom – let alone go undercover as a professional dancer when there’s a killer on the loose…

As the competition gets even fiercer and the bodies start to pile up, can the unlikely dance-detective duo unravel the rumours from the rumbas and expose the murderer’s identity, before they strike again?

978-1-84845-920-5

26 Oct 2023

£ 8.99

The Christmas Book Club

Sarah Morgan

•The brand-new novel from the author of 7 Sunday Times bestsellers.

•A story of three friends coming together for their annual book club gathering at Christmastime. But all is not well… Will this Christmas be the end of their story or the start of a whole new chapter?

•Aiming for a Number One Sunday Times bestseller, and our sixth consecutive Top Ten Christmas bestseller. Sarah has hit the #2 spot three years in a row (kept off the top spot by Colleen Hoover in 2022).

•For fans of Ruth Jones, Marian Keyes and Sophie Kinsella.

•Sarah Morgan is THE women’s fiction brand to watch – read yourself happy with Sarah Morgan. Investing in year-round strategy to promote our extensive backlist, complementing each new frontlist publication.

•SNOWED IN FOR CHRISTMAS (Oct 2022)

- THE #1 bestselling contemporary Christmas fiction title, outselling key competitors Cathy Bramley, Karen Swan and Jenny Colgan by thousands of copies

- A #2 Sunday Times bestseller for two consecutive weeks, and a Top Ten bestseller for three. (Kept off the top spot by Colleen Hoover)

- One of only two Christmas-themed paperbacks to Top Ten in 2022. The only title to hit the Top Two

- Over 105k copies sold across formats

- TCM approx 60k copies

- 17k-copy gap between SIFC and 2nd bestselling PB (Jenny Colgan)

Sarah Morgan is an international bestseller and Sunday Times bestselling author of Snowed in for Christmas, Beach House Summer, The Christmas Escape, The Summer Seekers, One More for Christmas, A Wedding in December and The Christmas Sisters. She has sold over twenty-one million books worldwide.

Sarah lives near London, England with her family and when she isn't writing or reading, she likes to spend time outdoors hiking or riding her mountain bike.

Join Sarah's mailing list at sarahmorgan.com for all book news. For more insight into her writing life follow her on Facebook at facebook/AuthorSarahMorgan

- 100% growth in Audible sales (vs THE CHRISTMAS ESCAPE)

- A Kindle and Apple Books bestseller

•BEACH HOUSE SUMMER (May 2022)

- Two weeks in the Sunday Times Paperback Fiction Top Ten.

- Almost 100k copies sold across formats.

- Paperback TCM almost 55k. Paperback sales 20% up vs THE SUMMER SEEKERS (May 2021). Sales increased across all retailers.

- A Kindle and Apple Books bestseller. Huge ebook growth vs THE SUMMER SEEKERS – 76% up.

- Our fastest selling summer book to date.

- Outsold key summer reading paperback competitors Sheila O’Flanagan, Milly Johnson, Cathy Kelly, Jill Mansell, Veronica Henry.

•Sarah has sold over 21 million books worldwide.

Pre-order The Christmas Book Club now!

The brand-new Christmas novel from Sunday Times bestseller Sarah Morgan

* * *

A long-lasting friendship

Every year, Erica, Claudia, and Anna reunite for their book club holiday. They’re bonded by years of friendship and a deep love of books, but there is still so much they keep from each other . . .

A perfect Christmas escape

At the cosy Maple Sugar Inn, Hattie specialises in making her guests’ dreams come true, but this Christmas all she wants is to survive the festive season. Between running the inn and being a single mother, Hattie is close to breaking point.

The start of a brand-new story…?

Over the course of an eventful week, Hattie sees that the friends are each carrying around unspoken truths, but nothing prepares her for how deeply her story will become entwined in theirs. Will this Christmas be the end of the book club’s story or the start of a whole new chapter? ***

Read yourself happy with Sarah Morgan!

384pp B 198x129, Paperback

978-0-00-865374-3

320pp B

26 Oct 2023

£ 9.99

Could It Be Magic? (1) Like

a Charm

A Kind of Magic

Kerry Barrett

Part-time witch, full-time glamorous high-flyer Esme Mcleod rubs shoulders with celebrities for a living, has a sort-of-boyfriend …and just enough magic in her fingertips to solve life’s little irritations; why shouldn’t she cast a little spell to catch the busy barman’s attention, or to summon a latte to aid her all-nighters?

Called back to her small Scottish home town and meddling family, stiletto-clad Esme is way out of her comfort zone… But Esme must embrace her abilities as a witch, or watch her family lose their beloved café.

Except Esme has never claimed to be a whizz at witchcraft, and her charms are starting to go awry –she certainly never meant to cast a love spell on her ex-boyfriend Jamie! It’s time for urgent lessons in magic as well as love – it seems there’s only so much that muttering a few words over cupcake batter will fix…

Don't miss the Could It Be Magic series:

1 – Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered

Kerry Barrett was a bookworm from a very early age and did a degree in English Literature, then trained as a journalist, writing about everything from pub grub to EastEnders. Her first novel, Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, took six years to finish and was mostly written in longhand on her commute to work, giving her a very good reason to buy beautiful notebooks. Kerry lives in London with her husband and two sons, and Noel Streatfeild’s Ballet Shoes is still her favourite novel.

2 – I Put a Spell on You

3 – Baby It's Cold Outside

4 – I’ll Be There For You

5 – A Spoonful of Sugar (novella)

What readers are saying about Kerry Barrett

'I was absorbed from the first page.' – Pass The Gin

'It was just lovely! I loved the plot, I loved the spells and the magic, I loved the characters and I loved the writing. Kerry Barrett is a talented writer and I’m so pleased I got the chance to review her debut novel and here’s hoping there will be many more!' – Chick Lit Reviews and News

'This is a story filled with heart-warming characters full of family loyalty, a little romance sprinkled with magic and humour throughout which will leave you, like me wanting to find out what happen next for Esme and her family.’ – That Thing She Reads

978-0-00-851264-4

7 Dec 2023

£ 9.99

Sisters of the Sky

Lana Kortchik

· Perfect for readers of Mandy Robotham (The German Midwife) and Suzanne Kelman (When We Were Brave)

· Lana’s first novel, Sisters of War, is a USA Today bestseller and has sold over 60,000 copies across all formats

Lana grew up in Siberia and the Ukraine her historical novels delve into the dramatic history ‘behind the Iron curtain’ – a real USP in a busy area of the market

Lana has a talent for writing characters who are not only resilient and passionate, but also human, believable and headstrong – making it all the easier to step into their shoes and be transported back in time

· One of the characters, Marina Raskova, is a real figure, she was the first woman in the Soviet Union to achieve the diploma of professional air navigator. The 587th Bomber Aviation Regiment, where Nina is dispatched in the novel, existed and was led by Marina Raskova

October 1941

LANA KORTCHIK grew up in two opposite corners of the Soviet Union – a snow-white Siberian town and the golden-domed Ukrainian capital. At the age of sixteen, she moved to Australia with her mother. Lana and her family live on the Central Coast of NSW, where it never snows and is always summerwarm, even in winter. She loves books, martial arts, the ocean and Napoleonic history. Her short stories have appeared in many magazines and anthologies. She is the author of the USA Today bestselling Sisters of War

As war rages in the Soviet Union, Nina is devastated as she watches her younger brother being sent off to the front. She has witnessed so many soldiers go to war and never return, and with her father already on the battlefield, her brother is her only family left.

Sick of feeling helpless and determined to fight for her motherland, Nina and her best friend Katya decide to volunteer for the first female-only aviation regiment, led by the legendary pilot Marina Raskova.

But fighting a war is nothing like they expected, and soon the battle lines are no longer restricted to the front – a forbidden love begins to blossom, and Nina is faced with the ultimate betrayal. Will Nina and her loved ones make it out alive?

From the bestselling author of Sisters of War comes a heart-wrenching novel of love, friendship and sacrifice, perfect for fans of Mandy Robotham and Pam Jenoff.

Readers LOVE Lana Kortchik!

‘This is the best book I’ve read in ages. I absolutely loved it. It is brilliantly researched and very well written.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This book was well written with a captivating storyline and well-developed characters. It was everything I love about historical fiction and more.’ Reader review,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I absolutely loved this book. The plot, the characters, the writing are so compelling. I really did find this such a page turner and enjoyed it very much. Right up there with the best books I’ve read this year, it is so much more than a love story. Fantastic.’ Reader review,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This is an excellent read. It pictures what it is like living as a civilian during war so mirrors the conflicts and choices for thousands caught up in a disastrous strife. Thoroughly recommended.’ Reader review,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Paperback

New in Paperback

978-0-00-845550-7

320pp

6 Jul 2023

£ 9.99

Pug Actually

Matt Dunn

Matt has sold 400,000 copies in ebook, and has hit the bestseller charts in the UK and US.

· This is uplifting, humorous fiction with a doggy twist! Comments on modern relationships – affairs, divorce, widows, older relationships, what makes a healthy relationship – as well as the ways a canine companion can change your life.

‘A witty, heart-warming tale about woman’s best friend. You’ll love it!’ Nick Spalding

‘A love story that honestly will just make you cheer… I loved it.’ Miranda Dickinson

When your dog plays cupid…what could possibly go wrong?

Loyal rescue pug Doug wants his adoring owner Julie to find unconditional love and happiness – and he knows she won’t find either in the arms of Luke, her married boss.

Doug is terrified that Julie will become a lonely cat-lover if she stays single too long, but he can’t let her fall for any more of Luke’s empty promises. Julie needs to move on – and Doug is convinced that Tom, a newly divorced V-E-T, is perfect for her (despite his questionable occupation).

Matt Dunn is the author of numerous romantic comedy novels, including the bestselling The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook and A Day at the Office. He's also written about life, love, and relationships for various publications including The Times, Guardian, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Company, Elle, and The Sun.

There’s just one problem: Julie and Tom can’t stand each other.

Doug doesn’t quite understand the quirks and complexities of human relationships, but he won’t let that get in the way of his mission to bring Tom and Julie together. After all, being a ‘rescue’ works both ways…

Readers LOVE Pug Actually!

‘A wonderful novel with delicious humour… I'm in love with Doug the pug!’ Jill Mansell

‘Charming, brilliant and an absolute hoot… This book makes the world feel a happier place to be.’ Milly Johnson

‘Absolutely loved it… A quirky, funny, cute read…I found myself smiling throughout…’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A marvellously light read that leaves you giggling… you will not regret this one bit.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely brilliant…Laugh out loud hilarious’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A word of caution: Reading this in public may cause uncontrollable laughter and create a scene.’ Library Journal, starred review

‘[A] hilarious romance…’ The Washington Post

‘…amusing and heartwarming, and Doug is a fantastic star of the show.’ Booklist

‘Laugh-out-loud funny’ Publishers Weekly

Praise for Matt Dunn: ‘Matt Dunn is officially funny.’ Jojo Moyes

Praise for Pug Actually: "A love story that honestly will just make you cheer… I loved it." Miranda Dickinson, Sunday Times bestselling author

‘A witty, heart-warming tale about woman’s best friend. You’ll love it!’ Nick Spalding, bestselling author

‘A wonderful novel with delicious humour… I'm in love with Doug the pug!’ Jill Mansell, Sunday Times bestselling author

B 198x129, Paperback

978-0-00-843372-7

3 Aug 2023

£ 9.99

Those People Next Door

•Almost 75,000 Kia Abdullah thrillers sold to date (all formats, all territories).

•THOSE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR is a contemporary and gritty thriller about racial and societal tensions in a seemingly safe British suburb.

•A brilliant novel combining the best of the thriller and courtroom drama genres – for fans of Harriet Tyce, Steve Cavanagh and Gillian McAllister.

•NEXT OF KIN (May 2022 pb):

- Winner of the Adult Fiction Diverse Book Award 2022.

- Longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger Award.

- A Bookseller Heatseeker for three weeks.

- Paperback TCM is 140% up and sales across formats are 162% up vs TRUTH BE TOLD.

•Kia’s profile continues to grow – as well as award recognition, she recently contributed to The Bookseller’s working class issue, and was also invited to meet His Majesty The King who hosted an event in celebration of South Asian diaspora communities in the UK.

•Kia has a well-earned reputation for tackling difficult questions about contemporary British society in commercial fiction.

Kia Abdullah is a bestselling author and travel writer. Her novels include Take It Back, a Guardian and Telegraph thriller of the year; Truth Be Told, which was shortlisted for the Diverse Book Awards; and Next of Kin, which was longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger Award. Kia has also been selected for The Times Crime Club.

Kia has written for The New York Times, the Guardian, the Financial Times, The Times and the BBC, and is the founder of Asian Booklist, a non-profit that advocates for diversity in publishing and helps readers discover new books by British Asian authors.

For more information about Kia and her writing, visit her website at kiaabdullah.com,

•Satisfaction guaranteed: an almost five-star reader review average on Amazon. Kia delivers high-quality tension-filled fiction that has readers coming back for more.

•There are woefully few Asian authors writing the kind of commercial fiction Kia does –the industry needs her.

‘Abdullah’s legal thrillers make John Grisham seem like a maiden aunt’ Sunday Times Crime Club

‘Intelligent, clever, poignant, sharp, and thought-provoking, right through to the perfect final line. Another sure hit for Kia Abdullah’ Andrea Mara

‘Brilliantly pacey and wonderfully written with a lovely big twist. Highly recommended’ Neil Lancaster

You can choose your house. Not your neighbours.

WELCOME TO YOUR DREAM HOME…

Salma Khatun is extremely hopeful about Blenheim, the safe suburban development to which she, her husband and their son have just moved. Their family is in desperate need of a fresh start, and Blenheim feels like the place to make that happen.

MEET YOUR NEW NEIGHBOURS…

Not long after they move in, Salma spots her neighbour, Tom Hutton, ripping out the anti-racist banner her son put in their front garden. She chooses not to confront Tom because she wants to fit in. It's a small thing, really. No need to make a fuss. So Salma takes the banner inside and puts it in her window instead. But the next morning she wakes up to find her window smeared with paint.

AND PREPARE FOR THE NIGHTMARE TO BEGIN…

This time she does confront Tom, and the battle lines between the two families are drawn. As things begin to escalate and the stakes become higher, it's clear that a reckoning is coming… And someone is going to get hurt.

A gripping thriller about nightmare neighbours, Those People Next Door explores the loss of innocence and how far we’re prepared to go to defend ourselves and the people we love.

Praise for Those People Next Door:

‘This powerful social drama about racism and microaggression in today’s society is a must-read’

384pp B 198x129, Paperback

978-0-00-846904-7

464pp

17 Aug 2023

£ 8.99

The Echoes of Love

Jenny Ashcroft

• The Echoes of Love is a historical love story set in Crete both before the Second World War and during the occupation. It follows Eleni, a young woman who’s half English and half Greek, and Otto, a young German man, who meet and fall in love on the island in 1936.

•Ambitious, heart-breaking and captivating, The Echoes of Love is historical fiction at its finest.

•Perfect for fans of Rachel Hore, Victoria Hislop and Kate Furnivall.

•Almost 150,000 copies sold, combined across formats, of Jenny’s previous four novels.

•Over 5k copies sold of the first formats, and it was a Kindle bestseller.

•Huge potential for big ANZ and ebook sales (Jenny splits her time between the UK and Australia).

•This is Jenny’s most personal novel yet, inspired by her Greek grandmother.

‘A big, beautiful, epic tale of war, heartache, betrayal, courage and most of all, love. I can’t remember the last time I was so transported by a book . . . I can’t recommend The Echoes of Love more highly. This story is a classic of our time’ Louise Douglas, The Room in the Attic

Jenny Ashcroft is the author of several historical novels, including Beneath a Burning Sky and Island in the East. She previously spent much of her life living in, working in and exploring Australia and Asia, and now splits her time between Australia and the UK. The Echoes of Love is in part inspired by her Greek grandmother’s stories, and is Jenny’s most personal novel to date.

‘With the historical authenticity of Sebastian Faulks, the perfectly observed family relationships of Santa Montefiore, and the gut-wrenching twist of Jojo Moyes, The Echoes of Love is epic, enthralling and deeply emotional’ Iona Grey, Letters to the Lost

‘An unforgettable story of great love torn apart by war, of heroism and betrayal, passion and pure evil, all set against an idyllic Greek island backdrop. It’s a genuine masterpiece, a book to lose yourself in’ Gill Paul, The Secret Wife

Under the Cretan sun, in the summer of 1936, two young people fall in love…

Eleni has been coming to Crete her entire life, swapping her English home for cherished sun-baked summers with her grandfather in his idyllic shoreside villa. When she arrives in 1936, she believes the long, hot weeks ahead will be no different to so many that have gone before.

But someone else is visiting the island that year too: a young German man called Otto. And so begins a summer of innocence lost, and love discovered; one that is finite, but not the end.

When, in 1941, the island falls to a Nazi invasion, Eleni and Otto meet there once more. But this time Eleni has returned to fight for her home, and Otto to occupy it. They are enemies, and their love is not only treacherous, but also dangerous. But will it destroy them, or prove strong enough to overcome the ravages of war?

An epic tale of secrets, love, loyalty, family and how far you’d go to keep those you love safe, The Echoes of Love is an exquisite and deeply moving love letter to Crete – one that will move every reader to tears. * * *

‘What a beautiful novel. So romantic, so epic, so tear-jerking’ Lorna Cook,The Forgotten Village

‘I was completely spellbound. A beautiful, poignant love story with a clever twist, all set against the backdrop of war-torn Crete. It’s the best book I’ve read this year’ Kathleen McGurl, The Forgotten Secret

Praise for The Echoes of Love

‘Ashcroft has done it again with another deeply moving, beautifully romantic and vividly rendered story. This is a wonderful and resonant historical novel, focussing on family, loyalty and love without borders’ Katherine Webb, The Legacy

‘Haunting and heart-breaking . . . explores truth, beauty and the fragility of human relationships’

B 198x129, Paperback

A Secret Garden Affair

Erica James

•Join Sunday Times bestseller Erica James on a journey into the past for a heartbreaking tale of love, secrets and the enduring power of friendship

•Based on the life of one England’s most revered and ground-breaking garden designers, socialite Norah Lindsay

•MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS reached no. six in the Sunday Times for two weeks and spent four weeks in the Sunday Times Top 20

•It was also a Number Four Bestseller on Audible and a Top 20 Bestseller in Australia

978-0-00-841378-1

14 Sep 2023

£ 8.99

•A gorgeous tale of lost love and family secrets 400pp B

Another heartbreaking but glorious tale of secrets and love from the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James…

July 1981. As the country prepares to celebrate Prince Charles’ wedding to Lady Diana, Libby wants to be as far away from royal wedding fever as possible.

Having caught her own fiancé in bed with her best friend just weeks before they were due to marry, she’s fled London for the comfort of the Suffolk countryside.

Erica James is the author of twenty-four internationally bestselling novels, including most recently Mothers and Daughters, which was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller. Her books are loved by readers looking for beautifully drawn relationships, emotionally powerful storylines and evocative settings.

A keen gardener, Erica lives in Suffolk and has a growing obsession for doll’s houses. She is also a keen follower of F1 motor racing and, when possible, loves travelling to Japan and the US to see her sons.

Backlist

Mothers and Daughters

At Larkspur House, with its magical garden created by renowned garden designer and one-time socialite Elfrida Ambrose, and its comfortingly familiar kitchen presided over by Libby’s great-aunt Bess, she hopes to find a way to put her life back together.

But for lifelong friends Bess and Elfrida, Libby’s arrival has stirred up the ghosts of the past. And before they can help her rebuild her shattered future, they must confront their own unspoken secrets, lost loves, and tragedies…

From the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James comes a captivating story that sweeps through sixty years of history, love, and family drama.

Praise for Erica James:

‘A wonderfully compelling family drama… Warm, escapist and utterly uplifting’ Sunday Express

‘A brilliantly observational look at the complexities of family life’ My Weekly

‘A captivating read’ OK!

‘Glorious… a real treat’ Sunday Post

‘A beautifully written story’ Adele Parks

‘A brilliant read. A compelling family drama… Completely absorbing’ Sarah Morgan

‘Wise and warm with plenty of twists and turns, you'll love this’ Rachel Hore, bestselling author

‘You’ll be swept away… delightful!’ Veronica Henry

‘Peerless storytelling’ Miranda Dickinson

‘Deliciously immersive’ Iona Grey

198x129, Paperback

978-0-00-851192-0

14 Sep 2023

£ 9.99

All That’s Left Unsaid

Tracey Lien

•Set in 1996, in the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta, it centres around the brutal murder of a local teenage boy.

•Over 40,000 copies sold across formats, to date.

•Selected as one of Apple Books Australia’s Books of 2022.

•Several prize nominations:

- Winner of the Australian Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction, and the MUD Literary Prize.

- Shortlisted for the BookPeople Adult Fiction Book of the Year, and Two Australian Book Industry Awards – Literary Fiction Book of the Year, and The Matt Richell Award for New Writers.

- Longlisted for the Stella Prize.

- Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist.

•A profound exploration of racism and inherited trauma during a time in Australia’s history many of us know very little about.

•Challenges the myth of the model minority and what happens when those expectations are not met.

•A bold new literary voice, ALL THAT’S LEFT UNSAID probes the intricate bonds of friendship, family, and community through an unforgettable cast of characters, all connected by a devastating crime.

•Combines the multi-viewpoint structure of BIG LITTLE LIES with the page-turning quality and claustrophobic, politically alive mystery of EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU.

•Foreign rights have also sold in Germany, Holland, Romania, Italy and Japan.

Born and raised in South Western Sydney, Australia, Tracey Lien earned her MFA at the University of Kansas and was previously a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Tracey now lives in Brooklyn, New York.

All That’s Left Unsaid is her debut novel and is the winner of the Australian Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction, and the MUD Literary Prize. It has also been shortlisted for the Literary Fiction Book of the Year and The Matt Richell Award for New Writers in the ABIA Awards, as well as being a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

For more information about Tracey and her writing, follow her at @hellotraceylien on Instagram.

Winner of the Australian Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction • Winner of the MUD Literary Prize • Shortlisted for the BookPeople Adult Fiction Book of the Year • Shortlisted for the Literary Fiction Book of the Year and The Matt Richell Award for New Writers ABIA Awards • Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist

‘Tracey Lien’s first novel is a deeply moving tale of rage, regret and resilience . . . A brilliant debut’ The Times

‘An unforgettable debut, utterly compelling from start to finish. Original. Heartbreaking. Gripping' Liane Moriarty

‘A gripping and unflinching narrative that is as heart-wrenching as it is unputdownable’ Karin Slaughter

*

They claim they saw nothing. She knows they’re lying.

‘Just let him go.’

Those are words Ky Tran will forever regret. The words she spoke when her parents called to ask if they should let her younger brother Denny out to celebrate his high school graduation with friends. That night, Denny – optimistic, guileless Denny – is brutally murdered inside a busy restaurant in the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta, a refugee enclave facing violent crime, and an indifferent police force.

Returning home for the funeral, Ky learns that the police are stumped by her brother’s case. Even though several people were present at Denny’s murder, each bystander claims to have seen nothing, and they are all staying silent.

Determined to uncover the truth, Ky tracks down and questions the witnesses herself. But what she learns goes beyond what happened that fateful night. The silence has always been there, threaded through the generations, and Ky begins to expose the complex traumas weighing on those present the night Denny died. As she peels back the layers of the place that shaped her, she must confront more than the reasons her brother is dead. And once those truths have finally been spoken, how can any of them move on?

*

‘A shocking, deeply moving and truly special debut … A richly crafted mystery, a story that is both impossible to put down and impossible to forget’ Chris Whitaker, We Begin at the End

‘Poignant and impeccable storytelling’ Oprah Daily

978-0-00-841034-6

400pp

B 198x129, Paperback

28 Sep 2023

£ 8.99

The Haven

Amanda Jennings

•A sinister upmarket psychological thriller set in an off-grid commune in the early noughties for fans of Will Dean, Lucy Atkins, Gillian McAllister, and Claire Douglas

•Has potential to be Thriller of the Month in Waterstones in hardback

•Amanda’s previous books, The Storm and The Cliff House, have garnered fantastic reviews

•The Cliff House was a Bookseller No. 1 Heatseeker in summer 2019

•Also chosen as a Tesco Fern Britton pick and got stellar reviews

•In Her Wake was selected for WHS Fresh Talent, and chosen for the autumn’s ‘Best of’ promotion and the Guardian’s Not the Booker Prize

•She’s been a Top 5 Kindle bestseller

•Amanda is fantastically well-connected and well-liked in the crime world

A dark and glittering thriller for fans of Will Dean and Lucy Atkins from the author of The Cliff House

…

Amanda Jennings has written six novels, and numerous short stories for anthologies and magazines, and is published both in the UK and abroad. She is a contributor to BBC Radio Berkshire and a long-standing judge for the Henley Youth Festival literary competition, has taught writing workshops, and enjoys appearing at literary festivals. Before becoming an author, Amanda worked at the BBC as a researcher, and studied History of Art at Cambridge University. She lives in a cottage in the middle of the woods in Oxfordshire with her family and a varied assortment of animals.

‘Mesmerising, gripping and evocative’ Lisa Jewell

‘A dark delight … I absolutely loved it’ Eve Chase

‘A masterly unravelling of a utopian dream’ Elly Griffiths

‘Psychologically astute’ Tammy Cohen

It was meant to be paradise…

Winterfall Farm, spectacular and remote, stands over Bodmin Moor. Wanting an escape from the constraints of conventional life, Kit and Tara move to the isolated smallholding with their daughter, Skye, and a group of friends. Living off-grid and working the land, they soon begin to enjoy the fruits of their labour amid the breathtaking beauty and freedom of the moor.

At first this new way of life seems too good to be true, but when their charismatic leader, Jeremy, returns from a mysterious trip to the city with Dani, a young runaway, fractures begin to appear. As winter approaches, and with it cold weather and dark nights, Jeremy's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic. Rules are imposed, the outside world is shunned, and when he brings a second girl back to the farm, tensions quickly reach breaking point with devastating consequences…

The Haven is the compelling new novel from Amanda Jennings, author of The Cliff House.

Praise for The Haven:

‘Another mesmerising, gripping and evocative read from the Queen of Cornish Noir’ Lisa Jewell

‘A dark delight … I absolutely loved it’ Eve Chase

‘A masterly unravelling of a utopian dream that gradually becomes a nightmare. Lyrical descriptions and utterly believable characters’ Elly Griffiths

‘Engrossing, tense, psychologically astute. A gripping, emotionally taut exploration of idealism turned sour’ Tammy Cohen

‘Hypnotic’ Financial Times

‘A deliciously dark and tense exploration of human nature. There’s trouble brewing in paradise’ Emma Haughton

‘A beautifully written story with vividly drawn, believable characters I really cared about’ Sarah Stovell

‘Captivating and totally absorbing – this is the kind of pure escapism we need’ Susi Holliday

978-0-00-855129-2

12 Oct 2023

£ 8.99

DS Max Craigie Scottish Crime Thrillers (4)

Blood Runs Cold

Neil Lancaster

•Neil’s first novel, Dead Man’s Grave, was longlisted for the 2021 McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year, and was also named Waterstones Scottish Book of the Month in January 22.

His second novel, The Blood Tide, was also longlisted for the 2022 McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year and was shortlisted for Best New Series at the Dead Good Reader Awards.

•This is the fourth thriller in a stunning new Scottish crime series, perfect for fans of Stuart MacBride and Denzil Meyrick.

•The series has hit the top 100 in both the US and UK Amazon Kindle charts.

•The author is an Ex-Detective and Military Policeman who uses his first-hand experiences to bring authenticity to his stories. He is also a broadcaster who regularly appears on Sky TV to comment on true crime documentaries.

•Neil was a detective on the famous Levi Bellfield serial killer case.

•Neil lives in the Scottish Highlands on The Black Isle and is well-connected within the crime writing community. This series has garnered praise from a wide range of authors, including Ian Rankin, Jane Casey, C. L. Taylor, Cass Green and Tony Parsons.

NEIL LANCASTER is the No. 1 digital bestselling author of both the Tom Novak and Max Craigie series. His first Craigie novel, Dead Man’s Grave, was longlisted for the 2021 McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Book of the Year. The second Craigie novel, The Blood Tide, topped several ebook and audio charts. It was also longlisted for the 2022 McIlvanney Prize and shortlisted for Best New Series at the Dead Good Reader Awards.

Neil served as a military policeman and worked for the Metropolitan Police as a detective, investigating serious crimes in the capital and beyond. As a covert policing specialist, he used all manner of techniques to investigate and disrupt major crime

‘This book is one hell of a ride. Neil Lancaster’s Blood Runs Cold is spellbinding.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

She was taken against her will.

On her fifteenth birthday, trafficking victim Affi Smith goes for a run and never returns. With a new identity and secure home in the Scottish Highlands, she was supposed to be safe…

She escaped once.

With personal ties to Affi’s case, DS Max Craigie joins the investigation. When he discovers other trafficking victims have disappeared in exactly the same circumstances, he knows one thing for certain – there’s a leak somewhere within law enforcement.

She won’t outrun them again.

The clock is ticking… Max must catch Affi’s kidnappers and expose the mole before anyone else goes missing. Even it if means turning suspicions onto his own team…

Don’t miss the next book in the DS Max Craigie series! Fans of Ian Rankin and Marion Todd will love this utterly gripping Scottish thriller!

Readers LOVE Blood Runs Cold!

‘Utterly compelling, ingeniously plotted and incredibly entertaining, this puts Neil Lancaster up at the forefront of Tartan Noir.’ Liz Nugent

‘A masterclass in how to deliver a taut pacy thriller hot off the page.’ Imran Mahmood

‘Compelling, emotionally charged, and impossible to put down… the stand out crime read of the year so far.’ John Barlow

‘Want pulse-pounding, shallowed-breathed, toe-curling police action? Here you go. Thank me later.’ Helen Fields

‘Thrilling, gripping, breathlessly brilliant crime-thriller that just won’t let you go until you know how it ends.’ Miranda Dickinson

‘A dark, gritty and fast paced police procedural that I was totally and completely absorbed by from the very start.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘One of my favourite crime writers by a country mile.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

352pp

B 198x129, Paperback

978-0-00-827530-3

384pp

B 198x129, Paperback

The Darlings of the Asylum

Noel O’Reilly

•For readers who love the dark and uncanny

•THE DARLINGS OF THE ASYLUM is a mesmerising gothic historical novel about duty vs. desire and truth vs. delusion told from within a Victorian asylum

•A gripping tale of a strong woman who refuses to conform

•Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Macneal, Beth Underdown, and Anna Mazzola

•A creepy, edgy, but utterly gorgeous novel, perfect for Waterstones and indies

26 Oct 2023

£ 9.99

•Brilliantly reviewed in hardback, with The Times describing it as ‘Always engaging and readable’

•Apple Book of the Month in December 2022

To marry is madness. To escape is impossible.

‘The Darlings of the Asylum by Noel O’Reilly grips like a vice’ Nicola Cornick

Noel O’Reilly was a student on the New Writing South Advanced writing course. He has worked as a journalist and editor at the international business media company RBI, and is now a freelance writer. His first novel is Wrecker and The Darlings of the Asylum is his second. He lives in Sheffield.

Backlist

Wrecker

To marry is madness.

To escape is impossible.

In 1886, a respectable young woman must acquire a husband. But Violet Pring longs to be a professional artist and live on her own terms.

When she turns down a desirable marriage proposal from an eligible Brighton gentleman, her family have had enough of her independent streak. Against her wishes, they lock her away in Hillwood Grange Lunatic Asylum.

Now at the mercy of the sinister Dr Rastrick, she must keep her wits about her if she has any hope of escaping.

This tantalizing Gothic novel from Noel O’Reilly tells a thrilling story of duty and desire, madness and sanity, truth and delusion from within a Victorian asylum.

Praise for The Darlings of the Asylum:

‘Always engaging and readable’ Sunday Times

‘The narrative rattles along irresistibly all the way to its suitably gothic climax’ Readers’ Digest

‘This darkly atmospheric psychological thriller oozes menace’ Women’s Own

‘Wow! I have been on the edge of my seat with this one! The Darlings of the Asylum… grips like a vice’ Nicola Cornick, author of The Winter Garden

‘Gripping’ Alison Stockham, author of The Cuckoo Sister

Praise for The Darlings of the Asylum:

‘Always engaging and readable’ Sunday Times

‘The narrative rattles along irresistibly all the way to its suitably gothic climax’ Readers’ Digest

‘This darkly atmospheric psychological thriller oozes menace’ Women’s Own

‘Wow! I have been on the edge of my seat with this one! The Darlings of the Asylum… grips like a vice. I was totally invested in Violet's struggle in this chilling Gothic novel’ Nicola Cornick, author of The Winter Garden

‘Gripping’ Alison Stockham, author of The Cuckoo Sister

978-0-00-862008-0

26 Oct 2023

£ 8.99

C.J. Skuse

• Fleabag meets American Psycho in a darkly comic thriller about a girl-next-door with a killer secret.

•Sweetpea features the perfect anti-heroine serial killer that you can’t help but love – and agree with.

•TV rights have been sold to See-Saw Films, producers of the Emmy-award winning series Top of the Lake, and the recently Oscar-nominated film Lion.

•Previously a YA author, CJ Skuse has a large and engaged established audience who have shown huge enthusiasm for her first adult thriller.

‘This isn’t a book for the squeamish or the faint-hearted … think Bridget Jones meets American Psycho’ – Red

The last person who called me ‘Sweetpea’ ended up dead…

’I haven’t killed anyone for three years and I thought that when it happened again I’d feel bad. Like an alcoholic taking a sip of whisky. But no. Nothing. I had a blissful night’s sleep. Didn’t wake up at all. And for once, no bad dream either. This morning I feel balanced. Almost sane, for once.’

Rhiannon is your average girl next door, settled with her boyfriend and little dog…but she’s got a killer secret.

CJ Skuse is the author of the novels Pretty Bad Things, Rockaholic, Dead Romantic, Monster and The Deviants. She was born in 1980 in Weston-super-Mare. She has First Class degrees in Creative Writing and, aside from writing novels, works as a freelance fiction consult and lectures at Bath Spa University.

Backlist

Monster

The Deviants

Although her childhood was haunted by a famous crime, Rhinannon’s life is normal now that her celebrity has dwindled. By day her job as an editorial assistant is demeaning and unsatisfying. By evening she dutifully listens to her friend’s plans for marriage and babies whilst secretly making a list. A kill list.

From the man on the Lidl checkout who always mishandles her apples, to the driver who cuts her off on her way to work, to the people who have got it coming, Rhiannon’s ready to get her revenge. Because the girl everyone overlooks might be able to get away with murder…

‘This darkly comic novel…has the potential to become a cult classic.’ Daily Mail

‘This isn’t a book for the squeamish or the faint-hearted … think Bridget Jones meets American Psycho’ Red

‘Filthy and funny… a compulsive read’ The Sunday Times

‘Sweetpea hits all the right buttons. A dark, twisted read about a female serial killer with dollops of humour, sarcasm and a lightweight approach…keeping you gripped and on the hook, both smiling and squirming.’ Maxim Jakubowski, Lovereading

‘You MUST read this book especially if you like your (anti) heroes dirty-mouthed, deadly and dark, dark dark. ADORED IT' Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle

‘This book is OUTRAGEOUS’ Compulsive Readers

‘This anti-hero is psychotic without doubt, sexually voracious and incredibly funny.’ Shots magazine

‘Brutal, bone-crunching, enthralling and entertaining, Sweetpea is as brilliant as it is shocking, and marks a fascinating turning point for a young and vibrant author.’ Lancashire Post

Weston-super-Mare

Paperback

978-0-00-847986-2

320pp

9 Nov 2023

8.99

•The second outing for tough, relatable heroine – Ally Dymond, a dedicated CSI and single mother who readers are already invested in.

•Perfect for fans of Val McDermid, Elly Griffiths and Jane Casey, as well as TV series like Broadchurch, Mare of Easttown and Line of Duty.

•T. Orr Munro is a crime journalist and former CSI so has the knowledge and experience to give readers an authentic peek behind the crime scene tape.

•Set in a seaside town in Devon, this is exactly the sort of atmospheric setting that readers of the genre love.

A gripping new crime series for fans of Val McDermid, Jane Casey and Cara Hunter

’Compelling crime fiction with a beating heart of authenticity’ Hayley Scrivenor, author of Dirt Town

‘CSI Ally Dymond is a gem, engaging, relatable, smart – everything you want in a main character’ Trevor Wood, author of The Man on the Street

’Brimming with suspense!’ Heather Darwent, author of Sunday TimesbestsellerThe Things We Do To Our Friends

T. Orr Munro was born in Hampshire to an English mother and a Greek-Armenian father who later moved to Devon. After university she trained as a CSI, then became a secondary school teacher. She changed career at 33 to become a police and crime journalist. She has since returned with her family to live in North Devon, the setting for Breakneck Point. Her time as a CSI provided much of the inspiration for the novel, shining a light on what happens behind the crime scene tape.

A family secret worth killing for…

In the dead of night, 72-year-old Miriam Narracott is found wandering on Exmoor, holding a knife and covered in blood. Inside the family farmhouse lies the body of her adult son, Gabe.

CSI Ally Dymond is on compassionate leave, but when approached by the new DI, recently arrived from London and eager to have Ally's keen eye and local knowledge on the case, she finds herself being drawn back in.

With their only suspect Miriam unwilling – or unable – to talk, the team must dig into the family’s history to uncover a motive. Instead they find evidence that Gabe was involved with a criminal network, suggesting a completely different chain of events. But if Miriam isn’t the killer – then who is?

The gripping second novel in the CSI Ally Dymond series.

‘Shot through with wit and peopled by characters you care about’ Gill Perdue, author of If I Tell

‘T. Orr Munro has weaved such an intricate story, she’ll have you guessing right until the end’ Sophia Spiers, author of The Call of Cassandra Rose

‘A well-written, perfectly plotted novel that hooked me in right from the prologue and held me in suspense throughout’ Diane Jeffrey, author of The Guilty Mother

Readers can’t get enough of CSI Ally Dymond!

‘This story was so well written and captures you hook, line and sinker straight away’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fast paced and incredibly twisty. The storylines and characters are fantastic. I'm a huge Ally fan and I can't wait for the next one’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A carefully crafted cast and a compelling and credible narrative makes this an immersive tale with a solid mystery to unravel. Fast moving and engaging’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This is a twisty, gripping story with a well written story and full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing to the end’

‘If you enjoy the plot rich, character rich novels of William Shaw and Elly Griffiths you should have a look at this series’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Praise for T. Orr Munro:

‘This could turn into a gem of a series’ Sunday Post

B 198x129, Paperback

Vita and the Birds

Polly Crosby

•A compelling and evocative dual timeline mystery for fans of Eve Chase, Diane Setterfield, Gentleman Jack and the Kate Winslet movie Ammonite.

•Polly has received widespread press coverage as well as an impressive roster of author blurbs for previous books The Illustrated Child and The Unravelling.

•Polly is brilliant at fostering local support in her local region of East Anglia, where the book is set.

•Polly was awarded runner up in the Bridport Prize’s Peggy Chapman Andrews Award for a First Novel, and also won Curtis Brown Creative’s Yesterday Scholarship.

978-0-00-855068-4

336pp B 198x129,

23 Nov 2023

£ 9.99

Polly Crosby grew up on the Suffolk coast, and now lives with her husband and son in the heart of Norfolk.

In 2018, Polly won Curtis Brown Creative’s Yesterday Scholarship, which enabled her to finish her debut novel, The Illustrated Child Later the same year, it was awarded runnerup in the Bridport Prize’s Peggy Chapman Andrews Award for a First Novel. Polly received the Annabel Abbs Creative Writing Scholarship at the University of East Anglia. Her new novel, Vita and the Birds, is out in May 2023.

A haunting mystery for fans of Eve Chase, Kate Morton and Kate Mosse.

‘A poignant page-turning story, beautifully written’ Leonora Nattrass, author of Blue Water

’Hugely evocative and beautifully written’ Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork Girl

‘A thoroughly compelling mystery meets a poignant love story, all wrapped up in beautifully lyrical writing’ Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man

‘A beguiling mystery from a gifted storyteller’ Louise Fein, author of People Like Us

1938: Lady Vita Goldsborough lives in the menacing shadow of her controlling older brother, Aubrey. But when she meets local artist Dodie Blakeney, the two women form a close bond, and Vita finally glimpses a chance to be free.

1997: Following the death of her mother, Eve Blakeney returns to the coast where she spent childhood summers with her beloved grandmother, Dodie. Eve hopes that the visit will help make sense of her grief. The last thing she expects to find is a bundle of letters that hint at the heartbreaking story of Dodie’s relationship with a woman named Vita, and a shattering secret that echoes through the decades.

What she discovers will overturn everything she thought she knew about her family – and change her life forever.

‘Luminous and captivating … Polly Crosby’s shimmering writing veils a dark hint of the gothic’ Kate Griffin, author of Fyneshade

What readers are saying about Vita and the Birds

'A beautiful and haunting tale of family, love, control and connections. This book and its characters will stay with me for a long time' Netgalley reviewer

'A lush and evocative novel of loss and forbidden love' Netgalley reviewer

'Beautifully written, a dark and moody yet intriguing story' Netgalley reviewer

'An extraordinary book that I read in a 4 hour straight session without stopping for food or drink . . . A spellbinding read' Netgalley reviewer

Praise for Polly Crosby

‘Polly Crosby whips up a lush, mythical world . . . realised beautifully in vivid writing. A book worm’s treat!’ Eve Chase, author of The Glass House

‘[A] gem of a read’ Good Housekeeping

‘Like a surreal cabinet of curiosities – haunting, eerie, evocative.’ Bridget Collins, author of The Binding

Paperback

The Memory Collector

•This is an incredibly relevant read, absolutely tapping into a major trend of books focused on kindness, as well as confronting mental health in a way that makes for a truly compelling book club read.

•Fiona is an author whose career is growing in a new direction, which began with The Other Us, which saw strong ebook success and this is a brilliant opportunity to take Fiona to the next level.

978-0-00-865031-5

23 Nov 2023

£ 8.99

Fiona lives in London with her husband and two teenage daughters (oh, the drama in her house!), and she loves good books, good films and anything cinnamon flavoured. She also can’t help herself if a good tune comes on and she’s near a dance floor – you have been warned!

Fiona loves to hear from readers and you can contact her through her website fionaharper. com, her Facebook page (Fiona Harper Author) or Twitter (@FiHarper_Author)

‘Touching and uplifting, this is Fiona Harper at her very best.’ MILLY JOHNSON

From the author of The Other Us ***THE WINNER OF THE 2018 SPECULATIVE ROMANTIC NOVEL AWARD***

‘This book tore my heart into tiny pieces, then put it back together and made it fly.’ JANE LINFOOT

‘A beautiful story of loss, discovery and recovery.’ HEIDI SWAIN

'Heart-wrenching and compelling.’ SARAH MORGAN

'Beautiful, poignant and thought-provoking.’ CRESSIDA MCLAUGHLIN

***

Heather Lucas lives her life through other people’s memories.

Heather doesn’t want to remember her childhood, not when her mother’s extreme hoarding cast her family life into disarray.

•Readers who loved Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, The Keeper of Lost Things and How To Stop Time will adore this book. Bromley, Kent

For Heather’s mother, every possession was intimately connected to a memory, so when Heather uncovers a secret about her past that could reveal why her mother never let anything go, she knows there’s only one place she’ll find answers – behind the locked door of her spare room, where the remains of her mother’s hoard lie hidden.

As Heather uncovers both objects and memories, will the truth set her free? Or will she discover she’s more like her mother than she ever thought possible?

A powerful, uplifting story about love, loss and the things we leave behind, perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Keeper of Lost Things

***

Why readers are falling in love with The Memory Collector:

‘An insightful and beautifully written tale’

‘What a beautiful poignant story… the sort that stays with you for a long time afterwards’

‘Bravo, Fiona Harper! A captivating read’

‘Wow!! I really loved this powerful thought provoking book… a poignant must-read’

‘This book is simply brilliant… very uplifting and so well written’

‘loved this book! 5*****!’

978-0-00-844170-8

320pp

B 198x129, Paperback

Every Happy Family

•HQ’s first book from Sarah, Other Parents, published to great acclaim and established her as an exciting new voice in contemporary book club fiction

•Every Happy Family is an emotionally charged, brilliantly observed and very funny examination of complex family dynamics

•Pressure cooker environment of a fractured family coming together under one roof resulting. Tensions and revelations abound!

•Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Jane Fallon

7 Dec 2023

£ 8.99

Sarah Stovell is the author of five previous novels, including thriller EXQUISITE which was published to rave author and press reviews.

A hilarious drama about family secrets, perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty.

‘[A] gripping family tale… Stovell is a thoughtful, wise and witty writer’ Daily Mail

Sarah Stovell was born in Kent in 1977 and now lives in Northumberland with her partner and two children. She has an MA and a PhD in creative writing and is a lecturer in creative writing at Lincoln University. She is the author of four previous novels, Mothernight, The Night Flower, Exquisite and The Home Exquisite was chosen by The Times as one of the top 40 crime novels of the past 5 years.

Minnie and Bert are over the moon to have their three grown-up children home for the first time in a decade. But having Lizzie, Jess, Owen and the grandchildren under one roof isn’t without its dramas.

Lizzie is off the alcohol (although emergency gin doesn’t count), Jess is juggling a toddler and a newborn, but it’s Owen who has the power to throw a grenade into everything.

It all stems from an incident that happened years ago. And it involves Nora Skelly – a name you don't mention in front of Minnie.

With Nora also back in town, the past is about to come crashing into the present. And what better time to revisit old secrets and resentments than around the family dinner table?

What readers are saying about Every Happy Family

‘If you love Liane Moriarty then this is a great book for you…I couldn't stop turning the pages and finished the story in 24 hours.’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a fabulous family drama this was. I really enoyed this superb, funny, heart wrenching read. It read so easily and I just couldn't put it down.’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘On the one hand I wanted to devour in one sitting but on the other I wanted to ration because I knew that once I'd finished I was going to miss these true to life characters being in my life.’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘An absolute must read if you like some family drama (that's not your own!)’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐

‘It’s quietly brilliant. So powerful, Such an emotional story – I absolutely loved it. My only complaint is that I didn’t want to leave them all. ’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Praise for Other Parents:

‘Set to be one of the most talked-about books of 2022’ HELLO!

‘Sensitive, sharply observed and often funny’ Adele Parks, Platinum

‘Touted as the new Liane Moriarty, Stovell is one to watch’ Woman & Home

‘Cringe-inducing, agonising, truthful, heartbreaking and hilarious’ Janice Hallett

PUBLICITY

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Sarah.Lundy@harpercollins.co.uk 07586 107219

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