Legend Press

A rare, funny and poignant novel celebrating the beauty of OPEN ADOPTION and NON-TRADITIONAL FAMILIES.They look just like any other family… but between the four children there are THREE sets of parents who committed to an open adoption of biological siblings, keeping the children connected after the death of their grandmother.Tabitha the planner of the group, is insistent that everything happens just so. Quiet single mother Ginger resists the forced togetherness, and newest mother Elizabeth is still reeling from going directly from failed fertility treatments into adopting a newborn.But when the three women receive a surprising call from their children’s birth mother, announcing she is pregnant again and wants them to help her find an adoptive family for this child too, the delicate bonds they are still struggling to form threaten to collapse. As tensions start to rise on their joint family holiday, the three women reckon with their own feelings about what it means to be a mother and what they owe each other as a family.The New York Times bestselling author of The Weird Sisters returns with a striking and intimate new novel about three very different women facing an impossible question: what makes a family?'Brown has a sure hand in portraying the adoptive women; their smart, lively dialogue sparks as the characters try to define the boundaries of a family' Publishers' Weekly'A prismatic story of family, adoption, and how the people we choose to keep close shape who we are' Kirkus'Explores what it means to be a family, in all its messy complication' Christina Baker Kline'Brown brings compassion and insight to exploring the hopes and vulnerability that make us first human, then family' Isabel Costello'A beautifully written, elegantly assembled exploration of the joys and complications of family, any family, no matter what it looks like' Laurie Frankel'I adored this story' Prima'Smart, original, wholly satisfying' Elinor Lipman

Hidden in the depths of eighteenth-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women across the city whisper of a mysterious figure named Nella who sells well-disguised poisons to use against the oppressive men in their lives. But the apothecary’s fate is jeopardized when her newest patron, a precocious twelve-year-old, makes a fatal mistake, sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries.Meanwhile in present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London two hundred years ago, her life collides with the apothecary’s in a stunning twist of fate—and not everyone will survive.With crackling suspense, unforgettable characters and searing insight, The Lost Apothecary is a subversive and intoxicating debut novel of secrets, vengeance and the remarkable ways women can save each other despite the barrier of time.2021's Most Highly Anticipated New Books NewsweekMost Anticipated Books of 2021 Popsugar'A bold, edgy, accomplished debut!' Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network and The Huntress'Intriguing… Readers who enjoy parallel historical/contemporary narratives about women’s lives, such as Claire McMillan’s The Necklace or Liz Trenow’s The Forgotten Seamstress, will enjoy the historical details and mystery in this engrossing tale.' Library Journal

The New York Times Staff PickThe Best Fiction by Women in 2020 Marie ClaireBest Feminist Books Coming Out in 2020 Ms. MagazineMost Anticipated Books of 2020 LithubTwenty Must-Read Books of 2020 BustleMost Anticipated Books of 2020 Real SimpleMost Anticipated Books The MillionsOne of 15 Books By Women to Read in 2020 The LilyStarred Review Shelf Awareness'Stunning' Marie Claire'Striking' Rebecca Makkai'With grace, empathy and wisdom' Ms. Magazine'Indelible' Laila Lalami'Insightful' Rajia Hassib'Richly empathetic' Maurice Carlos Ruffin'Haunting' Lit Hub'Exquisite' Shelf Awareness'Soared beyond my wildest expectations' Terry Galvan, Third Coast Review'Gripping' Lorraine Kleinwaks, Enchanted Prose'One of my favorite books this year' Susie Boutry, Novel Visits'Lyrical prose, achingly real characters, and a driving narrative' Christine Maul Rice, Hypertext Magazine'Profound' Emma Doettling, The Michigan Daily---Afaf Rahman, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, is the principal of Nurrideen School for Girls, a Muslim school in the Chicago suburbs. One morning, a shooter―radicalized by the online alt-right―attacks the school.As Afaf listens to his terrifying progress, we are swept back through her memories: the bigotry she faced as a child, her mother’s dreams of returning to Palestine, and the devastating disappearance of her older sister that tore her family apart. Still, there is the sweetness of the music from her father’s oud, and the hope and community Afaf finally finds in Islam.The Beauty of Your Face is a profound and poignant exploration of one woman’s life in a nation at odds with its ideals.---'A story of survival and hope, forgiveness and connection. It’s not just about the beauty of Afaf’s face, as the title implies, it’s about the beauty of her heart and the hearts of the people around her, no matter how lonely or scared they are' The New York Times'Stunning… A timely family saga with faith and forgiveness at its core' Marie Claire'The Beauty of Your Face is a striking and stirring debut, one that reaches its hands straight into the fire. Sahar Mustafah writes with wisdom and grace about the unthinkable, the unspeakable, and the unspoken' Rebecca Makkai, Pulitzer finalist for The Great Believers'With grace, empathy and wisdom, this robustly written debut examines an American Muslim immigrant experience against the backdrop of a school shooting' Ms. Magazine'Mustafah’s arresting debut about a mass shooting at a Muslim girls’ school grapples with issues of faith, identity, hatred, and forgiveness… Throughout, Mustafah powerfully demonstrates the human capacity for redemption and renewal. This inviting, topical tale will stay with readers' Publishers Weekly'Profound insights and glittering words . . . a complex generational novel that is all too relevant in today’s divided America… the message rings loud and clear. Maybe violence could be avoided if people took the time to understand other people’s pain and find commonalities in their shared human experience' The Michigan Daily'Mustafah writes impressively and convincingly of her Palestinian American immigrant community… an adept author well worth reading' Terry Hong, Booklist'Mustafah's novel is frequently moving, especially in her depictions of Afaf's inner state. The sections of the book that describe Afaf's early life are especially vivid' Kirkus'The indelible story of a Palestinian-American woman whose life is torn apart by loss, finds solace in her faith, and faces a violent threat that tests how far she has come. Sahar Mustafah writes about family and community with compassion and sensitivity. The Beauty of Your Face is a gift to readers' Laila Lalami, award winning author of The Other Americans and The Moor’s Account'Rich with details of Islamic faith and Arab culture, The Beauty of Your Face is an insightful and beautifully-drawn study of the complexity of being an American Muslim immigrant. This compelling novel brilliantly challenges the notion of a unified religious and ethnic narrative while laying bare the most universal of desires: for love, acceptance, and belonging' Rajia Hassib, author of In the Language of Miracles'Mustafah writes with a grace and precision that shows a deep understanding for the ways trauma can distort a life. The Beauty of Your Face is a richly empathetic work about the power of faith, family, and love' Maurice Carlos Ruffin, author of We Cast a Shadow'The Beauty of Your Face explores faith, family, and hate with haunting precision' Emily Firetog, Lit Hub'Sahar Mustafah's skillfully nuanced debut novel, The Beauty of Your Face, traces one family's challenges in adjusting to life in the United States through the perspective of first-generation Palestinian American Afaf Rahman … In recounting the specifics of Afaf's journey of faith and self-discovery, Mustafah paints a universal picture of coming to understand oneself … With exquisite pacing, Mustafah builds suspense and also Afaf's quiet courage' Shelf Awareness'Mustafah's literary voice soared beyond my wildest expectations … Mustafah's prose stays clear, bright, and even lighthearted. Moments of laughter and hope slice emotionally taxing content into digestible portions … Many coming-of-age stories are about finding oneself by breaking away. By contrast, The Beauty of Your Face is about finding oneself by reaching deep and out into one's community and found family. I felt like I was in Afaf's shoes, in her mind and soul, for every second of every page' Terry Galvan, Third Coast Review'The beauty of this gripping novel is its elegance in seeking our understanding towards Muslim Americans in a world too terrified to understand. The prose is gorgeously sad and empowering despite all the hatred and violence Afaf and her unraveling family endure. Prose that lets us feel what it's like to be victimized by racism towards Muslims — to the extent anyone other than the oppressed can truly feel that … Mystery, secrets, Islamophobia are all wrapped up in a very moving drama' Lorraine Kleinwaks, Enchanted Prose'One of my favorite books this year … Sahar Mustafah told a wonderful story and I loved the structure' Susie Boutry, Novel Visits'Lyrical prose, achingly real characters, and a driving narrative . . . The Beauty of Your Face reaches into the grab-bag of what it means to be American to focus on one family’s experience, stripping away the worn pretense of America-as-savior, laying bare a more brutal reality: America struggling to right itself with the weight of racism, hate, misinformation, and xenophobia. … Mustafah’s emotional generosity allows her to deftly juggle the novel’s complexity with bracing honesty and a level gaze' Christine Maul Rice, Hypertext Magazine

'In this gripping tale of true feminine courage, strength and spirit of adventure, Nikki Marmery gives voice to a woman who, like so many others, has been written out of history.' Martine McDonagh'On Wilder Seas is a gripping adventure story of an extraordinary journey half way around the world by a woman who was almost completely written out of history. Nikki Marmery brings Macaia (Maria) vividly to life along with a tremendous crew of compelling and believable characters, including Drake himself.' Mandy HaggithApril 1579: When two ships meet off the Pacific coast of New Spain, an enslaved woman seizes the chance to escape.But Maria has unwittingly joined Francis Drake’s circumnavigation voyage as he sets sail on a secret detour into the far north.Sailing into the unknown on the Golden Hind, a lone woman among eighty men, Maria will be tested to the very limits of her endurance. It will take all her wits to survive — and courage to cut the ties that bind her to Drake to pursue her own journey.How far will Maria go to be truly free?Inspired by a true story, this is the tale of one woman’s uncharted voyage to freedom.

Henry Morris is watching his wife slip away from him. In an ageist society, where euthanasia is encouraged as a patriotic act, dementia is no longer tolerated.Kaitlyn, a young waitress, is desperate for the funds to keep her brother’s life support machine switched on. When a chance encounter brings the two together, they embark on an unconventional business arrangement that will force them to confront their prejudices, as well as their deepest, darkest secrets.
What Reviewers and Readers Say:'On an overstretched earth, sustainability is sacred and the elderly are made to feel as if they have overstayed their welcome. Gripping, fast-moving and tightly plotted, Overdrawn imagines a future in which we can no longer afford the luxury of old age' Heather Child, author of Everything About You'Crosskey is a genius — I don't know how many of these convincing, terrifying dystopias she has lined up, but I want to read them all. Overdrawn is flawless. It's a compelling page-turner, an astute exploration of society's attitude towards the ageing and the sick, and a beautiful portrait of connection between lost human beings. I truly loved it' Laura Pearson, author of Missing Pieces and Nobody’s Wife'In Overdrawn, Crosskey creates a dystopian Britain in which the ageing population is neither valued nor tolerated. Compelling, unsettling — I couldn’t put it down' Jo Burn, author of Petals and Stones‘Poignant, powerful and so very plausible. Crosskey’s writing is just flawless. Overdrawn is undoubtably an utter triumph and Crosskey is fast becoming the writer of our generation’ Stefanie @LiteraryElf‘Crosskey takes the tricky subjects of ageing and dementia and spins something so inventive and heartrending. Wonderful characters, beautiful writing, this book is a total gem’ Clare Empson, author of Him

‘A wise and tender novel about food, friendship and marriage' Kristina Olsson, author of Boy, Lost and ShellGrace has not had twelve people at her table for a long time. Hers isn’t the kind of family who share regular Sunday meals. But it isn’t every day you turn seventy. As Grace prepares the feast, she reflects on her life, her marriage and her friendships. When the three generations come together, simmering tensions from the past threaten to boil over. The one thing that no one can talk about is the one thing that no one can forget.
What Reviewers and Readers Say:‘A wise and tender novel about food, friendship and marriage' Kristina Olsson, author of Boy, Lost and Shell'An emotional and uplifting look at how food brings families together' Eva Woods, author of How to be Happy‘I loved Grace's Table. Sally Piper makes the ordinary extraordinary in her finely observed and profoundly moving snapshot of a woman preparing to feed her family. The events of the day, and Grace's flashbacks to both happier and sadder times, show how the choosing, cooking and serving of food can say so much about the dynamics of our relationships. Love, comfort, power, control and secrecy are all bound up in the simple acts that Grace — and all of us — carry out unquestioningly. It's a delight to discover, in Grace's Table, a story that's so simple yet so deeply thought-provoking' Sarah Haywood, author of The Cactus‘This is a wonderful book reflecting on love, relationships, friendship and all of it centred around food' The Big Book Club‘The lovely simple gestures of cooking trigger intimate thoughts and memories. Piper captures all this with the deft touch of a home cook who understands the undercurrents that flavour the simplest domestic and social dynamics' Caroline Baum

An astonishing and unique novel inspired by the author’s own story‘I highly recommend Dark Chapter…post-rape numbness, stifled rage, female victim alternating with rapist — how circumstances and accident come together tragically.’ Joyce Carol Oates
Vivian is a cosmopolitan Taiwanese-American tourist who often escapes her busy life in London through adventure and travel. Johnny is a 15-year-old Irish teenager, living a neglected life on the margins of society.
On a bright spring afternoon in West Belfast, their paths collide during a horrifying act of violence.
In the aftermath, each is forced to confront the chain of events that led to the attack.
Inspired by true events, this is a story of the dark chapters and chance encounters that can irrevocably determine the shape of our lives.
Book Prizes:
Winner of The Guardian Not The Booker Prize
Shortlisted for The Authors' Club Best First Novel Award
Nominated to The Edgars Awards
Highly Commended for CWA Debut Dagger
What Reviewers and Readers Say:
'Complex and rewarding… an important book,' Stylist
'Heart-wrenching depiction… Brave, raw and strikingly original, it is a story that will resonate for many years,' Daily Mail
'An important and moving book about rape and the long process of recovery,' Cathy Rentzenbrink
'Dark Chapter is a fascinating book, which takes an unflinching look at reality of sexual violence. I have never found myself rooting for a heroine with more urgency than in Dark Chapter,' Kate Rhodes
'Deftly written, pacey and unflinching, I could not put it down. Winnie M Li is a rare talent with an explosive and timely story. Do not miss it,' Marti Leimbach
‘Dark Chapter is a must-read. It’s gripping, compelling and all the more authentic for inhabiting both voices so completely. Stunning,’ Erin Kelly
'Winnie M Li handles alternate points-of-view seamlessly in Dark Chapter, an unflinching lens on the sexual assault landscape and one that should be applauded,' Ali Land
‘An authentic, courageous debut, told with unflinching honesty and exceptional insight,' A.D. Garrett
‘A powerful story, compassionately told,' Ros Barber
‘An accomplished debut, an honest and unsparing story,’ Cath Stanicliffe
'Lyrical, haunting and hypnotic. Winnie Li yanks us into the abyss, luring us to confront the complexities of our humanity before expertly pulling us out. An important novel from a ballsy new literary heroine. A must read,' Irenosen Okojie
'The novel is as disturbing and entertaining as any crime thriller is. But Li is writing from experience, fictionalising her attack as a way to explore how the legal system treats rape victims, and the real effects of such an experience. Most interestingly, Li fleshes out the mind of the rapist: the experiences that have shaped him and which legitimise his behaviour to himself. I really want lots of people to find it and read it.’ Sara Pascoe‘Extraordinarily courageous… humbling… A remarkable book to read in this time.’ A.L. Kennedy

Shortlisted for an Amazon Rising Star AwardLonglisted for the Guardian Not the Booker prize 2016Selected for WHSmith Fresh Talent 2017Wilven does a masterful job of keeping his readers as off-balance as his protagonist… an intense and satisfyingly off-beat examination of a man lost in a landscape of unresolved grief and his heroic fight to find his way back home.' — Melissa DeCarlo, author of The Art of Crash LandingVince stops taking his lithium when he finds out about his partner's pregnancy. As withdrawal kicks in, he can barely hold his life together.Somewhere between making friends with a blackbird in the back garden and hearing his dead son's footsteps in the attic, he finds himself lost and alone, journeying through a world of chaos and darkness, completely unaware of the miracle that lies ahead.Featuring a foreword from Dr Eleanor Longdon; Dr Longden's TED talk, Learning From the Voices in my Head, was featured on the front page of The Huffington Post and has been named by The Guardian newspaper as one of 'the 20 online talks that could change your life.'; It has been viewed over 3m times and translated into 36 languages.

Longlisted for the Guardian Not the Booker prize 2016'Bright Stars is beautifully written, has original, endearing characters and a story that pulls you along. I loved it.' -Katie FfordeCameron Spark's life is falling apart. He is separated from his wife, and awaiting a disciplinary following an incident in the underground vaults of Edinburgh where he works as a Ghost Tour guide. On the day he moves back home to live with his widowed dad, he receives a letter from Canada.It is from Christie.Twenty-five years earlier, Cameron attends Lancaster University and despite his crippling shyness, makes three unlikely friends: Christie, the rich Canadian, Tommo, the wannabe rock star and Bex, the Feminist activist who has his heart.In a whirlwind of alcohol, music and late night fox raids, Cameron feels as though he’s finally living.Until a horrific accident shatters their friendship and alters their futures forever.Christie’s letter offers them a reunion after all these years. But has enough time passed to recover from the lies, the guilt and the mistakes made on that tragic night?Or is this one ghost too many for Cameron?'A wonderful and witty page turner, combined with compelling storytelling that stays with you.' -Helen Lederer'Intriguing tale about friends reuniting and secrets coming to light'.-Heat magazine

'A beautiful maze of hidden pasts, family ties and fairytales' --Jen Campbell, author of The Bookshop Book'A thoughtful novel. Parkin creates authentic, interesting characters' --Carys Bray, Costa-shortlisted author of A Song for Issy Bradley'A great read' --The SunIt is autumn time and on a peaceful Cornish beach, Finn and his sister Ava defy planning regulations and achieve a childhood dream when they build themselves an illegal beach hut. This tiny haven will be their home until Ava departs at Midwinter for a round-the-world adventure.In the town, local publican Donald is determined to get rid of them. Still mourning the death of his wife, all he wants is a quiet place where he can forget the past and raise his daughter Alicia in safety. But Alicia is wrestling with demons of her own.As the sunshine fades and winter approaches, the beach hut stirs old memories for everyone. Their lives become entwined in surprising ways and the secrets of past and present are finally exposed.

The irreverent and mostly-true story of a would-be writer who became a stay-home father instead, and subsequently lost his mind when his wife deployed to the Desert one summer.

There is a serial killer on the loose in the tiny Yorkshire village of Holme Bridge. The community is gripped by a string of violent and brutal murders. Suspicion is flooding the town and the police are baffled. CIDs newest recruit, Scott Dempsey, is convinced they are all linked.

Meanwhile an amnesiac somewhere across town struggles to get to grips with who he is and what he’s become, but does he hold the secrets to the killers identity?

Justifying the murders by his own faulty logic, the killer knows he must bring his rampage to an end in one ultimate climax. Can Scott solve the case before time runs out, and realises that he himself, is being used as a pawn in the serial killers game?

'Electro-shock prose that broods with the human need for introspection and the futile fight against it… This is a debut that will beat up your heart.'David Whitehouse, award-winning author of BedDavid Price always wished life would blow up in his face. And then it did. His mother died. The urge to paint left him. Then Sarah came his way, followed by Pete, a psychiatric outpatient. Now David spends his time worrying about Sarah’s eating habits, visiting her terminally ill sister and working as Pete’s carer.When Pete’s odd behaviour starts to leave David fearing for his own safety, he is shocked to discover that Sarah knows the reason why but will not disclose it. What is about to happen will change everything.Funny, moving, compelling and wholly original, A Map of Nowhere leaves us wondering just how well it’s possible to know others and, indeed, ourselves.

Can your marriage survive if you’re both sleeping with other people?After more than 20 years of marriage, Fay and Steve are happy enough, though life's become routine and lacks excitement. Fay believes an open relationship could reignite the spark they've lost. But can sex ever just be sex?Steve eventually agrees to the idea of sleeping with other people, but first they must set some ground rules; no sex with friends, no telling the kids, and a limit on how many times they can see the same person. Can their marriage survive non-monogamy — even if they have permission?From the author of Ridley Road, now a major BBC TV drama.'Lays bare some of our most cherished beliefs about romantic relationships, then delicately tears them apart' Beth Miller'Perfect for book clubs seeking their next “what would you do” read' Tammy Cohen'Prescient, completely believable and slightly terrifying' Rebecca Whitney'A total binge-read. Characters you can fully invest in, stunning dialogue and a satisfyingly unpredictable story — one of my favourite reads of the year so far' Fiona Mitchell'An honest, thoughtful, entertaining and intricately-crafted novel about the realities of marriage in middle age' Elyssa Friedland'A very sensitive and thoughtful approach to a complex and emotive issue' Laura Barnett

'Packed with heart and suspense; I absolutely loved it'— Jenny Ashcroft
Things aren't always as they seem…
A small town can be a refuge, but while its secrets are held, it's hard to know who to trust and what to believe.
The Teacher's Secret is a tender and compelling story of scandal, rumor and dislocation, and the search for grace and dignity in the midst of dishonor and humiliation.
Suzanne Leal draws us into a public school in the intimate town of Brindle, Australia in which vice principal Terry comes to generational loggerheads with stand-in principal Laurie concerning teachers and their treatment of their pupils. Told over four semesters, this conflict will slowly change their lives.
Perfect for fans of The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty and A Song for Issy Bradley by Carys Bray
What Reviewers and Readers Say:
'Delicately woven… a big-hearted book,' Joanne Fedler
‘Elegantly structured, unsettling, yet with moments of surprising wit,’ Kathryn Heyman
‘Masterfully constructed, this moving novel warns us of our capacity to make or break the lives of those around us… Drawn with wit and clear-eyed affection, the inhabitants of this wonderful novel will remain with you long after you have put it down.’ Mark Lamprell
‘A rich interweaving of beautifully drawn characters told so gently and in such exquisite detail that they grew on me until I was lost in their world.’ Robin de Crespigny
'The Teacher’s Secret is a gutsy yet intricate examination of one of society’s nightmares, filled with strong characters and relationships interwoven in a storyline that has the reader engrossed to the last page,’ Robert Wainwright
‘Suzanne Leal writes with her hand on her heart, writing according to its beat… translating the ordinary into the extraordinary. An Australian talent, universally understood.’ Charles Waterstreet
‘Suspenseful, moving and full of heart. I couldn’t put it down.’ Richard Glover
‘An eloquent story of a life thrown into disarray; it drew me in and held me, page after page.’ Rachel Seiffert
‘Suzanne Leal is a writer of unusual sensitivity, with a rare ability to shed light on the dark tangle of emotional attachments which lies just below the surface of everyday life.’ John Colle
'What a great read! I could not put it down. I can imagine this book being talked about and passed around from teacher to teacher in the school staff room and from parent to parent in the school car park …' Schooldays Magazine

Faccome FC are playing at home when the crowd erupts and a masked streaker sprints across the pitch. As Alex discovers the streaker's identity is closer to home than expected, the town, especially the women, go crazy for the apparently blessed mystery man. As the police work vigorously to catch the 'Faccome Flash' and the community pulls together to keep their new hero undiscovered, they decide together he should streak again and this time for charity and across St James' Park itself. As the media debate rages with the whole country catching Flash fever, and the police stopping at nothing to get their man, can Alex help complete the most daring streak of all time?

This is a novel revealing the astonishing underground partnership that changed the course of history. As the Hindenberg dramatically burned, the US government realised its ports were under grave threat from German attack as the Second World War approached its zenith. If the Pentagon and Navy couldn't get the information required, they would risk an unthinkable loss. Facing such danger, the authorities made a decision that would never have been sanctioned at any other time – it sought to solicit the help of the country's most high profile and criminal mafia bosses. Could this historic and secret move, fraught with difficulties and dangers, help turn the tide. This title is based on a true story.

'Exciting and gripping' Leye Adenle'This clever and empathic series merits a long run' Publisher's WeeklyShe knew it wasn't a suicide… but can she prove it?Dr. Annick Boudreau is shaken when the Vancouver Police inform her that her patient, Danielle, has disappeared. A suicide note is proof enough for police to declare her missing, presumed dead. But to Annick, this can’t be an open and shut case. Having worked with Danielle through her depression, Annick is convinced that she was getting better.Determined to find out what happened to her patient, Annick finds herself at the centre of a dark, tangled web, but can she confront the threat that’s stalking her city, before the case is sealed for good?A gripping psychological mystery starring investigator Dr Annick Boudreau.

The wild Atlantic coast of Ireland.Three strangers.One question: who are we without the people who love us?Sis Cotter has lived her whole life in a small house by her beloved beach. Here, she grew up, reared her family, and buried her husband. Now her children are far away and, in three days, her house will be taken from her.Next door, Lydia has withdrawn from her husband, her friends, her life. She watches the sea as her own private penance for a wrong she can never put right.Peter’s best friend is dying, and his long-time foster mother is slowly forgetting who he is. Adrift without his two anchors, and struggling with the ethics of displacing people for a living, he looks for something to remind him of who he is and who he wants to be.Winter People is a story of forgiveness, resilience, and the power of the sea to unlock what we are most afraid to say.'There is a gentleness and depth here that is engrossing' Anne Griffin'Immersive and absorbing' Joanna Glen, author of Costa shortlist novel The Other Half of Augusta Hope'Subtle, addictive, beautifully written' Lissa Evans'Stunning and profoundly moving' Billy O’Callaghan, author of Costa Short Story Award finalist The Boatman'Compassionate, contemplative, and absorbing' Claire Fuller

Susan Lentigo’s daughter was murdered twenty years ago — now, at long last, she will witness the killer’s execution.But on her journey she discovers shocking new evidence that suggests the condemned man is innocent — and the real killer is still out there. Even worse, her new suspect has a young daughter who’s at terrible risk.The FBI refuses to reopen the case. They — and Susan’s own mother — believe she’s having an emotional breakdown. With no money or time to waste, but with the help of two unlikely allies — a cynical teenage girl and the retired cop who made the original arrest — Susan sets out to win justice for the condemned man and her daughter.‘One small-town woman’s quest for the most poignant kind of justice you could imagine.’ Lee Child‘[A] unique and powerful thriller following one mother’s cross-country journey to find the truth.’ Lisa Gardner, New York Times best-selling author‘Fast-paced, riveting’ Alice Hunter, best-selling author of The Serial Killer’s Wife‘Surprising, propulsive, and poignant. I inhaled this novel’ Meg Gardiner‘I devoured The Necklace in a single evening’ Hollie Overton