With 'tension [that] grips like a vice' [The Independent], The Last Pier is a gripping drama of dark family secrets in rural England from the author of Brixton Beach, Bone China and Mosquito.

'Tearne charts the patterns of love and loss with beautiful prose' Sunday Times

Despite the dark clouds of war looming on the horizon, thirteen-year-old Cecily's head is full of first love, ice cream and sibling rivalry. She looks constantly to her impossibly beautiful elder sister, Rose, with a mixture of envy and admiration. Desperately curious about Rose's secrets, and those of all the adults around her, Cecily eavesdrops at every opportunity that summer: with dire consequences. For Cecily's actions one fateful night at the outbreak of the Second World War will ultimately tear her family apart and echo across the generations. It is not until many years later that a grown-up Cecily can return to her childhood home and unravel the remaining family secrets. And finally lay some ghosts to rest.

Advance reading copies available to reviewers and stores. Reading group guide available. Media mailing of advance reading copies to a wide range of book reviewers at national and local media, including trade journals, newspapers, magazines, websites, zones, literary blogs, magazines and newspapers. Social media campaign - online giveaways, competition and e-mail campaign Promotion through: www.aardvarkbureau.com Twitter and Facebook promotion to include contests and giveaway. Co-op available

About the Author

Roma Tearne is a Sri Lankan-born, Oxford-based artist, film-maker and writer. She trained as a painter, completing her MA at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, Oxford, UK. Her debut novel, Mosquito, was shortlisted for the 2007 Costa Book Awards First Novel prize and the LA Times First Fiction Prize. The Swimmer was longlisted for the Orange Prize in 2011 and Asian Man Booker in 2012.

Reviews

'Exquisitely written ... once read, not easily forgotten' Fay Weldon

'Tearne charts the patterns of love and loss with beautiful prose' Sunday Times

'Tearne brings her skills as a painter to her writing' Sunday Telegraph

'Tearne is brilliant on first love, sibling rivalry and that long hot summer of adolescence that we all remember before we had to put away childish things. By the final chapters, tension grips like a vice, and you're still reading at 3am' The Independent

'[Tearne] has a wonderful ability to create atmosphere' The Times

'Absorbed me right up to the final page... Beautifully written and difficult to stop thinking about' Jo Brand

'A beautifully written, evocative tale that explores sibling rivalry, guilt, and the complexities of familial love' Neverimitate

'An engaging and atmospheric page-turner' Bailieborough Library Reading Group

'An exquisite writer and captivating storyteller' Aminatta Forna

Awards
Short-listed for Costa First Novel Award 2007 (UK) and LA Times Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction 2008 (United States).



Book Information
ISBN 9781910709306
Author Roma Tearne
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Aardvark Bureau
Publisher Gallic Books