The fourth psychological suspense novel from the phenomenal word-of-mouth bestselling Sophie Hannah. A must-read for fans of Clare Mackintosh and Paula Hawkins.

'Utterly gripping' The Times
'Thrilling' Sunday Telegraph

Why would anyone confess to a murder that never happened?

Ruth Bussey knows what it means to be in the wrong and to be wronged. She once did something she regrets, and her punishment nearly destroyed her. Now Ruth is rebuilding her life, and has found a love she doesn't believe she deserves: Aidan Seed.

Aidan is also troubled by a past he hates to talk about, until one day he decides he must confide in Ruth. He tells her that years ago he killed someone: a woman called Mary Trelease.

Ruth is confused. She's certain she's heard the name before, and when she realises why it sounds familiar, her fear and confusion deepen - because the Mary Trelease that Ruth knows is very much alive . . .

Why would anyone admit to the murder of someone who wasn't dead? The fourth psychological suspense novel from the phenomenal word-of-mouth bestselling Hannah.

About the Author
Sophie Hannah is an internationally bestselling crime fiction writer. Her psychological thriller The Carrier won the Specsavers National Book Award for Crime Thriller of the Year in 2013. Sophie is the author of the bestselling Poirot continuation mysteries. The Point of Rescue and The Other Half Lives have been adapted for television as Case Sensitive, starring Olivia Williams and Darren Boyd. Sophie is also a bestselling poet who has been shortlisted for the TS Eliot award. Her poetry is studied at GCSE and A-level. Sophie is an Honorary Fellow of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge. In 2023 Sophie was awarded the prestigious Dagger in the Library from the Crime Writers' Association in recognition of her brilliant body of work. She lives in Cambridge with her family.

Reviews
A masterclass in plotting, with twist after twist * Sunday Times *
This utterly gripping thriller should establish her as one of the great unmissables of this genre * The Times *
Beautifully written and precision-engineered to unsettle * Guardian *
Sophie Hannah is the new British queen of the psychological thriller * Heat *
Sophie Hannah has become the master, or mistress, of suspense. This one's even better than her others. Each moment is so purely enjoyable. Her genius is that she creates these very real characters - absolutely incredible. She's at the very peak of crime fiction at the moment * Simon Mayo Book Programme, Radio Five *
This book is long but never tedious, and, as with the finest examples of the genre, Hannah refuses to allow the reader any hope of predicting how it will all end until she decides to put the final piece of the jigsaw in place * Daily Express *
It's a difficult tightrope to walk but Hannah does it triumphantly, maintaining the tension until the very end -- Val McDermid * The Times *
Beautifully written and absorbingly chilling, this is a tale that steadily builds in tension, throwing up twists and turns that keep you guessing right up until the very end * SHE *
An intricate and sinister suspense novel * Woman & Home *
A complex, unnerving study of relationships . . . Her exemplary skills put Hannah right up there with Ruth Rendell * Kirkus Reviews *
This is a monster book in every sense. It is both a chunky psychological thriller and a testamony to the legacy of depravity . . . The trademark neuroses that afflict many of Sophie Hannah's characters lead to multiple twists in the plot, while her brilliantly acerbic dialogue lightens this clever but complicated tale * Waterstones' Books Quarterly *
The pages keep turning . . . The firm grip of suspense will hold you fast until the thrilling ending * Sunday Telegraph *
A real chiller; the clever plot will keep you hooked and guessing to the end * Choice *


Awards
Short-listed for Independent Booksellers' Week Book of the Year Award: Adults' Book of the Year 2010.



Book Information
ISBN 9780340933152
Author Sophie Hannah
Format Paperback
Page Count 576
Imprint Hodder Paperback
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 404g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 130mm * 36mm