'A modern spin on a folk tale where the improbable can happen ... deftly spun ... the twists are lovely; dark and deep' The Times

'Golding folds together a folklore-inspired plot with the modern twists and tension of a police procedural novel to create a bitingly unnerving story' Adele Parks, Platinum

'Sewing together the many threads of the case, there is the added folklore that seeps into an atmospheric, mysterious and horror-struck storyline. Powerful imagery and captivating characters, this a grabbing book' Magic Radio Book Club

'The most original book you'll read this year ... Full of twists, turns and atmosphere, make sure you don't accidentally stay up all night devouring it' Crime Monthly

* * *

When a small child is found wandering alone, the local shopkeepers call the authorities immediately. Twenty minutes later, the girl's mother turns up, panicked and distraught. It doesn't take long to clear things up, and mother and daughter are soon reunited and sent on their way.

Miles away, the body of a man is discovered, floating in a bathtub, but the most surprising discovery of all is that he isn't dead. Despite his injuries, he is very much alive.

Two seemingly unrelated events. But as DS Harper begins to investigate, disturbing connections between the two incidents start to surface, and suddenly it's not clear where the danger truly lies. Harper must find out, and quickly. Because someone, or something, is closing in and she needs to uncover the truth before it's too late...

Weaving together the trademark folklore inspiration that readers loved in Little Darlings, with the procedural narrative force of a brilliant mystery, this is the excellent and unnerving new novel from Melanie Golding.

* * *
Readers are captivated by The Replacement!

'A book with so many twists and unexpected outcomes. So unusual but totally gripping. I wanted the book to last forever' NetGalley reviewer,

'This book is brilliant . . . I love psychological thrillers and stories with myths and folklore [and Melanie] blends the two together [to] create the perfect book in my eyes' NetGalley reviewer,

from the bestselling author of Little Darlings comes a brand new suspenseful thriller full of twist and turns

About the Author

Melanie Golding took the MA in Creative Writing program at Bath Spa University, and has recently completed work on a PhD which examines the use of folklore in contemporary thrillers. In recent years she has won and been shortlisted in several local and national short story competitions, which have been chosen to be recorded as podcasts by the Leicester-based festival Story City, and to be performed at both the regular Stroud Short Stories event and their special 'best of' event at Cheltenham Literature Festival.

Melanie has had a varied working life, including working as a teacher in prisons, young offender's units and residential schools for children with special educational needs. Her first novel, Little Darlings, became an ebook bestseller and has been optioned for screen by Free Range Films, the team behind the adaptation of My Cousin Rachel.

Reviews

PRAISE FOR THE REPLACEMENT

'Golding folds together a folklore-inspired plot with the modern twists and tension of a police procedural novel to create a bitingly unnerving story' Adele Parks, Platinum

'Sewing together the many threads of the case, there is the added folklore that seeps into an atmospheric, mysterious and horror-struck storyline. Powerful imagery and captivating characters, this a grabbing book' Magic Radio Book Club

'The most original book you'll read this year ... equal parts detective novel, psychological thriller and family drama. Full of twists, turns and atmosphere, make sure you don't accidentally stay up all night devouring it' Crime Monthly

'Chillingly brilliant' Bella

PRAISE FOR MELANIE GOLDING

'Chilling story, beautiful prose. Little Darlings is stunning' Clare Mackintosh, number one Sunday Times bestseller

'Dark, richly evocative, tense and thought-provoking. Taps into every woman's fear that she will not be believed' Mel McGrath, author of Give Me the Child

'Rich and satisfying, this is part who-done-it, part fairy tale, part psychological thriller. It delivers on all fronts and will continue to rattle you, long after you have put it down' Felicity Everett, author of The People at Number 9

'Deep. Dark. Utterly addictive. I read this extraordinary book in one, breathless gulp...Be warned - you can't unread this story. It will haunt you' Teresa Driscoll, author of I Am Watching You

'A story that is in turn enthralling, creepy and downright sinister, Melanie Golding turns fairy tales on their heads...A brilliant, heart-pounding read' Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me

'Viscerally creepy and compelling - a contemporary dark fairy tale that reeled me in like tales of old' Angela Clarke, author of Follow Me

Book Information
ISBN 9780008293727
Author Melanie Golding
Format Hardback
Page Count 432
Imprint HQ
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 690g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 159mm * 37mm