An addictive psychological suspense about ambition, female rivalry, and how far you'd go to get what you want.

'A Chilling read with a killer twist'
The Sun

***********

NOW
Helena is a career woman with no job and a mother without a baby. She blames Ashley for destroying her life. But is what happened really Ashley's fault?

THEN
When Helena hires Ashley to work for her, she's startled but impressed by her fierce ambition. They form a dream team and Helena is proud - maybe this is the protegee she's always wanted to have. But soon Helena realizes that nothing will stand in the way of Ashley's drive to get to the top. And when Helena becomes pregnant, everything she has worked so hard for is suddenly threatened, with devastating consequences...

***********

'Brilliant and insidious'
Lucy Clarke, author of You Let Me In

'Absolutely terrific, a beautifully written debut from an exciting new voice in psychological fiction' Cass Green, author of The Woman Next Door and Don't You Cry

'A compelling addictive read... I absolutely loved it'
Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend

'A chilling and compelling debut'
Lucy Dawson, author of The Daughter

About the Author
Charlotte Duckworth is the USA Today bestselling author of The Rival, Unfollow Me, The Perfect Father and The Sanctuary. Her fifth psychological suspense, The Wrong Mother, was published by Quercus in early 2023. She started her career working as an interiors and lifestyle journalist, writing for a wide range of consumer magazines and websites. She also writes contemporary bookclub fiction under the pen name Charlotte Rixon. Charlotte lives in Surrey with her partner and their daughter.

Reviews
Brilliant and insidious * Lucy Clarke, author of Last Seen *
This is a taut, chilling read with a killer twist at the end * Sun *
A chilling and compelling debut * Lucy Dawson, author of The Daughter *
Charlotte Duckworth ticks all the boxes with her debut psychological thriller... gripping * Irish Examiner *
Absolutely terrific, a beautifully written debut from an exciting new voice in psychological fiction * Cass Green, bestselling author of In a Cottage in a Wood *
A compelling, addictive read... I absolutely loved it * Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend *
A novel that charts how the toxicity of the modern workplace pits women against each other in a battle no one can win. I loved this original, unnerving psychological suspense story! * Holly Cave, author of The Memory Chamber *
A fantastic debut of how female relationships can turn toxic with devastating consequences * Sue Fortin, author of Sister Sister *
Sharply observant, smartly plotted and beautifully written * Phoebe Locke, author of The Tall Man *
The Rival is a compelling, original read about ambition, motherhood and how far people will go to get what they want. Chilling, complex and unnerving, I loved it * Phoebe Morgan, author of The Doll House *
A gripping, unpredictable read with two compelling female characters who I both loved and hated in equal measure * Tracy Buchanan *
Dark, thought-provoking and compelling, The Rival is a brilliant study of female tensions that builds to a shocking and unexpected climax * Rebecca Fleet, author of The House Swap *
A distinctive new direction in psychological suspense, The Rival is as compelling as it is unpredictable, building tension cleverly right up to the satisfying conclusion. An excellent, fresh and absorbing read * Caroline Hulse, author of The Adults *
The Rival is a gripping psychological suspense that delves deep into the complex relationship of two women * Elisabeth Carpenter, author of 99 Red Balloons *



Book Information
ISBN 9781787470941
Author Charlotte Duckworth
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint Quercus Publishing
Publisher Quercus Publishing
Weight(grams) 456g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 159mm * 27mm