How far would you go to protect your child? An absorbing new novel of psychological suspense by the author of Venus Was Her Name. Three friends at pivotal points in their lives have some serious decisions to make . . . Gina is struggling with demons from her past while trying to be the opposite of her feckless mother. She is about to lose everything and will do whatever it takes to avoid following in her parents' footsteps. Babs also has a battle on her hands, with her husband and her grown-up kids. After putting everyone first for so long, will she find the courage to break free? Robin has her own secret to keep, a vow to honour, and a fragile daughter to protect. But when her back is against the wall, and she has nowhere to turn, who will help her? These women, beset by threats, obstacles, and anguish, must find their paths forward. Each woman is living on the edge but for one of them, it's the final straw. Who will it be?

The bonds of family face the ultimate test in this novel of class divisions and buried secrets among three interrelated households. Together with her feckless, self-centered mother, Ruby lives one step away from poverty on a rundown estate in Manchester. In the quiet suburbs of Cheshire, Ruby's cousin Rosie leads a charmed, middle-class existence—even as she feels suffocated by her own domineering mother. Then there is Olivia, a member of the elite Cheshire set, rattling around in her sprawling mansion, attending charity functions and hosting infamous bridge nights. Olivia's errant son Marcus lives his life in the fast lane, maximising the perks of the family firm, well away from the watchful eyes of his disapproving mother. When Ruby meets Marcus, her life begins to crumble—and one by one the secrets she has kept are exposed. Can Rosie and Ruby's bond survive? And in Ruby's hour of need, will her cousin keep her promise, and come to...

"Heart wrenching . . . I loved everything about it . . . an absolute gem of a read. . . . My best read for 2022." —Goodreads reviewer, five stars A woman's quest to save her family's chateau in France brings danger, rivalry, and romance—and reveals a secret buried since World War II . . . 1931, Chateau de Chevalier: Ophélie, La Duchesse de Bombelle, receives a love letter from her admirer Picasso along with a gift: a priceless painting. Nine years later, the Nazis invade France and steal countless works of art, including Ophélie's gift . . . Present day: Ophélie's grandson, Hugo, has run the family finances into the ground, and the Chateau is in danger of being sold. Fabienne, heiress to the estate, has hastily returned from London and is desperate to save her home. Meanwhile, Mac, a British man who has spent every summer in France with his late grandparents, inherits their cottage—but...

Everyone needs a safe place . . . A novel of trauma, courage, and family secrets by the acclaimed author of A Good Mother. Haunted by her past, Cathy yearns for sanctuary away from city life. She finds it with her boyfriend, Alfie, at Blacksheep Farm, a haven in the Peaks of Derbyshire. But their peace is blighted by Bertha, the cold-hearted matriarch of Alfie’s family, who is hell-bent on keeping control of the farm—and her children. When Alfie finds a collection of portraits hidden away, Cathy is drawn to their enigmatic beauty and embarks on a quest to return them to their owner. But her journey threatens to unearth long-buried secrets and tear her new life apart. As she delves deeper into the mystery, Cathy confronts the manipulative hold of Bertha, as well as a secret linked to Bertha’s history . . . Will Cathy’s pursuit of the truth expose them all to the very darkness she is seeking to...

For a mother and her three daughters, this Christmas is a time to sort out secrets—and find hope for the future . . .As a young girl, Carmen Appleton loved Christmas, but a simple knock at the door was all it took to change things. Her father left home that fateful Christmas Eve and all that was left in his place were painful memories.Now, for the first time in years, Carmen is ready to embrace Christmas again. For the sake of her family, she's determined not to dwell on the past and to make this year one to remember.Her daughters, Rosina, Violetta, and Leonora, are all hiding secrets of their own though, ones that they dread their mother finding out about. With time running out to resolve them, will this year be another Christmas ruined—or will the Appletons finally get their happy ever after?

Time is running out for an ageing rock star living in France, in this compelling epic by the author of Birthright . . . Older and wiser, Joe Jarrett, who was once the lead singer of one of the biggest rock bands on the planet, has left his wild and hedonistic days behind, preferring a quieter life in his farmhouse by the sea. Family is everything to Joe, and when his beloved son, Ace, brings his new girlfriend, Edie, to visit, things seem to be going well. But when a shocking exposé points a finger at the band, including historic claims of rape and murder, it appears everything Joe holds dear is about to be torn apart. As Joe is forced to face the consequences of the past, threatening letters arrive at the farmhouse. A stalker is on the loose and is determined to make him pay. But who is she? Meanwhile, newcomer Edie, is living a lie and harbours a shocking secret of her own. When all is revealed, will Joe's life will be...