Jen's 15-year-old daughter goes missing for four agonizing days. When Lana is found, unharmed, in the middle of the desolate countryside, everyone thinks the worst is over. But Lana refuses to tell anyone what happened, and the police draw a blank. The once-happy, loving family return to London, where things start to fall apart. Lana begins acting strangely - refusing to go to school, and sleeping with the light on.
‘...a psychological thriller that meshes the homely with the gothic... Healey broadens the remit of the thriller.’
~ Literary Review‘Healey’s voice soars, sings and startles as she takes you right under the skin of her characters. She ‘magics’ the ordinary into the extraordinary and, just as impressively, transposes the extraordinary to the ordinary. Unforgettable.’
~ Jane CorryAuthor of My Husband’s Wife and Blood Sisters‘This novel is a beautiful and rare thing - a page turning thriller with all the pain, warmth and humour of authentic family life portrayed. I absolutely loved it.’
~ Kate HamerAuthor of The Girl in the Red Coat and The Doll Funeral‘A gripping tale... a deeply affecting account of one woman's quiet but unyielding refusal to allow hope to succumb to helplessness and despair.’
~ Irish Times‘Despite the seriousness of her subjects, there’s a winning irreverence to Healey’s writing [and] a lightness of touch that makes this a rare convincingly digital novel.’
~ Lisa Allardice, The Guardian‘An exquisite portrait of a mother's healing love for her troubled daughter.’
~ Kirkus Reviews‘Utterly compelling and insightful, I was drawn into this family in crisis from the first chapter of this unflinchingly honest and beautifully written novel.’
~ Rosamund Lupton
‘Healey is a natural story-teller.’
~ Claire FullerAuthor of Endless Numbered Days and Swimming Lessons‘Quirky,humorous and entirely engrossing.’
~ Sunday Mirror‘...the ending feels both cathartic and satisfying - more so than any high-concept shock twist could have been.’
~ Jenny Colgan, The Guardian‘...widely regarded as one of the UK’s most promising young writers.’
~ Financial Times‘With masterful skill and mounting suspense, Healey reveals the complexities and ambiguities of family life. A brilliant and unsettling novel.’
~ Margot LiveseyAuthor of The Flight of Gemma Hardy