Book Review: The Woman At 72 Derry Lane by Carmel Harrington.

Rea may not have left her house in over a year, but she is well aware of what is going on next-door. Despite the sturdy walls of the houses on Derry Lane, she can hear the realities of her neighbour's marriage. But how can she help if she cannot place a foot over the threshold of her home?

Stella and Matt appear to have it all. The beautiful couple turn heads wherever they go and seem flawless. If only the truth was known.

Behind closed doors, the residents of Derry Lane have secrets. Some more dangerous than others...

The seaside town of Clontarf, Dublin, is the setting for Carmel Harrington's latest novel. A beautiful area, steeped in history and home to the affluent. But, as with many villages and towns located near a large city, the residents rarely know their neighbours. With busy lives and hectic schedules, we often find ourselves with 'wave and smile' relationships and never get to really know who we live close to. The sense of community can fade and loneliness can be a reality. Rea is alone in Derry Lane. Her family have moved on and she finds herself trapped in the confines of her home. Agoraphobia has taken over her life and she spends her days in mismatched PJs, eating food delivered to her door. A local teenager takes out her bins (for an extortionate fee) yet she craves his bravado and humour. When Stella arrives at her door, she is hesitant to let her into her life. She has heard what goes on in 70 Derry Lane and is not sure she wants to get involved. But Stella looks so lost. She invites the young woman in to her house and they immediately find solace in each other's company. The world suddenly seems wider; their friendship becomes linked through their mutual pain; the light begins to enter the rooms of Derry Lane.

Carmel Harrington is renowned for her emotional reads. She touches the reader by bringing hope, love and inspiration into their lives, through her characters and their journeys.  In The Woman At 72 Derry Lane she weaves stories from the past and present; riding on a wave of emotions. There are magical family times; laugh out loud nights with friends (with the BEST hairdresser ever!); gut-wrenching scenes of despair; tense moments of fear and pain. This novel has it all, and more. The characters are brought to life with genuine affection and their stories are mesmerizing. The author has researched her topics and it shows. There are scenes in this book that will have you holding your breath and gasping with empathy and despair. It is entirely possible that you may have a book-hangover when you turn the last page. You will most certainly realise that you need to be careful what you wish for. Sometimes all you need is right there in front of you. A compelling and emotional novel that will delight and hurt, in equal measures. Sure to be a summer sensation.  

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Follow the publication day fun using #UglyCry where there will be photos of readers reactions to the emotional scenes in #72DerryLane. @HCinIreland will have a copy of the book to giveaway to the best #UglyCry photo.

The Woman At 72 Derry Lane is published in TPB by Harper Collins in Ireland on 15th June 2017. The ebook is available for pre-order via amazon link below:

*I received an ARC of this title, for review purposes.

The Woman at 72 Derry Lane by Carmel Harrington. Exclusive Extract and Giveaway.

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Thanks to Harper Collins, I have the pleasure of sharing a sneak-peek at the latest novel from Carmel Harrington, published on 15th June. There is also a chance to win one of two signed early editions of the book and a little extra prize (for twitter followers) of an A4-sized wooden wall plaque, which I thought captured the feeling of Carmel's novels perfectly.  Twitter winner will also receive a signed edition of the book.

To be in with a chance of winning The Woman at 72 Derry Lane, just enter via rafflecopter link below.  To enter twitter competition, see pinned tweet @margaretbmadden. Good Luck! 

The Blurb

On a leafy suburban street in Dublin, beautiful, poised Stella Greene lives with her successful husband, Matt. The perfect couple in every way, Stella appears to have it all. Next door, at number 72 however, lives Rea Brady. Gruff, bad-tempered and rarely seen besides the twitching of her net curtains, rumour has it she’s lost it all…including her marbles if you believe the neighbourhood gossip.

But appearances can be deceiving and when Stella and Rea’s worlds collide they realise they have much in common. Both are trapped in a prison of their own making.

Has help been next door without them realising it?

With the warmth and wit of Maeve Binchy and the secrets and twists of Liane Moriarty, this is the utterly original and compelling new novel from Irish Times bestseller Carmel Harrington.

 What Readers Think Of Carmel Harrington's Books

‘Will make you see life in a different way’ Woman’s Way

‘Heartwrenching and heartwarming’
Evening Herald

‘Guaranteed to brighten your day’
Novelicious

‘Carmel Harrington has done it again! Brilliantly written … it surpasses all expectations’
Chicklit Club

‘A bittersweet, quietly brilliant novel that will make you cry, laugh and cry all over again’
Female First

‘Funny, poignant and bursting with heartfelt humour’
I Heart … Chick Lit

‘Completely stunning’
Reviewed the Book

‘It will stay with you, well after you have turned the last page’
Bleach House Library

Exclusive Extract from The Woman at 72 Derry Lane

Looking at the trees, Stella thought that maybe next door was her answer. Her gut, her every instinct told her that despite the gruff exterior, her neighbour, Rea, was a good person. It had to be her who called the Gardaí each time. That showed she cared, didn't it?

So, before she had a chance to talk herself out of it, she found herself knocking on her neighbour’s door.

'I was surprised to see you,' Rea said. 'A nice surprise, I might add, but one I wasn't expecting.'

Rea looked at Stella closely, taking in how agitated she seemed, her hands wringing in her lap. 'You have a look of someone with something on her mind. Spit it out.'

Stella nodded, then cleared her throat. 'Can I be frank with you?'

'I'd rather that. I've little or no patience for anyone who beats about the bush.'

Stella smiled, warming even more to this woman; while she was what many would call brusque, her eyes were kind. 'I should have practised what to say. Sometimes finding the right words is difficult.'

'When you get to my age, that's something that comes with the territory,' Rea smiled.

'Oh I doubt that. You're not so old.'

Rea took the compliment.

'First of all, please don't be offended by this question, but I need to ask it all the same,' Stella said, leaning in.

Rea brushed aside her apology, 'You don't know me, so I would think you have more questions than answers.'

Somehow even before she spoke, she knew the answer, 'Can I trust you? I need to be sure that you won't repeat this conversation to anyone.'

'When you say anyone, I assume you mean your husband?'

'Yes,' Stella nodded.

'You can say what you like here. Think of it as a confessional.'

'I gave up believing in God a long time ago,' Stella replied.

'I've a pretty up and down relationship with her myself too.'

'Her?'

'Why not?' Rea said.

Stella smiled, thinking that she liked that idea a lot and liked Rea even more.

'Well, leaving God and confessionals aside, would you take my word for it, that you can trust me?' Rea asked.

Stella felt her shoulders sag with relief, nodding. Her heartbeat accelerated so rapidly she thought it would jump out of her chest and bounce clear across the floor, right out the door.

'I want to leave him,' Stella said.

'Good for you.' Rea had never been so glad to hear a statement in her whole life. Maybe this one had more about her after all.

'Then why don't you? He's at work. You're not chained to the house. Just pack a bag and go.'

'He's clever. He's backed me into a corner. I need to sort some things out first before he ....'

Rea watched the girl before her tremble, unable to finish the statement. 'Before he hits you again?'

Stella nodded, looking so broken, lost and very alone, that it made Rea's stomach flip nervously for her.

'Matt has told me over and over that I'm all alone without him, that I'd not last a moment on my own. He's right about one of those things. I don't intend to prove the second.'

'You've got nobody?' Rea asked. When Stella nodded, Rea felt something give deep inside of her. The girl’s face looked so sorrowful and bereft and she recognised how that felt.

'I have family living in France. That's where I'll go,' Stella shifted her weight slightly, wincing in pain as she did.

'That bastard, how could a man do that to a woman, to anyone?'

'He's not a man when he loses his temper. He's an animal. And each time he loses it with me, less of the man I married remains. I'm afraid that soon they'll be none of him left.' Stella took a deep breath and continued, 'I know you don't know me. I know that me landing on your doorstep is a terrible imposition. But I'm desperate. I don't have anyone else to turn to.'

It took Rea all of a nano second to reply. 'Now stop that. I'm very happy you called in to me. What do you need? Because if it's in my power to give it to you, it's yours.'

Rea reached over to hold one of Stella's hands between her own. 'He seems to be losing his temper with you more frequently. The walls may be thick in these Victorian houses, but they are linked all the same, so noise travels....'

Stella felt her old friend shame come back to torment her. The embarrassment of knowing that the most horrific, dark, secret part of her life was silently witnessed by her neighbour was a difficult pill to swallow.  'Yes, you're right.'

'You've got to get out of that house sooner rather than later. Do you hear me?' Rea said, her voice rising in anger.

There was a time that Stella would have disagreed with this. But things were different now. She didn't plan on dithering. 'I know. It’s hard when you are in the middle of it, to see a way out. He's been chipping away at me for so long, I've forgotten who I am.'

'Well then, that's the first thing you have to work out. How to get back the Stella you were before he came into your life. As for being trapped, the only person who can hold you back, is you,' Rea said.

She stood up and walked to the door, saying, 'I better make some tea. A large pot too. I think we'll need it, to work through this mess. But work through it we will. Two heads are better than one.'

'Thank you,' Stella said, almost breathless with gratitude.

Rea stopped at the doorway and said to her, 'You were wrong about something else you know. You're not on your own. Not anymore.'

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The Woman at 72 Derry Lane is published by Harper Collins in Ireland on 15th June 2017 in TBP and ebook format. 

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Book Review - Reinventing Susannah by Joan Brady.

Susannah is in her fifties. Her children have grown up and her life is mostly filled with housework, cooking meals for herself and husband Rob and prepping for her monthly bookclub. However, when Rob announces that he is off on a year-long trip of self-discovery, and she is not invited, things begin to change. It is time for Susannah to do some reinvention of herself...

Susannah is atypical of many 'women of a certain age' (a phrase I personally hate, but it serves a purpose in this case). She has devoted the latter part of her life to raising a family and ensuring the smooth running of the household. Rob, a banker, has always supported his wife and twin daughters but now feels he has missed out on something and has secretly been planning his escape for years. Downtrodden Susannah is pushed into moving on and (conveniently) lands a job as a newspaper columnist. Suddenly she is flying first class to cover a Mind, Body and Soul conference in London and being wooed (badly) by a famous self-help guru. A whole new set of opportunities are opening up when she least expected them.  Her love of writing comes back to her and she even begins to notice men 'of a certain age' (why do we never hear this phrase when referring to men?).

Joan Brady has a knack of bringing her characters to life. Susannah may be a little mousy, but she is balanced by her new boss (the young and determined Katie) and despite their differences, the two women work well together. Rob is a piece of work. Within two pages he shows his true colours and you can see how Susannah managed to blend into the background of their marriage. I suspect there are many, many women who find themselves stunned with their situations when their children move out. Not all of them will land their dream jobs so easily, or find themselves moving on without financial strain. But, perhaps fictional stories like Susannah's will inspire some to take a chance. Brady uses her writing skills to bring a mature lady to life. Reinventing Susannah is a warm, charming and easy read, ideal for enjoying on a summer holiday or on the patio with a glass of whatever tickles your fancy. Especially if your children have left you with no more 'Mom's Taxi' duties. A feel-good read, ideal for fans of  Cathy Kelly and Carmel Harrington.

Reinventing Susannah is published by Poolbeg and is available in TPB and ebook format. You can pick your copy up from all good booksellers, or via the amazon link below:

Book Review - The Possessions by Sara Flannery Murphy.

Guest Review from Merith Jones.

The Possessions was a real surprise. I was expecting a competent psychological thriller but Sara Flannery Murphy has delivered so much more.

The first sentence plunges us into mystery and rapid character building; Patrick and Sylvia Braddock are to become central figures but whose voice are we listening to? The description is sensuous and poetic and we are quite unprepared for the introduction of a world with the assured normalisation we associate with Margaret Attwood’s prose. Nothing here is ‘our’ normal. The Elysian Society offers a service whereby the living may be reunited with lost loved ones by means of a ‘host’, a medium through which they might speak, a body which is literally possessed by the dead for the benefit of others.

We are told that the society is strictly regulated, unlike the back street services which alerts us early on to the potential abuses and dangers of the system. Whilst this world builds we come to know the protagonist and appreciate that there is much hidden in her background. Why would she take up this profession? What needs does she fulfil by negating her very existence ?

The relationship with Patrick, her client, begins to demonstrate the frailty of her sense of self until at one point it is difficult for either she or the reader to be sure who she really is? The power of the novel’s title becomes ever clearer. Even more alarming is a growing sense of how the margins between past and present become obscured. Danger looms as the tension builds relentlessly. Self is dissolving into Time, driven by her overwhelming passion and her desire to be engulfed in Patrick’s world. But perhaps he has secrets too ? And is the Society itself all it claims to be?

This is a totally absorbing experience exploring self, womanhood, loneliness and the nature of obsession. The expertly crafted movement between first and third person offers some respite from the intimate intensity of escalating events and the use of classical names adds a layer of further depth, as does the key location, Lake Madeleine, with its allusion to time past associated with Proust’s famous madeleine – the catalyst which was the trigger to memories of the past.

This is a layered novel of absolutely page turning readability. It does lose a little pace at one point when there is a great deal to be revealed at one go but it soon re-establishes the mood and tone to power towards its conclusion. This is a remarkable achievement in a debut novelist and there is still so much more I could say !  Sara Flannery Murphy is certainly a name to watch out for.  Do read it and find out for yourself.

 (Also, this edition  has sprayed page edges which makes it a physical pleasure to pick up!)

The Possessions is published by Scribe Publishing and is available in HB and ebook format. Available in all good bookshops and via amazon link below:

Blog Tour: 'Sometimes I Lie' by Alice Feeney. Review and Giveaway.

I was lucky enough to read a very early copy of Sometimes I Lie and read it in one, frenzied sitting. It is with great pleasure that I am now able to share my thoughts on this chilling thriller and offer three paperback copies for giveaway. To be in with a chance of winning one, just enter via rafflecopter link at the bottom of this post. UK and Ireland only, I'm afraid. Good Luck!

MY REVIEW

My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me.

1. I am in a coma.

2. My husband doesn't love me anymore.

3. Sometimes I lie.

This is the no-nonsense opening page of the debut novel from former BBC reporter, Alice Feeney. We are introduced to Alice as she lies, confused and with gaping holes in her memory, in a hospital bed. She has been in a road traffic accident and is in a coma. She can hear everything and yet has no way to express herself; her fears, her uncertainty and her own self-doubt are all pent-up. Before long we are brought back to the week before the accident and catch glimpses of what led up to the present day. With her husband and her sister taking turns at her bedside, Alice struggles to recall the details; big and small. Her comatose body lets her down and her frustration is palpable;

"Despite my internal cries, on the outside I am voiceless and perfectly still. [...] The Vice tightens around my skull once more, as though a thousand fingers are pushing at my temples. I can't remember what happened to me, but I know, with unwavering certainty, that this man, my husband, had something to do with it."

The novel flicks back and forth with delicious teasers and tightly woven tensions. A thrilling read that is like a kite flying on a uncertain wind. It launches with great gusto, dipping and diving through partial memories, all the while tethered to the reader with a thread of thrilling anxiety.  The story soars and crashes, rises and turns, with gruesome twists and  unforeseen turns galore.  I have no doubt that this novel will crash land onto bestseller lists worldwide and linger there for a long, long time. Whether you are reading on your commute or huddled up in your bed, just do not expect to communicate with anyone as you eagerly turn the pages. It will suck you in, refusing to let you go without a fight.  An intense reading experience that you will not forget in a hurry. Ideal for fans of BA Paris and Elizabeth Haynes. Highly recommended.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alice Feeney is a writer and journalist. She spent 16 years at the BBC, where she worked as a Reporter, News Editor, Arts and Entertainment Producer and One O’clock News Producer.

Alice is a Faber Academy graduate from the class of 2016. She has lived in London and Sydney and has now settled in the Surrey countryside, where she lives with her husband and dog.
Sometimes I Lie is her debut thriller.

Sometimes I Lie is published by HQ Stories and is available in PB and ebook format. It is available in all good bookshops or you can order your copy via the amazon link below:

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Book Review: 'Orange Blossom Days' by Patricia Scanlan.

This article originally appeared in The Sunday Independent on 26th March 2017

Warm stories of family and friendship under a hot Spanish sun

Fiction: Orange Blossom Days Patricia Scanlan, Simon and Schuster, €19.60

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Orange Blossom Days by Patricia Scanlan

Margaret Madden

March 27 2017 2:30 AM

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It is 25 years since Patricia Scanlan's City Girl was published and became a bookshelf staple, inspiring a nation of young women. You would be hard pressed to find an Irish female over 40 who does not remember the feisty protagonist, Devlin, or her journey to success. Scanlan has remained one of Ireland's bestselling authors with over 20 titles under her belt and a loyal following. Her latest novel shows that her readership has matured alongside her.

Orange Blossom Days is based around an apartment complex in southern Spain where residents escape from routine and soak up their surroundings.

Within the small community there is a hidden hive of activity, both front-of-house and behind closed doors. There is the Irish couple who are preparing to enjoy their retirement and foresee days of golf, spa treatments and no pressures; "All the stresses of rearing the girls and running a business and a home had taken their toll over the years".

In the next-door penthouse is a wealthy Texan who is not shy about coming forward and is gearing up to leave her cheating husband; "She was married in name only and had been for a long time. It was time to face reality".

Downstairs is Eduardo, who bought his small apartment to escape the heat of Madrid and perhaps persuade his wife to stop her feminist nonsense and assist his aging aunt; "What was wrong with his wife? Was she ill? A brain tumour perhaps, or the beginning of dementia?". Meanwhile, rental-property consultant, Jutta is focusing on turning a profit. Independent and resolute, she dreams big and is determined to get what she wants.

This is a charming look at the realities of overseas property ownership. From the early 2000s, when having 'a place in Spain' was achievable to anyone with access to a bank manager, right through to the darker days of the recession when the economy collapsed, the fictional gated-community is brought to life with Scanlan's warm and humorous writing style.

She shows that times have changed for her readers and the days of sitting back and enjoying middle-age in comfort are not what they used to be. Her character's responsibilities have shifted from the workplace and home to caring for grandchildren and elderly relatives; while marriage-survival and menopause are the new hot topics.

However, friendship and family are themes that remain the same. A delightful and engaging read.

*(c) Sunday Indo Living

Blog Tour: 'The Missing Ones' by Patricia Gibney. Book Review.

Thanks to Bookouture for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Patricia Gibney's debut crime thriller, featuring DI Lottie Parker. I have met Patricia at many book events and am delighted to see her book 'out in the wild'...

My Review

January 1976, and three children watch with horror as a small body is buried, without ceremony, under an fruit tree. 

December 2014, and  a woman is discovered, strangled, in a rural cathedral. DI Lottie Parker and DS Mark Boyd are called to the scene and can see no reason why anyone would want to harm a fifty-one year old county council worker. She has no family, few friends and apparently no enemies. A distinctive tattoo is found on the corpse and a similar one is located on the body of a suicide victim, just days later. For DI Parker, the coincidence is just too much, and she digs deeper to find a connection. 

The Prologue of The Missing Ones is about as strong as you can get. Disturbing, yet brief, it is enough to draw the reader into the mystery surrounding a child's death. Fast forward almost forty years and we are introduced to DI Lottie Parker, a forty-something mother of three. Widowed over three years, she is still grieving for her husband and coming to terms with raising her kids alone. She tries to balance her work/home life yet there are rarely family mealtimes and she feels responsible. Her vulnerability gives her character more depth and adds some warmth to the story. There is some great chemistry with Lottie and her partner, DS Boyd, bringing a real human element into the mix. As the case gains traction, there are flashbacks to 1970s Ireland and the darkness of the State/Church run children's homes of which we are all too aware of. Decades of secrets and lies are discovered as Lottie searches for links to her investigation. Meanwhile, a homeless man rambles about the past, the shady dealings of planning permission for the renovation of a former children's home come to light and a teenage boy goes missing. The spider web of cover-ups is expanding and the tension builds rapidly.

Considering the recent events surrounding the discovery of hundreds of bodies in a former mother and baby home in Ireland, this book is eerily relevant. Our small island has buried the truth for far too long and society will no longer stand for it. Patricia Gibney has written a fictional account of how a handful of bad apples can destroy the whole cart. There are twists galore and the story gathers pace at a gentle pace, reaching a frantic climax. The horrors of the past seep into the present and the characters are introduced with meticulous detail. This is a thrilling debut, with a fantastic protagonist. DI Lottie Parker has her flaws; she has OCD tendencies, a disastrous relationship with her mother and a terrible concept of what is a reasonable diet for herself and her family. Basically, she is human. I'm a big fan of crime thriller series and look forward to the next installment from this Irish DI and her sidekick, DS Boyd (of whom I may be developing a crush on). 

The Missing Ones is published by Bookouture and is available in PB and ebook format. You can order your copy from good bookstores and via amazon link below:

Book Review: 'The Gingerbread House' by Kate Beaufoy.

*This article originally appeared in the Sunday Independent, 19 March 2017.

Beaufoy's small, exquisite and moving story of dementia has huge heart

Fiction: The Gingerbread House Kate Beaufoy, Black and White Publishing, €9.99

Margaret Madden

March 20 2017 2:30 AM

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The Gingerbread House by Kate Beaufoy

The Gingerbread House is home to 90-year-old Eleanor, a former actress who is now suffering from dementia. Tess has taken on the task of minding her mother-in-law while her regular carer takes a much-needed break. Her 14-year-old daughter, Katia, is by her side as she enters the unknown territory of caring for the elderly.

Her journalist husband must return to work, as money is tight, and Katia fears her mother may crumble under the pressure. Isolated, with no transport, the strain is apparent from the start.

However, Katia cannot give advice. The book-loving teenager has "lost the power of speech" and only communicates with EB White's beloved fictional spider, Charlotte. This exquisite novel comes in at just under 200 pages, yet is as powerful and poignant as it gets.

Caring for the elderly in their own homes is rarely discussed. "They're family secrets. Kept in cupboards, like skeletons." Through Katia's eyes, we see that the stubborn, demanding and often abusive elderly are victims of their age or disease; they once lived full and meaningful lives with their loved ones but are now shells of their former selves. They crave routine, require constant attention and affection. Just like infants, they cannot fend for themselves.

Kate Beaufoy has addressed a difficult subject but has done it with grace. By using a child-narrator, the story is given a new perspective. Katia is silently observant yet extremely astute. She sees her grandmother in her current state and struggles to visualise her as she appears in the fading photographs in the old woman's bedroom.

"She looks so scary - like a skull against the pillows - and when she takes her teeth out, her mouth is like a gaping black hole." She sees the former beauty at her absolute worst and silently cheers her mother on as she deals with difficult circumstances. "I can almost hear Mama's heartbeat accelerate. It's funny, isn't it, that a grown person can be afraid of a 90-year-old little old lady? But mama has reason to be fearful. […] Granny is surprisingly strong."

This is a small novel, with a huge heart. There is beauty to be found amongst the desperation and the muted voice of Katia is innocent yet brave. She blends fact with fiction and the lines become blurred.

Beaufoy has created a stunning and sensual read, which may just break even the hardest of hearts. Highly recommended.

Sunday Indo Living

The Gingerbread House is published by Black and White Publishing and is available in PB and ebook format. You can order your copy from all good bookshops or via amazon link below:

Book Review - 'Gone Without A Trace' by Mary Torjussen.

Gone Without A Trace by Mary Torjussen

Hannah is on her way home to break some great news to her boyfriend, Matt. She is confident that she is about to be come the youngest director of her company and wants to celebrate. Problem is, there is no sign of Matt at their Merseyside home. She calls out for him, but there is no answer. The lights are all off and she senses something wrong. It is not long before she notices the complete absence of Matt's existence. No clothes, no computer, the huge TV and ipod dock is missing. All the books, cds, records that were his collection, they too are gone. Large framed pictures, a glass coffee table, even his headphones. The place could have been burgled, except all Hannah's old stuff was put in place of the missing items. Her old clunky TV, her ancient stereo and coffee table. What was going on?

She tries ringing Matt on her mobile but his name has disappeared from her contacts and all his messages have been deleted. She has no proof of him ever being part of her life. What the hell is going on?

When Hannah investigates her boyfriends disappearance, she fears he has been kidnapped. He has not been seen in work for weeks and they have no idea where he is now. The house has been stripped of every single sign of him and she fears the worst. Her friends try to reason with her. Maybe he left her? She does not believe he would do that without explaining himself, She calls on her pal Katie to help her through the madness and the girls try to figure out what the hell has happened.

As the story progresses, the taut lines of tension build up slowly and you find yourself metaphorically checking over your shoulder as you read through the uncomfortable and uncertain situations. You begin to doubt the reliability of Hannah, then her co-workers, then Kate. You start to doubt everyone and wonder just who knows what. There is something very strange going on, and you just keep flicking those pages to see what happens next 

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This is a clever, cunning and multi-layered thriller, which will have you playing a guessing game right from the first chapter. The hairs raise on the back of Hannah's back as she enters her darkened house that fateful night, and so will yours. Torjussen has written a fine debut novel, full of twists, turns and shockers. I challenge you not to read in one or two sittings (dinner breaks allowed, for sustenance reasons) and close the last page without thinking 'Damn, that was good,' Tweet me @margaretbmadden with your thoughts.

Gone Without A Trace is published by Headline and is available in PB on 23rd March 2017 and is already available in ebook format. You can order your copy via amazon link below:

Exclusive Cover Reveal - 'Our Little Secret' by Claudia Carroll.

I am so honoured to be the first to reveal the cover of the latest release from Bestselling author, Claudia Carroll. Published in TPB in Ireland (ebook version in the UK) on 23rd March. It is a sparkling story about what happens when you let someone into your life… but they turn out to want more than you’d bargained for.  I also have a little giveaway, to celebrate. Every girl deserves a treat, right? Details at the end of the page...

THE BLURB

Sarah Keyes has the perfect life. A high-flying job in a law firm, a beautiful daughter and a house to die for. So how does she find herself looking in through the kitchen window while another woman enjoys it all? When Sarah takes pity on a struggling young graduate who can’t get a job, she thinks she’s doing the right thing. She’s being kind, generous and helpful to others, as she always is. But as Sarah allows the younger woman into her home, her law firm and even her family, is there more to this pretty youngster than meets the eye? And could this be a good deed that goes further than expected? Claudia Carroll does it again with a sparkling new novel about what happens when your life becomes up for grabs…

PRAISE FOR CLAUDIA CARROLL

 ‘Claudia Carroll is a master of creating a great story . . . A brilliantly readable, funny novel. Highly recommended’ Fabulous magazine

‘An emotional roller-coaster . . . asks some probing questions about relationships and keeps the reader wondering until the very end’ Irish Independent

‘I’ve just spent a gloriously sunny weekend delving into Tess Taylor and Kate King’s lives and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m a massive fan of Claudia and her books and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. It was modern, warm, insightful and filled with characters that felt like friends at the end.’ Emma Hannigan

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Claudia Carroll is a number one bestselling author in Ireland and a top ten bestseller in the UK,  She was born in Dublin where she still lives and where she has worked extensively both as a theatre and stage actress. She now writes full-time. Her 2013 novel ME AND YOU was shortlisted for the Bord Gais Popular Choice Irish Book Award. Her previous novel ALL SHE EVER WISHED FOR spent 12 weeks at the top of the Irish charts

Our Little Secret is published by Harper Collins in TPB on 23rd March 2017 and will also be available in ebook format. You can pre-order your ebook HERE.

Exclusive Cover-Reveal Giveaway

There is a chance to win this mini-pampering package, including travel-sized luxury face mask, hand cream, bath and shower gel, moisturiser and hair mask, on facebook.com/bleachhouselibrary or twitter.com/margaretbmadden 

Just see pinned post/tweet for entry details. Giveaway ends on Fri 3rd February. Good Luck!