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'You kept my secret. I know yours now. That makes us even.'
Paul has been led into a life of crime by his schoolyard protector, Daniel - but one night what started as petty theft escalates fatally. Now, at nineteen, Paul must bear witness against his friend to avoid imprisonment.
Louisa has her own dark secrets. Having fled from them many years ago she now spends her days steeped in history, renovating the grounds of a crumbling Elizabethan mansion. But the her fragile peace is shattered when she meets Paul; he's the image of the one person she never thought she'd see again.
A relationship develops between them, and Louisa starts to believe she can experience the happiness she had given up on; but it soon becomes apparent that neither of them can outrun their violent past . . .
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton General Division
ISBN: 9781444701074
Number of pages: 352
Weight: 600 g
Dimensions: 235 x 163 x 32 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'A compelling second novel from masterful storyteller Erin Kelly.' * Good Housekeeping *
'Kelly's first novel, THE POISON TREE, earned her comparisons with Ruth Rendell and on the evidence of this second psychologically complex thriller, the accolade is entirely deserved. Like Rendell, Kelly is an expert in suburban macabre, relishing in the kind of domestic scenes we all recognise but giving them a satisfyingly chilly.' * Psychologies *
Erin Kelly's first thriller, THE POISON TREE, was widely praised, with some reviewers comparing her work to Daphne du Maurier. Her second, THE SICK ROSE, is nearer in spirit to Ruth Rendell's work . . . It's an elaborate narrative structure, but Kelly manages it with panache . . . this is an enormously readable novel and there is no denying Erin Kelly's talent. She's an author to watch. * Spectator *
'It is hard to find a more impeccably English writer than Erin Kelly, whose debut THE POISON TREE, marked her as a name to watch in British fiction... In trademark style the [THE SICK ROSE] flits between the 'then' and the 'now', playing with the magic and poison of memories, until the present intervenes with brutal and tragic consequences'. * The Times *
'This claustrophobic psychological thriller is the second novel from the author of the brilliant THE POISON TREE. Just as good as her debut, it marks Kelly out as a formidable talent' * Bella *
'Thumbs up to . . . this leave-the-light-on thriller.' * Look *
Kelly writes perceptively and chillingly about the long shadows cast by tragic mistakes . . . she shows considerable promise. * Daily Telegraph *
'A tense and twisting novel of dark secrets and dangerous desires.' * Grazia *
Kelly's first novel, THE POISON TREE, earned her comparisons with Ruth Rendell and on the evidence of this second psychologically complex thriller, the accolade is entirely deserved. Like Rendell, Kelly is an expert in suburban macabre, relishing in the kind of domestic scenes we all recognise but giving them a satisfyingly chilly twist. * Psychologies *
'After the success of THE POISON TREE, Erin Kelly has conjured up another intriguing novel that will draw you in from the start.' * Star *
Erin Kelly's debut THE POISON TREE was a fine psychological thriller; THE SICK ROSE confirms that promise . . . a first-class suspense novel * Mail on Sunday *
'Gripping and beautifully written . . . I can't recommend this book highly enough. I read the last section in one long burst, unaware of my surroundings, and emerged as though from a trance. I think I shall have to read it again.' * www.shotsmag.co.uk *
'A real "can't put it down" mystery. This sick rose has got the grip of bindweed.' * Independent *
'A real "can't put it down" mystery. This sick rose has got the grip of bindweed.' * Independent *
A compelling suspense novel from crime fiction's freshest voice. * Red *
'More creepy crime with plenty of psychological insight from rising star Erin Kelly.' **** * Mirror *
'More creepy crime with plenty of psychological insight from rising star Erin Kelly.' **** * Daily Mirror *
A tantalising novel that grips the gut until the breathtaking conclusion. * Daily Record *
'It's unusual for a second novel to be even better than the first but Kelly has pulled off that difficult trick.' * Literary Review *
'Erin Kelly's debut THE POISON TREE was a fine psychological thriller; THE SICK ROSE confirms that promise... a first-class suspense novel.' * Mail on Sunday *
A tense and twisting novel of dark secrets and dangerous desires. * Grazia *
A compelling second novel from masterful storyteller Erin Kelly. * Good Housekeeping *
'Creepy crime with plenty of psychological insight from rising star Erin Kelly.' * Daily Mirror *
'A tantalising novel that grips the gut until the breathtaking conclusion.' * Daily Record *
This claustrophobic psychological thriller is the second novel from the author of the brilliant THE POISON TREE. Just as good as her debut, it marks Kelly out as a formidable talent * Bella *
'Erin Kelly's first thriller, THE POISON TREE, was widely praised, with some reviewers comparing her work to Daphne du Maurier. Her second, THE SICK ROSE, is nearer in sprit to Ruth Rendell's work . . . It's an elaborate narrative structure, but Kelly manages it with panache . . . this is an enormously readable novel and there is no denying Erin Kelly's talent. She's an author to watch.' * Spectator *
After the success of THE POISON TREE, Erin Kelly has conjured up another intriguing novel that will draw you in from the start. * Star *
'It is hard to find a more impeccably English writer than Erin Kelly, whose debut THE POISON TREE, marked her as a name to watch in British fiction . . . In trademark style the [THE SICK ROSE] flits between the 'then' and the 'now', playing with the magic and poison of memories, until the present intervenes with brutal and tragic consequences'. * The Times *
Thumbs up to . . . this leave-the-light-on thriller. * Look *
'Kelly writes perceptively and chillingly about the long shadows cast by tragic mistakes... she shows considerable promise.' * Daily Telegraph *
Gripping and beautifully written... I can't recommend this book highly enough. I read the last section in one long burst, unaware of my surroundings, and emerged as though from a trance. I think I shall have to read it again. * www.shotsmag.co.uk *
'A compelling suspense novel from crime fiction's freshest voice.' * Red *
A brooding story and a real "can't put it down" mystery. This sick rose has got the grip of bindweed. * The Independent *
It's a book that's very hard to put down, with each precisely timed turn of the narrative screw increasing the tension to a very assured climax . . . The book delves deep into dark hearts and troubled minds and does so in deft and highly readable fashion. * cornflowerbooks.co.uk *
'A really engrossing and suspenseful novel that gripped me throughout.' * crimeandpublishing.com *
Disturbing yet compelling. It's from the "I don't care if it's your birthday, we can't go out until I've finished this" school of fiction. The plot grasps and branches like its namesake, with a strong grip on the random coincidences that can both bring people together then blow them apart. Sick or not, once this rose has got its thorns into you, it will be quite some time before you can disentangle yourself. * www.reviewingtheevidence.com *
'This is a page-turning read from a writer who has been compared to Daphne du Maurier and Ruth Rendell' * You Magazine, Daily Mail *
'It's a book that's very hard to put down, with each precisely timed turn of the narrative screw increasing the tension to a very assured climax . . . The book delves deep into dark hearts and troubled minds and does so in deft and highly readable fashion.' * cornflowerbooks.co.uk *
'Disturbing yet compelling. It's from the "I don't care if it's your birthday, we can't go out until I've finished this" school of fiction. The plot grasps and branches like its namesake, with a strong grip on the random coincidences that can both bring people together then blow them apart. Sick or not, once this rose has got its thorns into you, it will be quite some time before you can disentangle yourself.' * www.reviewingtheevidence.com *
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