Winner

CJ Parsons was born in Britain and grew up in Canada. She graduated from Montreal's McGill University with a degree in psychology and went on to earn a graduate degree in journalism. She worked as a newspaper reporter at Canada's Globe and Mail before moving to Hong Kong, where she became a columnist at the South China Morning Post.After returning to Britain, she moved into television news, working as a broadcast journalist for both the BBC and CNN International. She also spent two years covering crime, seeing first-hand the disturbing forces that drive people to kill, something that inspired her first novel, The Good Samaritan, published by Headline in November 2020.CJ is now deputy executive producer at CGTN. She lives in north London.

‘A dark tale of celebrity life where fame and fortune cost the ultimate price. I was gripped.’ Louise Jensen, author of The Intruders'A chilling take on the world of social media influencers which feels scarily real: a great read.' Catherine Cooper, author of The Island'A unique thriller that sucks you in from the first page and doesn't let up. A riveting, brilliantly written book.' Diana Wilkinson, author of The Girl in Seat 2A'Highly original and totally addictive.' Lorna Dounaeva, author of The Wife’s Mistake'A timely and terrifying insight into the price of fame and what it means to be an influencer in the glittering, dangerous setting Parsons has created. So absorbing I read it in one day!' Sian Gilbert, author of She Started It'An engaging, original and incredibly timely novel about the dark side of fame. A total thrill ride from start to finish.' Rhiannon Barnsley, author of The Clique'A twisty, addictive page-turner that pulls you into a glitzy, glamorous world where nothing is as it seems and no-one can be trusted.' Dreda Say Mitchell, author of Geezer Girls'Plenty of tension' The Morning Star'Gripping' The Peterborough Telegraph Praise for C.J. Parsons 'Most spellbinding psychological thriller of the year! I swear I forgot to breathe in parts!''This is the first book in months which I haven't been able to put down''Worth far more than five stars and very very highly recommended'