A graduate of the Masters writing program at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Alma Katsu worked briefly in advertising and PR before moving into the intelligence world, working as a senior analyst for several US agencies, including the CIA and the American equivalent of GCHQ. She was also a regular contributor to the Huffington Post. Alma Katsu lives in the Washington, DC area. To find out more, visit her website almakatsubooks.com

Katsu's brilliant series second will utterly enchant you. The story is told in such a distinctive voice, you won't be able to stop thinking about it. The characters will delight you, horrify you and instil hope ... It's one of this reviewer's favourites so far this year.