In a heartbeat, life changes.

A sunny, Sunday afternoon, a family barbecue, and Naomi Baxter and her boyfriend Alex celebrate good news. Driving home, Naomi''s recklessness causes a fatal accident, leaving nine-year-old Lily Vasey dead, Naomi fighting for her life, Alex bruised and bloody and the lives of three families torn apart.

Traumatised, Naomi has no clear memory of the crash and her mother Carmel is forced to break the shocking truth of the child''s death to her. Naomi may well be prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving. If convicted she will face a jail term of up to 14 years, especially if her sister''s claim that Naomi was drink-driving is proven.In the months before the trial, Carmel strives to help a haunted and remorseful Naomi cope with the consequences of her actions.

Blink of an Eye is a novel about the nightmare that could be just around the next bend for any one of us.

Praise for Cath Staincliffe,

''A book about courage and compromise, about how sometimes it''s kinder and braver to lie. Stunning.'' Anne Cleeves.

Modest, compassionate...a solid ingenious plotter with a sharp eye for domestic detail.'' Literary Review

''Complex and satisfying.'' The Sunday Times

''About as good as the British private eye novel gets.'' Time Out

''An engrossing read''. Sunday Telegraph.

''a page-turning, insightful thriller.'' Big Issue.

In a heartbeat, life changes.

A sunny, Sunday afternoon, a family barbecue, and Naomi Baxter and her boyfriend Alex celebrate good news. Driving home, Naomi''s recklessness causes a fatal accident, leaving nine-year-old Lily Vasey dead, Naomi fighting for her life, Alex bruised and bloody and the lives of three families torn apart.

Traumatised, Naomi has no clear memory of the crash and her mother Carmel is forced to break the shocking truth of the child''s death to her. Naomi may well be prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving. If convicted she will face a jail term of up to 14 years, especially if her sister''s claim that Naomi was drink-driving is proven.In the months before the trial, Carmel strives to help a haunted and remorseful Naomi cope with the consequences of her actions.

Blink of an Eye is a novel about the nightmare that could be just around the next bend for any one of us.

Praise for Cath Staincliffe,

''A book about courage and compromise, about how sometimes it''s kinder and braver to lie. Stunning.'' Anne Cleeves.

Modest, compassionate...a solid ingenious plotter with a sharp eye for domestic detail.'' Literary Review

''Complex and satisfying.'' The Sunday Times

''About as good as the British private eye novel gets.'' Time Out

''An engrossing read''. Sunday Telegraph.

''a page-turning, insightful thriller.'' Big Issue.