Julia Heaberlin – författare

The Letter: A few weeks after her father's death, Tommie McCloud receives a letter in the post from a stranger. The woman claims that Tommie is her biological daughter, kidnapped from her as a baby over thirty years ago.The Lies: Tommie is approached by journalist Jack Smith, who claims to know about her past. But is he really who he says he is?The Truth: Not sure who to trust or what to believe, Tommie sets out to discover the truth about her identity and in doing so uncovers explosive secrets that threaten not only her life, but also the lives of those she holds dear.A riveting debut novel from a thrilling new voice, PLAYING DEAD is a mesmerizing story of family, identity and secrets that can kill.

A New TownClairmont, Texas is home to some of the South's most wealthy and established families. When Emily Page and her husband Mike move there from New York City, so Mike can become the new sheriff, they believe that it's a place where they can build a new life for themselves.A New StartPregnant Emily is soon invited to a prestigious lunch hosted by local doyenne Caroline Warwick. There she meets Clairmont's rich housewives, but soon discovers that under the veneer of respectability lies shifting loyalties and dangerous secrets.A Troubled PastWhen Caroline Warwick disappears, Emily wonders if any of the well-bred Southern ladies in Caroline's circle could have wanted her harmed. What was the hold that Caroline had over them and what was Caroline herself trying to hide?As Emily begins to search for clues about Caroline's disappearance, secrets from her own troubled past start to come to light. Have her problems followed her to Clairmont, or is there something more sinister going on closer to home?

'I never told anyone about the letters. It was another of my secrets, one that would . . . lead to places I don't want to go again.' When Emily and her husband move to Clairmont, Texas, they believe that it's the perfect place to build a new life. At a prestigious party, she meets a group of rich and influential housewives, but soon she begins to suspect that there is more to them than meets the eye. Then local doyenne Caroline disappears and Emily receives a host of threatening letters. Is Emily's troubled past coming back to haunt her, or is something sinister happening in this peaceful town?

'Dear Tommie . . . I've spent most of my life searching for you. I believe you are my daughter.' Just after her father's death, Tommie receives a letter from a stranger. The woman claims that Tommie is her biological daughter, kidnapped as a baby over thirty years ago. Then she is approached by a journalist who claims to know about her past. But can she trust him? Unsure what to believe, Tommie sets out to discover the truth about her identity. As explosive secrets emerge, she realises it's not just her life that's in danger . . .

**THE TOP 5 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**'My book of the year so far. Breathtakingly, heart-stoppingly brilliant... A beautifully written, gripping, intelligent, unpredictable crime novel that obsessed me from start to finish' Awarded Crime Novel of the Year by Sophie Hannah, internationally bestselling author of The Narrow BedA chilling new thriller that gets into the heart and mind of the killer, and the victim . . .Seventeen-year-old Tessa, dubbed a 'Black-Eyed Susan' by the media, became famous for being the only victim to survive the vicious attack of a serial killer. Her testimony helped to put a dangerous criminal behind bars - or so she thought. Now, decades later the black-eyed susans planted outside Tessa's bedroom window seem to be a message from a killer who should be safely in prison. Haunted by fragmented memories of the night she was attacked and terrified for her own teenage daughter's safety, can Tessa uncover the truth about the killer before it's too late?Praise for Black-Eyed Susans'It's a terrific plot, matched by the quality of the writing and superbly paced tension' The Times Book of the Month'Black Eyed Susans is a compelling read, especially for Serial fans' Cosmopolitan'Creepy and compelling, Black-Eyed Susans is a shadowy and crooked journey to a very dark place indeed, a twisty fairytale that deceives you just when you think you've cracked it and a thriller to make you remember why you love thrillers. Don't miss it' Observer, Thriller of the Month'One of the classiest thrillers you'll read this year' Charlotte Heathcote of Daily Express and Sunday Express'Mesmerising . . . In a crowded field, Heaberlin is something special, and clearly an author to whom close attention must be paid' Barry Forshaw, Crime Time'About as good an example of Grip Lit as you could read' Sunday Independent'Sophisticated, disturbing and with plenty of red herrings' Woman and Home'We can't remember the last time a thriller burrowed under our skin like this. Sparkling characters, authentic emotion, and an unpredictable plot makes this a terrific read from start to end' iBooks, Books of the Month'The assured telling of this chiller combines to create a very modern Gothic horror that will keep you up way past your bedtime' Sunday Mirror'A sophisticated take on the serial killer novel' Good Housekeeping'Black Eyed Susans is haunting, intense and original - it'll keep you guessing till the last page' Closer 'A masterful thriller that shouldn't be missed. Heaberlin's work calls to mind that of Gillian Flynn. Both writers published impressive early novels that were largely overlooked, and then one that couldn't be: Flynn's Gone Girl and now Heaberlin's Black-Eyed Susans. Don't miss it' Washington Post'A fascinating, twisted book' Koethi Zan, author of Richard and Judy-selected THE NEVER LIST'This is a deftly organised, impeccably paced psychological suspense thriller that nods to Daphne du Maurier and, like all Heaberlin's fiction, boasts purr-inducing prose ' Sunday Times, Culture Magazine'Tense, pacy and compelling, Black-Eyed Susans is a taut psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Julia Haeberlin masterfully ramps up the suspense gradually, building to an explosive denouement that you won't see coming. Quite simply, the best thriller you'll read this year - perhaps decade. Miss it at your peril. Keep Calm and Read a Book Reviews

The unputdownable thriller from the bestselling author of Black-Eyed Susans. 'Gripping' The Times____________Long ago, Carl Feldman was acquitted of murder.Now he's an old man, living alone with his fading memories.His daughter has come to see him, to take him on a trip. Only she's not his daughter, and if she has her way, he's not coming back . . . This woman is sure Carl's a murderer, and that he's killed others - including her sister Rachel. And she will stop at nothing to find out the truth. ____________'Wonderful . . . creepy . . . a work of art' Sunday Express'A beautifully written and extraordinary book' Sophie Hannah'Strong characterisation, haunting images, a wonderful sense of place . . . well worth the read' Guardian

Discover the nail-biting new thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Black-Eyed Susans'Gorgeous writing, interesting characters, a unique setting, and an unsettling, surprising mystery. We Are All the Same in the Dark has it all' AMY ENGEL, bestselling author of The Familiar Dark'Tense, darkly atmospheric . . .Takes your breath away with its sudden twists' DAILY MAIL_______Ten years ago, homecoming queen Trumanell Branson vanished.Her farewell message?A bloody handprint left on a wall.Back then, the police cleared her brother Wyatt of any crime. But now a TV documentary has judged otherwise. And old suspicions are reignited.Yet when Wyatt finds a lost girl wandering a lonely highway, he convinces himself she's a sign. Someone to lead him to his sister. To clear his name.Watching him is police officer Odette Tucker. She's got history with the Branson family. And she knows they must tread carefully.Odette is determined to solve both cases, but will digging into this town's deeply buried secrets do more harm than good?And what will happen when the shocking truth is finally exposed?We Are All the Same in the Dark is the nail-biting thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author, perfect for anyone obsessed with HBO's Mare of Easttown._______'One of my favourite reads of the year. The twisty plot and unexpected revelations propelled me through the pages of this spine-chilling novel . . . Absolutely mesmerizing' Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Weight of Silence'A disquieting, tense and suspenseful book that promises to keep you reading way into the night' Culture Fly'Twisty and atmospheric' PrimaREADERS LOVE WE ARE ALL THE SAME IN THE DARK:'What a phenomenal book. The author doesn't just give you a mystery to solve but a mesmerizing story with people who get into your soul. Poetic, gut-wrenching, suspenseful' 5***** Reader Review'This story sucked me in and spit me out. Captivating, suspenseful and heart-wrenching. The characters grab you and don't let go' 5***** Reader Review'Julia does it again! Brilliant, extraordinary, captivating. The excitability of this book pulls you into each page right along with Odette to solve the mystery. This is a must read' 5***** Reader Review'I devoured every page. A disturbing, sad and moving mystery' 5***** Reader Review'Captivating from start to finish' 5***** Reader Review'A fantastic psychological thriller. Julia knows how to write disturbing characters that will have you questioning their motives and capabilities right up until the end' 5***** Reader ReviewPraise for Julia Heaberlin'A thriller to make you remember why you love thrillers' Observer'Gripping' The Times'Breathtakingly, heart-stoppingly brilliant' Sophie Hannah'Wonderful . . . creepy . . . a work of art' Sunday Express'Strong characterisation, haunting images, a wonderful sense of place . . . well worth the read' Guardian

THE ATMOSPHERIC AND HAUNTING THRILLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BESTSELLING BLACK-EYED SUSANS**LONGLISTED FOR THE CWA GOLD DAGGER 2024**'Haunting, heartfelt, chilling and beautifully told' CHRIS WHITAKER---------------Three-year-old Lizzie Solomon vanishedfrom her Texas home eleven years ago.She was never found.Her mother remains in prison,still proclaiming her innocence.Now the police have called in Vivvy Bouchet.She's no detective, but the daughter of a psychic,and her own 'intuition' once saved a life'.Sceptic detective Jesse Sharp is also working the case.He doesn’t trust her gifts.Everyone is watching Vivvy.Some want her to succeed – others need her to fail.But Vivvy fears this case will drag her back into her past –and a darkness that might consume her . . .--------------*** Being developed as a TV series by FOX Network ***PRAISE FOR JULIA HEABERLIN'Tense, darkly atmospheric...takes your breath away' DAILY MAIL'Terrific, superbly paced' THE TIMES'Breathtakingly, heart-stoppingly brilliant' SOPHIE HANNAH'A thriller to make you remember why you love thrillers' OBSERVER