Madeleine Reiss – författare

A haunting and absorbing debut – fans of Before I Go to Sleep and Sister will be hooked. She closed her eyes and he was gone – who is watching him now? When Carrie’s five-year old son, Charlie, disappeared on a Norfolk beach, her world was destroyed. Now, three years on, she is persuaded by her mother to visit a local medium. Initially sceptical, Carrie is blown away when he appears to reveal something about Charlie’s disappearance; something that nobody could ever have known except herself.Single mum, Molly, is worried about her young son, Max, who has been having more of his little ‘accidents’ at school and has recently starting talking again to his imaginary friend.Molly knows that Max’s problems stem from his very real anxieties about his father – a violent and unstable man – who they are now in hiding from.Little do the women know that their worlds are about to converge – and both of them will have to face the thing they fear the most. But could the truth destroy them?

Haunting and utterly absorbing, this is the perfect read for fans of Heather Gudenkauf’s ONE BREATH AWAY and WHEN THERE’S SMOKE by Jodi Picoult.When Carrie’s five-year old son, Charlie, disappeared on a Norfolk beach, her world was destroyed. Now, three years on, she is persuaded by her mother to visit a local medium. Initially sceptical, Carrie is blown away when he appears to reveal something about Charlie’s disappearance; something that nobody could ever have known except herself.Single mum, Molly, is worried about her young son, Max, who has been having more of his little `accidents’ at school and has recently starting talking again to his imaginary friend.Molly knows that Max’s problems stem from his very real anxieties about his father – a violent and unstable man – who they are now in hiding from.Little do the women know that their worlds are about to converge – and both of them will have to face the thing they fear the most. But could the truth destroy them?This is rich and compelling debut, which fans of Sister and Before I Go to Sleep will love.

‘Not just a tale of suspense; it’s also a poignant exploration of familial love, resilience, and the consequences of misplaced trust. Reiss’ evocative writing and rich historical detail make this an unforgettable read for fans of historical fiction with a psychological edge’ ★★★★★A gothic historical novel perfect for fans of Sarah Waters, Stacey Halls and Laura Purcell*** 1859. Somerset, England. When widow Hester Hart decides to sign over all her family’s worldly goods – and their freedom – to a secretive religious community, her daughters, headstrong Ruby and fragile Irene, have little say in the matter.Led by the charismatic Reverend Peters, the women enter a world with its own set of rules and where Irene, cursed with seizures and ill health, is believed to have second sight. But as Hester and Irene are drawn into the community’s twisted philosophy, Ruby detects a darker truth stalking its shadowy corners.When a shocking discovery throws the community open to scrutiny, the stakes are raised and Ruby realises that it is not only their souls that must be saved…See what readers are saying:'The eerie, cultish atmosphere is perfectly done. The tension between the family dynamics, Ruby’s sharp instincts, and the slowly unraveling dark secrets makes this a gripping, emotional ride. It’s a paragon of historical fiction, and I was hooked from start to finish’ ★★★★★‘A fascinating read based on a true story! I loved learning about the religious cult back in the Victorian times’ ★★★★★‘An intriguing plot which is enjoyable and entertaining’ ★★★★★‘One of those books that you can't put down’ ★★★★★'Reiss's meticulous attention to detail and rich character development elevate the novel… a thought-provoking and powerful read’ ★★★★‘A gripping, dark, well written story’ ★★★★'A dark and disturbing historical fiction novel, very enjoyable’ ★★★★'The setting adds a sense of claustrophobia, as a reader I felt almost as trapped as the characters I was reading about, and the feeling of menace that built over the course of the book was more than a little unsettling’ ★★★★

‘Not just a tale of suspense; it’s also a poignant exploration of familial love, resilience, and the consequences of misplaced trust. Reiss’ evocative writing and rich historical detail make this an unforgettable read for fans of historical fiction with a psychological edge’ ★★★★★A gothic historical novel perfect for fans of Sarah Waters, Stacey Halls and Laura Purcell*** 1859. Somerset, England. When widow Hester Hart decides to sign over all her family’s worldly goods – and their freedom – to a secretive religious community, her daughters, headstrong Ruby and fragile Irene, have little say in the matter.Led by the charismatic Reverend Peters, the women enter a world with its own set of rules and where Irene, cursed with seizures and ill health, is believed to have second sight. But as Hester and Irene are drawn into the community’s twisted philosophy, Ruby detects a darker truth stalking its shadowy corners.When a shocking discovery throws the community open to scrutiny, the stakes are raised and Ruby realises that it is not only their souls that must be saved…See what readers are saying:'The eerie, cultish atmosphere is perfectly done. The tension between the family dynamics, Ruby’s sharp instincts, and the slowly unraveling dark secrets makes this a gripping, emotional ride. It’s a paragon of historical fiction, and I was hooked from start to finish’ ★★★★★‘A fascinating read based on a true story! I loved learning about the religious cult back in the Victorian times’ ★★★★★‘An intriguing plot which is enjoyable and entertaining’ ★★★★★‘One of those books that you can't put down’ ★★★★★'Reiss's meticulous attention to detail and rich character development elevate the novel… a thought-provoking and powerful read’ ★★★★‘A gripping, dark, well written story’ ★★★★'A dark and disturbing historical fiction novel, very enjoyable’ ★★★★'The setting adds a sense of claustrophobia, as a reader I felt almost as trapped as the characters I was reading about, and the feeling of menace that built over the course of the book was more than a little unsettling’ ★★★★

‘Not just a tale of suspense; it’s also a poignant exploration of familial love, resilience, and the consequences of misplaced trust. Reiss’ evocative writing and rich historical detail make this an unforgettable read for fans of historical fiction with a psychological edge’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A gothic historical novel perfect for fans of Sarah Waters, Stacey Halls and Laura Purcell***1859. Somerset, England.When widow Hester Hart decides to sign over all her family’s worldly goods – and their freedom – to a secretive religious community, her daughters, headstrong Ruby and fragile Irene, have little say in the matter.Led by the charismatic Reverend Peters, the women enter a world with its own set of rules and where Irene, cursed with seizures and ill health, is believed to have second sight. But as Hester and Irene are drawn into the community’s twisted philosophy, Ruby detects a darker truth stalking its shadowy corners.When a shocking discovery throws the community open to scrutiny, the stakes are raised and Ruby realises that it is not only their souls that must be saved…See what readers are saying:''The eerie, cultish atmosphere is perfectly done. The tension between the family dynamics, Ruby’s sharp instincts, and the slowly unraveling dark secrets makes this a gripping, emotional ride. It’s a paragon of historical fiction, and I was hooked from start to finish’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A fascinating read based on a true story! I loved learning about the religious cult back in the Victorian times’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘An intriguing plot which is enjoyable and entertaining’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘One of those books that you can''t put down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Reiss''s meticulous attention to detail and rich character development elevate the novel… a thought-provoking and powerful read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A gripping, dark, well written story’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐''A dark and disturbing historical fiction novel, very enjoyable’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐''The setting adds a sense of claustrophobia, as a reader I felt almost as trapped as the characters I was reading about, and the feeling of menace that built over the course of the book was more than a little unsettling’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

In a small village, three sisters’ lives are shadowed by secrets that refuse to stay buried. For fans of Sarah Penner and Jessie Burton. 1847. In a small lacemaking community, sisters Alma, Flora, and Gwen work around the clock on a wedding veil of extraordinary beauty and precision — work their future depends on.When two clairvoyants settle in the village, residents quickly divide over whether their gifts are divine or a sham. Still marked by the stigma of their mother’s suicide, Alma fights to escape a betrothal forced on her by her embittered father to the odious Edmund Bentinck.Only Gwen, the youngest, refuses to accept the verdict. Convinced the clairvoyants can reveal the truth, she begins asking questions. Will she uncover a secret that brings peace, or one that shatters their world?

In a small village, three sisters’ lives are shadowed by secrets that refuse to stay buried. For fans of Sarah Penner and Jessie Burton. 1847. In a small lacemaking community, sisters Alma, Flora, and Gwen work around the clock on a wedding veil of extraordinary beauty and precision — work their future depends on.When two clairvoyants settle in the village, residents quickly divide over whether their gifts are divine or a sham. Still marked by the stigma of their mother’s suicide, Alma fights to escape a betrothal forced on her by her embittered father to the odious Edmund Bentinck.Only Gwen, the youngest, refuses to accept the verdict. Convinced the clairvoyants can reveal the truth, she begins asking questions. Will she uncover a secret that brings peace, or one that shatters their world?

As original as One Day and as heartbreaking as Me Before You, This Last Kiss is the perfect emotional and romantic read.Rora Raine is finally coming home to Hastings, twelve years after she left her grief-stricken father, and fled the love of her life, Carl.Struggling to support her bright but troubled daughter, Rora has convinced herself she''ll never love again.When she meets a bumblingly charming stranger, Rora''s heart begins to thaw. But, try as she might, she can''t run from true love forever. Funny, warm-hearted and soaringly romantic, This Last Kiss is the redemptive story of two star-crossed lovers, told through each and every kiss they share.

'Gorgeous and Emotional' Fern Britton'I found it deeply moving and couldn't stop reading' Susan LewisA devastatingly beautiful novel about love, family and learning to let go, for fans of Jojo Moyes.Scott Hudson's mother, Josie, has dedicated her whole life to looking after him. When his heart failed, aged seven, her world came crashing down.Now, at nineteen, Scott is ill again, with little chance of another transplant he's worried his time is running out. He knows the news will devastate his mother once more.He owes her everything, so Scott decides to find someone to be there for Josie, if he can no longer be.Blissfully unaware of 'Project Boyfriend', Josie is startled when Scott sets her up on a series of blind dates. Unable to deny her son anything, she awkwardly finds herself back in the dating game . . . and enjoying it more than she ever imagined.But can her heart make room for someone new?

''Gorgeous and Emotional'' Fern Britton ''I found it deeply moving and couldn''t stop reading'' Susan LewisWhen you can''t heal your own heart, can you fill someone else''s?Josie Hudson''s whole life has been about one thing and one thing only: keeping her son Scott alive.And when Scott, now nineteen, finds out that his heart is once again failing - with no hope of a transplant - Josie''s world comes crashing down.Determined to give meaning to his final months, Scott decides to find a match for his mum: someone to be there for her when he will no longer be.But can Scott succeed in finding love for his mum before it''s too late? Or will his place in her heart be too large to fill . . .Heart-warming and tear-jerking, Before We Say Goodbye is a devastatingly beautiful novel about love, family and learning to let go for fans of Jojo Moyes.

Heartwarming, poignant and funny, Live a Little is perfect for fans of Jill Mansell and Cathy Kelly. 'Deeply moving and couldn't stop reading'Susan Lewis, author of One Minute Later (on Before We Say Goodbye)'Gorgeous and Emotional'Fern Britton (on Before We Say Goodbye) Two Sisters. One road trip. What could possibly go wrong?Lottie has always followed the rules, her life is comfortable and she is - finally, finally - marrying her long-term, sensible, boyfriend Dean. Tina is carefree, wild and, maybe, just a little bit careless. She doesn't understand Lottie's obsession with settling down with 'dull Dean'. There's so much to explore in the world. The two sisters have drifted apart since the death of their older sister. Without her, Lottie and Tina realise how little they know each other. Desperate to remedy this, Tina convinces Lottie to set out on a road trip across the US, just the two of them. But Tina has one more surprise in mind to shake up Lottie's life - she must say yes to everything Tina suggests, no matter what . . .