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?

‘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’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

'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?