Mary Horlock – författare

''Inspired by real events, and making use of a variety of narrative techniques, The Stranger''s Companion is a compelling and unusual novel'' The Times, A Top 10 Historical Fiction Book of 2024''A mesmerising historical mystery . . . based on a fascinating real case. Delectable'' Anna Mazzola, author of The Book of SecretsOctober 1933With a population of five hundred souls, isolated Sark has a reputation for being ''the island where nothing ever happens''. Until, one day, the neatly folded clothes of an unknown man and woman are discovered abandoned at a coastal beauty spot. As the search for the missing couple widens, Sark finds itself front-page news.When young islander Phyllis Carey returns to Sark from England she throws herself into solving the mystery. While Phyll digs through swirls of gossip and ghost stories in search of the truth, she crosses paths with Everard Hyde, a surprise visitor from her past. As press coverage builds to fever pitch, long-suppressed secrets from Phyll''s and Everard''s shared, shadowy history begin to surface.The Stranger''s Companion is a beguiling historical mystery inspired by a real-life crime, which remains unsolved to this day.''A compelling mixture of mystery, community secrets revealed and ghosts from the past disturbing the present'' Sunday Times''A fascinating mystery [and] truly transporting read'' Woman''s Weekly''Such a wonderful, distinctive cast of characters . . . I thoroughly enjoyed the wit and spark of the writing'' Zoë Somerville, author of The Marsh House

''Twisty, riveting storytelling with a plot that surprises until the very end. Happily Ever After is a beautifully written thriller'' Clare Leslie Hall, author of Broken CountryNobody told her that marriage would be murder . . .Ned Wheeler was devoted to his family. He was also convicted and jailed for murder. After spending three decades in prison, Ned''s up for parole. But this is not his story. It''s about Joan, the wife who was fooled by his good looks and charm; Cass, the daughter who wants nothing more to do with him; and Florence, the woman who wants the world to know she''s saved him.Moving seamlessly between contemporary London, the hedonistic hippy summer of 1970 and the small world of 1980s Isle of Wight, Mary Horlock has delivered an utterly gripping and moving thriller about love, loss and the lies we tell ourselves in order to survive.''I read it in hungry gulps, unable to tear myself away . . . Twisty, clever and nuanced, highly recommended!'' Zoë Somerville, author of The Marsh House''Such an addictive read! Horlock''s writing is richly textured and cinematic'' Jessie Elland, author of The Ladie Upstairs