Ruth Mancini – författare

You thought you were safe. You were wrong. A second brilliantly twisty thriller novel by Sunday Times bestselling author of The Woman on the Ledge, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Gillian McAllister.'Fresh, original, utterly intriguing and so, so clever' ANDREA MARA, bestselling author of No One Saw A Thing'A clever, compelling rollercoaster ride of a book, never letting up until its final resolution' JENNIE GODFREY, Sunday Times bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things'Ruth Mancini has done it again. Smart, twisty and propulsive' HARRIET TYCE, bestselling author of Blood Orange-------All Lauren wants is a new life in Spain. She’s suffered an unimaginable loss, but at last she has found a home in the pretty seaside town of Mantilla de Mar. Everyone deserves a new start, and Lauren needs to put her past firmly behind her.Hope has everything: an interesting career as a therapist, an attractive husband, a dream home in the countryside - and, finally, the baby she always longed for. Sam. Her beautiful boy.But Sam has gone missing.So when the police tell her that a woman has been found in Spain with a child matching Sam’s description, Hope thinks that her nightmare might be coming to an end.But Lauren is insisting Sam is her baby. She even has his passport and birth certificate to prove it.So what really happened to Baby Sam? And who still has secrets to hide?One child. Two mothers. And a past that won’t let them go.-------More love for The Day I Lost You . . .'A propulsive, emotional thriller about love and loss. I flew through it changing my mind every few pages about whose side I was on. A hugely satisfying read!' C.L. TAYLOR'Thought-provoking, compelling and, at times, heart-breaking. Really kept me guessing, right up until the end.' ANNA MAZZOLA'Ruth Mancini is fast becoming a master of the thriller genre . . . so clever and engaging' LAURA PEARSON'If you thought Ruth Mancini couldn't top The Woman on the Ledge think again . . . utterly gripping' SABINE DURRANTReaders are loving The Day I Lost You . . . ‘So many twists and turns’ 5-star reader review‘Absolutely brilliant’ 5-star reader review‘I devoured this book! So well-written’ 5-star reader review‘A beautifully written book about how good people struggle and end up doing bad things’ 5-star reader review‘Such a gripping read’ 5-star reader review‘Beautiful prose. Fantastic plot. Amazing characters who I fell in love with’ 5-star reader review

THE GRIPPING NEW NOVEL FROM RUTH MANCINI, THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE WOMAN ON THE LEDGE.'Lisa Jewell meets the Secret Barrister' Imran Mahmood'Brilliantly smart, unsettlingly human and impossible to put down' Rob Rinder'A propulsive, heart-thumping read' Gill Perdue'A cleverly crafted chilling psychological thriller' Louise Minchin___________You were only seven years old when you witnessed your mother's murder.Although you did not see her attacker clearly, you are pretty sure who it was.Thanks to you, he went to prison for twenty years.Now he's out.And you are no longer certain that the man you identified that terrifying evening really was the killer.But if it wasn’t him, who was the stranger on the stairs?And can he now be coming for you?Inspired by a shocking real-life case, a gripping psychological thriller by a criminal defence lawyer who has seen it all.___________Praise for Ruth Mancini and The Stranger on the Stairs:'I absolutely raced through this compulsive page-turner ... Well drawn characters - proper plot and great writing. What more could you want?' Imran Mahmood‘It’s gripping and propulsive, but also moving and quiet in all the right places. Bravo!' Sabine Durrant'Kept me guessing (and biting my nails) throughout' Anna Mazzola‘Ruth Mancini is fast becoming a master of the thriller genre' Laura Pearson'Ruth Mancini writes thrillers with the certainty of someone who’s seen the law in action and knows exactly how to unpick it. Brilliantly smart, unsettlingly human and impossible to put down' Rob Rinder'Ruth Mancini is like a British Jodi Picoult' Jennie Godfrey'Only Ruth Mancini can deliver such brilliant twists that keep you turning the pages. Her legal expertise shines through, providing a sense of veracity and immediacy that is uniquely addictive.’ Kelly Mullen'Exciting and addictive' 5-star reader review'I WAS HOOKED!' 5-star reader review‘A super-readable, brilliantly clever domestic thriller’ Fabulous Magazine'A fantastic story that had me gripped from the start' 5-star reader review

THE GRIPPING NEW NOVEL FROM RUTH MANCINI, THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE WOMAN ON THE LEDGE.'Lisa Jewell meets the Secret Barrister' Imran Mahmood'Brilliantly smart, unsettlingly human and impossible to put down' Rob Rinder'A propulsive, heart-thumping read' Gill Perdue'A cleverly crafted chilling psychological thriller' Louise Minchin___________You were only seven years old when you witnessed your mother's murder.Although you did not see her attacker clearly, you are pretty sure who it was.Thanks to you, he went to prison for twenty years.Now he's out.And you are no longer certain that the man you identified that terrifying evening really was the killer.But if it wasn’t him, who was the stranger on the stairs?And can he now be coming for you?Inspired by a shocking real-life case, a gripping psychological thriller by a criminal defence lawyer who has seen it all.___________Praise for Ruth Mancini and The Stranger on the Stairs:'I absolutely raced through this compulsive page-turner ... Well drawn characters - proper plot and great writing. What more could you want?' Imran Mahmood‘It’s gripping and propulsive, but also moving and quiet in all the right places. Bravo!' Sabine Durrant'Kept me guessing (and biting my nails) throughout' Anna Mazzola‘Ruth Mancini is fast becoming a master of the thriller genre' Laura Pearson'Ruth Mancini writes thrillers with the certainty of someone who’s seen the law in action and knows exactly how to unpick it. Brilliantly smart, unsettlingly human and impossible to put down' Rob Rinder'Ruth Mancini is like a British Jodi Picoult' Jennie Godfrey'Only Ruth Mancini can deliver such brilliant twists that keep you turning the pages. Her legal expertise shines through, providing a sense of veracity and immediacy that is uniquely addictive.’ Kelly Mullen'Exciting and addictive' 5-star reader review'I WAS HOOKED!' 5-star reader review‘A super-readable, brilliantly clever domestic thriller’ Fabulous Magazine'A fantastic story that had me gripped from the start' 5-star reader review

A SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB PICKMOTHER... FRIEND... KILLER? A young mother is accused of attempting to poison her own child. Ellie is secretive and challenging – she''s had a troubled life – but does that mean she''s capable of murder? Criminal defence lawyer Sarah Kellerman is tasked with proving Ellie''s innocence. But Sarah''s desperate pursuit of the truth will draw her – and her five-year-old son – into unimaginable danger... Unsettling and compulsive, In the Blood is a chilling study of class, motherhood and power. ''A tense legal thriller set against the pressures of single motherhood, In the Blood is deeply authentic, tightly plotted and beautifully written. I can''t wait for the next in the series'' HARRIET TYCE''I tore through it once I''d started. A fantastic thriller that grips you from the first page and doesn''t let go until the explosive finish. Brilliant'' JENNY BLACKHURST''If you loved Apple Tree Yard, you''ll love In the Blood. Totally gripping and compelling'' SARAH FLINT''This creeping, disquieting story had me guessing until the rollercoaster end'' LESLEY THOMSON

A SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB PICKMOTHER... FRIEND... KILLER? A young mother is accused of attempting to poison her own child. Ellie is secretive and challenging – she's had a troubled life – but does that mean she's capable of murder? Criminal defence lawyer Sarah Kellerman is tasked with proving Ellie's innocence. But Sarah's desperate pursuit of the truth will draw her – and her five-year-old son – into unimaginable danger... Unsettling and compulsive, In the Blood is a chilling study of class, motherhood and power. 'A tense legal thriller set against the pressures of single motherhood, In the Blood is deeply authentic, tightly plotted and beautifully written. I can't wait for the next in the series' HARRIET TYCE'I tore through it once I'd started. A fantastic thriller that grips you from the first page and doesn't let go until the explosive finish. Brilliant' JENNY BLACKHURST'If you loved Apple Tree Yard, you'll love In the Blood. Totally gripping and compelling' SARAH FLINT'This creeping, disquieting story had me guessing until the rollercoaster end' LESLEY THOMSON

''Tightly plotted, tense... I was wholly drawn into the story'' HARRIET TYCENew Year''s Eve, London. Outside the Hope & Glory pub, a man has been left to die. A victim of extraordinary violence, he will never walk or speak again. He remains in hospital, nameless, until criminal defence lawyer Sarah Kellerman walks onto his ward. Sarah barely recognises the man she once worked with – he was honourable and kind – what was he involved in? Who wanted him dead? But in her race to uncover the truth, Sarah comes to realise there are two men in her life that she never really knew at all... From one of crime fiction''s most compelling voices, One Dark, Two Light sees the personal and criminal collide, as Sarah reaches into the darkest corners to bring secrets into the light. ''Ruth''s legal expertise shines through and Sarah Kellerman is a convincing and likeable heroine'' CARA HUNTER''A deliciously gripping thriller with an ending I didn''t see coming. I raced through it. More, please!'' EMILY KOCH''Furiously clever plotting and characters that leap off the page. Family dynamics are explored with real humanity – a gripping read'' RACHEL WOLF

'Tightly plotted, tense... I was wholly drawn into the story' HARRIET TYCENew Year's Eve, London. Outside the Hope & Glory pub, a man has been left to die. A victim of extraordinary violence, he will never walk or speak again. He remains in hospital, nameless, until criminal defence lawyer Sarah Kellerman walks onto his ward. Sarah barely recognises the man she once worked with – he was honourable and kind – what was he involved in? Who wanted him dead? But in her race to uncover the truth, Sarah comes to realise there are two men in her life that she never really knew at all... From one of crime fiction's most compelling voices, One Dark, Two Light sees the personal and criminal collide, as Sarah reaches into the darkest corners to bring secrets into the light. 'Ruth's legal expertise shines through and Sarah Kellerman is a convincing and likeable heroine' CARA HUNTER'A deliciously gripping thriller with an ending I didn't see coming. I raced through it. More, please!' EMILY KOCH'Furiously clever plotting and characters that leap off the page. Family dynamics are explored with real humanity – a gripping read' RACHEL WOLF

The Lies You Tell was previously published as Swimming Upstream. ''I once read that the end of a relationship is like being involved in a road traffic accident. Which is quite fitting really, given what happened.'' Cambridge, 1992. For Lizzie Taylor, one moment changes her life forever. When she accidentally steps into the path of an oncoming car, her old friend Catherine and her charming fiancé Martin come to the rescue. But Lizzie soon wonders if Martin is really all that he seems? And what secret is Catherine hiding? As the two women reconnect, Lizzie finds the courage to make drastic changes and heads to London to pursue her career – not knowing that a terrible, unforgivable betrayal will soon rip apart the new life she''s built.Set in the early 1990s in Cambridge and London, The Lies You Tell is a story of divided loyalties and the moral choices we face everyday. For fans of Liane Moriarty and Adele Parks.What readers are saying about The Lies You Tell: ''The story is both entertaining and enlightening in equal measure. There is a poignancy which tugs at the heart strings... I hope to be able to read more from this talented author in future novels'' Jo Barton, Amazon Top 500 Reviewer''A thought-provoking, intelligent read, that I wholeheartedly recommend'' Bookworm''I enjoyed the way it was written and found it really easy to read – in fact I couldn''t put it down and finished it within 24 hours! I felt like I quickly got to know and love the characters – especially Lizzie. This is Ruth''s first novel and I''m definitely looking forward to the next!'' Esther Willis''This is a beautifully written story and one that I would highly recommend. Ruth Mancini has a great talent and I will certainly be looking to read more by this talented author in the future'' Torrenstp

His Perfect Lies was previously published as Swimming Home. ''The first time I laid eyes on Sky Donoghue, I knew there was trouble ahead.'' Eaubonne, Paris. 2010. Lizzie Taylor''s life hasn''t exactly gone to plan. Eighteen years ago, she made the difficult decision to leave London for Paris to escape her best friend''s fiancé, the man who''d attacked her and turned her world upside down. Secure in the belief that she and her daughter, Helena, are now safe from harm, Lizzie contemplates her future. But is the nightmare really over? When the captivating Sky Donoghue comes along, pulling Helena into dangerous waters, Lizzie''s strength and judgement are put to the test. Just how far should she go to save her daughter?How far will she go to save herself? What readers are saying about His Perfect Lies: ''I really enjoyed the first book in this series but this one was even better! I was hooked and had to find out more... There are twists until the end, and ultimately, the truth does win! Great read'' Laura N Bren''A gripping story that does not follow the path that you imagine it to. Twists and turns and you hear yourself thinking "oh heck" "Oh no!"... This is an excellent book'' Misfits Farm''First time I have read this author, and it won''t be the last. Gripped with an excellent storyline from the word go, like other reviewers, could not put the book down – excellent story, excellent writer, and I look forward to reading more of her books'' Helen DJ''What a fantastic book. Really got me hooked, I could not put it down. Never read anything be this author before. Such a believable story line. Thought there was no hope for poor Lizzie, who was just being a mum. Fab ending, when all the odds where stacked against her'' DMc

One child, two mothers and a past that won't let them go. A second brilliantly twisty thriller novel by Sunday Times bestselling author of The Woman on the Ledge.'Fresh, original, utterly intriguing and so, so clever' ANDREA MARA, bestselling author of No One Saw A Thing'A clever, compelling rollercoaster ride of a book, never letting up until its final resolution' JENNIE GODFREY, Sunday Times bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things'Ruth Mancini has done it again. Smart, twisty and propulsive' HARRIET TYCE, bestselling author of Blood Orange-------All Lauren wants is a new life in Spain. She’s suffered an unimaginable loss, but at last she has found a home in the pretty seaside town of Mantilla de Mar. Everyone deserves a new start, and Lauren needs to put her past firmly behind her.Hope has everything: an interesting career as a therapist, an attractive husband, a dream home in the countryside - and, finally, the baby she always longed for. Sam. Her beautiful boy.But Sam has gone missing.So when the police tell her that a woman has been found in Spain with a child matching Sam’s description, Hope thinks that her nightmare might be coming to an end.But Lauren is insisting Sam is her baby. She even has his passport and birth certificate to prove it.So what really happened to Baby Sam? And who still has secrets to hide?One child. Two mothers. And a past that won’t let them go.-------More love for The Day I Lost You . . .'A propulsive, emotional thriller about love and loss. I flew through it changing my mind every few pages about whose side I was on. A hugely satisfying read!' C.L. TAYLOR'Thought-provoking, compelling and, at times, heart-breaking. Really kept me guessing, right up until the end.' ANNA MAZZOLA'Ruth Mancini is fast becoming a master of the thriller genre . . . so clever and engaging' LAURA PEARSON'If you thought Ruth Mancini couldn't top The Woman on the Ledge think again . . . utterly gripping' SABINE DURRANTReaders are loving The Day I Lost You . . . ‘So many twists and turns’ 5-star reader review‘Absolutely brilliant’ 5-star reader review‘I devoured this book! So well-written’ 5-star reader review‘A beautifully written book about how good people struggle and end up doing bad things’ 5-star reader review‘Such a gripping read’ 5-star reader review‘Beautiful prose. Fantastic plot. Amazing characters who I fell in love with’ 5-star reader review

* The instant Sunday Times bestseller! * Get ready for one of the most gripping psychological thrillers of the year, perfect for fans of Gillian McAllister, Lisa Jewell and Paula Hawkins.‘I’ve been yearning for something to give me Girl on the Train vibes. . . this is that book.’ Lisa Jewell'Totally unpredictable. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough' Claire Douglas'A deliciously clever book. Jaw-dropping. Absolutely outstanding' Andrea Mara'Utterly gripping from first to last ... I guarantee you’ll be absolutely hooked.' The Guardian___________A tragic accident? Or murder?A woman falls to her death from a London bank's twenty-fifth-floor roof terrace.You're arrested for her murder.You tell the police that you only met the victim the previous night at your office party. She was threatening to jump from the roof, but you talked her down.You've got nothing to do with this tragedy.You're clearly being framed.So why do the police keep picking holes in your story?And why doesn't your lawyer seem to believe you?It soon becomes obvious that you're keeping secrets.But who are you trying to protect? And why?Obsession. Intrigue. Revenge. Get ready for one of the most twisty thrillers this year!___________Readers are loving The Woman on the Ledge . . .***** 'ONE OF THE BEST PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS I HAVE READ THIS YEAR!!! WHAT A BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN MASTERPIECE!!!'***** 'It’s been awhile since I have read a good PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER, and even longer since I read a great one-but this ORIGINAL gem is pretty great!'***** 'This has the best dynamics of a book that I have read in awhile. What a talented author!'***** 'Recommend this one to anyone who enjoys an intense, twisted, thought-provoking and engaging Psychological Thriller.'***** 'All I can say is that this is not a book to be missed.'___________More love for The Woman on the Ledge:'A thrill-ride of a novel - dark, riveting and twisty' Lucy Clarke‘I inhaled this. . . Lots of twists and turns. Couldn’t put it down!’ Hayley Morris‘Razor-sharp plotting, great writing ... a pitch-perfect legal thriller’ Harriet Tyce'A deeply satisfying read' Her Honour Judge Wendy Joseph KC'I’m certain this will be one of my favourite thrillers of 2024 already!’ Prima'A twist-a-minute thrill ride!' Lisa Gardner'Had me turning the pages through the night' Heidi Perks'A gripping thriller with a great premise and a twist I didn’t see coming' John Marrs'The best thriller I've read in ages' Laura Pearson‘Wonderfully twisty, fabulously unexpected and immensely satisfying’ Alex Marwood'The best kind of plot-twisty story ... I devoured it!' Sabine Durrant'Breathtaking storytelling ... Stunning!’ Jane Fallon'WOW! I absolutely loved it' Stu Cummins'A clever idea and an even cleverer plot.' Belfast Telegraph‘So full of twists and turns it will make your head hurt – in a good way!’ Fabulous, Sun on Sunday‘A tense novel’ Bella‘A twisty tale that will keep you on your toes’ Heat‘A dark and compelling legal thriller.’ Woman & Home

Brought to you by Penguin.All Lauren wants is a new life in Spain. She's suffered an unimaginable loss, but at last she has found a home in the pretty seaside town of Mantilla de Mar. Everyone deserves a new start, and Lauren needs to put her past firmly behind her.Hope has everything: an interesting career as a therapist, an attractive husband, a dream home in the countryside - and, finally, the baby she always longed for. Sam. Her beautiful boy.But Sam has gone missing.So when the police tell her that a woman has been found in Spain with a child matching Sam's description, Hope thinks that her nightmare might be coming to an end.But Lauren is insisting Sam is her baby. She even has his passport and birth certificate to prove it.So what really happened to Baby Sam? And who still has secrets to hide?One child. Two mothers. And a past that won't let them go.(c) Ruth Mancini 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025