Suellen Dainty – författare

For readers who were swept away by Under the Tuscan Sun, charmed by Le Divorce, and intrigued by The Descendants, here is a “moving, dangerous, shrewd, and un-putdown-able story” (Robert Drewe, author of Our Sunshine) about midlife coming-of-age.They’ve been the best of friends for decades and seen everything—marriage, divorce, success, and bankruptcy. They think that there are no more surprises, that they’ve learned all of life’s lessons. But they’re wrong. They’ve only just begun. Recently divorced and seeking to find herself, Penny moves to a picturesque town in France, happy to live alone—that is until she meets an irresistible American philosophy professor. Meanwhile, handsome bachelor Peter falls head over heels for the first time in his life with curvaceous, sexy, and fiercely independent Frieda; Tim and Angie face challenges in their childless, co-dependent marriage; and Jeremy, twice divorced and the most successful of them all, struggles with a destructive addiction. At the heart of the story is Sandy, Penny’s ex-husband and once an acclaimed songwriter. Realizing perhaps too late that he’s taken his wife and children for granted, he attempts to reconcile with his son and daughter. But before he can make amends with them, Sandy has to confront a secret tragedy that has haunted him, and his relationships, for decades. Wonderfully wise and deeply engaging, After Everything is “an absorbing read” (Kirkus Reviews) about the frailties and joys of friendship and family and the struggle of learning how to live in a changing world.

"An addictively dark tale full of psychological drama, long-hidden secrets, and the dangers of fabricating a pristine public façade, The Housekeeper will satisfy any reader’s cravings for family drama." —Redbook "[The Housekeeper] will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page." —Buzzfeed “A tantalizing glimpse into the everyday lives of the rich and famous—and the people who work for them.”—Shelf AwarenessWhen Anne Morgan’s successful boyfriend—who also happens to be her boss—leaves her for another woman, Anne finds herself in desperate need of a new job and a quiet place to recover. Meanwhile, her celebrity idol, Emma Helmsley (England’s answer to Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey), is in need of a housekeeper, an opportunity which seems too good to be true. Through her books, website, and blog, Emma Helmsley advises her devoted followers on how to live a balanced life in a hectic world. Her husband, Rob, is a high profile academic, and her children, Jake and Lily, are well-adjusted teenagers. On the surface, they are the perfect family. But Anne soon finds herself intimately ensconced in the Helmsley’s dirty laundry, both literally and figuratively. Underneath the dust, grime, and whimsical clutter, everyone has a secret to hide. And Anne’s own disturbing past soon threatens to unhinge everything... For fans of Notes on a Scandal and The Woman Upstairs, The Housekeeper is a nuanced psychological drama about the dark recesses of the human mind and the dangerous consequences of long-buried secrets.

When a last collection of songs by British musical icon, James Bennett, is discovered in an old Somerset house, rumours about his mysterious death during a wild midsummer party more than fifty years ago begin to swirl again. An accident? Suicide? Or murder?The only person still alive who knows what happened is frail but indomitable Ruth Henderson. She now lives in a Sydney apartment, but back in 1972 she was staying in Somerset with her closest friend, Adela McMahon, who was married to James.From very different backgrounds, Ruth and Adela became inseparable while growing up in an isolated New South Wales rural town. And they longed to escape. Adela fled first, to the bright lights and hectic whirl of swinging London, where she soon met James. But all was not as gilded as it seemed. Ruth was a witness to her beloved friend''s tempestuous and troubling relationship - and she was by Adela''s side the night James died.Journalists are clamouring to hear Ruth''s story. Of them all, Ruth chooses young and ambitious Kate Griffin, who will do anything to boost her career. But as the past and the present begin to collide, an unexpected friendship grows between the two women and deciding what really matters proves life changing for them both.Moving between contemporary Australia and England in 1972, and between the worlds of Ruth and Kate, this compelling novel explores the inextinguishable power and joy of friendship.PRAISE FOR THE HOUSEKEEPER:"...a rip-roaring story of shocking betrayal and childhood trauma" Lisa Jewell"Gorgeous writing, wonderful characterization, immersive atmosphere and a final twist that I did not see coming!" Kate Moretti"Mesmerizing suspense" Publishers Weekly"Highly anticipated ... nuanced and nail-biting" Good Housekeeping