Beautifully written, interesting & completely gripping . . . This is definitely one that would be perfect for book clubs’ Little Miss Book Lover 87 However, the most disappointing feature is that there is no medical, social services or legal intervention. A new mother disappears without trace, her phone found in the street, and the police only manage to find a couple of cctv images and give in? No news coverage, even locally? A bit unrealistic in Britain I think. It was challenging to keep your emotions at bay reading about the 2 Sisters and why Maggie and Rose both did as they did,the reasoning behind it and the fallout from both of their major life decisions,it was easy sometimes to tut and say ‘well I wouldn’t have done that’ but then as the book goes on you begin to realise things are not as clear cut as you would think and the decisions they both made were not made on a whim at all but many factors are in play…..I don't want to say more on the plot or what happens other than it is intriguing and the author writes both viewpoints sympathetically and passionately Catherine Chanter (2013 winner) The Well was translated into twelve languages. Published in UK by Canongate Books. The novel is now being adapted as a film for direct MGM and Hello Sunshine. Frances Maynard (2016 shortlist) award-winning novel The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr was published by Sourcebooks.

Sara Collins The Confessions of Frannie Langton , (2016 shortlist) winner of the 2019 Costa First Novel Award, was published by HarperCollins and translated into more than fourteen languages, optioned for television, filming now. Tim Bates, Head of the Books Department & Literary Agent at Peters Fraser and Dunlop, commented, " Among a very high-quality shortlist, one entry stood out for its originality and confidence. Hannah Stapleton’s BLUE TEARS is a stylish, fresh and, at times, disconcerting debut novel. Hannah has created a fascinating view of the world, and her novel is both provocative and gripping. She is a worthy winner. " The Fiction Prize and its authors

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Stephen was quite blinkered. He saw his role as the provider, not really interested in what had been going on at home during the day, or whether Maggie was coping. Rose, the supportive sister didn’t exactly jump straight into her sister’s shoes. However, right from the moment she disappeared, the idea of replacing Maggie had planted itself firmly in her brain until little by little she convinced herself the role was hers by default. What happened after Maggie’s return left me feeling worried about the long term effect on the children. Stephen and Rose’s solution to the problem, for me, didn’t work and was quite cruel to Maggie. And the final twist at the end, I didn’t see coming. I wasn’t sure how this story would end, but the way it did left me wondering whether I could have been as forgiving as Maggie. A good strong debut from Alison and look forward to reading her next book. But what Rose doesn't see is that Maggie is struggling. Every day is a fog of sleep loss and mess made by two tiny children. Left alone in her distress by husband Stephen, Maggie drifts ever closer to the edge. She needs to heal and get her head straight and I think it was untreated extreme postnatal depression. She needed support but no one seemed to grasp the seriousness of what was going on. She writes to the family frequently but why are they all acting like Maggie has not been in touch? The decisions that are made to come to some sort of agreement, well that did not sit right with me. The one character that felt real was Laura who found their whole way of dealing with things would end in tears…. Maggie has everything her sister Rose always wanted. A handsome husband and two adorable children, Emily and Elliot.

Beautifully poignant and utterly compelling.’ Alex Stone, author of The Perfect Daughter and The Other Girlfriend This intriguing tale is told from the point of view of both sisters, in first-person chapters. Both sisters put the welfare of the children first, but their own personal desires bubble underneath. Neither are particularly likeable. Not really a thriller, the story is more a domestic drama with a weak husband in the periphery. It is quite a slow book with the ideas and arguments being repeated often with no conclusions in a circular fashion. Not much happens either.Maggie struggling with her life as mother of a toddler and baby, wife of an unsupportive husband and adrift from her previous career, has an accident which leads to a visit to A&E. In shame and broken she leaves her children at the hospital in the care of her sister Rose and her husband Stephen and catches a bus to Glasgow. In her absence Rose takes her place so Maggie’s return is a surprise. Maggie has to work out what her role can be and appears very strong even though she has had a long breakdown. Emily Midorikawa (2015 winner) and Emma Claire Sweeney published A Secret Sisterhood to wide acclaim. Publisher: Mariner Books. A handsome husband and two adorable children, Emily and Elliot. But what Rose doesn’t see is that Maggie is struggling. Sarah Brooks' novel (winner 2019) The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands was signed by W&N and will be published in summer 2024 UK. Rights have sold in 10 territories worldwide. The main question here is, where does Rose draw the line? As time goes on and Maggie is not found, Stephen and Rose settle into what Rose perceives as her perfect life. The life she feels she deserves. But when Maggie is found, everything is thrown into chaos.

Claire Askew (2016 winner) All the Hidden Truths (2016 winner) was published by Hodder & Stoughton. A brilliant concept delivered with real emotional depth and clout. I felt for each and every character in this story of family, guilt and deepest desires’ Gytha Lodge, author of Little Sister, Lie Beside Me, Watching From The Dark& She Lies in Wait Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott Swan Song (2016 shortlist), longlisted for the Women's Prize, was published by HarperCollins is currently being adapted for TV. One of my Kindle First jobbies this month and I LOVED it !! Yes, the odd mistake in it but overall it was terrific. An author I'll be keeping a beady eye upon. Beautifully poignant and utterly compelling.' Alex Stone, author of The Perfect Daughter and The Other GirlfriendIn the meantime her sister steps up as it has been a year. Maggie’s best friend Laura never gives up looking for her. And during that time her Sister Rose has completely erased her from the home and is now living the life she thinks she deserves… A brilliant concept delivered with real emotional depth and clout. I felt for each and every character in this story of family, guilt and deepest desires' Gytha Lodge, author of Little Sister, Lie Beside Me, Watching From The Dark & She Lies in Wait Now going into its thirteenth year, the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize has developed a reputation for attracting first-class writing talent. Judges are seeking entries that combine literary merit with 'unputdownability’, and it has been a catalyst for numerous literary careers. One day she has a horrific accident waiting to happen at home which affects the children. She provides first aid and takes them to A&E and calls her sister and husband. In her distress she walks away from the hospital feeling it was in the best interests of the children and disappears from their lives.

I can't help feeling that this debut author has been let down by her editing and marketing support teams. There are some good ideas in this book that had the potential to be moulded into a decent novel, but ultimately, execution, fell well short of the mark.It’s a brilliant intense read' Elspells‘Beautifully written, interesting & completely gripping . . . This is definitely one that would be perfect for book clubs’ Little Miss Book Lover 87 Stephen and sister Rose are left to cope with life after Maggie. In contrast to her sister, Rose is a single with her own flat and a good job. She also loves kids and is a good organiser. At times she has envied her sister and longed for family life. Now, despite, the trauma surrounding Maggie’s departure, she has an opportunity to have just that. Everything begins slowly. Stephen offers to financially support her if she gives up her job to become a full time carer to Emily and Elliot. This she does and begins to enjoy this new lifestyle. Her skills soon have the family home well organised. The children gradually beginning to stop asking where their mother is. Beautifully written, interesting & completely gripping . . . This is definitely one that would be perfect for book clubs' Little Miss Book Lover 87 https://www.lucy.cam.ac.uk/fictionprize Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, T: 01223 768426, E: [email protected] I didn’t really like any of the main protagonists in this story. Maggie’s best friend Elaine, who never gave up looking for her, was the nearest; the only one who seemed to care and was determined to find her. Stephen couldn’t see how his wife struggled. He appeared to think in terms of himself as the breadwinner and that his wife’s job to keep house and look after the children should be accomplished without any trouble. He didn’t see, or rather chose not to, the mental health issues that began to crop up. All he seemed to do was criticise. It was clear the hasty marriage and the living pattern they fell into after the children were born showed up distinct differences in what each of them really wanted. Time away allowed Maggie to heal, and also to become someone other than a 24/7 mother.