The Truants

_______________ 'In the vein of Agatha Christie herself. Startling' - Irish Times 'Magical in every way ... One of the best novels I've ever read' - Fearne Cotton 'As much a coming-of-age tale as a murder mystery ... An impressive debut' - The Times _______________ AN OBSERVER, i AND NEW YORK TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR _______________ During the first year of university, a group of friends discover the cost of an extraordinary life in this captivating debut about obsession, rivalry and coming of age Jess Walker, middle child of a middle class family, has perfected the art of vanishing in plain sight. But when she arrives at a concrete university campus under flat, grey, East Anglian skies, her world flares with colour. Drawn into a tightly-knit group of rule breakers – led by their maverick teacher, Lorna Clay – Jess begins to experiment with a new version of herself. But the dynamic between the friends begins to darken as they share secrets, lovers and finally a tragedy. Soon Jess is thrown up against the question she fears most: what is the true cost of an extraordinary life? _______________ 'Hypnotic . . . An uncommonly clever whodunnit' New York Times Book Review 'Deftly plotted with vivid, compelling characters' Jojo Moyes 'One of the standout books of the summer' Stylist