Product Description
*As seen on the new BBC TWO TV book club,Between the Covers*
Longlisted for the HWA Debut Crown Award
Indie Book of the Month for March, selected by the Booksellers Association
One ofOBSERVERS10 best debut novelists of 2020 /WOMAN & HOMEBest of 2020 /EVENING STANDARDBest books of 2020 /MAIL ON SUNDAY2020 Highlights /IBest of 2020
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Full of life and love . . . it made my heart soar, and should be on every Londoners shelfStacey Halls,Sunday Timesbestselling author ofThe Familiars
The writing is wonderful; Londons energy runs right through it; the characters leap off the page. I was truly sad to leave them behindAdam Kay,Observer
Convincing and involvingSunday Times
Fans of Zadie Smith and Andrea Levy wont want to miss Louise Hares enthralling debut novelElle
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The drinks are flowing.
The music is playing.
But the party cant last.
With the Blitz over and London reeling from war, jazz musician Lawrie Matthews has answered Englands call for help. Fresh off the Empire Windrush, hes taken a tiny room in south London lodgings, and has fallen in love with the girl next door. Lawrie has poured his heart into his new home – and its alive with possibility. Until, one morning, he makes a terrible discovery.
As the local community rallies, fingers of blame are pointed at those who had recently been welcomed with open arms. And, before long, the newest arrivals become the prime suspects in a tragedy which threatens to tear the city apart.
Atmospheric, poignant and compelling, Louise Hares debut shows that new arrivals have always been the prime suspects. But, also, that there is always hope.
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MORE PRAISE FORTHIS LOVELY CITY:
I loved, loved, loved itCathy Rentzenbrink,Sunday Timesbestselling author ofThe Last Act of Love
Full to the brim with such complete joys and heart-aching tragedies . . . you can feel the warmth and colour emanating from the pagesMagic Radio Book Club