Kirjahaku

A picture paints a thousand lies...'Evocative and enchanting - a future classic' Veronica Henry'An extraordinary debut... beautiful, dark, haunting' Edward Carey'A captivating coming-of-age story... dripping with atmosphere' Daily Mail'A bewitching read' WomanHome

A young girl. A hidden treasure. A dark family secret. ‘Evocative and enchanting – a future classic' Veronica Henry‘An extraordinary debut… beautiful, dark, haunting’ Edward Carey‘A captivating coming-of-age story’ Daily Mail‘A bewitching read' Woman & Home Romilly Kemp has an idyllic childhood, roaming the wilderness that surrounds her father’s ramshackle farmhouse. But when he makes her the star of his beautifully illustrated books, her carefree if somewhat lonely existence is threatened. The books are thought to hold clues to an elaborate treasure hunt, and strangers turn up at their door, anxious to get a glimpse of the ‘Kemp Treasure Girl’. But when her father falls ill, leaving Romilly more isolated and alone than ever, she begins to delve deeper into the books – and her past. As she makes sense of the clues he has hidden, she finds a truth that is far darker and more devastating than any treasure hunt has a right to be. For not everything that is hidden is gold. Praise for The Illustrated Child: 'Evocative and enchanting – a future classic and a star in the making' Veronica Henry ‘An extraordinary debut… beautiful, dark, haunting and unforgettable. I loved it’ Edward Carey ‘A captivating coming-of-age story with memorable characters beautifully brought to life in a setting dripping with atmosphere’ Daily Mail ‘Part fantasy, part coming of age, the undercurrents of child neglect and mental ill health pull at you all the way through this poignant tale’ Heat ‘A bewitching read' Woman & Home ‘Written in fine, delicate prose, this treasure of a debut takes up the palette of emotions and paints with all the colours. Beautiful’ Nydia Hetherington ‘Exquisitely written, stunning, totally unique. Everyone needs to read this’ Jessica Ryn ‘A magical tale, beautifully written, evocative and mysterious, and stitched through with a dark thread that I wasn’t expecting. What a wonderful book’ Anita Frank ‘A beautifully written tale that evokes dreams and imagination’ Daily Record

Two women.A wild Island.A truth buried deep in the past.'Like a surreal cabinet of curiosities - haunting, eerie, evocative' Bridget Collins, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Binding

Two women.A wild Island.A truth buried deep in the past. ‘Like a surreal cabinet of curiosities – haunting, eerie, evocative’ Bridget Collins, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Binding ‘This moving tale is set in a mesmerising world’ Heat ‘Polly Crosby whips up a lush, mythical world in this dream-like novel . . . A book worm’s treat!’Eve Chase, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Glass House Tartelin Brown is all alone in the world. So when she sees an advert for a job on a remote island, she knows she has nothing to lose. Her employer, Marianne Stourbridge, is a woman as strange and mysterious as the place she inhabits. Tasked with hunting butterflies for Marianne’s research, Tartelin quickly uncovers evidence of something even more intriguing – for Marianne has a remarkable past. Determined to piece together the story, Tartelin must first confront her own. But what she discovers on the island is more terrible and heart-breaking than she could ever have imagined. Atmospheric and deeply emotional, The Unravelling is the captivating novel from the author of The Illustrated Child. Readers love The Unravelling… ‘I absolutely loved The Unravelling, and there is something really special about Crosby's beautiful and immersive storytelling’ ‘A beautiful haunting and uniquely captivating book’ ‘If you enjoyed The Lost Apothecary or The Mermaid of Black Conch, then this is definitely for you' 'A gorgeously written story, atmospheric and hauntingly beautiful. Captivating and totally immersive. It is one for those that like delving into mysteries of the past, to discover more about a family and to discover the secrets'

A haunting mystery for fans of Eve Chase, Kate Morton and Kate Mosse.'A poignant page-turning story, beautifully written' Leonora Nattrass, author of Blue Water'Hugely evocative and beautifully written' Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork Girl

A haunting mystery for fans of Eve Chase, Dinah Jefferies and Kate Mosse. ‘A poignant page-turning story, beautifully written’ Leonora Nattrass, author of Blue Water ’Hugely evocative and beautifully written’ Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork Girl ’Polly Crosby’s writing is exquisite and this latest book is every bit as evocative as her previous novels’ My Weekly Top pick of the month May 2023 ‘A thoroughly compelling mystery meets a poignant love story, all wrapped up in beautifully lyrical writing’ Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man ‘A beguiling mystery from a gifted storyteller’ Louise Fein, author of People Like Us 1938: Lady Vita Goldsborough lives in the menacing shadow of her controlling older brother, Aubrey. But when she meets local artist Dodie Blakeney, the two women form a close bond, and Vita finally glimpses a chance to be free. 1997: Following the death of her mother, Eve Blakeney returns to the coast where she spent childhood summers with her beloved grandmother, Dodie. Eve hopes that the visit will help make sense of her grief. The last thing she expects to find is a bundle of letters that hint at the heart-breaking story of Dodie’s relationship with a woman named Vita, and a shattering secret that echoes through the decades. What she discovers will overturn everything she thought she knew about her family – and change her life forever. ‘Luminous and captivating … Polly Crosby’s shimmering writing veils a dark hint of the gothic’ Kate Griffin, author of Fyneshade What readers are saying about Vita and the Birds 'A beautiful and haunting tale of family, love, control and connections. This book and its characters will stay with me for a long time' Netgalley reviewer 'A lush and evocative novel of loss and forbidden love' Netgalley reviewer 'Beautifully written, a dark and moody yet intriguing story' Netgalley reviewer 'An extraordinary book that I read in a 4 hour straight session without stopping for food or drink . . . A spellbinding read' Netgalley reviewer

'Shimmering with menace, this is a deliciously Gothic treat' Heat 'What a book! So intriguing, with a terrific plot and strong characters' Prima 'Simmering with secrets, this beguiling mystery is a dark delight’ Essie Fox, author of The Fascination 'Builds an uneasy atmosphere that crept under my skin and kept me guessing until the end' Hester Musson, author of The Beholders Can she unlock the secrets of The House of Fever? 1935, Hedoné House, a luxurious sanatorium for the creative elite dedicated to the groundbreaking treatment of tuberculosis. As the doctor’s new wife, Agnes Templeton has pledged her life to a house of fever. But Hedoné is no ordinary hospital. High society rubs shoulders with artists, poets and musicians. No expense is spared on the comfort of the guests, and champagne flows freely. It’s a world away from everything Agnes knows. Her husband’s methods are unusual. There are whisperings about past patients and even a cure. Hedoné’s secrets draw Agnes in, revealing truths she could never anticipate, and soon she is caught between a past she is desperate to escape and a future she may forever regret. 'Menacing, moody… the tension throughout promises a satisfying uncanny read' The Belfast Telegraph 'A gripping, moving and sometimes sinister story' North Norfolk Living Praise for Polly Crosby ’Hugely evocative and beautifully written’ Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork Girl ‘A thoroughly compelling mystery meets a poignant love story, all wrapped up in beautifully lyrical writing’ Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man ‘A beguiling mystery from a gifted storyteller’ Louise Fein, author of People Like Us What readers are saying about The House of Fever 'Atmospheric, eerie, claustrophobic and beguiling' Netgalley reviewer, ????? 'A five star read. Really loved this story' Netgalley reviewer, ????? 'I devoured this book' Netgalley reviewer, ????? 'Atmospheric, fascinating, and full of glamour' Netgalley reviewer, ?????

Control the story, control the world... Nesta believes in the fairy tales - the true stories of powerful magical women who shaped and ruled the world decades ago. But the world has changed since then, and now, she is forbidden from wandering too far from the isolated woodland cottage where she lives with her grandmother. Nesta longs more than anything to see the city that lies beyond the forest, and when her grandmother is abducted, she gets her chance, journeying there in the hope of rescuing her. But once there, she is horrified to see her grandmother's warnings were true: girls are forced to wear certain clothes and punished if they don't behave in certain ways. The city's Authorities have rewritten history, replacing the fairytale heroines with weak girls who must rely on men. Worse still - everyone believes this is how the world has always been. Only Nesta knows the truth. But truth is a dangerous thing, and suddenly she finds herself a target. Can she evade the Authorities long enough to rescue her grandmother and liberate everyone else, bringing magic back into the world? The Handmaid's Tale meets The Brother's Grimm in this thrilling dystopian fantasy A feminist fairy tale retelling which will make you rethink traditional stories forever YA debut from Polly Crosby, the much-loved author of Vita and the Birds The Unravelling and The Illustrated Child A stunning cover by Noma Bar, the illustrator of Margaret Atwood's book covers

Enter a darkly dystopian world full of eerie folklore, in which illness and difference have been prohibited. But from deep beneath the earth, a rebellion is rising... Perfect for fans of Never Let Me Go and The Luminaries. Ora has always been fascinated by chilling fairy stories of the Vulpine – the mythical, fox-like monsters who live below ground, emerging at night to snatch 'imperfect' babies and children. Because Ora knows that disability and illness have no place in her world. To succeed is to be genetically ‘perfect’, just like her best friend Casta and his family. Then, one day, Casta’s baby sister disappears. And Ora’s mother reveals a long-buried secret: Ora herself has a genetic illness that affects her lungs... And she's about to be found out. Desperate for answers and sanctuary, Ora decides to do the unthinkable and seek out the fabled Vulpine. And below the earth, she discovers a hidden world that turns everything she has been taught upside-down... A unique and powerful story about stepping into your power and creating a better world, with a brilliant cast of disabled heroes, from an author whose own experiences of chronic illness inform Ora's. A chilling dystopian world filled with eerie science fiction and a sweet, slow-burn romance. Perfect for fans of Never Let Me Go, A Handmaid's Tale, The Hunger Games and The Luminaries.

"A luminous and beautiful novel that gently lures the reader into a captivating story with a mystery at its heart." - Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of AriadneSet on a secluded island off the British coast, The Women of Pearl Island is a moving and evocative story of family secrets, natural wonders and a mystery spanning decades.When Tartelin answers an ad for a personal assistant, she doesn't know what to expect from her new employer, Marianne, an eccentric elderly woman. Marianne lives on a remote island that her family has owned for generations, and for decades her only companions have been butterflies and tightly held memories of her family.But there are some memories Marianne would rather forget, such as when the island was commandeered by the British government during WWII. Now, if Marianne can trust Tartelin with her family's story, she might finally be able to face the long-buried secrets of her past that have kept her isolated for far too long.

Reminiscent of I Capture the Castle, The Book of Hidden Wonders is a charming, deeply imaginative debut novel about a young girl and her eccentric father who hides within the pages of an illustrated book a treasure hunt that will lead her to uncover a priceless secret about her family's past.The Book of Hidden Wonders tells the story of Romilly Kemp and her artist father, who live in a ramshackle mansion in the English countryside. To help make ends meet, he creates a children's book series with Romilly - a striking redhead with a mole on her cheek - and her cat Monty that becomes an instant success. The rumor is that hidden within its pages are clues to an elaborate treasure hunt, and their estate becomes crowded with tourists and adventure-seekers hoping to find the treasure.As Romilly gets older, she finds her father disappearing within himself, and eventually learning he's suffering from dementia. Wanting to connect with her failing father and know him better, she returns to his books and comes to realize through a series of clues he's left just for her, that the treasure it leads to is worth more than gold or precious stones - it's a shocking discovery of her family that explains her peculiar childhood and helps her better understand herself.With the imagination of Aimee Bender's The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake and the heart of Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle, this is a tender and enlightening story of family, mortality, and self-discovery with a mystery that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.

Reminiscent of I Capture the Castle, The Book of Hidden Wonders is a charming, deeply imaginative debut novel about a young girl and her eccentric father who hides within the pages of an illustrated book a treasure hunt that will lead her to uncover a priceless secret about her family's past.The Book of Hidden Wonders tells the story of Romilly Kemp and her artist father, who live in a ramshackle mansion in the English countryside. To help make ends meet, he creates a children's book series with Romilly - a striking redhead with a mole on her cheek - and her cat Monty that becomes an instant success. The rumor is that hidden within its pages are clues to an elaborate treasure hunt, and their estate becomes crowded with tourists and adventure-seekers hoping to find the treasure.As Romilly gets older, she finds her father disappearing within himself, and eventually learning he's suffering from dementia. Wanting to connect with her failing father and know him better, she returns to his books and comes to realize through a series of clues he's left just for her, that the treasure it leads to is worth more than gold or precious stones - it's a shocking discovery of her family that explains her peculiar childhood and helps her better understand herself.With the imagination of Aimee Bender's The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake and the heart of Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle, this is a tender and enlightening story of family, mortality, and self-discovery with a mystery that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.

With the same atmosphere and imagination of The Book of Hidden Wonders, Polly Crosby's new novel, The Women of Pearl Island is set on a lush, secluded island where family secrets bring together an unlikely friendship.On a secluded island off the British coast, an elderly woman named Marianne collects butterflies and memories from her past. No longer able to catch butterflies herself, she enlists the help of a young woman named Tartelin who has peculiar birthmark on her cheek. Tartelin's mother has recently passed, leaving her unmoored and eager for new beginnings on the island.Marianne has spent most of her life on the island, her family having owned it for generations. She begins to tell her young assistant her family's story--from the prosperous days when they harvested pearls and held banquets, to the harder times and her father's desperate money-making schemes. But during WWII, the British government commandeered the island for nuclear testing and they were all forced to leave. Though, secret to everyone, Marianne stayed behind and experienced something she calls the blast, an event that changed everything for her. Now, the older woman is obsessed with tracking the changes in butterflies and other creatures on the island to prove what she witnessed so many decades before.With a mystery spanning decades, this is an emotional and atmospheric story of a young woman coming into her own as she forges an unlikely friendship with her employer, both women grieving their pasts and together, embracing a new future.

With the same atmosphere and imagination of The Book of Hidden Wonders, Polly Crosby's new novel, The Women of Pearl Island is set on a lush, secluded island where family secrets bring together an unlikely friendship.On a secluded island off the British coast, an elderly woman named Marianne collects butterflies and memories from her past. No longer able to catch butterflies herself, she enlists the help of a young woman named Tartelin who has peculiar birthmark on her cheek. Tartelin's mother has recently passed, leaving her unmoored and eager for new beginnings on the island.Marianne has spent most of her life on the island, her family having owned it for generations. She begins to tell her young assistant her family's story--from the prosperous days when they harvested pearls and held banquets, to the harder times and her father's desperate money-making schemes. But during WWII, the British government commandeered the island for nuclear testing and they were all forced to leave. Though, secret to everyone, Marianne stayed behind and experienced something she calls the blast, an event that changed everything for her. Now, the older woman is obsessed with tracking the changes in butterflies and other creatures on the island to prove what she witnessed so many decades before.With a mystery spanning decades, this is an emotional and atmospheric story of a young woman coming into her own as she forges an unlikely friendship with her employer, both women grieving their pasts and together, embracing a new future.

A young girl.A hidden treasure.A dark family secret.'Evocative and enchanting - a future classic' Veronica Henry'An extraordinary debut... beautiful, dark, haunting' Edward Carey'A captivating coming-of-age story' Daily Mail'A bewitching read' WomanHome

A picture paints a thousand lies...'Evocative and enchanting - a future classic' Veronica Henry'An extraordinary debut... beautiful, dark, haunting' Edward Carey'A captivating coming-of-age story... dripping with atmosphere' Daily Mail'A bewitching read' WomanHome