Anne Tiernan

The new top ten bestseller from Anne Tiernan is a powerful story about family, betrayal, and love. WIFE. WIDOW. MISTRESS. Three women collide at Rory's funeral, a man to whom they were all connected in different ways . . . Juliet never planned to be the other woman, but Rory was the only man she ever loved. Of course, he would go and die on her. Now, at his funeral, she hides at the back with the nobodies, while his wife and their son rightfully grieve up front. Maeve, a celebrated novelist, appears to have it all - except time for herself. Between her passive aggressive husband, two teenage sons, and caring for her ailing mother, Maeve's success feels hollow. And when she learns a disturbing secret, her carefully constructed life begins to unravel. Erica, Rory's widow, was the perfect wife - but Rory knew things about her that no one else can ever know. And now she's left with a question she doesn't want the answer to: had she lost Rory long before he died? In the wake of his death, she forms an unlikely connection with the last person she expected - Juliet, his gorgeous high-school girlfriend. As three women's lives collide, they must reconcile the realities of love, betrayal, and the limits of forgiveness - because what does it truly mean to be 'good', anyway? Your favourite authors and real readers love The Good Mistress: 'A tender, raw and moving story' - Sinead Moriarty 'A wonderfully balanced novel - funny and sad in equal measure, and about the very relatable and painful process of women losing and rediscovering themselves in midlife' - Edel Coffey 'A story that will make you think, laugh, and maybe even shed a tear' ? ? ? ? ? Real Reader Review 'I loved the story and the development of characters!' ? ? ? ? ? Real Reader Review Real readers love Anne Tiernan's novels: ? ? ? ? ? 'Amazing' ? ? ? ? ? 'The story is beautifully told, and the author can play your heartstrings' ? ? ? ? ? 'Full of authenticity and hope' ? ? ? ? ? 'Deeply moving and gripping'

A compelling, powerful story of love, family, betrayal and forgiveness, beginning when three women's lives collide at a funeral - from the bestselling author of The Last Days of Joy

WHEN HER SECRET SURFACES, CAN HER FAMILY SURVIVE IT? The tender, immersive and beautifully observed international bestseller, perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Marian Keyes and Carley Fortune. 'Oh. My. God. The opening of this story was phenomenal. I was hooked from that first chapter, well done Anne Tiernan ' 5 star Goodreads review 'Wow I basically couldn't put this book down. Started it last night and I just finished it. Spent the entire day glued to it' Goodreads review 'It is so very brilliantly written. It's one that will stay with me for a long time' 5 star Goodreads review Meet the Tobin family . . . Joy, the complicated, troubled mother She's spent her life running from her past while trying to raise her children as best she can. Conor, the high-achieving eldest child A high-profile media figure and CEO, he's walking a fine line between self-promotion and self-detonation. Frances, the 'perfect' middle child Now a wife and mother, she's about to make a mistake that could destroy her marriage. Youngest daughter, Sinead, the acclaimed writer Wrestling with writer's block, she resorts to desperate measures to deliver her next bestselling book to her publishers. When Joy's children receive the news that she has only days to live, they rush to her side, bringing with them all of the dysfunction and hurt they have been carrying since their childhoods. Each of them is at a crossroads in their lives - but there's one more secret about their mother they need to learn. Will they finally be able to forgive their mother and, in doing so, face their futures together? A stunning novel about complex family dynamics, the intricacies of motherhood, marriage and infidelity, and the lingering power of trauma, which echoes down generations. 'Deeply moving and full of hope, this book broke my heart a little' JACQUELINE BUBLITZ 'The Last Days of Joy examines family, mental health and motherhood and is already being described as a worthy successor of Meg Mason's Sorrow and Bliss' IRISH INDEPENDENT 'Moving between the past and the present with a storyteller's natural instinct for when to reveal, and when to withhold, The Last Days of Joy is an honest, acutely perceptive exploration of the fractious bonds of family - the love that can hold us together, the secrets with the power to tear us apart' NOELLE MCCARTHY 'A page-turner, portraying the madness and messiness of family life. This novel is full of humanity, its cast of characters all at the centre of tragedy, but coupled with Tiernan's deliciously dark humour and sharp observations on modern life - it works brilliantly. I loved it ' ELAINE FEENEY 'Moving, funny, sharp and beautifully written . . . Absolutely stunning . . . I laughed and cried my way through and can't wait to read the next Anne Tiernan' ANDREA MARA 'A bittersweet tale of family betrayal and healing that will keep you engrossed to the last word' IRISH MAIL ON SUNDAY 'This is Tiernan's first novel, but you wouldn't know it from the skilled storytelling, and the real wisdom that lies alongside a vein of dark humour' SUNDAY INDEPENDENT 'A debut of fluent prose, discerning insights and colourful characterisation. Each of the siblings is distinctly drawn; Tiernan has a nose for engrossing scenarios that will keep readers turning the pages'IRISH TIMES

EVERY FAMILY HAS SECRETS. SOME ARE JUST BETTER AT HIDING THEIRS...A TOP 5 BESTSELLER IN IRELAND AND NEW ZEALAND. 'You will fall in love with every one of the Tobin family' Edel Coffey'Authentic, deeply moving and full of hope, this book broke my heart a little' Jacqueline Bublitz'A page turner, portraying the madness and messiness of family life' Elaine FeeneyMEET THE TOBIN FAMILY ...Joy, the complicated, troubled motherShe's spent her life running from her past while trying to raise her children as best she can.Conor, the high-achieving eldest childA high-profile media figure and CEO, he's walking a fine line between self-promotion and self-detonation.Frances, the 'perfect' middle childNow a wife and mother, she's about to make a mistake that could destroy her marriage.Youngest daughter, Sinead, the acclaimed writerWrestling with writer's block, she resorts to desperate measures to deliver her next bestselling book to her publishers.When Joy's children receive the news that she has only days to live, they rush to her side, bringing with them all of the dysfunction and hurt they have been carrying since their childhoods. Each of them is at a crossroads in their lives - but there's one more secret about their mother they need to learn. Will they finally be able to forgive their mother and, in doing so, face their futures together?A stunning novel about a family reeling in the wake of a devastating act. Sharply funny, intensely moving and with a cast of unforgettable characters, The Last Days of Joy will make you laugh out loud even as it moves you to tears.'With intelligence and depth, Anne Tiernan wraps the reader into the warp and weft of the Tobins' secrets, troubles, and joys. An absorbing novel, beautifully written' Nuala O'Connor'A brave and profoundly honest book, written with dark humour' Kathleen MacMahon'A beautiful debut, full of authenticity and hope' Swirl and Thread'The writing is captivating ? ? ? ?' Reader review'Full of compassion and empathy ? ? ? ?' Reader review'Beautifully written ? ? ? ?' Reader review

EVERY FAMILY HAS SECRETS. SOME ARE JUST BETTER AT HIDING THEIRS...'You will fall in love with every one of the Tobin family' Edel Coffey'Smart and highly perceptive, this is a writer who is not afraid to tell it as it is. The Last Days of Joy is a brave and profoundly honest book, written with dark humour' Kathleen McMahon'A really engaging, raw, page turner of a novel about family, dysfunction & how the past always catches up with you' Sinead MoriartyMEET THE TOBIN FAMILY ... Conor, the high-achieving CEO and media darling walking a fine line between self-promotion and self-destruction Frances, the 'perfect' middle child on the verge of making a mistake that could destroy her marriage.Sinead, the acclaimed writer driven to desperate measures to deliver another guaranteed bestseller to her publisher.And their mother, Joywith one last devastating secret to shareAs Conor, Frances and Sinead gather to say goodbye to Joy, they finally come to understand her past, and the woman she became.The Last Days of Joy is a powerful, unforgettable story about family and dysfunction, heartbreak and healing, and how it's never too late to forgive those you love, and yourself.'Authentic, deeply moving and full of hope, this book broke my heart a little' Jacqueline Bublitz, bestselling author of Before You Knew My Name

So, you want to be Chief of Staff to the Australian Prime Minister? The Gatekeepers provides the key lessons to equip you for the job.Australian prime ministers need help and it is their chief of staff who supports the person and the office, steering the prime minister through the challenges and landmines of political leadership. It is about making sure the urgent doesn't crowd out the important. It comes down to finely tuned coordination. It is about winning support in cabinet, caucus and country.The Gatekeepers offers unparalleled insights into how things really work at the centre of Australia's governing networks from those who have worked as chiefs of staff under prime ministers from Fraser to Rudd. It identifies eight key lessons for success as the PM's gatekeeper and shock absorber.It reveals what to do, what not to do, how to do it and how not to do it.

Lessons in Governing is a unique contribution to the study of Australian policy, politics and government institutions. It examines the position of Chief of Staff to the Australian Prime Minister from the perspective of key individuals who have held it. Exploring the support needs of Australian political leaders, it traces the forces that have shaped the growth and specialisation of the Prime Minister's Office since Gough Whitlam first formalised the appointment of a trusted senior person as head of his private office in 1972. Individuals in successive PMOs have long been recognised as key players, but their role has come under greater scrutiny as the link between prime ministerial effectiveness and the performance of their private offices has become more widely understood. While insights and advice have been passed from one incumbent to the next, there has been no systematic attempt to understand and document the evolution of the chief-of-staff position. Lessons in Governing addresses this critical gap in our understanding of the contemporary practice of Australian political leadership, reporting the findings of a project designed to develop an empirically informed understanding of the role of prime ministerial chiefs of staff as seen by those who held the post.

Lessons in Governing is a unique contribution to the study of Australian policy, politics and government institutions. It examines the position of Chief of Staff to the Australian Prime Minister from the perspective of key individuals who have held it. Exploring the support needs of Australian political leaders, it traces the forces that have shaped the growth and specialisation of the Prime Minister's Office since Gough Whitlam first formalised the appointment of a trusted senior person as head of his private office in 1972.Individuals in successive PMOs have long been recognised as key players, but their role has come under greater scrutiny as the link between prime ministerial effectiveness and the performance of their private offices has become more widely understood. While insights and advice have been passed from one incumbent to the next, there has been no systematic attempt to understand and document the evolution of the chief-of-staff position. Lessons in Governing addresses this critical gap in our understanding of the contemporary practice of Australian political leadership, reporting the findings of a project designed to develop an empirically informed understanding of the role of prime ministerial chiefs of staff as seen by those who held the post.

Drawing on extensive interviews with current and former ministers, ministerial staffers, and senior officials, this in-depth examination offers insight into the Australian political and democratic processes. Exploring the lives of Australia’s federal ministers at work, this revealing account investigates how a new ministry learns and adapts to the responsibilities of governing as well as the means by which ministers learn to juggle time and other resources in their simultaneous, and sometimes conflicting, roles—as members of Parliament and Cabinet, as local constituency representatives, and as media spokespersons.

A raft of recent political scandals in Australia has generated widespread media and public interest in the role and accountability of ministerial staffers, and their impact on relations between ministers and their public service advisers. Such scandals include the notorious ?Children overboard? affair and the more recent AWB imbroglio. In Power without responsibility Anne Tiernan describes the contemporary working environment of political staffers, their formal and less formal roles, the challenges they face, and the forces that have escalated the growth in their numbers and influence.