Here are some of the wonderful stories I’ve enjoyed recently. A big shout out to Manchester Libraries who supply me with so many of the books I read. If you’ve a public library near you do sign up. In the UK and Ireland authors get a few pence for every book borrowed. Another reason to love libraries. Happy reading!

The Safe Keep Yael Van Der Wouden

My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor

The Last King of California by Jordan Harper

The Cracked Mirror by Chris Brookmyre

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

A Year of Marvellous Ways by Sarah Winman

Killing Jericho by William Hussey

Fifteen Wild Decembers by Karen Powell

A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson

The Night Always Comes by Willy Vlautin

THE FELLS, the first Donovan and Young mystery, is on the fiction shortlist for The People’s Book Prize! It was a wonderful surprise when I heard the news. The winner is picked by popular vote so if you enjoyed it I’d be very grateful if you’d vote for it here. Just scroll down to find the voting form.

It is always nerve-wracking starting a new series but the response I’ve had from readers has been fantastic, people have really taken to Leo and Shan and are keen to hear more from them. (A second outing is in the works). And the stunning Yorkshire Dales setting has proved very popular. To have the book short-listed for a major prize as well has made my year. Cheers everyone!

My recent favourites have taken me to worlds far and near – 19th century New England, the video games industry, murder in rural India, a haunted indie book store as the pandemic hits, the ex-pat community in Shanghai – in stories about finding identity, family strife, secrets, fights for justice and the power of love and friendship.

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

Tinkers by Paul Harding

River East River West by Aube Rey Lescure

Milk Teeth by Jessica Andrews

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

A Lesson in Violence by Jordan Harper

Sharp Glass by Sarah Hilary

Black River by Nilanjana Roy

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

I love to read. I get through two, sometimes three, novels a week. More on holiday. And I’m fortunate in having a brilliant library service here in Manchester where I can reserve titles I’m interested in. Here are some I’ve really enjoyed. Perhaps you’ll find something you like among them.

Little Wing by Freya North

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

Devotion by Hannah Kent

The Abstainer Ian McGuire

The Colony by Audrey Magee

The Free by Willy Vlautin

The Traitor of Treasure Island by John Drake

The New Life by Tom Crewe

A missing woman. A cold case. A dark secret, buried deep beneath the Yorkshire Dales.

I’m delighted that The Fells, the first in my Detectives Donovan and Young series, is out now. I’ve so enjoyed writing about Leo Donovan and Shan Young. Partnered here for the first time, their friendship quickly develops, stemming from shared values, mutual respect and growing affection. They have each other’s backs, make each other laugh. Their job can be harrowing but they look forward every day to working together. There’s a lot of me in both of them.

The books are rooted in the unique landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, a place of hills and valleys, waterfalls and rivers, drystone walls and ruined barns, deep, dark caves and windswept limestone pavements. Growing up in Bradford, the Dales was where we went for day trips and caravan holidays. Somewhere I’ve loved to visit since.

When a skeleton is discovered deep in the labyrinth of caves under the Yorkshire Dales, veteran detective Leo Donovan and newbie Shan Young must hunt the killer while each struggles with personal heartbreak at home. Lively student Vicky Mott, missing for twenty years, is a suspected victim of the Fellside Strangler. But with evidence mounting that someone else is the killer, Leo and Shan strive to unearth the truth and deliver justice for Vicky and her family.

Happy reading!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted some recommendations but I’ve read SO many excellent books – with thanks to Manchester City Libraries who keep me supplied and have a brilliant reservation system. Here are a fraction of the titles I’ve loved recently. Hope you find something you like. Happy Reading!

All the Sinners Bleed by SA Cosby

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

The Ghost Theatre by Mat Osman

Still Life by Sarah Winman

Other Women by Emma Flint

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

The Slowworm’s Song by Andrew Miller

Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford

THE LOST GIRLS OF ST ANN’S has succeeded beyond all my wildest dreams. Achieving bestseller status #1 in the Kindle Adoption category, reaching #2 in Sagas and spending weeks in the Kindle Top 100 bestsellers list! Heartfelt thanks to everyone who has bought a copy.

THE LOST GIRLS OF ST ANN’S is a novel very close to my heart (and a change from my crime fiction). The book is rooted in my experience as an adoptee but I also wanted to reflect the many different stories I’ve heard from other adoptees, birth and adoptive parents. And to capture the loss that remains for everyone at the heart of adoption.

Manchester, 1960.
When you’re young, unmarried and pregnant, in a shaming society that will never understand, there’s only one place left to go. St Ann’s mother and baby home. That’s how restless Joan, who dreams of a glamorous new life in the Big Smoke, finds herself shut away with two unlikely new roommates: spirited Megan and timid country-girl Caroline, who fell pregnant on her first time. Abandoned by their families, they have no one to rely on but each other, as they wait out the days before they birth their babies — only to be parted from them forever. On a sultry May night, before the stroke of midnight, three baby girls are born — and given away to three eagerly waiting families. But for Joan, Megan and Caroline, birth is just the beginning. Try as they might to move on with life beyond the convent walls, their mistakes have a way of catching up with them.
When the past comes knocking, the three women are forced to confront the choices they made. Will they ever be reunited with their lost daughters?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m so pleased that Joffe books are publishing THE LOST GIRLS OF ST ANN’S, previously TRIO. It’s a novel very close to my heart (and a change from my crime fiction). The book, a family saga, is rooted in my experience as an adoptee but I also wanted to reflect the range of stories I’ve heard from other adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents and also to capture the loss that remains for everyone at the heart of adoption. I’m hoping this fresh edition will reach a whole new readership.

Manchester, 1960.
When you’re young, unmarried and pregnant, in a shaming society that will never understand, there’s only one place left to go. St Ann’s mother and baby home. That’s how restless Joan, who dreams of a glamorous new life in the Big Smoke, finds herself shut away with two unlikely new roommates: spirited Megan and timid country-girl Caroline, who fell pregnant on her first time. Abandoned by their families, they have no one to rely on but each other, as they wait out the days before they birth their babies — only to be parted from them forever. On a sultry May night, before the stroke of midnight, three baby girls are born — and given away to three eagerly waiting families. But for Joan, Megan and Caroline, birth is just the beginning. Try as they might to move on with life beyond the convent walls, their mistakes have a way of catching up with them.
When the past comes knocking, the three women are forced to confront the choices they made. Will they ever be reunited with their lost daughters?

I am delighted to be launching a new series with Joffe Books. SHADOW OF THE HILLS will be the first outing for DI Leo Donovan and DC Shan Young, based in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

Kate Lyall Grant – commissioning editor at Joffe says, ‘With its stunning Yorkshire Dales setting and intricately crafted plot, SHADOW OF THE HILLS had me gripped from the outset. Cath has created a memorable new detective duo in veteran cop Leo Donovan and his pregnant rookie partner Shan Young who is tackling her very first case.’

When remains are discovered by a potholer, deep underground, they’re suspected to be those of Vicky Mott who disappeared years ago at a festival in the Dales. A possible fourth victim of a serial killer. Leo and Shan seek to uncover the truth and provide long-awaited answers for Vicky’s family and friends.

It’s such a buzz to be starting out with these new characters who face heartbreak at work and at home but support each other every step of the way.

SHADOW OF THE HILLS will be published in March 2024.

Here’s another batch of books that I found compelling and memorable. Maybe you’ll find something you like here too.

Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka

Where Waters Meet by Zhang Ling

Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry

The Space Between Us by Doug Johnstone

The Promise by Damon Galgut

Our Missing Hearts Celeste Ng

Strange Sally Diamond by  Liz Nugent

Leeward by Katie Daysh

The Key in the Lock by Beth Underdown