Secrets, romance, murder and lies: Zoe shares a terrible secret in a letter to a stranger on death row in this prize-winning second novel from the bestselling author of the debut, MY SISTER LIVES ON THE MANTELPIECE. Unabridged edition.
Hardcover
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Summary
Secrets, romance, murder and lies: Zoe shares a terrible secret in a letter to a stranger on death row in this prize-winning second novel from the bestselling author of the debut, MY SISTER LIVES ON THE MANTELPIECE. Unabridged edition.
Description
Fifteen-year-old Zoe has a secret - a dark and terrible secret that she can't confess to anyone she knows. But then one day she hears of a criminal, Stuart Barnes, locked up on death row in Texas. Like Zoe, Stuart is no stranger to secrets. Or lies. Or murder.
Full of heartache yet humour, Zoe tells her story in the only way she can - in a letter to the man in prison in America. Armed with a pen and sitting on her bedroom carpet, Zoe takes a deep breath, eats a jam sandwich, and begins her tale of love and betrayal on the back of a Geography worksheet.Awards
Winner of Edgar Allan Poe Award 2014 (UK)
Winner of Leeds Book Awards 2014 (UK)
Short-listed for The BASH Award 2014 (UK)
Short-listed for Lancashire School Library Service Fantastic Book Award 2014 (UK)
Short-listed for Oxfordshire Children's Book Award 2015 (UK)
Long-listed for Carnegie Medal 2014 (UK)
Long-listed for UKLA Children's Book Award 2014 (UK)
Critic Reviews
“Blending powerful emotion and darkness with ironic humour, it is a gripping and moving story about secrets, lies and growing up. Sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes wistful, often funny and always compassionate, this is a beautifully-crafted and unexpected coming-of-age story that will win readers' hearts.”
It's a moving and ultimately highly compassionate tale. To be human is to err, after all. Martin Chilton, THE TELEGRAPH
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for an invigorating, coming-of-age book. The young adult category can often come off as whiney and "woe is me" but this book proves that that is not always the case, even when the main character does have a lot to whine about. There are good authors of every genre if you just know where to look and Annabel Pitcher is one of them. THE GUARDIAN
Annabel Pitcher presents a harrowing tale of a girl learning to deal with love, family, remorse and grief. Through a mixture of her hilarious, sweet and honest confessions, Zoe comes to life on the page. TEENREADS
BOOKTRUST
This is a clever, multi-layered book. It's heartstoppingly sweet, very sad, and very, very real. Everyone should take notes on how to write a love story from this gorgeous novel because I believed every word. And, of course, I cried.
Highly recommended.
About the Author
Annabel Pitcher studied English at Oxford and has since worked as a script writer and an English teacher. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband and is now a full time writer. Visit Annabel's website at
Fifteen-year-old Zoe has a secret - a dark and terrible secret that she can't confess to anyone she knows. But then one day she hears of a criminal, Stuart Barnes, locked up on death row in Texas. Like Zoe, Stuart is no stranger to secrets. Or lies. Or murder.Full of heartache yet humour, Zoe tells her story in the only way she can - in a letter to the man in prison in America. Armed with a pen and sitting on her bedroom carpet, Zoe takes a deep breath, eats a jam sandwich, and begins her tale of love and betrayal on the back of a Geography worksheet.
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