The Shadow Year

A stunning re-issue of bestselling author Hannah Richell's second novel: a mesmerising story of tragedy, lies and betrayal.

It comes out of the blue: a package with a letter and a key. Lila Bailey has no idea who, but someone has bequeathed her a remote lakeside cottage and the timing couldn't be better; with her marriage unravelling, the house offers the perfect escape.

Once there, Lila finds solace in renovating the old cottage, but something about it is unsettling and she wonders more and more about the previous inhabitants. Why did they leave in such a hurry, with their belongings still strewn about? And why can't she shake the feeling that someone is watching her? As a year at the lake unfolds, Lila uncovers long-forgotten secrets and discovers that the past can cast a very long shadow.

THE SHADOW YEAR is a story of secrets, tragedy, lies and betrayal. It's a tale that explores the light and dark of human relationships and the potential the past has to not only touch our present, but also to alter our future.

“An engrossing and clever tale. - Anita ShreveA slow-burning drama, with several mysteries furled tightly inside one another ... [Richell] is an astute storyteller and knows exactly how to reel in readers and keep them hooked. - The AustralianA tale of deceit and betrayal that will have you riveted right up to the final page. Clever, enthralling and at times even menacing. - Woman s DayPast and present are cleverly interwoven in this moving and compelling tale. Engrossing. - Herald Sun The Shadow Year shows [Richell] developing the storytelling skills that made her first book stand out from the crowd of commercial women's fiction. - Sydney Morning Herald The Shadow Year casts a spell over readers ... Utterly captivating. - Who WeeklyThe ending is terrific ... it's a gallop to the finish ... her second novel will hit the high spots, as did her first. - Sun HeraldA page turner with a chilling and unexpected mystery at its heart. This is a story of resolution - all strands of the plot are neatly tied, plenty of cryptic clues are scattered throughout to keep readers guessing right to the end. - Newtown Review of Books”

An engrossing and clever tale. - Anita Shreve

A slow-burning drama, with several mysteries furled tightly inside one another ... [Richell] is an astute storyteller and knows exactly how to reel in readers and keep them hooked. - The Australian

A tale of deceit and betrayal that will have you riveted right up to the final page. Clever, enthralling and at times even menacing. - Woman s Day

Past and present are cleverly interwoven in this moving and compelling tale. Engrossing. - Herald Sun

The Shadow Year shows [Richell] developing the storytelling skills that made her first book stand out from the crowd of commercial women's fiction. - Sydney Morning Herald

The Shadow Year casts a spell over readers ... Utterly captivating. - Who Weekly

The ending is terrific ... it's a gallop to the finish ... her second novel will hit the high spots, as did her first. - Sun Herald

A page turner with a chilling and unexpected mystery at its heart. This is a story of resolution - all strands of the plot are neatly tied, plenty of cryptic clues are scattered throughout to keep readers guessing right to the end. - Newtown Review of Books

Hannah Richell was born in Kent and spent her childhood years in the UK and Canada. She is the author of the bestselling novels: Secrets of the Tides, The Shadow Year, The Peacock Summer, The River Home and the recently published The Search Party. Her books have been translated into seventeen languages. Hannah has a background in book and film marketing and has worked in both the UK and Australia on a range of popular entertainment brands. She has also written for media outlets such as Harper's Bazaar, The Australian Women's Weekly, Fairfax and the Independent. Hannah is a dual citizen of Great Britain and Australia and currently lives in the South West of England with her family.

A stunning re-issue of bestselling author Hannah Richell's second novel: a mesmerising story of tragedy, lies and betrayal. It comes out of the blue: a package with a letter and a key. Lila Bailey has no idea who, but someone has bequeathed her a remote lakeside cottage and the timing couldn't be better; with her marriage unravelling, the house offers the perfect escape. Once there, Lila finds solace in renovating the old cottage, but something about it is unsettling and she wonders more and more about the previous inhabitants. Why did they leave in such a hurry, with their belongings still strewn about? And why can't she shake the feeling that someone is watching her? As a year at the lake unfolds, Lila uncovers long-forgotten secrets and discovers that the past can cast a very long shadow. THE SHADOW YEAR is a story of secrets, tragedy, lies and betrayal. It's a tale that explores the light and dark of human relationships and the potential the past has to not only touch our present, but also to alter our future.

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