It was with great excitement that I settled down to join the Hodder & Stoughton 2021 virtual fiction showcase which took place last Thursday, 21st January. The event was presented by Sara Cox, one of radio’s most enduring and well-loved broadcasters, known to millions of listeners for her shows on BBC Radio 1 & Radio 2. An exciting piece of news announced during the event is that Sara Cox is currently working on her first novel, so keep the eyes peeled folks.
The Hodder & Stoughton showcase was divided into three main sections – Crime & Thriller, Breakthrough Fiction and Exciting New Voices – with a mix of live interviews and pre-recorded pieces, giving us all an insight into what to expect from the Hodder & Stoughton stable over the next few months. An intriguing mix of the well known and debuts, there really is something for everyone here. So let me introduce you to them……
[ Crime & Thriller ]
The Dark by Emma Haughton 19th August 2021
AN ELECTRIFYING DEBUT THRILLER FOR FANS OF LUCY FOLEY AND RUTH WARE.
IN THE MOST INHOSPITABLE ENVIRONMENT – CUT OFF FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD – THERE’S A KILLER ON THE LOOSE.
————————————————–
Call to Kill by Billy Billingham and Coner Woodman 13th May 2021
FROM THE HEAT OF THE ACTION.
THE FIRST IN A BRAND NEW, HIGH-OCTANE ACTION SERIES FROM TELEVISION STAR, EX-SAS SOLIDER,
BODYGUARD TO THE STARS AND BESTSELLING NON-FICTION AUTHOR
————————————————–
Watch Her Fall by Erin Kelly 1st April 2021
WATCH HER RISE, WATCH HER FALL.
BLACK SWAN MEETS KILLING EVE IN THE BRILLIANT NEW NOVEL FROM ERIN KELLY.
[ Breakthrough Fiction ]
The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall 13th May 2021
A fun, upbeat romantic comedy perfect for fans of Lindsey Kelk and Mhairi McFarlane
SOPHIE BREEZE IS A BRILLIANT BRIDESMAID.
SO BRILLIANT, IN FACT, THAT SHE’S MADE IT HER FULL-TIME JOB.
————————————————–
Welcome to Ferry Lane by Nicola May 22nd July 2021
A BRAND NEW SERIES BY NICOLA MAY,
AUTHOR OF EBOOK SENSATION THE CORNER SHOP IN COCKLEBERRY BAY.
————————————————–
Listening Still by Anne Griffin 29th April 2021
FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF WHEN ALL IS SAID COMES A NEW NOVEL ABOUT A WOMAN WHO CAN HEARTHE DEAD – BUT CAN SHE FIND THE COURAGE TO LISTEN TO HER OWN VOICE?
With a bold and memorable premise – what if you could speak to the dead? – Anne sweeps readers once again into the heart of rural Ireland, introducing them to a cast of unforgettable characters in a book perfect for fans of Anne Tyler, Donal Ryan and Graham Norton.
————————————————–
The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle 8th July 2021
Inspired by a box of mementoes found abandoned in a skip following a house clearance, The Museum of
Ordinary People is a poignant, thought-provoking but ultimately uplifting story of memory, grief, loss and the things we leave behind.
[ Exciting New Voices ]
The Lost Storyteller by Amanda Block 8th July 2021
A spellbinding and uplifting novel about a forgotten book of fairy tales that sparks a new journey for our protagonist.
Perfect for fans of Diane Setterfield and The Keeper of Lost Things.
CELEBRATING THE MAGIC OF FORGOTTEN FAIRY TALES AND THE POWER OF IMAGINATION.
————————————————–
Other People’s Clothes by Calla Henkel 8th July 2021
SCEPTRE’S LEAD DEBUT FICTION TITLE IS A BERLIN-BASED LITERARY THRILLER FOR FANS OF THE GIRLS AND THE SECRET HISTORY
————————————————–
Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood 22nd July 2021
Perfect for readers of Circe and Ariadne, this stunning debut sees the infamous Helen and Klytemnestra reclaim their stories at long last.
TWO SISTERS PARTED. TWO WOMEN BLAMED. TWO STORIES RECLAIMED.
A TALE OF SECRETS, BETRAYAL AND REVENGE
FROM THE WOMEN BEHIND MYTHOLOGY’S MOST
DEVASTATING WAR, THE SIEGE OF TROY.
————————————————–
Sunny by Sukh Ojla 2nd September 2021
A funny, modern story about family and love perfect for fans of Queenie
A REFRESHINGLY HONEST, HILARIOUS AND BITING NOVEL ABOUT LOVE, FAMILY AND MENTAL
HEALTH FROM ACTOR, COMEDIAN AND WRITER SUKH OJLA.
————————————————–
The Stranding by Kate Sawyer 24th June 2021
A stunning, life-affirming debut novel about love, loss and finding hope in the darkness. Perfect for fans of Station Eleven, Expectation and The End We Start From.
HER WORLD FELL TO PIECES.
FROM THE BONES SHE BUILT A NEW LIFE.
Keen to read the new Anne Griffin and Other People’s Clothes has been catching my eye on Twitter
I definitely have my eye on Anne Griffin too…
So much to look forward to this year!
Definitely Yvo. We need a parallel reading world 🙂