The Gone and the Forgotten

Description

Part psychological thriller, part coming-of-age novel from the author of People of Abandoned Character.

Summer, 1993. In the aftermath of her mother's suicide attempt, 16-year-old Prue must spend the summer holidays on a remote island in the Shetlands with her favorite Aunt Ruth and Uncle Archie, a man she's barely met since her aunt married him. Prue hopes to re-establish the relationship, and that her aunt might help her understand some of the parts of the past she has been forbidden to discuss by her mother – including the identity of her father.

Prue soon finds out that her uncle was the only suspect in the disappearance of a local girl some twenty years ago. As she grows closer to him, she learns there are differing views on how the beguiling Evelyn O'Hara disappeared, but is her uncle innocent?

Truth is something Prue has always had a fractured relationship with. A single version of the truth seems impossible for her to lock down…

Reviews for People of Abandoned Character:
'A mistreated wife suspects her husband might be the Whitechapel killer … Compelling' Sunday Times 'An astonishing book' M.W. Craven 'A gripping and original take on the world's most notorious serial killer. A perfectly thrilling read for those long winter nights' Adam Hamdy 'This impressive debut builds up pace, pathos and intrigue superbly, with plenty of twists and turns' Woman's Weekly Clare Whitfield is a UK-based writer living in a suburb where the main cultural landmark is a home store/Starbucks combo. She is the wife of a tattoo artist, mother of a small benign dictator and relies on a black Labrador for emotional stability. She has been a dancer, copywriter, amateur fire breather, buyer and mediocre weight lifter. Her first novel, People of Abandoned Character, was a Goldsboro book of the month.

'I wanted to explore how ordinary families can condition themselves to keep the darkest of secrets – until the truth forces its way out. It's the story of a family's unravelling through the eyes of a confused and isolated 16-year-old girl trying to make sense of the past.' Clare Whitfield.

Dark, twisty, sophisticated crime with a complex central heroine, set in a remote Shetland island – perfect for book clubs.

Second novel by author of People of Abandoned Character.Still a thriller, but this time botanical and psychological.

MARKET: For readers of Elizabeth McNeal, Shirley Jackson, Deborah Levy but also could reach readers of more conventional crime like Ann Cleeves.

https://clarewhitfieldbooks.com/