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Ever wondered how a chance encounter can reignite a passion and alter the course of your life? Join us for an engaging conversation with debut author Shani Akilah as she reflects on pivotal moments of discontent that led her to question her life's purpose and eventually pursue writing full-time. Sharni opens up about how a talk by Bernadine Evaristo sparked her writing journey , the joy she found in mentoring young writers and her debut collection of short stories, 'For Such A Time Like This.'

We discuss the emotional rollercoaster of navigating rejections, the thrill of securing a literary agent, and the serendipitous events that shaped her creative career.

For Such A Time Like This
A group of young, Black British friends navigate their way through the ups and downs of modern London life, in this richly imagined collection of linked stories.

These are the people who sustain us through good times and bad.

Meet Niah and her friends. They’re young, they’re smart, they’re part of a tight friendship group determined to make the most of every day. And their lives are about to change forever.

From the tingling excitement of a new relationship to the challenges of online dating, from the shadow of racism in the workplace to the isolation of Covid-19, the stories in For Such a Time as This burst with romance and friendship. This stunning new collection is a powerful snapshot of the relationships – and moments – that make us who we are.

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The Kill List (Inspector Henley - Book 3)

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What does resilience in the face of rejection look like? Join me, Nadine Matheson, and award winning author, is Kellye Garrett, the acclaimed author of "Hollywood Homicide," as we discuss the emotional rollercoaster of becoming a published author. From our own experiences of facing repeated rejections to celebrating critical acclaim, our conversation offers a heartfelt glimpse into the challenges and triumphs that define a writer's path.

Kellye and I delve into the contrasting worlds of TV writing and book authoring, emphasising the crucial role of community support and the often solitary journey of crafting a novel. We share insights on the pressures of producing work annually, the vital need to focus on personal growth over competitive comparisons and Kellye's new novel, Missing White Woman.

Missing White Woman
Beautiful. Blonde. Missing. Murdered.

It was supposed to be a romantic getaway to New York City. Breanna's new boyfriend, Ty, took care of everything – the train tickets, the sightseeing itinerary, the four-story Jersey City rowhouse with the gorgeous view of the Manhattan skyline.

But then Bree wakes up one morning and discovers recently missing dog-walker Janelle Beckett dead in the foyer. Ty is gone, vanished without a trace.

A Black woman alone in a strange city, Bree is stranded and out of her depth. There’s only one person she can turn to: her ex-best friend, a lawyer with whom she shares a very complicated past.

As the police and a social media mob close in, all looking for #Justice4Janelle, Bree realises that the only way she can stay out of jail is if she finds out what really happened that night.

But when people see only what they want to see, can she uncover the truth hiding in plain sight?

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The Kill List (Inspector Henley - Book 3)

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What happens when an accomplished law student, teacher, and mother pivots to a career in writing? Meet Rachel Wolf, also known by her pen name Rachel Blok, who shares her compelling journey from penning police procedurals to creating standalone thrillers. Discover how her maternity leave sparked a prolific writing career, allowing her to publish one book per year since 2018. We dive into the influence of COVID-19 on her work, her adventurous research methods—including an investigative cruise—and how these experiences shape her narratives.

Join us for an episode brimming with personal anecdotes, practical advice, Rachel's new novel, Five Nights, and the unwavering determination it takes to succeed in the literary world.

Five Nights
A POWERFUL FAMILY. A LUXURY CRUISE. A KILLER ON BOARD...

I recently married Mattia Scarmardo, head of one of the wealthiest - and most ruthless - families in the world.
I invited you on a five night voyage to New York aboard their glamorous new ship because I needed your help.
Someone in the family is threatening me, scared of the new wife who could steal their vast inheritance.
What I didn't tell you is that there would be a chance you would be targeted too. That what you did all those years ago would finally come back to bite you.

You came here to help me, but you don't know the whole truth.
And now we're trapped on a boat with a murderer.

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Ever wondered what it's like to wander the labyrinth of the publishing world, with all its highs and lows? That's exactly where I, Nadine Matheson, alongside my guest, Sunday Times Bestselling author, Jo Callaghan take you in our conversation about the exhilarating rollercoaster of an author's life. Jo and I talk about her crime fiction debut, 'In the Blink of An Eye', the sequel Leave No Trace , the influence of AI in publishing and the human attributes it can never replicate.

We also critique the illusion of overnight success and confront the emotional toll of the creative process, while celebrating the unique satisfaction derived from breathing life into our stories. Plus, we tackle the guessing game of publishing, providing insights into the vested emotional and creative stakes that authors navigate.

Leave No Trace
DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock return in the provocative new thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author of In the Blink of an Eye.

One detective driven by instinct, the other by logic.
It will take both to find a killer who knows the true meaning of fear . . .

When the body of a man is found crucified at the top of Mount Judd, AIDE Lock – the world’s first AI Detective – and DCS Kat Frank are thrust into the spotlight as they are given their first live case.

But with the discovery of another man’s body – also crucified – it appears that their killer is only just getting started. With the police warning local men to be vigilant, the Future Policing Unit is thrust into a hostile media frenzy as they desperately search for connections between the victims. But time is running out for them to join the dots and prevent another death.

For if Kat and Lock know anything, it’s that killers rarely stop – until they are made to.

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30% off The Kill List
You can get 30% off my brand new book The Kill List on harpercollins.co.uk for a limited time. Add code TKL30 at checkout. harpercollins.co.uk

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In 2017 Caz Frear won the Richard and Judy 'Search for a Bestseller' competition. Her debut novel, Sweet Little Lies was followed by Stone Cold Heart. Embarking on the creation of a second novel often feels like navigating through a darker, more complex sequel to the joyous tale of writing a debut. Caz Frear and I peel back the curtain on the pressures and pleasures that accompany of being a writer. Listen as we dissect the emotional rollercoaster Caz's breakthrough experiences post-writing competition triumph, all while battling the ever-present imposter syndrome, the shifting landscapes of the literary world and her new novel, Five Bad Deeds.

Five Bad Deeds
Teacher, mother, wife, and all-around good citizen Ellen is juggling non-stop commitments, from raising a teen and two toddlers to job-hunting, to finally renovating her dream home, the Meadowhouse. Amidst the chaos, an ominous note arrives in the mail declaring:

SOONER OR LATER EVERYONE SITS DOWN TO A BANQUET OF CONSEQUENCES.

Why would someone send her this note? Ellen has no clue. She's no angel - a white lie here and there, an occasional sharp tongue - but nothing to incur the wrath of an anonymous enemy.
Everyone around Ellen - her husband, her teenage daughter, her sister, her best friend, her neighbours - can guess why, though. They all know from bitter experience that while Ellen’s intentions are always good, this ultimately counts for very little when you’ve (unintentionally?) blown up someone’s life. Could the five bad deeds that come to haunt Ellen explain why things have gone so horribly wrong?

As she races to discover who’s set on destroying her life, Ellen receives more anonymous messages, each one more threatening than the last . . . and each hitting closer and closer to home and everything she cherishes.

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30% off The Kill List
You can get 30% off my brand new book The Kill List on harpercollins.co.uk for a limited time. Add code TKL30 at checkout. harpercollins.co.uk

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The Kill List (Inspector Henley - Book 3)

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Navigating the labyrinth of the publishing world can be daunting, but with the insights shared in this episode from author and commercial fiction publishing director, Phoebe Morgan, aspiring writers and book enthusiasts alike will find a guiding star. Phoebe and I unravel the nuances of writer-editor dynamics, discussing everything from handling rejection to the realities of book deals and fifth novel, The Trip. We don't hold back as we lay bare the strategic underpinnings of the publishing calendar, the emotional rollercoaster of writing schedules, and the balancing act of managing talented authors.

We talk candidly about the importance of diversity and transparency in publishing, and the profound satisfaction that comes from career milestones. Whether you're penning your first draft or simply love getting lost in a good book, this conversation will inspire, inform, and connect you to the world of words in ways you never imagined.

The Trip
The perfect holiday. The perfect crime.

Four friends on the holiday of a lifetime. Until a vicious murder shatters their paradise.

Four friends who'd do anything for each other, until now.

Only one of them committed a crime.

But all four know how to keep a secret.

And they're all guilty of something…

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The Kill List (Inspector Henley - Book 3)

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Ever wrestled with the decision to switch lanes mid-career, or felt the tug of a creative calling that defies expectations? Chioma Okereke is a poet and author who transitioned from the structured world of law to the fluid realm of literature. We take you through the peaks and valleys of releasing a novel, and the realities of authorship in our digital age—yes, including that tricky dance of social media for writers. Chioma and I talk about the resilience needed to navigate the unpredictable tides of the publishing world, her new novel, Water Baby, which is a coming-of-age story set in the real settlement of Makoko in Lagos. Nigeria and her charity Makoko Pearls.

Water Baby
She's the Pearl of Makoko and the world is her oyster.

In Makoko, the floating slum off mainland Lagos, Nigeria, nineteen-year-old Baby yearns for an existence where she can escape the future her father has planned for her.

With opportunities scarce, Baby jumps at the chance to join a newly launched drone-mapping project, aimed at broadening the visibility of her community.

Then a video of her at work goes viral and Baby finds herself with options she could never have imagined - including the possibility of leaving her birthplace to represent Makoko on the world stage.

But will life beyond the lagoon be everything she's dreamed of? Or has everything she wants been in front of her all along?

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The Kill List (Inspector Henley - Book 3)

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