As Ellie stood on the boat, watching the small island come into view, she wondered what awaited her on shore. What secrets would she uncover in this place?

When Ellie Roberts inherits a cottage on a remote Scilly Isle, she’s shocked. She’s never heard of the previous owner, Patience Ellis, so why did she leave Ellie her legacy?

Overwhelmed with unanswered questions, Ellie travels to the isolated island. Windswept from the boat, salt spray still on her skin, she searches for Patience’s whitewashed cottage, hidden behind overgrown ivy. But when she steps inside, the house feels strangely familiar, and she has a memory of laughing as a child with her beloved mother in the window seat overlooking the sea… The mother she lost when she was only a child.

Determined to find out more, Ellie meets enigmatic local Branok Shore. While at first he seems uninterested, he believes he can help. Charmed by his green eyes, and curious about his past on the island, he and Ellie grow closer, but Ellie knows she needs to understand her own story before she can embrace the future. And when Branok prises open Patience’s dresser, filled with letters from the Second World War, Ellie discovers the shocking secret Patience was forced to hide – and the truth that will change her own life forever.

The letters tell the story of a brutal storm on a dark night in the depths of war, and of an injured soldier who begged Patience for help, and asked her to make an impossible choice…

But the letters don’t hold the answers Ellie so desperately needs. Why did Patience leave her home to her? And how can Ellie have memories of the cottage, when she’s never been there before? When Ellie finally uncovers the truth, will she be strong enough to put the fragments of her life back together?

An absolutely heartbreaking and unforgettable read, perfect for fans of gripping family dramas, and for those who enjoy the novels of Debbie Macomber, Fiona Valpy and Nancy Thayer.

What readers are saying about Secrets of the Cottage by the Sea:

‘Oh my goodness… Wish I could give the book more than five stars.’ Netgalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Outstanding. I’ll be sorry to not have it to read tonight, but couldn’t put the book down!’ Netgalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely spectacular… best I’ve read… will pull at your heartstrings.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Beautiful… It really made me smile… took me back to a special place. Wonderful.’ @surfchicksarah ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Utterly captivating… Delightful beyond words!’ Rain ‘N’ Books ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A feel good book to read on a rainy day (or anytime!). I loved it.’ Niki’s Book Blog ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was fully immersed in this from the start… fascinating.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Esme has run the guest house for as long as anyone in Ballycove can remember. But in her declining years, her sight is failing, and when she has a fall on the eve of the summer season, she is forced to take a back seat for the first time in her life.

From her chair in the entry hall, not much passes Esme by. There’s Cora, the wife visiting indefinitely… without her husband; Niamh, the city professional with a life-changing decision to make; and Phyllie, the grandmother whose family is slipping away from her.

Esme’s guests provide the colour that helps her keep her grip on the world. All of them have something they want to escape – or to hold on to. But can Esme help them find their way before the summer is over?

From bestselling Irish writer Faith Hogan comes a new, uplifting story about discovering love, friendship and the healing power of the Irish sea air. It will charm fans of Sheila O’Flanagan, Heidi Swain and Susanne O’Leary.

‘Once again Faith pulls you into her world instantly and never lets you go, with such an incredibly real cast of characters who you feel actually exist. A Life affirming and unputdownable read.’ Phillipa Ashley

‘What a delight this book is. A gorgeous cast of characters, the perfect seaside setting and Faith Hogan’s wonderful talent for dialogue all come together to make this a lovely feel-good story with an ending that will cheer your heart.’ Imogen Clark

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Detective Lola Harris returns from a miserable solo holiday — an effort to get over her useless ex — only to find herself in charge of a high-stakes investigation.

She rushes to a crime scene in the historic Gallowgate neighbourhood. The smell in the basement is thick and sweet, even through Lola’s forensic mask.

The old wooden chair and the rope hanging from its arms are stained red. The earth below is saturated with blood. Six candleholders, their lights burned out, lend the scene an air of a completed ritual.

And yet there is no sign of a body.

A smashed-up phone in the corner puts the investigators on the trail of a local politician who has vanished without trace and a controversial artist who died thirty years ago on a remote Hebridean island.

Lola will have to work with the most obnoxious detective in Glasgow if she’s going to stop the killer from striking again.

Fans of Matt Brolly, Nadine Matheson, Alex Gray, Ian Rankin, Caro Ramsay and Denise Mina will devour this page-turning crime thriller.

PRAISE FOR MURDER IN THE GALLOWGATE:

‘A truly compelling crime novel from an author to watch, which has not only a gutsy and believable central character, but enough twists and surprises to satisfy even the most hardened crime reader. Highly recommended.’ Matthew Booth, author of the Everett Carr mysteries

‘An absolutely gripping murder mystery with a fabulous, strong female detective. The plot twists took my breath away. I’m hooked!’ Victoria Dowd, bestselling author of the Smart Woman’s Mystery series

‘From its disturbing gothic opening to the final twist, Murder in the Gallowgate had me hooked!’ Margaret Murphy, Dagger-winning author of Before He Kills Again

‘A spine-tinglingly tense and gripping novel, with a lovably flawed main detective and host of complex and intriguing characters, Murder in the Gallowgate kept me turning pages late into the night!’ G.R. Halliday, author of the Monica Kennedy series

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A fantastic read, couldn’t put it down.’ Hannelore C.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A new addition to the top drawer of crime fiction.’ J C Gregory

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Loved the pace, the twists, the setting — can’t wait for the next one!’ Ali King

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Compelling characters, storylines that hooked me right in, and a proper flavour of Glasgow made it a brilliant read. I hadn’t intended to read it in a oner, but I couldn’t bring myself to put it down.’ Kay Oh

MEET THE DETECTIVES
Lola Harris, a former hairdresser, is able to get people to trust her at their most vulnerable. She can pierce the toughest facade, asking questions that get to the heart of the matter. But she knows she can play it “mumsy” when she needs to. She drinks too much coffee, and likes a Bacardi and Coke, though she tries not to drink because it makes her maudlin about her useless ex, Joe.

Lola’s main rival in the force is Detective Sergeant Aidan Pierce, who seems hell-bent on sabotaging the case — and her career with it. He thinks he’s the next big thing, and is intensely frustrated that she got ‘his’ promotion. Carefully dressed in expensive Italian suits, he’s a snob, very good looking and vain with it. He’s his own worst enemy, and his manipulative and toxic behaviour has been getting worse. At some point, Lola will have to confront him.

Luckily, Lola has Detective Constable Kirstie Campbell to back her up. Kirstie is committed and plays by the book.

THE SETTING
Glasgow is a city of many different faces, from gritty and unsettling, to modern and slick. It rains a lot: clouds make a lid over the city, and citizens hunch as they hurry about their business. Still, people are very friendly and like a good time.

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