The Cuckoo Sister: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller from Alison Stockham for 2023

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Emily Midorikawa (2015 winner) and Emma Claire Sweeney published A Secret Sisterhood to wide acclaim. Publisher: Mariner Books. However, the most disappointing feature is that there is no medical, social services or legal intervention. A new mother disappears without trace, her phone found in the street, and the police only manage to find a couple of cctv images and give in? No news coverage, even locally? A bit unrealistic in Britain I think. Beautifully poignant and utterly compelling.' Alex Stone, author of The Perfect Daughter and The Other Girlfriend

Maggie has everything her sister Rose always wanted. A handsome husband and two adorable children, Emily and Elliot. Claire Askew (2016 winner) All the Hidden Truths (2016 winner) was published by Hodder & Stoughton.

An emotional and relatable story.' Louise Douglas, author of The Room in the Attic and The Lost Notebook

Since its foundation in 2010, the Prize has been a starting point in numerous entrants’ success stories giving them the platform to launch successful and ongoing careers as novelists, including: It’s a brilliant intense read' Elspells‘Beautifully written, interesting & completely gripping . . . This is definitely one that would be perfect for book clubs’ Little Miss Book Lover 87 Sara Collins The Confessions of Frannie Langton , (2016 shortlist) winner of the 2019 Costa First Novel Award, was published by HarperCollins and translated into more than fourteen languages, optioned for television, filming now. A brilliant concept delivered with real emotional depth and clout. I felt for each and every character in this story of family, guilt and deepest desires’ Gytha Lodge, author of Little Sister, Lie Beside Me, Watching From The Dark& She Lies in Wait

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I can't help feeling that this debut author has been let down by her editing and marketing support teams. There are some good ideas in this book that had the potential to be moulded into a decent novel, but ultimately, execution, fell well short of the mark. I didn’t really like any of the main protagonists in this story. Maggie’s best friend Elaine, who never gave up looking for her, was the nearest; the only one who seemed to care and was determined to find her. Stephen couldn’t see how his wife struggled. He appeared to think in terms of himself as the breadwinner and that his wife’s job to keep house and look after the children should be accomplished without any trouble. He didn’t see, or rather chose not to, the mental health issues that began to crop up. All he seemed to do was criticise. It was clear the hasty marriage and the living pattern they fell into after the children were born showed up distinct differences in what each of them really wanted. Time away allowed Maggie to heal, and also to become someone other than a 24/7 mother. An emotional and relatable story.’ Louise Douglas, author of The Room in the Attic and The Lost Notebook In the meantime her sister steps up as it has been a year. Maggie’s best friend Laura never gives up looking for her. And during that time her Sister Rose has completely erased her from the home and is now living the life she thinks she deserves…