OUR JUDGES’ VERDICTS

SELINA WALKER

Publisher of Century and Arrow at Random House WHAT made The Fifth Girl stand out for me was the characterisation of the lead detective, Alice Warnes, and the obvious potential for more novels in the same series. I believed in her, and her story felt relevant and filmic. Good title, too.

LUIGI BONOMI

Literary agent THIS was sharply written, with a great sense of humour and terrific pace. I thought Alice was a fantastic character and, combined with a gripping plot, that made The Fifth Girl a natural winner for me.

FERN BRITTON

TV presenter and novelist I LOVE a good police thriller and The Fifth Girl is just that. The opening chapter is intriguing and gripping. I can’t wait to read the rest of it! If this were a television series it would give the wonderful Jed Mercurio a run for his money. I absolutely loved it.

SANDRA PARSONS

Daily Mail literary editor IT PULLED me in immediately. The writing was assured and pacy, with terrific characterisation; Alice comes to life vividly and swiftly, but so do the other characters, even after just a few lines. Also — very welcome — there is plenty of humour and wit. Terrific.