Four more page turners from our runners-up

HERE are the opening paragraphs from their novels . . .

THE FACELESS DESCENT

by Isabella Harcourt An historical crime novel about a serial killer, set in 1890s London. Isabella Harcourt, 25, lives in Bedfordshire and works for Hachette publishers, having graduated from the University of Kent with a First in comparative literature. ‘I can never remember what he looks like. Every time I see him, I try to focus on his face: the yellowing skin; the purple lines under his eyes; the dark eyebrows that almost meet in the middle. When he leaves, I repeat the details to myself in a chant so I can never be caught offguard again, but it never works.

‘The details slip away and the next week I’m greeting him like a brand new customer. I could always remember his hands, though. He had beautiful hands. Pale, soft skin, well- proportioned iron rods.’

THE SINS

by Jez Pinfold A voyeuristic killer of girls plants cameras at the crime scene to spy on the investigation — and the female detective. Jez, 52, from South London, is married with two children aged 16 and 19. He has taught English and film studies for 25 years, but is taking time out to concentrate on his writing. ‘THIs was the start. and also the ending. a paradox. He liked this concept. The notion that something could be both true and false at the same time fascinated him, exercised his mind. Every time was a thrill, but this time it felt different. special.

‘ It was autumn and it felt colder today. He had been watching the house for three days now… soon there would be signs of life, curtains would be opened and he would be able to see those inside.’

HOW TO MARRY YOUR HUSBAND

by Jacqueline Rohen When a woman discovers she isn’t legally married to her cheating ‘husband’, she must win him back — in order to divorce him . . . Jacqueline, 38, from West London, used to work in TV and musical theatre but is spending a year in Uganda with her fiance, a primatologist, setting up a chimpanzee charity. ‘IT STARTED with a kiss. rachel spotted her husband on the High street; she smiled at the unexpected surprise. she would give him a lift home and they could start their celebrations early; she had a silk chemise and stockings waiting.

‘They had a weekend of festivities planned and the opportunity to see friends and family en masse was sacrosanct; everything was planned. When rachel saw david turn and kiss the woman stood next to him, she almost crashed her car.’

IN PLAIN SIGHT

by Rebecca Williams A psychological crime thriller in which a woman haunted by a childhood memory becomes obsessed with exacting revenge on those who have betrayed her. Rebecca, 37, a recruitment marketing manager, lives in Surrey and has sons aged two and six. She is a former bookseller and last year took a Curtis Brown creative writing course. ‘all it takes is a glimpse of sprigged wallpaper for me to tumble through time. Pink rosebuds, green leaves, tiny clusters of them sprinkled on a white background like pox on a toddler, covering the walls of my childhood bedroom. If I close my eyes, they repeat over and over again.

‘sometimes there’s a spider winding a web in the petals, ensnaring me. I still want to find its filthy fine legs tickle up my arm as it explores.’