I’m delighted to be part of the launch celebrations for In Her Shadow by Mark Edwards and thrilled that Mark is staying in with me today to tell me more about this latest book. My thanks to Eleanor Hemming for getting us together!

Staying in with Mark Edwards

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag Mark and thank you for staying in with me.

I know you’ve brought your latest book along tonight, but why have you chosen it? 

I’ve brought In Her Shadow because it’s my new book and I want to tell the whole world about it! It’s a psychological thriller with a little horror in the mix. A psychological chiller?

(Brilliant – I love that new genre!)

I’m describing it as Big Little Lies meets The Sixth Sense and it tells the story of two sisters, Jessica and Isabel. Four years ago, Isabel – the more glamorous sister – died after falling from the balcony of her home. The police ruled it an accident. But now Jessica’s young daughter, Olivia, keeps doing and saying things that make Jessica believe that she might be in contact with the aunt she never met. Jessica has to figure out what’s going on – because ghosts don’t exist, right? – and sets out to uncover the truth about what really happened to her sister.

It sounds fabulous. So, what can we expect from an evening in with In Her Shadow?

Picture one of those movies where a group of people go to stay in a secluded cabin in the woods, miles from civilisation. Creepy music plays in the background. The wind makes tree branches tap-tap against the windows. The floorboards creak overhead. Something is seen lurking in the shadows outside. And then someone suggests getting out a Ouija board… It’s a Halloween party with proper scares instead of apple bobbing, tricks but no treats. You might want to wrap up warm and find someone big and strong to protect you.

(Just that description is terrifying Mark! I’m a bit of a wimp so I may have to leave the light on all night after reading In Her Shadow!)

What else have you brought along and why?

I’ve brought along this teddy bear partly for comfort but also because In Her Shadow features a scene in which something horrible happens to a collection of cuddly toys. This book is so scary that even the teddy bears aren’t safe… Creepy dolls and toys are a common trope in horror but they are usually the ones that provide the treat. In my book, it’s the sweet little girl who poses a danger to her stuffed animals. It’s as if Wes Craven directed Toy Story. But don’t worry, nothing is going to happen to the bear in this picture. I promise…

Gulp! I’m just wondering how safe I am being here with you this evening. This is the point I usually thank authors for staying in with me, but I think I might be quite relieved when you leave! Thanks so much (I think) for staying in with me and telling me all about In Her Shadow. I feel thoroughly unsettled!

In Her Shadow

Isabel’s life seemed perfect. Successful business, beautiful house, adoring husband. And then she was dead.

For four years Jessica has never doubted that her sister Isabel’s death was an accident. But when Jessica’s young daughter seems to know long-forgotten details about her aunt’s past, Jessica can’t shake the feeling that there’s a more sinister truth behind the tragedy.

As Jessica unearths disturbing revelations about her sister, and about the people she loved and trusted most, it becomes clear Isabel’s life was less than perfect and that Jessica’s might also be at risk.

Did someone murder Isabel? Are they now after Jessica and her family? The key seems to lie in the hands of a child. Can Isabel reveal the truth from beyond the grave, or is the answer closer to home?

In Her Shadow is a gripping tale of family secrets, lies and obsession from the two million copy bestselling author Mark Edwards.

Published by Thomas and Mercer on 4th October 2018, In Her Shadow is available for purchase here.

About Mark Edwards

Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people.

He has sold over 2 million books since his first solo novel, The Magpies, was published in 2013. Since then Mark has topped the bestseller lists several times. There is another author called Mark Edwards but this Mark has published Because She Loves Me, Follow You Home, What You Wish For, The Devil’s Work, The Lucky Ones and The Retreat. all of which can be found here. Mark has also published A Murder of Magpies (a short sequel to The Magpies) and six books co-authored with Louise Voss.

Mark lives in the West Midlands, England, with his wife, three children, two cats and a golden retriever.

You can find out more by visiting Mark’s website, following him on Twitter @mredwards and finding him on Facebook.

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