It’s so frustrating that I simply can’t read all the fantastic books there are in the world. However, occasionally I can find out more about them even if I don’t have time to read them and today I’m chatting with Deborah Stone all about her recent release. I’m only sorry it has taken me so long to feature Deborah as I have a feeling the book she’s discussing with me will really appeal to Linda’s Book Bag readers.

Staying in with Deborah Stone

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

It’s an absolute pleasure. It’s so kind of you to invite me in.

Tell me, which books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

 

Well, Linda, I’ve brought along my new book, Me and My Shadow, which is my second novel. I wrote it during lockdown. It has been a difficult time for my family, as it has for many others, as I lost my mother to Covid and we went through the trauma not only of losing her, but also not being able to visit or be with her at the end, plus very few of us could attend the funeral.

Oh my condolences Deborah. That must have been devastating for you all. 

Shortly afterwards, I woke up in the middle of the night with the kernel of an idea of this new book. It was very odd, but I thought that I must try to write it and I did.  Me and My Shadow is a psychological suspense with an unreliable narrator – something I’ve always been drawn towards.  It covers some difficult issues relating to family dynamics, sibling rivalry and mental health, but also the themes of the importance of live and support, with some lighter moments too.

It sounds as if Me and My Shadow could be a distillation of everything you went through. Fascinating. How have readers found it?

So far, it’s been well received, which is lovely, as it’s nerve-wracking putting a book out there not knowing what others might think! Some of the latest reviews include:

‘I absolutely loved this book. It kept me engrossed from start to finish. It is my first book of the year and what a book to start the year with. It was definitely a 5-star book for me.’

‘Through her central character, author Deborah Stone creates a compelling account of how life experiences and mental health influence the paths we take and where they can lead. I read this book in a couple of days, not wanting to put it down, as the suspense built, and unexpected and shocking twists emerged. This is a story that will stay with me.’

‘In a year when we have all become more aware of our mental health, and a time when so many of us have become curious about the multiple voices in our heads, this book highlights the games our brains play. Page turning, I was drawn in and intrigued by both character and plot. A great Christmas present and a treat for curling up in front of the fire. Highly recommended.’

Those are such wonderful comments Deborah. You must be thrilled.

What else have you brought along and why have you brought it?

 

Well, Linda, I’ve brought along a picture of my beloved dog George, who passed away after thirteen and a half years just a few days after I published Me and My Shadow. He was, in effect, my co-author, as he sat with me throughout my writing of this book and my previous novel and non-fiction book. I am lost without him. I must admit that I have started to think about getting a puppy, which I think George would approve of, as he always wanted to make people happy.

Oh my goodness. What an awful time you’ve had. I so hope that Me and My Shadow does as well for you as it sounds it deserves by way of small compensation for your losses. Thank you so much for staying in with me to chat about the book and for sharing some of these momentous events with Linda’s Book Bag readers. 

Me and My Shadow

When the line between truth and lies blurs…

Imagine being flooded with shame, unworthiness, and paranoia. Each day you wake up to a life that feels just beyond the reach of your control. No matter how many attempts you make to move forward, you are met repeatedly with betrayal and rejection from your family – the very people who are supposed to love you the most. This is the reality for Rachel. Since childhood, all she has ever desired is to be loved, to be seen, to be accepted, yet she faces one disappointment after another.

So, what happens when someone is pushed too far and they begin to lose their grip on reality? How would you cope if you felt that no one loved you? And how far would you go to be happy? Accompany Rachel as she tries to shake off the shadows of her past and attempts to repair decades worth of pain.

This is the second novel from Deborah Stone, the award-winning author of What’s Left Unsaid.

Published on 10th December 2021, Me and My Shadow is available for purchase here.

About Deborah Stone

Deborah Stone read English Literature at Durham University and lives in North London with her husband, two sons.

Her new novel, Me and My Shadow, is a thrilling psychological suspense novel. https://deborahstonebooks.com/

Her first novel, What’s Left Unsaid, won The Chill With A Book Runner Up Prize for Best Book of 2018 and has been highly acclaimed.

Her non-fiction book, The Essential Family Guide to Caring for Older People, is an important manual for any family looking after older relatives. It is published by Bloomsbury.

Deborah Stone is a leading expert in the field of elder care. Through her website, Mature Thinking she provides information and advice for families caring for older people, as well as advising companies on the effective development of products and services for older people. Deborah regularly appears on BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 5 as a care expert, as well as contributing to lifestyle magazines and national newspapers with advice for those making decisions about care for relatives.

For further information visit Deborah’s website where you’ll find all her books, follow her on Twitter @DeborahStone_ and find her on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.