An Unknown Woman

Description:

Self-Published Book of the Year 2016, awarded by Writing Magazine/the David St John Thomas Charitable Trust

Short-listed for Book Viral’s 2016 Book Award

A SELF-e Top Book of 2016

When your life goes up in smoke, you can never go home.

‘A firestorm of a novel. Davis reminds us that families often have secrets at their heart: ticking time bombs just waiting for a stray spark.’ – Paul Murphy

At the age of forty-six, Anita Hall knows exactly who she is. She has lived with partner Ed for fifteen years and is proud of the life they’ve built. They go out into the world separately: Ed with one eye on the future in the world of finance; Anita with one foot in the past, a curator at Hampton Court Palace. This is the life she’s chosen – a dream job, an equal partnership, living in a quirky old house she adores. She is happy. Their foundations are solid and their future seems secure. But that was before the fire.

Anita stands in the middle of the road watching her home and everything inside it burn to the ground. She and Ed are left with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.

Before she can come to terms with the magnitude of her loss, hairline cracks begin to appear in her perfect relationship. And returning to her childhood home in search of comfort, she stumbles upon her mother’s secret, something so unspeakable it can only be written down.

A thought-provoking story that examines loss, identity and hidden secrets, An Unknown Woman will have you turning the pages right to the end.

‘An intensely human story that feels ripped from the pages of someone’s personal diary.’  The Chocolate Lady’s Book Reviews

‘An Unknown Woman is my favourite angsty teen book all grown up. It is insightful, authentic, and heartachingly beautiful.’ ~ TLR Book Reviews

‘For me, one of the books of the year.’ ~ The Bagster

‘Few writers are so adept at capturing their characters’ emotions. Recommended without reservation.’ ~ Book Viral

‘Jane Davis isn’t just good; she’s phenomenally good. Gutsy, powerful and honest in the best tradition of fiction, this is a book worth savoring.’ ~ Debra Hewitt

‘A beautiful writer with a unique voice and this comes through in every word.’ ~ Wendy Jones, author 

Praise for An Unknown Woman

‘Exemplary writing. An outstanding publication in every way.’ Writing Magazine

‘Few writers are so adept at capturing the emotions of their characters.’ Book Viral

‘A thought-provoking story that examines loss, identity and secrets, An Unknown Woman will have you turning the pages right to the end.’  Bookmuse

‘Simple, elegant and stunning’ – Peter Snell, Bookseller

‘I just adored it!’ Liza Perrat, author of Spirit of Lost Angels
 
 
 

 
 
 

Click here to add to Goodreads

Read a preview

Hint: click on the toggle with the arrows below the flipbook to switch to full screen mode.

Questions for book clubs

An Unknown Woman: Questions for Book clubs

Read an interview about the issues raised in An Unknown Woman 

Read my interview with Alison Morton, author of the Roma Nova series.

For more interviews, visit my archive of news and reviews.

Shortlisted for Book Viral’s 2016 Book Award

Prefer Audiobooks?

An Unknown Woman is now available as an audiobook from Saga Egmont, narrated by Melanie Crawley.

Click here to listen to a sample or to buy.   

Selected for inclusion in the US Library Catalogue

Recommended by Bookmuse