Things Dont Break On Their Own

(Paperback)

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'So so so good. A bruising, brilliant and beautiful mystery. An elegant, twisting story of loss and longing, of the ache of the unknown and the drowning weight of past trauma. A very special debut' Chris Whitaker, NYT bestselling author of We Begin at the End She could be anyone. She could be you. Nobody ever found out what happened to Laika Martenwood, the girl who vanished without a trace on her way to school one morning. But for her sister Willa, life shattered into tiny pieces that day, and she has never been able to put them back together again. Willa sees Laika everywhere- on buses, at parties, in busy streets. It's been twenty-five years, and the only thing that has kept her going is her belief that her sister is alive, somewhere. But when a dinner party conversation about childhood memories spirals out of control, a shattering revelation from one of the guests forces Willa to rethink everything she thought she knew about her past. And, out of the debris of that explosive evening, the truth of what really happened begins to emerge. Piece by piece. Masterfully plotted with shades of Magpie and The Push, Things Don't Break on their Own is a propulsive debut about how our memories shape us, and the lies we tell to escape them.

Reviews

A captivating, haunting, and twisty story that explores the nature of loss and trauma, and the tricks that our memories play on us. A terrific debut from a promising talent * Karin Slaughter, New York Timesand #1 International Bestselling author *
This is the One: the next must-read, must-recommend, must-discuss, must-re-read novel. A miraculous literary thriller, shocking, daring, moving, haunting, infinitely rewardingas though Kate Atkinson and Ruth Rendell had joined forces. This, I hope, is the future of suspense writing * A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window *
I will be thinking about [this book] for years ... I loved it ... There were such echoes of Meg Mason ... Its a beautiful debut, thoughtful, quirky, rich in character. A clever thriller told through the lens of memory ... It deserves to be huge * Gillian McAllister, author of WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME *
I couldn't stop reading ... An enthralling mystery about the enduring love between sisters and the power of female friendship ... Unmissable * Emilia Hart, author of WEYWARD *
Cleverly crafted and deeply moving, this beautiful book is a genuine page-turner. It was original, it was gripping, it was shocking, and I loved it * Alice Feeney,New York Timesbestselling author ofROCK PAPER SCISSORS *
So so so good. A bruising, brilliant and beautiful mystery. An elegant, twisting story of loss and longing, of the ache of the unknown and the drowning weight of past trauma. A very special debut * Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of WE BEGIN AT THE END *
Family secrets, female friendships and a finely crafted plot ... A compelling read * Claire Fuller, author of UNSETTLED GROUND *
A poignant, engrossing novel filled with characters I can't stop thinking about. Not just an absorbing mystery, but a heartfelt exploration of memory and family. I enjoyed it so much I didn't want it to end! * Amy Tintera, author of LISTEN FOR THE LIE *
Everyone will be amazed at this stunning debut. A book that captivates heart and mind, it is powerful, thought-provoking, terrifying and exquisitely written. I loved every page. * Hazel Prior, author of AWAY WITH THE PENGUINS *
A beautifully-wrought story of shattered lives and the bond of true love that mends them. About light and dark; love and not hate, but something more damaging: fear. Exquisite, poetic, intricate and page-turning. Sarah is a ferocious new talent. Simply stunning' * Veronica Henry, author of The Secret Beach *
Wonderful characters, an intriguing plot & beautiful writing - everything I look for in a good novel * Emily Edwards, author of The Herd *
An extraordinary novel about memory, lost love, and long-buried secrets * Exmoor Magazine *
A cataclysmic cycle of events with a stunning resolution A gripping book about families, loyalty, lies, and love that is at once heartwarming and horrifying * Booklist, Starred Review *
Sarah Easter Collins goes straight for the gut and the heart This literary thriller doesnt simply titillate and scare; it thoroughly explores the complex journey of two bruised young women as they stumble through life before finding sure footing Like the handmade pot Willa throws during an unforgettable summer, Things Dont Break on Their Own is a rare treasure, bursting with emotion and built to last. * BookPage, Starred Review *

Author Bio

Sarah Easter Collins grew up in Kent and studied at Exeter University before moving to Botswana and later Thailand and Malawi. She now lives on Exmoor with her husband, son, and two dogs. She is a graduate of the Curtis Brown Creative novel-writing course and holds a diploma in creative writing from Oxford University. When not writing, she works as an artist.